Author Archives: Duff

Nonfiction: “Under the Banner of Heaven” by Jon Krakauer

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subtitle: “A Story of Violent Faith”. KC gave me this for Christmas and it’s probably something I would not have bought on my own. But daaaammmmmn is it good. Following several crimes committed by Mormon “Fundamentalists” (those who have broken away from the “mainstream” LDS Mormon church), it goes through the history of Mormonism itself, the philosophy of many of the breakaway sects, interviews with current members of regular Mormonism, fundamental Mormonism, as well as “apostates” (excommunicated members), and members who ran away from it all (Run! RUN FAR!!!!!).

It is incredibly researched and extremely well written and I could barely put it down long enough to go to sleep at night. Completely compelling reading about crazy, scary people. Extra kudos to Krakauer for including the rebuttal from the LDS Mormons (who aren’t really the FOCUS of the book anyway) and going through it point by point to either acknowledge errors or alternately say “Nope, I am right on that.”

Extremism in any area of life (religion, adventure, etc.) is not necessarily something I’m interested in, but it’s so well written, it was well worth reading.

Fiction: “Don’t Make a Scene” by Valerie Block

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Diane Kurasik, 40 years old, single, manager of the Beford Street cinema, finds herself in a summer of unexpected change. Evicted as her building is bought, romantically uninvolved but searching, searching, searching, expanding her theater… She continually compares her life to the movies and finds it lacking (who doesn’t, right?). And then the last third of the book unexpectedly (to me) turns into a May-September story (is that what you call it? a younger/ older romance?).

I really enjoyed this but I wasn’t very interested in the character of Vladimir and found it hard to believe Diane was either. Javier, on the other hand, I could understand.

Loved the movie references and the bits of history (wow, I will never look at Cary Grant the same way ever again). It’s referential the way the “Special Topics in Calamity Physics” was…except this is both better written and better edited. (Completely different type of plot, however.)

In Concert: Common

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I really enjoy Common’s style; a mix of hip hop, R&B, rap. The rapper bragadocio (sp?) combined with a socially concious mind. I really enjoyed this concert…until the point where he referred to Michael Vick as “Misunderstood”*. Actually, I’d say Michael Vick has been understood for exactly what he is, a criminal who belongs in jail. There is no excuse for cruelty to dogs.

*Misunderstood is a song where he name checks in the chorus. “Malcolm X = Misunderstood.” Certainly. “Tupac Shakur = Misunderstood.” In a different way than Malcolm, but OK I can see how you could make the argument there. He slowly moves into the living. “Erykah Badu = Misunderstood.” I know nothing about her, but OK. “Lauryn Hill = Misunderstood.” I’ve heard she’s a little crazy, so OK. but “Michael Vick = Misunderstood”? No, no, and no. Not misunderstood at all. Criminal.

Opener: Joss Stone. She certainly has impressive range, but it’s not really my kind of music. (Pretty much pure R&B).

À la Super Eggplant, currently, I am…

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Making: Quilting friendship star blocks. Knitting socks.
Reading: Reading a multiple-movie-references book “Don’t Make a Scene” by Valerie Block. Looks like chick lit from the outside, but rises above it. Enjoying it!
Watching: Heroes season 1 on DVD (wow I like it so much better than I liked it when I tried to watch it in real-time last year. what’s up with that). And the only show that’s premiered so far (on my list anyway): K-Ville.
Listening: New stuff I bought yesterday and stuff I bought last week and stuff I bought in Belgium and Common who I’m going to see tomorrow night and The National who I’m going to see Saturday night…I’ve got a crazy mix of things going on right now.

“1973” you say?

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And though time goes by, / I will always be / in a club with you / in 1973.
I’d be willing to bet significant dollars that I’m older than James Blunt. And if I’m right (I’m pretty sure I’m right), then the only “clubs” he would have gone to in 1973 would have had names like “Gymboree” or “Mommy and Me.”
Pretty enjoyable song, nonetheless.
And song #2 “One of the Brightest Stars” = soooo BeeGees, particularly the vocals during the chorus. Love it!

Last Night on iTunes.

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Purchased:

  • James Blunt “All the Lost Souls”
  • Hard Fi “Once Upon a Time in the World”
  • Eddie Vedder “Into the Wild” (soundtrack)

Considered, Sampled, But Ultimately Not Purchased:
  • KT Tunstall “Drastic Fantastic”
  • Aline Simone “Placelessness”
  • Jesca Hoop “Kismet”

I was (clearly) all about the boys last night.

Big Screen: In the Valley of Elah

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Intense and sad, and yet a very quiet movie. Things happening beneath the surface for many of these characters. A couple things about the mystery that I felt weren’t explained quite right / didn’t sit quite right. But makes its point quite well: the war isn’t just happening “over there.” The soldiers bring it home with them.

And if you were paying attention at the beginning, the message at the end is very clear: We are a country in distress. No doubt about it.

Really great performances by Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron, Susan Sarandon. And a couple of the “unknowns” playing the soldiers really did well in their parts. Very impressive filmmaking.

Memoir: “A Three Dog Life” by Abigail Thomas

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This would be a tear-jerker on a good day so maybe not the best choice when you’re super tired and feeling lonely anyway.

Author’s husband suffered traumatic brain injury; basically becomes a different person. This is her story of coming to live with that. It’s very sad in some places. But it’s also hopeful. She always chooses the route of hope. Quite touching.

Loved her writing style. Conversational, easy tone, concise yet not lacking in details (something I used to get compliments on in grad school — although you don’t see much evidence of it, here do you?!?! — so I tend to like that in others as well).