Sunday Salon: Desperately Seeking Lisbeth

Another summer week behind us, and another fun, albeit somewhat lazy, one for us. Two good friends of mine were with their families at the beach this week (and I was wishing I were there!) but we still kept busy. We saw Toy Story 3 3D IMAX (much to the depletion of our wallet) and loved it probably more than the first two. The film deals with growing up and saying goodbye to childhood, peppered with some hilarious scene stealers like Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton) and a sexy, dancing Spanish Buzz Lightyear. I would dare most adults not to walk out with a tear or two in their eyes. We also had to see Eclipse, of course, to keep my daughter off my case. While it was by far my least favorite book, the movie wasn't all that bad. Lots of skin and well-defined pecs, you see. A little something for the mommies.

Speaking of movies, I think it is worth mentioning that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is now out on DVD, and The Girl That Played With Fire has been released at the few theaters that decide to carry it. I will begin my obsessive hovering over our one indie theater for signs of Lisbeth.

A good friend of mine who works at Disney was able to get my kids and I into Disney Quest, a five-story building full of interactive, full-immersion video games. We had so much fun! It almost defies description. You paddle a raft through raging rapids, steer your boat through attacking pirate ships while you shoot cannons at them, design and ride your own roller coaster, ride a virtual magic carpet, and fight cartoon bad guys with lasers. And I got to play Frogger and Q*Bert!!! I felt 14 again. The attraction is actually pretty steep for the paying tourist...$41 per person for the day for kids over 9, but the price was right for us! And it is the good alternative when it is hot and rainy.

Stephen King has released his list of recommended summer reads in EW, something I always look forward to, but wish he would publish a little earlier. I was encouraged to see that of the six books/series recommended, I've got four covered (The Millennium Trilogy, The Passage, The Unnamed, and Storm Prey). Rounding off the list are Strip by Thomas Perry and Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd.

The kids and I are about a half of a disc away from finishing The Hobbit, and we've very much enjoyed it. The narrator is a little hard to get used to (especially after Jim Dale). I heard some grumbling in the back seat for the first few discs. But he has amazing versatility and is starting to grow on us. I also finished The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest on audio with a sadness in my heart and disbelief that this is really the end of my adventures with Lisbeth. *gloom* But then I started The Passage on audio, and my attention was diverted. I've also been making my way through Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth in print, and boy do I love this woman's writing. It is a thing of beauty.

I am also participating in the War Through the Generations read-along of Paco's Story. Look for weekly discussion posts on that in the month of July. I've dutifully read the first two chapters, which I will talk about this Wednesday. I can tell this is going to be one crazy, emotional read. Well, I have to consider the possibility that ALL of the Vietnam reads are crazy and emotional, but this one has the makings of something pretty unforgettable.

It's not too early to begin thinking about and planning for the big book blogger event of the year, the Book Blogger Appreciation Week (BBAW), which will be held September 13 - 17. You may have noticed that bloggers are starting the process of nominating themselves for a niche award category, and posting examples of their work. I nominated myself for three categories, not realizing that we have to pick one (oops) so officially I am registered to compete for Best Audiobook blog. The deadline for registering your nomination is July 7, so make sure you get your name in the hat soon!

The kids and I are preparing for our annual summer migration to Indiana next week. It is always a highlight to go to the farm and spend time with my parents. Some specific plans this year are a get-together with my high school buddies (the friends I cruised with last fall), staying a few days at Turkey Run State Park (a childhood favorite of mine), staying a few days at an amusement park in southern Indiana called Holiday World, and my beloved long walks on the country roads, listening to The Passage. And relaxing. I will be blogging the same as ever though, so you shouldn't notice a blip.

Hope everyone has a wonderful long 4th of July weekend!