7.30.2006

Video Game Junkie, Me?

Lately I've been so lazy. I haven't read anything in a month, which is odd for me. I have been spending my time playing video games, and the ironic part is that I don't like video games but some how the Sims games gets to me. So, I've been playing The Sims 2 and Sims City 4. Does that make me a game junkie? Anyway I have started Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. It's very charming, and witty. Hopefully I can stay off the computer to finish it.

7.05.2006

My dog Bailey loves to read too!


Bailey loves to read classics; I think he is reading Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities". A lot of people ask me what breed my bestfriend is, and I am proud to say he is a little mutt. His most prominent breeds are Spaniel and Lab.

Speaking of classics, I just finished reading Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. As an American kid growing up, I saw the BBC movie a couple of times, but invariably started to watch the movie in the middle, which made it almost impossible for me to understand. In addition, the accent and speed talking didn't help. Now, I am not bewildered, and I know why it's so humorous. (Knowledge is power!) Two thumbs up for this play, but if I had to recommend some more playwrights I would definitely say read two famous Scandinavia playwrights Ibsen and Strindberg.

7.04.2006

Divergent Vampire

Sunglasses After Dark

by Nancy A. Collins

Your perception of vampires can change as quickly as a flip of a page. Growing up the most dominant feature of a vampire was Bram Stoker's Dracula. The thoughts evoked darkness as the creature's life, garlic, religious icons as a poison, and the eternal end, a stake through the heart and decapitation. Bram Stoker's Dracula demonstrates power, solitude, and never ending desire.

There are many version of vampires, and all can thrive on their own. The famous Anne Rice has created the sexy egocentric Lestat. However, her stories seem to complement Stoker's laws of the vampire. Others who depart from old concepts, they add and subtract creating their own formula to the realm of vampirism. Such author that takes that path is Nancy A. Collins. When reading a synopsis on Collins' book "Sunglasses After Dark" (the title does not do justice to the book) it is usually short stating something like a young vampire turned seeks revenge against her creator. However, the book is more in depth than that synopsis. It encompasses the development of the characters' lives.

The story is told beautifully with flashbacks; all the scenes come together to create a through understanding of the main characters, which add to the main plot. Any vampire enthusiast should definitely read this book.