a pre-review

First things first: How much do I love the cover of this book? So much. The colors, the fonts, the design - it's everything a good book cover should be. I read a review in the Times today about it, and, in my opinion, it was terribly unfair. The reviewer spent her whole time comparing this book to Harry Potter, which is (excuse the cliche) like comparing apples to oranges - both good, but completely different. But rest assured, I'm partway through and very much enjoying it. Full review to come once I've finished. Oh, and that reviewer? She's kind of hated among authors; at least according to this she is. Made me feel better about not taking her seriously; apparently many don't.

who am i? 24601.

Is anyone else out there as excited about this movie as I am? Lauren, I suspect you are, but are there any other fanatics out there who absolutely cannot wait feels like time is moving like molasses christmas will never arrive and when it does you'll be first in line? 

Seriously, just look at this newly released movie poster via the movie's Twitter:

fight. dream. hope. love.

(best tag line ever.)

 

So much love. So much. The previews already have me in tears, so I'm sure I'll be a blubbering mess at the actual movie. Really, though, who around these parts wants to go see it with me? Can't promise I won't attempt to sing along, though, so consider yourself warned.

P.S. The show is touring and coming to my city in March. I'm so there. End of.

on advocating proofreading

Found on a flyer from a local apartment complex that is promoting its newly instated used clothing donation program:

Homophones, people! Homophones!

Moral of the story: proofread so you don't end up looking dumb.

oh, happy day

hello, dear friends. this is what we found at wal-mart tonight: pure happiness in a disposable pouch. i would write more, but i'm too busy gulping down this smoothie goodness.

u-s-c goooooo cocks

we spent the afternoon tailgating with our friends which only reaffirmed the fact that the south knows how to do football right. the game was great, except for the refs' ridiculous calls. seriously.so.bad. i'm a little hoarse from cheering on the players and booing the refs. oh, and the best thing about gamecock football (besides being ranked 7th)? this:

the best entrance in all of college football

go cocks

greek festival 2012

friday night consisted of putt-putt golf at frankie's followed by the greek festival where i ate some absolutely delicious spanikopita, and then a trip back to our friend's house for dessert. can't wait for the festival to come back again next year.

popular

Because I have a degree in English, many issues naturally inherent to the literary world are on the forefront of my thoughts. Here's a common idea that I think is total nonsense:

Classic/modern literature is inaccessible to anyone without an English degree.

This is nothing more than a bogus excuse in my book. Sure, there are those who honestly do not like reading, but not all authors are inaccessible. Yes, you might have to use your brain more (read: much more) than if you were reading, say, Twilight, but I promise you won't hurt yourself. Most authors wrote for the common man. And while I know that there are some authors who write novels that are intentionally difficult*, most don't. Pick up some Dostoevsky or some poetry; you'll be surprised at how accessible it is. It's all about the human experience. Go experience it. Find yourself in another world with new people and share in their triumphs and downfalls. It's a wonderful way to live and learn about all of those literary/philosophical ideas that start with capital letters; i.e. Truth with a capital 't'. 

Runners up for this expose:

:: That censorship will actually do/help anything. (It doesn't.) 

:: That all feminists are of the bra-burning 'we hate men' variety. (We're not.)

*Finnegans Wake by James Joyce is a perfect example. Don't even try.

26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong? | thirty things

dinner date

One dinner with Sylvia, please. I'm on a first-name basis with her, and love her more than most. I'd have her take me to her favorite local place in London. I'd love to talk to her and try to get a glimpse into her genius. Just a small inkling. If I could write half as well as she could at age eighteen, well, I wouldn't just be writing a blog that who knows how many people actually see. I'd ask her about her poetry and if she liked the version of the cover of her novel. My guess is probably not - too many colors. Anyway, she's brilliant. Read her if you haven't. The poetry is fantastic. The novel is superb. And this crazy thing happens when you read The Bell Jar; you start to think that you're Esther. Then you put the book down and think, "What was I thinking? That's not me." Then you pick it up again and you're convinced over and over that it's you. Seriously.So.Good. You won't be sorry.

25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat? | thirty things