Orleanas

A Poet Writes According to His/Her Own Images and Rhythms

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

August 6, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

The story of Sharon Creech’s Jack from Love That Dog (2001) continues. Early in his school year, Jack reveals to his teacher that 1) he hates cats, and 2) his college professor Uncle Bill does not believe that the poems Jack had written in the previous school year are “real” poems because they are short, lack rhyme, a regular meter, symbols, metaphor, onomatopoeia, and alliteration. Thank goodness Jack has Miss Stretchberry as his teacher again because she tells him that all those elements his uncle mentioned are not requirements. A poet writes according to his own images, rhythms, and sometimes chooses elements […]

8/6/2017 | Post by Orleanas

Fangirl Down, Eleanor & Park to Go (Eventually)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

July 7, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

Fangirl (2013) is another of Rowell’s character-driven YA novels that has been well-received by readers and well-reviewed by critics. As of this post, it has a slightly higher rating on Goodreads (4.12) than her very much revered Eleanor & Park (4.11), also published in 2013. Rainbow Rowell is an engaging writer, so for all I didn’t like about the book, Rowell is gifted in being able to create memorable characters and worlds that seem relatable and authentic. Still, I could not get beyond thinking that this story is just OK. Read the full review.

7/7/2017 | Post by Orleanas

Another Story in Verse

Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?: A Mystery in Poems by Mel Glenn

May 31, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

Who killed Mr. Chippendale, and why? These two questions drive the narrative in Mel Glenn’s Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?: A Mystery in Poems (1999). Told from the perspectives of various characters representing different sectors of the school and community reacting to the murder of Mr. Chippendale, Who Killed Mr. Chippendale is developed through a series of interlocking free-verse poems. Many characters are introduced, the majority of whose voices are heard once and help to create a nuanced portrait of Mr. Chippendale–a mystery to his own colleagues despite his twenty years of teaching English at Tower High. Read the full review.

5/31/2017 | Post by Orleanas

So Much Depends on Being Inspired

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

May 30, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

My pleasure while reading Sharon Creech’s Love That Dog (2001) just could not be contained as evidenced by the Cheshire grin plastered on my face from the beginning to end of this novella. Related in free verse from the perspective of Jack through dated entries that span a school year, Love That Dog is quite charming and delightful. Read the full review.

5/30/2017 | Post by Orleanas

Macho, Macho Man: Eric Braeden

I'll Be Damned by Eric Braeden

May 21, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

A bit of trivia from Eric Braeden’s autobiograhy, I’ll Be Damned (2017): Firstly, his years of active engagement in sports and physical activity has served him well: At 76 years old, Braeden has a body that most men would envy. For Pajiba-lingo connoisseurs, as an admirer of a particular type of older man, yes, Braeden’s body activates my lions. He has no formal acting training and “fell into” acting by chance. For years early in his career, he was typecast in roles as a villainous German which he grew weary of, mainly because he thought German was being made synonymous with […]

5/21/2017 | Post by Orleanas

Dr. Bennet Omalu vs. NFL

Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas

May 21, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

“Huh?” was my response when the local radio update featured a clip of Jose Baez, the lawyer of former Patriots’ tight end and convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez, accusing the medical examiner’s office of holding Hernandez’ brain hostage and requested that the family’s wishes be honored by releasing the brain to Boston University for CTE analysis. Seemingly out of the loop, this is how I learned of Aaron Hernandez’ death by suicide a day before. Other than being surprised by the timing of his death–days after exoneration of a double homicide–and lamenting the tragic nature of Hernandez’ life and all parties […]

5/21/2017 | Post by Orleanas

From Ladies Day to Miami Nice to Golden Girls

Golden Girls Forever: An Unauthorized Look Behind the Lanai by Jim Colucci

April 20, 2017 by Orleanas 1 Comment

Details about Estelle Getty brought to mind Alec Baldwin’s quote highlighted in @Caitlin_D’s review of his memoir Nevertheless (2017): “I realized then that the movies really do enhance certain actors, making them seem like something they really aren’t at all.” In this case, Estelle Getty was made to seem more with it than she actually was: She was just terrible at remembering her lines, causing many re-shoots and delaying production. It’s a wonder she ever considered carrying on by starring in The Golden Palace (1992). Read the full review

4/20/2017 | Post by Orleanas

Love the Title and Cover, Not So with the Story

Secrets and Sensibilities by Regina Scott

April 20, 2017 by Orleanas Leave a Comment

As far as steamy romances go, Secrets and Sensibilities isn’t one, similar to Julia Quinn’s romances in which steamy sex scenes have no part in the storyline. Unlike Quinn romances, though, Secrets and Sensibilities also lacks interesting characters, witty dialogue, romantic courtship, and sexual sizzle. Bland, flat, and boring best describe a story that began with great potential. Read the full review