Michelangelo and The Pope's Ceiling

For several days I was engrossed in this book. Written by Ross King, the book covers the 4 years that the reluctant Michelangelo labored on the 12 thousand square feet of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Although written in an easy and readable format (I never loved history), I occasionally skipped some of the names and side stories of the other supporting cast in this true to life drama. I felt it just made the book longer. The character studies of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo himself, 16th century politics and the Roman Catholic church made the book captivating.

What made the story more compelling to me was the realization that those events happened hundreds of years ago yet the drama and the issues that they faced were very similar to what we face now. Michelangelo had family issues, pressure from the pope, felt jealous toward other artists and at one time or the other felt he is not capable of the commission. Who does not have those in today's world? The attitude of perseverance no matter how much you do not agree with your patron (the pope) - and in Pope Julius II's case - the unwavering belief that Michelangelo is the only one who can deliver. There would be no Sistine Chapel if there was no Pope Julius II and no Michelangelo. 

Aside from too many names, places and a lot of technical explanations on how fresco painting was done - I still enjoyed the book. I  just wished there were also colored photos of the Sistine Chapel.

Worth my time.

Juliet's Answer and Other Books

I have always been a fiction reader. I like fiction because the writer can make the stories more funny, thrilling, scary. Fiction is my choice when it comes to books as it entertains a lot depending on the writer's imagination and mine. Lately however I am having a change of heart. Blame it all on the recent cruise.

First "Juliet's Answer" by Glenn Dixon. A quick pick while at Wal-Mart, it got me interested because the setting is in Verona, Italy - and I still have the European fever. It is the memoir of an English teacher who traveled to Verona, Italy and volunteered to answer letters addressed to Juliet - yes, that ill fated Juliet in Shakespeare's play. People write to Juliet asking for answers and guidance with regards to their love issues. The author was also seeking for answers to his own love questions. A light, well written story which happened to be true.

Then came Rick Steves' Europe 101 History and Art for the Traveler. Borrowed from the Toronto Public Library the book covers history from Prehistoric Europe to Egypt (3000 B.C.) up to the 20th Century. Written for a person like me who hated history. It is a very interesting read that I am even seriously thinking of getting my own copy as I keep going back to some chapters. I am supposed to return this to the library soon but I think I will renew as I am not finished yet. 

The last book which I am so excited to read but I am not starting yet until finish Europe 101 is my latest purchase "Michelangelo - The Pope's Ceiling" by Ross King. The book is about the 4 years Michelangelo spent labouring to complete the greatest work of art - the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Just browsing on the first few pages reads like a non-fiction. There is drama, there is tension. I cannot wait to start.

How come nobody told me History and Art could be this interesting?

Books Lately : Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon and False Impression by Jeffrey Archer

Two books I recently finished reading .
1) Non-Fiction. Boys in the Trees by Carly Simon. A memoir. Carly writes her story like a song. Personal yet revealing and poetic. A slow read but a book I could not put down.

2) Fiction. False Impression by Jeffrey Archer. Jeffrey Archer's  books become bestsellers for a reason. He writes so well, he captures the reader. False Impression provided me an art trip and some action along the way. The usual Archer way of storytelling is present still - circuitois and sometimes repetitive. But entertaining still.

Both books was well worth my time. No regrets.

Currently Reading - Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles Series

 Started with Book 1 - A teaser...

Then Book 2...

With 2 books done, might as well go on with Book 3...

Now currently reading Book 4. Feel so good to be reading/listening again.

To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries.

 

Art Finds

"The joy is in the thrill of not knowing what you will find". I believe that is the mantra of a real treasure hunter. That is also my mind set whenever I go visit my happy place - this second hand store near us. I go there - with no expectations, no shopping list, no idea of what I might bring home.

I visit the place every now and then for the books. An armload of activity books, books for the soul, art books all for a steal. Just like my most recent haul.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Miniatures. A series of albums/books on the collection of artists or paintings displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For the wanna-be art lover like me this is such a great find. And not only one or two but a lot!

Inside are descriptions of the artwork and each book comes with the miniature print of the art work  in quality paper. I find this unique and a great way for me to really appreciate the work. Not only do I read, but I have to paste each miniature to the album.

 I am still not done with these albums as I am taking my time reading and assembling them. Yet, I am so grateful that nobody seemed interested in this loot that I consider so priceless. Art can be cheap sometimes.

Kane and Abel

Considered as Jeffrey Archer's best, it did not fail. Very well written. Devoured on the 22 hour flight. What a company!!

That's why I love plane rides and traveling alone.

After Visiting Friends

From the books' website : "After Visiting Friends" is a heartrending and beautifully written memoir of a family's legacy of secrets. It is a universal story about how we discover ourselves".

It is never easy to visit the past. There is always the fear of what we may find; our readiness, other people's reaction and even the worthiness of the whole process. But some past calls, they never leave, they wait to be found.

Amazon's 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

hi Mils,

I just saw Amazon's list of 100 books to read in a lifetime. Glad to know some of the more familiar books you and I have read are in there such as "To Kill a Mockingbird". Hooray!! Other faves that made it to the list included Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", "The Great Gatsby", "Where The Wild Things Are", and Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughter House Five". Your favorite "Catcher on the Rye" made it too! Of course, the classic "The Little Prince" is there. Smiling me!!

Kind of disappointed that not one of Jeffrey Archer's books is in there. I may be biased coz i just finished reading his book "Kane and Abel", considered by many as his best. I devoured the book during my last 22 hour flight. Not complicated but very well written. And not one of George R.R. Martin's book is there. Ay, ka downer ba! Really, Amazon...you don't think any of his books deserve a place out of the 100? And to think they included Gillian Flynn's "Gone Girl". Gosh, I hate that book! I will throw out the list if they included any of Stephenie Meyer's vampire series. Dili na gyud ko!

"Valley of the Dolls" is on the list. By coincidence, I have the book which I considered reading on the trip back home. I should have. I have only seen the Hunger Games movies, but have not read the book, so can't make a comment on its inclusion to the list. There are a few others like "Catch 22" and a few of Stephen King's which I have copies also pero I have not started reading kay for sure nosebleed ang resulta.

Of course, the list does not mean anything. Not having read any of the books that does make one less of a person. Or having read 80 out of the 100 makes one above the rest. Natuwa lang ako that I have read a few of the listed books, at least feeling ko I still have a little culture and intellect in me. Hindi kasi puedeng tungkol na lang kay Rob Ford at Vhong Navarro ang palagi kung basahin ano? But on the latter, what's your take? Abangan...

The Fox

"To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy 

who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. 

And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. 

To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. 

But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. 

To me, you will be unique in all the world. 

To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . ."

~ The Fox in The Little Prince

This fox was found at Pres'quile Provincial Park. May 2013

Back to Books

The boss knows I go for thrillers and mysteries when it comes to books. But once in a while he lends me items that are more his choice. Sara Gruen's "Water for Elephants" was his latest recommended material.

I don't think I would have picked this book myself - but I am glad it was recommended. The story of the orphaned boy who joined the circus told by the man himself from his assisted living home is so much like the circus - magical.

There is humor, there is tenderness, there is action and drama, written in such a beautiful way. You will feel for Jacob when he was 23 and protector of the circus animals - and you will feel for him again at 93 as the grown man eagerly awaiting for his family.

The novel is descriptive, almost lyrical with equal parts adventure, mystery, fictional memoir, love story, and historical account. With a lovely ending too. Just what I needed to calm my nerves. No surprise the book was chosen as one of the top 50 books in 2006.

Highly Recommended.

Feeling Little Prince

Some books you read and then you go back and read again after so many years. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery is one of those books. You see, do, feel or read something and you are reminded of some lines from the book.

Here's a part of Chapter 21 which speaks of so much truth.

"My life is very monotonous," the fox said. "I hunt chickens; men hunt me. All the chickens are just alike, and all the men are just alike. And, in consequence, I am a little bored.

But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow.

And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the colour of gold.
Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat..."

The fox gazed at the little prince, for a long time.

"Please-- tame me!" he said.

"I want to, very much," the little prince replied. "But I have not much time. I have friends to discover, and a great many things to understand."

"One only understands the things that one tames," said the fox. "Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends any more. If you want a friend, tame me..."

- Yes, tame me and be my friend.

Look Me In The Eye

Got a bit bored with too much fiction that I yearned for something real. Then the book "Look Me In The Eye" written by John Elder Robison got my attention.

The book is about the author's life with Asperger's during the time when the disorder was still unknown. Robison was only diagnosed with Asperger's at the age of 40. A long overdue diagnosis since this was way after he had shown his extraordinary skills in special effects, working for the bands KISS and Pink Floyd; designing electronic games for toy company; and even repairing high end European cars like Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Land Rover.

Because he was different (ie, blue blocks are to be lined only with blue and not mixed with any other color; and he does not look people in the eye) his teachers predicted that he will amount to nothing. In contradiction however, Robison grew to head his own company.

Written from a firsthand account with engineering jargon thrown in, it is actually a story of success no matter what the cards you are dealt with.

Real Life Thriller

I am not reading a suspense thriller book right now. I don’t need it.

In a fashion truer than fiction, a story unfolds in Ontario . This is the true case of Col. Russel Williams, Base Commander of 8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base (C.F.B.) Trenton . A man living 2 lives : one as a high ranking military man that is respected in the community; while on the other hand committing crimes only a perverted mind can conceive and do. A real Dr. Jykell and Mr. Hyde story.

Nobody sympathizes with the unspeakable evil this man has done, and I give my respect to the families of everyone that he has wronged. But as a reader of crime stories - it is getting my attention.

The Toronto Star article of Peter Vronsky a historian at Ryerson University and the author of a history of sequential homicide, Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters about this man is an interesting study. It deals with the criminal - although not the whys. Something we just might never know.

Click here for the Peter Vronsky's article.

Goodwill ReUse Centre

Just 20 minutes of walking from my place, I can get to a Goodwill ReUse Centre. This is a place where clothing can be had for $1.99/lb, books for $0.50c, and other people's junk can become someone else's treasure.

The place is not your typical thrift store however. In here, items are placed in bins; then you elbow other "scavengers" and rummage through everything - dust and smell included.

Despite all that, I visit this Goodwill ReUse Centre often. I go there to find interesting things for my photo projects, for the books and magazines, and just for shopping therapy.

Magazines I am sending to a friend = $ 5.00

Knick knacks for my photo projects = $5.75

"Collectible books" for D = $ 3.50
Roald Dahl set, Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger,
Edgar Allan Poe essays and poems, Dune by Frank Herbert

Paid around $12 for all these : new GAP sweater, Tommy Hilfiger shirt,
3 pcs of cloth, large piece of photo backdrop material,
a small purse, lots of books, alphabet blocks.

The only thing I hate - it can get addicting.

Accidental Billionaires

My amusing/interesting read lately was The Accidental Billionaires - the story of how Facebook started written by Ben Mezrich.

I have to say it was rather entertaining not only because I am a Facebook user but also of how the writer was able to weave the story without even a word from Mark Zuckerberg himself the boy genius behind Facebook. The story is full of colorful characters.

Mezrich based most of the story from interviews with Eduardo Saverin - Facebook's co-founder and ex-friend of Zuckerberg. But even with the bias - I did not feel much for Saverin. Yes, I agree he was a partner in the making of this phenomena - but his heart and mind was not entirely on the venture. He was good - but not good in judging Facebook's potential.

As for Sean Parker - there will always be people like him - vultures who know when to jump and gobble. It is a dog-eat-dog world for Sean.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss - the Harvard rowers who also claimed ownership to the idea. It was said they settled for billions in their lawsuit.

But Mark Zuckerberg is the star of it all. Starting Facebook because he did not get a date and now the youngest billionaire in the world, with a net worth of US$4 billion. Sinner or saint?

Accidental Billionairies - A tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal.

If you don't like to read - the movie is coming up.

Current Read

Currently reading "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".

Review later. . .

Barbara Walters: Auditions

If it's a woman, it's caustic; if it's a man, it's authoritative. ~ Barbara Walters

I guess that quote sums up the story of Barbara Walter as written in her autobiography Auditions. In the book, Barbara shares about her rise to success in a male dominated industry, her award winning interviews, her experiences interviewing Fidel Castro, Anwar Sadat, and Menachem Begin. But the book also had revelations about her private life.

As in any other memoir I read, I am only temporarily intrigued by the big name personalities while the determination and dedication part inspires me. What always catches my attention are the side stories - and in Auditions it is Barbara's relationship with her adopted daughter that touched me.

No matter how successful Barbara became, she yearned for a daughter. Not having one of her own, she adopted one. Mother and daughter love was tested to the limit - but love did prevail in the happy ending. A confirmation of Barbara's popular words "A baby grows from the tummy, an adopted child grew from the heart".

Michael Connelly

I have only started reading Michael Connelly and he is moving fast to become another favorite author. He is an author I discovered after reading Larry King and he is definitely a good one.

I started with The Brass Verdict where "everybody lies". The story features Mickey Haller, a comebacking defense attorney who inherited his biggest case yet: the defense of a prominent studio executive accused of murdering his wife and her lover. I liked how Connelly expertly weaved the story from how to choose a juror, his relationship with an LAPD detective Harry Bosch and finally deciding who is telling the truth.

My second book was The Scarecrow. Another equally thrilling novel this time featuring Jack McEvoy an LA Times crime reporter on the verge of losing his job. A superb cat and mouse chase that is sure to make you stay overnight - for just one more page.

So far, these two books have provided me pure entertainment that I am looking forward to reading/listening to more Michael Connelly novels very soon.

Remarkable Larry King

After reading Larry King's My Remarkable Journey - I can say his journey is truly remarkable.

"Little Larry Zeiger from Brooklyn"also known as "Greek the Mouthpiece" may have interviewed hundreds and thousands of leading personalities throughout his career but the side stories did
not dazzle me. His surviving 8 marriages, kicking a three-pack-a-day cigarette habit, starting over after a financial debacle, and enduring a quintuple by-pass surgery was colorful material however.

King's father died when he was 9 and for years he felt angry that his father left too early. He was then raised by his mother, chased his dream and had several marriages along the way. Around the age of 58 - Larry got a call from his very first wife only to be told he has a son - Larry Jr. There he was, Larry Senior - for years an angry man because his father died too soon, yet he has a son who also might be angry with him because he left. This father and son angle made reading the book really interesting.

The little memoir is full of funny stories - a story of life, of friendships, of families. After all the celebrities interviewed, sometimes the best interview is still the man behind the mike - Larry King.

Twilight Series - 2 out of 4

I cannot believe I finished 2 of Stephenie Meyer's books in the Twilight series. Am I digressing or in plain need of entertainment?

Twilight was not so bad as a start. Young love is just so romantic. Although I believe Meyer went over the top with his description of Edward. I don't wonder why girls are swooning and dreaming of becoming Bella. This really was a good start to this fantasy romance series. Upon completion of the first book, I was like 16 again and could not wait to read the second book.

New Moon was a downer - it got me bored. I know this is fiction but it is just too unrealistic. I could not find any redeeming factor to this book. Teen-age rebellion, mistaking feelings for love, endangering oneself in the name of love, just how pathetic can one get?

So, halfway through the series (2 out of 4) I decided to stop. I am not expecting anything new in book 3 - Eclipse. Edward still does not want Bella to become vampire. A conflict in the middle then Edward and Bella together again in the end.

So, what is there to be excited about?