Showgirls, Teen Wolves and Astro Zombies

Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies. A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made by Michael Adams

It's just about to hit midnight on New Year's Eve and my pulse is pounding because the ball in about to drop. I'm not in Times Square, watching the big orb descend, surrounded by a million screaming New Yorkers. I'm in my living room in Sydney, cranking a toy bingo machine, while my better half, Clare, and a few close friends count down the last seconds of the year...
I catch their bemused glances. I know it is reiculous, being this excited...about little white number spheres. Then again, the rattling cage of balls is going to decide how I spend the next twelve months. It's a common notion - what you do on New Year's Eve is what'll you  do for the following year - but for once it's true. For the next 365 days I 'm going to watch one bad film a day to discover what is the worst movie ever made - and I'll view the schlock in the order dictated by the bingo machine.

 And that is how Michael Adams started 2008. For the whole year he watched bad movie after bad movie. Who knew there was so many, although you most probably won't be surprised to learn that a large number of them are monster movies or sci-fi.
Using The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) bottom 100 list and recommendations from friends, acquaintances and others in the movie business, he spent a huge amount of money on acquiring the movies and a massive amount of time on watching them.

It took me awhile to read this. It was an on-again, off-again type thing. It was interesting but not riveting. For me, a book mainly for movie buffs, especially if they are into cult movies.

Perfect Skin

Perfect Skin by Nick Earls

The 5th book in my Nick Earls retrospective. Perfect Skin revisits Jon Marshall, who we first met in Bachelor Kisses. Jon is older, partner in a laser surgery practise and has a 6 month baby. No mother of the baby is apparent, although you know there must be one and you do eventually find out about her.

Perfect Skin contains one of my favourite Nick Earls moments. It involves a toilet and a cat. Personally, I find the whole episode hilarious, but I won't spoil it for anyone here!

Once again Earls shines a spotlight on a specific time in someone's life, takes events that are quite challenging and make it entertaining. I continue to see his style develop. The further I go into his books, the more serious he becomes, yet he remains incredibly readable and enjoyable.

Well Done, Those Men

Well Done, Those Men - Barry Heard

I've had this on my shelf for awhile. While listening to the radio the other day, I heard an interview with Barry Heard and it was enough to get me motivated to find the book and read it.

Well Done, Those Men is Barry Heard's memoir of army training, a tour of Vietnam and the aftermath. It's one of those books that opens your eyes to the awful reality for returning servicemen who are not supported, cared for or understood.

Heard clearly outlines the steps taken to break the men down so they are almost robotic - follow orders without question. It also explains the process of dehumanising in order to survive the tour of Vietnam and how all the emotions many Vietnam Vets pushed down, ignored and masked in a variety of ways eventually break through and cause a illness - both physical and mental.

On his return from Vietnam, Heard thought he had it all together, he studied, he held down jobs, he eventually got married but if he stopped, the nightmares and the fears would start up again. He finds August an almost impossible month to get through as it is the anniversary of a terrible contact during his tour of Vietnam. One that saw a massive loss of life.

What Heard doesn't realise is he is not the only one. The silence many Vets maintained about their experiences and the issues they faced when the returned meant many thought they were suffering alone.

I think the experiences of Vietnam Vets taught us a lot about returning servicemen and how we need to support them. It taught us that regardless of whether we support a war or not, the men and women on the ground need and deserve support and understanding. I'm sure given the choice many would choose not to be in a war zone. We cannot blame them for a government's decision. I am not a supporter of the invasion in Iraq - never have been and have never hidden it. But, I have a huge amount of admiration for the service personnel over there who put their lives on the line everyday. Regardless of my own point of view, if I ever meet someone who has served, I will be saying Well done, those men. (and women!)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

I discovered this in a box of books I had to cover for my son's school. As I have previously mentioned, my son is attending a school that is in it's first year this year, which means a lot of covering to be done! As a former teacher librarian, I had to offer my services and am lucky that the librarian is happy for me to keep a few to read.

From the blurb:

Once, in a house on Egypt Street, ther lived a china rabbit named Eduward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reaseon: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely.
 And then, one day, he was lost.

Katherine Paterson from Publishers Weekly (and I am assuming it's the Katherine Paterson who wrote such classics as Bridge to Terabithia),summed it up perfectly for me when she said "Why should I care what happens to an arrogant, overdressed china rabbit? But I did care, desperately, and I think I can safely predict you will, too."

Edward Tulane is a beautiful book. I read it in one sitting because I had to know what happened. As Edward gets tossed from person to person, he slowly learns to love and to realise it's not what you look like that matters, but what is inside. I'm going to have to buy my own copy as I see it becoming a firm read aloud favourite not only for my kids, but kids in my classroom. (if I ever manage to get back into teaching!)
 

The Quilter's Homecoming

The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini

Number 10 in the Elm Creek Quilt Series.

This is the first of these books I didn't tear through! Set in the early 20's, Elizabeth and her new husband, Henry set off to take possession of the land he has purchased in California. They leave behind them all their family, knowing it is unlikely they will ever see them again. Packed in her trunk, Elizabeth carries her wedding quilt and a chimney and cornerstones quilt made for her by her female relatives. On arrival in California, they discover the land they have purchased was never for sale and they have lost Henry's life savings. How will they survive alone in this unknown place with no money and nowhere to call home?

I'm not sure why I found this harder to get through than the other books I've read. Maybe because quilting featured less? I still enjoyed the book and towards the end picked up the pace significantly. I am looking forward to the next in the series and hoping in brings back the zing I normally find when reading this series.

Circle of Quilters

Circle of Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini

Book nine in the Elm Creek Quilts series

Two of the original Elm Creek Quilters are moving on to other projects, leaving two teaching vacancies. But they can't employ just anyone, it needs to be someone special who will appreciate and understand the uniqueness of Elm Creek Quilts and help it continue the tradition of unforgettable camps for it's clients.

Circle of Quilters focuses on the search for new staff. 5 applicants are interviewed and each chapter explores their story - what led them to quilt, what encourages them to apply for the job and how their interview goes.

I found this a lot of fun! As I read it each story I was assessing each applicants suitability for the job. I am pleased to say that I reached the same conclusion as the Elm Creek Quilters! It's a little ridiculous really, given it's a fictional book. I continue to admire Chiaverini's ability to keep the series fresh and interesting. Almost all of the books I have read would be able to stand alone, but reading the previous books gives you just that little bit extra insight. I'm looking forward to the next one!

The Pact

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

I chose this book for our book group to read. I have read it before and enjoyed it and thought it would bring up some good discussion.

From Goodreads:

Until the phone calls came at 3:00 A.M. on a November morning, the Golds and their neighbors, the Hartes, had been inseparable. It was no surprise to anyone when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was moving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now seventeen-year-old Emily has been shot to death by her beloved and devoted Chris as part of an apparent suicide pact -- leaving two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense predawn, desperate for answers about an unthinkable act and the children they never really knew.

 I know this is one of the first Jodi Picoult books I read and I remember being bowled over by the twist. Any one who has read a few of Picoult's books know there is always a twist. I only vaguely remembered what the actual twist was this time, but was still taken back by it a bit when it came.

For me, this is one of Picoult's earlier books. The mothers in this are less objectionable to me than mother's in later books. I often find myself getting incredibly annoyed with Picoult mothers who routinely ignore any other child they have for the one who has the "issue."

Picoult keeps the book moving along. You never have time to stop and wonder too much as you want to reach the end, you want to know what happens. As you read, you realise things are not all they seem and there is great danger in placing expectations on your children. I can't say too much else without revealing too much about the book, so I have started a spoilers page. If you want to read more, click here, but be warned - there are big spoilers there!