Thursday, December 9, 2010

[bearshorty]

"Winter Queen" (or "Azazel") by Boris Akunin. Review with spoilers.

I finished this book very quickly. It is not a large book but still I couldn’t put it down. I keep wondering why I remember it as being less awesome. I think because when I first met Fandorin as a character it was in a book that took place many years later and he is more seasoned adult and that book, “Coronation,” was told from a first person perspective who doesn’t appreciate Fandorin that much. Then to go from that book to this, the first book in the series where Fandorin is 20 and very naïve and innocent and bumbling and making mistakes and misjudging people was a little jarring. But now that I reread it, I can appreciate it more. I remembered two things from this book before I reread it. One, the mastermind was Lady Astair, who ran the orphanages and two, the tragic ending (which is why in later books Fandorin stutters and has white whiskers). I really didn’t like that ending then but I like it now because of consequences to his mistakes. Also his book is really funny and I appreciate this more now. I also like seeing clues since I sort of remember the gist of the plot. But some plot devices were still surprising like Ippollit’s rescue of Fandorin and the suicide game over cards that leads to that friendship and Brilling’s true allegiances. I’m really glad the book club picked this book.

Why do students think I can help them at all with the final exam? It is a final exam – by definition I can’t critique your rough draft.

Grading papers – I do love it when a student tries hard all semester and clearly works at it and gets an “A” on the final paper. She will probably get a “B+” in the class but I’m proud of her that she got to that “A”.

Bones S6E9 The beginning of the episode unintentionally made me laugh with the melodramatic music and overhead ‘dramatic’ shots but by the end of the episode it won me over. It is nice to see Bones emotional and I felt for her. The night guard was a bit creepy, though. I kept wondering if he is going to be evil at the future point or something. Or imaginary. I did like the conversation with Booth in the car where she tells him she made a mistake in rejecting him and he, while feeling bad about it, does firmly tell her that he loves Hannah and it is too late. And I believe him. If it stays that way, and it won’t, I would love that. I like when adults actually have adult conversations and communicate and when decisions have consequences. So overall, this was one of the better episodes this season, I thought.

I also watched Barbara Walters special on Oprah since it was on and I’m in avoiding grading mode.