in which Brenda tells you what to read/watch

[chestnutcurls]

After watching two hours of Beauty and the Beast special features last night, and seeing all the work and heart that went into making the film, I'm convinced that it's one of the best movies ever. :) I like it more and more as I get older. There's something so touching and beautiful about it. Also, I've always identified strongly with Belle. Not that I think I'm a Beauty or anything, but her insatiable love of books, her conversations with animals, the fact that she's just a little bit "off"... :) The first time I saw the movie, in the theater when I was 11 years old, my mother turned to me after the "Belle" song and said, "Brenda, this is you." So maybe that's part of why I love the movie so much. :)

I had a nice lunch with aardwolf and yakko7178 today. I shared my dismay that anyone can see my computer (and thus, witness my constant websurfing) if they're standing at our department printer. The guys had good advice:
Lawson: You need to take black cloth and make a big hood for your monitor.
Jeremy: And if anyone asks about it, just tell them you're voting.

I read Tuck Everlasting for the first time last weekend, because I want to see the movie. It was wonderful. I don't know how I missed it as a child, since I had read practically everything in the school library by the time I was ten. I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as much, though. The story is neat, but the real beauty is in the words. When I was done, I wanted to go find that beautiful wood and live there. :)

I also tried to read The Man in the High Castle, which is set in an alternate future, in which Germany and Japan won WWII. Unfortunately, I got bored with it after just a few chapters. The characters annoyed me, and the whole story seemed to revolve around the I Ching, which I know very little about (and, obviously, consider to be a bunch of baloney anyway). I know this is supposedly a sci-fi masterpiece, but I guess I'm not enlightened enough or something. Give me Fahrenheit 451 any day. Even though it always creeps me out. :)

Anyone read anything good lately?

Comments

[tingilya.livejournal.com]

I totally missed Tuck Everlasting, too, and I don't know how I missed it. My mom used to read it to her classes, but she never read it to me. Bad mom! I should get it and read it before this weekend. Can't wait for the movie!

my favorite book

[laura8225.livejournal.com]

I absolutely love the book "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. I haven't read it lately, but I still recommend it. It follows two friends throughout their childhood and young adult years. It's a little hard to explain, but it's about how God works in people's lives and everything is there for a reason. The movie "Simon Birch" was based off this book, but loosely. Very loosely. They're practically two different stories. But it's actually a good thing they're so different, or else I would have been disappointed with any movie version of "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Because they're so different, I can enjoy both of them individually and not really associate the two. Hmm...that was kind of a long way of saying it, but my point is, if you haven't read it yet, try it. I think you would enjoy it.

[chocomilkbanana.livejournal.com]

I'm currently reading the third installment of the and I'm also reading by Lisa Beamer.

The Mitford series is AWESOME!

[greenhornet.livejournal.com]

I am in a class in which we are reading adolescent literature. (for educational certification) and we read two which I would not have read if not for the class. They are called Habibi by Naomi Shihab Nye, and Angus, Thongs, and full frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. The second one is not what it sounds like. It's a 14 year olds diary. Sort of Beverly Cleary meets Bridget Jones. Both are about 14-15 year old girls growing up. I am not accustomed to that particular genre, but it is enlightening for me. Both excellently written.

Re: my favorite book

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I've heard of that! I'll put it on my list. Thanks! :) I only saw Simon Birch once, but I remember that I liked it, and that I cried. A lot. :)

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo Mitford! :) The great thing about those books is that they're so refreshing. It sounds weird, but I feel sort of clean in my mind after I read them. They remind me of what's really important.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

I've actually been wanting to read the Louise Rennison for a while! It's a whole series, I'm told. I just haven't had the guts to check it out of the library, lest someone see the title and go, "What the heck is that?" :)

If you liked that, I bet you would love the Princess Diaries. Those are just plain fun. :)

[chocomilkbanana.livejournal.com]

They really do.

They make you realize what truly is important and give you something to think about.

Re:

[greenhornet.livejournal.com]

The Princess diaries? Is that like the movie?

[greenhornet.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about what people think about you reading that one. It's hilarious.

I also have read the Janet Evanovitch, Stephanie Plum series. The language isn't always the best, but I know a bunch of New Jersey-ites and it's dead on.

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Yes. But much cooler.

Re:

[greenhornet.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually seen it, but I will take your word that it is cool and attempt to read them.

[nova-wylde.livejournal.com]

I've most recently been reading novels based on the Resident Evil video game series.

[lifeofpatrick.livejournal.com]

"the millionare next door"

books

[verseseven.livejournal.com]

In my class Theology and Film last week we watch a clip from Beauty and the Beast. My professor is this big Hollywood/Film/Movie studio guy who has inside knowledge. I don't know if they mention it on the dvd, but he said when the writer of the film took the script to the "suits" they rejected it because of Belle's love for books. They said it was boring. But the writer, a woman, pushed for the books to say in the film! And I think it made a difference! He also told the story of a little girl who lost her mother, but when she watched Beauty and the Beast she found comfort because Belle had lost her mother too and Belle turned out to be a beautiful, intelligent woman. :) Girls rule!

Re: books

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Wow, how neat! Thanks for sharing that! :) They didn't mention that on the DVD, but there was other really neat stuff. It turns out that the animator who drew Beast is a Christian, and for the "transformation" scene when Beast turns back into a prince, he took "When a man is in Christ, he is a new creation" as his inspiration. I was floored that he talked about that, and even more floored that they left it in! :)