The Happening

Not even (worth) a real blog entry...
This is why I reserve ONE star ratings for truly special occasions. (one of five plastic plants of the botanical Armageddon)

Tale of Despereaux

At one point this was Em's favorite book. So reading this hits my "Newbery" goal as well as my "Favorites" goal. First off I'd give it 4 out of 5 tails removed from vermin. This is one of those children's books that is a joy to read. It's fun, has heart, teaches a moral without being too heavy handed, and is a breeze to read. I'd definitely suggest this to any child making the transition into "real chapter books".

The Christmas Rat by Avi

Em picked this one up at the library a while ago. In addition to whatever book she is reading to herself at any given time, there is always some book that I am in the process of reading aloud TO her. The book is one of the latter. Anyway, with this book we decided it would be cool to have me record the chapters so she can listen to them on her iPod when she is at her mom's house.

I'll reserve judgment since this is a book Em picked for herself (even though I read it aloud). I will say that it has some interesting religious metaphors. Additionally, it's strange to read a kids book written recently. The references to the kid checking his email and playing video games online seemed a little strange to me, having grown up before internet ubiquity.

Odd Thomas

Brother Brigham recently mentioned that this is his favorite book. I have this rule that if someone I know tells me that something is their favorite something (book, movie, ...) I should probably check it out. (So let's see some comments on your favorites)

I dug the book. I wouldn't call it my favorite. I will say that had the author left the last 2 chapters (4 pages maybe) out of the book I would have enjoyed it much more. It's a little like the ending to AI. Personally I dig that movie a lot more if I turn it off when the creepy robot version of Forest Gump's kid gets frozen in the ice able to see, but not reach, his goal (but maybe that's just me).

So go buy a copy, tear out the last 2 chapters (have a friend do it so you don't accidentally read what I think should be the last page) and dig in.

3.5 out of 5 dead people who just can't let go of this life. (I'd give it 4 for the first ending)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Despite some initial difficulties Emmalee, Deb, Zack and I made it out to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull this weekend. I don't want to say too much so I'll stick to this:
-3 out of five potentially awesome crystal skulls
-It's a great, fun summer movie that any fan of the originals should see.
-It's no Iron Man
-The biggest thing (good or bad) about this movie (for me), was that it made me REALLY wish that there had been many, many more Indy movies. Seeing "OLD" Indy made me realize that there really can't be too many more movies with Harrison Ford as the swashbuckling, action hero that I remember from the originals. Indiana Jones should have been the American equivalent to James Bond. There are 22 James Bond movies with 6 different actors playing the worlds most famous undercover agent. 22! Imagine a world with even half that many Indiana Jones movies. That is the world where I want to live!