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Monday Miscellany

1. Case Histories, by Kate Atkinson, is a really good book. It won't make the Jay Loves a Book list because I didn't fall in love with any of the characters (and, as I think we've firmly established, character is key for me), but it was touching and funny and well plotted and really well written, and I really enjoyed it. I got it because it was reviewed by someone as a mystery,* although I don't know that that's exactly what it is, since I wasn't particularly motivated to keep reading because of the mystery. Although there certainly were mysteries. Three of them, in fact. But really it was just so engagingly written that I couldn't put it down. I'll be looking out for other things from her.

2. We're having some spring weather right now in Ohio, which on one hand is nice because I love spring, but on the other hand is unpleasant because my yard looks awful.

3. I read Watchmen this weekend in anticipation of seeing the movie (I'm one of those Read First, Watch Second people), and I have to say that, while I thought it was good and am interested in how the movie turns out, I was not overwhelmed. It may be that the graphic novel just isn't a form that works for me.**

4. Playhouse Square, which is the theatre organization here in Cleveland, hosts a great party every year called Jump Back Ball, where the dress is either costumes in accordance with the theme or formal wear. This year the theme is Under The Sea and I was lucky enough to find a dress that is reminiscent of seashells on the beach without actually having seashells on it. I'm pretty thrilled.***

5. I've also watched Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse--thoughts to follow.

6. Remember here, when I talked about Linda Holmes, awesome blogger for NPR? Well, she's back, with some thoughts on un-romances, here, including her favorite and mine, Reality Bites.


~~~

* I don't know what it is about me and mysteries lately. Maybe it's because there's a real depth in the genre that I haven't even scratched the surface of, or maybe because I hear a lot about them on NPR and the writing blogs. But I'm enjoying it, at least so far. See what thou hast wrought, Tana French!

** I'm told that I'm not allowed to make that call until I read The Sandman and The Dark Knight, so that one will be next, I suppose.

*** Thank God. Because I am not getting dressed up like a mermaid in Cleveland in February.
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