So maybe there have been a few thousand things going on, and the last thing I really wanted to do was tell you about the last two books I finished. But now I really want to. They're two completely and totally different books:
Les Miserables: finally! I started when we got to Bali the first time. In December. I had decided to be a purist and read the unabridged version and I'm pretty sure you could get the same basic thing out of an abridged version. An amazing story line, a beautiful tale of redemption and forgiveness, who wouldn't want Jean Valjean to be their grandfather? What an amazingly pure and righteous man he became. I was pretty much fighting tears for the last hundred pages or so. It ends a bit differently than the musical and it's so heartwrenching watching Valjean do the "right" thing! I finished the book thinking, "wow, what real person could write something like that?" It's been a favorite musical of mine for several years now, and reading the book has completed and enriched my understanding of the whole story.
and now for the next book:
The Devil Wears Prada: after reading Les Mis, I definitely needed something VERY lighthearted and "mindless". An easy and entertaining read. I heard of the movie a long time ago, but the word "Devil" in the title dissuaded me from seeing what it was about. A trip to Walmart, a $6 price tag, a quick read of the synopsis, and the knowledge that this was the only non-romance, fun book, changed my mind. It's a fun look into the world of wealth and fashion, two things I am only vaguely familiar with. Familiar in the sense of: "Oh look, there goes a limo!" and "In What Not To Wear, they say these jeans aren't right for me, but they're only $7!" (I confess to thoroughly enjoying "What Not To Wear" when I get a chance to watch it, though my wardrobe is sadly lacking anything Clinton and Stacy would approve of). Anyway, it's a fun book, great for vacation or just lazing around.
6 comments:
Hi there! I'm getting ready for work and thought I'd see what, if anything, new was on your blog. I'll definitely read the book you mentioned (the second one), as soon as school's out. It seems funny, you're winding down your day, and ours is just starting. Any more pictures??? It's fun to see what life is like in Bali, and even more fun to see you guys and the boys. Charles looks so grown -up. Gotta go. Love to you all, and sweet dreams!
Hi Christy,
I haven't read either of the books you mentioned, but I've seen the musical and the movie. I think I'll need to read the books as I usually enjoy them more than the movie anyway. At the moment, I'm still struggling through Dickens. Actually, I must confess that I've taken a bit of a break from him to regain my sanity. I think I'll try again after my trip to the U.S. I don't think A Tale of Two Cities will help me enjoy my 14 hour flight! Thanks for keeping up your blog. I love reading about your life in Bali!
Jen
I enjoyed "A Tale of Two Cities", but don't think I understood everything that was mentioned in it. Like, I know at one point the storming of the Bastille occurred, but I didn't know that until someone else told me. Dickens has a way of being verrry descriptive, so descriptive that it's hard to grasp what he's talking about sometimes.
Hmmmm... I don't think I've gotten to that part yet. I must confess that the version I'm reading has notes at the back. Is that cheating??
Jen
No way is it cheating. It's only cheating if you're only reading the notes and not the book.
christy,
well, i haven't read the books but i have seen the movie "devil wears prada", mostly because i love meryl streep. it was cute. also, love "what not to wear", which i normally watch with my mom, who loves it even more. :)
currently, i am finishing the book "the food revolution" by john robbins...this book is disturbing in its description of factory farmed meat and poultry, and it's making me want to make some big changes to the way our family eats. maybe more about this later on my own blog....
Post a Comment