(no subject)

[fredericks]

Today was the meeting of nycbookclub. Twas fun. nemesisbecoming, laughingirl, and sternel were in attendance. I kept envisioning that sternel would look vaguely like Christian Bale due to her icon; I am such the crackhead. Puff and Pao was a cuter meeting place than I'd originally though, since I'd scoped the place out during the daylight hours. It was just us four, the counter help, and the sweet sweet smell of scrumptious puff pastry. None of us really liked the entirety of Battle Royale (and yes, bitch from the Customer Service desk of the Barnes and Noble at Rockefeller Center, we all pronounced it "roy-AL"; please go frack yourself) but there was something to be gained from the experience of reading it and at least we didn't cop out (*ahem*). The next book we'll read is The Kite Runner, a work that normally wouldn't be my cup of tea. Oh well; these things are for expanding one's horizons. Or some gorram thing of that nature.
*

Me whine - I'm feeling particularly lonely, tired, and strained. I need more sleep than I'm getting. I feel like I've been in classes forever, but it's not even been five days yet. Argh. I keep getting the urge to punch things. Things and people. Usually people. And not in a playful manner, either. I'm unsure if people are acting more fracking idiotic than usual or I simply have a smaller tolerance for bullshit at this point in time.

*
Got the 4th GN of Mike Carey's Lucifer in the mail yesterday, and read it during the trek back from the book club meeting this evening. I laughed a few times. I do so like the way Carey captures Morningstar and the clever way religion is approached. And Michael in exile? W00t! Let the hijinks begin. More funds are required to continue my Lucifer journey.

*
My brother has a MySpace account. He's stuck up a picture of himself, my mom, and my dad there. The picture flatters none of them. He refers to himself as a "gangster". No, forgive me; as a "gangzta". W...TF? This from the kid who is an altarboy and has attended Catholic school for most of his life. I think the Netspeak bothers me more than any of the other silliness, though. *sigh*

End Transmission

PS - My Chemical Romance's Hang 'Em High? Really nifty.

Comments

[tjfalcon.livejournal.com]

That's too bad about Battle Royale. Other than reminding us every chapter Shuya is a star athlete, I'm rather enjoying it. Knowing something about Japanese culture, I can understand why this was so controversial.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed it as violent fluff, but it's not something I can see myself picking up to re-read in the future unless I'm really feening for some Tarantino. The characters (IMO) came across as one-dimensional: Shuya was the Mary Sue whom all the girls loved, everyone was either "in love" or wistfully thinking about it, the two homosexuals of the story were stereotypes to the extreme (the highly effeminate gay + the highly aggressive sexually abused/molested man-hating lesbian), and backstory was rushed through for most of the characters in a page or two with slightly confusing shifts from 1st person to 3rd person (from my limited exposure to manga and anime that does fit the style, I know, but it's not something I'm entirely comfortable with). It's characters more than plot that keep me coming back, and the only student out of the 42 I really felt for was Shinji; I was surprised by how much I connected with him, even though he was burdened with the same "Wow, love *heart*" dialogue as everyone else. I'm still trying to decipher why exactly that was, and I'm not going to say more because you've not finished the book.

That all being said, I did mouth "holy shit" a couple of times during the course of my reading during particularly nailbiting scenes, and I didn't see a twist or two that happened. I liked stuff, but not enough to say I liked the entire thing.

[tjfalcon.livejournal.com]

Well I think the viewpoint shifts from 1st to 3rd person is probably due to translation issues.

As for the twists, you can see them coming, you just don't know exactly how they'll twist.

[emily-goddess.livejournal.com]

I should read Battle Royale at some point. It's low on my list because I've already seen the movie (which I loved), but perhaps some day. On the other hand, if you say it's not that good, maybe I'll commit Book-Snob Blasphemy and be satisfied with having seen the movie.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

No, no book-snobbery. *grin* One of the women at the book club meeting kept bringing up the movie in relation to the book, and there are more than a couple differences between the two. If you liked the movie there's no reason that you would dislike the book, I think. Give it a go. If you're having a hard time finding it I'd be more than willing to lend you my own copy if you promised to mail it back.

[emily-goddess.livejournal.com]

It's tempting, but I don't have time for a book that size right now. I'll keep you in mind for the future, though. Thanks.

[xwinterwolfx.livejournal.com]

How often does your book club meet? And how did you find it? I'm really jealous cause that's just the kind of thing I should be involved with.

Sorry you're feeling lonely Frederico. You know I'm always around if you're looking for someone to talk to. You are without a doubt my most reliable friend and the least I can do for you is return the favor.

Hehe, I know our conversations aren't the most serious things in the world but I do enjoy them.

Feel better. Later duder. ( Sorry for stealing your word. :) )

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

How often does your book club meet? And how did you find it?
I'd gotten bored with my church's bookclub (after one meeting; I'm quite impatient sometimes) and on-a-whim posted on a NYer LJ comm asking if anyone wanted to form a bookclub that would meet monthly. I got a number of responses in the positive so I set up a journal for us and did a little bit of organizational work (polled for the book, found a place to meet, etc). It wasn't that hard, but I can imagine it'd be easier to get a group of NYers together than to find a group of people 'round where you live in close enough proximity that they'd agree to come together. Then again, you can look for local LJ comms and start inquiring about book clubs or form your own. You can. I have faith in you, Grasshopper. *grin*

You are without a doubt my most reliable friend and the least I can do for you is return the favor.
Oh, Gardino. You know, that really touched me. Do you honestly think that? I can only hope I keep living up to that label. And I enjoy our conversations too! I just have half a brain cell most nights. You're just about the only person I talk to online anymore, and I'd hate to fill our IM box with whining about my various life problems. *grin* Trust me, I'm doing you a favor here.

I'll be talking to you, Scanmaster.

[xwinterwolfx.livejournal.com]

Do you honestly think that?
Of course I do. I love talking to you.

I can only hope that I keep living up to that label
Just continue being the wonderful person you are and I'm quite sure we will have a long friendship.