Modern Library's 100 Best Novels

Back in 1998, Modern Library compiled a list of 100 titles they considered to be the best books of the 20th century. Sadly, The Catcher in the Rye is the only title on the list that I've actually read—and that was back in 1996 when I was a not-so-snot-nosed youth who found it utterly boring. I'd like to think of myself as an intelligent adult (though I'm sure many of you can contest otherwise). That's why I've decided to read each and every one of the books on the following list. I can't say exactly how long it will take me as not every book is currently available to me, but I'm going to try.

Perhaps I will use this as an opportunity to evaluate my local and state libraries. These titles are relatively old and well known; there is no reason they should not be readily available though the library. If a title is not available? Perhaps I'll see about getting it donated. The Modern Library has an book-request email available on their sites for books "you'd like to see us add[ed] to our library" so it's worth a try.

1. ULYSSES by James Joyce
2. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
3. A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN by James Joyce
4. LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov
5. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
6. THE SOUND AND THE FURY by William Faulkner
7. CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
8. DARKNESS AT NOON by Arthur Koestler
9. SONS AND LOVERS by D.H. Lawrence
10. THE GRAPES OF WRATH by John Steinbeck
11. UNDER THE VOLCANO by Malcolm Lowry
12. THE WAY OF ALL FLESH by Samuel Butler
13. 1984 by George Orwell
14. I, CLAUDIUS by Robert Graves
15. TO THE LIGHTHOUSE by Virginia Woolf
16. AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY by Theodore Dreiser
17. THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER by Carson McCullers
18. SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut
19. INVISIBLE MAN by Ralph Ellison
20. NATIVE SON by Richard Wright
21. HENDERSON THE RAIN KING by Saul Bellow
22. APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA by John O'Hara
23. U.S.A. (trilogy) by John Dos Passos
24. WINESBURG, OHIO by Sherwood Anderson
25. A PASSAGE TO INDIA by E.M. Forster
26. THE WINGS OF THE DOVE by Henry James
27. THE AMBASSADORS by Henry James
28. TENDER IS THE NIGHT by F. Scott Fitzgerald
29. THE STUDS LONIGAN TRILOGY by James T. Farrell
30. THE GOOD SOLDIER by Ford Madox Ford
31. ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell
32. THE GOLDEN BOWL by Henry James
33. SISTER CARRIE by Theodore Dreiser
34. A HANDFUL OF DUST by Evelyn Waugh
35. AS I LAY DYING by William Faulkner
36. ALL THE KING'S MEN by Robert Penn Warren
37. THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY by Thornton Wilder
38. HOWARDS END by E.M. Forster
39. GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN by James Baldwin
40. THE HEART OF THE MATTER by Graham Greene
41. LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding
42. DELIVERANCE by James Dickey
43. A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME (series) by Anthony Powell
44. POINT COUNTER POINT by Aldous Huxley
45. THE SUN ALSO RISES by Ernest Hemingway
46. THE SECRET AGENT by Joseph Conrad
47. NOSTROMO by Joseph Conrad
48. THE RAINBOW by D.H. Lawrence
49. WOMEN IN LOVE by D.H. Lawrence
50. TROPIC OF CANCER by Henry Miller
51. THE NAKED AND THE DEAD by Norman Mailer
52. PORTNOY'S COMPLAINT by Philip Roth
53. PALE FIRE by Vladimir Nabokov
54. LIGHT IN AUGUST by William Faulkner
55. ON THE ROAD by Jack Kerouac
56. THE MALTESE FALCON by Dashiell Hammett
57. PARADE'S END by Ford Madox Ford
58. THE AGE OF INNOCENCE by Edith Wharton
59. ZULEIKA DOBSON by Max Beerbohm
60. THE MOVIEGOER by Walker Percy
61. DEATH COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP by Willa Cather
62. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY by James Jones
63. THE WAPSHOT CHRONICLES by John Cheever
64. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger
65. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess
66. OF HUMAN BONDAGE by W. Somerset Maugham
67. HEART OF DARKNESS by Joseph Conrad
68. MAIN STREET by Sinclair Lewis
69. THE HOUSE OF MIRTH by Edith Wharton
70. THE ALEXANDRIA QUARTET by Lawrence Durell
71. A HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA by Richard Hughes
72. A HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS by V.S. Naipaul
73. THE DAY OF THE LOCUST by Nathanael West
74. A FAREWELL TO ARMS by Ernest Hemingway
75. SCOOP by Evelyn Waugh
76. THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE by Muriel Spark
77. FINNEGANS WAKE by James Joyce
78. KIM by Rudyard Kipling
79. A ROOM WITH A VIEW by E.M. Forster
80. BRIDESHEAD REVISITED by Evelyn Waugh
81. THE ADVENTURES OF AUGIE MARCH by Saul Bellow
82. ANGLE OF REPOSE by Wallace Stegner
83. A BEND IN THE RIVER by V.S. Naipaul
84. THE DEATH OF THE HEART by Elizabeth Bowen
85. LORD JIM by Joseph Conrad
86. RAGTIME by E.L. Doctorow
87. THE OLD WIVES' TALE by Arnold Bennett
88. THE CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London
89. LOVING by Henry Green
90. MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN by Salman Rushdie
91. TOBACCO ROAD by Erskine Caldwell
92. IRONWEED by William Kennedy
93. THE MAGUS by John Fowles
94. WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys
95. UNDER THE NET by Iris Murdoch
96. SOPHIE'S CHOICE by William Styron
97. THE SHELTERING SKY by Paul Bowles
98. THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE by James M. Cain
99. THE GINGER MAN by J.P. Donleavy
100. THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS by Booth Tarkington

Manga from Suvudu

There's something about getting a package in the mail that just makes me feel ... giddy. Books, movies, music, catalogs, doesn't matter. If it's for me, if it's even remotely associated with happiness or Pezz, I love it (bills excluded of course). So imagine my surprise when the mailman tromps across my lawn to deposit a fairly large package in my tiny mail box. I admit, first it was annoyance, then it was anger, but ultimately it was a feeling of ecstatic giddiness. Why? Manga! Turns out I was one of the winners of Jason Thompson's 365 DAYS OF MANGA contest being held over at Suvudu.com.

One of the stipulations? A picture of the winner holding their manga.

Now before you make any cracks about my picture: yes, that's really me. Yes, I am quite aware that the manga in my hands, the birdie bedsheets, and the stack of crap everywhere makes me seem like a teenager. Yes, I know I'm almost 30. And yes, I'm quite aware that this is a very unflattering photo of myself. Deal with it. I tried several times to take a decent picture; each time was as equally unflattering as this one. I am not a photogenic person. Never have been, never will be. My "Blossom reject" picture from junior high can attest to that (and before you ask, no, you can not see it). Don't believe me? Behold, other "candidates" for this post:

Horrid. Just horrid. Look, I'm not evening smiling in that last one! *sigh* In my [pathetic] defense: taking pictures with out the use of a tripod and single-handedly isn't that easy.

In case you're wondering I'm holding volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4, of E'S by Satol Yuiga. I love the art style. It's dramatic, crisp, and reminds me of the work of Yuu Watase. The books themselves are massive in weight! and heavy to hold. That was always something I loved about Broccoli Books USA; they produced substantial manga with crisp, bright-white pages that packed a punch! I still hold the tiniest bit of hope that once the industry stabilizes they'll return. The Broccoli Books USA website is still registered until 2014, after all.

The fifth book is No Need for Tenchi! Tenchi in Love vol 7 by Hitoshi Okuda. This one's a shounen from VIZ that I hadn't heard of before. It also sports bright-white pages and has a more substantial feel than standard manga. The art is cute if more "classic" in style and more simplistic and easy to follow. Sadly, it's printed in the US format which, for those of you who don't know, results in the reader starting at the end of the story and not the beginning if they are used to reading in the Japanese style. If you are new to manga, I think this series would be a good introduction. It's also safe enough to pass down to your younger brothers or sons if it's not to your taste.

I'd like to give an extra "thank you" to Jason Thompson over at Suvudu.com for hosting this contest. If you're interested, there is still time for you to enter. Also, go check out his newest work KING OF RPG'S or just go buy a copy.

Smurfs in 3D

I've been neglecting my blog reading again. I can't really say it's because I'm gussy or because I'm lazy, though. I finished school with a very unsatisfying report and have since started the summer session--oh, how I miss my 1 week summer vacation! Anyways, I moseyed over to Suvudu to read through their posts and came across this one and, ultimately, this trailer.

Smurfs. Little blue creatures that started life as a Belgian comic by the cartoonist Peyo and quickly grew to be the childhood TV series that most of us--who grew up in the 1980's--remember and love to this day. And now, you guessed it, a live-action meats 3D movie. If you've seen the Garfield movie, you're probably having heart palpitations now. I would, too, if I weren't secretly awed the the possibility of Smurfs in the real world. Yes, I'm scared that my childhood memories will be ripped from my memories with tarnished fingers--Garfield was utterly traumatizing, especially since it refuses to die down--to be laid to waste on my TV screen. But you know? I'm still kinda excited.

Win "Green" at Thrifty Jenny's

So, you all might know that I'm a "green" person. No, not my skin--it's white. Too white, if I do say so myself but I can't tan so I have to deal--but my life style. I compost (for the most part) have two recycle bins and an itty-bitty garbage can, walk, what have you--but I don't have that goat yet to mow my lawn... I'm still looking for one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg that I can rescue.

Ok, let me get to the point. Thrifty Jenny at, well, ThriftyJennyblogspot.com, is holding a contest to win a whole slue of "green" cleaning supplies from Second Generation. I know you clean (hopefully 0_o) so why not enter? This stuff is great! I've tried several different types of "green" dish soap and they have to be the best, hands down! So go, run, enter!

And now begins summer break.

School has finally ended. It was a though couple of months; 5 classes is a bit hard to do when they're all on line. Trust me, it is NOT easier than going to an actual class. It's much, much harder! I think I did good in most of my classes so I'm hopping my GPA will jump up enough for me to stay in school (no, I still haven't dealt with those 4 F's. Yes, if they where gone I'd be perfectly fine.) I don't really feel as if I learned anything so I'm keeping my books for a while to go over a bit if time permits over the summer.

But with that, school is out! Time for summer "vacation" and summer reading. I've been neglecting my reading for so long it's going to be a hard getting back into the swing of things. I'd like to knock out 2 or 3 books a week (on top of the 6 mangas/week I want to do, too). Sounds impossible and I really doubt I'll manage, but it's good to have a goal!

Voilà, my reading/reviewing que for the week.

New Year's Resolutions - 2010

With just under 5 days left of 2009, it's time to look back and plan for tomorrow. Looking back I've come to realize that I didn't do much in the way of personal growth. If I had written a New Year's resolution, I would have failed it miserably, just as I had done the years before. That's why I've come to the conclusion that resolutions are too daunting. When you have something listed and you fail withing the first month, you feel like there's no point going forward anymore. If one's willpower is not strong enough, temptation will lead them from their desired paths.

Does that mean I'm not going to make any resolutions? Not at all. I'm jut not going to let myself be swayed no matter how hard. And if I do manage to stray, I'll put myself back on track!
Here it is, my 2010 New Year's Resolutions!

1. Loose 96lbs. (That's 8lbs/month or 2lbs/week).
2. Write (completely) 1 novel.
3. Finish 12 craft creations (one for each month).
4. Read 50 novels. (I almost did this in 2008).
5. Get B's or better in ALL my classes (there's only 8 of them).
   
6. Pass JLPT 4.
7. Attempt to take 1 nature shot each day.
8. Complete NaNoWriMo
9. Participate in ScriptFrenzy
   

Finals Can't Come Too Soon

It's almost finals week and I'm doing what every reasonable college student is doing: saving all my essays, studying, and panicking for the last possible minute. Ok, not really, but it sure feels like it some times. I have a test tomorrow for Philosophy. I'm hopping for a C grade, though I'm expecting a D. I really don't know why I can't seem to absorb the material--it isn't all that hard. It's like math and I like math. I'm good at math. But... I'm trying to study, honestly, but things just aren't... sticking.

Drama should be a breeze (a B at the lowest only because I couldn't attend a few out-of-class plays). Class was canceled this last week due to a power outage at the campus (We've all decided that it was probably my bad vibes seeing as how the power went off less than 30 seconds after I had entered the building...). I have a final group performance and a test, then I'm all done! One CMST class down, 7 to go.

As for anthropology... So far I have a C and I'm hopping it stays a C. I have a thesis I need to write, this week's posting, a quiz, a test, and the final. If I get a C on each of those, I've passed. Fingers crossed!

And if I don't pass? Well, it just makes me thing of this:

Dance like no one's watching,
Love like you've never been hurt,
Sing like nobody's listening
Work like you don't need money,
Live like it's the last day of your life.

- Father Alfred D. Souza

If I do utterly horrible this semester, I'm not going to let it hold me down. I'll dive right into the new year and kick butt next semester.

The poem, by the way, was used in the last episode of the Korean drama My Lovely Sam Soon ( 내 이름은 김삼순 )--which I finally managed to finish via that beast: Netflix. For those of you who would like to buy a legit version (and I don't see why you wouldn't want too. I know I want a copy!) you can pick it up over at Amazon.

On Christmas eve, Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun Ah), a pâtissier, finds her boyfriend of 3 years cheating on her. She seeks solace in a bathroom stall unaware that it is the men's bathroom. Here she encounters the cocky and callous Hyun Jin Hun (Hyun Bin). Unfortunately, her pursuit of love and happiness result in the loss of her job and with a name like Sam Soon, she isn't having much luck finding a new one. Jin Hun is looking for a pastry chief for his restaurant, Bon Appetit, and Sam Soon is desperate enough to take the job and the strings attatched.

I'd have to say that this was one of the most hilarious drama's I've seen in quite a while. Kim Sam Soon is a charmingly funny and lovable character, often compared to Renee Zellweger's Bridget Jones. She's mouthy, naive, and a bit over weight (actress Kim Sun Ah gained 15lbs for this role). She's pushing 30 as a single woman which, as many know, is a social no-no in many cultures. But what makes her unique is her spunky no-nonsense attitude in the face of eternal loneliness (ok, it's not that bad, but some times...).

The budding romance between Sam Soon and Jin Hun is filled with laughter and comedy until the arrival of Jin Hun's missing ex, Yoo Hee Jin. From there it's a play of misunderstandings and undecisiveness (peppered, of course, with that very enjoyable laughter and comedy). Jin Hun and Hee Jin's romantic roles are very similar. Both must choose between their old/established love and a budding new romance. American-Korean actor/model Daniel Henney makes his first appearance as Dr. Henry Kim who, I have to admit, annoyed the hell out of me. His acting seemed stilted and fake, especially at the beginning. I'm so glad he improved by the end of the drama.

Want to...

"I want someone to want me so much that if I disappear there will be a hole in their heart. If that is the only proof that a person is alive, then truthfully, how many people are alive right now?"

A quote from LOVE SHUFFLE, a Japanese drama, that I found rather moving. Whenever you feel like the world would be better without you, just remember that if you where to die, somebody would miss you (and it may not be whom you expect!)

A charming, funny, and moving little drama; LOVE SHUFFLE ran for only 10 episodes but had a wonderful cast. Karina, Matsuda Shota, and Tamaki Hiroshi to name a few. But what makes this series great is the complexity, the drama, the love. Some times it takes a little shaking-up to find what you're really searching for or what your heart truly craves.

Usami Kei is your typical middle class man. He's frustrated with his job, he's insecure with his love-life, and his fiance is on the verge of leaving him. Utterly dejected, Kei is heading home when a lighting storm knocks out the power to his building and leaves him locked in an elevator with 3 other people: Airu, Ojiro, and Masato. Soon the four form a neighb0rly bond and come up the "game" Love Shuffle in the hopes of straightening out their complicated love lives. The object of the game is to insure that the one they are with is their destiny. The catalyst? Swapping partners amongst each other (not always sexual). Some what slow and practicality at parts, emotional and fun at others; I would recommended this to any one who enjoys a romantic comedy that isn't soaked in drama but has enough to keep you interested.

The sound track was very 80's. Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire as the intro and Eternal Flame by The Bangles as an insert.

Rain at a Time Like Now

For the past several weeks the weather has been nice. Warm, sunny, and perhaps a bit summer-like at times. Well, that has all changed. Two days ago it started raining. Sheets of 45° water drenched the upper-north valley, soaking everything in it's path. It's ok, though. The rain cleaned the air of the smoke and smog and gave me the chance to take these shots. I just hope it doesn't get too cold, too soon...

Wishlist

My wishlist. For birthdays, hollidays, whatever days, and when I feel like buying myself something nice and have no idea what I want.

Last updated: 8/16/2009

- STREET-FOUND WISHES -

Chinese Natural Cures
Traditional Methods for Remedies and Prevention
By: Henry C. Lu

I saw this copy in the "bargin bin" over at Barns and Noble. They have an older copy of this online in a different format (square and red) for about $23. This one is elongated with nice, glossy pages and was being sold for $20.





Zen Mind - Calendar
By: Shunryu Suzuki and Amber Lotus Publishing

I saw this at Barns and Nobles for about $13. I don't normally buy calendars and this one wouldn't be the first on my list of the stock on hand if I did. But after reading the mission statement of the company, I was sold. Amber Lotus Publishing is a small press publisher (only 7 employees) that was started to preserve Tibetan culture and religion. They use 100% recycled paper, soy-based ink, and donate 1% to varied organizations. I still need to find out where they print, though, since they are a US company. http://www.amberlotus.com/

Samurai: The Code of the Warrior
By: Thomas Louis and Tommy Ito

I saw this over at Barns and Noble, too. It was only $10, so I don't know why I didn't grab it--was probably walking. A small, novelty book about the Japanese Samurai. Creative cover, with an old Japanese illustration and "warn" edges and spine.







Knitting On Top of the World
by Nicky Epstein

I saw this over at Barns and Nobel, as well (I really MUST top going there!) and was impressed by the unique patterns in the book. I thought this would be a really cool book to have. Runs $35-$25.





Kobai Plum Wine
Junmai Ginjo Sake
Trader Joe-san's Sparkling Sake

As you might have guessed, I saw these over at Trader Joe's. Would have bought them then, but I was in the middle of a move (x_x).

The Junmai Ginjo sake isn't the NagaSaki brand, but still looks good. A traditionally brewed saki of light and earthy flavor.


Bamboo Sheet Set

Ok, I've been keeping my eye on this one for a while. A bamboo sheet set from Target. The count it only 250, but it feels so soft and the weave looks nice and tight for such a low count. It runs about $40 for a full size set, but I know I've seen them on sale for around $30 every once in a while. Only problem is I visit the store on weeks when they aren't on sale. Gotta get either blue or ivory.


Budda Statue

Now, I know I'll probably NEVER get this guy (he costs $995), but when I saw his laughing face one drizzly day, I wanted him. He's located at the statue/garden store on Antelope, downtown.

- ONLINE WISH LISTS -

Yen Plus+ Subscription

This magazine is put out by, you guessed it, Yen Plus and originally ran at $60/year (the magazine is about $10/issue in stores). It looks like the price has been lowered to $25 now, so I really want to get it. Especially if they plan on pushing that price tag back up. x_x Have to order it from the site!




From my Expanding The Mind wish list on Amazon.com:

Remembering the Kanji
By: James W. Heisig

There are actually 3 books in this series. Remembering the Kanji vols 1 and 2, and Remembering the Kanji: Writing and Reading Japanese Characters for Upper-Level Proficiency.




From my Equine Behavior wish list on Amazon.com:

The Nature of Horses
By: Stephen Budiansky

This is one of the books suggested by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). I would like to read it and have it on hand if I decide to become a horse trainer/rehabilitater.




Equine Behavior -A Guide for Veterinarians and Equine Scientists
By: Paul McGreevy

A massively priced, school-type book. Runs close to $110 but priced down to $77 on Amazon. Full of useful information for anybody who has a wish to work with horses.




From my wishlist on Kaboodle.com:

Flock of Crows
Wall Decal

I'm not much for wall art but I love this one. A silhouette of crows in either black, gray, jade, or lite blue. An etsy.com listing, so no definable link. Wilson Graphics on Etsy.




Alien Abduction Lamp!!

Ok. Not my decorating tastes, but how COOL IS IT?! An awesome, unique lamp that just screams ... um. Moo?

Not yet released, so I have to keep my eye on it's home page.

Time for a Commercial Brake

I've been busy with school the last couple of months, so I haven't been all that creative when it comes to blog posting. Well, maybe not all that inspired when it comes to writing in general. Right now, in fact, I'm suppose to be working on an 800 word essay that's due tomorrow. Don't worry, I am working on it (Up to 300 works--whoot!), but I need a little brake every now and again.

Well, it just so happens that in one of my classes I get to watch advertising to write an essay. There are many, many, very interesting and funny commercials in the world and I have chosen to share a couple I enjoyed with you. Enjoy!


BBC Four - Medieval


United Airlines - Two Worlds


Not For Sale - Shadow Hands


Comcast - Rabbit


Discovery Networks - I love the world

Another Cute Gadget!

Ok, so you all know I love cute little things. Like the sleepy peach tumble dolls or the Big Momo (かわいい！) that are available over at Strapya-World (I'm still waiting on those Sakura stickers, the Kawaii Bean-Jam Buns, and the white Healing Owl to be in stock...). Well, I found something else that is equally as adorable and fun.

Poken are little electronic social business cards. What they do is store your cyber information (such as for your myspace, Twitter, and Facebook accounts). When two Poken meat up, they high-four and swap business cards in a matter of seconds. Simple. Cute. Handy. No pun intended.

I bet you want one, too. Right? Oh, come on now. Say it. "I want one!" That wasn't so hard now, was it? Well, thanks to the people over at JapanSoc you have a chance. Head on over and see how. It's not like it's rocket science or anything... Hum. That really isn't a good analagy; I once knew a litteral rocket scientist who foregot to tighten the tire he was changing before driving his car.... Yah...



Ok, so where are we going today?
JapanSoc - http://japansoc.org
Poken - Official home - English site - http://poken.jp/en/
Strapya World - http://strapya-world.com

Drop Everything!

So it's very late Thursday night (oh, wait... 4am makes it Friday, right?!) and I'm sitting here channel surfing Japanese TV (waiting for the darn Zune to sync) when I stumble across a commercial for DROP. "What is DROP?" you may ask. Well, I didn't know. But it looked good, and being the inquisitive person that I am *cough-drama addict-cough* I did some searching.

Turns out DROP isn't a drama but a movie based on the manga of the same name. The movie is directed by Hiroshi Shinagawa who just so happens to be the writer of the manga/novel. Oh, here's what Anime News Network had to say about it:

Drop's story follows Shinagawa's early life as he grew up in the streets of 1980s' Tokyo. Young Shinagawa decides to become a delinquent after reading the manga classic Be-Bop-Highschool and transfers from a private middle school to a public one. Shingawa's new life of cigarettes, bats, and iron pipes begins when he meets the leader of the delinquents at his new school.

Shinagawa first wrote the story in 2006 as a novel with illustrations by manga artist Hiroshi Takahashi (Crows, Worst). Another manga artist, Dai Suzuki, adapted the novel for Monthly Shonen Champion in 2007, and three volumes have since been compiled. The producers plan to open the film in the early months of 2009. - ANN

Interested? I know I am. Sure, it's a guy's fighting flick but you know what? Mizushima Hiro is in it! Oh, yah. And with a very full head of BLOND hair. Narimiya Hiroki is also in it sporing a very nice read top (er, the hair, not his shirt).

Check out the movie for yourself. Visit the official website here. Be sure to check out the trailers (which are of a much better quality than the ones on youtube) and judge for yourself.

Just in case you wanted to watch it here anyways, you can ^^ Enjoy!

The Fun of Pneumonia

So, it has been a while since I last made a post. Believe me when I say it wasn't on purpose. This time I have a very legit reason for not posting. Pneumonia. Yes, that oh-so-NOT-fun lung illness. I'm not sure how I got it, really (though I'm betting on my brother... Boy can't keep his hands clean to save his life!). But not to worry, after two weeks of sleeping (thanks in part to NyQuil--yes, I spent money on a Procter and Gamble item *shock*) and a week of coughing, I'm starting to feel better. I still have a cough which can be very irritating when one is writing, reading, watching a movie, taking a test, or grocery shopping.

But all's well, now. During my 'down' time I was able to watch several anime series (I admin, ones I've already seen), which is always fun. And now that I'm awake during the day I've started reading again. I've started WHAT I DID FOR LOVE by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I'll be moving onto EVIL WITHOUT A FACE by Jordan Dane next. Ah, it feels good to read again!

Howl's Moving Castle - TSS

For those of you who don't know, or have simply forgotten, I'm a huge anime fan. But even more than that, I love the works of Hayao Miyazaki. If you don't know who I'm talking about, I would strongly suggest you head over to Wiki and find out more about him. He has had several anime movies subbed into English and released by Disney such as Princess Mononoke , Spirited Away, and one of my favorites, Howl's Moving Castle.

It just so happens that I'm not the only one with an affinity for Miyazaki's works or with How's Moving Castle and when the book was found at our local library some body *cough-mother-caugh* jumped on the chance to check it out.

So this week I decided to pick it up . "Howl's Moving Castle" is by Diana Wynne Jones. It was originally published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books, but has since been re-released by HarperCollins in 2008. I am reading the original hardcover and very much prefer the new cover art (shown at left). I started on page 34 of 212 and would have finished it a lot sooner had it not been 70+ and quite gorgeous outside.

The story starts with the simple fact that in a world of fairy tales not everyone is guaranteed their happy ending. Sophie Hatter, having been born the first of three children, is doomed to a life of failure and misfortune. When her father dies, Sophie's two sisters, Lettie and Martha, are dispatched into different apprenticeships while Sophie remains behind to help run her late father's hat shop. Knowing full well that life doesn't have much in store for her, Sophie contently darns fake roses and ribbons on to bonnets for the ladies of Market Chipping, all the while growing more and more lonely in her quiet little room and growing more and more frightened of the world. A world in which the wizard Howl steels girls hearts and is very much the rake, and the Witch of the Waste is threatening to destroy everything.

It is in her little shop that Sophie happens upon the woman who, with all the haughtiness of a queen, demands the be shown the shop's best hats. Sophie has had a very trying day learning first that her sisters have switched places in regards to their apprenticeship and that she herself has been exploited by her mother-in-law in regards to the shop work. Quickly taking in the woman's expensive gown and extravagant hat, Sophie first shows her the shop's worst hats leading up, as she was told, to the right had. Being presented with such a horrible hat angers the woman who announces herself as the Witch of the Waste and casts a spell of old-age on the unlucky Sophie. Angered by yet another unlucky turn, and knowing her family will wonder why a 90-year-old woman is preforming 18-year-old Sophie's job and sleeping in her room, Sophie gather's herself together and seeks her own adventure.

The book varies quite a bit from the movie in such a way that some people dislike it. While the basic idea of plot is relatively the same, circumstances, events, and even characters are vastly different. Yet both the book and the movie are unique that no matter how many times you read or watch them, you'll never tire of them.

I know this isn't much of a review, but I had to get something out for TSS... It's been forever! I'll write an honest review and post it. That is, if a review for this one can be written... ^_^

All write! Let's go!!

November is here which means it's once again time to pull out the pencil and paper and attempt too get that book written! Why, you may ask? It's National Novel Writer's Month. (Pchh, as if you need to be reminded!) That's right, as of 12am this morning, NaNoWriMo has begun! This will be my 4th year participating and I will be successful. I will finish this year! 50,000 words isn't so bad. That's only about 1,700 a day. I can do it, I just know I can!

In other... well, I guess it's not news but rather stuff, here's a little fun for ya. Figure out what way the lady is spinning. The answer is between these two brakets. {She's spinning left or right! It just depends with what side of the brain you are using ;-)}

X-Mass Already?!

Ok, so Christmas isn't for another 80 some-odd days but seeing as how I'm a 'starving artist' and plan to make my gifts, I need to get started now. Before you think I'm miserly and don't believe I'm broke-as-can-be, let me put it to you this way: When you receive a gift from someone that was personally made for you (colors, design, and materials all picked for you) you know that person put some real thought into the gift. It doesn't matter if it only cost $4. It's not the price but the thought that counts. Besides, when more than half the items on todays market are not only environmentally UN-friendly, they're all exported goods made and manufactured in another country with very little or no money going to the people who actually build/make it, why would you want to buy anything other than handmade?

That all having been said, on to the list!

I currently have 9 scarfs to knit. 3 will be fashion scarfs and the rest thick, functional scarfs for cold winter days. I'm not sure if I want to use this pattern or this pattern for the fashion scarfs, though.
I would also like to make 3 braided rugs. 1 small, and two medium. These shouldn't be all that hard, despite the fact that I have never made a braided rug before, but I'm optimistic! {LINK}
I don't know what I'm going to do for 'the boys'. They're a tough one and require some major think time!

Pink for October

If you haven't noticed things have gotten a little... pink around here. That's because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So for the month of October my personal accounts (blog, Twitter, and MySpace) as well as The Gilded Pen, have all gone pink! I've left everything the way it was (background, layout, etc) and just tinted everything pink to give it a bigger impact. It takes a bit of getting used to, but I like it.

Each year it is estimated that 200,000 woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer. If that wasn't bad enough, it is also estimated that 40,000 women will die. Many people believe that breast cancer is only associated with woman, but they would be wrong. Approximately 1,700 men are diagnosed each year and 450 will die. Wow. An approximate 40,450 people will DIE this year from breast cancer alone. That means one out of every 1,513 people will get breast cancer, while 1 out of every 7,547 people will die from it in the US alone. IN ONE YEAR!

But don't be afraid! Studies have shown that as little as 4 hours a week of physical activity (which pumps up the immune system and lowers estrogen levels) can lower your risk. Don't for get to eat a nutritious, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables as well, which can also lower your risk of breast cancer! And the best tool for early detection for both men and women is the monthly self exam. Self examination accounts for nearly 70% of early detection which in turn accounts for a 5 year survival rate of 96%.

Read more about breast cancer awareness and join Pink for October to help spread the word! You can also download the following images and background to help spread the word.

Goals for the Week

Taking a page from Meroko and posting my goals for the week. Since I plan on keeping track of them I'm posting them here instead of to Twitter. I'm also posting them here because my list is much too long for Twitter's 140 character allowance.

So here it is, my to-do list for the week of Sep. 29th to Oct 4th (with Sunday as my back-up/catch-up day ^^)

- Drop 2 lbs.
- Write 5,000+ words for DW
- Walk 30+ mins every morning (with this cold, I doubt I'll do this one)
- Walk the river at least twice (not associated with the above goal)
- Finish Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland and The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney
- Write reviews for both of them as well as 4 others.
- Work on book covers to add to my portfolio.

A Whole Bag of Back Reading

To say my reading habits have been blown to dust would be an understatement. In the past two months I have started--and not finished--8 books. That makes this years total jump up to 13. It's getting to be very annoying. So my plan for the next month or so is to read those 13 books. There is no reason why I stopped reading them. Most of them where--are--very good books that I rather liked. But I stopped.

So expect mini reviews for the following books. So if you don't see them withing the next couple of months feel free to pressure me just a little bit.

Books I WILL read

Temptation of the Warrior by Margo Maquire {WIR Post}
Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn {WIR Post}
Before I wake by Kathryn Smith {WIR Post}
Seduced by Sin by Kimberly Logan
Hidden by Eve Kenin
Eternal Pleasure by Nina Bangs
Weddings Can Be Murder by Christie Craig
Let the Night Begin by Kathryn Smith
The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens
The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart {WIR Post}
This Year's Model by Carol Alt
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander
The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney {WIR Post}

This post will be edited in the future only to show which books I have finished