While I loved Les Miserables (see previous post), I just want to congratulate everyone involved with Argo, this year's Oscar winner for best picture. It's an astounding true story brought to life. Please remember although it is based in fact, there's a reason the film is not a documentary. Once I accepted that I was all in. If you want to read more about the Iran Hostage Crisis, reserve a copy of the book Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio J. Mendez and Matt Baglio.

 

This Sunday night, February 24th, is Oscar night! Red carpet coverage begins at 7pm, and the show starts at 8:30pm. I love watching the awards (you may have guessed this already) and wonder which movie will win best picture. I see it as a competition between Lincoln, Argo and Les Miserables, although a dark horse could come up from behind.

Now I've been a fan of Les Miserables since I heard the musical in the 80's (original London cast, of course), and while it's certainly not terribly happy, the story and music have touched my heart. Who else out there sings both Jean Valjean and Javert in The Confrontation - at the same time? Perhaps you've seen the awesome new movie version, but there are several ways to immerse yourself in the revolution. The book by Victor Hugo is available in print, on CD, and as an ebook. You can pick up a the music on the soundtrack or a stage production. There are 2 concert DVDs filmed for the 10th and 25th anniversaries, which are a great way to experience the live show without spending money on tickets. And we carry the 1935 version with Frederic March and Charles Laughton (which was also nominated for an Academy Award), and the 1998 movie starring Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush.

"Jean Valjean entered the galleys sobbing and trembling; he left hardened. He entered in despair; he left sullen. What had happened within the soul?" ~ Victor Hugo

Remember when that movie Man on the Moon about comedian Andy Kaufman came out in 1999? Decidedly one of Jim Carrey's finer performances. Well, I was one of the people who found it interesting enough to read a couple of the biographies that were printed around the same time.

The one I distinctly recall enjoying was Andy Kaufman Revealed! Best Friend Tells All by Bob Zmuda. As manager and friend, Zmuda was privy to a side of Kaufman most people never got to see. Famous for his role as Latka on the TV series Taxi, he was known for his odd and sometimes uncomfortable sense of humor, seen in his Mighty Mouse theme song performance, Elvis impersonation, and "professional" wrestler. Andy loved to pull the wool over peoples' eyes and staged elaborate hoaxes that not everyone knew were fake. Even when he died, there were those who were convinced it was another con. But Zmuda makes sure we know that Andy Kaufman was a very real person, very human in his love of life and determination to stave off death, and a very great innovator of comedy. 

I try not to judge a book by it's cover. But I fully admit to becoming interested in checking out a book that has an interesting or appealing cover. That's one of the reasons libraries and stores prefer to "face out" books on a shelf. An eye catching cover or title can be the reason a reader picks up a book, or continues to read a review or description online, and hopefully finds enough to entice them into reading it.

Recently, I was creating a personalized book list for a library patron and noted that one book she really enjoyed was called The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. When I looked it up to find out more, here's the first thing I saw:

Between the gorgeous dress and the title in a beautiful, fancy script, I was hooked! And I lucked out because I really did like the book. The Luxe is the first in a series (followed by Rumors, Envy and Splendor) that chronicles the lives of young women living in turn of the century New York City, their lives and problems not so different from today. Secrets, scandals and triumphs are a part of everyday and romance was attended to in person, not by text. If you enjoy Gossip Girl, or a wicked soap-opera in your plot, I think you'll enjoy this series.