Advanced
Style
by Ari Seth
Cohen
I loved Advanced
Style by Ari Seth Cohen, which was surprisingly written by a young
man. It’s a photo book that took a
little over an hour to read. However,
I’ve spent many hours since then looking at the photos and getting to know the
characters. It’s basically a fashion
book featuring older women who truly are characters. I think that most of them are from New York
City, which makes sense. They each have
their own style and personality. Some I
like more than others, but they are all an inspiration. Each time I look at the book, I come away
with a sense of the individuality and beauty that can be achieved by older
women. I realize that this comes with
age, whether the image is created consciously or not. Ari Seth Cohen has captured the spirit of
aging gracefully and with style.
A Story
Told Lately
By Angelica
Houston
A Story
Told Lately got off
to a slow start for me. Angelica Houston
writes in great detail about her early childhood in Ireland and later teenage
years in London. She writes in great
detail and many of her descriptions of the country and homes are lovely. However, I wasn’t familiar with many of the
famous people who were a part of that childhood. It was less meaningful to me because I had no
idea who they were and no context for her references. I found her teenage years more interesting
and will definitely read her next book, which will cover her adult life in
Hollywood. Houston is a good writer and
has definitely had an interesting life. I’m
hoping I’ll be able to relate better to her adult years.
About a
Boy
By Nick
Hornby
Of the
books I’ve read recently, I liked About a Boy best. I have to review it in the context of the
movie and the recent television series, neither of which came up to the quality
and standard of the book. I discovered
the book through the recent NBC television series. I’ve recently been watching a lot of comedies,
and the trailers for About a Boy looked
very funny. Of the three, the TV show is
the worst. The characters are very
two-dimensional and do not ring true.
The mother is especially weak, which was my opinion before seeing the
movie and/or reading the book.
The TV show
caught my interest enough for me to check both the book and the movie out of
the library. The British-American movie
was much better than the book. The
characterization was truer, especially the mother. Hugh Grant was not quite as good as David
Walton as Will, but the movie held together and was much better than the TV
show has been so far.
I don’t
think I’ve ever read a book after seeing both a movie and a TV series before.
The reviews of the book were good and several people had read the book after
seeing the movie, so I thought I’d give it a try. I’m so glad I did because the book is great. As usual with books, it included so much more
detail. The thought processes of both
Will and Marcus added a lot to the story.
I’m not going to spoil it, but the ending is different than the movie
and the book is well worth reading.
Definitely a good read!
Still
reading:
The Most
of Nora Ephron
By Nora
Ephron
Although I
haven't read all of The Most of Nora Ephron, I'd definitely give it 5
stars. Unfortunately, I'm half way
through the book. I just don't want it
to end!!! She was such a positive and funny writer. I'm gong through one of those sadder times in
life that we all have. I love ending my
day laughing as I read Ephron's hilarious writing. I've also tabbed a lot of the recipes she's
included, which look sinfully delicious.
I'll write more once I've finished the book. At this point, I'd give it an A+++. The Most of Nora Ephron is definitely a GREAT
read!
Jonathan
Strange & Mr. Norell
By Susanna
Clarke
After not
being able to get through the book, I'm currently listening to the Audible
version of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell.
I have to admit that it's a much better listen than read. The book was never-ending and so is the audio
version, but it's interesting enough too keep me listening. I'm on what would be the third of four
CDs. It's slow going, but I'm determined
to finish it. Will write more when I'm
finished, but right now I'd have to say that it's a better listen than read and
leave it at that.
