Stuff we're reading / watching / listening to

[mic0]

What is painful about it? I didn't find the writing particularly great, but wouldn't say it was bad either. Also I feel like I'm the only person who was a little disappointed in the ultimate ending, hah! I won't even say why I was disappointed because that might be a spoiler.

[Whistler]

Well, I started the 3rd book right after I finished the 2nd, and he carefully re-explains everything. Why did I even bother reading the 2nd book? He also has a habit of telling rather than showing things, or showing them and also telling them, which I find annoying.

[mic0]

Oh yeah, re-explaining. One of those times when an established author really needs a good editor or just a preface that you can skip - "last time on Mistborn!"

[Portia]

He also has a habit of telling rather than showing things, or showing them and also telling them, which I find annoying.

Yes.

[Digit]

If you were a company that made meal replacement shakes, why would you name your company/product Soylent? I've got their tagline. Soylent: We're all about people.

[Whistler]

Yeah, my husband thinks it's a dumb name. I guess it's to appeal to the hipster crowd. I was really excited to try some out, but then I found out there was a waiting list so I was like "forget this!" There is a lovely DIY soylent page, and sometimes when I don't feel like making myself lunch I mix up some masa harina, protein powder, and whey isolate. Yum.

[Digit]

Vox staff trying Soylent.

[mic0]

"It's aggressively neutral." Hah!

[Digit]

When you're reading something written by Ira Glass, you can't help but use a stilted, high-pitched Ira Glass inner voice.

[Digit]

Bloodsport Mentos commercial

[Tally M.]

Women of the New Testament by Camille Front Olson. I read the companion book about the women in the Old Testament last year and I've really enjoyed both of them. She's been my favorite religion teacher, and I love how she explains the historical background and cultural necessary to understand the women mentioned. Even if they just have a verse or two, she provides information to really help you understand the woman better and learn from her example.

[Portia]

Didn't consider myself a fan of The Fault In Our Stars: maybe the cancer-cancer was just too soon, too much, and it's precious even for him.

But I started Looking for Alaska tonight and it has really resonated with me thus far. In fact, some aspects of his plotting are informing how I structure my WiP.

[Digit]

I like how the SNL episodes on Netflix lack the musical guests as well as, of course, commercials. Just pure sketches.

[Genuine Article]

I started Looking for Alaska tonight and it has really resonated with me thus far.

I haven't read anything by him yet, but I'm so excited that a former BYU student is going to direct the movie.

[Portia]

I started Looking for Alaska tonight and it has really resonated with me thus far.

I haven't read anything by him yet, but I'm so excited that a former BYU student is going to direct the movie.

Oooh! Very cool.

[Portia]

Here are my top 5 reads from the first half of the year:

Persuasion (Austen)
Revolutionary Road (Richard Yates)
Handmaid's Tale (Atwood)
Nora Webster (Colm Tóibín)
Unrequited: Women and Romantic Obsession (Lisa A. Phillips)

I actually see some common threads here. Huh.

The common theme seems to be "the effect of romantic love/obsession/sex slavery on women." Glad that there's such a wide variety of styles and eras to explore and that the authors take it seriously. I also got to meet Tóibín in Salt Lake City, so that was fun.

[Portia]

It's been a long time since I had a one-star book. Apparently that honor went to TFIOS (shoutout Violet), which is interesting, because I'd give Alaska and Paper Towns solid 3 and halfs and probably see the movies. I guess I'm getting too old to finish books I hate.

[Portia]

My grandparents just bought me the biography of Wallace Stegner. woooo

Guys this is the book I most need to get out of storage. And yes, I'm procrastinating boring difficult work stuff WHY DO YOU ASK

[Whistler]

I started reading Love is the Drug--an SF YA that won an award. I couldn't finish it! They just kept stringing out the mysteries with excess drama and introspection. Well... that's pretty much my opinion of YA, come to think of it.

[Violet]

It's been a long time since I had a one-star book. Apparently that honor went to TFIOS (shoutout Violet), which is interesting, because I'd give Alaska and Paper Towns solid 3 and halfs and probably see the movies. I guess I'm getting too old to finish books I hate.

Oh hey, my general dislike of John Green is echoed in at least some form. This rarely happens.