Two Great Story Recs
Posted by annastan on July 19th, 2010. Filed under: Books, TV and Movies.Ugh, my website is being temperamental today. I had to delete this post and start over, without pictures this time. Hopefully it will work. Okay, here we go: I love recommending good books and movies to people, and it just so happens I’ve come across two of them in the past couple days.
On Saturday, my husband and I went to see Inception, the new Christopher Nolan movie. The ideas were brilliant, the special effects were awesome, and the acting was great (even Leonardo DiCaprio’s). I think what made the movie work particularly well for me was that every scene was necessary and moved the story forward. Often in action flicks, I find half the scenes rather boring and pointless: they’re there for explosions rather than plot. But in this case, nearly every scene felt necessary, and I loved the ending.
On Saturday I also started reading Jaclyn Dolamore’s Magic Under Glass. I’m only about 75 pages in but I’m just loving it. Partially it’s because it’s exactly my kind of story: a magical mystery. But as I’m reading, I’m also admiring the writing and story-crafting. We meet a sympathetic main character on page one and, almost immediately, we’re thrown into a strange adventure with her. The story isn’t super fast-paced, but it’s full of tension and anticipation. I can’t wait to read more.
Are there any good books or movies you’ve come across recently that you’d like to recommend?
July 19th, 2010 at 10:09 am
I am seeing Inception tomorrow, so I am even more excited now! I am somewhat interested in MAGIC UNDER GLASS, but in general magic stories don’t appeal to me. That started changing with Percy Jackson and one of my CP’s stories. I’ll check it out.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I’ll eventually watch and read those – when they come to Redbox and my libary. As I’ve already said numerous times – Dust of a 100 Dogs by A.S. King was a terrific book. I’m sure partly because it’s the kind of story I am drawn to but also the unique premise.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:24 am
I’m reading younger these days, but I think anybody would enjoy these two books. The authors both write beautifully (they are Newbery winners), and craft clever and unique stories:
The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz. It’s a very slim book for younger readers about a night fairy who is forced to become a day fairy when her wings are accidentally crushed by a bat.
Keeper, by Kathi Appelt is about a girl who ruins everything on a special day and sets off to fix it. Appelt is a master of interweaving plots coming together with a bit of a surprise at the end (like in The Underneath).
And, yipee, my library has Magic Under Glass and Dust of 100 dogs.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:53 am
I wanted to see INCEPTION but those plans fell through. I’ve heard some many good things about it.
I’ve heard some good things about MAGIC UNDER GLASS too. I met the author at the FL SCBWI conference in June and she was funny and very gracious.
July 19th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Jon, I love anything that feels fairy tale-like, but Magic Under Glass has a smart, strong heroine as an added bonus.
Laura, I keep hearing nothing but amazing things about 100 Dogs – must read it soon!
Sheila, those are both books I’ve been wanting to read. Thanks for the reminding me about them!
Karen, after reading Jackie’s blog, I’m not surprised she’d funny and gracious in person. I love when good writers are also nice people.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
The menfolk went to Inception yesterday and loved it, although DH said the noise level was way too high. I stayed home to balance checkbooks and other stuff I’d put off for too long. They all agreed I probably wouldn’t like it, but at Scrabble in the evening they noted that there wasn’t really a villain, so maybe I would have.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I’m reading FEED right now to change it up a bit. I used to be far more interested in sci-fi than of late. It is well done so far. I want to see INCEPTION too.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Yes, Inception was so good. Loved the story structure and the incredible level of thought behind it.
AnneB: We saw it in a theatre that turns up the volume, too, and the only part that hurt was an Edith Piaf song.
July 19th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
I loved the Maze Runner, and am having such fun with Incarceron right now. That second one having been recommended to me by someone pretty darn awesome.
I would highly recommend both.
Jon–I was going to say, oh, no–what do you mean you don’t like magic??–until I read on in your comment.
Jeesh.
July 19th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Anne, I didn’t even think about the fact that there wasn’t a villain, but it’s true. Luckily the volume in our theater was okay, If you get another chance to go see it, I would recommend giving it a shot.
Lisa, I looove Feed. It’s a pretty intense book so I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think it’s pretty darn brilliant.
Shannon, you’re right about the level of thought that went into it. Usually with such intense movies, the story starts falling apart for me once I leave the theater; but in this case I’m still really satisfied with it.
Heather, I’m glad you’re enjoying Incarceron – isn’t the world-building great?
July 20th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
“The Hollow Kingdom” by Clare B. Dunkle is one of the best fantasies I’ve read in a long, long time.
July 20th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Ooh, sounds like an interesting read – thanks for the recommendation!