books I've been reading
Apr. 17th, 2013 10:33 amI've been following ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
petronia's reading/watching meme for a while now, and between that and Film Crit Hulk I've been inspired to catch up on movies, series and books.
Movies finished:
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - my mouth watered the entire time, and so will yours, but that's an irrelevant detail. This has so much in common with my favourite documentary, Bill Cunningham New York: it's inspiring and very humbling to watch these men perform their craft with such skill. I wanted to say their skill was effortless but it's not true--like a kata, constant repetition makes every movement smooth and light. I have never been so mesmerised watching someone pinch nigiri together. Also charmed by food critic Masuhiro Yamamoto, who serves as a guide to Jiro's genius. Loved his breakdown of the three criteria for the Michelin stars: quality, originality and consistency. This one's going in the Artist Handbook.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - ahahaha this actually showed in London while I was there. I enjoyed the hell out of this film; I'm sad I didn't see it in the theatre.
Books finished:
To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee - I am so ashamed that I hadn't read this yet! Of course I loved it, but I can't really process my feelings until I read it a few more times, detached from everything that's already been said about it.
Do the Work, Steven Pressfield - a little gung-ho for my taste, but good for motivation.
Blood and Gold, Anne Rice (reread) - Short version: vampires are assholes, but they're fascinating assholes.
Zen and the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury - Another one for the Artist's Handbook, but also just fun to read.
Still reading/watching:
The Fall - about 1/3 of the way through and enchanted. Although that might be more the two leads than anything else; I am super weak for Lee Pace.
Sunshine Cleaning - I honestly thought this would be way more engaging and funny?
Elementary - now watching 'M'.
Venice Is A Fish, Tiziano Scarpia - ♥
Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler - Lemony Snicket's turns of phrase are just as amazing when he is not being Lemony Snicket. And I feel even more for his characters.
Stuff White People Like, Christian Lander - Sometimes I read so many sad things, I just need a bathroom book.
Just acquired:
Hannibal, ep 1
Da Vinci's Demons, ep 1 - SO EXCITED.
Diary of a Dictator, William Rempel - Ferdinand Marcos's diary. I honestly have no idea what to expect.
The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story, Peter Lefcourt - apparently an LGBT love story about baseball NOT written by Steve Kluger. Recommended on the podcast Slash Report.
The Eagle of the Ninth, Rosemary Sutcliff - because I am obsessed, not with Channing Tatum, but with trying to remember the title of this one children's book I read, which was also about the dying days of Roman Britain and featured a teenage protagonist called Marcus who meets a Celtic boy. In the book Marcus, whose family is about to leave for Tuscany, gets to witness the ritual of the Horned God and exchanges his toga for a fur pelt. Also Rosemary Sutcliff.
Fantastic Metamorphoses, Other Worlds: Ways of Telling the Self, Marina Warner - I love this lady.
petronia's reading/watching meme for a while now, and between that and Film Crit Hulk I've been inspired to catch up on movies, series and books.Movies finished:
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - my mouth watered the entire time, and so will yours, but that's an irrelevant detail. This has so much in common with my favourite documentary, Bill Cunningham New York: it's inspiring and very humbling to watch these men perform their craft with such skill. I wanted to say their skill was effortless but it's not true--like a kata, constant repetition makes every movement smooth and light. I have never been so mesmerised watching someone pinch nigiri together. Also charmed by food critic Masuhiro Yamamoto, who serves as a guide to Jiro's genius. Loved his breakdown of the three criteria for the Michelin stars: quality, originality and consistency. This one's going in the Artist Handbook.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang - ahahaha this actually showed in London while I was there. I enjoyed the hell out of this film; I'm sad I didn't see it in the theatre.
Books finished:
To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee - I am so ashamed that I hadn't read this yet! Of course I loved it, but I can't really process my feelings until I read it a few more times, detached from everything that's already been said about it.
Do the Work, Steven Pressfield - a little gung-ho for my taste, but good for motivation.
Blood and Gold, Anne Rice (reread) - Short version: vampires are assholes, but they're fascinating assholes.
Zen and the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbury - Another one for the Artist's Handbook, but also just fun to read.
Still reading/watching:
The Fall - about 1/3 of the way through and enchanted. Although that might be more the two leads than anything else; I am super weak for Lee Pace.
Sunshine Cleaning - I honestly thought this would be way more engaging and funny?
Elementary - now watching 'M'.
Venice Is A Fish, Tiziano Scarpia - ♥
Why We Broke Up, Daniel Handler - Lemony Snicket's turns of phrase are just as amazing when he is not being Lemony Snicket. And I feel even more for his characters.
Stuff White People Like, Christian Lander - Sometimes I read so many sad things, I just need a bathroom book.
Just acquired:
Hannibal, ep 1
Da Vinci's Demons, ep 1 - SO EXCITED.
Diary of a Dictator, William Rempel - Ferdinand Marcos's diary. I honestly have no idea what to expect.
The Dreyfus Affair: A Love Story, Peter Lefcourt - apparently an LGBT love story about baseball NOT written by Steve Kluger. Recommended on the podcast Slash Report.
The Eagle of the Ninth, Rosemary Sutcliff - because I am obsessed, not with Channing Tatum, but with trying to remember the title of this one children's book I read, which was also about the dying days of Roman Britain and featured a teenage protagonist called Marcus who meets a Celtic boy. In the book Marcus, whose family is about to leave for Tuscany, gets to witness the ritual of the Horned God and exchanges his toga for a fur pelt. Also Rosemary Sutcliff.
Fantastic Metamorphoses, Other Worlds: Ways of Telling the Self, Marina Warner - I love this lady.
