I really did mean for this next post to be a book list update. In fact, I started writing it a month ago and now it sits in limbo awaiting completion and posting. But in all honesty, I'm much to tired to ponder just the right words to describe my recent reading experiences. And really...does anyone care what I have to say about my literary adventures? I don't write them as summaries or recommendations to the readers of this blog anyway. I could never truly convey what a particular book does for me in just a few paragraphs! And although I write much better than I speak (at least I think so) I must describe such works passionately--and I simply cannot do that without the use of my gesticulative Italian hands! No, I write these blogs as a reminder to myself what joy or pain or education or inaneness (is that a word?) a work provokes. And although I'm too exhausted to venture into the deep waters of self-actualization (I hate that term) via disquisition exploration, I do want to write. For now, I will abandon the pretense of critic and scholar and simply vent about my current state of being. As some of you may know, I have suffered various and misdiagnosed ailments. Last year, my latest diagnosis, fibromyalgia, left a bad taste in my mouth. In my opinion, "fibromylagia" can be loosely translated to mean "a condition in which the patient experiences moderate pain and fatigue, but for which there is no treatment." I couldn't care less what they call my problem--lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia--just FIX IT! So, my often overbearing mother continually reprimands me for not taking a more "proactive" approach to my health and seeing the doctor once a week. I've just gotten so fed up with the entire situation and do not need the stress of sitting in a waiting room for an hour, paying a $30 co-pay to hear, "Sorry to hear that you're not feeling well and the medication isn't doing its job, but there's nothing else I can prescribe for you." I'd rather just suffer silently (well, not so silently when you consider that I'm writing about it here.) One of the difficulties of late is the toll it's all taking on my attitude and alacrity. Not only do I feel as if I exist in a fog, but I don't have the desire to get out of it. Yet, it's not a depression or the blues. It's more like a vexation. It's not in accordance with how I see myself. I'm a Scorpio for God's sake! And if that isn't enough already, I was born in the year of the Dragon. I'm supposed to be free and uninhibited. Passionate and energetic...irrepressible. And I am...on the inside. I feel as if I'm not fulfilling my destiny. Not that I give a fig about fate and prospect. After all, I'm a true believer that I am what I say I am. It's the doing that's the hard part.

Well, I'm gearing up for another book review. My next post will include posts of 3-4 books, but I'm not quite ready, as I have yet to finish the last book. In the meantime, I've gotten back to viewing the classic films I so adore. With the DVR feature, I'm able to record half a dozen or so films a week that I always wanted to see, but never had the opportunity. Thank you TCM! In light of my old/new favorite pastime, I've decided to post yet another list: My favorite female stars of yesteryear. Most of them starred in the great films of the '30s (my favorite era of film) with a couple from the '40s/'50s.

10. Joan Fontaine.

There's just something about Joan. Her immense talent, her subtle sexiness, her perpetually arched eyebrows, her habit of biting her bottom lip, her poised demeanor which masks her fiery spirit. One need only watch one film to fall head over heals for this beauty. Hitchcock's "Rebecca" earned Joan her the respect of audiences, critics, and fellow actors alike. It also earned her her first Academy Award nomination and it's no question as to why.

9. Rita Hayworth.

Who doesn't love a gal who's cute, sexy, and famous for the best onscreen striptease of all time? In movies like "Gilda" and "The Lady from Shanghai", Rita showed off her acting chops as well as her glorious figure. As with many of the Hollywood greats, she suffered severely in her personal life. Her battle with Alzheimer's brought the disease to the public eye which eventually led to more funding and research to find a cure.

8. Greer Garson.

Greer was a true grand dame of the silver screen. When she left the British stage to star in film, she maintained an air of integrity and charm unmatched by many of her fellow actresses. Her performances in "Mrs. Miniver", "Pride and Prejudice", "Random Harvest", "Goodbye Mr. Chips", and "Madame Curie" are what made her truly legendary.

7. Grace Kelly.

Her name certainly suits her. Grace, beauty, allure, sensuality--she had all the makings of princess and a sex symbol. Her career only lasted 5 years, boasting just 10 films, but her impact was great. She was Hitchcock's all-time favorite leading lady, starring her in three of his films. In her final Hitchcock film, "To Catch a Thief", her appeal is undeniable. She's cute, smart, sassy, and sexy, much like the lady herself.

6. Ava Gardner.

Mostly Ava Gardner is fun to look at. She may very well be one of the most beautiful women of all time. And although her acting always seemed a bit low brow, she never claimed to be a great talent. Yet she is responsible for one of films most sensual moments. In "Barefoot Contessa", while she dances with the gypsies and then espies the man of her dreams, my heart always skips a beat--as I'm sure did hers. She had a great wit and spirit that made her a fascinating lady.

5. Norma Shearer.

Norma is fairly unknown to most members of my generation, and even to those of my parents' generation, but she was the biggest star at MGM in the late '20s and early '30s. She was nominated for 6 Academy Awards (2 in the same year)! MGM's "First Lady" and a reputed "goodie-two-shoes" wowed audiences when she stepped out of her comfort zone to play sexpots in "The Divorcee" and "A Free Soul. Although not a beauty in the classic sense, the lady who brought us the original Mary Haines from the original "The Women" (sorry Meg Ryan, but you are no match for Ms. Shearer) possessed an undeniable magnetism rarely seen today.

4. Katharine Hepburn.

What list of classic actresses would be complete without this gem? With a career spanning 62 years, she graced the screen with unforgettable comedic performances in some of my favorite movies like "Stage Door", "Bringing up Baby", "The Philadelphia Story", and "Adam's Rib". Yet she could also touch us with her intense dramatic performances in "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?", "The Lion in Winter", and "On Golden Pond". It wasn't until just last year that Meryl Streep tied her for leading role actress nominations. Still, no actress of the present can touch this woman in style, success, and character. This woman lived by her own rules and we could all learn a lot from her.

3. Marlene Dietrich.

There is no denying that Dietrich had "it". She was beautiful, exotic, talented, and mysterious. She tested the conventions of 1930s society by dressing in men's suits and pursuing very public affairs with other women. One need only watch her delightful performances in "Morocco", "Shanghai Express", and "Blonde Venus" to witness how ahead of her time Dietrich was.

2. Joan Crawford.

I fell in love with Joan Crawford when I saw her stellar performance in "Mildred Pierce". From the moment she double slaps her onscreen daughter, I was hooked. I went back and watched every single one of her nearly 100 films. Truthfully, there are two Joans: there is the sweet bright eyed ingenue who loved to dance in her films of the '20s and '30s. And there is the strong, sexy, no bullshit, shoulder-pad-wearing dame of the '40s-'60s. "Mommie Dearest" be damned! That is not the true Joan Crawford. Regrettably, most of the public only know Joan as the crazed child abuser her bitter adopted daughter painted her to be. What many people don't know is that she was a star of stars. She loved what she did and did it well. She was generous, insecure, and a dear in the truest sense.

1. In Hollywood, there are many comparisons between actors of today and those of yesteryear. George Clooney is the new Cary Grant. Brad Pitt is the new Robert Redford. Susan Sarandon is the Betty Davis of our time. Gwenyth Paltrow is the new Grace Kelly. But there will only ever be ONE Garbo. It's blasphemous to even attempt to draw a comparison. Those huge, soulful eyes...that glorious velvety voice... She is the epitome of talent and beauty. When audiences fell in love with her in silent films like "The Flesh and the Devil" and "A Woman of Affairs", they didn't think it could get any better. But when she uttered her first line in "Anna Christie" their mouths dropped open and their pulses quickened. Her acting reached a new level with sound. She was able to reach inside viewers and grab their hearts. When I watched her in my favorite of her films, "Camille", she did just that. During her death scene, it was as if you could see the exact moment when life left her body. I can't think of any other actress who has the ability to exact that sort of performance and to stir audience's emotions like that. No. There will never be another Garbo.

I realize it's been awhile since I've written. I haven't felt inspired, even though I really only report my literary adventures anymore. I've read a few books since I last wrote. Before I forget what they were, I better list them quickly: On Beauty by Zadie Smith, Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy , Two Women of Galilea by Mary Rourke, The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, and The Shack by William Paul Young. Really the only one worth writing about is the Zadie Smith book. Of course, I am bias given the fact that since I read White Teeth years ago, she became one of my favorite writers. What impresses me most about her is that her first novel--the aforementioned White Teeth--was written when she was only 23. With On Beauty, she examines aspects of family, marriage, academia, race, youth, middle age, pop culture, friendship, religion, music, art, infidelity, and forgiveness in complicated and refreshing ways. She does so with both humor and heart-wrenching realism. Each character is represented richly, demonstrating both endearing flaws and subtle sort of heroism. Kiki Belsey, the African American former activist and wife of the glib British art history professor, Howard, is my favorite character I've encountered in literature thus far. The description of her as a robust, middle aged matron with smooth chocolate skin, dressed in the colorful, flowing attire of her African culture, elicits such an image of beauty that is rarely seen in the real world. She is dynamic, unwavering, sensual, altruistic, loyal, and witty. She sounds almost too good to be true, which is perhaps why she's merely a character in a book. But she's a character I grew to love, nonetheless.