Back in the saddle!

Okay, been a while since I last posted, apparently, but also been crazy busy, so not too much to catch up on.  I will think about it, but I am pretty sure that I have only read two books since then, since I haven't had much spare time.  Both were on the bus to & from NYC this weekend (note to self, I need to plan on at least two books, each way, for future trips to Manhattan, because staring out the window at the side of the road gets really boring, really fast).  So: 
On Sunday (4/18) I started reading Dennis Lehane's Shutter Island.  I don't know.  I mean, it was a decent twist that I didn't necessarily see coming, but I just couldn't quite get into it.  Now, that could have been in part because I was wicked uncomfortable in the Bolt Bus' seat, so I was focused more on how long it would take to get to NY, and then to Renita's, and - always & of course - how supremely pissed off I was at my classmates, who turn in CRAPTASTIC papers WICKED LATE, but I think part of it was the story, too.  It seemed a little over-written, maybe - like, yeah, we get it.  Period dialogue.  Hep.  Whatever; it was fun enough, and a good bus read insofar as I didn't have to focus too too much.  It's interesting that it's a movie, because it sort of felt when I was reading it like it would be a better movie than book - there are a lot of visual (sensual, really, including sounds) elements that might translate better in that medium.  And I liked Gone, Baby, Gone the movie and loved Mystic River the movie, so that may be saying something (I also read the first page or so of Mystic River, the book, and Gone, Baby, Gone, the book, in the back of Shutter Island, and was like "eh" - if I had picked those books up in a store, and read those first pages, I doubt I would have bought them (Mystic River, in particular, whereas the movie sucked me right in).

For the bus ride back I borrowed a book by Sophie Kinsella from R, Twenties Girl.  It took a little getting into, but then I really enjoyed it.  I might have gotten into it a little too much, actually, given that I was on a bus.  I definitely caught myself smirking at a couple parts, almost giggling a few other other places, and actually getting a little choked up here and there (without giving anything away, a woman in her late twenties [I think?  maybe early thirties?  don't remember] bonds with the ghost of her great aunt (died at 105, but haunts as a twenty-something from 1927 or thereabouts - gets a little emotional in places!).  But then I would remember that the guy sitting next to me had been all chatty and then he TURNED HIS BODY away to take a phone call in which he was like "yeah, I should be home around 6" - so, unless he had a really tight bond with his male roomate, I was not going to worry about making a bad impression!  More than a little fluffy, yeah, but fun, and while the insights into live & love, etc., were pretty facile, I can certainly always use a reminder that you can't just will someone into liking you, and if you like someone more than he likes you, you just need to f***ing get over it and move on.  Points for being realistic, I guess, Ms. Kinsella (although, feel like that is a pseudonym?).  Definitely liked it way, way more than the Shopaholic books, not that I didn't borrow one or two of those from R as well...they were always good for amusing myself while I waited for her to get out of the shower or something (unlike d**m Far Pavilions which is a mother-f***ing TOME of a book).

Started Jack Weatherford's The Secret History of the Mongol Queens last night; so far, so awesome!  Really enjoying everything of it I have read so far - it seems to be decent history, at least Weatherford writes with an authoritative voice, but there aren't any footnotes or end-notes, so it's def. kind of history-lite.  But he clearly seems to know his stuff, and it feels like maybe this (Genghis Khan's daughters, etc.) he came across researching something else, and I trust that kind of organic source of "inspiration," as it were.  I am assuming there is either a bibliography or a bibliographic essay at the back, and I will be okay with that.  Hoping there is, because this really makes me want to go read more - especially the Secret History of the Mongols, the semi-contemporary chronicle of Genghis' life, rise to power, and empire, if Weatherford can recommend a good translation.  These chicks were totally kinda awesome, although I think part of that may just be a reflection of what f***-ups Genghis' sons were.  But I do want to know more.  I also kinda want to ride a horse into battle, but I will settle for going home and listening to The Animals, because "It's My Life" makes me think of Genghis Khan for some reason.  Well, the reference to sable is the reason.  Ooohh...Brill does an edition of Secret History of the Mongols - bet that's decent.

So annoying.  N just said he thought "Khan" would not be a good name for any future sons of mine / nephews of his.  Although we both agreed it would be better than "Genghis."  I bet M would back me up on this...or try to steal my idea - it's a race to see who has a little baby Aristeia first!  (Oh, interesting: the Mongols seem to have had a similar concept, baatar).