New Movies & Books

Like most people, I love movies. This season, I am particularly excited about a couple of new releases that are based on children's books. The one I am most looking forward to is The Golden Compass. It is based upon a triology by Philip Pullman. A 12-year-old girl starts out trying to save a friend whose been kidnapped by a mysterious organization in an alternate world but ends up on an epic quest to save our own world as well.

I have read all 3 and absolutely love the series. So much so, that I even read the first (The Golden Compass) to my 5th grade students the last year I was teaching before DD was born. There were a large number of 'fantasy' enthusiasts in that class and several were so taken by the characters (Lyra and Lord Asriel) that they too, read the next two (The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass).

I've also recommended the book to my book club, but alas, it hasn't been selected from 'the jar' yet. Hopefully soon. I'd love to read it again. :)

Another movie that is already in theaters is Eragon. Written by Christopher Paolini when he was just 15, Eragon is about a young farm boy who finds a marvelous blue stone in a mystical mountain place. Before he can trade it for food to get his family through the hard winter, it hatches a beautiful sapphire-blue dragon, a race thought to be extinct. Eragon bonds with the dragon, and when his family is killed by the marauding Ra'zac, he discovers that he is the last of the Dragon Riders, fated to play a decisive part in the coming war between the human but hidden Varden, dwarves, elves, the diabolical Shades and their neanderthal Urgalls, all pitted against and allied with each other and the evil King Galbatorix. Eragon and his dragon Saphira set out to find their role, growing in magic power and understanding of the complex political situation as they endure perilous travels and sudden battles, dire wounds, capture and escape.

I am looking forward to this one as well. DH and I have a date night in a couple weeks... hopefully it will still be playing in theatres locally.


In other accounts, I am currently reading Bowerman and the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore. I haven't read too many biographies in the past, but I am really enjoying this one. As it was selected as the Novel Idea selection for this year, my book club will be reading it in April. I know I am the first member to begin reading. I am fearful that most of the members will not pursue it to the end. If you are not into running, some of the material may be considered slow-going. Nevertheless, I would recommend it to everyone!