Sunday, September 13, 2009

in the pages yesterday... (and a perilous short story)

I was supposed to be reading for school. But, well, that just didn't happen. The small amount of time I had for reading yesterday went to The Knife of Never Letting Go. I'm willing to bet that all of you who have read it fully understand why school reading just didn't stand a chance. Anyway, I finished Part II. The pace, which has really been quite fast from the start, has continued gaining momentum. Honestly, to this point, I don't think there has been a single page even bordering on dull.

I'm impressed with Ness's portrayal of Todd. He feels so utterly authentic to me. I was almost happy to read his outburst during this last section. And Manchee...how can you not love Manchee?!! He reminds me so much of Baker. Not in looks. I have Manchee pictured very differently physically than our beagle baby. But in personality...well, I just very much see Baker "speaking" just like Manchee. Of course, this is unfair of me--I can't pretend to really know what goes on in another creature's mind.

*****
Earlier this week, I read another short story, "The Sound Machine," by Roald Dahl. Another winner. With an RIP feel. Not quite scary. Not quite creepy. But definitely unsettling. I have no idea how to talk about it without giving too much away. But it was very interesting, the focus on sound. Which plays such a role in TKONLG. (Yeah, I just love those neat little coincidences.)

*****
Okay, must run. I turned on the TV when I got up to see if my football game was going to be on TV today. But in the process, I saw that all three of the LOTR movies were being played today. One thing led to another, and we decided to spend today and the next two Sunday mornings watching the movies. (Thank you again, Carl!!!) Rich has never seen them, so it will be extra fun getting to watch with him. Of course, the boys will undoubtedly make us take a break part way through for second breakfast. ;)

Happy Sunday, everyone!!!

11 comments:

Amanda said...

Hi Debi! I'm afraid I'm the one person who didn't make any connection with Manchee. I'm just not a dog person, or an animal person for that matter. Ah well. But I agree the book made for turning pages quickly. Too quickly, for me - i felt a little sick from going through it so fast. I'm taking the second book slower on purpose.

serendipity_viv said...

I just loved Manchee. He is such a wonderful character. I want a talking dog!

I am glad you are enjoying it, it is one of those books that made me love it and hate it and now I am waiting in anticipation for the library to phone and say The Ask and The Answer has arrived.

Ana S. said...

I imagined Manchee sort of like Zacarias...I guess we can't help imagining our own dogs :P

I'm glad you enjoyed The Sound Machine, btw...and Happy Roald Dahl day :D

Eva said...

I'm STILL waiting for this to arrive at the library! lol I'll have to speed read to catch up with you and Chris. :p

Kailana said...

I plan to read Ness later this week or early next. Glad you are enjoying it!

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

Oh, well, we're watching a lot of football here, of course, but the only thing that might tempt me to change the channel would be the LOTR movies! LOVE THEM! Of course, we own them on DVD, so the hubby would never approve of missing football for watching something we own, you know, since we could watch that "anytime"! :)

Have a wonderful weekend and week coming up :)

chrisa511 said...

He Deb! Oh Manchee!!! I just loved Manchee :) And I actually pictured him looking just like Baker :p I pictured a beagle the whole time...that's funny. He's the best animal character I've ever read in a book!

Sorry to hear that football was a bummer for you today :( Hopefully next weekend is better! And it's always a decent day when LOTR is on TV :)

Rich said...

Can't wait until we can watch more of the Lord of the Rings! Thanks for the suggestion. Reminded me so much of the good ole Sundays of years past!

I just can't imagine anything being like Baker...

Staci said...

I have Knife in my shelves...after reading the raves from Nymeth, Chris, and now you, I can't wait to get to this one!!!

the weather in Michigan has been gorgeous this entire week so I've been outside until dark trying to soak it all in!!especially before winter hits!!

kreed said...

Love Annie's new glasses. She just looks more grown up every time you post a picture...

I sent you an email with a list of books. I didn't have as many as I thought so I can't contribute too terribly to your pile of books! Just let me know if any of them sound interesting.

Did you ever read Hunger Games? You HAVE to read it...I just read the second one and it was just as good (if not better) than the first. I don't know if I will survive until next fall while waiting on the 3rd one...

Carl V. Anderson said...

I have read several of Dahl's short stories but am not sure if I've read that one or not. I'm going to have to look.

Aren't those coincidences great?!?!

I am loving that Rich is getting to experience these for the first time. November has already been slotted for lots of LOTR stuff in my world. I so love those books and films.