Somewhere in Time

Hennepin County DVD
starring Christopher Reeve & Jane Seymour

I don't remember exactly what it was in the biography of Christopher & Dana Reeve that made me want to watch this. . . but I love Jane Seymour! This movie was based on a book titled Bid Love Return. In it, a man self-hypnotizes in order to time travel to 1912 because he has fallen in love with a woman's portrait. Jane Seymour portrays Elise McKenna, famous and beautiful stage actress. Predictably, the two fall in love. But then it goes from somewhat hokey to really hokey. Weird ending after slow cinematography.

Loved the character of Arthur, both young and old. Loved the gorgeous period costumes. Very attractive couple.

Into the Volcano

by Don Wood
mine, hardcover, 175 pages
genre: YA graphic novel, adventure

Sumo and Duffy are two brothers sent to visit their aunt on a Hawaiian-styled island. It's a bit odd that their mother is MIA, their dad sends them off with their cousin Come-and-Go, and they're headed to visit an aunt they don't even know. Then the story gets weirder when they are taken on an extremely dangerous mission. I liked Sumo's gain of confidence, though he was a whiny brat before he tried to save his brother. Interesting, but I don't love it the way I love the Bone books.

Little Nothings: My Shadow in the Distance

by Lewis Trondheim
Hennepin County Library paperback 127 pages
genre: graphic novel, musings

The main character travels a lot, makes observations, tries to keep a positive attitude, and has nose polyps removed. I liked the artwork, some of the humor, and the clear storyline.

Debt Free for Life

by David Bach
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 7:19
read by Erik Davies
genre: self-help finance

Liked some of the recommendations and the fact that I'm already doing a lot of the "right" things.

Disliked: his arrogance (you've probably seen me on Oprah . . . / I've helped millions of people . . . / if you're one of the millions who've already read one of my books . . . ) I've never even heard of him before!!!
Disliked: constant reference to the many web tools (which I don't want to use)
Disliked: lack of advice on cutting spending! End part talked about "changing your mind set," but there wasn't much practical advice on how to do that!

Hahaha! I blogged the above on 10/30/2011 . . . and just now sat down to blog it again. Here's my today (4/1/2016) entry:

I couldn't even get past the first CD! His sales pitches for other products and his ego "You know me from my many appearances on television . . . " The vocal work by Davies is smarmy . . . is it the writing or the delivery or both? Who cares. I can't listen to any more. I like the "forget good debt / bad debt; all debt is bad" message. He mentioned www.debtwise.com and www. finishrich.com (and I thought, "Who cares about finishing rich? You don't need money for Heaven! Perhaps you need some in Hell, though.") He talks about "buying back your freedom" using his "revolutionary new system."

I dislike debt. I'm determined to get rid of it. But I'm not swamped in it and am fairly confident I can tackle it without torturing myself with this book. (Ironic, though, that I checked out the same thing five years ago!)

Books Mary recommended

Not sure when I'll get time, but I want to keep track of these titles (off FB). Mary gives the *best* recommendations:

Great books so far - State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, The Return Journey by Maeve Binchy, Absolutely, Positively, NOT... ...gay by David Larochelle, The Coffins of Little Hope by Timothy Schaffert, Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Mary Verbick 1:49pm Jul 13

Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

by Donald Miller
Hennepin County Library paperback 240 pages
genre: theology

I would love to do this one for our SOLC book club! It was challenging and frustrating. I really enjoyed the first one hundred or so pages. Miller's take on faith and modern day Christianity interested me and made me think about my own faith. Then the author seemed to fall into a whiny, selfish, pathetic mode that just turned me off.

One part I liked: "That is the thing about giving yourself to God. Some people get really emotional about it, and some people don't feel much of anything except the peace they have after making an important decision." I love the feeling of peace. (But then, I also love the intense emotion that often comes with a move of the Holy Spirit.)

He made a lot of interesting points (on Unitarians, hippies, etc.) but I don't agree with him completely. This is a great food-for-thought book.

Angel Harp

by Michael Phillips
Hennepin County Library hardcover 440 pages
genre: Christian fiction

Fortyish widow goes to Scotland to find herself and play her harp. Gets involved with two men - a parson & a duke. Gains a saving faith.

Liked: her faith journey and coming to know the Lord.

Didn't like: the author's repetition and excessiveness in sharing all he knows about Scotland. This book needed an editor who owned a red pen and some courage! The tone of the book was just wrong, too. This is one male author who *cannot* successfully get into a woman's head.

Book Club discussion was good - largest group we've had yet!

Gwendolyn's illness was too mysterious (and convenient in a literary sense). The "romance" was just not there. The Scottish history was way too much!

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher
Scott County Library, hardcover, 288 pages
genre: YA coming-of-age / suicide

I finally read this (from the public library, since my copy is *always* checked out) before meeting the author last Wednesday evening at Ridgedale Library. I didn't love the book, but think it would make a great discussion book. It was extremely interesting to meet the author. He is a wonderful presenter! I am also encouraged by the response this book is getting from its target audience. For me, Hannah was too hard to understand . . . the "reasons" didn't make sense to me. I think this would have resonated with me much more as a teenager. Very, very cool to meet the author.

You Don't Look Like Anyone I Know

by Heather Sellers
Hennepin County Library audioCDs 10.5 hours
read by Karen White
genre: memoir, dysfunction

Things I liked:
- relationship with parents evolving
- how wonderful Dave was
- writing style (for the most part)

Things I didn't like:
- repetition to the point of ad nauseum (?) boredom
- whiny, self-centered, . . .
- lack of info about her brother (though she explains why at the end)
- people's comments to her about being amazed that she survived her childhood. Hello? Anyone read other memoirs? Although she grew up with severe dysfunction, this is nothing compared to Peltzer's A Child Called It or Walls' Glass Castle.

Miscellany:
- very cool to realize that she teaches at Hope College! I wonder if Chris has had any of her classes.
- makes me realize that my family's issues are really not that bad!

Worthwhile read, but I liked the first half much better than the second half. I hope she gets over herself soon. The face blindness info was interesting until she gave the same spiel for the third, fourth, and fifth times.

Bossypants

by Tina Fey
mine, hardcover, 240 pages
genre: autobiographical humor

This is our school book club title for November and I'm on a loooong waiting list for it at the public library. So I bought a copy. Funny, especially the part on "becoming a woman" and the Teat Nazis. I'm going to share it with others at school - it's a very quick read. Tina Fey seems like a very smart, down-to-earth, extremely hard-working person.

Oh - this has *lots* of swearing . . . must be de rigeur for comedy? for television writers? I liked her chapter about her dad. I can only imagine what the family gatherings are like.

Walmart: the High Cost of Low Price

DVD by filmmaker Robert Greenwald
Hennepin County Library 98 minutes
genre: documentary

I've never been a Walmart / Sam's Club fan, but this movie really bothered me. I know so many people who love Walmart (because of the inexpensive items sold there) and just can't see why others (like me) think it's a "bad" choice for shopping. Free market is part of capitalism in America, but I see Walmart in a very negative light. I almost want to buy a copy of this DVD, especially for my friends in Chanhassen who are dreading the thought of a Walmart being located there. Well-done documentary. I'm so sad for the small town business people who were run out of business by the evil empire.

Elvis & Olive

by Stephanie Watson
PRMS hardcover 230 pages
genre: YA friendship

Written by a Minnesota author, Elvis & Olive reminded me of Harriet the Spy. Annie and Natalie take on their code names so they can spy on their neighbors one long boring summer. This would be a nice book for a sixth grade girl. Annie has a tough life and Natalie a "perfect" one. The contrast between these two kids is what makes the story engaging.

Sean Griswold's Head

by Lindsey Leavitt
Angie Tuma's book hardcover 274 pages
genre: YA realistic fiction, romance

Lovely book! Payton seems pretty OCD to me, but she is definitely struggling with the accidental discovery of her dad's MS and her family's decision to try to hide it from her. She quits the basketball team, stops talking to her parents, and starts seeing the school counselor under duress. Her best friend Jac makes things more complicated and Payton needs to cope with everything. When told to find a focus object, she selects the head of the boy she has sat behind for many years in school. Focusing on Sean Griswold's head draws her into his world . . . sweet romance.

Hush, Hush

by Becca Fitzpatrick
Angie Tuma's copy, paperback, 391 pages
genre: supernatural romance

Interesting. Sensual - this keys into the female desire. Theology . . . so, so sad and off-base (but that's not the author's intent). Patch is a fallen angel. There's a convoluted logic of how he can become human and why he does not. This is a perfect fit for fans of the Twilight series. I suppose I should read #2 before deciding whether or not to buy the series . . . or maybe I can find trustworthy reviews.

Listening Is an Act of Love

subtitled: A Celebration of American Life from the Storycorps Project
Told by StoryCorps Participants
Hennepin County Library audioCD 1 hour
genre: life stories

This is amazing! People shared their stories in an interview environment. The stories are funny, heart-warming, beautiful. I loved this so much, I put it on my computer so I can listen to it again. Dave Isay founded StoryCorps and has been collecting regular people's stories and archiving them at the Library of Congress.

Quiet Strength

by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker
PRMS paperback & Hennepin County audioCDs
read by Peter Jay Fernandez
genre: sports / autobiography / character

Even though I'm not a sports fan, I really enjoyed this book. Dungy's career, family, and personal character and faith come to life in this book. Fernandez' reading was flawless. I'm so glad Dungy and the Colts won the Superbowl! Made me want to learn more.