Book Reviews by Today, I Read…

Dear Google (or Blogger, whichever you prefer),

Please fix your commenting system already.

Quite a few of the blogs I enjoy reading and interacting with use Blogger and that’s not my problem. My problem comes when I decide I’d like to leave a comment, but cannot because of that nifty new JavaScript commenting box you’ve set up.

“Why?” you ask.

Because, for some reason, whenever I try to comment using my primary browser, Firefox, the comment does not get posted and to make things worse, the entire comment which I may have spent a good ten minutes writing is entirely gone–poof–into internet never-never-land.

As a result, I’m forced to open up the page in Internet Explorer, which is an annoying extra step in the process of interacting with other wonderful bloggers out there, and hit the Publish button twice because the first time bounces back an error telling me there was some sort of technical problem which should have been fixed long before you even rolled out with your new-fangled commenting system.

This unnecessary step puzzles me greatly because Google has been one of Firefox’s largest proponents, promoting the Firefox movement and even creating a custom Firefox Google search page and all that. So, why then, would you not even test your new system using Firefox before rolling it out? *sigh*

If it seems as though I’m slightly annoyed by this, it’s because I am, but I’m holding back and before I stop, let me wrap up this letter by simply restating: please fix your commenting system already.

That is all.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ann-Kat

P.S. I also wanted to add that it’s seriously BAD USABILITY when you don’t have a back-up option for people roaming the internet without JavaScript enabled, or for those who simply turn it off to get around dealing with your wonky comment system in the first place. Thought you should know.

Back Cover of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Tales of the Jazz Age

Fitzgerald’s talent for short fiction is on display in this selection of four of his finest tales, chosen from two collections: Flappers and Philosophers (1920) and Tales of the Jazz Age (1922). Included are “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” a fantasy whose protagonist is born an old man and ages in reverse; “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” a coming-of-age story about a daring young flapper; “The Jelly-Bean,” a story of disillusionment and love lost; and “Dalyrimple Goes Wrong,” a case of a character torn between self and society.

Three Quick Points About The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Tales of the Jazz Age

• Point 1: Another era. Not gonna lie, Fitzgerald’s language caught me off guard a couple of times, but it certainly reminded that he was writing in another era.
• Point 2: Life can be frustrating. It seems that your time line doesn’t matter, you’ll still come up against obstacles; they’ll only be slightly different.
• Point 3: Sad. That’s what I felt when the story of Benjamin Button ended.

Continue reading »

Welcome to another edition of Mailbox Monday where I regale you with the books I received during the previous week.

The past few weeks have been slow, but the brief respite has allowed me some time to get caught up on a few titles collecting dust on the TBR shelf. Things are beginning to look up, though.

Algernon, Charlie, and I: A Writer’s Journey by Daniel Keyes

In Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes created an unlikely duo-a laboratory mouse and a man-who captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Now, in Algernon, Charlie, and I, Keyes reveals his methods of creating fiction as well as the heartbreaks and joys of being published. With admirable insight he shares with readers, writers, teachers, and students the creative life behind his classic novel, included here in its original short-story form.

I opted for this title specifically because it will serve two purposes: 1) it will allow me to read the original story of Flowers for Algernon for the re-reading challenge; and 2) it will allow me to see the process which allowed such a story to come into being.

Now I just need to steel myself for the reading (of Flowers for Algernon). The first time was emotional enough…

Welcome to another edition of the Sunday Salon…

The month of January has been filled with reading challenges and, woohoo, giveaways. Just yesterday, I posted about a book giveaway for My Little Red Book and now today I’ll be announcing a giveaway for one lucky Today I Read commenter. Since I’m a little late with the announcement, it’s how I’ll start this Sunday Salon. Continue reading »

This one is for the ladies, and men so in touch with their femininity that they’ve grown ovaries and a uterus, or men who understand the ineffable quality of being a woman and would like to surprise a special lady in his life by winning this lovely gift for her.

So, why the long qualifying paragraph above, I’m certain you’re asking. It’s because My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff is a collection of stories about first periods. Most men, in my experience, tend to find the subject matter rather disturbing.

According to the blurb, the stories range from light-hearted (the editor got hers while water skiing in a yellow bathing suit) to heart-stopping (a first period discovered just as one girl was about to be strip-searched by the Nazis).

(Despite health class teachings, I thought I was hemorrhaging and asked my mom whether to call 911.)

This giveaway is hosted by Belle Enchanted and is open to U.S. and Canadian (excluding Quebec) residents. Apologies to the international readers, but the books will be shipped directly from the publisher.

The giveaway will run through February 12, 2009 and to enter all you need to do is head over and leave a comment telling Belle something unique thing about yourself. For more entries, you can blog, tweet, or post a message on Facebook about the giveaway.