Babywise

Trying to get the kid to sleep through the night ( a little early). I can see how this book stresses people out. Talks about playing and naptimes and schedules and eating times. Definitely not for the working Mom. That being said, we've extended his feedings to 2.5 - 3 hr and he did not eat for 5 h in a row last night and slept for 3.5 h. What a good baby!

I Robot - Isaac Asimov

Got this for a birthday present. I guess I put it on my wishlist because Asimov's famous and I'd seen the movie. Turns out the movie's nothing like the book (thank goodness). The book is definitely more true sci-fi - philosophy rather than action. I liked it but I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the series.

Anna Karenina - Tolstoy

Yes, while on maternity leave I decided to re-read this old classic. I liked it a little less than last time. I guess it's because the book's so moralistic. I love that Anna was so free to leave her husband, and even to live up to the consequences of leaving her son, but the moment when she throws herself under the train just seems like she gives up. I've always compared this book to the Awakening - but I feel like Chopin's novel is about freedom - even in the drowning. Anna seems more like a tragic figure - trapped with no way out (not even death). Kitty (as a contrast) is kind of a thin figure, and, although I really like Levin, that doesn't say much for a feminist position.

The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

I think I'll forever love this book. I started reading it in the hospital while in labor and read the whole thing while breastfeeding my son. I get sentimental just thinking about it. As to the story itself, not overly exciting. As this is my second Wilkie Collins book, I've noticed some themes. 1) The explanations for the mysteries are totally unreasonable. 2) The books read quickly and are interesting. 3) The main characters aren't very complex - you don't even understand why the bad guys are bad. A page turner, but barely a classic.

The Art of Shen Ku - Zeek

Completely unsure why I bought this. I guess I thought it could be funny, but it's more like a comic book geek's guide to nothing. Big waste of time- 0 stars.

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.