So here’s a bit of what I’ve been reading/watching/listening to these days.

Inspired by Jen, I read both Slaughterhouse Five and How to Be Good. I enjoyed them both. I didn’t have quite the emotional response to SH5 that Jen did, but I am definitely inspired to read some more Vonnegut. In a subsequent conversation with R, I’ve come to realize that Stephen King was very likely heavily influenced by Vonnegut. Interesting.

I also enjoyed How to Be Good. I wasn’t overjoyed with the ending, and I thought it sort of lost steam in the last bit. But I found Hornby’s writing entertaining and frequently insightful. (I didn’t so much enjoy the book’s rather bleak outlook of marriage. Depressing. Brrr.) I’m looking forward to checking out his other work.

Speaking of SK, I just started the final Dark Tower book. It’s big. Know what I hate about big books? I feel confined to one space for reading them. I’m not as likely to carry around a 1000- page hardcover as a 350-page paperback. Eh.

Finally caught up on those episodes of Lost I had taped, and watched the new ep last night. I’m loving this. JJ Abrams is an evil genius. He has such power. He creates these compelling characters and sticks them in fantastic situations, hooking viewers in and making them jump, scream at the tv, and frequently during the course of an episode, ask (out loud), “the hell?” What’s the thing in the woods? How can the bald guy (Terry O’Quinn? LOVE him) walk? What’s the deal with Jack’s father? What’s the deal with the Korean couple? Oh, so many questions, which I know will just lead to more questions.

Taped the season premiere of The West Wing last night, but haven’t watched it yet. Shhh. Don’t tell me. (Some of the recent buzz I’ve caught coming from John Wells does NOT make me optimistic about the future of this show. Someone needs to make him a big giant sign that says “ER” with one of those red circles with a line through it. Sigh.)

Been listening to America: The Audiobook. Jon Stewart and the rest of the team at The Daily Show are pure genius.

Watched a bunch of movies…finally saw Magnolia, and loved it. Was subsequently given a CD of Aimee Mann songs, which I’m looking forward to giving a good listen. Also watched Smoke Signals, one of R’s favorite movies. I can see why…it was well written, well acted, and told a compelling, hearfelt story.

(side note…noticed that R has his DVDs organized by director. heehee…classifying a film by its director is a new concept to me, but I’m learning.)

Slowly catching up on those back issues of The New Yorker. (I am SO far behind…)

What have you all been up to? 🙂