Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
Am enjoying . . .
John Dies at the End by Cracked writer David Wong. This is one of those novels that surprises me over and over again. The sort you don’t want to spoil for people (but I can at least tell you that it’s funny enough that I wish I had written it, and it’s scary too, and it’s FRESH). It’s also the sort of book that makes you say, DAMN this would make a great movie, and guess what — they are indeed making it into a movie (according to a sub-page on the link above). Paul Giamatti is the biggest name in the cast, and Don Coscarelli (Bubba Ho-Tep) is directing.
I’m not sure you should watch the video on the John Dies at the End website. I have a bad feeling that I just got a walloping dose of spoilers. Funny video but, jeez, part of the joy of this book is the seemingly endless series of surprises.
So what are you reading?
D.
I picked up The Hunger Games the other day (mostly based on the fact that that young gal from Winter’s Bone, now in the new X-Men movie, who is really a fantastic actress, has recently signed on to the movie adaptation and I was curious to see what all the hubbub was about) and plowed through it in a couple evenings. Not great. Not terrible. Nothing I’d recommend. I think it will make a much better movie than it did a book. But I can certainly see why the kids are drawn to it. Me, I’m not sure that my curiosity extends to any of the sequels. Maybe.
Well, I read all three books in the series. I liked the weird mixture of brutality and sappy love story — it made me wonder whether this is any reflection of kids today. Numb to violence but still naifs when it comes to romance? I would agree it as only so-so overall, but I had enough fun with it to stick through all three.
I will look for this book…sounds good.
I am reading In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, a story about 4 sisters living under the Dominican dictator, Trujillo.
Hey Doug… I stopped in a B&N yesterday, found this book, and bought it based on your recommendation and the cleverly designed cover. (Honestly, you had me at the words “Bubba Ho-Tep,” even though that has nothing to do with this story, but the phrase “You should not have touched this book with your bare hands” on the back cover sealed the deal.) Now, I’m 100 pages into it, and I’m having a great time. Thanks for the suggestion. I will avoid the video until I’m done, which shouldn’t be long.
Glad you’re enjoying it as much as I am 🙂