The Week in Review: 07.14.2017
Between the Covers
Finished last week:
Babymouse is back and in middle school in a new series for middle grade readers. The first book in Jennifer L. Holm‘s BABYMOUSE: Tales from the Locker series is LIGHTS, CAMERA, MIDDLE SCHOOL and I thought it was great fun! Babymouse is trying to navigate her way through the beginning of middle school and she discovers, “The hardest subject in middle school wasn’t science or social studies or literature. It was friendship.” In an effort to fit in, she decides to join the film club but making a movie isn’t as easy as she thinks it will be. When she’s put in charge she has to make some tough decisions and learns a lot about herself and her friends. Matthew Holm‘s adorable illustrations add a lot to this wonderful story that is perfect for kids just starting middle school. (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)
I picked up NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE US by Stephanie Powell Watts after Sarah Jessica Parker selected it for the ALA’s Book Club Central and Julie reminded me we received a copy at the SIBA trade show last year. This book is being compared to THE GREAT GATSBY. It’s been years since I’ve read that book and I don’t remember all the details and nuances so I didn’t get the comparison. This is the story of a family and their struggles in a small North Carolina town that’s seen better days. It’s slow and meandering – more of a character study, really – and I found it somewhat melancholy. It was hard to keep track of which character was speaking so I had to read some dialogue more than once. In the end, this book was just okay for me but I do think book clubs would find a lot to talk about if they discussed it. (Review copy provided by Ecco Books.)
Currently reading:
- GOODBYE, VITAMIN by Rachel Khong
- YOU’RE BACON ME CRAZY by Suzanne Nelson
- THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER by Karen Dionne
On the Screen
I heard some music from Saturday Night Fever the other day so Carl and I decided to watch the movie. It’s been almost forty years since I stood in line to watch it in the theater and I remember loving it then. I thought it was smart and edgy and, of course, I loved the music and dancing. I’m sad to say I don’t think the movie has aged well. It’s the story of Tony Manero, a young man in Brooklyn who’s in a dead end job with little prospect for the future who finds success with his dance moves at the local disco. I still enjoyed the music and the dancing but was rather shocked at the racism, homophobia and misogyny and thought Tony and his friends were drama kings. Still, it was fun to watch a blast from the past.
Off the blog
- I played trivia with a few friends and we came in first.
- I started a new puzzle this week:
- I walked at least three miles every morning and averaged just over 19,250 Fitbit steps a day.
- I’ve been prepping for the store’s 5th anniversary celebration which will be held this evening.
How was your week?
I wanna make a puzzle too. Been ages
Good luck on the stores anniversary.
I can remember the excitement of Saturday Night Fever even in this far away land! and my father’s annoyance at the so called dancing (his words).
Lots of talk about Goodbye, Vitamin this week. I’ll be curious to hear what you think…
I feel the same as you do about the movie. I love the dancing even though….
I think I’ll leave my memories of Sat. Night Fever as they are. I haven’t seen it in years and years. Sorry No One Is Coming to Save Us wasn’t better … It’s still on my list. Fun puzzle.
Have fun at the store’s anniversary party.
Uh, oh. I feel like I should know what store you are celebrating tonight. Sorry about that. Can you fill me in?
No One Is Coming to Save Us sounds good…except for the part about confusing dialogue! I don’t like to work so hard to figure out who is speaking, so I will pass.
I haven’t seen Saturday Night Fever in ages, but I love the music and watching John Travolta dance. I actually like seeing Urban Cowboy, his 80s movie, with some of my favorite cowboy music…LOL. And I have the DVD.
I am curious about The Marsh King’s Daughter. Enjoy your week!
Goodbye Vitamin is on my radar so I’ll watch for your review. Have fun at the celebration tonight!
No One Is Coming To Save Us & You’re Bacon Me Crazy sound good. I’ve been thinking about getting Goodbye, Vitamin. I have the audiobook The Marsh King’s Daughter and will listen to it soon.
I love John Travolta and now I want to watch Saturday Night Fever again. Michael is my favorite movie of his.
I saw Saturday Night Fever in a theater when I was in high school and loved it! I bought the album and played it non-stop for months. I’m not surprised it hasn’t aged very well, but the music is still memorable.
Have a great time at the anniversary celebration tonight!
You have been busy! I don’t think I could watch that movie again although I used to play the soundtrack over and over and over! Have fun tonight!
I am sad to hear the movie hasn’t held up well though that is probably true of most of my favorites from the ’70s and ’80s
Woo! That is a lot of steps! That’s awesome. How fun on the puzzle. I have one I’ve been meaning to start for a while now. Soon hopefully 🙂
Oh congrats to the store’s 5th year! It would be amusing to relive Saturday Night at this point. I’m interested in hearing about Goodbye Vitamin. Enjoy your week!
Kathy,
I’m interested to hear what you think of Goodbye, Vitamin. You’ve been walking a lot, which is wonderful. Congrats on the store’s 5th anniversary! 🙂
Congrats on coming in first place at trivia! I’ve never seen Saturday Night Fever, but it’s always sad when older films I liked are seen in a new light when I re-watch them.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I’m so impressed with your daily step count! When I visit large cities, I have no problem walking 20,000 steps/day (and I love it) … but living in the suburbs, when we drive everywhere, makes step count difficult to achieve. I need to be more intentional…
Hi Kathy,
Looks like your summer reading is going well. I’m finding less reading time this summer for some reason but, hope to remedy that. Just finished The Leavers; Lisa Ko – part mystery and social justice issues – 4/5 stars and Ruth Ware’s latest, The Lying Game – 4/5 stars.
It’s happened to me too where I have rewatched a favorite movie from the 80s only to think, Why did I think this was so great? Just goes to show how much our thinking has changed with time.
How are you getting so many steps on average? I struggle to average 13,000 per day? What’s your routine to accomplish so many?
That puzzle looks so colorful. I hope you let us know how the 5th year celebration at the store goes.
Seeing your puzzles week after week made me did out a 2,000 piecer I haven’t done. I envision a month at least 🙂
I just love it when you show us a puzzle. I like the bright colors in this one. I can’t believe its been 40 years since Saturday Night Fever! Where did the time go? I’m sorry you had a disappointing book this week. I hope this week is going well.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Saturday Night Live — only clips! I love Babymouse!