Joe and I watched this movie and I LOVED it! I thought the director did a great job of adapting this book, which has a bajillion pages, into a not-too-long movie. The movie grasped the feel of the book perfectly without leaving out any essential part. I say essential even though the movie left out the oversexed life of Mikael, parts that Hollywood would jump to add in in their quest for more sex in movies.
Noomi was perfect as Lisbeth. Absolutely perfect! Not so sure about Mikael...but oh well. Maybe he's really sexy in Sweden. I can't wait to watch the next one!!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Book 8: The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
I'm finally done with this book!!!! It took me a really really long time to finish reading this book, and I'll tell you why. It is 100% non-fiction. There are a lot of dates and names and geographical locations. Whew! But I won and finished it!
This is a book tracing the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I became interested in this topic after reading "The Faith Club" and reading about the conflict between two American women, one a Jew and one a former Palestinian. From there, I read "Mornings in Jenin," a FANTASTIC book about the life of a Palestinian woman born in a refugee camp during the beginning stages of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That book was super easy to read, but it was a fictional account.
This book is based on an incredible amount of research and interviews by Mr. Tolan. He put no dialogue in quotation marks unless he had proof that it had been said. You can imagine that the book is dry at times. But it gave me a great amount of information about the history of this conflict. It gave me a new insight into how much our government has overstepped its bounds in supporting the nation of Israel at all costs. There have been mistakes made on both sides, to be sure...but one side is supported by the most powerful nation in the world.
At its core, this book is about the unlikely relationship between Dalia, a Bulgarian Jew transported to Israel after WWII and Bashir, a Palestinian Arab forced from his home and living his life as a refugee. At the heart of their relationship is the home built by the hands of Bashir's father and the settling place for Dalia's family. Both families feel a deep connection to the house and the land around them. Both families have different views on what an acceptable compromise would be for the conflict. But they are drawn together somehow, and create a relationship of respect and even love for one another (not romantic love...this isn't a Hollywood movie!).
I would recommend this book if you have any interest in the history of this area, but know that it is a slow read. I would recommend more the book Mornings in Jenin, as long as you understand that it is but one side of the story. But since we've all heard the other side daily in the form of the color-coded National Terror Alert, I think we can balance the two.
Speaking of terror, one thing that was fascinating to me as I read this book was that Hamas and Hezbollah were actually created from this conflict. It makes me wonder if the United States is really a target for terrorist organizations because of our lifestyle or if it's because we are so supportive of Israel and other anti-Arab governments in the Middle East....just wondering....
This is a book tracing the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. I became interested in this topic after reading "The Faith Club" and reading about the conflict between two American women, one a Jew and one a former Palestinian. From there, I read "Mornings in Jenin," a FANTASTIC book about the life of a Palestinian woman born in a refugee camp during the beginning stages of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That book was super easy to read, but it was a fictional account.
This book is based on an incredible amount of research and interviews by Mr. Tolan. He put no dialogue in quotation marks unless he had proof that it had been said. You can imagine that the book is dry at times. But it gave me a great amount of information about the history of this conflict. It gave me a new insight into how much our government has overstepped its bounds in supporting the nation of Israel at all costs. There have been mistakes made on both sides, to be sure...but one side is supported by the most powerful nation in the world.
At its core, this book is about the unlikely relationship between Dalia, a Bulgarian Jew transported to Israel after WWII and Bashir, a Palestinian Arab forced from his home and living his life as a refugee. At the heart of their relationship is the home built by the hands of Bashir's father and the settling place for Dalia's family. Both families feel a deep connection to the house and the land around them. Both families have different views on what an acceptable compromise would be for the conflict. But they are drawn together somehow, and create a relationship of respect and even love for one another (not romantic love...this isn't a Hollywood movie!).
I would recommend this book if you have any interest in the history of this area, but know that it is a slow read. I would recommend more the book Mornings in Jenin, as long as you understand that it is but one side of the story. But since we've all heard the other side daily in the form of the color-coded National Terror Alert, I think we can balance the two.
Speaking of terror, one thing that was fascinating to me as I read this book was that Hamas and Hezbollah were actually created from this conflict. It makes me wonder if the United States is really a target for terrorist organizations because of our lifestyle or if it's because we are so supportive of Israel and other anti-Arab governments in the Middle East....just wondering....
Book 7: Gone by Michael Grant
Yet another young adult series. This one could have been written by Stephen King because it takes quite the sci fi turn. This is the story of a small town that is suddenly isolated from the rest of the world by an impenetrable force field. Not only is the town isolated, but anyone over the age of 15 has disappeared.
I really enjoyed reading this book, as it was a face-paced read with lots of intrigue caused by the "mutations" of animals and children, giving them special powers. There were some down sides to reading it, though...as a parent, trying to imagine a life without mature adults is really hard. Especially when they talk about the infants and the adolescents who are left to try and protect and raise them.
I would recommend the book if it sounds interesting, but I'm kind of bummed to hear that there is a 4th book coming out soon...making me scared for the future of these kids if the isolation doesn't end.
One of the reviewers on the back of the book described it as "Lord of the Flies if it had been written by Stephen King." I can get that...it's pretty dark with lots of study into the psyche of power, leadership, etc.
I really enjoyed reading this book, as it was a face-paced read with lots of intrigue caused by the "mutations" of animals and children, giving them special powers. There were some down sides to reading it, though...as a parent, trying to imagine a life without mature adults is really hard. Especially when they talk about the infants and the adolescents who are left to try and protect and raise them.
I would recommend the book if it sounds interesting, but I'm kind of bummed to hear that there is a 4th book coming out soon...making me scared for the future of these kids if the isolation doesn't end.
One of the reviewers on the back of the book described it as "Lord of the Flies if it had been written by Stephen King." I can get that...it's pretty dark with lots of study into the psyche of power, leadership, etc.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Book 6: Fade by Lisa McMann
This is the sequel to the book Wake, about a high school girl who gets sucked into the dreams of those around her.
I can't tell you much more than that...it follows her story and we get to see another semester in her senior year. This book is pure bubblegum. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but I wouldn't tell you not to read it either. It's quick and easy and entertaining. My criticism of the book is that it tries to hard to appeal to the young adult crowd. There is drinking, drugs, sex, and foul language. Excuse me, but I thought that's what Adult Fiction was for!
I am still reading "adult" books, but I'm stuck on a really heavy adult book, so it might be a while before I get it finished and blogged.
I can't tell you much more than that...it follows her story and we get to see another semester in her senior year. This book is pure bubblegum. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but I wouldn't tell you not to read it either. It's quick and easy and entertaining. My criticism of the book is that it tries to hard to appeal to the young adult crowd. There is drinking, drugs, sex, and foul language. Excuse me, but I thought that's what Adult Fiction was for!
I am still reading "adult" books, but I'm stuck on a really heavy adult book, so it might be a while before I get it finished and blogged.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book 5: The Compoud by S.A. Bodeen
This book is a young adult take on what a nuclear bomb shelter would be like if it was built by the richest man in the world. Part of the book is spent on telling the reader all about the awesome gadgets inside and another part is spent on the psychological effects of being stuck underground for 6 years. The narrator is 15 year old Eli who has been in the shelter for six years, since the night when the US was attacked and his family ran for their compound. Unfortunately, two members of the family did not make it, including Eli's twin brother.
I thought it was a very interesting, quick read. It was more young adult-ish than the Hunger Games series, but it wasn't too mindless and child-like. Some parts are obviously unbelievable... But I liked it overall.
I thought it was a very interesting, quick read. It was more young adult-ish than the Hunger Games series, but it wasn't too mindless and child-like. Some parts are obviously unbelievable... But I liked it overall.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Book 4: Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors
I read this book on recommendation from Mateo after recommending Devil in the White City to him. That is a fabulous book that I wouldn't mind re-reading at some point.
This book is a fictional account of the building of the Taj Mahal and the unrest in a royal family. I wish I knew more of how much of the story is based on truth and how much is made up. It's a fascinating book and made me want to travel to India to see this huge white beast for myself. The book follows the story of the daughter of the Emperor of India and his favorite wife, who inspired the Taj Mahal. Jahanara must deal with being born a woman in a time when women were not allowed to have opinions. At the same time, she has to watch as one brother because blood and power thirsty and plots to kill her other brother, a sweet-natured scholar determined to bring the Hindus and Muslims together under his future rule.
A good read for those who like being transported to another world and time...
This book is a fictional account of the building of the Taj Mahal and the unrest in a royal family. I wish I knew more of how much of the story is based on truth and how much is made up. It's a fascinating book and made me want to travel to India to see this huge white beast for myself. The book follows the story of the daughter of the Emperor of India and his favorite wife, who inspired the Taj Mahal. Jahanara must deal with being born a woman in a time when women were not allowed to have opinions. At the same time, she has to watch as one brother because blood and power thirsty and plots to kill her other brother, a sweet-natured scholar determined to bring the Hindus and Muslims together under his future rule.
A good read for those who like being transported to another world and time...
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