Some lists for you...

Things I want to do before I die!

1. Go to Australia...for as long as possible. Until the money runs out. (Heh. What money?)
2. Own and wear a pair of Doc Martens boots. Just because.
3. Become a knowledgeable herbalist. (Clair! Can we go to that herb camp in...oh, where did you say it was? Vermont? Oh pleeeeease?)
4. Get involved in forensics somehow. Ancient, modern, it doesn't matter. (Hey, I know, I could go work with Ducky or Abby at NCIS. That would be fun!)
5. Read every book by Rafael Sabatini -- again, just because. I like some a lot more than others, but I have yet to complete my collection.

Oh! That reminds me. Before I continue with that list, I must give you another list -- a list of very good books I have read recently, after which I shall give you a list of good movies I have seen. Ready?

First on the list: the book I still haven't finished yet, a book by Sir H. Rider Haggard called The Lady of the Heavens. It's about a beautiful young lady named Rachel Dove, the daughter of missionaries to Africa. She becomes sort of like a deity to the local Zulu tribe, who call her the Inkosazana-y-Zoola, or the Lady of the Heavens. But while most young ladies would be honoured to hold her position and perhaps abuse the power that came with the job, Rachel hates it and wishes she could leave. A man named Ishmael, who lives with the Zulus, tries to court her, but her heart is set on one Richard Darrien, whom she knew as a child. I've just gotten to the part in the book where they get back together again.

Second on the list: Howl's Moving Castle, by Diana Wynne Jones. It's not what I would call high-quality literature but it's a cute story. And I must say that while I am NOT a fan of anime, I did enjoy the movie very much. We watched it in film class one night and I have to say it's the first time I lost my heart to an animated hero, LOL. However, there is one disclaimer I must issue here: I do not as a rule like books that contain magic and spells. It really seems like a cop-out to me, you know? I'm not trying to rag on Harry Potter, but I mean, why teach kids that if they say a spell they'll escape getting chewed to bits by a giant three-headed dog?? It just doesn't make sense.

Third: I have just finished The Belles of Lordsburg series by Stephen Bly. Stephen Bly is one of the very best Christian authors I know. He presents the characters' relationship to the Lord in such a way as to avoid making it overdone, pushy, and showy (like many Christian writers), but at the same time, after reading the books one is left in no doubt as to the strength of the characters' Christianity and the depth of their faith in the Lord. His use of internal monologue to indicate the characters' thoughts and silent prayers is something I've never seen any other writer do. Bly's writing is amusing, compassionate, and surprising by turns. And best of all, he is a Real Live Cowboy as well as a pastor (and, obviously, a writer). I've never read a book of his I didn't immediately love. Visit www.blybooks.com to find out more about him!

Fourth (and keep in mind that these are in no particular order): Far Traveler by Rebecca Tingle. I know it's a young adult book, but it was surprisingly good. In a nutshell, after her mother dies, a young girl named Aelfwyn cuts her hair and dons boys' clothing to become a scop (travelling entertainer, or kind of like a busker). She ends up becoming a success and falls in love with the Northumbrian king, Wilfrid. A good happy-ending story, if you like those.

Fifth: The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne. This was, typically, a little slow to begin with, but quite exciting once I got into it. A party of **cough cough MISGUIDED cough cough** Union sympathisers get stranded on an island and must make do as best they can. Though they all seem to fancy themselves huge admirers/fans of Lincoln, they are otherwise in good mental health -- good enough, anyway, to figure out how to keep themselves alive and create a very nice environment on the island. Eventually, of course, they encounter some trouble with pirate-like beings who invade their island; however, they are saved from the trouble by an unseen and very generous benefactor who has provided them with assistance whenever they are in dire straits. This benefactor turns out to be -- and as I was reading this I couldn't restrain a yelp of surprise -- none other than Captain Nemo of the Nautilus, first seen in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! I totally didn't see that coming! Though in 20,000 Leagues Captain Nemo is a heartless and selfish wretch, IMHO, here he is disillusioned but kind. Bit of a switch. Oh well.

Sixth: Kotuku by Deborah Savage. A very, very interesting look into Maori culture. I have to say that I liked it a lot, but there were a few things I definitely took issue with. It's not one I could recommend to everyone. But it was a fascinating story interwoven with finely crafted characters. Since I was confused by parts of the plot (typical for me), I won't attempt to give you a synopsis. And I have to say that the bloke on the cover of the book does not look Maori at all. But I was chuffed that I understood all of the strine in the book!! xD Yay!

Seventh: There is a Season by Gilbert Morris and Lynn Morris. It's the third book in their Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance series, which of course is a sequel series to their Cheney Duvall, M.D. series. This book was kind of like a historical CSI or something -- very compelling! It constantly surprises me that this father/daughter team can keep writing new books about the main characters in these two series, the majority of whom have been present since the first Cheney Duvall, M.D. book, and still have each one be completely different and -- yes, I'll use the word again -- surprising. Nicely done. I'm looking forward to reading it again, which I will probably do very soon. :)

Hmmm. I think there were a few more, but I can't remember. On to the movies. Instead of giving a detailed synopsis, I'll just briefly describe them.

1. Firewall. I said I was going to tell y'all about that one a long time ago, but I got distracted. It was really good -- a few language issues, but still good. I mean, come on, people, it's Paul Bettany! Oh yeah, and Harrison Ford, too. LOL! Also, Virginia Madsen was in this, which brings me to...

2. ...Crossfire Trail, which Ms. Madsen was in as well. IMO, you can't miss when you dramatise a Louis L'Amour book, whether in the form of audio or video. And this one was made all the more attractive by the casting of Tom Selleck, Christian Kane, Rex Linn, and...be still my heart...Mark Harmon! Heheheh. It was fun to see him as a baddie instead of a federal agent.

3. The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. Shirley Temple, Myrna Loy, and Cary Grant. I know, I know, Cary Grant. Well, I will say this, whoever and whatever he chose to be offscreen, he was absolutely hilarious onscreen. I was laughing so hard at this one and I'm sure 1947 audiences did the same.

4. Eight Below. It was a cute movie and, I thought, quite good. It was sad, but...oh gosh, I never thought I'd have cause to use this word...heartwarming. Eugh, *shudder* that makes it sound like Chicken Soup for the Frostbitten Dogsled Driver's Soul, but really, it was better than that. I promise. And besides, it starred Moon Bloodgood and Paul Walker. ;)

5. Speaking of Paul Walker, I have one word for you...TIMELINE!!! Wow, what an awesome movie. Gerard Butler plus time travel! What a combination -- I love it! I have always sworn that if someone were to invent a time machine, I'd be the first in line to get in it. However, after seeing this movie I don't think I'd choose to go back to this time period. I wouldn't last two minutes! Crikey!

6. I have to put in a word for Into the West. If you have not seen this miniseries, get yourself to a video rental store, put the first DVD into your player, and make sure you stockpile some food and water next to you because you will not want to move until you have finished the final disc of the series. Please, I am begging you. This is history you have to see, if you want to know the real story of the American West. It's not always pretty, but it's the truth.

OK, one final thing to mention before I go. Because I was mentioning series so often in this blog, I was reminded of another series you simply have to check out of your library: The Warriors by Erin Hunter (right, Hattie/Laura?). Don't make a judgment until you have finished the first book -- then you come on back here and just try to tell me it's not a fantastic series (and go ahead and try to keep yourself from reaching for the next one, and the next one, and the next!). Yes, they are for young adults -- but they are some of the most gripping, excellently crafted books I have read in a long time. I promise you will not be disappointed with the quality of the writing. Just take my advice and go read.

Whew. I'm done now, on my honour! Gotta leave for work...

:D