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(12/11/13 7:02pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As winter break looms, it’s time to start thinking of the holidays. And while I absolutely adore most parts of the season — cheerful carols on the radio, lights twinkling on snow-covered trees and, of course, the return of Starbucks’ holiday-themed lattes — figuring out what gifts to get my extended family always makes me anxious.Don’t get me wrong, I love my extended family. I can’t wait to see them in a couple weeks. But like most families, my family has some definite characters. This can prove problematic when it’s time to pick out holiday presents. Every year, without fail, I find myself desperately searching the mall for something that great-aunt Mary Margaret, who knits her own cat sweaters, or goth cousin-once-removed Jimmy, who never leaves his room, might appreciate. I can’t imagine I’m alone in this predicament.So, to help you with your holiday shopping, here are some books that your relatives will love. And you should give them a peek as well — you might end up loving them too. It’ll give you something to talk about over eggnog this holiday. “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom Albom has a wide-spread appeal. His previous novel “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” and his memoir “Tuesdays with Morrie” were both bestsellers. His newest novel should interest both men and women, although its sentimental themes might appeal more to your female relatives. I’d probably give this to an aunt with a book club, or perhaps a grandparent who likes to curl up with a family-centered story. Oh, and don’t be thrown off by the title. Both religious and non-religious readers will enjoy “The First Phone Call from Heaven.”“Spycatcher” by Matthew Dunn It’s Bond-- shaken, not stirred. This novel introduces elite British agent Will Cochrane, a spy similar to Ian Fleming’s infamous James Bond. The sole member of the top-secret Spartan program, Cochran takes on super villain Meggido in a daring fight to save the Western world. I’d give this to an uncle obsessed with Call of Duty, action movies, or anything Bond or Bourne. “Fallen” by Lauren Kate This book is perfect for your 14-year-old Twi-hard cousin. It has all the elements of “Twilight”: an angsty teenaged heroine stuck in a gloomy setting, a supernatural love triangle and lots of pining. Though it is a definite YA cliché, “Fallen” had enough plot twists and turns to keep me entertained and, thankfully, heroine Luce annoyed me far less than Bella.
(12/05/13 2:18am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>No one can claim that Markus Zusak’s bestseller, “The Book Thief,” has a bland beginning.On page one, all-capitalized bold letters proclaim, “Here is a small fact: you are going to die.” That blunt, jarring sentence grabs readers’ attention, sucking them into a poignant coming-of-age story that tops the New York Times’ young-adult bestseller list this week. “The Book Thief,” in Zusak’s words, is about “a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist fighter and quite a lot of thievery.” It’s narrated by Death. This unorthodox narrator starts by reassuring readers that he is not as morbid as we would expect.He can, in fact, be cheerful, amiable, agreeable, affable and fair, but “just don’t ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.” Through vivid description and sly wit, Death tells the story of the book thief, Liesel — a headstrong girl growing up in World War II-era Germany. When the starving, poverty-stricken 9-year-old first arrives at the home of her foster parents, the Hubermanns, she cannot read a word.But as Liesel grows up, words — from books she steals and from books she is given — start “to mean not just something, but everything.” Her beloved words are her refuge as the war progresses and the true impact of the Fuhrer’s vision for Germany becomes apparent, changing her world forever. I was originally reluctant to read “the Book Thief.” When it first became a bestseller in 2005, I thought it sounded too horribly depressing for me to enjoy.I tend to gravitate towards books with feel-good endings when I read for fun. The real world, as we all know, isn’t always cheerful.In my lit choices, at least, I can guarantee a happy ending. But despite the book’s dark subject matter — self worth, family strife, poverty, war, Nazism and inevitable death — once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The novel manages to be engaging, heartwarming and, even at times, humorous.Although I admit I did cry at the end, it’s still one of my favorite books today.As the reigning champ of the bestseller’s list, and with a movie adaptation currently at the AMC Showplace 11 in Bloomington, it’s the perfect time to pick up a copy of this amazing novel. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow reporterJenna Fagan on Twitter@jenna_faganIDS.
(11/21/13 3:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Five decades ago, America was changed in an instant. During a presidential motorcade parade through downtown Dallas, bullets fired at a black limousine. Texas Gov. John Connally was hit, as was the man sitting in the seat behind him.The man threw up his arms to cover his face and throat. But in the next instant, his wife’s now infamous pink Chanel suit was covered with his blood, skull fragments and brain matter. Mortally wounded, he was rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital. At 1 p.m. Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was declared dead. Camelot was over. The nation would never be the same. Today, JFK is everywhere in the literary world.In remembrance of the 50th anniversary of his assassination, library shelves and bookstore display windows are crowded with books on everything you could want to know about John F. Kennedy.But my favorite amongst the many JFK books is a slim compilation of notes from the Dallas Morning News. “JFK Assassination: The Reporter’s Notes” contains the real written experiences of journalists, photographers and editors present that fateful day. Readers can follow these news staffers as they drove in the president’s motorcade, talked with witnesses on the grassy knoll at Dealey Plaza, waited for news at the Parkland Hospital, followed police to the Texas Theatre and detailed Lee Harvey Oswald’s shooting underneath the police station.The book includes the original typed statements, handwritten notes and photographs as well as information that hasn’t been seen by the public for decades. “JFK Assassination: The Reporter’s Notes” is a fresh, behind-the-scenes look at the last day of Jack Kennedy’s life in a whole new light. This compilation will especially appeal to journalism, political science and history majors. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(11/14/13 3:32am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s elementary. Sherlock Holmes has captured readers’ attention since the moment Arthur Conan Doyle released his introductory adventure, “A Study in Scarlet.” The experimental chemist, violin enthusiast and heroin user has starred in countless novel retellings, movie adaptations and television programs. Most recently, Holmes has appeared in two highly grossing films featuring Robert Downey, Jr., as well as two television series, “Sherlock” on PBS Masterpiece and “Elementary” on CBS. We just can’t seem to get enough of the brilliant detective. In honor of that fascination, my column this week focuses on some of my favorite Sherlock Holmes stories. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a first time Conan Doyle reader, you’ll enjoy solving these mind-wracking mysteries along with detective fiction’s most famous sleuth, his steadfast partner Dr. John Watson and the rest of the 221B Baker Street crew.“The Adventure of the Speckled Band”A locked room, an unexplainable death and a damsel in distress. This is the first Sherlock Holmes mystery I was introduced to, and I’m not embarrassed to admit it gave 8-year-old me nightmares. “A Scandal in Bohemia”A tale of blackmail that introduces “the woman” — the one woman of interest to Sherlock Homes and the one person to ever get the better of the famous detective — American opera singer Irene Adler.Though she only appears in this one story, Adler is actually one of my favorite characters in the Sherlock Holmes stories. She takes the often-conceited Holmes down a peg by using his own methods against him. “The Adventure of the Redheaded League”Gingers galore. A league for only red-haired people is linked to a bank robbery, and it’s up to Holmes to solve the case. “The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual”Holmes searches for a missing butler, a crazy maid and a hidden treasure linked to King Charles I of England in this adventure tale.Fans of “National Treasure” and similar movies will really enjoy this one. Holmes must solve the case by deciphering a cryptic riddle written by his forefathers. “The Final Problem”Holmes faces his most famous enemy, Professor Moriarty, in a final showdown over a waterfall.Conan Doyle intended this mystery to be Sherlock Holmes’ last, but readers protests led to a resurrection of the detective for many more adventures. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(11/07/13 4:12am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Like Charles Dickens would say, it’s the best of times and the worst of times. Co-authors Brandon Scott Gorrell and Stephanie Georgopulos express this famous sentiment in “How To Be a 20-Something.” The book examines what it means to be in your 20s, whether you’re attending school as an undergrad or a working professional creeping towards the big 3-0. It chronicles the fun, freedom and endless possibilities of young adulthood in addition to the self-doubt, the early job struggles and the fact that most broke 20-year-olds exist primarily on ramen and diet coke. “We don’t want this compilation to paint a pretty picture of our generation,” Gorrell and Georgopulous wrote. “But we don’t want to paint an ugly one, either. Life, at any age, is not either/or ... It’s a series of highs, lows, and everything in between.”Through a collection of short essays, the book offers readers a glimpse into the mind of the American 20-something. Ten different authors offer their distinct perspective on the “hot mess of a decade.”Their stories vary in subject and tone, from blunt dating advice (“How to Have Sex With Me One Time” by Sarah Nicole Prickett), to sarcastic commentary on the endless job search post-graduation (“I Am Extremely Talented And Important” by Brad Pike) to humorous party stories (“The Three Times I Took Ambien” by Karyn Spencer). My personal favorite was a brief essay entitled, “Notes On Dating A Crazy Girl” by Oliver Miller. Miller describes his tumultuous relationship with his “Fatal Attraction” girlfriend Amber with vivid imagery and hilarious metaphors. “No one ever sets out to date a crazy girl, in the same way that no one ever sets out to become a member of a cult,” Miller wrote. “ No one’s like, ‘HEY MAYBE I’LL JOIN AN INSANE CULT TODAY.’ No, you just gradually get sucked in — step by step, day by day, hour by hour — until eventually, you’re just as crazy as she is.”Regardless of their varying topics, all the essays included in “How to be a 20-Something” have the same underlying meaning — celebrate this time in your life. Embrace it. “I want to remember the fear, I want to remember the promise, I want to remember the nights I wanted to curl up in a ball, I want to remember the people I’m not supposed to remember, I want to remember not knowing myself, I want to remember the moment I start feeling safe and like this life I’m leading is really mine,” Ryan O’Connell wrote in his essay, “Why Being In Your 20s Is Awesome.”Never again will you have the chance to be a 20-something.— jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(10/31/13 3:52am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The release date for the movie adaptation of the book “The Fault in Our Stars,” written by Indianapolis author John Green, has finally been set — June 6, 2014. In honor of the movie, which will star Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, I decided to reread and review the novel for my column.“The Fault in Our Stars” tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 17-year-old girl battling terminal thyroid cancer. Forced by her parents to attend a cancer support group, Hazel is intent on hating every minute of it — until she notices the group’s newest member staring at her. Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old who lost his leg to osteosarcoma, keeps staring until Hazel finally stares back because, as she says, “boys do not have a monopoly on the Staring Business, after all.” And so a love story begins.Readers shouldn’t expect a melodrama or a sappy triumph-over-adversity story. Instead, “The Fault in Our Stars” uses dry humor to deal bluntly the truths of life, love and death. Narrator Hazel is sarcastic and heartbreakingly aware of her limited time, but she never resorts to the typical cliché themes seen in other cancer stories. For example, upon seeing a poster with the phrase “Without pain, there would be no joy”, she quips, “This is an old argument in the field of Thinking About Suffering, and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries, but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not in any way affect the taste of chocolate.” Long story short, Green’s novel is a lot like Hazel’s view of life — it’ll make you chuckle even as it makes you cry. I’d recommend “The Fault in Our Stars” to both men and women and to fans of a wide variety of genres including young adult, philosophy, romance, humor and classic. And read it now so you’re ready for the official movie release next summer.— jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(10/24/13 4:11am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In honor of Halloween’s rapid approach, this week’s literature column features some of my favorite horror novels.I hope these terrifying thrillers will make your spine tingle, your heart race and your palms sweat.Warn your roommates — you may be sleeping with the lights on. “The Exorcist” by William Peter BlattyThe novel that inspired the 1973 film, “The Exorcist” chronicles the demon possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil.Two Catholic priests, Father Damien Karras and Father Lankester Merrin, struggle to save the girl through a now familiar horror trope: an exorcism.“The Exorcist” was written more than 40 years ago, but its lasting popularity makes it an iconic read. “American Psycho” by Bret Easton EllisThis is a horror story told from the perspective of brutal serial killer Patrick Bateman.A distinct spin on the typical victim-narrated thriller makes the book even more terrifying.Readers get an intimate look into Bateman’s deranged mind as well as an up-close-and-personal view of his murders. “Dracula” by Bram StokerBram Stoker is partially to blame for the sparkly, bloodsucking creatures currently dominating popular media.His vampire, however, is far too evil to inspire “Team Edward” — or in this case “Team Count Dracula” — memorabilia.“Dracula” defined our modern understanding of the vampire and remains a classic scary story today. “Misery” by Stephen KingAny book by this king of horror is scary enough to get you in the Halloween mood, but I’ve always considered “Misery” to be his scariest.The psychological thriller features Paul Sheldon, a best-selling author held captive and tortured by his “No. 1 fan” Annie Wilkes. “Misery” always terrified me more than King’s other supernatural horror novels because villains such as Annie Wilkes can actually exist. “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry JamesThis novella originated the creepy child motif in horror stories. The book relatively short, but it still manages to give readers the chills. — jenfagan@indiana.edu Follow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(10/17/13 2:53am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I adore Jane Austen. I’ve read all her books, and I’ve watched the movie adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” an embarrassing number of times.I’ve even enjoyed some of the more off-beat adaptations of her works such as Seth Grahame-Smith’s “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” or the admittedly poorly acted “Sense and Sensibility” movie adaptation “From Prada to Nada.”So, when Jo Baker’s “Longbourn” was released last week, I was excited to reenter Austenland and revisit some of my favorite Austen characters. But, when I started Baker’s novel, I found the world of “Longbourn” was completely different than the world I expected. “Longbourn” is an adaptation of one of Austen’s most famous novels, “Pride and Prejudice,” but this time the story is told from the point of view of the Bennets’ servants. Housemaid Sarah spends her days peeling apples, washing petticoats and emptying chamber pots, not dancing with Mr. Darcy at Netherfield Park. She and the other servants — second housemaid Polly, housekeeper Mrs. Hill and manservant/chauffeur Mr. Hill — watch the Bennets’ “upstairs” joys and dramas with a mix of vague amusement and distant exasperation.They have their owns concerns “downstairs.” When Mr. Bennet hires the mysterious footman, James Smith, Sarah experiences a drama all her own in this distinct historical novel. Readers who expected Austen’s traditional romantic, flowery language may be shocked by the blunt realism of “Longbourn.” Baker’s novel is a lot darker than the original “Pride and Prejudice” — a change that correlates with the change in the narrator’s perspective. A maidservant’s life would be harsher and grittier than the lives of ladies like Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. Despite the novel’s more realistic portrayal of life in 19th century England, I still enjoyed “Longbourn.” Sarah is an endearing heroine — a practical cynic who, as much as she tries, cannot quite crush the longing for something different and exciting in her mundane life. Her love interest, James, is the classic Byronic hero — brooding, cryptic and secretly wounded. Their relationship is sweet and relatable, and though it’s not nearly as glamorous and dramatic as Elizabeth and Darcy’s, it will keep readers rooting for them until the last page. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(10/10/13 3:33am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The beloved author of the Harry Potter series is back.This time, she’s writing under a cloak of invisibility — the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.Rowling’s most recent book, “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” introduces Private Detective Cormoran Strike and his enthusiastic secretary, Robin Ellacott. Afghan war veteran and former special investigator for the British Police, Strike typifies the mystery genre’s down-on-his-luck private detective.He has lost his fiancée, his apartment, his right leg and is well on his way to losing his business when salvation arrives in the form of the wealthy John Bristow. Bristow’s sister Lulu Landry recently plunged to her death from the balcony of her London penthouse. Authorities and the media have ruled the troubled model’s death a suicide, but Bristow isn’t so sure.As the mystery surrounding Landry’s death thickens, Strike enlists the help of his new secretary, Ellacott. Though I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, I was a little dubious when I started reading this book. Her last book, “The Casual Vacancy,” didn’t really interest me, and I was worried that “The Cuckoo’s Calling” would echo that sentiment. But, after a few chapters, I was hooked. “The Cuckoo’s Calling” isn’t a super fast-paced read, but Rowling’s rich description and witty dialogue kept me turning the page. I thought Rowling might bring back similar characters to those I loved in Harry Potter, but instead the author gave me a whole new set of protagonists to root for. “The Cuckoo’s Calling” features characters who are unique unto themselves — though, I will admit that Strike, 6-foot-5 with a hairy body and a terrible way with women, reminded me ever so slightly of Hagrid. Strike’s cynical attitude and vast experience in investigation counters Ellacott’s practical cheerfulness and naive resourcefulness. They have the interesting, endearing relationship of complete opposites who slowly (and sometimes grudgingly) become partners by the end of the book. I’d recommend this great crime-suspense novel to anyone who enjoys authors Agatha Christie, G. K. Chesterton or Arthur Conan Doyle. Just like their famous predecessors, Strike and Ellacott will captivate you and keep you caught up in the mystery until the very last page. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(10/03/13 3:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s the ultimate college student cliché — we are always, always running low money.As such, we have to choose where to spend our money here in Bloomington carefully. Oftentimes, non-essentials like new reading material get sacrificed in favor of more necessary purchases, like food, or in my case, coffee. The latest bestseller from T.I.S. College Bookstore can cost as much as four Starbucks vanilla lattes, and when it comes down to a new book or a grande coffee, my caffeine addiction wins every time. Luckily for literature fans, downtown Bloomington is home to several inexpensive bookstores all within walking distance of campus. So it is possible to have your cake — or coffee — and eat it, too. Preferably while reading a great new book. Caveat Emptor Inc. 112 N. Walnut St. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.Stacks on stacks on stacks. Shelves of every kind of book imaginable reach the ceiling of this used bookstore. A $4 copy of “The Introductory Lectures of Sigmund Freud” is nestled next to a $7 “Chef’s Guide to America’s Best Restaurants”. On the opposite shelf sits a beautifully bound 1938 hardcover edition of Charles Dickens’ “The Pickwick Papers” for $11. Despite the seeming chaos, I never have trouble distinguishing between different genres of books. Handwritten labels like Mystery/Suspense, Self Help and French Literature help patrons find what they are looking for. Caveat Emptor Inc. also has a lot of sweet personal touches, like a special shelf celebrating Indiana authors and personalized notes to shoppers from “the manager and his minions.” Book Corner100 N. Walnut St.Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.This tiny shop sits on the corner of Walnut and Kirkwood, about a 15-minute walk from the Sample Gates. It sells a wide variety of magazines, Hallmark cards and the latest best sellers. I’d recommend this store to the creatively inclined. Photo journals, poetry volumes and eccentric recipe books make this store a Pinterest user’s heaven. I also loved browsing what I’ve titled the “Wall of Classics” — floor-to-ceiling shelves of black-bound Penguin’s Classics from famous authors like Jane Austen and Mark Twain. Though it’s probably the most expensive of the bookstores I’ve profiled here, Book Corner is still pretty reasonable. Its prices are comparable to T.I.S. and Barnes & Noble. Boxcar Books and Community Center408 E. Sixth St. Open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.The brightly painted non-profit bookstore’s mission is “to promote reading, self-education, social equality and social welfare,” according to their website. It also supports charities such as the Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project. Boxcar Books sells new, used and donated books. A room full of choices will please comic book lovers and graphic novel enthusiasts, and literary rebels will enjoy the banned books display.My favorite part of this quirky store actually has more to do with its ambiance rather than its merchandise. Every couple shelves, a potted plant named “Cliff” or “Puddles” hides amongst the books, further cementing Boxcar Book as a kind of hippie, granola place to shop. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(09/19/13 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s a timeless fiction motif. From Ophelia and Hamlet in “Hamlet” to Elena and Damon in “The Vampire Diaries,” good girls have been chasing bad boys for centuries. What is it about these misunderstood, volatile rebels that the heroines — and we, as readers — find so appealing? Is it the go-to-hell attitude? The secret pain? The fact that our parents would completely disapprove? Whatever it is, authors have been capitalizing on the lure of the bad boy since Shakespeare. Here are a few of my favorites: Mr. Darcy, “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane AustenThough wealthy and pedigreed, Darcy is far from gentlemanly to Elizabeth Bennet at the start of Austen’s novel.He insults her family, breaks up her sister’s relationship and calls Elizabeth herself “barely tolerable.”Darcy is standoffish and unattainable, yet still desirable — the ultimate paradox of the bad boy. Heathcliff, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily BrontëThis penniless outcast was a misunderstood heartthrob even in childhood. But Heathcliff truly cements his place as a bad boy. After his cruel vendetta against childhood love Catherine Earnshaw and her husband Edgar Linton, not just their lives but also the lives of each of their family members are completely and utterly destroyed.Nothing screams “bad boy” quite like extreme revenge overkill. Holden Caulfield, “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. SalingerI’ve always pictured the cynical 16-year-old wearing a leather jacket and resembling John Travolta from “Grease.” He’s the epitome of the teenage rebel. He disregards authority, hates phonies and is secretly idealistic. Sure, he ends up in a mental hospital, but aren’t all the best bad boys a little crazy? Jay Gatsby, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott FitzgeraldWith his generous nature and heart of gold, Gatsby is probably the least bad of all bad boys in this article.But we have to remember that Fitzgerald’s protagonist also did a lot of questionable things. He lied about his identity, brokered shady business deals and spent the whole novel trying to break up a marriage. Plus, only a true bad boy could throw such epic parties.R, “Warm Bodies” by Isaac MarionThe still-human Julie falls for R, a dry-humored zombie, in this zombie-apocalypse-retelling of “Romeo and Juliet.” R is a guy your parents really wouldn’t approve of — probably because he’s undead and would try to eat their brains. Exasperating and yet completely fascinating, these rebels keep us turning the page and coming back for more. But, as much as we love bad boys in fiction, it’s probably safest to stay away from them in the real world. We all know what happened to Ophelia. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow book columnist on Twitter@jenna_faganIDS.
(09/04/13 8:44pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>My reaction to recent book-turned-movie “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” can best be summed up by a comment from IU sophomore Hannah Wilson halfway through the film. “What is that?” Wilson said, as a demon resembling some sort of strange dog/octopus hybrid attacked the film’s protagonists. “A ‘dog-to-pus’? I have no idea what is going on in this movie.” Confusion seemed to be the only prevailing theme of “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones,” which is an adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s same-titled fantasy novel. As a self-confirmed book snob, I’ve always liked original novels better than their film adaptations. But, in the interest of my column, I tried to go into “City of Bones” with an open mind. I hoped that because I had already read and enjoyed Clare’s novel, I would be able to better compare and contrast the book and film versions for our readers. But when the end credits rolled, I walked out of the theater just as bewildered as the rest of the audience. The original novel introduces artistic Brooklyn heroine Clary Fray. When her mother mysteriously disappears, Clary is swept into the strange new world of the Shadowhunters, a secret society of half-human, half-angels who fight demons bent on destroying humanity. None of these demons, by the way, are ever described as resembling a dog/octopus combination.Cassandra Clare’s book is a fast-paced, suspenseful read that I would recommend to any fantasy/science fiction fan. The film adaptation, however, altered the novel in more serious ways than simply adding a dog-to-pus. For example, the main antagonist, Valentine, is not portrayed as a persuasive, magnetic Shadowhunter leader like he appears in the book. Instead, he is a raving barbarian with Attila the Hun braids and crazy eyes. Audience members will have a hard time imagining anyone following the obviously insane Valentine’s schemes. The central love triangle is also altered in the movie. Clary and her best friend, Simon, are strictly platonic by the end of the film, whereas in the novel, Clary still wavers in her choice between Simon and Shadowhunter Jace. The biggest change in the movie has to do with the final resolution of the Shadowhunters’ battle for the Mortal Cup. I won’t completely spoil the ending, but I will warn audience members that the victors of said battle differ between the film and the book.All the alterations in the film version of “City of Bones” result in a choppy, confusing movie, even for viewers who have read the novel and are, therefore, familiar with the plotline. I left the theater with a pounding headache and the sad sense that Hollywood had destroyed another great book.Dog-to-pus aside, I say skip this movie. Be a book snob like me and curl up with the original novel instead. — jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow book columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(08/29/13 12:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If any of you Hoosiers are like me, you are experiencing a minor case of summer nostalgia as the first week of classes draws to a close.Though I counted down the days until the end of summer and my return to B-town, I have discovered that the thrill of fall is quickly wearing off. After unpacking all my stuff, attending a few classes and catching up with old friends, the novelty of being back has faded. Now I’m experiencing a whiny reluctance to resume all the responsibilities of a brand new semester. Couldn’t my stress-free summer last just a little bit longer?Summer meant I could lay out on the beach with an entertaining mystery novel rather than shut myself in the library with my law textbook. No offense to textbooks — they’re informative, sometimes interesting and serve an important purpose — but “entertaining” isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe them. So, in honor of my nostalgia, I am dedicating this week’s column to books. Monroe County Public Library librarians Nola Hartman and Luann Dillon identified these books as some of summer’s most popular beach reads.1. “Divergent” by Veronica RothIn a dystopian society reminiscent of “The Hunger Games,” 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose which section of her society she will dedicate her life to serving. The five sections of her society are split up by a specific personality trait: Amity, the peaceful; Erudite, the intelligent; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave and Abnegation, the selfless. After being labeled Divergent — meaning she does not fit into only one section — Beatrice struggles to navigate through a dangerous new world of government control, romance and deadly secrets. “Divergent” is part of a trilogy and will also be released as a movie in theaters March 21, 2014. For fans of science fiction2. “Dog on It” by Spencer Quinn The first in the Chet and Bernie Mysteries series, “Dog on It” is an unusual detective novel narrated from the perspective of a failed police dog named Chet. Together with his human partner, private detective Bernie Little, Chet endeavors to solve the disappearance of a local teenager. This mystery novel’s unconventional approach will have readers chuckling as they turn the pages.For fans of action/adventure, mystery3. “The Perfume Collector” by Kathleen TessaroThis historical romance opens in 1955 London, when newlywed Grace Monroe receives an inheritance from French benefactor Eva d’Orsey. Trouble is, Grace has never heard of her mysterious fairy godmother before. Grace travels to Paris in search of answers and slowly begins to unravel the life and loves of Eva d’Orsey through the three perfumes her benefactor inspired.For fans of romance, mysterySo go ahead — ignore that economics book for now. Pick up one of these great books at a bookstore or the Monroe County Public Library and extend summer for another hour or two.— jenfagan@indiana.edu. Follow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(08/29/13 12:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If any of you Hoosiers are like me, you are experiencing a minor case of summer nostalgia as the first week draws to a close.Though I counted down the days until the end of summer and my return to B-town, I have discovered that the thrill of fall is quickly wearing off. After unpacking all my stuff, attending a few classes and catching up with old friends, the novelty of being back has faded. Now I’m experiencing a whiny reluctance to resume all the responsibilities of a brand new semester. Couldn’t my stress-free summer last just a little bit longer?Summer meant I could lay out on the beach with an entertaining mystery novel rather than shut myself in the library with my law textbook. No offense to textbooks — they’re informative, sometimes interesting and serve an important purpose — but “entertaining” isn’t exactly the word I’d use to describe them. So, in honor of my nostalgia, I am dedicating this week’s column to books. Monroe County Public Library librarians Nola Hartman and Luann Dillon identified these books as some of summer’s most popular beach reads.1. “Divergent” by Veronica RothIn a dystopian society reminiscent of “The Hunger Games,” 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose which section of her society she will dedicate her life to serving. The five sections of her society are split up by a specific personality trait: Amity, the peaceful; Erudite, the intelligent; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave and Abnegation, the selfless. After being labeled Divergent — meaning she does not fit into only one section — Beatrice struggles to navigate through a dangerous new world of government control, romance and deadly secrets. “Divergent” is part of a trilogy and will also be released as a movie in theaters March 21, 2014. For fans of: science fiction2. “Dog on It” by Spencer Quinn The first in the Chet and Bernie Mysteries series, “Dog on It” is an unusual detective novel narrated from the perspective of a failed police dog named Chet. Together with his human partner, private detective Bernie Little, Chet endeavors to solve the disappearance of a local teenager. This mystery novel’s unconventional approach will have readers chuckling as they turn the pages.For fans of: action/adventure, mystery3. “The Perfume Collector” by Kathleen TessaroThis historical romance opens in 1955 London, when newlywed Grace Monroe receives an inheritance from French benefactor Eva d’Orsey. Trouble is, Grace has never heard of her mysterious fairy godmother before. Grace travels to Paris in search of answers and slowly begins to unravel the life and loves of Eva d’Orsey through the three perfumes her benefactor inspired.For fans of: romance, mysterySo go ahead — ignore that economics book for now. Pick up one of these great books at a bookstore or the Monroe County Public Library and extend summer for another hour or two.— jenfagan@indiana.eduFollow columnist Jenna Fagan on Twitter @jenna_faganIDS.
(04/24/13 4:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The award-winning Broadway musical “Dreamgirls” opened at the IU Auditorium 8 p.m. Tuesday. The elaborate show focuses on the American music industry in mid 1960s to early 70s — the era of Motown. Big wigged hair, gold glitter jackets and brass-heavy music all recall elements of actual Motown performers like the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. “Dreamgirls” especially recalls famous all-girl group the Supremes, and with good reason, said African American history and Motown scholar Charles Sykes before Tuesday’s performance. Sykes said the show’s protagonist girl group, the “Dreamettes,” is modeled after the Supremes. “It’s clear to me that somebody listened to records, read books written about the lives and careers of the Supremes. Yes, ‘Dreamgirls’ is definitely based on the Supremes,” Sykes said.In his speech, Sykes demonstrated the parallels between the fictitious Dreamettes and the Supremes.“Both groups started out ‘cleaning up’ for other groups,” Sykes said. “Cleaning up" meant singing or clapping or sometimes stomping in the background of other artists songs, “whenever they needed a fuller sound.”Once the girl groups starting becoming successful, they also both changed their names. The show’s Dreamettes became the “Dreams,” just as the relatively unknown Primettes became the Supremes in real life, Sykes said.The Dreamettes face a similar struggle in “Dreamgirls” as the Supremes faced back in the 1960s, Sykes said. “The show deals with the segregation of the actual times.” In order to reach mainstream white audiences in the 1960’s, the Dreamettes must come up with a softer, smoother sound. So the group switches its focus: from the sexy, powerful voice of lead singer Effie to the more marketable voice of chorus girl Deena. This switch occurred in the Supremes when former lead singer Flo Ballard was replaced by Diana Ross, who had previously only sang backup, Sykes said. “The Supremes replaced Florence with Diana because Diana had a softer, sweeter voice that would translate better with the white audience.”Sykes said there is a clear parallel between the Dreamettes of “Dreamgirls” and the real Motown Supremes. But whether you believe him or not, Sykes said, the point of the show is the portrayal of the real struggles and triumphs of the African American music industry.“When you go watch the show, I hope what I’ve shared will make you more in tune,” Sykes said. “Musicals like ‘Dreamgirls’ tell an important story about history and the issues that African Americans in music had to go through.”Some audience members said they agreed with Sykes.“I’m sure that’s the way it went, with segregation and the times,” said Suzanne Vonwahlde, a member of Tuesday’s audience.And above all else, a top-notch musical comes down to the music.“I love it,” Suzanne Vonwahlde said. “They are all so good.”“Fantastic,” her husband Scott Vonwahlde said. “The woman who plays Effie (Charity Dawson) really can sing.”“Dreamgirls” will show again tonight as the last performance in the IU Auditorium’s 2012-13 season.
(04/10/13 3:29am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Every nail needs a hammer.The eighth annual Hammer and Nail Concert kicked off Tuesday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The event showcased the combined talents of 15 contemporary dance majors in the Contemporary Dance Department of the School of Public Health and 15 graduate students from the IU Student Composers Association. Each contemporary dance major in the Choreographic Performance Project class paired with an IU Student Composers Association member to create a dance piece through a process faculty member and concert production coordinator Selene Carter called “speed dating.” Carter, who teaches the Choreographic Performance Project class, said the student pairs collaborated for an entire semester. Program A began at 6:30 p.m. and featured seven pieces, and Program B followed at 8:30 p.m.The pieces were performed by undergraduate dancers from the Contemporary Dance Department and both undergraduate and graduate Jacobs School of Music musicians. Different styles of music, costumes and dancers revealed the pieces’ variety of themes. These themes ranged from romance in “Love Under Two Skies” to terror in “(Don’t) Send In the Clowns,” which Carter described as the contemporary dance version of Stephen King’s “It.”“My piece is about growing up,” junior choreographer Shannon Kazan said. “So I used a mix of younger and older dancers.” The range of themes in the dance pieces is what defines contemporary dance, Carter said. “Contemporary dance is constantly reinventing itself, that’s what makes it so contemporary,” Carter said. “Dancers use body space and time to create a whole new language all their own with which to express themselves.”The Hammer and Nail Concert’s main purpose was to collect food for Hoosier Hills Food Bank and to raise funds for the “Dance for Parkinson’s Disease” event. Beyond giving back to the community, the concert served as a way for the contemporary dance majors and Student Composers Association members to collaborate as artists.“It’s been an awesome experience,” junior choreographer Tyrece Franklin said. “This may be the only time we are able to work with such talented composers and musicians.” “We feel so fortunate to have the world-class musicians and composers that the Jacobs School produces,” Carter said in agreement.Carter said the show’s title reflects the importance of working together. “You can’t really build anything without a both a hammer and a nail,” she said. “You can’t have dance without music.”Programs A and B of the Hammer and Nail Concert will be performed again at the same times at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater again tonight.
(04/03/13 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The IU Slam Poetry Team had a house show last Friday as a rehearsal for their upcoming participation in the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational on April 3.On Friday, juniors Harlan Kelly, Sophia Koehler-Derrick and Susan Tanney and freshman Ellie Wyant each performed three slam poems for an audience of about 40 people. Slam poets do not simply read their poems for an audience. They perform the poems using varying volume, facial expressions and hand gestures.Tanney said she describes slam poetry as the art of competitive performance poetry meant for the stage rather than for the page. “It is timed, judged and based in the experience of watching and hearing the poem rather than reading it yourself,” Tanney said.Wyant said the performance of a slam poem sometimes matters more than the poem’s content. “Even if the writing is good, if the performance sucks, it’s hard for me to appreciate it,” Wyant said. A slam poem can feature a broad range of subjects, from politics to humor to self-expression. “Some sounds just like rap, some is sappy and some is touching,” Wyant said. Wyant said she prefers writing about relatable events and emotions in her life, which is why she chose to perform two poems about her experiences volunteering and one about a high school friend. “I always want to be able to connect with my audience,” Wyant said. Tanney said she prefers quiet slams that allow your brain to process the words separately from the loud voice that accompanies them.Others, like Kelly, use volume for emphasis in their slam poems. “I’m the yeller on the team,” Kelly said. Kelly said in all competitions, even in big national competitions like the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, slam poems are judged by audience members selected at random. Wyant said these audience members rank the poems, then drop the highest and lowest scores.Because the team members will preform the same three poems again at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, Friday’s show served primarily as a rehearsal. The house show’s main purpose was to raise funds to help cover the expenses of the team traveling to the competition, which will be held at Barnard College in New York City. CUPSI includes more than 50 teams from across the country. Wyant said team members decided to participate at the urging of their coach, graduate student Michael Mlekody, an “awesome” slam poet who has competed at CUPSI as well as coached teams in the competition before. With the house show behind them, the IU Slam Poetry Team said the goal in the upcoming CUPSI is simply to perform to the best of their abilities. “Personally I just want to feel proud of my performance,” Wyant said. “If I can move on to semi-finals and finals that would be amazing, and I would give it my all. If I don’t, I will still be in New York watching amazing performers. It’s a win-win situation.” Kelly said he would be happy to just see his fellow teammates preform their pieces in an arena like CUPSI.“We have been working really hard on these pieces, and winning would be some nice sprinkles, but the ice cream is just displaying what we have been working on,” he said.
(02/28/13 7:41pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The newly formed IU a cappella group Shades of Hue placed first in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Great Lakes quarterfinal Feb. 10. Freshman member June Lee said she didn’t expect the group to win.“It was quite astonishing,” Lee said. “And needless to say, I was very proud and excited.”The six-member group consists of another freshman, Miles Burke, sophomores Jaime Young, Mark Phillips and Jacob Seo and graduate student Jeremy Gussin. Gussin, group founder and classical voice major in the Jacobs School of Music, originally started Shades of Hue last September, because he missed small ensemble singing. Gussin said he recruited the other group members from another campus a cappella group, the Singing Hoosiers, in addition to people who could sing well, he said. Most of the group members are either in the Jacobs School or hope to be in the future. He said he likes how Shades of Hue has such a close tie to the Jacobs School of Music. “It’s nice to have people who support what you are doing,” Gussin said. Shades of Hue performs mostly Top-40 songs, though Gussin said they sometimes have to pick more versatile songs when preforming in a family atmosphere rather than a college environment. They split the songs into six-part harmony, with each individual carrying a part. “Everyone must be spot on their game,” Gussin said.The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Great Lakes quarterfinal was the group’s first competition. Shades of Hue performed a set of five songs: “Payphone,” “Without You,” “Defying Gravity,” “Ego” and “September.” “I liked ‘September’ the most because it had lots of audience-involving comic materials such as Miles dancing like a robot, Jacob screaming a high G (note),” Lee said. Members of Shades of Hue said they hope to continue their success in more competitions next year. Other goals for the future include a possible end-of-year concert, as well as spreading awareness about Shades of Hue in the IU community. Members of the group said they also hope to add more singers to Shades of Hue. Gussin said with the rise of music-based TV shows like “Glee” and “The Sing Off,” as well as movies like “Pitch Perfect,” more people are joining a cappella groups. Gussin said he encourages students interested in singing and searching for a “Pitch Perfect-like” a cappella group to try Shades of Hue. “Shades of Hue is a lot of fun and has many interesting characters,” Gussin said. “Although no one takes on the job of being Fat Amy.”
(01/23/13 4:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Susan Sater expects the unexpected as the volunteer coordinator for the Monroe County Public Library. To her, MCPL defies the dull, stuffy reputation many libraries have in today’s society. Instead, she said the library is a place alive with possibilities. “At any time, the unexpected can happen,” Sater said. She credits the library’s vibrant atmosphere to the wide variety of people who visit the MCPL each day. “In the city of Bloomington, you have your local community, you have people on the outskirts of the community that come here, you have college students,” Sater said. “Because we have so many different types of service, you get everybody in here under the sun.”She began her position about eight years ago when Cynthia Gray, former director of MCPL, organized the library’s various community service programs into one volunteer department. The new department, known as the MCPL volunteer program, offers volunteering opportunities through the Circulation, Children’s Services and Adult/Teen Services Departments.There are other volunteer opportunities including the “Friends of the Library Bookstore” and the Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners program. Sater said she currently oversees about 160-180 volunteers a month, a diverse group that includes both IU students and native Bloomington residents. Volunteers have a variety of reasons for working at MCPL. Some seek job experience while others are working for community service or to pay off library fines. A majority of the IU students volunteering are part of the School of Library and Information Science, she said.Volunteer Mary Anne Ward is one of these SLIS students. She said she works at MCPL because it was ranked by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service as one of the best libraries in the entire country. “This library ranks at top,” Ward said. “If I am going to be getting experience, this is a great place because it’s such a great library.”Volunteering at MCPL is also a good way to give back to the Bloomington community in general, Sater said. This is her favorite part of her position at the library. She said she loves how much her job allows her to give back to the place where she grew up.“This is my hometown, so not only do I love this library and all its services, but I love it because it’s my hometown public library,” Sater said. “So anything we can do to promote good service to the community, I am all for, and the volunteer programs help us to do that.” IU junior Allie Quintano, who has primarily worked with the VITAL program, echoed Sater’s passion for giving back through MCPL. “I wanted to get involved,” Quintano said.Quintano said she urges others to start volunteering at MCPL, not just to give back to Bloomington, but because her experiences at the library have given her so much, as well. “You can just learn so much, and you just experience other peoples lives. It improves the values of your own life,” Quintano said. With many different volunteer positions still available at MCPL, some volunteers said they hoped to see more people come work at the library. “The library is just an interesting place,” Quintano said. “It’s so much more than just volunteering. It’s such a personal experience, and you can really connect with people in the community.”Current open positions at MCPL include spots in VITAL, “Friends of the Library Bookstore” and the Circulation Department. For more information about open positions or the library volunteer programs, contact Sater at 812-349-3050 or ssater@monroe.lib.in.info.
(01/21/13 8:08pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Susan Sater expects the unexpected as the volunteer coordinator for the Monroe County Public Library. To her, MCPL defies the dull, stuffy reputation many libraries have in today’s society. Instead, she said the library is a place alive with possibilities. “At any time, the unexpected can happen,” Sater said. She credits the library’s vibrant atmosphere to the wide variety of people who visit MCPL each day. “In the city of Bloomington, you have your local community, you have people on the outskirts of the community that come here, you have college students,” Sater said. “Because we have so many different types of service, you get everybody in here under the sun.”She began her position about eight years ago when Cynthia Gray, former director of MCPL, organized the library’s various community service programs into one volunteer department. The new department, known as the MCPL volunteer program, offers volunteering opportunities through the Circulation, Children’s Services and Adult/Teen Services Departments.There are other volunteer opportunities including the “Friends of the Library Bookstore” and the Volunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners program. Sater said she currently oversees about 160-180 volunteers a month, a diverse group that includes both IU students and native Bloomington residents. Volunteers have a variety of reasons for working at MCPL. Some seek job experience while others are working for community service or to pay off library fines. A majority of the IU students volunteering are part of the School of Library and Information Science, she said.Volunteer Mary Anne Ward is one of these SLIS students. She said she works at MCPL because it was ranked by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service as one of the best libraries in the entire country. “This library ranks at top,” Ward said. “If I am going to be getting experience, this is a great place because it’s such a great library.”Volunteering at MCPLis also a good way to give back to the Bloomington community in general, Sater said. This is her favorite part of her position at the library. She said she loves how much her job allows her to give back to the place where she grew up.“This is my hometown, so not only do I love this library and all its services, but I love it because it’s my hometown public library,” Sater said. “So anything we can do to promote good service to the community, I am all for, and the volunteer programs help us to do that.” IU junior Allie Quintano, who has primarily worked with the VITAL program, echoed Sater’s passion for giving back through MCPL. “I wanted to get involved,” Quintano said.Quintano said she urges others to start volunteering at MCPL, not just to give back to Bloomington, but because her experiences at the library have given her so much, as well. “You can just learn so much, and you just experience other peoples lives. It improves the values of your own life,” Quintano said. With many different volunteer positions still available at MCPL, some volunteers said they hoped to see more people come work at the library. “The library is just an interesting place,” Quintano said. “It’s so much more than just volunteering. It’s such a personal experience, and you can really connect with people in the community.”Current open positions at MCPL include spots in VITAL, “Friends of the Library Bookstore” and the Circulation Department. For more information about open positions or the library volunteer programs, contact Sater at 812-349-3050 or ssater@monroe.lib.in.info.