Zuzana Urbanek's Blog
May 12, 2012
Taking my own advice is not one of my strong suits. But I hope that by dishing it out, I’ll better be able to pick it up and run with it. Or in this case, take a nap with it.
I’m talking about rest and recuperation. Our bodies thrive on the work-rest cycle. So do our minds. But that doesn’t stop most of us from abusing the heck out of ourselves.
Celebrate Accomplishment
I just finished a big, brain-challenging project. Hooray for me! I crossed the finish line — on my birthday, no less. And instead of breathing, smelling the roses, and sipping some iced tea on the deck, 
I started a list of things I need to accomplish over the next week. Well, OK, I did take myself to see a movie the next day, but I made myself promise to work over the weekend to make up for that. *sigh*
Working hard is not a bad thing. I’m not advocating total chaos and loss of control. But there is something wrong with this picture. There is no downtime worked into the deal. There needs to be.
If you just keep going and going for too long, parts of you start to give out. If you don’t shut down for a time in a planned and voluntary way, you might shut down at some point in a very unplanned and involuntary way. I’ve seen this happen to people (some very close to me), and I hope that one of these days it’ll sink in enough to teach me to really do as I preach. I’m getting there. Baby steps.
Power Down to Power Up
At the end of a long day, we go to sleep. At the end of a long project, we should get a spa day. It scares the heck out of me, and I’m not sure I can do it, but I’m going to try to have an at-home spa day. Well, maybe a half-day. I think that’s as far as my fevered “gotta get stuff done” self can stretch at this point.
Planning it out will help. So, here goes:
I’ll light some candles and play soft, soothing music.
I’ll apply a facial mask while the tub fills with aromatic, bubbly suds.
Luxuriating in the bath, I will allow myself to daydream about something other than “the next project.”
When I climb out of the tub, I’ll wrap my hair in a towel and my self in a warm terry robe, and I’ll lie down on the bed to rest. If I fall asleep, great. No stress. Maybe I’ll even put some cucumber slices on my eyes. Nah — waste of food. Baby steps.
Will I really do this? Can I? We’ll see. I’ll let you know. In the meantime, do as I say! Take a break. Plan it out and execute your plan. You can feel a sense of accomplishment about that too!
Filed under: Biz News, Random
May 11, 2012
Everybody and his mother is writing about this movie right now, so this will be short and sweet. Like a delicious dessert at the end of a scrumptious meal. Which is how I felt seeing The Avengers — satisfied, sated, delighted, compliments to the chef. Thank you, Joss Whedon and everyone, cast and crew, who created a fun, exciting, well-paced, and exceptionally written summer blockbuster.
There are no dull moments in this movie, but it is not just incessant battles and noisy explosions. It builds meaningfully and offers further glimpses into the pasts and psyches of some of the characters, though not all. The heroes finally come together, and not in a smooth way. They are like competitive siblings, and sometimes it’s not pretty. It can be painful to watch, but also hilarious. Best of all, this film has some awesome lines (Captain America: “I understood that reference.”) and sight gags (the Hulk taking one last swipe at Thor) of any of the superhero flicks. Especially surprising is how loveable the thus-far-beleaguered character of the Hulk ends up being!
Yes, Captain America (Chris Evans) remains my favorite in this new incarnation of the Marvel universe, though he’s a bit serious for my taste in this film. His able foil, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), more than makes up for this with a plethora of snipes. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) redeems himself quietly and resolutely, and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) round out the team in a balanced way.
Of course, the good guys win. But the “coming attractions” scene inserted in the credits tells us in no uncertain terms that this fight is not over. And I am so thrilled about THAT! (And the final scene, at the very end of the credits, almost made me pee in my pants laughing. It’s this “we don’t take ourselves too seriously” attitude that I love about the creators of this franchise. That’s entertainment.)
Ahh! Satisfaction.
Filed under: Movies
May 7, 2012
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read this book before – what self-respecting avid book-lover hasn’t – and loved it. This time around, I loved it even more. Knowing the story and no longer being caught up in the suspense and mystery, I was able to focus during this reading on du Maurier’s rambling prose, imaginative description, and amazing rendering of the quintessential unreliable narrator. Rereading Rebecca was a treat, like having a box of delicious assorted chocolates.
As a movie freak, I also love Alfred Hitchcock’s film adaptation (1940), starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. Though Fontaine, in my opinion, is too attractive and self-possessed to be the mousy and inexperienced second Mrs. de Winter, Olivier is absolutely perfect as Maxim.
I highly recommend both!
Filed under: Books & Writing, Movies
May 5, 2012
I’m all about heroes this month, what with The Avengers hitting theaters and all. But that’s fantasy … in real life, heroes are people who struggle, battle uphill, overcome, have staying power, give others a hand to climb up in their path, and do their best to keep promises. Here’s to real heroes, and a big thank-you to my client, author David Seagraves, who came to me for interior layout and formatting of his book about just such a real hero.
David Seagraves has just published (via Prana Press) the book Uncommon Hero: The John Seagraves Story, an inspirational and historical account of his father’s life. If you enjoy history, WWII U.S. Navy stories, biographies of fascinating people, or motivating accounts of underdogs overcoming the odds, this is a book for you! Here is the official book description:
“In Uncommon Hero: The John Seagraves Story, author David Seagraves chronicles the life of his father from John’s upbringing as a poor Southern youngster, through his exploits in the Navy during WWII, to a successful entrepreneur and present day world traveler still quite active in his mid-80s. Courage overcame his lack of education, social barriers, and lowly expectations opening doors to opportunities which helped shape and characterize him throughout his life. John served on Battleship USS North Carolina, the most successful and highly decorated battleship in U.S. Navy history. Over and above their individual duties, he and his gun crew volunteered to defend the ship with complete disregard for their own safety. On April 14, 1945, the 18-year-old sailor and his gun crew defended the ship from an attack which caught everyone else by surprise. Being the first gun group to spot and target a kamikaze plane headed directly toward them, John fired upon the deadly plane, downing the aircraft just 30 feet from the battleship. This isolated act saved untold lives and the ship’s legacy under the most severe circumstances. In a collision of American, African American and Navy history, John holds center stage having impacted the lives of many people before, during and after the war. The family man, with a tireless work ethic and drive to succeed, faced obstacles in the South and during WWII with enthusiasm, relocated and started a family in the North after the war, and found prosperity sharing his passion with the world. He continues to live a vibrant life as a restaurant owner with his wife Mildred. Uncommon Hero has been authored as a cathartic tribute, first, commemorating the man who came from nothing with an unknown past and whose powerful will created the life he wanted, second, offering insight into the core values that still inspire David. The book reveals traits, honed during wartime, which made his father a strong leader. While John’s story drives the book, the lessons underlying his actions provide a blueprint for a path to wealth for younger generations.”
Filed under: Biz News, Books & Writing
March 19, 2012
March 9, 2012
11/22/63 by Stephen King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Preface
(Ever read a book review with a preface before? Well, now you will…)
I've been a fan of King's work since Carrie, the first book he published and the first one I read. Since then, it's been tough keeping up with him, since he writes so darn fast and furiously! But I have tried. I'd stack up his earlier work against any contemporary author: he's an amazing storyteller, he weaves a great plot with interesting and believable characters, and he has an incredible imagination, especially for the bizarre and inexplicable. But in recent years (really starting with the Dark Tower series), it's as though both his internal and external editors have been turned off. His books have become interminable. This does not make them BAD, by any means, but most could be half to three quarters the size they are, without losing anything in the story if edited well.
And now, the actual review.
11/22/63 is a case in point. The premise is fascinating and the narrative of the time traveler's late fifties/early sixties experiences is wonderful: it truly immerses the reader in the scene. But it goes on for way too long. For me, reading some of the mundane day-in-the-life bits conjured up the frustration of following people on Twitter or reading updates on Facebook: we really don't need to hear that you went to the grocery store today or that you bought new shoes. Had the pages been used to delve into the protagonist's relationships or motivations, I could see the need for the bulk of this tome. But too many pages are spent watching him pass the time until he can intervene in pivotal points of the past. A few events prove important later, but since they are lumped in with so much idle time, it is difficult to recall them once they are mentioned again. Much of the trivial material could have been summed up with the revision skills of which I know King is capable — I know because he used to edit himself (or his editor did the job); now, it's as though he prefers to do a brain dump and take nothing out, and the publisher has said, "Hey, if it's longer, we can charge more. People will still buy it — it's Stephen King!" They are probably right.
Maybe it's just me. Perhaps with having less time to read these days, I am not as patient with books anymore. But I don't seem to be getting as frustrated by the work of other authors as I am by King's. Maybe I just miss his old, more compact style. I still love King's work, and I'll keep reading (when I have time for a long book). I just wish the editor would get turned back on.
Filed under: Books & Writing
December 10, 2011
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There is nothing earth-shattering or new in the plot of this book about a circumstance-tossed but resilient girl growing up in Nazi Germany. The story, and her new life with foster parents, starts with tragedy, proceeds through terror and desperation piled on top of typical growing pains, and winds up with more tragedy cloaked in "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." It's a harrowing tale, but also a heartwarming one, as we meet the people who shape Liesel's life: her accordion-playing stepfather, her foulmouthed stepmother, her best friend, the Jew in the basement, the mayor's miserable wife, and … Death, who is the narrator of this story. Yes, some readers have claimed this is gimmicky, but I found it worked completely. In this case, it's a creative and fitting alternative the third-person unknown narrator. And who could serve as a better omniscient storyteller during the Holocaust than Death?
I started out by saying there is nothing earth-shattering about the plot. But there are so many other reasons for story-lovers to read this tale. The characters will become friends and neighbors just as they are to Liesel, the colors will sing to you, the sky will appear in all its grayness, and you will feel the frigid water of the river on your skin. With writing is so vivid and transformative, this is one of the few books I've read in which I can say that the writer's craft transcends and truly uplifts the story. For someone who reads constantly and writes for a living, it's rare and wonderful to find a voice with new ways of painting with words. I can't wait to read more from Zusak.
Filed under: Books & Writing
November 16, 2011
Palace of Justice by Susanne Alleyn
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
It's no secret that I adore this series. Alleyn has done a masterfully creative job of integrating a well-paced series of intricate mysteries into the politically vibrant and sensually dismal period of post-Revolution Paris. You can see, smell, and taste the teeming streets and cloying chambers as brooding pseudo-detective Aristide Ravel makes his way through suspects and informants, burdened with such oppressive baggage of his own that we sometimes wonder if he'll wind up on the other side of the law. (I love a good antihero with a heart of gold.)
The reason I didn't give this book the full five stars lies in the lack of development of one important relationship, that of Ravel and his longtime friend, Mathieu Alexandre. Having read the books out of chronological order (the way they were published—oh, that's so wrong!), I knew that Mathieu, especially within the period of events that takes place in this book, would become part of Ravel's ever-growing burden of guilt, shame, and regrets, and I looked forward to seeing their relationship in action. I was disappointed. They could have been casual acquaintances.
Other than that, this book, like the others, did not disappoint. It provided the wonderful twists and turns that I fell in love with while reading the rest of the series.
Now, I am sad. I have no more Ravel mysteries to read.
To anyone who plans to read the series, I recommend devouring them in chronological order, and so does the author. Here they are, from Susanne Alleyn's wonderful website:
Aristide Ravel Mysteries:
The Cavalier of the Apocalypse
Book 1 of the Ravel Mysteries
Palace of Justice
Book 2
Game of Patience
Book 3
A Treasury of Regrets
Book 4
As I said, I read them as they were published, which means in the following order: 3, 4, 1, 2. Go figure. It did not matter so much in the end; I had Ravel's every move memorized, so I could easily fit the puzzle pieces together. But I plan to reread the books in order in the future.
Mystery and history buffs everywhere, you'll enjoy these novels immensely! And then you can join me in the fervent hope that we'll all see Aristide Ravel again soon.
Filed under: Random
November 4, 2011
Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Christine wakes up each morning not knowing who is she, where she is, or when she is … some trauma has impeded her ability to make and keep memories. But then the mysterious stranger lying next to her explains he's her husband, and he shows her pictures, and he walks her through the house that she comes to understand is her home — at least for that day, until she sleeps again.
In the course of each day, Christine finds out more and more about herself. She has been seeing a doctor. He calls to remind her that she's been keeping a journal. She reads it and finds out what has been happening and what she has discovered. And soon, she unravels some unsettling ideas. Besides that, she's having flashes of memory. And they don't seem to coincide with some things she's being told. Can she figure it out and write it all down before she goes to sleep?
Despite some dissatisfaction voiced in the reviews of others — that there were plot holes (there were a few) and that the outcome was predicted long before the reveal — I really enjoyed reading this book, and that's why I read for leisure: to enjoy! The pace was excellent, the writing crisp, and the characters interesting enough to keep me on the edge of my seat. Like others, I guessed early on that some people were not really who they said they were … but I suspended my disbelief and got a payoff with the "Hollywood thriller" ending (which I know some did not like either — but you know I'm a movie girl, so it worked for me). Definitely glad I read it!
Filed under: Books & Writing
September 29, 2011
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 1/2 stars.
Laura Hillenbrand (author of Seabiscuit) tells the spellbinding story of the life of Louis Zamperini, from his days as a feral, street-wise youth, to his success as an Olympic runner, to his harrowing experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and finally to his coping in the aftermath of returning home.
I typically read fiction for pleasure, and much nonfiction feels stilted and unmoving to me. But there were times in this incredible story when I was on the edge of my seat. Hillenbrand did a commendable job of conveying the epic adventure of Zamperini's life along with an amazing array of facts, statistics, and little-know tidbits about the period.
The reason I did not give the book a full five stars is a small complaint that I've read from other reviewers: Some of the amazing revelations are glossed over a bit. A few nearly unbelievable facts are not really explained or expounded on to the level they seem to deserve. Some might say that this is 
due to the author not wanting to intercede in offering merely what happened, and not why or what it's significance was. But this isn't the case; she explains many things throughout the book for readers' greater understanding, but then leaves others hanging in midair.
Despite this one nagging little issue, the book is overwhelmingly worth reading. In fact, everyone should read it (or another book like it); it brings home to the heart what some have had to suffer, makes one think 
hard and long about what we take for granted and how we treat others, and provides a shining example of mind-over-matter attitude — in the end, Zamperini and others around him survived their ordeals due to their deep senses of self-worth, optimism, and dignity. And, Louis would add, the grace of God. It's a true-life lesson for EVERYONE!
Filed under: Books & Writing
