read to me

[phosfate]

It's summertime, I'm riding the bus a lot, and I'm not going to go to any huge intellectual effort. You have been warned.

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley (Ace, $6.50). She does for Sleeping Beauty what she's already done (twice) for Beauty and the Beast, with just a tad of William Goldman thrown in. Not your usual fairy tale, with Briar Rose apprenticing as a blacksmith, fairy godparents who run the gamut from spooky to dopey to ordinary overworked Janes, and a take on Disneyesque talking animals that is both amusing and enlightening.

If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B-Movie Actor by Bruce Campbell (LA Weekly/St Martin's, hardcover, some godawful amount of money). Mr Campbell describes the life of a Hollywood working stiff. No tedious rhapsodies about Spielberg's vision here. Instead you get Martha Stewart's tips for the terminally adolescent - a recipe for fake blood, instructions for backyard mischief and cheap special effects, and evil elaborate practical jokes. Plus many Moments of Zen, such as the story of Sandy the fox and Kevin Sorbo crying like a big ol' girl, bless 'im. If you like BC, you will not be disappointed - if anything you'll wish it were twice as long. Groovy.

Comments

reading is fundamental

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

I was curious about "Spindle's End". I'm still waiting for my copy of "If Chins Could Kill". Knowing you liked it makes me feel better about ordering it.

Been reading Sailor Moon. Damn you Ann Larimer!

Re: reading is fundamental

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

I probably wouldn't have taken the plunge so early, but I sold all that stuff on Amazon marketplace and Sarah gave me that coupon code...

Two new Sailor Moons in the last week - SM vol 10, and Sailor Moon Stars 2. I'm always hesitant to pimp them to anybody, because much as I love it, the storytelling can be vague, the Mixx translation is awkward (though they do stop trying to fill it with dated teen slang as they progress, thank God), and it's got that whole bizarre dreamlike vibe going. Vol 10 has several genuinely scary moments. Heee.

Also (in the same box with Bruce) got Peach Girl 1 (which you already know I lurve), and Saint Tail 1 (not a must-have, but cute and cool if you can get into a 10-year-old headspace). Avoid Miracle Girls unless you can get it cheap.

Have you read

[cageyklio.livejournal.com]

McKinley's take on Robin Hood? Outlaws of Sherwood is just lovely. I have re-read that one and Hero and the Crown many times.

I got The Vagina Monologues from the library. I'm not as taken with it as I'm supposed to be. Other People's Dirt by Louis Rafkin was odd, but had some wonderful moments, particularly describing her trip to Japan to clean public toilets, without an iota of the language at her disposal.

Ramble, ramble.

Re: Have you read

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

I haven't read Outlaws of Sherwood yet - I've been kinda Hooded out since, oh, 1992. One day I shall. I have either Hero and the Crown or The Blue Sword - whichever was just re-released for $1.99 - on my to-read shelf. Maybe on the plane to Disney.

I'm waiting for the DVD of The Vagina Monologues starring Craig Kilborn (special commentary track by Andrew "Dice" Clay) to hit the shelves.

Other People's Dirt looks like it has potential. On the other hand, I'm frightened of Japanese toilets.

Re: Have you read

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

You're going to Disney? When? Would you buy me neat stuff? Pleeeez.

(Japanese toilets? I wonder if they are as strange as Japanese "hotels".

Re: Have you read

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

Be happy to! Send me moo and a list (and did you 'member to contact Susan about finding you a watch or you want me to keep an eye out?). My principal concern is gathering the money to keep myself in soda and mozzarella sticks. ^_^

(Remarkably, the people of America (and in one case, New Zealand) seem anxious to give me money for stuff on Ebay, so this may work out after all.)

Re: Have you read

[nitasee.livejournal.com]

When are you going? I'll send you money and an email with some ideas for how to spend it. Thanks.

Re: Have you read

[annlarimer.livejournal.com]

August...8th, I think. Or 9th. For a week. I find the whole thing beyond imagining.

"It's all right. She's just a little over-stimulated. Just let her stand in the shower for a little bit and she'll be fine."

"Shouldn't we undress her or something? At least the shoes?"