Friday, August 29, 2008

Babies, Books, and Birthdays

Of my three brothers, William is the youngest, and he turns seven today. I can hardly believe it; I mean, seven is a lot older than six. We started school a few days ago and I was simply amazed at how much William seemed to have learnt over the summer -- I had no idea that he could read so well. And now that he is seven, he will probably be reading books like the Magic Tree House series and Junie B. Jones on his own .... Sob. I can't believe he is seven.

On another literary note, the other night I finished reading The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff. This is a book that should be read. Period (except for those who find they can't stomach hard-core content).

I've been rereading It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume. I love that book.

This morning was spent playing with my four-year-old friend and his baby brother; and during all this fun, the boys' mother told me she was expecting another baby!

I'm a sucker for babies -- the kind of person who gasps with raw emotion when she sees one ....

I shrieked and threw my arms around her.

Wish William (who will always be my baby) a Happy Birthday in your heads.

~Emily

Monday, August 25, 2008

Some More About Books (Sorry)

The other night I finished Patricia McCormick's Cut and am really stunned by how marvelous it was. Seriously, if you liked Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak, you'll love Cut, which, although the two books share many elements, shines on its own.

I am currently in the middle of The Death of Jayson Porter by Jaime Adoff. This is a truly enthralling and gruesome read.

Yesterday I bought a copy of Huge, the novel I mentioned on here a few days ago (alongside The Patron Saint of Butterflies). It's a very flighty read (although it does competently address some serious issues, such as the emotional baggage that can come with being a fat teenager), and I enjoyed it so much that I really wanted my own copy. (I sometimes love fluffy YA books -- and also hard-core novels, like The Death of Jayson Porter.)

Last night I mustered the courage to watch the entire Snow White play on video (my mother had recorded from the front of the crowd). I can barely stand to watch myself perform, especially since plays tend not to translate well to film. After all, theatre and film are too enormously different mediums.

Sorry about all the book blogging. Maybe it will come in useful to some, though ... read Cut (especially if you liked Speak).

~Emily