(no subject)

[liptonrm_backup]

Good day, all.

I so need to get the hell out of the midwest. My sinuses hate me and want me to die and, you know, I might have gotten sick in Texas but at least I didn't get a headache every other day. Ugh.

Had a very quiet weekend. Didn't do much, didn't even get out to see Kingdom of Heaven. I did spend quite a bit of time ripping all of my music onto my hard drive. I had done a bit of this a few years ago but then I would make cds and delete the songs. I have no idea why I thought that was a good idea. Am only about half way through the collection.

Yesterday spent a nice Mother's Day with the Mum. We all made dinner for her and then were able to call The Wrestler down in Chile. We all had a very nice conversation.

Now that you're all well and truly bored, let's talk about books.



I recently (as in two minutes ago. Yes I'm reading at work, shut up) finished reading The Road to Middle-earth: How J.R.R. Tolkien Created a New Mythology by Tom Shippey. It's a fabulous, fascinating book that I highly recommend to any and all lovers of Lord of the Rings. Shippey describes and explores many illuminating themes and processes that brought me a much deeper understanding of both Tolkien and his creation. A wonderful read.

In that time I also read Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Tehanu by Ursula K. Le Guin, Infinity Beach by Jack McDevitt, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and reread On The Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

I was inspired to read both Tom Sawyer and Treasure Island because of writerj's baffled amazement that I had never read them before. Very good books. Tehanu was my favorite of LeGuin's Earthsea books, a good story told in a very strong voice. Infinity Beach is good sci-fi adventure/mystery, you can't go wrong with McDevitt if you want a nice, rollicking read. The Red Tent was a loan from baylorsr and a good read. It's a modern feminizing retelling of the story of Jacob and his sons through the eyes of Dinah, his one recorded daughter. Hence reminiscent of Marion Zimmer Bradley but with better prose. And, finally, I've been rereading the Little House books because of the wonderful mini-series of Little House on the Prairie that was recently shown on ABC. I loved those books so much when I was a kid.

I was all headache-y and bored when I started this post but thanks to the power of lj and im'ing I feel 100% better. Yay!

Comments

[hiyacynth.livejournal.com]

What's wrong with me that I gave up on Treasure Island about 2/3 of the way through? Right around the siege in the weird cage thingie... I just lost interest. Must try again.

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

You should try again. But, honestly, it was around then that I really started losing interest and skimming my way through. The last bit isn't nearly as exciting as the first half.

[elendiari22.livejournal.com]

Isn't "The Road to Middle Earth" fascinating? I love it. His other one, "J.R.R. Tolkien,Author of the Century", is what got me truly hooked on medieval languages and literature.

I've really got to read "Treasure Island" again. I was halway through it in middle school when I lost interest. Weird, as it's about pirates. ^_^
*puts it on summer reading list*

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

J.R.R. Tolkien:Author of the Century is definitely on my list. I very much want to read Shippey's perspective of his life.

Thankfully Treasure Island is a pretty easy read, especially if you aren't adverse to skimming the last bit. Personally I found the scenes on board the ship to be the best parts of the book. I never wanted the voyage to end.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TEHANU HERE...You have been warned

[lil-banik-slave.livejournal.com]

I read Tehanu. I found the ending a bit confusing though. I read it that the girl, Therru, was destined to be the next Archmage, or would lead them to the next archmage. Is that right?

It was a brilliant story though. I read the whole quartet ("A Wizard of Earthsea" through to "Tehanu")

Re: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TEHANU HERE...You have been warned

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

The ending was rather confusing as Therru's story was left very open-ended. Her mystery was never satisfactorally solved. I've heard that the next book, The Other Wind gives the ending to that story.

You are absolutely right, the whole series was brilliant. Le Guin is a marvelous author and while it didn't capture my emotions the way some other books have the sheer power of her craft and story-telling cannot be denied.

Re: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TEHANU HERE...You have been warned

[lil-banik-slave.livejournal.com]

When does The Other Wind grace the scenes?

Re: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TEHANU HERE...You have been warned

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

The Other Wind was published in ... 2002, I think? I haven't read it yet but it's on The List.

Re: MAJOR SPOILERS FOR TEHANU HERE...You have been warned

[lil-banik-slave.livejournal.com]

Might have to track that one down

[baylorsr.livejournal.com]

You're such a prolific reader. I feel so lame.

[liptonrm.livejournal.com]

You, missy, are not lame. You're busy and swamped and have no time for yourself. Plus I read really fast, like inhumanly fast. Thankfully you are not a big ol' freak. =D