I've gobbled up a few books lately, some tastier than others. As everyone is a critic, I give you a second installment of the NYM Book Review:
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
I had extremely high hopes for this book. How could I not? The Wall Street Journal review included "Monty Python, Harry Potter, Stephen Hawking and Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Nothing could live up to that, so shame on WSJ for overselling and putting the bar way, way too high. Shame! That said, it was a fun read, though not quite what I was hoping for. I'll probably read another Thursday Next book and I couldn't read this one fast enough. I bought it Saturday afternoon and finished the 374er tonight (Monday), with oodles of football-watching in between. You can't really go wrong with a New York Times bestseller.
The Moorchild by Eloise McGraw
Perhaps this has been previously addressed, but NYM loves a good "young adult" novel. The Moorchild certainly is no Harry Potter (will the world ever meet such a phenom again?) but it landed a Newberry Honor and certainly deserved it. It is the story of a changeling who doesn't fit in and how she eventually confronts her past and future. One of the reviews says it is a great read-out-loud book and I can definitely see that. It's a good story and will speak to anyone (which is everyone) who ever felt like they didn't belong.
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx is Burning: 1977, Baseball, Politics, and the Battle for the Soul of a City by Jonathan Mahler
Thank you, thank you, thank you Dan for this recommendation! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone. It has delicious vignettes, scrumptious profiles and succulent factoids. Read it; you'll like it!
The Nanny Diaries by Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Kraus
V. popular novel-cum-box-office-bust. It was an easy read, entertaining while infuriating. Sometimes you just want to take characters by the shoulders and shake them really, really hard. Sure, the X's deserve a thrashing, but Nan really needs some sense let loose in her head.
The Godmother by Carrie Adams
If you liked For Better or Worse by Carole Matthews or later-day Nick Hornby, you'll probably enjoy The Godmother. Our herione is godmother to many, mother to none. We follow her circle of friends (and their families) through some noteworthy times. It's a poor, poor woman's Bridget Jones, but still an interesting (if predictable) read with more of life's down-and-dirtiness than Bridg ever saw.
OK, until next time, reading is fundamental!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
House of Mouse
NYM recently came back from a bitchin' trip to Disney World with NYM's sister. So for those of you considering visiting the House of Mouse, I give you my review:
Things supercalifragilisticexpealidious
Port Orleans Riverside: We stayed here and it was a really relaxing, spread out resort. Because it is on the Disney property there is free transit to all the parks, Disney downtown and the water parks. Lots of pools and very fun housekeepers who left us towel animals and TP'd our room on Saturday.
Soarin': This is a new ride at EPCOT in The Land and it is AWESOME. NYM is definitely afraid of heights so I was leery, but after an initial twitch this ride was tremendous. You feel like your are gliding over all these beautiful places in California. And the best part: I got to take off my shoes!
Extra magic hours: If you stay in the park, a world of things is at your disposal. Among the most useful are extra magic hours, in which the parks open early or stay open late for park dwellers. You just have to get a bracelet near closing time and you can stay late to frolic! Not all the ride are open, but there are special schedules out and about so you can plan your day and do some of the more in-demand rides after many folks have left the park.
Fast pass: If you stay in the park (notice a theme?) you can use your card to get fast passes for certain popular rides. The ticket gives you an hour window to return to the ride, allowing you to get into the fast line.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Awesome.
La Nouba: It didn't make much sense to me, but Cirque du Soleil is pretty freaky neat.
Things amusing
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater: The food wasn't any great shakes, but the trailers were hilarious. Cat-Women of the Moon may be my favorite. Apparently this is a real film. This is even funnier.
The Magic of Disney Animation: Learn to draw a Disney character while sitting in air conditioning! Pretty much awesome.
Affection Section at Animal Kingdom: Not only can you pet goats, you can *brush* them. This fulfills my OCD on many levels.
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Premise is a bit lame, but the animals are real and really close.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: Laser tag while sitting. Requires coordination I apparently lack, but still fun.
Peter Pan's Flight: Surprisingly not disappointing.
Things disappointing to the point of making my mouse ears droop
The Seas with Nemo & Friends: First, this used to be a highlight for my Disney trips. Now it is just a sad pathetic attempt to repurpose something to incorporate a new movie. Cheaply.
The riverboat: We waited an hour and a half to get a ride to Downtown Disney for our 9 p.m. show of La Nouba and were almost late. What should have been a relaxing night out became a pretty stressful one. The boats were supposed to be coming every 10 minutes but the line was ridiculously long and no one seemed prepared to deal with that.
Hot hot heat: I don't recommend Florida in early September. It's hot. As a mildly irritating side note, this is also training time for all the new "cast" members, so even though there are 20 people behind the counter, don't expect them to be able to help you.
Despite the ear-drooping bits, we had a super awesome trip and I highly recommend the House of Mouse to all looking to escape the every-day hubbub.
Until next time, see you real soon!
Things supercalifragilisticexpealidious
Port Orleans Riverside: We stayed here and it was a really relaxing, spread out resort. Because it is on the Disney property there is free transit to all the parks, Disney downtown and the water parks. Lots of pools and very fun housekeepers who left us towel animals and TP'd our room on Saturday.
Soarin': This is a new ride at EPCOT in The Land and it is AWESOME. NYM is definitely afraid of heights so I was leery, but after an initial twitch this ride was tremendous. You feel like your are gliding over all these beautiful places in California. And the best part: I got to take off my shoes!
Extra magic hours: If you stay in the park, a world of things is at your disposal. Among the most useful are extra magic hours, in which the parks open early or stay open late for park dwellers. You just have to get a bracelet near closing time and you can stay late to frolic! Not all the ride are open, but there are special schedules out and about so you can plan your day and do some of the more in-demand rides after many folks have left the park.
Fast pass: If you stay in the park (notice a theme?) you can use your card to get fast passes for certain popular rides. The ticket gives you an hour window to return to the ride, allowing you to get into the fast line.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Awesome.
La Nouba: It didn't make much sense to me, but Cirque du Soleil is pretty freaky neat.
Things amusing
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater: The food wasn't any great shakes, but the trailers were hilarious. Cat-Women of the Moon may be my favorite. Apparently this is a real film. This is even funnier.
The Magic of Disney Animation: Learn to draw a Disney character while sitting in air conditioning! Pretty much awesome.
Affection Section at Animal Kingdom: Not only can you pet goats, you can *brush* them. This fulfills my OCD on many levels.
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Premise is a bit lame, but the animals are real and really close.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: Laser tag while sitting. Requires coordination I apparently lack, but still fun.
Peter Pan's Flight: Surprisingly not disappointing.
Things disappointing to the point of making my mouse ears droop
The Seas with Nemo & Friends: First, this used to be a highlight for my Disney trips. Now it is just a sad pathetic attempt to repurpose something to incorporate a new movie. Cheaply.
The riverboat: We waited an hour and a half to get a ride to Downtown Disney for our 9 p.m. show of La Nouba and were almost late. What should have been a relaxing night out became a pretty stressful one. The boats were supposed to be coming every 10 minutes but the line was ridiculously long and no one seemed prepared to deal with that.
Hot hot heat: I don't recommend Florida in early September. It's hot. As a mildly irritating side note, this is also training time for all the new "cast" members, so even though there are 20 people behind the counter, don't expect them to be able to help you.
Despite the ear-drooping bits, we had a super awesome trip and I highly recommend the House of Mouse to all looking to escape the every-day hubbub.
Until next time, see you real soon!
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