Reading Update

 Bad Dogs Have More Fun, Grogan

A sort of follow-up book to "Marley and Me." It was fun. A lot of it was little essays on his thoughts. And they had a famous dog expert give them some pointers XD

Waiting to Fly, Naveen

About a researcher who goes to study nesting penguins down in the cold south. I like hearing these stories of distant travels with animals. For example, most penguins build their nests with stones. But he found a couple that used some strange objects. Like tin cans they found at an old cabin.

Bambi, Salten

I love the movie. But the book was kinda irritating. There was a forward that said how great the talking animals were, compared to other talking animals. But honestly, these were some of the least convincing talking animals I've come across XD 

Tempest and Slaughter, Pierce

It took me a very long time to realize that this was about Numair as a kid. Though it's been a long time since I read any books with him.  I didn't get sucked into it though, though I was hoping to after I read Battle Magic. 

And stop feeding bread to the baby bird! Bread isn't good for birds!

Great American Short Stories, Negri

All of these were super depressing @_@  Like the guy whose wife died, so he started wandering around like a hobo until he fell off a cliff... It became comical how over-the-top tragic the selection was.

For the Love of Lemurs, Wright

Another book about people researching wildlife. This time the lemurs of Madagascar!  It's always cool reading about animals that I work with. But always depressing to find how much danger they're in.

Change your Brain, Change your Body, Amen

A fascinating book about how treating your body has such a big effect on your mind.  Definitely worth reading.

Harriet the Spy, Fitzhugh

I liked the movie. I actually tried reading it a long time ago, but I didn't get too far because it was annoying how judgemental she was. But now of course I realize that's the whole point!  I also didn't realize that the book took place so long ago! It's admirable how kids can forgive so well sometimes.

 

Into Neon, Goodwin

I know the person who write this, and it's always exciting to meet people that get stuff published XD  This was the first book in the series, but so far I've just finished the first one. 

The Education of Koko, Patterson and Linden

About Koko the gorilla. My dad actually got to meet Koko! There's also a really great documentary about Koko, but the book went into more detail.

Boy, Dahl

I love reading stories about authors. This is about the author that wrote Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and so many others. It was cool to see how events from his childhood popped up in some of his stories. 

 

 

California Blue, Klass

 An environmental fiction book, about a boy who discovers a new species of butterfly. Except the town he lives in doesn't want their logging livelihood ruined by a bug.

 

People of the Book, Brooks

A fascinating concept. It's centered around an ancient book, and it tells the stories of the different people that contributed to the book's making, and its survival. 

 

Parable of the Sower, Butler

This is not the kind of book I should have read during the pandemic. It was too heavy for me to take right now @_@ It's very well written, but I just can't appreciate such heavy post-apocalyptic stuff at the moment. 

 

The Case of the Toxic Spelldump, Turtledove

 This is one of the most creative fantasies I've read in a long time. I loved all the silly little names and details thrown - especially the ways they blended fantasy elements with modern terms. Plus it's environmental fiction, so bonus.

 

As you Wish, Elwes

This was a book about the making of "The Princess Bride" film. I've always liked the movie. I'm not one of those giant fans, but I've liked the movie for as long as I can remember. Actually, when I was little I had no idea it was supposed to be funny. I took it totally seriously. I was shocked when my mom told my grandma how ridiculous it was. 

And this book was hilarious. There are so many great stories behind the filming. I won't share all of them, but here's a good one about the final kiss.  Westley and Buttercup kissed for the first take, and the crew said that shot was perfect and they were done. But then Westley said, "No, I didn't feel quite right about it. Can we try again?" So they filmed the kiss again. Then Buttercup said, "you know, I think I'd like to redo that scene." And they went back and forth several times, reshooting the kiss! 

I listened to the book on tape, and it was narrated by Cary Elwes. It's always awesome when an author writes their own book. And he does have an amazing voice (I love that he also plays a certain cat). 

 

 

Pollyanna, Porter

I love the Disney version of this movie.  I actually tried reading the book a long time ago, but gave up. This time I finally finished it. Pollyanna is more annoying in the book XD She actually reminded me a lof of Anne, from Anne of Green Gables.

 

Northanger Abbey, Austin

I'm always surprised how sensitive people used to be about certain things. I know that's how it was, but some part of me rejects it, I guess. The protagonist has a bad habit of making up wild stories about people. Just in her head, but it still gets her into trouble.