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| Calypso found an ornament she likes |
Currently Reading:
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken: I know it's a fool's errand to expect a story about time travel to make sense, but still. I'm having some issues.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: I'm enjoying it, but I do have to agree the feminist lip service is growing irritating for various reasons.
Posted:
- Mini reviews of Artistic License by Elle Pierson, The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer, and Malice by Keigo Higashino.
- Plus, I give you five fun literary wine labels and where to start reading Anne Stuart on Book Riot!
Movies:
A little too long (like the entire scene with the sorority girl undressing served absolutely no purpose), and obviously hailing from a more "innocent" time (the girl almost getting date raped at the frat house party, ish), but soooo funny. I think we can all take inspiration from the words of John Belushi: "Over? It's not over till we say it's over. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"
Kenny Wells is a mining company owner and the last in a long line of Nevada prospectors. Unfortunately, he is really really bad at it. Facing down getting a dreaded "real job," Kenny has a dream that leads him to The Most Interesting Geologist In The World, and the gold find of a lifetime. Or is it???
Better than I was expecting, despite the script's propensity to reiterate the obvious ("We gonna make a ton money!" "I went looking for gold and I found a friend," etc.). The movie really succeeds because of two things: one, McConaughey is obviously enjoying the fuck out of playing Kenny Wells and generally not wearing pants. And two, the friendship that develops between him and the geologist, Michael Acosta. It's almost a romance between those two, I swear to god. So sweet. I wouldn't run out to watch it in the theaters or anything, but worth streaming on Amazon or Netflix once it gets there.
A very clear and compelling account of how the world economy went into a tailspin in 2008. There's the unholy trinity of power, greed, and corruption; men who seem like prime candidates for "The sphincter says what?" jokes; and graphs. SO MANY GRAPHS. While the documentary feels a little outdated now that Obama's not in office (though I doubt Trump will improve matters), it's an eye-opening look into just how intertwined the worlds of government and finance are. "It's a Wall Street Washington," one interviewee replies when Ferguson asks him why there have been no serious financial reforms or accountability. I was also surprised by how deeply Wall Street has its hands in higher education. Definitely a must-watch.
This week in heidenkindom:
Is January over yet? To quote one of my FB friends, "Die, January, die!" This month feels like it's been dragging on forever.
Bonus:
Don't forget I'm hosting a readalong of Trevor Noah's memoir, Born a Crime, next month at Book Bloggers International! The schedule will be posted February 1st. Only 10 pages a day gets you to the end of the book by the 28th.
Have an excellent week, everybody!
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