Summer Reading: 2013 Inferno Review

I broke down and grabbed a copy of Inferno by Dan Brown, from the library last week.  It was a one-week loan; one of their frequent flyers.  I only made it halfway through because I worked last weekend, and it wasn't very good.

Brown is known for his stories rather than his writing.  They're thriller-mysteries, involving a lot of travel, a bit of killing, and are successfully wrapped up with a conclusion.  Inferno meets all of these; it takes place in Florence, begins with a suicide, and ends with the main character safely on a plane (I skimmed the epilogue).  As an added bonus; it includes Robert Langdon one of Brown's enduring characters.

Where this book failed was the pacing.  Every few pages it hit the pause button to go on at length about a painting or a sculpture.  I'm a history buff; I understand the significance of the setting, and the many gorgeous works of art created throughout the renassiance.  But is it necessary to go on, and on about them? Seriously I could've cut this book's length by a good 50 pages by asking the question: "How is that relevant to the plot?" 

What happened to the style of the DaVinci Code? It was  faster paced, with enough dialogue to make it a really easy read? The characters led the action, not the writer.  Inferno is written as if Dan Brown is more impressed with himself, than into telling a good story.

With the time spent on Florence, and its history it reads like a travelogue.  And if I wanted one of those, I would've picked one out, instead.   I have no idea how this is still on a best-seller list. 

Broadchurch Season Finale Review

Broadchurch is a British mystery series featuring David Tennant (aka the 10th Doctor) as a tired, cynical Detective  Inspector Alec Hardy called upon to solve a child's murder.  The series followed him, and his partner DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) as they followed the clues, and unravelled Town secrets better left hidden.

The brilliant part of this show is that it kept the tension up right until the very last episode.  I couldn't guess at it, I had ideas but they were proven wrong, I really had no theories other than it might be someone close to the child's family.  I purposefully stayed spoiler free, and didn't tweet about it outside episodes. 

Last night the killer was revealed, and in true British fashion it was the person you least expected. I won't reveal the name, but I will say the killer was related to a police officer.  This show is best viewed without spoilers.

The first season covered about 2 months, following the police every step of their investigation.  It was about the town, and family of the dead boy himself.  It gave a taste of what life was like; how the family dealt with losing a son, and how the community dealt with this sudden violent crime was committed by someone living among them.

Broadchurch will be back.  There are rumours of season 2 as a possible prequel focusing on Tennant's character.  In a recent Digital Spy article, series creators refused to confirm if David Tennant or any other cast member will return to the show.

Short Story Writing Workshop: The Results

A while ago I took a short-story writing class at the library.  One of our homework assignments was to write a 300 word story based around two sisters.  Here's what I came up with.

The Visit

Mary stared out the windshield at the barren winter landscape.   “While you were away on vacation Gary and I split up; we’re getting a divorce,” she blurted.  Patty opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again without saying a word.  All Patty talked about since she got in the car was her latest exotic trip. ‘Misery loves company,’ she childishly thought.

“He cheated on me.  Late nights, weekend business meetings the whole clichéd bit.  He’s Facebook friends with her; that’s how I found out... she tagged him in a status update when they were at some hotel,” Mary explained.

“The kids,” Patty asked. 

“They know dad’s away on a trip.  I haven’t told them he’s not coming back,” Mary answered.

“They’re not stupid,” Patty pointed out.

“I know that,” Mary snapped.  They were both quiet for a while lost in thought.  Patty counted the snow banks until they arrived at the house.

“Do you still love him?” Patty sought to understand her sister’s bitterness.

“Yes... No... I don’t know.  He’s the father of my children.  He was supposed to be my one great love.  But people grow apart you know.  Maybe that’s what happened with us?” Mary speculated.  Someday she might be able to buy that; after the bitterness and anger faded.

“That’s likely,” Patty suggested.  Mary parked the car, and started to open the door.  Patty put her hand on Mary’s back.  “For what it’s worth I think you’re making the right decision. 

Mary audibly sighed climbing out of the car: “Kids! Aunt Patty’s here.  She’s got presents,” Patty found herself hugged almost before she could stand up.   Another visit had begun.

Unhappily Ever After: Let's keep the magic alive

Belle trying to remain Beautiful

I saw an interview on CTV News Channel today with Dina Goldstein.  She's a photographer based out of British Columbia, and has made a name for herself with her "Fallen Princesses project.

 We often wonder what happens after "happily ever after," and Goldstein presents her answers using photography.  Belle is shown having plastic surgery, Jasmine dressed up for war.  Ariel shown in an aquarium setting, and Cinderella (always my favourite) shown drowning her sorrows at a bar. 

Goldstein's daughter was just getting into the Princess stage, which formed part of her inspiration.  The other part came from her own mother who was going through cancer treatments and wondered "what if they had to deal with situations like that?"

I watched the interview thinking "is nothing sacred?" I'm old enough to know, and accept life isn't a Disney movie.  Even though I'm beyond the age where I watched, and took those movies seriously a part of me hopes there is a handsome prince out there.  Every girl does.  Is there any harm in that? Is there any harm in showing kids that beauty is only skin deep as in Beauty and the Beast? Or that beautiful self-assured women still needs a John Smith as with Pocahontas?

Those Disney Princess wouldn't survive well when faced with the same struggles as modern women.  At the same time, you've got to have a little fantasy; what's the harm of dreaming of Prince Charming? Or imagining life under the sea. 

A fairy tale is defined as a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending.  Kids are smart; they quickly catch on that princesses aren't awakened with a magical kiss; or rescued from a tower by a prince climbing up their hair.  It's not too much to keep a little bit of magic throughout our lives. These movies make us feel good, and give us permission to dream a little.

Summer TV blahs

David Tennant in Broadchurch, beginning August 4 on Showcase

I find it boring.  I'm not into the Amazing Race: Canada; What's the point? How come we only do Canada, while the U.S. has the entire world?  Generally I've had it with reality television though. Sharknado just has no appeal for me, even though I hear it's so horrible, it's good

I've given The Listener a second chance; or tried to.  It's changed too much since I first watched it.  I loved its otential as a science-fiction mystery show.  But now it's just a procedural crime show where a guy uses his mind-reading ability to solve crimes.  I liked Toby's mystery; where did his mindreading ability come from? Are there others like him? There's still a few open questions left to be solved there.

I watched the first season of Showcase's Continuum.  I've only seen bits and pieces of its second season; and it looks like it's even better maintaining its constant questioning of how your actions affect the future.  I've definitely got some catching up to do there.  I am looking forward to David Tennant in Broadchurch beginning August 4, 2013. 

I've loved  Saving Hope so far this year.  There was a huge pay-off with Charlie (Michael Shanks) finally waking up in the season 1 finale, and the new wrench into the relationship of Charlie's talent.   I like seeing what's going on with the other characters too; it's developed into an ensemble show.

The one good thing about summer is having a chance to catch up on reruns.  CBC is rerunning a lot of last season's lineup; Murdoch Mysteries, Arctic Air, and Republic of Doyle.  If you've missed any of those, now's the time to catch  up on them.

I'm turning to Netflix a lot.  I've watched  House of Cards,  and have got a couple of episodes of  Hemlock Grove left on season one.  It's filmed in Canada, and I think I read somewhere even in Milton.  I'm also starting to re-live old favourites like Foyle's War.  All are worth checking out if you're look for something to watch.

Other than that, I'm more likely to watch a movie, or spend time on the web than watch tv.  The fall television season can't come soon enough.

Summer Reading 2013

Looking up on my blog I have an entry about Summer reading from last year.  This year though I have nothing.  I've been reading George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones' series and have returned library books unread.

I've got 190 pages of book 5: "Dance with Dragons."  The whole series so far has been a work of art.  Martin has created his own world; complete with its religions.  It is as detailed as Lord of the Rings, but I find it faster-paced thanks to the way he switches points-of-view every chapter.  I keep waiting for story lines to merge and it seems like I'm about to be rewarded for my persistence.  And yes, you should be reading the first four books before you read this one.  If you spend your summer reading one series, make it this one, it'll make you forget how hot it is outside.

I still have a few on my table waiting to be read- Hilary Mantel's sequel to Wolf Hall; I think this one takes on Anne Boleyn.  It could be good for a break from the fantasy world. There's also Jack Layton's "Speaking Out Louder" which, I can't seem to get through without arguing with myself.  I'd love to go back and read more Kelley Armstrong, for a bit of Canadian content.

The last book in Ken Follett's Fall of Giants' trilogy is due out later this year. This series follows the fortunes of five interrelated families across the 20th century.  Think of this as historical fiction with the pacing of his thrillers.  The first two books seamlessly blended elements of both.  Like with Game Of Thrones, you should read them first.

What have you guys been reading this summer? Any books I should add to my reading list?  Hit that comment button below

Writing distractions

I don't need much to write; my laptop, my blackberry and its usb connector (aka the charger). A notebook or two, a few pens. Usually I need a silent, or low-distraction environment; the fewer people around the better which I get at my home office.  I haven't written in my home office for a good two weeks now due to renovations; it was just easier to move around the house or even go to a coffee shop.

This week it's been different.  I've been living in a hotel for the last week; restricted mostly to my one room with a king-sized bed, television, and bathroom within a few feet of each other.  As far as places to write go, that sounds like paradise doesn't it? I mean you don't need to leave the room accept to eat.  But do I write in there? Have I done anything with my laptop besides fool around on Facebook and check email? No, at least not until today.

Today I broke out.  I left the room with its huge comfortable bed (did I mention there was room for  probably three of me) and took the small step of moving out to the breakfast bar for a while and watched TV.  Then my parents left, and shortly after so did I.  I was bound for the lobby or "Great room," or lobby home to both breakfast buffets, and dinner receptions.  I snagged a table right beside an outlet and set up shop.  Then went and grabbed my laundry basket with the goal of multitasking; laundry plus writing.  I was determined to be productive either domestically (laundry) or professionally (writing).

I managed to do both.  There was one other person using the "great room" as his office; we chatted a little about the cabinet shuffle, then went back to work- I to my interview audio, and he to his transcript.  Of course it being a semi-public place there were a few distractions; people passing down the hall, stopping at the front desk.  But it didn't stop me.  Within a couple of hours (that includes stops for laundry checks) I had what I consider a passable draft of an article.

In my bedroom, I would have watched tv, read my book, and enjoyed that giant bed.  Hotel rooms have always equalled vacation, coziness, and relaxation. The lobby distractions focused me, knowing I had a limited amount of time to get it done before dinner.  Knowing I had another chore on the go at the same time helped too.  It was as if the more distractions, the more the focused I became.