Book Review: 'Become A Better You' by Joel Osteen

You know, I liked this book, and I found it a peaceful and Godful and thought-provoking read.  But just the same, the thing that was on my mind most reading it was Osteen's position on gay marriage. To be specific, his almost-commitment to being willing to attend gay weddings – and then his speedy retraction when he caught the blow-back from the Christian right.

It's a disappointment. I guess I'll have to pray for him. Along with Trump. I do pray quite often for Trump to have a big gay epiphany, and fall madly in love with some epicene young male intern. Because that would be hilarious. Try explaining that to the faithful.

Image by David Whelan, public domain.

Book review: 'Madness' by Marya Hornbacher

This book is a memoir of the writer's experience of mental ill health, more specifically bipolar disorder following on from eating disorders – as must be not too surprising from the title. The main reason that I picked it up was having already read her first memoir, 'Wasted' which concentrates on her eating disorders.

There's probably an element of schadenfreude and rubbernecking in anyone having a taste for misery memoirs in the first place, if nothing murkier – certainly I tend to look askance at anyone with a shelf full of memoirs detailing miserable abused childhoods and exploitation, escape from troubled and negative situations with no apparent increase in insight (or sometimes, in self-protection and awareness of predators).

But what the hell, when it comes to anecdotes about ups and downs in psychological health I have a tendency to feel enough intrigue to start flipping through the pages. And then, what the hell, I'm hooked and the book's sold.

This particular book didn't hook and grab me the way its predecessor did, perhaps because it simply isn't as well-written, and comes across as a tad more self-absorbed. Well, all right, there's irony in accusing a memoir of being self-absorbed, but 'Wasted' had a lot more going for it than a fixed focus on the writer's own experience. The writing was detailed, thoughtful, and set scenes vividly: it cast an intent gaze on incidents and experiences outside the head, things that others participated in and readers could identify with.

This book isn't without merit: it certainly comes across as honest and thoughtful, if sometimes a bit annoying. (Repeated instances of self-destructive behaviour tend to inspire in me, eventually, a 'so what?' if not accompanied by some self-awareness on the writer's part, some indication that they're aware that wringing their hands and shrieking “Oh God almighty, what was I thinking?” would be appropriate at this point.)

But it does draw you in, and compels sympathy, if not empathy, up to a point. As well as providing an extensive list of resources for those suffering mental disorders. Not a wasted few hours spent reading, then.


Photo credit:  Eddi van W. on Flickr.

Product Review: Jeeves & Wooster – Jeeves and Wooster – The Complete Collection DVD set

I say, Jeeves! This is a review of the collection of the full works of the BBC production of P.G. Wodehouse's 'Jeeves and Wooster' novels, starring the justly and widely famed Stephen Fry (as the valet Jeeves) and Hugh Laurie (as the simpering fop and monied idiot Bertie Wooster, not over-burdened with grey matter, but a good sort and a good friend just the same.)

It's a long time since this show was regularly scheduled on terrestrial TV, so it's a while since I'd actually seen it. It was actually my boyfriend who was keenest to get hold of a copy, and bought it as a surprise to me, as he knows how much I love the books. And then we embarked upon a marathon viewing session, of an episode or two a night, cooking, drinking and enjoying the exploits of the charming 30s gentleman, and his gentleman's gentleman.

I must say that the BBC, or the production team involved, or whoever booked the shooting sites – whatevs – did a lovely, bang-up job on the whole production. Everything is rendered and realised with absolutely charming accuracy and verisimilitude – rolling countryside, country houses, town flats, bustling 30s New York, you name it. And there's the rub, at least for my other half. He found the American environment that half of the episodes are set in grating, and a distraction from the story, vastly preferring the English eps with their gentle olde-worlde vibe. But that's just him, because I liked both kinds of episodes just fine!

Both Fry and Laurie's performances in their respective roles are famously definitive and delightful, so you probably don't require me to repeat that for you as a recommendation. However, let me do it anyway – both Fry and Laurie's performances in their respective roles are definitive and delightful, and it's very hard indeed to imagine any other actors ever embodying these roles quite so perfectly again.

One thing I did find just a little jarring, was how often between different seasons of the show a particular role would be re-cast. Now, I understand quite well that career requirements and other priorities may make it impossible to always keep continuity of casting going, season after season. But four different Madeleine Bassetts? Not at all the thing, old chap. Quite confusing, in fact.

(Let me make special mention, however, that every single aunt of Bertie's was an utter joy, and perhaps the highlight of the whole collection.)

In short, a thorough thumbs-up and recommendation from me, and if you're a lover of all things typically Wodehousian, and you don't already own this lovely collection, then why delay? Order it today!

Big Bang Theory Season 2 DVD Review

Big Bang Theory – the supreme geek comedy for lovers of all things geek!  If you have a fondness for reciting pi to the umpteenth decimal place then – well, then it's time you found yourself a girlfriend.  But other than that, you are probably already only too familiar with the joys of BBT and the crazy cool geek characters therein.  And if not, then you should be!  What a treat you have in store.

Big Bang Theory is populated with fully-rounded, distinct characters, even in the midst of all their geekiness.  Sheldon, for example, is King Geek, and none shall oppose him.  He is so entrenched in his Asperger's-like fetishes for science, rationality, system and orderliness, that any need for human contact has long since passed him by.  In season two, however, he gets a few of his corners knocked off: for example, his friendship-by-default with Peeny matures and even develops into some kind of intimacy-stroke-affection, in an asexual kind of way.  He even acquires a kind of girlfriend... although most people would describe her as a stalker.  And when he receives a truly awesome present from Penny, he reciprocates by mastering his most feared phobia...

How about Leonard?  He closed season one of the Big Bang by scooting off on a long-anticipated genuine date with Penny.  How did it go?  Well, we get to find out at the beginning of Season Two.  Suffice it to say,  Penny's not bearing Leo's babies by the end of the season.  Instead, Leonard concentrates all of his wooing abilities in the direction of not one, but two new lady-friends.  For a heavy-duty physics geek like Leonard, that's some major amorous activity going on!

A less welcome female friend from his immediate family also shows up. But that's family for you.  Nothing you do is good enough – they insist on turning up on your doorstep anyway!

Leonard maintains his friendship with Penny in any case.  But is there something more bubbling away under the surface?

Jewish engineer and Masters-holder Howard also makes some significant strides with the ladies in this second series.  He gets some, he gets a real-life non-blow-up girlfriend... maybe he even gets his heart broken.  But hey, he gets to go to Vegas, baby!

How does the enigmatic Indian physicist Raj Koothrapali get along in Season Two of Big Bang Theory?  Sadly, he gets less lady action than his nerdy pals, despite being the handsomest of the four.  (I guess an inability to talk to chicks until you're wasted is a major disadvantage.)  However, he does get to be (briefly) famous!  Which I guess is something of a consolation.

Want to know what happens to the gang after the cliffhanger of Leonard and Penny in the last episode of season One?  Love geeks and all they stand for?  (Or sit down and jump around for, when they're playing Halo.)  Then the Big Bang Theory Season Two DVD is for you!

Going To Extremes by Barbara Ehrenreich

Have you read ‘Nickel and Dimed’ by Barbara Ehrenreich?  This was an extremely popular, almost notorious book based on the undercover journalism of the author.  She decided to spend some time as a low-paid unskilled worker in various occupations, using none of her acquired qualifications and experience, nor her financial advantages, in order to obtain a well-paying job or secure decent accommodation.  Instead she would have the same chance of survival, sink or swim, as any other blue-collar or pink-collar worker.

The book has been widely hailed as a classic and still has a place on my bookshelf.  It's not precisely cheery reading: there are many dark moments and disagreeable revelations about how our society is ordered within it.  But it is beautifully written, just the same, and many of the people Ehrenreich met along the way command respect for their honest labour, dignity and determination.

'Going to Extremes' is a book of essays by Ehrenreich written subsequently to 'Nickel and Dimed'.  It is published by Granta in the UK and was released in 2008.  Is it also worth the price of admission?  The book is a series of, ah, ragingly satirical rants about working conditions, money, power, class, social elites, politics, economics, big business, health care etc. etc. in America in the present day.  In my estimation of the writing style involved, it is rather heavy on the sarcasm and light on the detail, subtlety, insight and human interest.  (There are none of the character thumbnail sketches from Nickel and Dimed that elicited such sympathy and human interest.)  If anything, the book reads as something of a 'cash-in' on the success of 'Nickel and Dimed' with the liberal-minded book-buying public.  (And who else reads books these days?)

I won't say the book isn't worth reading, although on balance, knowing what I know now, I would only pick it up at a discount or bargain price, not the full RRP.  (Fortunately I actually got it technically 'free' by using the Nectar points issued by British supermarket Sainsbury's via their reward card.)  Lots of the essays have good solid points to make: they're just made at high volume in an angry voice.  The healthcare articles especially are pertinent in an unnerving, disquieting way.

Should you buy it?  Well, if you've appreciated Ehrenreich's other books – then truthfully, it's not quite as good.  But you're probably the target market, and if you're looking more to feel enraged and despairing after finishing a book, rather than enlightened and inspired, then this is the one for you.


Photo credit: Woody1788a
Flickr/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Mummy, what did we do before the Internet?

It's hard to even conceive of such a world, isn't it? I've been online for nine or ten years now: I can't think of how I coped before. Did people not use to kill each other from boredom and frustration But recently we had a provider problem that led to (I'm a little embarrassed to state this, it's so trivial) around twenty-four hours of no internet access.

Oh my god, how could anyone survive that long?

Seriously. That is pretty much how it felt, especially as time went on. The worst thing was the OCD aspect: the continual retrying for connection, the continual disappointment and frustration. Eventually I had to power down and go lie on the bed, an 'antique' (in the functional sense) notebook and pen in hand for creative flow. (And by notebook I mean spiral bound and with paper leaves.) I wrote articles out in longhand, slowly. In the end my hands hurt a bit! But, after I'd psychologically adjusted, it actually wasn't too bad. The sunshine pouring through the window on a lovely May day probably helped, but really I quite enjoyed it. (Firmly telling myself to focus on the positive and what was enjoyable about the situation helped, too.)

After a few hours I did come around to the idea that there's an upside as well as a downside to being temporarily offline. Hence this article

Most of you will know all about the downside. The frustration, the sense of being cut off from all worthwhile connection. The anxiety as potentially productive time ticks away. Or, indeed, time that could have been spent twittering away or tinkering with your MySpace page. What are all your peeps getting up to out there without you to keep an eye on them? Your favourite blogger might have been abducted by aliens. And you wouldn't even know!

The upside takes a little more thinking (or living) through. For a start, without the continuous lure of your computer screen, you might actually get up and take a walk around outside. I've been out there. It's not so bad. I didn't get mugged by delinquent robins or fall in a stream or anything.

And when you're cut off from Web 2.0 type socialising, you might find that that's not the end of the world either. You can go out and do some real socialising instead. Phone your friends instead of IMing, go see a band, really interact in a way that allows you to give your fullest attention to each other – not the sliver left over after every other tab and pop-up on your screen is attended to.

If learning and research is a big part of what you use the net for – and it's a wonderful resource for all manner of people whose work lies primarily in the virtual realm – then there's somewhere else you can go. It's called a library. Yes, these mystical places of legend do tend to have their own internet cafes these days, so you can even get your fix (for an hour or so till your booking's over, anyway). But more than that, you can find new ways to research: books, newspapers, scholarly journals, elderly periodicals stuffed away on microfiche. (Okay, I'm not sure they actually have microfiche any longer. But it would be fun to find out). The librarians will help you out. Anyone not exclusively wanting to use the place as a net cafe and DVD rental shop will be a novelty to them at this point. They'll probably know a bit of stuff themselves: treat them as another resource – just one wearing a cardigan.

But there's no net, NO NET, what shall we do? That's not enough! Well, you could read a book. (And that's not meant to be snotty. Reading books rocks. It's hard to do when your monitor is always seducing you away from the printed word.) You could hammer through the box sets you bought and only watched once, if that. (You are really going to have to start again from scratch with Lost to stand a chance for next season. Seriously. If not, then you have a million gigabytes of RAM in your wetdrive and I salute you.) You could bring paperwork home from the office, or do your accounts for the past three months. (Hey, it's a valid option!)

You could just take some time off and kick back. Seriously, there's nothing wrong with doing nothing. Study cats for an example of the masters at work. You can call it meditation, or philosophy, or somesuch, if you're embarrassed to admit to it. Or you can actually meditate or philosophise, while you're at it. (Maybe that's what cats are doing. Apart from swatting flies. Disproving Descartes.) For a workaholic the internet is a dreadful creation. There's no reason to ever stop working. Until now! Now you can just exist for a while. Maybe think, instead of continually avoiding thinking.

You can travel around your local area and see places, instead of looking at pictures of them online. Maybe with all the travelling and thinking, you'll begin to see too – to see options you might have missed in the virtual world. Maybe a bricks and mortar business, instead of an online storefront?

You could put your virtual learning into practice. Been reading jewellery making and silversmithing blogs? Maybe now you could pick the phone up, sign up for a class. Hey, who knows when you'll get the net back up?

You can learn to appreciate and feel connected to previous generations, even in your own family. Hey, they lived like this all the time. Respect is due. How did they not run amok, anyhow?

But you know what you can do, most of all? What being without the net really teaches you? It teaches you to really blimmin' appreciate the internet, because it is wondrous and limited only by your imagination. Really! When your connection is up and running, you really, really, really appreciate it!

Photo credit: 4chan .org, public domain image.

Book review: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs (Orbit, 2009)

Picture credit: Jim Clark

Patricia Briggs: one of the new queens of everything spooky, romantic and dangerous. As a creator of characters that can live in your mind, my opinion is that she really rocks and has few equals. What I love about her main character, Mercy Thompson, is that she's not some kickboxing uber-powerful alpha female who will never admit to feeling weakness or fear. (Kind of like Buffy there. When Buffy thinks she's going to get her ass kicked, she runs! Maybe that's why I like Mercy too).

No, Mercy views reality with a cold, really almost clinical eye, and doesn't tell herself any fairytales about how things really are. (And maybe that makes her a mythical figure compared to most of us).

Okay, Mercy is kind of a kickboxer. (Or martial arts, at least). But she's not invulnerable, and she doesn't try to kid herself or anyone else otherwise. I just like people who are honest, and I don't think I'm alone.

Bone Crossed is the fourth in this series of supernatural thrillers, and, while not the best, is a huge improvement on the sadly disappointing third in the series, Iron Kissed. (My heart started sinking while reading Iron Kissed and wound up in the bottom of the Mariana Trench by the time I'd finished).

The main problem with Bone Crossed is that it is over-plotted. It's not just a case of the plotlines having sub-plotlines. The sub-plotlines have sub-plotlines, and i'm not too sure that you can't drill down further than that, even. I will put my hand up and say I got a little confused.

But let's concentrate on the upsides. The characterisation is still, as always with Briggs, top-notch. Adam, especially, is the most coolly vulnerable, doggedly determined to win the heroine, alpha male ever. And the little boy haunted by ghosts – but more so, by his non-biological father's status – is a new and genius character.

Plus, lets' face it, over-plotting is a preferable flaw when compared with no plotting at all. Did anyone say Iron Kissed? A novel where the denouement comes from the heroine, er, randomly and freely going to the bad guy's house and getting assaulted. No detecting, no clues (beyond absolute obviousness and blatant flat out stating of the case), no plot twists. Um, bad things happen. Heroine goes to bad guy's place and, wow, he's a bad guy. Let's wrap it up there.

Okay, Briggs had to get it to the point where there was some reason Mercy would finally give in to fleshly lusts and let Adam have his wolfy way, but did it really need to take up the whole book?

Deep breath. Oh, I'm reviewing Bone Crossed, not the third one, right! Forgot myself there... Anyhow, we get Mercy kicking some ass, a few steps closer to resolution with her and Adam, a slew of pretty convincing and startlingly cynical character portraits and a vastly superior fourth episode in the series. (Unless we look at Volumes I and II, both better plotted and more considered artistically). I'm not complaining. From this reviewer, more Mercy Thompson is always good Mercy Thompson. Just, enough of the Rubik plotting, 'kay?