What. The. Hell. and other literary criticisms...

I've just finished the fourth of nine books that I have to read for my summer graduate class on the 20th Century Global Novel. Each of these first four have had atmosphere in spades. In fact, at times, that's all they are is atmosphere. Is it a symptom of explaining the aftershocks of 19th century colonialism and the societies that have risen from the ashes? What I think I mean is, are they so resonant with the atmosphere of their respective settings in an effort to capture and reflect that underlying culture? I'm not sure. But I'm fascinated by these lyrical authors who evoke Place so well. And the main issue in each so far has been power - whether it is a cultural clash, gender clash, familial relations clash - a lot of it seems to come down to power: who used to have it, who has it now - and how the newly empowered are often no better than their predecessors. Among other things. All I can say so far, and I just wanted to spell some of this out for myself, is Holy Wow. Pretty amazing books. I LOVED J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace and Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost and really liked Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea. I have more mixed feelings about Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John but it was drenched in atmosphere.

So, now for my "what the hell" moment: I looked up some critical reviews on each of the books and just have a bone to pick with these "literary" personages of The New York Times book review, especially this guy: http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/05/14/reviews/000514.14ederlt.html. What the F is this even saying? Honestly. This is just bad writing. It says nothing but has a lot of stylistic pyrotechnics. Someone ought to punch this guy. I'm just sayin'.

resistence is futile

Every end-of-the-year the impulse that must be overcome, but never is, is to produce "Best of ___" lists. This year, I perused the MSN Entertainment staff's "Best Films of 2008" list and hadn't heard of three-fourths of the films. While it is true that I spent the summer with Shakespeare and was unaware of Summer blockbusters, for the most part, and I have spent the majority of the Fall grading papers and trying to keep my head above water, I don't feel like I could possibly be that out of touch. Of course, every awards season I am made aware that I have spent my movie-viewing time mostly NOT seeing the award-winning films, at least I have heard of them. Not so this year. However, I was pleased to see on the list two films that I would put on my "list," as well. So, to underscore my new New Year's resolution to indulge myself in anything I want and not give up anything for the new year, I will also succumb to list-making and will publish some lists of my own.

Best Films I Saw in 2008:

• In Bruges (not that I'm recommending to my loved ones this violent and profanity-laden pic, but I thought the dark humor and un-PC-ness was hilarious and refreshing and that the acting was superb)
• Wall-E (beautiful and breathtaking and inspiring that a film could say so much without many words)
• Iron Man (I felt this was a perfectly executed action/comic book film with humor and a real theme and a beautiful, beautiful leading man!)
• The Dark Knight (I'm not as gaga over this as many people, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought the acting was excellent - not just Heath Ledger, who I thought was great, but not BETTER THAN Christian Bale or Aaron Eckert or Gary Oldman)
• The Incredible Hulk (I think it is a shame that no one is talking about this movie - I felt that of the bland offerings of films this year, that the comic book films were a cut above, as far as acting and storyline, and I applaud them!)

Enough of that... now, for best books I read this year:

• Fighting Ruben Wolfe - I love Markus Zusak and think more people should appreciate his beautiful writing craftsmanship. He deserved the awards he received for The Book Thief, but I like this one better and also recommend Getting the Girl.
• Suite Scarlett - My sister discovered for me a lovely new YA author, Maureen Johnson, and I have been thoroughly enjoying her books!
• Yes Man - Yes, the Jim Carrey movie is made from this, but from what I've seen of the trailers - and the fact that it is Jim Carrey and no longer an obscure-British-television-producer-guy - the movie cannot possibly do the hilarity that is this book justice!
• While the first few books in the series are older than this year, I discovered the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz and really, really love it!
• And while I'm talking about an author, rather than single books, I love the mysteries written by my friend, Virginia Smith, and highly recommend them!
• Faeries of Dreamdark - Laini Taylor has a lovely writing style and a refreshingly new and creative world she has created.
• Will in the World - I really, really enjoyed this biography/history/critical analysis of Shakespeare's life and times.
  

Well, I'm sure there are a few more, but really, the sad thing is, I've spent the year reading books that I was underwhelmed by (other than my books for my Shakespeare class!). Sigh.

And, one more list, my best moments of 2008:

Working backwards from now to the beginning of the year:

• My superb birthday party.
• Seeing a double rainbow in Ireland.
• Pretty much being in Paris.
• Seeing Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart.
• Living in Oxford for the summer.
• Receiving the KSL "Teacher Feature" award.
• Being with my family - especially being with Paul and Dash!