Christine's Weblog

Victorian society is one of those topics that never goes out of style in fiction.  For example, in these last couple of years there's been a hit YA series called The Luxe; in adult fantasy, the new book Soulless is garnering praise and good sales.  So I hope it's not out of place to post a non-fiction review here.

The De-Moralization of Society: From Victorian Virtues to Modern Values is basically the author, Gertrude Himmelfarb's, vehicle for complaining about modern-day morals.  She makes the outrageous and offensive claim in the conclusion that statistics on date rape and child abuse are "inflated" and made up by liberal social workers (with, of course, no data to back herself up), and unequivocally states that marriage makes the only good family type.  To a liberal like me, that part of the book is boring at best and insulting at worst.

However, that part of the book is thankfully only the introduction and conclusion.  She spends the rest of the book talking about life in Victorian England, from every-day life in different classes to the ideas of smaller subcultures.  It's a wonderful overview of the time, and an unusually positive one, since her thesis is that Victorian values were better than modern-day ones.  Given that so much writing about the time either romanticizes the upper classes (particularly in fiction) or villianizes the repressive laws and the treatment of the lower classes, this book was a very interesting, unique look at the Victorian era.

Thus, I heartily recommend this book to people interested in everything Victorian.  It's informative and well written, not dull or dry like so many non-fiction books.  If you're conservative, you might agree with her arguments as well, but even if you're not, there's a lot to enjoy.

Overall: 3 stars out of 5.

(By the way, I'm writing my own novel, Beau and the Beast, about a young man who falls into the lair of a dangerous beast only to find that he gets along with her quite well, at a page a day in my journal.  If you're interested in fantasy, come on over; I love comments, including critical ones!)

Following the cut is fifteen short book reviews on subjects mostly either fiction, cooking, or self-help. Is that sentence grammatically correct? Not sure. A majority of the other books I read this year were fantasy series which I may review later. Anyway, here: ( Read more... )

You have heard me ranting in the dangers inherent in the fact that the NHS and partners now quantify 'binge drinking' as drinking, in one day, more than double the daily number of recommended units: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4381120.stm

So, for example, the bottle of Beyerskloof Pinotage I am starting this evening is a modern red, and is a hefty 14%, and thus contains 10 units* of alcohol. Now, as a woman my limit is 2-3 units of alcohol a day. So, if I drink more than half this bottle (or, if - rather than the coffee I had with my mince pie - I had a small dry sherry earlier in the day). I would be binge drinking.

And yet 'most people' think binge drinking is drinking _the whole_ bottle, and perhaps a couple of vodka shots afterwards, and - rather than toddling off to bed having left perhaps more speeling errrrors than usual on LiveJournal - reeling round a city centre decorating pavements, being Loud outside people's windows and (if adding half a bottle of whisky to the above), descrating memorials.

So I was very interested to read a paper by Victoria Berridge, Rachel Herring and Betsy Thom in the latest volume (vol 22, no 3) of the _Social History of Medicine_ which has just arrived. It is entitled "Binge Drinking: A confused concept and its contemporary history".

They begin by observing that the picture of town-centres on a Friday night that I painted above is, itself, a significant shift from an earlier meaning: binge drinking meant getting drunk, and staying drunk, for a number of days.

The authors refer to their own reasearch into attitudes to (men) drinking in the nineteenth century, where it was seen as beneficial. The note that in the 1940s and 1950s 'binge drinking' meant the extended period of heavy drinking. It meant lives punctuated by 'periods of sobriety'. The term was, therefore, strongly associated with clinical definitions of alcholism.

The authors then note the change, beginning in the 1970s and effected by the 1990s to the definition of 'binge drinking' meaning getting leggless in a town centre. They note this semantic shift occured in particular with reference to drinking by women and young people. They then look at changes in the scientific understanding of alcohol, the tension between medical and criminal justice models of inebrety, and policy.

It's an excellent short paper, but it doesn't mention the linguistic shift to half-a-bottle-of-red-wine-is-binge-drinking. I shall write and tell the authors I think they should include this in their research agenda.

When I've sobered up.


* I hate units that are called 'units'. It intimates the stuff being measured is of little interest to anyone, and no one has done any significant research into the stuff. Units of Insulin should, obviously, be Bests of Insulin, and Units of Acohol should be Betters of Alcohol.

Just posted Review: Girl, Aloud by Emily Gale

Hi All,

Today, I am delighted to welcome real-life partners in crime Donald and Renee Bain to Hartford Boos Examiner as part of the Holiday Book Giveaway. They collaborate on the bestselling MURDER, SHE WROTE book series and are giving away a copy of MURDER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY--and sharing Jessica Fletcher's recipe for Maine Lobster Pie.

The book is a compendium of two earlier novels--Manhattans & Murder and A Little Yuletide Murder. The former finds Jessica in the big city, where she witnesses the shooting death of a sidewalk Santa, while the latter returns Jessica to cozy Cabot Cove, Maine, where she is forced to look into the small town’s past to discover a motive for murder. Both are Christmas capers that will delight long-time fans and new readers alike.

Check it out: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3859-Hartford-Books-Examiner~y2009m12d18-Day-10.

TGIF!

John

Snyeg (снег) is the Russian for snow. I am snowed in. I do not want what happened in February (nearly dying, etc.) to happen again and therefore have not taken the decision to drive. It does mean that I will miss the company Christmas lunch. I have a choir rehearsal at 7, but this is in St. Albans and I'll have a crack at getting there - only a 5 mile drive rather than the 24 mile country drive to work.

I also have a man coming to see me about my floor later today. He is coming from somewhere in Bedfordshire... best of luck!

At least the cricket is on (Aus v WI particularly interesting).

Snow only slightly delayed the train which I caught, and which was a much earlier train than I needed too, as I was expecting more delays.

By luck, came out of Oxford Circus at the exit nearest the assessment centre, and just outside the cordons after the shooting.

There is to be an Xmas special of Cranford!

Tomorrow, ice-storm of doom permitting*, I am up Lunnun to have my Disabled Student Allowance assessment (must write my shopping list: server; scanner; updated Dragon; bigger battery for the Acer; roller mouse; new body).

Sooo, does anyone fancy meeting up at John Lewis's or the Chopper Lump (one serves coffee, the other wine).

In other news: I am in posession of a letter from Demon whinging that I owe them money (sorry, no, I said 'no thanks' to your crap service within the cooling off period), and that I did not give them sufficient time to remedy the fault! The first claim on my money is mearly annoying, but the second is unspeakable. Anyone thinking of moving to a new ISP should ask their potential new host what a 'reasonable' time is for fault-solving. I don't know what Demon consider reasonable, but it's longer than two months.

* http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/se/se_forecast_warnings.html**

** and will it last, and be a white Christmas: http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=other;type=xmas;sess=

I'm skeptical about the 'LJ gives people a year's free paid account in order to get them signed up to an inertia marketting direct debit scheme'

http://community.livejournal.com/paidmembers/23977.html

However, if you're less skeptical and would like my $10 dollars, first 10 commenters can have them. And I won't be in the slightest bit offended if you then decide not to use it. I'm assuming that most people I know who want paid accounts have them already though...

Just posted Review: Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance

Hi All,

Today, I am pleased to host author Michael Keller, who will be giving away a signed copy of LIFE IN A WEEK: A BOOK ABOUT BEING REALLY HAPPY as part of my Holiday Book Giveaway Extravaganza. The book is an introspective journey that will remind readers to make the best of every day—and to have fun doing it. Written as a conversation between author and reader, Keller offers personal reflections that exemplify life’s ability to serve as an endless pursuit of ideas and experiences, all of which can lead to greater self-fulfillment. Additionally, he provides simple but poignant daily thoughts that empower readers to adapt their perceptions of the world positively.

Enter to win a copy: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3859-Hartford-Books-Examiner~y2009m12d17-Day-9.

John

The book's premise: ( Read more... )

The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, Version 2.0 by Christopher Moore


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Update: 12/16/09 - This hilarious read was an even better hearing. My only suggestion is that you don't listen to this at work unless you can keep your door closed. I had forgotten that there was a lot of mention of body parts and the f-word so I was constantly turning the volume down.

I picked up this book to listen to while inputting data and to get me in the Christmas spirit. Not sure how zombies and schizophrenic B movie warrior actresses was supposed to do that, but it was still a good way to help past the time.

This was the first Christopher Moore book I read. I could not stop laughing. It took me three days to read it because I do work and have other things going on in my life.

Nothing like zombies on Christmas Eve, a talking dog (well, he doesn't talk per se but he does get well represented by dog thought), a really, really stupid angel, and a schizophrenic former B-list Xena type actress.

If you need a good laugh, definitely pick up this book. It's totally worth it.

View all my reviews >>

Hi All,

Today I welcome Peter Brooks to Hartford Books Examiner. He is offering FIVE copies his book, GOD'S LOVE IS A TWO WAY STREET. The book is a collection of short retrospective essays in which Peter draws upon the life experiences that have helped to shape who he is today--even if he didn’t realize it at the time. Some are poignant and some are funny, but each teaches a valuable lesson about the resiliency of the human spirit and the importance of faith. Forthright but never preachy, the author asks only that readers keep an open mind as they journey along with him through the everyday moments that hold invaluable opportunities for learning.

Check it out: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-3859-Hartford-Books-Examiner~y2009m12d16-Day-8.

John

Spoilers.

I love the Twilight Saga. I'm not very highbrow in my taste in literature. I read what I find absorbing, the first three books in the Twilight Saga included.

However, the fourth book, I'm almost out of words. Almost. There are times when "it sucks" just wont suffice, like when you're talking about Breaking Dawn, the last, the least (though not in volume what with its 1 million odd pages) of the series.

The plot is predictable, and that's not the worst of it. If anything, that is its charm and Stephenie Meyer should have stuck with the formula that worked so well for her in the past, instead of trying something new.

It has all the elements of cute, which makes it, well, cute. That is, until Meyer over estimated her writing prowess and attempts, in vain, to turn it into an epic of sorts. What used to be a straightforward, cute, teen vampire romance book, morphed into this baffling hybrid fantasy, action, adventure, fake passport-producing suspense, sci-fi mess which all takes place in the last 4 or so chapters.

The story lines are linear and yet it manages to be unnecessarily wordy and utterly chaotic. Every tedious line just screams "trying hard!"

Bella is unremarkably flat even for a teen romance novel protagonist. Which is pretty believable and even tolerable. That is, until she transforms into a vampire and you sort of expect something more...more activity...more dimensions. Her mind remains frustratingly shallow. Its not very pleasant, considering most of the book is written through her perspective.

Edward is both underused and misused. So for those such as I whose sole reason for reading is to get a much needed Edward Cullen fix I would say don't bother. If you must then I advice that you stop reading the book after the feathers. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get to that part. It really is such a shame, the meager times when he is in a scene he seems more like a parody, a camp version of the Edward I so dearly loved from the 1st 3 books.

I don't know what Stephenie Meyer was on when she wrote the ending for Breaking Dawn but like all mind altering drugs, it took her on a different plane of existence where everything, no matter how mindless, makes absolute sense. Its just too much. When you've already suspended your disbelief enough to accommodate the existence of a vampire who looks like an underwear model, she strings together an ending like THAT! It will leave you thinking "wtf?" Not the good kind of wtf, mind you.

Suddenly all the vampires in the world converge in Forks and they all go through vampire boot camp to prepare for a looming vampire war and each of their vampire super power more ridiculous than the next. When time comes for the good vampires to come face to face with the bad vampires, its already snowballed into to this insane spectacle that you'd half expect Gandalf et al. and maybe even the Harry Potter crew to arrive, brandishing wands. Nothing will surprised you now, or so you thought because this previously unheard of vampire breaks into a corny, impromptu speech about love and how love is all that matters and love is all around and love makes the world go 'round and love conquers all.

Oh, then Bella's measly power, which was hinted in earlier chapters, develops exponentially right on time for her to end up saving everydamnedone's damned lives. Edward can now read her mind when she lets him, they fool around, and they lived happily ever after, forever and ever.

PS. They had a freaky baby girl that she named Renesmee. What'd I tell you? Crazy!

I apologize in advance if this kind of post isn't allowed.

I am now the owner of a brand new hardcover set of the Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. Unfortunately, I already own these books. I'm looking to donate them, as well as a couple dozen books from my Children's Lit. class.

Does anyone know of any children's charities that will accept them? I would like to give them away to a Christmas-based charity, but that's not a necessity.

I live in the Houston, Texas area.

I've already called Barnes and Noble, but they only accept donations that have been purchased in-house.

Thank you,
Emily

Cross-posted to bookish.

(Well, I help Andrew Orton win the Internet.)

Hereby presenting the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Daleks - Mole Edit.

The Unnamed
Joshua Ferris
Fiction; Contemporary Literature

After Ferris’ Then We Came to the End, which was short-listed for the 2008 National Book Award, it was immediately clear this was an author with no problem breaking the literary rules in order to tell a story in his own unique fashion, and this second novel takes that wonderfully creative rebellion even further. A thoroughly original subject, a choppy yet somehow seamless timeline, and swinging points of view only serve to strengthen this powerful story’s impact.

Tim Farnsworth seems to have everything a man could ask for – good looks, health, a wildly successful legal career, and a beautiful, intelligent wife who loves him more after twenty years of marriage than when they first met. The only problem is Tim’s bizarre, undiagnosable disorder: a compulsion to walk. Sounds innocuous enough, but we’re not talking about leisurely strolls in the park here. Rather, every few years, just when he thinks he’s conquered it, a maddening urge returns. He warns his wife: “It’s back,” drops whatever he’s doing, and starts walking – miles and miles and miles, across endless counties and states, trudging on and on, disappearing in plain sight for months and years at a time. His wife Jane lives in a state of apprehension and a forced readiness to drop her own life at a moment’s notice and go find him – hunting him down in parks, ditches, and hospitals. Because he doesn’t just walk. He walks until he literally cannot stand up anymore, almost killing himself in the bargain, lying down in the freezing snow, collapsing in a flooded ravine, or waking in an alleyway to find himself being assaulted.

Jane, battered emotionally by the uncertainty of what each day will bring, the fear of one day losing him – literally – forever, is poignantly torn between her intense love for her husband, her determination to stick with him and conquer – or at least live with – this demon, and her understandable desire to do a little walking herself, far away, to a normal life. There is a scene in a grocery store in which she’s so drawn to a complete stranger that she has to put down her groceries and leave, frightened by the emotions that tear at her. There is no one to turn to and nowhere to go for help. Doctors are baffled, and co-workers and friends are first sympathetic, then uncomfortable, and finally out of patience. It’s a battle these two people fight both together and alone as we follow them through the years.

Wrapped around the tragic compulsion of mental illness, it’s ultimately a story about the bonds we form with each other and just how far those bonds can be stretched without breaking. Amazingly far, when we care enough…or too much? The conclusion is searing and unforgettable, and I found myself letting out a deep, slightly shaky breath as I put it down. Ferris is, in a word, brilliant, and this will surely put him up for more well-deserved accolades.

(available in hardcover January 2010)