by Elizabeth Gilbert
I'm not always taken in by non-fiction, but Eat, Pray, Love did, indeed, make for an enjoyable read. I don't think I quite understand the media frenzy around this book, though.
Gilbert documents her post-divorce journey though self-discovery via the settings of Italy, India, and Indonesia. She freely admits that she received a book advance to fund her journey and write about it. In return for the advance, she does an excellent job describing the sensory surroundings of each location. Her commentary is witty and self-aware, which also makes the book an enjoyable read. The ending is particularly satisfying.
However, I do feel like any woman who has gone through a divorce and taken the steps to re-balance her life could have written this book. I can't help but wonder--if there had been no advance and the memoir took place in Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois--would it still have been a bestseller?
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Book Thing of Baltimore
If books are your passion, I would definitely check out The Book Thing in Baltimore. Their motto is "we put books into the hands of those who want them." And this organization does that, for FREE. Seriously. Just bring a tote bag and take as many as you want. Heck, bring a box! They're happy to help you relieve them of books. Did I mention it's free?
I went there for the first time this morning, and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and amount of books they had. The ambience is something between a crazy old relative's basement and an evil genius' underground lair, but that's not the point. Free books! Who cares if there's no easy chair and coffee bar? The patrons are friendly and voracious readers, and the volunteers are helpful and polite. What's not to like?
I was also impressed with the scope of titles. The Book Thing has organized sections of everything from European travel to educational textbooks. I saw a few city teachers there, scrounging for textbooks they could use for their classrooms. I immediately decided that from now on, all my book donations are coming to The Book Thing. Those teachers and children need books!
Speaking of donations, The Book Thing survives on the generousity of others. If you want to donate books, supplies, money, or volunteer time, they will welcome all with open arms. Check out the website for hours and directions. www.bookthing.org
I went there for the first time this morning, and was pleasantly surprised with the quality and amount of books they had. The ambience is something between a crazy old relative's basement and an evil genius' underground lair, but that's not the point. Free books! Who cares if there's no easy chair and coffee bar? The patrons are friendly and voracious readers, and the volunteers are helpful and polite. What's not to like?
I was also impressed with the scope of titles. The Book Thing has organized sections of everything from European travel to educational textbooks. I saw a few city teachers there, scrounging for textbooks they could use for their classrooms. I immediately decided that from now on, all my book donations are coming to The Book Thing. Those teachers and children need books!
Speaking of donations, The Book Thing survives on the generousity of others. If you want to donate books, supplies, money, or volunteer time, they will welcome all with open arms. Check out the website for hours and directions. www.bookthing.org
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Harry Potter Series
by JK Rowling
What can one say about this series? Apparently quite a bit, because JK Rowling and her Harry are still in the news weekly, even now that months have passed since the last book was published.
I could geek out about the genius story structure, or the wildly imaginative characters (and indeed, I have), but I'd rather this stream be more like a discussion. Have you read them? Have you not, but can't understand what the fuss is about? Have thoughts about books vs. movies? Let's talk Harry!
What can one say about this series? Apparently quite a bit, because JK Rowling and her Harry are still in the news weekly, even now that months have passed since the last book was published.
I could geek out about the genius story structure, or the wildly imaginative characters (and indeed, I have), but I'd rather this stream be more like a discussion. Have you read them? Have you not, but can't understand what the fuss is about? Have thoughts about books vs. movies? Let's talk Harry!
How to Be Good
by Nick Hornby
This book's plot is hard to summarize, so I'm borrowing from the New York Times book review: "It's a story about how to wreck your marriage, how to help the homeless, how not to raise your kids, how to find religion ... and how to be good."
I read this a few years ago and thought, "Wow! A male author has really captured what goes on in the mind of a woman." I reread it this month, and my opinion has changed somewhat. While I still think his characterization is plausible, I didn't get that feeling of identification with the main character that I did before. I found the narrator more immature and selfish this go 'round. Could it be that I have matured? Hmmmm....I don't think that shift in my point of view changed my enjoyment of the book, but it did change my impression of the author's insight of the book.
Still, Nick Hornby is a great author whose other works (About a Boy, High Fidelity, among others) are not only compelling, quirky movies, but also compelling, quirky novels. And a good sense of humor is always welcome on my bookshelf.
This book's plot is hard to summarize, so I'm borrowing from the New York Times book review: "It's a story about how to wreck your marriage, how to help the homeless, how not to raise your kids, how to find religion ... and how to be good."
I read this a few years ago and thought, "Wow! A male author has really captured what goes on in the mind of a woman." I reread it this month, and my opinion has changed somewhat. While I still think his characterization is plausible, I didn't get that feeling of identification with the main character that I did before. I found the narrator more immature and selfish this go 'round. Could it be that I have matured? Hmmmm....I don't think that shift in my point of view changed my enjoyment of the book, but it did change my impression of the author's insight of the book.
Still, Nick Hornby is a great author whose other works (About a Boy, High Fidelity, among others) are not only compelling, quirky movies, but also compelling, quirky novels. And a good sense of humor is always welcome on my bookshelf.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Never Let Me Go
by Kazuo Ishiguro
After reading this book, I can see clearly how it could become a staple of literature courses everywhere. It's the most human science fiction story I've ever read--so human, in fact, that it doesn't feel one iota like science fiction at all.
The story follows the path of students from an English boarding school. They are completely sheltered from the outside world, and told by their school guardians that they are special. The nature of their uniqueness is revealed gradually, gracefully, and eloquently. The characters are complex, though Ishiguro's writing style is simple and not over-embellished.
If you like plenty of action this isn't your book. But if you appreciate layered, mysterious plots peppered with sophisticated characters, this is an excellent choice.
After reading this book, I can see clearly how it could become a staple of literature courses everywhere. It's the most human science fiction story I've ever read--so human, in fact, that it doesn't feel one iota like science fiction at all.
The story follows the path of students from an English boarding school. They are completely sheltered from the outside world, and told by their school guardians that they are special. The nature of their uniqueness is revealed gradually, gracefully, and eloquently. The characters are complex, though Ishiguro's writing style is simple and not over-embellished.
If you like plenty of action this isn't your book. But if you appreciate layered, mysterious plots peppered with sophisticated characters, this is an excellent choice.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Dont Be Shy!!
Writing on a Blog can be a great time to get away from the daily grind. You may not be a writer, but most of you are readers that know how to write. Give your thoughts about books that you have read and possibly how it related to you and your life. If you think that a certain book that you read was a total piece of crap, please let everyone know and why you thought that. I just got done reading a pop-up book and it was great. Although, one pop-up did startle me!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak
This is another book I read this year that was startlingly, interestingly, different. The Book Thief is the story of a young girl in pre-WWII Germany who is sent to live with a new family after her mother was declared a Communist and sent away for "re-education." Soon Hitler has brought Germany to war with Europe, and Liesel struggles to find happiness with so many obstacles before her: war, a myserious new family, poverty, haunting memories, Nazi youth camp, and a Jew hiding in the basement. Her one source of happiness is books, which she resorts to stealing when times get tough. The kicker? The novel is narrated by Death.
The plot recap sounds dismal, but don't let that scare you off. It's eloquent and beautiful, and Zusak creates a world in which you care deeply about his characters. The book is advertised for young adults in the US, but is marketed to an adult audience in every other country (the author is Australian). I really believe it's an adult novel, and written in a lyrical and true style. This may be the best book I've read this year.
This is another book I read this year that was startlingly, interestingly, different. The Book Thief is the story of a young girl in pre-WWII Germany who is sent to live with a new family after her mother was declared a Communist and sent away for "re-education." Soon Hitler has brought Germany to war with Europe, and Liesel struggles to find happiness with so many obstacles before her: war, a myserious new family, poverty, haunting memories, Nazi youth camp, and a Jew hiding in the basement. Her one source of happiness is books, which she resorts to stealing when times get tough. The kicker? The novel is narrated by Death.
The plot recap sounds dismal, but don't let that scare you off. It's eloquent and beautiful, and Zusak creates a world in which you care deeply about his characters. The book is advertised for young adults in the US, but is marketed to an adult audience in every other country (the author is Australian). I really believe it's an adult novel, and written in a lyrical and true style. This may be the best book I've read this year.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
by Kim Edwards
This novel is the story of a doctor who delivers his own twins--a healthy boy, and a girl with Downs Syndrome. He makes a life-altering decision to give away his daughter while his wife is unconsicous, and tells her instead that the baby was stillborn.
The story follows the parallel lives of the doctor's family, always shadowed by their missing daughter, and the nurse who takes the daughter and raises her as her own.
I thought the premise for this book was great. It starts with two emotional, gut-wrenching decisions, but fails to keep that level of intensity throughout the novel. After awhile I started to wonder why the author followed the two families for so dang long. Do we need to see the doctor's family on vacation? To know about the nurse's wooing by a trucker? A novel that moves through decades should show you the poignant, key events that shape the lives of the main characters, bringing the reader to the ultimate conclusion of the story. Though the book itself isn't long, I felt like I spent too much time with these characters at odd points in their lives. The connections we're given don't really drive the plot. They are more mile markers along The Memory Keeper's Daughter highway.
It's not a bad book, but I was a little underwhelmed.
This novel is the story of a doctor who delivers his own twins--a healthy boy, and a girl with Downs Syndrome. He makes a life-altering decision to give away his daughter while his wife is unconsicous, and tells her instead that the baby was stillborn.
The story follows the parallel lives of the doctor's family, always shadowed by their missing daughter, and the nurse who takes the daughter and raises her as her own.
I thought the premise for this book was great. It starts with two emotional, gut-wrenching decisions, but fails to keep that level of intensity throughout the novel. After awhile I started to wonder why the author followed the two families for so dang long. Do we need to see the doctor's family on vacation? To know about the nurse's wooing by a trucker? A novel that moves through decades should show you the poignant, key events that shape the lives of the main characters, bringing the reader to the ultimate conclusion of the story. Though the book itself isn't long, I felt like I spent too much time with these characters at odd points in their lives. The connections we're given don't really drive the plot. They are more mile markers along The Memory Keeper's Daughter highway.
It's not a bad book, but I was a little underwhelmed.
From Potter's Field
by Patricia Cornwell
I've been on a Patricia Cornwell kick lately. She's one of the original forensic science writers, and many of her stories are similar to those you'd see on CSI or Law & Order. I like to pepper them through my reading list so I don't overdose on literary fiction. Cornwell books are like brain sorbet for my reading palate, and I mean that in a good way.
Of her Kay Scarpetta series, I'd also recommend Postmortem and The Body Farm. They're older books, but worth revisiting if crime fiction is your kind of reading.
I've been on a Patricia Cornwell kick lately. She's one of the original forensic science writers, and many of her stories are similar to those you'd see on CSI or Law & Order. I like to pepper them through my reading list so I don't overdose on literary fiction. Cornwell books are like brain sorbet for my reading palate, and I mean that in a good way.
Of her Kay Scarpetta series, I'd also recommend Postmortem and The Body Farm. They're older books, but worth revisiting if crime fiction is your kind of reading.
Water for Elephants
by Sara Gruen
This book is different from anything I've read in awhile, both in plot and characters. It tells the tale of a Depression-era young man who decides to skip town after a family tragedy, and finds himself stowing away on a circus train, where he becomes the vetrinarian for the exotic animals. Along the way he meets characters just as exotic as the animals, and even more engaging.
I wasn't as smitten with the ending as I was with the rest of the book, but it wasn't enough to change my opinion about the book as a whole. Water for Elephants grabs you right away, and takes you down the tracks for a wild ride. It's definitely worth a read!
This book is different from anything I've read in awhile, both in plot and characters. It tells the tale of a Depression-era young man who decides to skip town after a family tragedy, and finds himself stowing away on a circus train, where he becomes the vetrinarian for the exotic animals. Along the way he meets characters just as exotic as the animals, and even more engaging.
I wasn't as smitten with the ending as I was with the rest of the book, but it wasn't enough to change my opinion about the book as a whole. Water for Elephants grabs you right away, and takes you down the tracks for a wild ride. It's definitely worth a read!
Zunafish
One of the ways I feed my reading habit is by using Zunafish, a simply awesome website that lets you trade media (paperbacks, CDs, DVDs, etc.) with others.
I had a ton of paperbacks that I had read and knew that while I enjoyed them, I wasn't going to read them over and over. Along came Zunafish, and I was able to trade these books for gently-used titles that were fresh reads for me!
It's easy to use and well worth the short time it takes to create an account and list your books. You can find it at www.zunafish.com.
I had a ton of paperbacks that I had read and knew that while I enjoyed them, I wasn't going to read them over and over. Along came Zunafish, and I was able to trade these books for gently-used titles that were fresh reads for me!
It's easy to use and well worth the short time it takes to create an account and list your books. You can find it at www.zunafish.com.
Welcome!
As a word nerd, my two favorite things are reading and writing. I've decided to smush them together, peanut-butter-and-chocolate style, into quick reviews of the books I'm reading.
If you're reading good books too, share the goodness!
If you're reading good books too, share the goodness!
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