Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess

This was all right. I have to admit that I liked the movie better (a bit darker). Almost incomprehensible with the made-up slang. The most interesting part was the intro where he rips into his publisher for removing the last chapter in the american publications. Said that you have to allow characters to change to be a novelist. I do agree with that somewhat, but the last chapter was awful. Here was a violent person, probably as a result of his environment. He did some pretty horrible stuff (we're not just talking about knocking down mailboxes here), and I somehow don't think that just because he's 18 that he's now going to be a responsible member of society. There are certain things that you just can't get over - it sets the whole clockwork orange world in an even more surrealistic setting. Definitely not an anti-utopian classic like 1984. About clockwork orange - I agree that people should have free choice, but most people don't use it. It's very weak philosophically to think that the only way to demonstrate breaking away from society is through violence.

Titus Andronicus - Court

Definitely a very good production of a violent and somewhat pointless play. Titus doesn't have the deep emotional impact of some of Shakespeare's tragedies, but tragedy it is. Very Grecian (even down to the eating of the sons). Court's production was unique - passing out scripts at the beginning of the play and changing actors every time. Of course, I think a lot of that was "scripted error" but it was kind of fun none the last. Probably my last Shakespeare before I pop out the kid.

Capone's Cornfields - the mob in the Illinois Valley

Compared to the Bleumer books, this one is pristine. It's divided up into short, interesting stories where the characters are, if not sympathetic, at least more than a listing of names. You really get the impression that Streator of all places was a major mafia stronghold. Seems like Peru at least was exempt. The only name potentially related to me was a couple of Scuito's. Not even a direct decendent - it was my Grandma's husband's brother. I'd always heard he was mafia attached. Scary how the mafia connections extend to the present day - I always like to think of these things are being in the past.

Speakeasy - Prohibition in the Illinois Valley - Bleumer

Just as bad if not worse than his casinos book. I guess there's a bit of drama b/c the cops are actually trying to crack down on the drinking and distilling. Also kind of cool to hear about the historic breweries in IV, as well as the ways people tried to hide their stills. And yet, with all of this great starting material he still managed to make this book boring.

Bleumer - Casinos in Illinois Valley

This is basically just a digest of a bunch of picts and police raids. No real story/plot behind any of it. Quite disappointing actually - held barely any interest at all, even for a local.

Sippy Cups are Not for Chardoney

Bleh - yet another trying to be "funny" preggers/maternity book that basically gives you no good advice and makes you worry about things that I wouldn't normally even consider. Competition among Mom's? Making new Mom friends? I'm now 7x more stressed that I was before I read this one.

The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins

Just finished this "first" detective novel. Somewhat interesting, although I think the solution to the mystery was a bit far out. Guess I prefer when the bad guy is actually bad. Had my standard fiction addiction that made me give it up for a while - reading took over my life. Definitely need to skip this type of stuff from now on.