tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:51:34 +0000pop culturebooksreviewsreadingmusicalstheatrebook reviewsrantstelevisionmusicpoetryholidaysTony AwardsmoviescookingFoodie Fridaysbeauty reviewsshoppingBirchboxbanned booksGleeHalloween ideasBoston livingEvernotejasmereessaysmemoirsNashvilleskin careA seemingly normal blogger writes about books, poetry, theater, and the little things that happen in life.http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (ts)Blogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-2842490863765989836Sun, 20 Nov 2016 02:39:00 +00002016-11-19T21:39:09.342-05:00musicmusicalsI know it's been a while. Beyond the usually insanity of the school year, the run-up to the election and the election results sapped the will to write right out of me. Although I don't post a ton about politics on this blog, a quick search will probably give you a good sense of my political leanings. Consequently, you wouldn't be all that surprised to find that I am not, in any way, shape, or http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/11/jason-robert-browns-hope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-7402575232991687440Thu, 29 Sep 2016 02:36:00 +00002016-09-28T22:40:46.599-04:00banned booksbooksreading Happy Banned Books Week 2016! While we're halfway through the week, there's still plenty of time to celebrate by reading one of your favorite banned or challenged books. You can also read a book from 2015's most banned and challenged list, which you can find on the ALA website. A notable but sad trend that 2015's list illustrates is the over-representation of books about issues http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/09/banned-books-week-2016.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-6456225340820193989Tue, 30 Aug 2016 01:14:00 +00002016-08-29T21:14:41.899-04:00book reviewsbooksmemoirsreadingreviewsI would consider myself a fairly organized person, and as such, I tend to gravitate towards lists. While I have several list apps, I also like and use pen and paper lists. Given this and my love of books, Literary Listography seemed like a natural fit for me. For those aren't familiar with the Listography books, they are an offshoot of the website and app that encourages users to create and http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-literary-listography.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-2809492930827184708Tue, 09 Aug 2016 02:17:00 +00002016-08-08T22:21:19.089-04:00book reviewsbooksreadingreviews<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/08/book-review-defying-nazis-sharps-war_15.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-4208670232464725933Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:47:00 +00002016-06-24T09:47:04.918-04:00poetryIf this blog has illustrated anything, it is my ongoing love of Wendy Cope's poetry, particularly her villanelles. I hadn't given her a great deal of thought recently, but Wednesday's edition of The Writer's Almanac podcast reminded me just how much I enjoy her writing. While some argue that Cope is mawkish, I've always found her poems to be somewhat biting under the supposed sentimentality ("http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/06/wendy-copes-from-june-to-december.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-4033075337093983323Tue, 07 Jun 2016 00:33:00 +00002016-06-06T20:33:45.542-04:00musicalspop culturetelevisiontheatreTony AwardsNext Sunday is the 2016 Tony Awards, and as usual, I feel more than a little unprepared for the show. However, I also think I'm better informed than I have been for the past few years thanks to a wealth of online resources (and because it seems pretty certain that Hamilton will be a juggernaut). Below are a few of my favorites just in case you are looking to do some cramming for the Tonys or in http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/06/looking-ahead-to-2016-tony-awards.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-4245186157116897514Fri, 03 Jun 2016 18:29:00 +00002016-06-03T14:29:29.207-04:00cookingFoodie FridaysGrowing up in the South, meat and potatoes/starches were a staple. I don't think I even knew anyone who was a vegetarian until I was well into my 20s. Luckily, time and new experiences have broadened my horizons, and while I still like meat, I've also found that it isn't necessary for every meal. Earlier this month, I had a lovely dinner with two friends who are vegetarians (technically, they arehttp://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/06/foodie-friday-potato-asparagus-and-tuna.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-3887561783061872844Fri, 27 May 2016 17:20:00 +00002016-05-27T13:20:34.880-04:00While I didn't mean to take a four-month break from blogging here, spring semester happened. I'm planning on being better this summer. Stay tuned for book reviews, Tony Awards ruminations, and other random thoughts!http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/05/long-time-no-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-5952236948124811640Sun, 10 Jan 2016 02:00:00 +00002016-01-09T21:00:36.606-05:00book reviewsbooksreadingI apologize for my lengthy absence - the end of the year is always rough in academia. Between the holidays, the end of the semester, and a five-day conference, November and December were a little crazy. However, now that the craziness is more manageable, I wanted to write a post on my favorite reads from last year. I had a great reading year in 2015 (I read over 80 books). This was aided by a http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-top-reads-from-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-1913597281117607108Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:46:00 +00002015-10-21T22:54:18.985-04:00book reviewsbookspop culturereadingreviewsI’m not a comics expert, but I have a great affinity for reading about comic books of years past. One of my favorite aspects of reading about these books is the often well-intentioned but ridiculous missteps that have occurred, such as an entry in the Superman universe that Glen Weldon gleefully (and affectionately) recounts on the NPR site where Jimmy Olsen travels back in time and starts a http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/10/book-review-league-of-regrettable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-1195917064226923044Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:13:00 +00002015-10-21T22:13:33.036-04:00moviesmusicmusicalspop culturetheatreAccording to the liner notes for a CD I bought many years ago (when I still bought CDs), “Edelweiss,” Rogers and Hammerstein’s song about the Austrian flower, is one of the most moving songs ever.&nbsp; Even without the hyperbolic wording, it is easy to scoff at such a thought.&nbsp; The song seems like a sentimental side note within an even more sentimental musical and movie, a minor selection http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/10/edelweiss-rumination-on-rogers-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-5843248546792522798Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:52:00 +00002015-10-05T13:52:08.226-04:00booksHalloween ideasholidaysreadingEvery year, I consider not doing a literary Halloween post. After eight posts, it can be a little challenging to come up with something relatively new and/or different. However, after thinking about it and taking a quick look at my blog stats, I find that I can't resist. Here are a few new costume ideas from classic and not-so-classic literature. Lady Macbeth from Macbeth - Unlike some http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/10/literary-halloween-costumes-2015-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-8755319320025632151Wed, 23 Sep 2015 02:05:00 +00002015-09-22T22:05:46.426-04:00beauty reviewsreviewsshoppingWhile I can't say that I'm a subscription box addict (my budget won't allow me to be), I do love trying out different boxes. When Sephora announced last month that it was getting in the beauty subscription box game, I figured I would give it a whirl. After receiving my first box, I'm very happy that I did! PLAY! by Sephora is very similar to Birchbox, Ipsy, and other beauty subscription boxes inhttp://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/09/september-2015s-play-by-sephora-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-1300380098248599037Tue, 25 Aug 2015 00:21:00 +00002015-08-24T20:23:05.151-04:00booksreadingI can't believe that it is already the end of August and that I've neglected this blog so much :(. I promise, it's not you, it's me. That said, I've had a very busy and eventful summer. This included (but wasn't limited to): Working on materials that serve as a checkpoint for tenure Revising curriculum (yay?) Reading a lot (more on this in a moment) Collaborating with colleagues on an http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/08/summer-2015-recap-or-what-i-did-instead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-2989523746241527315Mon, 22 Jun 2015 16:56:00 +00002015-06-22T12:56:39.636-04:00musicalsreviewstelevisiontheatreTony AwardsThe 2015 Tony Awards were earlier this month, and while I came in knowing very little about the shows, I found it to be a mostly entertaining night. While there were some egregious missteps (flat jokes, problematic musical numbers, the deeply awful "In Memorium" presentation), overall, it was an entertaining and enjoyable night celebrating theater. While there are some great play-by-plays and http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-2015-tony-awards-host-best-musical.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-3846407322005349185Sun, 07 Jun 2015 22:27:00 +00002015-06-07T18:27:15.663-04:00televisiontheatreTony AwardsI know it has been a while since I've blogged here, but tonight is Tony night! While I know next to nothing about the nominated shows this year, I'm still excited. In a sense, this makes tonight's broadcast even more interesting to me since it will (in theory) give me a chance to learn more about the shows, and I won't get too upset if a show I love doesn't win. I plan to have a reactions http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2015/06/tony-tony-tony.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-159487429204876402Tue, 23 Dec 2014 03:10:00 +00002014-12-22T22:10:24.748-05:00holidaysmusicpop cultureChristmastime is here, and with it comes a heaping helping of Christmas cheer. The stores are decked out in tinsel and glitter, and carols ranging from "Frosty the Snowman" to "All I Want for Christmas is You" fill the airwaves. If you love this sort of cheeriness, then this is your time. However, if you are a little holidayed out and needing a respite from this unrelenting merriment, don't http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/12/have-yourself-melancholy-little.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-3765638760425755239Thu, 27 Nov 2014 20:12:00 +00002014-11-27T15:12:46.036-05:00cookingholidaysHappy Thanksgiving from the U.S.! I apologize for the lack of posts recently - November is always a crazy month, and December is even worse. That is to say, while I will try my darndest to get another post up before Christmas, I can't make any promises. Part of the craziness of this month is that I always have a conference that comes just before Thanksgiving. As a result, I flew back home http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/11/two-gluten-free-desserts-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-8452900674305323261Fri, 31 Oct 2014 13:30:00 +00002014-11-01T19:47:10.783-04:00cookingFoodie FridaysIt's Halloween (or it would have been if Blogger had published the post on time :), and even though the temperature here in northern Indiana was in the 70s earlier this week, the forecast says that there is a chance of flurries this evening. However, even though I still find the possibility of snow in October (albeit at the end of October) a little disconcerting, there is a lot I love about http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/10/foodie-friday-soups-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-9081761149613663484Sat, 18 Oct 2014 20:52:00 +00002014-10-18T16:52:23.064-04:00Gleepop culturetelevisionAfter having a few weeks to think about the topic of character deaths, I must admit that I'm still torn about the issue. As mentioned in my previous post on the topic, I don't necessarily like my entertainment to be dark and depressing, but I also think that, in some cases, the death of a character makes sense. In order for this to happen, the death needs to fall into one of two categories: the http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/10/characters-loved-lost-part-ii.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-7345420039133600711Sun, 12 Oct 2014 20:37:00 +00002014-10-12T16:37:03.139-04:00 I had every intention of writing a post last week, but the craziness of the semester has caught up with me. Consequently, I'm taking a week off, but I plan on having a new post (a continuation on character deaths) up by the end of the this week or the beginning of next week.http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/10/ill-be-right-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-1411986302430044297Sat, 04 Oct 2014 02:46:00 +00002014-10-03T22:46:02.181-04:00Gleepop culturetelevisionWarning: Spoilers (at least they are spoilers if you are a week or two or three behind on Bones) ahead Last night, on a whim, I decided to alternate between watching Grey's Anatomy (a show that I watch more out of habit than anything else) and Bones (a show I stopped watching several seasons ago). While I had a vague sense of what was happening on Bones, I was surprised to find that it killed ahttp://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/10/characters-loved-lost-part-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-6257539291904607321Sun, 28 Sep 2014 01:38:00 +00002014-09-27T21:38:22.662-04:00booksHalloween ideasholidayspop culturereadingI've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm not much of a Halloween person. Despite (or, perhaps, because of) this, I'm amused to no end to see that one of this blog's most popular posts of all time is Literary Halloween Costumes, which was posted in October of 2009. Because I aim to please, I decided to do a roundup of all of my literary-themed Halloween posts as well as some of my favorite http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/09/literary-halloween-costumes-2014-roudup.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-5879020913581346041Fri, 19 Sep 2014 23:47:00 +00002014-09-19T19:47:10.203-04:00beauty reviewsBirchboxreviewsWhile I've tried many subscription boxes, the only one I've consistently been subscribed to is Birchbox. It manages to hit the sweet spot when it comes to products (a nice mix of high-end and drugstore brands), product sizes (which often include deluxe-sized samples and sometimes even full-size products), and price ($10 a month). Better still, the company continues to refine its products, http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/09/september-2014-birchbox.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1623671061041841248.post-643090247483992853Sat, 13 Sep 2014 20:03:00 +00002014-09-27T21:38:43.806-04:00booksHalloween ideasholidayspop culturereadingWhile the weather was in the 80s and 90s last week, this week has brought distinctly cooler weather to the Midwest. Right now, it is in the low 50s, and fall is in the air. Because of this and because October will be here before we know it, I decided that this would be a good time to post another round of ideas for literary Halloween costumes (for more Halloween-related ideas, please see my http://apparentlynotderanged.blogspot.com/2014/09/literary-halloween-costumes-2014-edition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (ts)0