![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
a bit more of an interesting month...
Books:
* Augustus by Anthony Everitt - an accessible and interesting rendition of the life and times of Augustus. Everitt pays special attention to setting the scene, taking the time to explain Roman life and military procedures so that the reader will understand the context as well as the actions. i would have preferred more of a focus on Octavian's private life rather than his public persona, but this is difficult due to a lack of sources.
* Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn - better than the last one, but nostalgic for me.
* Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs - still my favorite werewolf series by a long shot. each volume keeps getting better. i am disappointed to see it coming out in hardcover first, but as it means the author is selling well, i suppose i can't begrudge it. eagerly awaiting the next volume!
* The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks - a series that's gotten a lot of hype over the last few months; with its heavily populated cast of characters and quirky main characters, it's a very promising series. definitely worth reading, but not earth-shattering.
New Movies:
none. huh. how did that happen??
Music:
* Middle Cyclone - Neko Case (2009) - fantastic album, probably even better than Furnace Room Lullaby. a mix of folk, country, and over-your-head lyrics somewhat like Lisa Loeb used to produce.
* Fortune's Favour - Great Big Sea (2009) - hit and miss for me. there are some great songs, but i maintain my assertion that GBS is meant to be listened to live (even if it's only a live recording).
Other:
* Arashi Daiko's 25th anniversary show: taiko drumming (a friend of a friend was one of the performers). a fantastic performance that sunk into my soul and gave me a new respect for drumming as a physical art.
* swing dancing classes at Lindy Land Swing! i've only had 2 classes so far but i love it; it's great to finally be dancing again, after years of telling myself i should come back to dance in some form or other.
* Great Big Sea concert. what energy! i always wonder if i should go, if it's worth the price, but i never regret going. the chemistry between the musicians, the intimacy they manage to produce despite the size of the venue (Metropolis), and the variety of people in the audience make for a great show. everyone was singing along, people were dancing and bouncing around, and the musicians had us all singing a medley of Summer of 69, 500 Miles, Bohemian Rhapsody, and other popular songs.
* the week-long trip to Philadelphia included things like the Penn Museum, the Mutter Museum, and Hibernia County Park
Books:
* Augustus by Anthony Everitt - an accessible and interesting rendition of the life and times of Augustus. Everitt pays special attention to setting the scene, taking the time to explain Roman life and military procedures so that the reader will understand the context as well as the actions. i would have preferred more of a focus on Octavian's private life rather than his public persona, but this is difficult due to a lack of sources.
* Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn - better than the last one, but nostalgic for me.
* Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs - still my favorite werewolf series by a long shot. each volume keeps getting better. i am disappointed to see it coming out in hardcover first, but as it means the author is selling well, i suppose i can't begrudge it. eagerly awaiting the next volume!
* The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks - a series that's gotten a lot of hype over the last few months; with its heavily populated cast of characters and quirky main characters, it's a very promising series. definitely worth reading, but not earth-shattering.
New Movies:
none. huh. how did that happen??
Music:
* Middle Cyclone - Neko Case (2009) - fantastic album, probably even better than Furnace Room Lullaby. a mix of folk, country, and over-your-head lyrics somewhat like Lisa Loeb used to produce.
* Fortune's Favour - Great Big Sea (2009) - hit and miss for me. there are some great songs, but i maintain my assertion that GBS is meant to be listened to live (even if it's only a live recording).
Other:
* Arashi Daiko's 25th anniversary show: taiko drumming (a friend of a friend was one of the performers). a fantastic performance that sunk into my soul and gave me a new respect for drumming as a physical art.
* swing dancing classes at Lindy Land Swing! i've only had 2 classes so far but i love it; it's great to finally be dancing again, after years of telling myself i should come back to dance in some form or other.
* Great Big Sea concert. what energy! i always wonder if i should go, if it's worth the price, but i never regret going. the chemistry between the musicians, the intimacy they manage to produce despite the size of the venue (Metropolis), and the variety of people in the audience make for a great show. everyone was singing along, people were dancing and bouncing around, and the musicians had us all singing a medley of Summer of 69, 500 Miles, Bohemian Rhapsody, and other popular songs.
* the week-long trip to Philadelphia included things like the Penn Museum, the Mutter Museum, and Hibernia County Park
Hey Mel
Date: 2009-04-23 05:14 am (UTC)From: (Anonymous)Caroline