Hey all,
Bein' the fiddly, designy type, when I first clicked through here from Dori's email, I thought I could help out with decorating the place Bolar style! After checking with Dori, she said knock yourself out, so here you go. Hope you like it.
-Carrie
PS - If anyone fancies being a more authentic Bolar model for the column just to the right, feel free to take some pictures and I'll switch it over. If I get more than one picture we could have Bolar of the Month (kinda like Playboy but obviously more classy. With more hat as well.)
PPS - Don't worry about your photographs, the miracle of Photoshop will make you a star!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Carrie's Books
It was really difficult to pick only a handful of books to post about, I have 5 bookcases full here! My family had been storing about 10 file boxes for me until we moved back to the UK and I could go up and fetch them. They were relieved to get their garage back for sure, although they're still nagging me about the Nancy Drew and My Little Pony collection in the loft! I think those might have to just stay there...
Anyway, here's my picks, I cheated and copied the Amazon blurb on a few of them:
Brick Lane - Monica Ali
Wildly embraced by critics, readers, and contest judges (who put it on the short-list for the 2003 Man Booker Prize), Brick Lane is indeed a rare find: a book that lives up to its hype. Monica Ali's debut novel chronicles the life of Nazneen, a Bangladeshi girl so sickly at birth that the midwife at first declares her stillborn. Brick Lane combines the wide scope of a social novel about the struggles of Islamic immigrants in pre- and post-9/11 England with the intimate story of Nazneen, one of the more memorable heroines to come along in a long time.
Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic - Terry Pratchett (first two books of an ongoing series)
The Colour of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the bizarre land of Discworld. His entertaining and witty series has grown to more than 20 books, and this is where it all starts--with the tourist Twoflower and his hapless wizard guide, Rincewind. Pratchett spoofs fantasy clichés--and everything else he can think of--while marshalling a profusion of characters through a madcap adventure.
Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
Thought Police. Big Brother. Orwellian. These words have entered our vocabulary because of George Orwell's classic dystopian novel, 1984. The story of one man's nightmare odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world ruled by warring states and a power structure that controls not only information but also individual thought and memory, 1984 is a prophetic, haunting tale.
More relevant than ever before, 1984 exposes the worst crimes imaginable-the destruction of truth, freedom, and individuality.
The Bridge - Iain M. Banks
Banks turns inward to explore the complex, surreal microcosm of the human mind in a kaleidoscopic novel for sophisticated, literary readers of speculative fiction. Banks is a well known British author who writes contemporary fiction and beautifully elaborate Sci-Fi. He lives 20 minutes from my home town and this book centres around one of Scotland's national monuments on the edge of our home county.
A Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government. The resulting society is a feminist's nightmare: women are strictly controlled, unable to have jobs or money and assigned to various classes: the chaste, childless Wives; the housekeeping Marthas; and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the "morally fit" Wives. The tale is told by Offred (read: "of Fred"), a Handmaid who recalls the past and tells how the chilling society came to be.
A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson
From primordial nothingness to this very moment, A Short History of Nearly Everything reports what happened and how humans figured it out. To accomplish this daunting literary task, Bill Bryson uses hundreds of sources, from popular science books to interviews with luminaries in various fields. His aim is to help people like him, who rejected stale school textbooks and dry explanations, to appreciate how we have used science to understand the smallest particles and the unimaginably vast expanses of space. With his distinctive prose style and wit, Bryson succeeds admirably. Hilarious!
Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker's Trilogy: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe, and Everything, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; Mostly Harmless
Join Douglas Adams's hapless hero Arthur Dent as he travels the galaxy with his intrepid pal Ford Prefect, getting into horrible messes and generally wreaking hilarious havoc. Dent is grabbed from Earth moments before a cosmic construction team obliterates the planet to build a freeway. You'll never read funnier science fiction; Adams is a master of intelligent satire, barbed wit, and comedic dialogue. A classic.
Anyway, here's my picks, I cheated and copied the Amazon blurb on a few of them:
Brick Lane - Monica Ali
Wildly embraced by critics, readers, and contest judges (who put it on the short-list for the 2003 Man Booker Prize), Brick Lane is indeed a rare find: a book that lives up to its hype. Monica Ali's debut novel chronicles the life of Nazneen, a Bangladeshi girl so sickly at birth that the midwife at first declares her stillborn. Brick Lane combines the wide scope of a social novel about the struggles of Islamic immigrants in pre- and post-9/11 England with the intimate story of Nazneen, one of the more memorable heroines to come along in a long time.
Colour of Magic and the Light Fantastic - Terry Pratchett (first two books of an ongoing series)
The Colour of Magic is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the bizarre land of Discworld. His entertaining and witty series has grown to more than 20 books, and this is where it all starts--with the tourist Twoflower and his hapless wizard guide, Rincewind. Pratchett spoofs fantasy clichés--and everything else he can think of--while marshalling a profusion of characters through a madcap adventure.
Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell
Thought Police. Big Brother. Orwellian. These words have entered our vocabulary because of George Orwell's classic dystopian novel, 1984. The story of one man's nightmare odyssey as he pursues a forbidden love affair through a world ruled by warring states and a power structure that controls not only information but also individual thought and memory, 1984 is a prophetic, haunting tale.
More relevant than ever before, 1984 exposes the worst crimes imaginable-the destruction of truth, freedom, and individuality.
The Bridge - Iain M. Banks
Banks turns inward to explore the complex, surreal microcosm of the human mind in a kaleidoscopic novel for sophisticated, literary readers of speculative fiction. Banks is a well known British author who writes contemporary fiction and beautifully elaborate Sci-Fi. He lives 20 minutes from my home town and this book centres around one of Scotland's national monuments on the edge of our home county.
A Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government. The resulting society is a feminist's nightmare: women are strictly controlled, unable to have jobs or money and assigned to various classes: the chaste, childless Wives; the housekeeping Marthas; and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the "morally fit" Wives. The tale is told by Offred (read: "of Fred"), a Handmaid who recalls the past and tells how the chilling society came to be.
A Short History of Nearly Everything - Bill Bryson
From primordial nothingness to this very moment, A Short History of Nearly Everything reports what happened and how humans figured it out. To accomplish this daunting literary task, Bill Bryson uses hundreds of sources, from popular science books to interviews with luminaries in various fields. His aim is to help people like him, who rejected stale school textbooks and dry explanations, to appreciate how we have used science to understand the smallest particles and the unimaginably vast expanses of space. With his distinctive prose style and wit, Bryson succeeds admirably. Hilarious!
Douglas Adams – The Hitchhiker's Trilogy: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, the Universe, and Everything, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; Mostly Harmless
Join Douglas Adams's hapless hero Arthur Dent as he travels the galaxy with his intrepid pal Ford Prefect, getting into horrible messes and generally wreaking hilarious havoc. Dent is grabbed from Earth moments before a cosmic construction team obliterates the planet to build a freeway. You'll never read funnier science fiction; Adams is a master of intelligent satire, barbed wit, and comedic dialogue. A classic.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Jessica's Movies
Adult Movies
o All The King’s Men
o Apollo 13
o Band of Brothers
o The Bourne Supremacy
o Bruce Almighty
o Castaway
o Catch Me If You Can
o Cinderella Man
o Grumpy Old Men
o Grumpier Old Men
o Hitch
o Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom
o Indiana Jones and The Raiders of The Lost Ark
o Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
o The Italian Job
o Jurassic Park
o The King and I
o Lethal Weapon 4
o The Lord of The Rings- The Fellowship of The Ring
o The Lord of The Rings- The Two Towers
o The Lord of The Rings- The Return of The King
o Master and Commander
o Matrix
o Matrix Reloaded
o Memoirs of a Geisha
o Minority Report
o Narnia
o Pirates of The Caribbean- The Curse of The Black Pearl
o Pirates of The Caribbean- Dead Man’s Chest
o The Princess Bride
o Saving Private Ryan
o Sleepless In Seattle
o Spiderman
o Spiderman 2
o The Sound of Music
o Star Wars- Phantom Menace (1)
o Star Wars- Attack of The Clones (2)
o Star Wars- Revenge of The Sith (3)
o Star Wars- A New Hope (4)
o Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back (5)
o Star Wars- Return of The Jedi (6)
o The Sum of All Fears
o XXX
Kid Movies
o The Adventures of Elmo In Grouchland
o Aladdin
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s Favorite Places
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s First Moves
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s Favorite Places
o Bambi 2
o Brother Bear 2
o Cars
o Charlotte’s Web
o Chicken Little
o Cinderella
o Cinderella 3
o Disney Princess A Christmas of Enchantment
o Elmo Visits The Doctor
o Fox and The Hound 2
o Hot Wheels World Race
o Ice Age- The Meltdown (2)
o The Incredibles
o Lady and The Tramp 2
o The Little Mermaid
o Mary Poppins
o Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Kids
o My Little Pony (80’s version)- Flight To Cloud Castle and Other Stories
o My Little Pony- The Princess Promenade
o My Little Pony- The Runaway Rainbow
o The Neverending Story
o Peter Pan
o Robin Hood
o Toy Story
o Toy Story 2
o VeggieTales- An Easter Carol
o VeggieTales- Duke and The Great Pie War
o VeggieTales- The Lord of The Beans
o VeggieTales- Minnesota Cuke
o All The King’s Men
o Apollo 13
o Band of Brothers
o The Bourne Supremacy
o Bruce Almighty
o Castaway
o Catch Me If You Can
o Cinderella Man
o Grumpy Old Men
o Grumpier Old Men
o Hitch
o Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom
o Indiana Jones and The Raiders of The Lost Ark
o Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
o The Italian Job
o Jurassic Park
o The King and I
o Lethal Weapon 4
o The Lord of The Rings- The Fellowship of The Ring
o The Lord of The Rings- The Two Towers
o The Lord of The Rings- The Return of The King
o Master and Commander
o Matrix
o Matrix Reloaded
o Memoirs of a Geisha
o Minority Report
o Narnia
o Pirates of The Caribbean- The Curse of The Black Pearl
o Pirates of The Caribbean- Dead Man’s Chest
o The Princess Bride
o Saving Private Ryan
o Sleepless In Seattle
o Spiderman
o Spiderman 2
o The Sound of Music
o Star Wars- Phantom Menace (1)
o Star Wars- Attack of The Clones (2)
o Star Wars- Revenge of The Sith (3)
o Star Wars- A New Hope (4)
o Star Wars- The Empire Strikes Back (5)
o Star Wars- Return of The Jedi (6)
o The Sum of All Fears
o XXX
Kid Movies
o The Adventures of Elmo In Grouchland
o Aladdin
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s Favorite Places
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s First Moves
o Baby Einstein- Baby’s Favorite Places
o Bambi 2
o Brother Bear 2
o Cars
o Charlotte’s Web
o Chicken Little
o Cinderella
o Cinderella 3
o Disney Princess A Christmas of Enchantment
o Elmo Visits The Doctor
o Fox and The Hound 2
o Hot Wheels World Race
o Ice Age- The Meltdown (2)
o The Incredibles
o Lady and The Tramp 2
o The Little Mermaid
o Mary Poppins
o Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Kids
o My Little Pony (80’s version)- Flight To Cloud Castle and Other Stories
o My Little Pony- The Princess Promenade
o My Little Pony- The Runaway Rainbow
o The Neverending Story
o Peter Pan
o Robin Hood
o Toy Story
o Toy Story 2
o VeggieTales- An Easter Carol
o VeggieTales- Duke and The Great Pie War
o VeggieTales- The Lord of The Beans
o VeggieTales- Minnesota Cuke
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Allison's Books
Here some books that I have enjoyed and were conveniently located in my house, not in the garage on the top shelf where my dear husband put the box of books!
Katharine by Anya Seton - This is one of my favorite books of all time. This is a novel that tells one of the most romantic love stories in British History. What is so amazing about it is that the characters really existed and the author has put them at the places and times they really were. It is the best work of historical fiction I have ever read.
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus - A very funny novel about a nanny in Manhattan. Not great literature, but an easy read and it will make you feel better about your parenting!
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain - An autobiography of Bourdain's experiences as a chef in New York. Unlike most autobiographies, this one is hilarious and you will never eat fish on Monday again!
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri - A novel about an immigrant family from Calcutta and their struggle to become Americans and retain their Bengali culture. I found this book very interesting and I look forward to seeing the movie.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - A fictional account of the life of Mary Boleyn, Ann Boleyn's sister and Henry VIII's lover. Not entirely historically accurate, but a definite page turner and provides great insight into the struggle of women in Tudor England.
Katharine by Anya Seton - This is one of my favorite books of all time. This is a novel that tells one of the most romantic love stories in British History. What is so amazing about it is that the characters really existed and the author has put them at the places and times they really were. It is the best work of historical fiction I have ever read.
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus - A very funny novel about a nanny in Manhattan. Not great literature, but an easy read and it will make you feel better about your parenting!
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain - An autobiography of Bourdain's experiences as a chef in New York. Unlike most autobiographies, this one is hilarious and you will never eat fish on Monday again!
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri - A novel about an immigrant family from Calcutta and their struggle to become Americans and retain their Bengali culture. I found this book very interesting and I look forward to seeing the movie.
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory - A fictional account of the life of Mary Boleyn, Ann Boleyn's sister and Henry VIII's lover. Not entirely historically accurate, but a definite page turner and provides great insight into the struggle of women in Tudor England.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Liz's Books
Secret's of the Code by Dan Burstein
How to Want What You Have by Timothy Miller, PhD
Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
Paradise by Toni Morrison
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body and a Better Life by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey
How to Want What You Have by Timothy Miller, PhD
Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
Paradise by Toni Morrison
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
Make the Connection: Ten Steps to a Better Body and a Better Life by Bob Greene and Oprah Winfrey
Jaana's Books
You'll have to ask her about these because I haven't read most of them. I'm not actually sure that I want to share them since I want to read all of them!
Why I wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy by Geralyn Lucas
North of Ithaka by Eleni Gage
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
I've read the Secret Life of Bees by the same author and it was very good. This one is definately on my list.
Labyrinth by Kate Moss
I read this one last year and its really good. I highly recommend it.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
Why I wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy by Geralyn Lucas
North of Ithaka by Eleni Gage
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
I've read the Secret Life of Bees by the same author and it was very good. This one is definately on my list.
Labyrinth by Kate Moss
I read this one last year and its really good. I highly recommend it.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
Dori's Top Five Book Picks
So many books, so little time...here are a few good reads in no particular order
The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
She's the author of Joy Luck Club and this novel like many of her others revolves around a Chinese American woman. Its hard to describe exactly what the book is about, but its a great read. Easy to get into and very intriguing.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This book is a great read once you get into it. A little slow at the beginning, but very well worth sticking with it.
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
He's the guy who wrote the Notebook and other chick books. I love them all, and this one is especially good. Set in NC like his other books, this one is an easy read.
Travels by Michael Crichton
The famous author writes about some of his experiences traveling. Its an interesting insight into his life.
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Not only a page turner, this book will make you think. Its easy to read and MUCH better than the movie. The author looks at the history of fast food and how fast food shapes our culture.
The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
She's the author of Joy Luck Club and this novel like many of her others revolves around a Chinese American woman. Its hard to describe exactly what the book is about, but its a great read. Easy to get into and very intriguing.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This book is a great read once you get into it. A little slow at the beginning, but very well worth sticking with it.
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
He's the guy who wrote the Notebook and other chick books. I love them all, and this one is especially good. Set in NC like his other books, this one is an easy read.
Travels by Michael Crichton
The famous author writes about some of his experiences traveling. Its an interesting insight into his life.
Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
Not only a page turner, this book will make you think. Its easy to read and MUCH better than the movie. The author looks at the history of fast food and how fast food shapes our culture.
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