Super Awesome Reading Adventure Safari 2008

I'm having a major Harry Potter hangover after I finished book seven again. I've got a little lightning bolt shaped piece of my heart missing.

And speaking of Harry Potter, they are actually going to release The Tales of Beedle the Bard later this year. We'll see how that goes.

I tried getting into those Twilight Saga books, but I found the writing to be inane and vapid, like reading a 16-year-old's livejournal. [Oh, ok, like reading this blog too.]

An Amazon user summed up book one like this:

"The whole book is basically: 'Today I went to school. Edward gave me a ride home. I couldn't speak for his amber eyes were oh so mesmerizing! When I got home I made dinner for my father and cleaned the entire house. Then I got myself into mortal danger and Edward saved me. His eyes are soooo amber and mesmerizing.'"

I was disappointed because the book was highly recommended by Emsie Hammer. But alas. Terrible. I know all the little girls are going nuts over it, but a sexy character does not equate to quality writing.

This summer I've been reading books that I'm a little embarrassed to admit I've never read. Stuff like 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and The Bell Jar. I picked up Flowers for Algernon as well, because I've only read the short story version.

I also read Cabin Pressure: One Man's Desperate Attempt to Recapture His Youth as a Camp Counselor by Josh Wolk, which I really really enjoyed. It was similar to some zines I've read, but longer, and by a guy who writes for Entertainment Weekly. I thought the flow of the chapters was great, and Wolk really wove the tale of his last "free" summer before getting married beautifully. I'd recommend it for anyone who has gone to camp, has wanted to go to camp, or who likes to read books.

I'm currently reading I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, which I'm on the fence about. The writing has it's fair share of smiles "dancing across his lips" "slate gray eyes" and "sharp cheekbones", but the story itself is decent. Stephanie Kuehnert paints a pretty decent picture of Emily Black and her family and friends and the town they grew up in. They only thing I'm not entirely convinced of is the supposedly amazing punk rock beauty and talent of the main character. At times she is a little Mary Sue-ish, in her own punkish way. She sounds pretty bratty and stuck up, yet everyone seems to adore her and her attitude. I'm not finished yet, but I'm enjoying it despite the flaws.

Next books up: Summerland by Michael Chabon, Whitechapel Gods by S. M. Peters, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy poetry by Tao Lin, and the Apocalypse Reader edited by Justin Taylor.

Yay reading!

I think I need to remember to renew my library card.

The place where they keep all the books - I dedicate this post to you.