Books, films and a belated recall of my birthday

[lathany]

I'm still ill, although it's mostly fading now and the cough sounds much less painful. I've realised that I never posted about my birthday at the end of March. I went out for a curry on the Saturday before (the duo's first restaurant curry) which was rather fine. Then the day itself included fizz and cake. My presents were mainly books, but also a wonderful spiced rum.

I have read three of the books I received for my birthday:

• Superior Saturday by Garth Nix - Book six of the series and only one to go. I still enjoy these, although I have been reading them infrequently and have had difficulties always remembering where I was. I think it's a good series, but not in the same league as The Old Kingdom books. Although I should really reserve judgement for when I'm finished.
• White Night by Jim Butcher - I find that I regard these in the same way as Pratchetts; namely reliably enjoyable. However, Dresden appears to becoming more unstoppable with every book.
• The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones and her sister Ursula Jones - This is the book that DWJ was writing when she died. Her sister finished it and I can't tell where the join is. It's a good read, it's standalone and I enjoyed it, although it is not in my list of favourites.

We have also seen a couple of films this month (courtesy of Lovefilms).

• The Hunt - Danish with subtitles. It's the story of a teacher wrongly accused of being a paedophile. Needless to say it's a fairly harrowing story, although well-acted by all the cast including the child. Its tensions come from wondering what will happen to the man rather than wondering whether or not he did it (the film is very explicit about the fact he is innocent). I think I would recommend it, but with caveats about content.
• The Devil Wears Prada - A graduate wanting to be a journalist applies to a fashion magazine for a role without knowing that "a million girls would die for" it and is then awarded the job. She ends up working for a very exacting editor-in-chief who expects her to go beyond the boundaries of her job. Anne Hathaway is the graduate and Meryl Streep takes on the role that may or may not be based on Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue. The result is interesting, but a little too in awe of the fashion industry (apparently all the designer labels made this one of the most expensively-costumed movies in cinema history). I enjoyed it, but felt at times it wanted to be Pretty Woman, although it's a much more acidic film.

I'm now about to start the visits round. I'm hoping that Scotland won't bring back more of my cough.

Comments

[sosoclever.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday!

Does Anne Hathaway sing in The Devil Wears Prada? I have yet to see a movie with her, where she doesn't sing. Of course, all the movies I've seen of hers have been kids' movies.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

No, she doesn't sing - although neither does anyone else.