Mechelle Morrison's Blog: in a world where ...., page 7
November 16, 2015
Detour: Call me Moontian
Sorry. Couldn't resist. I added Moon shots to my blog. It's like I just can't help myself.
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
November 15, 2015
BOW: behind the beautiful forevers
Hi Goodreaders,
In the spirit of having loved 'The Rent Collector,' I decided to venture farther into the forest of this sort of literature and read 'behind the beautiful forevers,' by Katherine Boo.
The book is a fabulously written downer.
Set in a Mumbai slum, 'behind the beautiful' chronicles the lives of a handful of slum inhabitants across the years prior to the Mumbai Airport Authority razing the place (the slum was built on airport property). The book is written like fiction but it's not. It is investigative journalism--and let me just say this: Katherine Boo is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and writes like one.
I read this book because (a) it was recommended by the same friend to recommend 'The Rent Collector,' and (b) another of my friends was born and raised in Mumbai (she now lives in the states). My Mumbai-born friend knew of the slum, having flown in and out of the city across her life. So it's been interesting to discuss the very real, but culturally delicate topics brought to light in 'behind the beautiful forevers' with her. (At times the book reads like an unbelievable laundry list of Indian government corruption.)
Where 'The Rent Collector' left me feeling hopeful for the garbage pickers of Cambodia and their ability to change their lives for the better, 'beyond the beautiful forevers' left me with the (likely more realistic) feeling that deep poverty is so oppressive, so hopeless, that of the people who are born into it, very few escape.
*tears*
In truth, I moped around the house all day today because of this book. It was so very, very depressing. My husband eventually hauled me off to see 'Specter,' which was good but ... I was also treated to the trailer for the new Star Wars.
Where would I be without sci-fi?! In a world where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and those of us caught somewhere in the middle always seem to be losing ground, that little taste of sci-fi was the perfect pick-up. It remains my hopeful, inspirational, favorite escape.
M
In the spirit of having loved 'The Rent Collector,' I decided to venture farther into the forest of this sort of literature and read 'behind the beautiful forevers,' by Katherine Boo.
The book is a fabulously written downer.
Set in a Mumbai slum, 'behind the beautiful' chronicles the lives of a handful of slum inhabitants across the years prior to the Mumbai Airport Authority razing the place (the slum was built on airport property). The book is written like fiction but it's not. It is investigative journalism--and let me just say this: Katherine Boo is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and writes like one.
I read this book because (a) it was recommended by the same friend to recommend 'The Rent Collector,' and (b) another of my friends was born and raised in Mumbai (she now lives in the states). My Mumbai-born friend knew of the slum, having flown in and out of the city across her life. So it's been interesting to discuss the very real, but culturally delicate topics brought to light in 'behind the beautiful forevers' with her. (At times the book reads like an unbelievable laundry list of Indian government corruption.)
Where 'The Rent Collector' left me feeling hopeful for the garbage pickers of Cambodia and their ability to change their lives for the better, 'beyond the beautiful forevers' left me with the (likely more realistic) feeling that deep poverty is so oppressive, so hopeless, that of the people who are born into it, very few escape.
*tears*
In truth, I moped around the house all day today because of this book. It was so very, very depressing. My husband eventually hauled me off to see 'Specter,' which was good but ... I was also treated to the trailer for the new Star Wars.
Where would I be without sci-fi?! In a world where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and those of us caught somewhere in the middle always seem to be losing ground, that little taste of sci-fi was the perfect pick-up. It remains my hopeful, inspirational, favorite escape.
M
November 1, 2015
BOW: The Rent Collector
I know. It isn't sci-fi. A friend loaned it to me and told me I would love it and ... they were right. It's a quick read, and it's worth it.
The Rent Collector, by Camron Wright, gives a compelling look into the lives of people who are 'the poorest of the poor.' Overall the book is sweet, and in some ways predictable, but the insights offered into culture, literature, change, and why we read, are beautiful. I leave you with two quotes:
"Every story we read is about us, in one way or another."
And:
"In literature, everything means something."
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
The Rent Collector, by Camron Wright, gives a compelling look into the lives of people who are 'the poorest of the poor.' Overall the book is sweet, and in some ways predictable, but the insights offered into culture, literature, change, and why we read, are beautiful. I leave you with two quotes:
"Every story we read is about us, in one way or another."
And:
"In literature, everything means something."
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
October 25, 2015
Well ... this makes a girl feel good
I received an email today informing me that 'The Seeds Project Interviews' has been promoted on the Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival site as one of the best of Fantasy/Sci-Fi new novels.
***awww shucks***
View this fabulous kudo here:
http://fantasyscififestival.com/2015/...
***awww shucks***
View this fabulous kudo here:
http://fantasyscififestival.com/2015/...
October 21, 2015
BOW: Dancing in a Distant Place
FYI, this is not my kind of book. A bit sappy, quite tidy, sweetly predictable. One of those books that in the prologue basically tells you how the book ends.
And I am reading it because?
Well ... I sometimes like to wander off my beaten path. That, and there are places around my neighborhood where people have set up 'book exchanges.' Some are giant mailboxes. Some are fancy, weather-protected shelves. These places offer books to borrow.
LSS, I was walking by one such place when I felt super-naturally compelled to open it up and borrow the only book in the box. Maybe it was the lure of a free read. Maybe a little alien whispered in my ear. These days, one can never know for sure.
Anyway, I took it.
If you want a cozy Scottish detour from your regular fare, perhaps 'Dancing in a Distant Place' would scratch the itch. Otherwise, no. It's chick-lit, one-room school house style, but it will leave you sighing happily. That, or desperate for a good sci-fi read.
Read on, Goodreaders,
M
And I am reading it because?
Well ... I sometimes like to wander off my beaten path. That, and there are places around my neighborhood where people have set up 'book exchanges.' Some are giant mailboxes. Some are fancy, weather-protected shelves. These places offer books to borrow.
LSS, I was walking by one such place when I felt super-naturally compelled to open it up and borrow the only book in the box. Maybe it was the lure of a free read. Maybe a little alien whispered in my ear. These days, one can never know for sure.
Anyway, I took it.
If you want a cozy Scottish detour from your regular fare, perhaps 'Dancing in a Distant Place' would scratch the itch. Otherwise, no. It's chick-lit, one-room school house style, but it will leave you sighing happily. That, or desperate for a good sci-fi read.
Read on, Goodreaders,
M
October 12, 2015
detour: Moon Love
Having just gone to see 'The Martian,' I'm swooning for sci-fi tonight. So I've posted a lovely moon stroll on the blog: www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
Enjoy, Goodreaders.
M
Enjoy, Goodreaders.
M
October 3, 2015
Friday wrap...& a little detour
"So Long and Thanks for all the Fish" was awesome, but not quite as awesome as the first three books of the "Hitchhiker's" series. This is not a reflection on Douglas Adams's considerable skill. It's simply to be expected. I mean, always keeping characters in flux when what they really long for is to ride off into the sunset must be grueling. As it were.
Last night, in an extraordinary display of couch-potato-ness, I watched MARS ATTACKS, followed by a sobering documentary on Antarctica. (FYI, we've got about a hundred years until the human race is screwed, according to thirty NSF scientists.) I found the Antarctica program an apropos viewing coincidence, seeing that I've just read "So Long and Thanks for all the Fish--the title, of course, refers to the dolphins skipping out when they knew the Earth was about to be bulldozed.
But back to MARS ATTACKS. If you love Tim Burton like I love Tim Burton, then MARS ATTACKS is the Friday-night-in movie for you. Especially when the Martians talk. [ack ack, ack ack ack, if you take my point.] It's a poignant viewing choice, really, when you consider that THE MARTIAN opened yesterday in theatres everywhere. Though I'm not seeing THE MARTIAN until next Friday. (In truth, that I'm actually going to a theatre to see a movie rather than waiting until it comes out on Netflix is monumental.) For me,anyway.
Read on, Goodreaders, until we meet again.
M
Last night, in an extraordinary display of couch-potato-ness, I watched MARS ATTACKS, followed by a sobering documentary on Antarctica. (FYI, we've got about a hundred years until the human race is screwed, according to thirty NSF scientists.) I found the Antarctica program an apropos viewing coincidence, seeing that I've just read "So Long and Thanks for all the Fish--the title, of course, refers to the dolphins skipping out when they knew the Earth was about to be bulldozed.
But back to MARS ATTACKS. If you love Tim Burton like I love Tim Burton, then MARS ATTACKS is the Friday-night-in movie for you. Especially when the Martians talk. [ack ack, ack ack ack, if you take my point.] It's a poignant viewing choice, really, when you consider that THE MARTIAN opened yesterday in theatres everywhere. Though I'm not seeing THE MARTIAN until next Friday. (In truth, that I'm actually going to a theatre to see a movie rather than waiting until it comes out on Netflix is monumental.) For me,anyway.
Read on, Goodreaders, until we meet again.
M
September 23, 2015
Well ... we're still here
Today was supposed to be the end of the world, but so far, so good. I mean, technically speaking, it's tomorrow on some parts of the planet. So, you know. False alarm.
Confident that I can now resume life as I've come to know it, I've begun reading "So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish." I know. I can't get enough of Douglas Adams, but whatever. If you're deliberating on someone to not get enough of, Douglas Adams is a safe bet. He's funny, clever, and he ties his ideas together in strange and wonderful ways.
Blast me into space, and I'm in heaven.
Read on, Goodreaders,
M
P.S. In an effort to share something truly fitting of having once again made it through an end-of-the-world prediction, I've posted the latest pics of Bob the Chipmunk on my blog:
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
Confident that I can now resume life as I've come to know it, I've begun reading "So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish." I know. I can't get enough of Douglas Adams, but whatever. If you're deliberating on someone to not get enough of, Douglas Adams is a safe bet. He's funny, clever, and he ties his ideas together in strange and wonderful ways.
Blast me into space, and I'm in heaven.
Read on, Goodreaders,
M
P.S. In an effort to share something truly fitting of having once again made it through an end-of-the-world prediction, I've posted the latest pics of Bob the Chipmunk on my blog:
www.mechellemorrisonbooks.blogspot.com
September 15, 2015
detour: The End of the World
Hello,
Seeing as the world is scheduled to end on September 23, I've been giving thought. To things.
Admittedly I first thought that the world-ending prophecy business might be true, as garbage service mysteriously missed our pick-up today. And I should probably mention a college student I know who on Monday cut her hair--for the first time in her life--for no particular reason. She whacked off ten inches and you can't even tell.
Things go downhill from there.
Coming home from the grocery this afternoon, I watched a guy trying to cross the street. He stood on the cusp of the crosswalk, patient-as-you-please, while about seventy cars ripped past him. Apparently those people had things to do and places to go before the world is destroyed by bull-dozing Vogons. So no one had time to let the poor guy cross over.
Lastly, let's not forget the woman in Utah County whose convenient end-of-the-world vision has upped food storage and emergency preparedness sales in the area by 500%. Ka-ching!
I almost forgot! I received a flyer in the mail today, advertising the Apocalypse Hope Seminar. [Um, to all the mass-mailers out there: I seriously draw the line at Apocalypse Hope Seminars.]
Here's the anti-climatic truth according to me: the world never ends. Neither do we. I mean, the universe wastes nothing, right? Everything just rearranges into new molecular compositions.....
So! If you are in to Armageddon stories (and who isn't?!?!) a more probable yet equally gripping version to peruse would be The Seeds Project Interviews. Got Kindle, will read.
Read on, Goodreaders!
M
Seeing as the world is scheduled to end on September 23, I've been giving thought. To things.
Admittedly I first thought that the world-ending prophecy business might be true, as garbage service mysteriously missed our pick-up today. And I should probably mention a college student I know who on Monday cut her hair--for the first time in her life--for no particular reason. She whacked off ten inches and you can't even tell.
Things go downhill from there.
Coming home from the grocery this afternoon, I watched a guy trying to cross the street. He stood on the cusp of the crosswalk, patient-as-you-please, while about seventy cars ripped past him. Apparently those people had things to do and places to go before the world is destroyed by bull-dozing Vogons. So no one had time to let the poor guy cross over.
Lastly, let's not forget the woman in Utah County whose convenient end-of-the-world vision has upped food storage and emergency preparedness sales in the area by 500%. Ka-ching!
I almost forgot! I received a flyer in the mail today, advertising the Apocalypse Hope Seminar. [Um, to all the mass-mailers out there: I seriously draw the line at Apocalypse Hope Seminars.]
Here's the anti-climatic truth according to me: the world never ends. Neither do we. I mean, the universe wastes nothing, right? Everything just rearranges into new molecular compositions.....
So! If you are in to Armageddon stories (and who isn't?!?!) a more probable yet equally gripping version to peruse would be The Seeds Project Interviews. Got Kindle, will read.
Read on, Goodreaders!
M
September 12, 2015
Friday wrap...on Saturday
It's taken me a while to wrap. I'm engrossed in writing and painting and living and I have a teenager whose needs are so much more pressing and immediate than anything else in the known universe that I've been running here, there and everywhere in search of a Homecoming dress. There was a scene, a few tears, and then the reality of the family budget and personal economics took hold.
Speaking of the universe, here's one of my favorite quotes from "L!fe, the Un!verse and Everyth!ng." [and No, I don't get why the exclamation points replace all the "i's" but no doubt someone does]. I'll admit I could quote the whole series as a favorite quote, but (a) that's a lot of dedicated space for one blog-post and (b) I'm certain posting entire books would be some sort of copyright infringement. Anyway, the quote for today:
"His head was swimming freestyle, but his stomach was doing the butterfly."
I know, it's out of context. But it's seriously funny.
If you haven't read the Hitchhiker series, I implore you. Do yourself a supreme favor and read it. Who cares that it was written in the 80's? It's timeless. Douglas Adams is so clever, and the characters are so well-written, that I'm often left swooning with depression every time I finish one of the books, knowing, as I do, that Mr. Adams has passed on to the next level of existence and we won't hear more from him. Not that I'm the only one to know that. I mean, there are millions of super-sad D.A. fans. Maybe billions.
Good thing that when you write, you never really disappear.
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
Speaking of the universe, here's one of my favorite quotes from "L!fe, the Un!verse and Everyth!ng." [and No, I don't get why the exclamation points replace all the "i's" but no doubt someone does]. I'll admit I could quote the whole series as a favorite quote, but (a) that's a lot of dedicated space for one blog-post and (b) I'm certain posting entire books would be some sort of copyright infringement. Anyway, the quote for today:
"His head was swimming freestyle, but his stomach was doing the butterfly."
I know, it's out of context. But it's seriously funny.
If you haven't read the Hitchhiker series, I implore you. Do yourself a supreme favor and read it. Who cares that it was written in the 80's? It's timeless. Douglas Adams is so clever, and the characters are so well-written, that I'm often left swooning with depression every time I finish one of the books, knowing, as I do, that Mr. Adams has passed on to the next level of existence and we won't hear more from him. Not that I'm the only one to know that. I mean, there are millions of super-sad D.A. fans. Maybe billions.
Good thing that when you write, you never really disappear.
Read on, Goodreaders.
M
