Three Dog Book Blog

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby

2010-03-14T00:52:00.000-05:00

I recently read Nick Hornby's new book, Juliet, Naked. I was very pleasantly surprised. Maybe because I wasn't expecting much...? But, no, I think it's actually a good book. The last thing I ready by Hornby was not so great (A Long Way Down) and I was supremely bummed that I had wasted my time reading it, so I wasn't sure what I would get with Juliet, Naked. Well, I got some very enjoyable reading!

Perhaps it's because my better half is so into music, or perhaps it's because in this inter-connected age we can all be famous to a certain niche market of people, but this book felt extremely relevant and had a great perspective. I loved the points of view, the characters, the back-drop, and the implausible turns of events that are written in a way that seem totally plausible in Hornby's world.

Hornby has created characters that are irresistibly strange, but in reality are just like the guy we went to college with, or the pensive neighbor, or even the person you share your bed with. I loved the lives of these characters; I loved their quirks, their ticks, and their odd obsessions. You will love them, too. You'll love how weird they are, and how the most ridiculous thing that could possibly happen will happen, but will seem perfectly normal. This is a fun, interesting book that actually says something poignant about our current society without being heavy-handed. You'll like it.

Next Fall

2010-03-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

I see a lot of shows. A lot. And most of them are Broadway shows. So, needless to say, I see a lot of good theater. Even theater that has its issues (how many plays or productions are perfect? Very few, if any) I try to give the benefit of the doubt until the curtain comes down. I do not walk out on theater and I reserve final judgment until the end. So though I try to look at everything with a critical eye, I still enjoy myself immensely. I even had a great time at Bye Bye Birdie - I challenge anyone to not have smiled when those multi-colored phone booths came out with a bunch of actual teenagers dressed in pink, orange, yellow, green & blue. Adorable.

Anyhoo, all that to say, I think I may finally have seen a BAD show. Just bad. All around, nothing redeeming about it, bad show on Broadway. That show, in case you're wondering, is Next Fall by Geoffrey Nauffts. I saw it in previews, so for the first act I was thinking, "hmmm...maybe it just needs to work out its kinks & work on its pacing" but then I realized that no amount of rehearsal time would make this play any better. It played Off-Broadway last year and had, like, 3 extensions or something, and I cannot fathom WHY. The script is tired, annoying, and melodramatic. The direction is blind, the acting is painful, and the set is embarrassing. I think in general I was embarrassed for all of them. To be on the big stage like that, in a horribly written, shabbily produced show, and to have to pretend that what they're doing matters...? Cringe.

In case you're wondering about the script, the story is basically about a guy who is in the hospital and all of his friends & family gather round to wait & see if he gets better. Something about being hit by a taxi cab (seriously?). As they are talking in the hospital about their times together, they "re-live" those moments onstage...in which case poorly constructed set pieces come out on very shoddy, obvious tracks and we're transported back "in time" to when said taxi-cab-target was alive 'n kickin'.

Oh, did I mention that his boyfriend is there in the waiting room, as are his divorced parents who don't know he's gay? And, of course, his single female coworker who knows everything and tries to be the voice of reason. Don't worry, the father character is plenty Republican & homophobic & intolerant. It wouldn't be a play about not-coming-out-of-the-closet without a stereotyped Christian baby boomer from the south. Oh, wait, don't forget the gay guy in hospital is also Christian & his atheist boyfriend doesn't understand his beliefs, so half the play consists of older, liberal gay boyfriend arguing about how silly Christianity is and young, dufus-y, Christian, soon-to-be-dead-gay-guy from the South proselytizing...albeit poorly.

Anyhoo, this play was really annoying. Haven't we already had this conversation? Don't we all already know these stereotypes? And don't we know the danger of fostering these stereotypes?

If you want to see a play that actually deals with real issues that pertain to the world we live in today in regard to homosexuality, see The Pride at MCC. That play brings up issues that maybe we haven't thought about before, deals with them in a delicate, beautiful way, and has characters with depth, nuance, and subtlety.

The Pride

2010-03-02T23:46:00.000-05:00

It feels like forever ago now, but a few weeks ago I was lucky enough to see The Pride at MCC. I didn't know much about it and didn't know what to expect, but it's good. Really good. The script is great, the production is impeccable, the directing is smart, and the actors are unbelievably talented. Don't be alarmed by the man rape. It happens.

A Behanding in Spokane by Martin McDonagh

2010-02-18T00:02:00.000-05:00

I saw the new Martin McDonagh play the other night, A Behanding in Spokane - which, by the way, is the best title of a play ever - and it may be one of the most entertaining evenings of theater I have ever experienced. I laughed so hard I worried I'd bug the other patrons around me, but it was okay, because they were laughing harder than I was. This play is brilliant & awesome; Walken is hilarious & creepy; Rockwell is perfectly awkward and the whole thing was executed superbly. I can't imagine any two actors doing these roles other than Walken & Rockwell, and they do them beautifully. The subject matter is ridiculous, but not too far out there to be silly, and the script is perfect for them. I also really liked Mackie & Kazan, don't get me wrong, but the other two roles are really specific. In fact, I just saw The Hurt Locker starring Mackie, and he was terrific in that, too.

Anyhoo, A Behanding in Spokane is going to be the hot ticket on Broadway for the next 16 weeks, so you should seriously buy your tickets now while you can. I, for one, am going again next week. This will be my FIRST repeat viewing of a play ever (besides shows I've worked on); does that tell you anything about how much I loved it???

Cafe Steinhof in Brooklyn

2010-02-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

My better half and I ended up at Cafe Steinhof for Valentine's Day. This was actually are 2nd time eating here, and everything we've had has been good & both experiences have been fantastic, so I figured it was time to go ahead and share some love for the Steinhof.

As you can probably gather from the name, this restaurant is Austrian; and it's very good. The ambiance is great; it's low-key, dimly lit & slightly romantic, without trying too hard or being too "couplesy". There's a great bar on one half of the room and they have a robust selection of Austrian beers. For a New York restaurant, it's actually a decent size.

Anyhoo, we got the steamed mussels to start, which may have been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Ever. They were unbelievable. Last time I was there, I got the red cabbage and it, too, was terrific. Our meals both times have been outstanding, but this time we got dessert and it was fan-freakin'-tastic. We went with the chocolate crepes and they were warm, chocolatey, and perfect. And their whipped cream topping is to die for. In fact, I could just hang out at the bar and have their crepes for dinner. Yum.

So, yeah, Carfe Steinhof = yummy. Give it a try.

Two plays by Sam Shepard

2010-02-15T02:35:00.000-05:00

If you live in New York, you probably know that there are currently two successful Sam Shepard plays running Off-Broadway; the oldie (but goodie), A Lie of the Mind, and a brand spankin' new play, Ages of the Moon. Well I had the good fortune of seeing both this past week and, I have to say, if you only have time for one, go see Ages of the Moon.

Ages of the Moon takes place on a front porch in the wee hours of the morning as two older men wait for an eclipse of the moon... while ruminating on their lives, love, and loss. It's no surprise that an older dude (Shepard) would feel the need to write a play like this. In fact, I can almost see my husband & his best friend as those two men on that porch 30 or 40 years from now. There is a lot of angst, alcohol, fighting, and reminiscing packed into this 80 minute play, and it has some of the most charged moments I've ever seen on stage, even if the first 15 minutes or so feel a little absurd and self-indulgent. It had me jumping out of my seat & laughing out loud - that's a pretty good play. It was well-directed, and the acting was great.

But, really, the main reason to see this play is for Stephen Rea's performance. It's probably one of the best performances I've seen since living in New York - possibly ever. It was absolutely astonishing. He is a genius and if you miss this performance, you will be sorry. So don't.

I also saw A Lie of the Mind, and going into it, I knew nothing about it. I kinda like going into a show completely blind because often times I'm pleasantly surprised. (a la Circle Mirror Transformation) In this case, I wouldn't really call it a "pleasant surprise." It wasn't terrible and I'm not going to bash it because there were some great moments, but it's not something I would go out of my way to recommend. Granted, I liked the play; I think Sam Shepard is a good playwright and nobody can take away some of the great moments that are a result of his text. However, I do not think the production is very good nor do I find Ethan Hawke to be a great director (or even a good director, actually) and he did not do this play justice. The second act was especially tedious, and it's hard to blame it on anyone other than Hawke.

The finer parts of the production include the understated, hilarious, and heartbreaking performance by Laurie Metcalf and the sheer accomplishment of Marin Ireland's portrayal of a woman who has severe brain damage. So, if you love Sam Shepard, go ahead & see this one, too, but know that you're in for a long night. Metcalf was a great choice, though. So maybe Hawke did make some good directorial decisions, after all.

This is Where I Leave you by Jonathan Tropper

2010-02-10T20:19:00.000-05:00

I recently read This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper and I am on a mission to get everybody I know to read it. It's one of the best works of fiction I've read in awhile; I wouldn't necessarily call it a would-be classic, but it's a heartfelt, engaging book that you won't be able to put down. Literally. I read it in two days. Granted, it helps that I have a subway commute - and on one of those particular days I rode that commute twice (had to let the dogs out) - so I've definitely got a leg up in the finding-time-for-reading department.

Anyhoo, it's about a family whose patriarch dies, and his last dying wish is for the family to sit Shiva - which is a week-long mourning period that forces a family into togetherness. So imagine being stuck in your mother's house with all your family (and in-laws) for a week. Good times and great arguments will ensue. It's a fun book, and I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a good piece of fiction for your male counterpart, I believe this one will do the trick. It's the kind of book that would appeal to anyone.

So if you feel like you haven't read a good work of fiction in awhile, and haven't recently had that feeling when putting down a book of "wow, that was good and I'm gonna miss those characters", well here ya go.

Tim Burton Exhibit at MOMA

2010-02-09T11:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I finally ventured uptown to MOMA to see the Tim Burton exhibit. I actually didn't know what to expect because I can't claim to be a huge Tim Burton fan, nor can I claim to be a connoisseur of modern art. I'm just a normal person who can appreciate a well-done exhibit and the mind of a creative genius, which is exactly what you're going to get at this exhibit.

The exhibit itself is in a small-ish wing on the 3rd floor, but it is JAM PACKED with Burton sketches, art, notebooks, storyboards, models, etc. The walls are lined with his work. It's interesting and funny, and you can actually see the progression in his work, from bored kid in the suburbs, to CalArts, to Disney, to busting out on his own and getting some major backing. It's an incredibly well put-together exhibit and Tim Burton's work is so different and so curious, you can't help but be sucked in. It's really embarrassing how few of his movies I've seen, but it didn't affect my enjoyment at all. My better half has seen all of his work, including obscure animated cartoons, and he really really enjoyed this exhibit. So, go see it! Whether you grew up with Tim Burton and felt the pulse of his influence starting at an early age (my better half) or just enjoy peering into the mind of a creative anomaly (me), you'll get something out of this. And you'll probably laugh a little, too, because Burton has a cooky sense of humor.

A few logistics: Go during the week; we went in the middle of the day on a workday and it was still packed. Buy your ticket in advance online (there are no added fees) and choose print your tickets at home. You'll skip all the lines and be able to head straight for the entrance. The ticket is $20, but allows you access to all of MOMA. However, a ticket to MOMA doesn't necessarily mean entrance to Tim Burton as they limit the number of people in there at a time. So, just to be sure, buy your tickets for Tim Burton specifically. Coat check is free, so dump your giant poofy coat; the museum room is small. Don't bring giant bags, either.

There is a small collection of his Polaroids in the basement, but the real exhibit is up on the 3rd floor. Take some time to pause in the entrance hallway to watch episodes of Stainboy.
When you're done with Tim Burton, you'll exit out into a photography exhibit which is pretty cool. Take a moment to enjoy the photography, then continue to the architecture wing (all on the 3rd floor) If you're feeling a little worn out by now, suck it up a little bit longer and stop by the Orozco and Monet exhibits on the 2nd floor. Not to be missed!!! Seriously. The Orozco exhibit has some seriously cool photo ops (you'll see what I mean) and the work of Monet they have on display will take your breath away. And don't forget to do a little shopping at the MOMA store. They have the coolest stuff!!

If you're a native, you have a week to apply the $20 entrance ticket toward a MOMA membership, which is $75. Not a bad deal, at all. Think about it.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

2009-09-01T00:16:00.000-04:00

This is what I'm reading now. It's about a spinster concierge at a Paris condo who is actually a cultured, intelligent woman who likes fine music and art house films but can't let anybody suspect that she's anything more than a servant. At the same time, we meet a 13 year old girl who has already figured out that life is meaningless and that everything adults teach you about life and living is pointless, and so she is planning her own suicide to look like an accidental death.

To say this book is odd is an understatement. Yet I keep reading. Wouldn't you?

Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun

2009-08-31T00:20:00.000-04:00

This book is so so so SO good. I know I haven't posted in awhile, but I've still been reading a lot. When I thought back on all the books I've read in the past month since I last posted, this is one of two or three that stuck out. It's very good. It's bleak, startling, and intense. It's the type of novel that wraps you up into its world so completely that you don't think, wonder, or try to predict what will happen next. You don't question the characters, you don't analyze the behavior. You just go with it. I highly recommend it.

Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

2009-07-17T23:29:00.000-04:00

This book, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, has been sitting on my bookshelves for quite some time. So, since I'm waiting for my next Bookswim shipment to arrive, I decided to pick it up. My reasoning was two fold: 1) It's a paperback and paperbacks are perfect for subway reading. Those hardcovers get heavy! 2) I read So Brave, Young, and Handsome last year by the same author, which was actually his sophomore work, and LOVED it. Loved loved loved it. (here is my post about it - don't be distracted by the photo, just read the text) So why hadn't a read Peace Like a River yet, if I loved his other book so much?

I.don't.know. Silly me!

Because this book is one of the best works of fiction I've read in a long time and has definitely put Leif Enger up there as one of my favorite authors of all time. Yes, people, it's THAT good. Enger just swoops you up with him into this fictionalized universe, into these character's heads, into their lives...and it's just impossible to put down. His prose is beautiful, his storytelling exquisite, his phrasing fluid and majestic...I mean, seriously, this guy is gifted. As a storyteller he is a cut above your average author. A gift from God, maybe? Lots of re-writes? A great editor? Maybe all of the above, but I think some people are just born talented. And Enger's talent is telling a story.

This book is also a great read for your man, fyi. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't necessarily classify this as only a "boy" book, but it's definitely something the male gender would appreciate. It's not heavily maudlin, it's not disgustingly romantic, it's not cutsey and cheesey - it's a well-crafted story told in an interesting way and it's the type of story that crosses gender lines.

So, do yourself a favor and read both of Enger's books. And, for the love of hungry readers, Mr. Enger, please write more.

The Urban Hermit by Sam MacDonald

2009-07-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

I read this recently and it made for quick, light, subway fare. It can be trying to concentrate on something high brow or detailed on a distracting subway, and this book is neither one of those. It's a memoir about a late 20s/early 30s male discovering that he's wasting his life away in debt, alcohol, and his own obesity and decides to do something about it. While I certainly admire his gumption to do something about it, the final product will leave you wanting more and wondering what the point of it all is. I mean, it's probably interesting for his friends, but for the lay reader - I have to wonder why we should care? We don't know Mr. MacDonald and from the very beginning he gives us absolutely no reason to care. There are so many great memoirs out there and so many fascinating lives, that this should be farther down on your list of memoir must-reads. Even memoirs that aren't about fascinating lives often at least give us some heart, speak to us in some way, or find a way for us to identify with them. (A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel comes to mind)

Unfortunately, Mr. MacDonald works so hard at creating the "voice" he wants us to hear (or is that really how he talks?) that he keeps us at a distance the whole time. We are never let into his world, his angst or his emotions. Why write a memoir if you're not going to give us a piece of yourself or leave something on the table?

I will admit that perhaps those of the male gender will identify more with this book and actually be relieved at the clinical descriptions of Sam's plight and the lack of any real catharsis or emotion. Perhaps that is exactly what guys want out of a memoir. But, be forewarned, it's still not really all that interesting.

The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why it Matters by Rose George

2009-06-30T17:14:00.000-04:00

My husband read this a week ago and insisted I read it also. So I did. It's quite shocking and enlightening, actually. I had no idea just how many people in the world have no sanitation (like literally NONE) and how many children die of diarrhea every year. Can you imagine? Dying of diarrhea?? Sounds awful if you ask me. And when the books talks about "no sanitation" it doesn't just mean people without toilets...it means NO place to poo. No outhouse, no pit, no designated poo area - nothing. Which means you poo where you can. On the street. Out in the yard. By the creek. And then that poo is just in the street, and it washes into the rivers and it sinks into the riverbeds and before you know it, the drinking water is contaminated or a fly that was hanging out on the poo is now hanging out on your dinner and EWWW not only is it gross but it's deadly.
Whew. That was a long sentence. But, seriously, it's a problem. Nobody cares about sanitation. Talking about poo isn't glamorous and politicians don't get elected on poo platforms. I wish I were a noble enough person to join the poo fight, but it's just so damned gross. This book will definitely open your eyes to a huge worldwide problem that is only going to grow more dire as the population increases. You should read it. Then go hug your toilet.

The Long Tail by Chris Anderson

2009-06-25T23:57:00.000-04:00

I really have been reading still, I promise. In fact, I get an almost uninterrupted hour of reading (or so) daily on my subway commute. Anyway, I have been reading The Long Tail by Chris Anderson for the past few days. Oddly enough, I started reading The Long Tail randomly of my own volition because of my nerdy fascination with marketing and consumer economics.

When I was about 3/4 done with it, my hubby mentioned that the webs were a-twitter with backlash and hatin' on Chris Anderson, mostly in regards to his new book Free: The Past and Future of a Radical Price. I read some of the comments and decided for myself that the haters just didn't get Anderson's book (I'm referring to The Long Tail here - haven't yet read Free). Having it fresh in my mind because I was *literally* in the middle of reading really helped me to throw out most of the comments as backlash against what is probably a widely held distaste for Anderson's personality. The guy is a bit of a pompous know-it-all. But I suppose anyone with a brand new, ground-breaking, perception-altering theory would have to possess a bit of pomp.

I digress. So my hubby sends me a bunch of links and I sift through them. Most of them were trying to say that Anderson is wrong, that the world of "the hit" is not dead and that much of the long tail does not sell. Well, that's exactly what Anderson says in his book. He literally says that he does not think the hit is dead, but that it has been transformed. I concur. The argument that a lot of the long tail doesn't sell is something to be worked out through data analysis and market research, so I can't comment on disparate findings from similar studies, but Anderson is very clear that there is definitely a lot of crap in the long tail and certainly things in the long tail aren't necessarily selling a lot - they are just diverting many of us away from the one or two giant hits that were previously our only choices.
Okay, I'm writing way too much and if you haven't read the book, you may have no idea what I'm talking about.
The funny thing, however, is that after I finished The Long Tail, took the time to sift through the haters and ultimately decide for myself that I am a believer in the long tail, a story broke that he plagiarized material in his new book, Free.
Shame on you, Chris Anderson. Especially after I mentally and verbally defended you. There are no words.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

2009-06-15T23:16:00.000-04:00

I know I'm late to the party on this one, but I'm finally reading Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. It's a really quick, engaging read and I highly recommend it. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one left in the world who hasn't read it yet, so I'm just preaching to the choir...but, still, I'm gonna throw it out there - this one is good. I think Krakauer is a great storyteller and he somehow manages to keep the facts what they are (factual) and let the reader feel what he/she wants to feel. He in no way manipulates the story emotionally, though he does manipulate the story-telling...in a good way. He tells the story in a non-linear way which I find captivating and keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. At any rate, this is a great story in its own right and Krakauer certainly does it justice. Maybe I'll check out the movie next.

House of Cards by William D. Cohan

2009-06-14T20:53:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading House of Cards by William D. Cohan and I absolutely ate it up. Which means I talked it about it nonstop...so my poor husband had to hear me go on and on and on about subprime mortgages, mortgage-backed securities, and credit default swaps. Exciting stuff! Seriously, tho, for some reason I was fascinated and riveted by this book; it's basically 480 pages about the fall of Bear Stearns and the subsequent collapse of the financial markets. But, mostly about Bear Stearns. And it went into extreme detail. So while some may find it tedious and boring, I think knowing who called whom when and what they talked about is infinitely fascinating. Again, you'd have to be interested in the topic, I think (much like the comic book book my better half just read) So if you're at all curious what really went on behind closed doors at the ol' Bear Stearns, pick this book up. If you couldn't care less, well, maybe this isn't the book for you.

The Ten-Cent Plague by David Hajdu

2009-06-04T19:12:00.000-04:00

My better half is reading The Ten Cent Plague by David Hadju and he seems to really enjoy it. I'll admit I tried to read this a couple weeks ago and I gave up. It was a top pick on Amazon last year and got all-around positive reviews. I even read that it's the type of book that all can enjoy, not just comic book lovers. Well, that's a big fat lie. It's not like I'm a comic book hater, either. I enjoy a good Archie Double Digest and love the comic book movies, but, I really think you have to loooooooove and appreciate and know quite a bit about comic books to really enjoy this book. Which my husband does, so it makes sense that he would like the book way more than I did. I really didn't get that far before I couldn't take it anymore. However, if you regularly read or follow comic books, this is definitely a must-read.

Serena by Ron Rash

2009-05-31T12:59:00.000-04:00

This is my too-big-and-heavy-to-put-in-my-purse-and-read-on-the-subway book, so I've been reading Serena by Ron Rash at home. It's exquisitely well-written! I was actually a little surprised at how quickly it dove into some pretty heavy stuff; which I guess is nice because I was sucked in pretty early! I'm very curious as to where it's gonna go, though. So much has happened and I'm only 80 pages in and I don't think the real plot of the book as begun yet. I feel like it's been 80 pages of set up (albeit interesting set up) so I can only imagine what Rash has in store for us! Anyone else read this?

beasts of no nation by uzodinman iweala

2009-05-24T03:17:00.000-04:00

I'm reading beasts of no nation right now and it is verrrrrrrrry unique. It's not the easiest book to love, but I think it's an important book and is truly spectacular if you get into it. The writing style is not easy to get used to; it's written from the perspective of a young kid forced into being a soldier in Africa, and it's told in his voice as if he's just learning English...so, as you can imagine, it's not the smoothest of reads. And of course the subject matter is brutal and gruesome and tough to read, but, like I said, an important work. I believe it won a couple of prestigious writing awards when it debuted, so it is a GOOD book...it just requires a little bit more from the reader than your average novel.

Goldengrove by Francine Prose

2009-05-19T00:27:00.000-04:00

I'm reading Goldengrove by Francine Prose and it's beautiful. She is a magnificent writer. The theme is very similar to Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan, which I just read, so I almost feel like I'm reading the same book or maybe the sequel. Oh, well. This is another bargain find that I think is definitely worth full price. Prose has a way with words! I'm not even halfway through the book, though, so I'll reserve final judgment for the end...but so far this is one of the better books I've read over the past few weeks. The really great writers set themselves apart so easily...why do I ever waste my time with mediocre writers and mediocre books? Never again, I say!

Remix by Lawrence Lessig

2009-05-15T00:20:00.000-04:00

My husband just read this. He said it was very good and very interesting, but also dense and tedious at times. He says definitely read it if you're interested in the topic, but if you're not that interested in copyright law and intellectual property, this may not be the book for you. I passed on it myself, but now I'm wishing I had at least skimmed through it. Ah, well, maybe some other time.

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

2009-05-09T17:25:00.001-04:00

FINALLY! A great book! I'm reading Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan and it's woooonderful. Maybe it seems even more wonderful than usual because I just finished a handful of mediocre books all in a row...hah! But, really, O'Nan is a truly gifted writer. His characters are deep and familiar and flawed; his storytelling is beautiful and subtle and he often takes you completely by surprise. I adored Last Night at the Lobster - it's probably my favorite novella (well, that and Shopgirl) so when Songs for the Missing ended up on the bargain shelf, I knew I had found steal. There are a lot of terrible books on bargain, and even more mediocre books on bargain, but every now and then you can find something truly special on bargain. And that's what this is. It's a book that is worth full price; I just happened to get lucky. Now the question after reading this book is whether or not I'll be donating it along with the other bargain finds I'm getting rid of, or if it will earn a spot in my permanent collection. I'll reserve final decision for once I finish! But do pick up something by O'Nan! His storytelling does not disappoint!

Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb

2009-05-06T15:01:00.000-04:00

I'm reading Now You See Him by Eli Gottlieb. It's another one off my shelf that I'm trying to read so I can donate and make room for new stuff...anyhoo, this one is definitely better than the others in my long line of books-i'm-reading-from-the-bargain-shelves. It got decent reviews when it came out and it's certainly not a disappointment, but it's also nothing phenomenal. It won't be on my list of great books I recommend, but I'm enjoying the read for what it is. Maybe after this I should seek out some truly great books because it's getting kind of old to read books that are "just ok". Although, I really do want to empty my shelves....

Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward

2009-05-01T20:09:00.000-04:00

I'm reading Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward and it's another quick subway read that requires nothing from me. I decided the other day to go through a bunch of books that have been sitting on my shelves unread, so that's what I've been doing. I bought this and Garden Spells for probably $3 each on bargain, so there's no great expectations on my part. It is what it is; a $3 book that isn't awful but certainly isn't anything I'd tell anyone they must go read. I will of course be donating it when I'm done (along with Garden Spells) because neither one is good enough to be kept and displayed on my shelves. I only keep the really good books ; ) I'm in New York, space is limited! So, if you have this on your shelf, save it for the beach or the subway; if you don't have it on your shelf, don't be too broken hearted.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

2009-04-28T23:08:00.000-04:00

This is what I'm reading now. It's good subway reading; easy, interesting, fun, sweet. Nothing ground breaking or earth shattering, but nice. I would definitely recommend this as one of those reads when you need to just veg out with some sweet characters and an easy read that doesn't demand much of you. In fact, I think I'll go read some more right now.

Little Heathens ended up being a bit of a drag in parts; the author provided A LOT of old-timey recipes and how-tos. Which I'm sure many people would find very helpful but I don't cook so I skipped most of those parts. It sure was interesting, tho, to read how different her childhood was compared to the world we live in now; there is no way her childhood lifestyle could be duplicated these days. Those days are so long gone; I imagine it's hard to look around and not see even a remnant of the life you led before, ya know? Anyhoo, I bet some of those recipes are REALLY good, so if you're into stuff like that definitely pick this one up.

Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

2009-04-19T12:11:00.000-04:00

I picked this up at an awesome used bookstore whose profits go to help the homeless in NYC, so I'll probably be buying all my books there from now on, but, anyway...I think I finally found something that can keep my attention! Trust me, it is not easy to focus on a subway (altho when I do finally focus and get sucked into the book, I miss my stop...hah!) At any rate, Little Heathens is a memoir of a girl growing up on an Iowa farm during the Depression. She is five when the book begins in 1930. Is this the Silent Generation? I get my Generations confused, but it's definitely a very sweet story so far. You can tell when reading this book that Armstrong-Kalish didn't hate her childhood or even find herself deprived - quite the contrary, actually. She was constantly surrounded by cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc, and often lived with them when family members lost their farms. It's an interesting perspective from which to write a book...living through the depression but not entirely understanding what's going on. It's almost surreal. You should read this; it's really sweet and very well-written and I'm learning a lot about that period of our nation's history.

The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher

2009-04-17T10:03:00.000-04:00

This is what I've been trying to read the past few days and it's yet ANOTHER book that I'm having trouble getting into. I think I'm just too tired at the end of the day to read or something because this is a good book...it's totally my fault that I can't get into it. I'm going to keep trying because I can really see the value in keeping at it; it's very well written and I'm already interested in the characters...I just find myself falling asleep after a few pages.

How the States Got Their Shapes by Mark Stein

2009-04-12T01:13:00.000-04:00

This is what my better half is reading right now. I haven't decided yet if I'll read it when he's done. He said he's having trouble getting into it...that it's dry and encyclopedic when he hoped it would read a bit more like a novel. Which I totally understand; it's the type of book and topic that would lend itself to great, well-told stories chock full of interesting characters, and maybe even some betrayal and shady dealings...who knows?!? It's organized alphabetically so maybe I'll just skim through and find the interesting ones. Like Michigan and Texas. Those would be interesting, I bet. Anyone else read this and can weigh in?

The Little Book by Selden Edwards

2009-04-05T23:48:00.000-04:00

I started this a few days ago and I've been reluctant to post about it because it's SO well done... but for some reason I just can't get into it. The characters are interesting, their story lines are fascinating (time travel, 19th century Vienna, philosophy, etc) but it's so meticulous and intense and well-written that I'm having trouble focusing. It doesn't help that I read mostly on the Subway now and, well, you can imagine that there are a lot of distractions on the Subway! I end up reading the same lines and pages over and over again...especially when yet another Mariachi band shows up on my subway car playing De Colores for spare change. Anyhoo...if you have time and the ability to focus, I highly recommend this book. Please don't be scared away from it on account of my inability to read a "real" novel right now! Perhaps I need two separate books...one for Subway travel and one for quiet, evening reading. Hmmmmmmmm.....

The Fifth Floor by Michael Harvey

2009-03-30T00:39:00.000-04:00

I've been reading The Fifth Floor by Michael Harvey on the subway the past few days and finished it tonight. Meh. It wasn't very good...which really disappointed me because The Chicago Way (Harvey's debut novel) was outstanding. He writes good ol' detective novels in the "old school" way. Very "She-walked-into-my-office-and-sat-down" complete with loads of cover ups, favors, political intrigue and vendettas. But, alas, this book just wasn't very good. The plot was thin and not at all intriguing (which is bad for a detective novel) and when the pieces started to come together, I still wasn't completely sure what was going on. The reader should definitely have that ah-hah moment of "oh that was staring me in the face the whole time but the author hid it well enough without being completely obtuse"....but, nope. Just obtuse. I do still highly HIGHLY recommend The Chicago Way. I stayed up all night reading it; couldn't put it down and was totally surprised and sucked in all the way though. Just don't bother with this one.

The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs

2009-03-24T22:13:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I know I've posted about this book, The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs, before, but I have to post again because....I MET HIM!!!!!!!!!! And he's seriously the nicest guy! And super humble. And super sweet because I totally staked out his green room and stood there and watched him have a conversation with someone else (which I'm sure was incredibly awkward for him) and then grabbed him as soon as he finished his convo. I'm totally a shameless groupie. But, I got my book signed!!! And I talked to him for a few minutes. I know! Like actually had a conversation; not just "hey, read your book". "hey thanks, glad you read my book". It was so rad. What's really funny about meeting him is now when I read his articles and books I'm totally going to see and hear his voice while reading. Which I think is great; I love putting a person behind the words.

Oh, how did I meet him you might ask? I went to a Literary Trivia Showdown (fundraiser for Slice Magazine) and he was on the Author team. It was Editors v. Authors v. Agents. I totally had my money on the editors, but the authors won decisively. Go Authors! Anyhoo, he was one of the authors (along with Chip Kidd, Darin Strauss (who is hilarious), Jonathan Lethem, and Susan Jane Gilman. It was a pretty funny night and I actually learned a few things about the book world that I didn't know before. I might have to bust out Book Lover's Trivial Pursuit and learn some more (yes, of course, I own that game...are you surprised?)

Okay, so if you haven't already, for the love of great books, read The Year of Living Biblically and The Know-It-All (my personal fave) and if you don't have time to read either of his books, at least read one or two of his HIlarious articles. You can find my favorite here (about his outsourced life) Hah! Where do you come up with this stuff, A.J. (awesome name, btw)

Lowboy by John Wray

2009-03-22T21:51:00.000-04:00

My better half bought this book, Lowboy by John Wray, yesterday and we are both sooo stoked to read it! The press is just loving on it and I've heard excellent things from people who have read it. He actually did a reading not too long ago on the L Train which I absolutely love. I adore the idea of holding events, theater, galleries, etc, in non-traditional places. I love when the space becomes another character or an entity in and of itself. Anyhoo, I missed the reading, but that's ok. I'm going to a benefit "Literary Trivia Showdown" tomorrow featuring Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, The Fortress of Solitude), Chip Kidd (The Cheese Monkeys, The Learners), A.J. Jacobs (The Know-it-All, The Year of Living Biblically), Darin Strauss (More Than It Hurts You, Chang and Eng), Susan Jane Gilman (Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven, Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress). Hopefully I can get some books signed!!

The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews

2009-03-19T00:30:00.000-04:00

I've posted about this book before, The Flying Troutmans, by Miriam Toews, and I finally had the chance to read it this week on the subway. I really really enjoyed it! It's about a family who goes on a long road trip in search of their father (it doesn't come across that cheesy, I promise) while their mother recovers in a mental institute (again, it's not as trite as I make it sound) Anyway, the characters were so ridiculously over-the-top to be believable and were just heartbreaking to watch. I looooved Toews' characters; you should read this book just to get to know them. If you're looking for a break from the mundane, you'll love this.

Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

2009-03-16T22:10:00.001-04:00

My favorite PI, Izzy Spellman is featured again in this third installment of the Spellman Series, Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz. Lisa was in Manhattan this evening doing a reading, discussion, and Q&A, and I was fortunate enough to be able to go =) She is an adorable, quirky, fun woman who exudes the same qualities I love about Izzy Spellman (big surprise, right?!?!) She talked about her series, read an excerpt from the third book, and answered a variety of questions. The screenplay for The Spellman Files movie has officially been picked up and the manuscript for the fourth book in the Spellman series has been officially written...so LOTS going on in the Spellman universe!! Lisa has said in previous interviews that she couldn't see herself writing more than four Spellman books, but the question was presented tonight and she did not confirm sticking to only four...so hopefully there will be more!!!!

If you haven't read this series, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend it. It's one of the most unique, fun, and quirky adventures you'll have in reading....ever. I adore this series and I adore Isabel Spellman, and now I adore Lisa Lutz. She was gracious and lovely, and signed all four of the books I brought. What a trooper! Can't wait to read this!!

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

2009-03-15T00:18:00.001-04:00

This is what I read over the past couple days on the subway. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink is a short, quick, easy...yet profound read. I saw the movie, naturally, and was so taken with it that I had to read the book. Sidenote: I find it interesting how many Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning movies were based on books, but, I digress... I loved the movie so I bought the book on a whim; mostly because it's really small and light and fits easily in my purse for subway travel.

I have to admit to actually liking the movie better this time around. I credit that to Kate Winslet; her performance was astonishing and she embodied more of that character's thoughts, feelings, desperation, shame, and uncertitude in her portrayal than Schlink revealed through his words. Winslet naturally stole the show movie and became the character we could not forget; in the book, the boy is the driving force (moreso than the movie) and he is the one we can't stop thinking about.

The book is still definitely penetrating and absolutely worth reading. I just couldn't get over Kate Winslet's performance and so am a little biased. But, please, do yourself a favor and do both; watch and read this magnificent story.

The Black Tower by Louis Bayard

2009-03-13T13:24:00.000-04:00

I read this book in the midst of my move and it was just ok. It was very mediocre most of the time, actually. Is that just because my apartment was in disarray and my mind was elsewhere? I don't think so. The plot is actually quite intriguing, but the execution left a lot to be desired. But, the book was only $1.50, so I can't complain. Bout to head out to a show, so I'll have to keep this short. Not like there's a lot to say about this book anyway....

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

2009-03-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

I have been gone a long time!! It takes a new Audrey Niffenegger book to pull me out of the woodwork... That's right, folks, a new Audrey Niffenegger book. She FINALLY has a 2nd novel coming up and I daresay it will be hard to top the perfect brilliance of The Time Traveler's Wife. But, that's ok! It's actually been so long since I've read that book that I think it's safe for me to read her sophomore work. I won't be comparing it the whole time. And really, I'm so excited for her 2nd novel that I don't even care at this point what it's about! I just want to read it already! According to ArtsJournal, she got a $5 million advance on the manuscript from Scribner, who will be publishing. Not too shabby =)
Hopefully I'm back now. I moved to New York and just now got internet hooked up, so please forgive the absence! I have been reading, of course, and I will be back shortly to update what I've been reading on the subway.

Five Flights Up and Other New York Apartment Stories by Toni Schlesinger

2009-02-22T15:21:00.000-05:00

I am reading this collection of interviews by Toni Schlesinger, Five Flights Up, in honor of my impending move to New York and the teeeeeny tiny apartment we found! It's an awesome place, don't get me wrong, and it has everything I wanted...it's just super small. Especially compared to the monstrosity I've been living in the past 2 years...which is actually more space than I need. I mean, we never use the dining room nor do we need the 2nd bedroom. So, I've been a little spoiled with having so much space to stretch out in. But, I firmly believe the downsizing is well worth it for the awesomeness of the city (um, hello?!?! I'll be in f**ing NEW YORK!!!) and the fact that we got a 1st floor place with a yard in a bitchin' neighborhood.

Anyhoo, enough about me. This book consists of a collection of blurbs from interviews with people living in crazy situations in New York. And it's actually making me feel better about our teeny tiny place because there are people living with roommates in just over 200 sq feet. Can you imagine?!?! I can't either. And there are people paying almost $4000 a month in rent for high rises in the middle of manhattan. So, considering all of that, I think we're doing pretty good.

Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain by Kirsten Menger-Anderson

2009-02-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

This book, Doctor Olaf van Schuler's Brain by Kirsten Menger-Anderson, looks bitchin'. It's about a long line of "peculiar physicians" who are "plagued by madness" and interested in things like spontaneous combustion, phrenology, animal magnetism, electrical shock treatment, psychosurgery, and genetic research. Okay, awesoooome. Sounds creepy and interesting and unsettling all at the same time. And I love the actual size of the book; it's shorter and wider than most, which I really like. Anytime an author/publisher/editor/what-have-you deviates from the "norm" in book writing or publishing, I pay attention. This one is definitely going on my list! And, hey, since I'm moving to New York maybe I can just check it out from the incredible New York Public Library?!?! Um, yes please!

Lark & Termite: a novel by Jayne Anne Phillips

2009-02-12T00:34:00.000-05:00

Okay, I can't find a bigger image of this book, Lark &Termite, unfortunately, but is this not one of the best book covers ever? I love it. And the book got some nice reviews; so many, in fact, that Goodreads gave it 4 starts. Good cover art and nice reviews are always a win for me!

Christine Falls: A Novel by Benjamin Black

2009-02-07T11:56:00.000-05:00

I'm reading Christine Falls by Benjamin Black right now. It's been recommended by quite a few mystery lovers and I found it at Half Price Books a month ago, so, I'm reading it. I'm having a hard time getting into it, though, but I think that's because I have a lot going on right now. I'm moving! Ahhhhhhhh! So, my brain isn't really focused on reading. It's focused on finding an apartment. I will continue with this book and give it a chance, tho. Sometimes it takes awhile to set up a good crime novel. Anyone else out there read this? I should keep reading, right?

Waiting for the apocalypse by Veronica Chater

2009-01-31T14:06:00.000-05:00

This memoir, Waiting for the apocalypse by Veronica Chater looks awesome! Veronica's father sold all their stuff in the 70s and moved the entire family from California to a small village near Fatima because he thought the apocalypse was just around the corner. ??? Can you believe that? This was Veronica's life! Schlepping to Portugal to live in religious Catholic bliss waiting for the apocalypse?! Seriously? Sounds AWESOME. I know I always say I'm going to read all these books that I post about, but I really really hope to get around to this one. I just can't believe that this is actually someone's childhood!

Delicate Edible Birds: And Other Stories by Lauren Groff

2009-01-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

Lauren Groff has a new book out! Woohoo! If you haven't read The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff, you should. It was her debut novel that came out last year and it was adorable. Fun, quirky, unique, etc. I loved it. In fact, I think my husband has it in his pile of books at his bedside table. Anyhoo, she has a new book out, Delicate Edible Birds: And Other Stories, which is a collection of nine short stories dealing with the life of the twentieth century American woman. Groff is a great author; she has a confident, unique voice that definitely appeals to women, but isn't *just* for women. So, yes, your man will enjoy The Monsters of Templeton, as well. I mean, c'mon, there's a Lake Monster in the book. You can't go wrong with a Lake Monster.

Bowling Across America by Mike Walsh

2009-01-27T15:29:00.000-05:00

I have not been here in awhile, it seems! I've been busy and exhausted, which doesn't lend itself well to reading or posting. But, that's okay! Here I am. I haven't read this book, Bowling Across America by Mike Walsh, but a coworker/friend of mine has, and she LOVED it. It's about an advertising exec who goes on a mission to bowl in all fifty states, meeting and talking to all of the many characters who frequent bowling alleys along the way. She (my coworker) says it's a real slice of America. Anyway, just thought I'd throw it out there.

I finally finished The Last Campaign by Thurston Clarke last night and it made me super sad. For those of you who are interested in RFK, this is a must-read. For those who don't have an interest, I feel I have to warn that the book can be quite tedious at times. It's an entire book that is literally about 82 days...so it gets very specific. Very, "then he went here, and then they said this, and then that guy did this, and the response was this", BUT you will get a great glimpse into who Robert Kennedy truly was as a person and what he stood for.

It's not just Kennedy the Politician, but Kennedy the Man - he was so passionate and so concerned for the poor...so affected by the suffereing of others. He was a truly GREAT man. He was pne of a kind and one that will never be replaced. I don't think I ever really understood what we as a nation lost when we lost him. It's a tragedy that we never recovered from. I believe he would have done amazing things for this nation and that we seriously missed out on something special. Beyond special.

Anyway, this book really broke my heart. Robert Kennedy was absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime candidate...a rare human being among politicians and a truly passionate man about others' suffering. Okay, I will stop now. What's done is done...I guess I just never realized the magnitude of what was done.

When I Knew by Robert Trachtenberg

2009-01-21T23:08:00.000-05:00

This book RULES. It's a collection of short stories from people talking about when they first knew they were gay. The stories are funny, poignant, touching, absurd, and did I say funny? Read this, find it, buy it; it's a great distraction!

The Last Campaign by Thurston Clarke

2009-01-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

This is what I'm reading now, The Last Campaign: Robert F. Kennedy and the 82 Days that Inspired America by Thurston Clarke. It ended up on quite a few "Best Non-Fiction of 2008" lists and I'm interested in the topic, so I thought I'd give it a try. I am learning so much! I have to admit to not knowing much about RFK besides that he was assassinated, that he was going to win, and that the country got Nixon (and Watergate) instead. Not a pretty picture!

In this book, I am learning so much more about how the nation felt about RFK, about the policies that RFK held dear, and about how much of a troubled soul he was. I'm also realizing that our nation (and the world) would be a much different place had he not been taken before his time, and if he had won that election. The hope and change and unity that he inspired hasn't been duplicated until just recently, with the historic election of Barack Obama. That was forty years ago that Kennedy was taken! Forty years! And we are just now as a nation (I feel) recovering from the bitterness and skepticism that Johnson & Nixon (and Vietnam & Watergate) left us with. What would the picture of today look like if we'd had our RFK? Well, perhaps speculation isn't the greatest exercise right now because the truth of the matter is that it's forty years later and we have a new voice for change, unity, and hope, and that person is Barack Obama and tomorrow he becomes our President. RFK is smiling down on us.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman

2009-01-14T14:13:00.000-05:00

This is what my smarter, better half is reading right now and he absolutely LOVES it. He says it's smart, interesting, engaging, and will blow your mind about what we are doing to this planet. I probably won't read it because I have so many other things on my list and Thomas Friedman isn't my favorite author (couldn't get into The World is Flat) BUT for those of you who like this topic, like Friedman, or enjoyed The World is Flat, this book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded comes highly recommended from my very very intelligent hubby.

The Night of the Gun by David Carr

2009-01-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

I have been out of town since last Wednesday, so please forgive the hiatus! I've still been reading, of course, and I've been reading The Night of the Gun by David Carr. It is yet another recovering addict memoir. They are just as common as poor childhood in Ireland memoirs... Anyhoo, Carr set out to tell his addict story in a fresh way because he realized the world didn't need yet another recovering addict story. So he researched his past like a reporter would; dug up old police reports, lawyer's records, court transcripts, and interviewed people who were around during the darkest part of his past. The result is.... yet another addict story.

Granted, there are a few really interesting moments when Carr realizes his memory of certain events are completely false (backed up by evidence, of course) and his world his kind of rocked. And I actually enjoy a recovering addict story; mostly because I like reading about the sordid details of the addict's life and the crazy lengths they go to for a hit. Like watching a train wreck, I suppose. I should be ashamed of myself. Oh, well, they're the ones writing the books.

Anyhoo, most of the time, Carr is actually quite annoying. He tries to wax philosophical, he uses sentences full of "smart" words just because he can, and you can almost see him sitting at the computer while typing, congratulating himself on yet another sentence that could be considered erudite. ANNOYING. Someone should have edited Carr. Said, "hey, people don't like when an author thinks he's smarter than his readers". Maybe they are, but they can never let on that they know it. Anyway, Carr is obsessed with himself, his own words, and how he puts those words together. This book was pretty well received when it came out but I'm not entirely sure why. If you're looking for a good addict-recovery story, might I recommend Beautiful Boy by David Sheff rather than this one? That book is honest. I don't feel an ounce of true honesty or self-reflection coming from Carr. Which is the most important element of a memoir.

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin

2009-01-07T01:12:00.001-05:00

It's been a busy few days at work, but not so busy that I didn't have time to read Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life by Steve Martin. I am definitely a Steve Martin fan (The Jerk is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny) so I considered this, his memoir, to be a must-read. It was even on the NYT best-seller list for awhile when it first came out. It's in paperback now for those who care. Anyhoo, this book was certainly interesting because it's Steve Martin and who's not a fan of Steve Martin? And he's actually had a very interesting, serendipitous life. (especially since I just read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, so I can see how Steve Martin definitely had some lucky circumstances)

I'm rambling. So this was an interesting book because of the subject matter and the content, but, really, the book isn't that great. I definitely, 100% think it's a must-read if you're a fan. Because if you're a fan, you can forgive the sparse style, the begrudging voice, and the complete disconnect from the reader, and the almost loathsomeness for himself that comes across. Okay, I'm making it sound terrible; it's not, but I do think it has been forgiven a lot in media coverage because it's Steve Martin. Really, the book could have been written by an 8th grader. It's like Steve Martin didn't want to delve into his past or that he hadn't even thought about his past until setting pen to paper to write this book. Not only that, but he doesn't go into any real personal detail; it's all factual "i went here at this time, then there, then I met this person", which is fine because he went cool places and met famous people, but he doesn't give the reader any personal information nor does he lay out any real honest emotion. I think Steve Martin may be a bit on the emotionally unavailable side and perhaps a little crazy.

But he's hilarious. So I forgive him. All that to say, if you're a fan, DEFINITELY read this book because you will learn SO much interesting stuff about him, but don't be expecting any kind of "tell-all" a la Maureen McCormick. I am really glad I read it, despite my harsh review, so take it with a grain of salt. It's still a very enjoyable book; light, easy to get through, interesting...you can probably read it in a day. (so definitely borrow, don't buy).

And don't judge Steve Martin's writing based on this book, either. The Underpants and Picasso at the Lapin Agile are still probably two of the funniest plays I've ever seen, and I thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed The Pleasure of My Company (such a great read!) and Shopgirl (which was turned into a boring movie [don't see the boring movie, read the novella])

So, go read his other stuff because he is certainly gifted in other forms of writing...just not necessarily memoirs.

Snark by David Denby

2009-01-04T00:41:00.000-05:00

This book looks AWESOME. It's about snark. The history of snark, the ins and outs of snark, the methodology of snark, the dissection of snark, the anatomy of snark. Ah, snark. Anyone who has been on the internetz long enough knows A LOT about this subject. I must read this!

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

2009-01-01T19:52:00.001-05:00

This is what I'm reading now and holy crap is it good. It's one of the oldest books I've read in a long time; it's actually in paperback. I should explore more "oldies" but goodies because this is just terrific. I read People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks earlier this year and really liked it, so I figured I'd give her another try. This book is awesome.

I finished Netherland and it was stunning. If you love good literature, read it. If you like post-9/11 literature, read it. If you get bored easily by stuff not actually happening, don't read it. It's not an action book at all. It's more about the characters and how their lives, needs, thoughts, and selves change after 9/11. Brilliantly executed.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A Graphic Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald/Adapted by DeFillippis & Weir

2008-12-30T00:47:00.000-05:00

If you know me at all, you know that one of my favorite books of all time is The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer (it was the only book I read the year of The Time Traveler's Wife that affected me as deeply). In fact I wrote a post about The Confessions of Max Tivoli earlier this year. Anyhoo, it's one of my faves and it was, of course, adapted from Fitzgerald's short story which is now a cinematic sensation starring Brad Pitt.

I saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Christmas Day and it was splendid. I enjoyed it immensely and the performances are superb. Blanchett is miraculous. I highly highly recommend the film...but I do think this is one of those rare cases in which you should watch the movie first. Maybe because the story is so short and the movie so long...? But when you know exactly what is going to happen next in an epic film, it does steal a little bit from the raw emotion that watching this movie with no preconceived notions induces. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED the movie, but I knew it like the back of my hand. And in a 3 hour movie, it's not the best to know it all. Luckily, Pitt's & Blachett's performances stole the show.

At any rate, when you do venture out to read the short story, might I recommend this delightful graphic novel adaptation? It's freakin' rad.

Netherland by Joseph O'Neill

2008-12-26T23:44:00.000-05:00

Why have I not read this book, Netherland by Joseph O'Neill, already? Oh my word, it's SO good!! I started it a few days ago and though I'm only 1/4 of the way through it, it's fantastic. O'Neill is an exquisite writer. I found myself reading it the other night, absolutely riveted, and realized I was reading about a game of cricket. I know nothing about cricket nor can I even fathom how it could be interesting, but O'Neill managed to have me enthralled.

Which is interesting because I just finished Esme Lennox and it had a fascinating topic but I still didn't care for the book.... here I am reading O'Neill write about something in Netherland that is seemingly mundane but I can't put it down! It just goes to show how important the art of storytelling is. If you think about all the great writers and authors of the past and of today (and any books you've truly enjoyed) the one thing all those books and writers have in common is a command of the art of telling a story.

So I say if you're a great story teller, write a book. If you have a great voice, write. It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what your book is about. Debuts are out there; books are getting published, why can't it be yours? Just send me an advanced reader's copy!! ;)

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell in paperback

2008-12-24T11:36:00.000-05:00

Wow! The holidays are busy! I haven't update for, well, I won't say how long! Anyhoo, here I sit on Christmas Eve updating my blog. Hehe. Finally a free moment, I guess. Am I book-blog-cheating by re-posting the same book just in a different format? I never really got to talk about The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell and I think I oughta. So the image you see above is the book in its paperback publication, which is out now. However, the hardcover is on bargain for $4 if you can find it! Which, like I said before, I think this book is certainly worth $4 (but not much more).

Anyhoo, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox is a tough book to talk about because I loved the premise, the plot, the story, and the ENDING (holy moly). My problem with the book is that it just wasn't executed very well. Which makes me so sad because this is a brilliant book for a book club - the discussions one could have about it are pretty limitless. In fact, I had a discussion with my husband about it over dinner and he hasn't even read the book! That's how interesting the topic is. But, again, not executed well. I wouldn't say poorly...maybe the word I'm looking for is 'mediocre'. Which can be worse than "bad" in Book Land because a bad book you'll put down, but a mediocre book you just keep plodding along because it's not terrible, so might as well stick with it, right?

Okay, so I'm rambling, but overall, I think O'Farrell had a brilliant idea with her book but just couldn't pull it off well enough to make it great. She could have spent so much more time on the story and characters and ended up with a 400 page book and it would have flown by. She rushed through the story, she glossed over some of the more interesting aspects of these characters and she left SO much out... I was definitely left wanting to know more, to be invited into these characters' lives more, and to be swept up into another time and place. But, nope. That's okay, I do think if you have this lying around go ahead and read it. It definitely left me thinking at the end and perhaps that's the only thing that really matters and this whole post reviewing the book is moot...

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell

2008-12-17T15:54:00.000-05:00

This book, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell has been on my shelf at home for a long time, and I finally picked it up last night after giving up on On God. I remember buying this book ages ago because right there on the very front cover of the book is a quote of praise from none other than Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife, my favorite book on the planet. So, being the sucker for marketing that I am, I bought this book (on sale, of course) Anyhoo, I started reading it last night (or the night before? I've lost track) and it started off kind of slow but it's picking up nicely. So far it's a good book; not great, not earth-shattering, not the kind of book I'd gush about, but good. It's got enough going for it that I will keep reading. It has just enough of a hook that I would like to know how Esme Lennox vanished.

I do love love love the title, tho. The title is GREAT. I probably bought the book due to a combination of Niffenegger's praise and the awesomely awesome title. "Esme" is one of the coolest names ever. (lest you forget my name fetish) So, if you are the current owner of this book, go ahead and read it, and if you see it on bargain for $4 like I did, go ahead and buy. I don't think it will be a waste of your $4. But don't take my word for it, I'm not even half-way done. Hah!

On God: An Uncommon Conversation by Norman Mailer and Michael Lennon

2008-12-16T01:33:00.001-05:00

I tried reading this, but didn't get very far. Sigh. I really wanted to hear Norman Mailer's thoughts on God, but he's just so pompous in this interview (may he rest in peace) I couldn't read it anymore. Perhaps I gave up too quickly or perhaps I should pick and choose which chapters I read, as each chapter is on a different topic and each question is different. I do think I'll read snippets here and there when I don't feel like getting into a full novel, but I'm not sure I can handle this book for long periods at a time.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

2008-12-11T13:47:00.000-05:00

I'm currently reading Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell and it is absolutely blowing my mind. The basic premise of the book is that all of the very successful people in the world (the Bill Gates', Bill Joys, the Beatles, the millionaires) became huge successes through a myriad of lucky chances and available opportunities. It's not just grit & intelligence. The myth that someone can be a "self made man" is just that - a myth. Complete and utter fallacy that we like to believe because it makes us feel like we can achieve anything we want. But, really, we cannot. Depressing? Maybe a little. But fascinating.

Did you know that whether or not you are one of the richest people on the planet during this past millenium depends on what year you were born? Or that whether or not you're a successful hockey player in Canada depends on what month you were born? Or that The Beatles had some very lucky opportunities before they became famous that no other band had or has had since??

Anyway, I can't put this book down. I recommend it whole-heartedly with every fiber of my being I can muster! My husband read this just before I did and he said it's Gladwell's best, and I have to agree. I loved The Tipping Point (it was quite revolutionary) and I enjoyed Blink, but this book, Outliers, is his best. His research is thorough and his storytelling addictive. Go read it! Buy it, borrow it, steal it, do whatever you have to do, but read this book!

Secrets of Simplicity: learn to live better with less by Mary Carlomagno

2008-12-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

I saw this book today and I must have it! It's called Secrets of Simplicity: learn to live better with less by Mary Carlomagno. It's a handbook of sorts, with chapters that are tabbed, pages that are clean and simple, with lots of white space and tons of tips and tricks to simplify your life and get rid of stuff. Man, do I want to get rid of stuff! I feel like my drawers are overflowing, the 2nd bedroom is a storage closet, and the books are stacked to the ceiling. Do I really need all this crap? Won't I just buy new clothes next summer, so why am I keeping all those shirts? And I'm renting books now... plus I don't like re-reading books, so why do I have so many? And don't get me started on the cabinet underneath the dishes. Where does all this stuff come from? Anyhoo, I definitely want this book because there is no way I can get rid of stuff without a straightforward plan. It's just so overwhelming! How do you know what to keep and what to toss? Hopefully this book can help!

Foreskin's Lament: A Memoir by Shalom Auslander

2008-12-08T15:25:00.000-05:00

I finished Travel Writing by Peter Ferry and it was very...interesting... I actually really really liked it; the writing was easy & fun, but smart, and the journey was unique. I felt the book was more about the journey than the ending. So many books are about the ending...which makes sense, because everything builds up to something (especially in mysteries) but it was quite refreshing to realize I didn't care how the book ended nor was I sure it would matter because the story was so effective. That's a rare feat and I have to give credit to Ferry for making the book so much about the story and the act of story-telling. I definitely recommend Travel Writing to those looking for something unique.

I am now onto Foreskin's Lament by Shalom Auslander. I am a sucker for memoirs! I've taken quite a large break from them and had forgotten how extremely interesting they are...and how much better I feel about my life when I read them. ;) Okay, that was mean, but, really, this poor guy, Auslander, had a crazy childhood growing up Orthodox Jew; afraid of God, afraid of cussing, working on the Sabbath, touching himself, etc, etc. And not just afraid...afraid in the eternal-damnation-from-an-almighty-and-spiteful-God-afraid. Yikes! I highly recommend this memoir so far. His writing kind of reminds me of A.J. Jacobs in its simplicity and conversational tone. And it's a quick read, too! I'm already almost halfway done!

The Awe-Manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky

2008-12-06T23:31:00.000-05:00

I saw this boo today, The Awe-manac: A Daily Dose of Wonder by Jill Badonsky and I love it. It's so freakin' cute and would make a great gift! The illustrations are quirky and cute, the layout fun, and the concept is great; it's basically a daily meditation/inspiration-type guide but instead of being boring ol' meditations & inspirations, it's a daily dose of fun facts, things to try, creative things to do that day, or something to make you stop and think and add a little "awe" to your life. I love it! And you will, too!

Travel Writing by Peter Ferry

2008-12-04T11:07:00.000-05:00

So far, I adore this book, Travel Writing by Peter Ferry. I think what initially led me to this debut novel was Dave Eggers, who I absolutely worship. I love all things Dave Eggers, McSweeney's, and 826 National. What they're doing over there is great, and Eggers has never led me astray in a book choice. So when I read (somewhere?) that he liked this book, Travel Writing by Peter Ferry, and had good things to say about it, I immediately added it to my list. I since then forgot why I had added Travel Writing to my list, but the back cover has a giant quote from Eggers so I was quickly reminded!

Anyhoo, Travel Writing is one of those "fake memoir" type narratives. The main character of the story is Peter Ferry; he is a teacher and freelance travel writer (which, oddly enough, is similar to what the real Peter Ferry does) who witnesses a deadly car accident and his life subsequently spirals into weird territory. It's written in a very dry, almost cynical voice; but a voice that is very clear and matter-of-fact. I LOVE the voice. It's of course the voice of the real Peter Ferry, but we're supposed to believe it's just the narrator's voice. I don't care. I really like books that are written from the author's voice. One of my favorites is an Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England by Brock Clarke. What makes a successful fake-memoir-type-novel is a random plot line. And Travel Writing is random. A fake memoir about drug addiction, or tragedy in Africa, or a promiscuous life just doesn't work for some reason. Too common. But a random plot line that a person would probably never actually write about makes for a very very fun novel.

I'm rambling now and probably making no sense. All that to say, Travel Writing is a fun book if you're looking for some light reading that is still GOOD. I think light writing can be wonderful and well-written and interesting. Diving into a "light read" is no excuse for reading bad books!

Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris

2008-12-03T00:36:00.000-05:00

I tried reading this book, Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris, while waiting for my next Bookswim shipment, and it's just bad. Bad bad bad. The cover looked really cute, though, and I adore the title, and there's even a quote at the top that looks promising ("Quirky, original, and captivating"). But, unfortunately, I didn't find any of these to be true. Granted, I didn't finish the book, so perhaps it got better...the writing was just so terrible I couldn't go on. The characters, plot, situations, dialogue, EVERYTHING was so contrived it was painful. Like a bad Lifetime movie but in book form. I was hoping for a quick, fun, guilty-pleasure-type-mystery read before Outliers, The Last Campaign, and Travel Writing arrived, but alas, I just got crap. I believe this novel (if you can call it that) is a debut, so I am warning you now, stay away from this series. So glad my Bookswim order finally arrived so I could put it down! Egad!

I would like to add that I bought this book for $4 from the Bargain shelf. I guess you really do get what you pay for.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron, Bret Witter

2008-11-30T20:58:00.000-05:00

In honor of my beautiful, sweet, loving kitty who passed away this evening, I am posting about this book, Dewey: The Small -Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. This best seller is about an abandoned kitty left in the book deposit slot of a library. The cat goes on to love everyone in the library, town, county, and pretty much all who he meets, unconditionally. That's how my kitty was. She was one of the sweetest, most adoring cats I've ever met. She would purr when someone walked into the room; the vets could never get a good EKG because she purred so hard and so much...even at the vets! She loved even them. At any rate, I'm in mourning tonight, and I needed to write some of this down. A eulogy of sorts, I guess. So, perhaps I'll read this book, Dewey, when my heart has mended a little bit. For now, for any non-cat-owners out there, I say read this book to get an idea of how much a kitty-cat can change people's lives for the better. And if you are a cat-owner, well, you already know that.

Thames: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd

2008-11-30T01:36:00.000-05:00

I heart this cover. This book would never have landed on my radar if not for the cover, so, like I've always said, sometimes it's ok to judge a book by its cover. Especially if it means discovering a book you never would have! Anyhoo, this book is a history of the Thames river. How cool is that? The reviews are in, and they're good. I love that the book is called Thames, A Biography. Instead of calling it "a history", Ackroyd has already given the river a life, a personality, a presence beyond just being a body of water. I actually love non-fiction (even though I've been on a fiction kick lately) and I especially love non-fiction when the subject is unique and captivating, and the Thames is both. Okay, must go to bed now. Early meeting tomorrow. Really, tho??? Who schedules a meeting on a Sunday morning?!?!?

Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum

2008-11-25T13:59:00.000-05:00

This book, Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum, looks awwwwwwwesome. How have I not picked it up yet? I've seen it quite a few times at the bookstore and everytime I do, I think, "Hey, look at that creative cover", but I have yet to actually pick it up and read the inside flap. Well, today during my browsing of the internetz, I stumbled upon the description of the book and it looks right up my alley.

It's about a new teacher who is trying to figure out her place in society, her limits, the expectations of her...basically she's becoming an adult right before our eyes. But the things she grapples with look hilarious; things like "is it acceptable to introduce swear words into the English curriculum, enlist students to write their own report cards, or bring up personal experiences while teaching a sex-education class?" (taken from the book description) Those sound like fun, quirky problems that I could totally relate to! Okay, so maybe not completely, but I think any woman moving into adulthood could find a way to relate to Ms. Hempel. Growing up isn't easy and sometimes it's nice to have a fictional character around who's going through the same growing pains.

Besides, Jonathan Franzen liked it. 'Nuff said.

George, Being George edited by Nelson W. Aldrich, Jr.

2008-11-24T12:40:00.000-05:00

Everywhere I turn, people are saying terrific things about this book, George, Being George. My husband added it to his Bookswim pool, and my reaction was, Huh? So I did a little research and the critics have spoken...and they are raving. In this untraditional biography, 200 "voices" anecdotally recall and revisit the life of Plimpton, from his early childhood years all the way through the end, including, of course, his time with The Paris Review. You'll hear from family members, coworkers, rivals, and acquaintances. Now, I haven't picked this up myself, so don't take my word for it completely. But, I can't imagine this one being anything but interesting...of course, you probably have to have some interest in the publishing world and in Plimpton to begin with, but who doesn't, right?

domino: The Book of Decorating

2008-11-23T13:18:00.000-05:00

I adore the magazine, domino. Well, they've released this awesome book with decorating tips, tricks, and ideas, laid out in classic domino style. I love it, and you will, too! The design of this book is impeccable; the colors, photos, fonts, everything about it. It would make a terrific gift...for yourself!

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

2008-11-22T14:10:00.000-05:00

Can you believe I haven't read this book yet? I'm a little stunned myself. It's been sitting on my bookshelf for ages, and since I have a lull between Bookswim shipments, I picked it up the other day. I had heard it's tough to get into, and, goodness, was that an understatement. I don't think I would have lasted this long if not for the intense recommendations from others...who all said it was slow starting but to stick with it. So, I'm sticking with it and it's starting to pick up a little bit. I just hope I'm done with it by the time my next shipment comes in because Outliers is hopefully on its way! Woohoo!!

The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher

2008-11-16T00:41:00.000-05:00

This book, The Northern Clemency by Philip Hensher looks AWESOME. I've heard of this author being compared to Anne Tyler, Jonathan Franzen, John Updike AND Ian McEwan. I don't think you can go wrong with that. I'm not even quite sure I completely understand what this book is about; I don't think it has a clear plot at all. It seems to just be a story about people and characters and relationships, and well, we all know how I'm a sucker for well-written characters and interesting relationships. I don't need a plot! Who needs a plot? Okay, so perhaps I'm exaggerating a bit, but it does seem to be more about the families (in the book) than events, which is fine by me. The language and writing is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL. I am adding this to my pool! My Bookswim pool is a mile long these days...

In other news, I'm definitely into the heart of The Likeness and it's just getting better and better by the page. It actually took awhile to get into (longer than In The Woods, definitely) but I knew it would pick up. Tana French is a genius. The circumstances are a tad unbelievable, but I'm letting it go and am trying to just accept it. The story is beyond intriguing if you can just go with it!

The Memorist by M.J. Rose

2008-11-13T23:40:00.000-05:00

This book, The Memorist by M.J. Rose, looks awesome. First of all, I love the cover. Secondly, I love the title. Third, there are a TON of positive reviews and quotes on the back of the book. I know that doesn't always mean anything, but I am a sucker for a good quote from another author I like. One of the quotes compared this book to The DaVinci Code, which I am not ashamed to admit I loved. Of course it wasn't the greatest book of all time nor was it very well-written, but was it ever gripping! I couldn't put it down even though it was written at an 8th grade level. Sometimes it just doesn't matter if the subject or the story is intriguing enough. Anyhoo, this book, The Memorist is supposed to be suspenseful and haunting! I'm adding it to my Bookswim pool!

I finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and it was just absolutely stunning. It borrows heavily from the story of Hamlet, so I knew it couldn't end well, but that was ok. Maybe because I knew it was a tragedy it didn't affect me as much when certain things happened. Am I giving away too much? I don't think so; every review of this book mentions how it's the Hamlet story and we ALL know how that ended. Anyhoo, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is Hamlet and so much more. The prose is beautiful, the characters are incredibly fdeep and the relationships intricate. I highly recommend this book for book lovers and English lovers. It's not for the casual reader.

The book I'm currently reading, though, is for the casual reader; especially the reader who loves a good mystery (which I've found I do!). I'm finally reading The Likeness by Tana French, her follow up to In The Woods which was incredible. Read it. Go. Anyhoo, The Likeness is shaping up to be just as un-put-downable as In the Woods. I'm so glad I'm finally getting to read it. Gotta love Bookswim!

A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire

2008-11-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

This is what my better half is reading right now; A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire, part 3 in Maguire's Wicked series, which inspired the hit musical.

It's hard to tell whether he's enjoying it or not because he hasn't said much about it nor does he read it for very long at night. Like when he read The Road, for example, he couldn't put it down, went on and on about it, and stayed up later than usual reading. Now, that's a tough comparison because The Road is one of the best books of ALL time, but, still, I think I'd know if A Lion Among Men were fantastic. I'm sure it's good, but so far I don't feel compelled to read it. Nobody is convincing me it's worth a read. And really, I didn't get very far into Son of a Witch before I had to put it down; it was a bit dry and slow-paced for me at the time. Even Wicked was a bit heavy-handed, although I did appreciate its examination of the civil rights movement. At any rate, I would love to hear from anybody who has read A Lion Among Men! Please let me know your thoughts!

The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews

2008-11-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

This book, The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews has landed on my radar recently. I added it to my Bookswim pool, so it will arrive on my doorstep eventually. The description of the book is absolutely nutty and the reviews have been glowing. It's supposed to be a Little Miss Sunshine-esque road trip across the US with a madcap family full of crazy characters. I personally loved Little Miss Sunshine, so I think I'd really enjoy this book. If you've read it, please weigh in. But it looks like a lot of fun!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski

2008-11-04T19:30:00.000-05:00

I'm finally reading this book, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. When it came out, it got terrific reviews and glowing accolades. I immediately put it on my short list to read, but for whatever reason, just didn't get around to it.

Then the unthinkable happened... Oprah picked it for her book club! Noooooooooo !!!!!!!!!! Sigh. I'm not going to let it stop me from reading a good book, though. So, I'm about 1/4 of the way into this tome (literally...the thing is almost 600 pages) and it's phenomenal. It's a work of genius; brilliant and beautiful and engaging and, well, you should just read it.

This is one of those books that makes me stop every now and then and go "wow." It gets into your soul. I feel everything that happens to these characters; I see their lives and I see through their eyes. That is truly something special.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

2008-11-03T13:01:00.000-05:00

I read My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult the other day as I waited for my Bookswim order to arrive. A friend loaned it to me and it’s been sitting on my nightstand for months, unread. So I finally picked it up and it was a VERY fast read; I read it in two days, I think.

Anyhoo, this is one of those books that has been EVERYWHERE. I feel like everyone has read it, every book club has tackled it and I’m the last remaining person on earth who not only hasn’t read anything by Picoult, but hasn’t read what many consider her best work, My Sister’s Keeper.

The premise is fascinating; a couple finds out that their 2 year old daughter has an incurable form of leukemia and they need a donor for her. So the couple has an IVF baby and chooses the genetic match (with the help of geneticists, of course) for their daughter. The new daughter grows up being the regular donor of blood, marrow, etc for her older sister and when we “meet” them in the book, is about to become a kidney donor.

There are so many places this book could have gone; so many things left unsaid and untouched. Picoult picked a controversial topic and just opted not to go there. I can’t even describe it, but the whole thing fell a little flat. Not that it wasn’t interesting, because it was. And it was highly entertaining and kept me wanting to know what would happen next…which is great for a book! But, Picoult missed out big on creating something truly spectacular and ground breaking. As it was, it was just a fun, entertaining book with a fascinating topic. Those kinds of books are a dime a dozen. I was expecting something powerful and profound; moments where I’d put the book down and go “wow”. But I didn’t. It was just fun, nothing more. Am I the only one who feels this way? I think so.

Down River by John Hart

2008-10-28T01:20:00.000-04:00

I read Down River by John Hart yesterday. It won the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel, and it was quite good.

I feel it's hard to judge a mystery novel because unless the book is just terrible, the reader is going to keep on reading if only to find out what the outcome is. It's not really fair; the reader wants to know whodunnit and he's gonna find out at all costs....even if it means reading a crappy book.

Down River was decent, though. The characters were terrific; vibrant, and intense with lots of different levels and it made for an enjoyable read; I was definitely invested. And the threads came together quite nicely. I don't want to give anything away, but I was surprised in this book and had one of those "ah-hah" moments at one point where it all made sense. Quite satisfying.

So, if you're a mystery reader, you should read this book. If you're not a mystery reader, I don't think you'll be all that into it, but you never know.

McSweeney's Issue #28

2008-10-20T16:47:00.000-04:00

This is what I read last night. Brrrrrrrrilliant. I am obsessed with McSweeney's and all things 826.

This particular edition is all about the fable.

More later.

I'm back! (and The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga)

2008-10-16T10:59:00.000-04:00

Whew! What a vacation! I was in San Francisco and, boy, did I *not* want to come back home. What a great city. I think I like it even more than Chicago, which is saying a lot.

Anyhoo, I of course finished Boomsday by Christopher Buckley, and it was hilarious. Especially due to the current economic and political climate; the book might as well be set in present day (obviously exaggerated, but still eerily similar). I definitely recommend it.

I'm finally getting through The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. There just wasn't any time on my trip; I was too busy taking San Francisco by storm! Hah! The book has gotten to a point where I don't want to put it down. I have to admit to it taking a few chapters to really hook me, but once it does, WOW, that hook is deep. This is the first in a trilogy, so I'm excited about reading all of Larsson's books. Unfortunately, this talented author passed away shortly after delivering his manuscripts to the publisher. =(

Oh, and the "book world" is all in a tizzy over the announcement that The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga won the Booker prize. Apparently, it was a surprise. It surprised me, too, actually, but only because all the people "in the know" were saying it wouldn't win. And then it did. That's what I get for listening to people "in the know." Anyone read it who can comment?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

2008-10-01T18:11:00.000-04:00

I am taking this book, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on the plane with me. I hope it lives up to the hype because I have no backup!!

I'll let you know my thoughts when I get back from vacation. Woot!

BookSwim: NetFlix for Books

2008-09-28T19:36:00.000-04:00

If you are an avid reader and are not using this service, BookSwim, well, you're crazy. Seriously. If you read more than 3 books a month then you should be using this Netflix-for-Books service. It's brilliant brilliant brilliant. I know there are many out there who use the library in an effort to circumvent buying all those new releases and best sellers, but the wait is ridiculous, if you ask me. This is instantaneous-book-on-your-doorstep service. And no, nobody is paying me to say this; I just really really believe BookSwim is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

You do have to be the type of person who doesn't want to keep every book you read, but I think most book worms are that way. If we kept every book we ever read, we'd have a lot of books (and a lot of mediocre books, to boot) I don't love every book I read, so the great thing about BookSwim is you (obviously) send them back a la NetFlix but can keep the ones you love and buy them at a discounted rate. BookSwim then automatically sends a new one from your Pool. Genius. And the plans start at $10 a month. I can't even buy a paperback at the local bookstore for that price, let alone a brand new release.

So, just doing my civic duty here by sharing this excellent program to my fellow book lovers out there. And, really, nobody put me up to this; I've been talking about BookSwim to a lot of people lately and NONE of them have heard of it. So I'm just trying to get the word out there!

Boomsday by Christopher Buckley

2008-09-27T00:17:00.000-04:00

I'm currently reading Boomsday by Christopher Buckley and it's quite appropriate right now; it's a political satire and quite funny. I highly recommend it if you want a break from the craziness of the election and a good chuckle.

Anyhoo, I finished The Road and it was probably one of the best books I've ever read. Don't know what I didn't read it sooner. My bad!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

2008-09-21T19:21:00.000-04:00

I'm finally reading The Road by Cormac McCarthy. What in the world has taken me so long? I have no idea. I guess I kept getting distracted by newer books, maybe...? Books in hardcover, I suppose. At any rate, I started it this evening and WOW, just wow. What a brilliant piece of utterly bleak fiction so far. I can't say it's necessarily a page turner, but I think that's because it feels like nothing good will ever happen. It's certainly intense and thought-provoking.

I finished The Lost by Daniel Mendelsohn and I was absolutely floored and amazed by the ending. Like I said before, it dragged a little at times, but the pay-off was beyond spectacular. The slow burn was worth it and then some. I'm feeling rather spoiled right now after reading a few really terrific books in a row. I hope I can keep up the trend.

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

2008-09-15T23:38:00.000-04:00

I read an excerpt of this book, Mudbound by Hillary Jordan, and I'm completely intrigued. The opening pages will grab you immediately. The book opens with two men digging a grave; it's clear they have secrets from each other and that something unnatural occurred to bring about the death of their father whom they're burying. And that's just in the first chapter!

I spent quite a bit of time tonight reading excerpts from books to figure out what I should read next, and this one might have climbed to the top of the list. I still have half of The Lost to get through, so who knows how I'll feel once I finish that, but this book, Mudbound, got excellent reviews , and I can tell from just the first few pages that it's exquisitely well-written. For all those socially conscience readers out there who want a piece of literature, I believe this would be a good choice for you.

Speaking of great works of literature, The Lost by Daniel Mendelsohn is a brilliant accomplishment of both research, persistence, and writing. I find myself at times wanting Mendelsohn to reveal things faster, but, at the same time, I can appreciate his slow burn. I hope the pay-off is worth it!

The Gentle art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket

2008-09-13T23:25:00.000-04:00

This book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket, is subtly chick and super cute. I love the images and the layout. I usually loathe anything related to domestic life, mostly because I find it very boring and mundane, but this book manages to make it "cute." Not saying I'd ever buy the book or do anything it talks about in the book (such as baking and stitching) BUT if you're already into those things, I highly recommend this stylish new book.

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

2008-09-12T00:36:00.000-04:00

I've gradually been hearing more and more about this book, The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry, since it came out. It's one of those books that seems like it's getting a mention every time I turn around. So, I suppose I should give it a closer look.

Oh, and it was nominated for the Man-Booker prize, which I guess is a big deal (haha) Interestingly enough, Netherland was not included in that short list...which is a huge shock. I haven't read Netherland, but everyone assumed it'd be a shoo-in.

I think maybe my reluctance to pick up this book is because someone told me Oprah mentioned it. Not sure if that's true since I don't pay any attention to Oprah, but she really bugs me. So I try not to read what she reads. It's my own personal protest.

But this one might actually be good.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman

2008-09-09T00:42:00.000-04:00

This book, Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman, is all the buzz right now. Friedman says we need a "Green President, a Green New Deal, spurred by the Greenest Generation". I like the sound of that.

he Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn

2008-09-05T01:23:00.000-04:00

Finally reading The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn. What took me so long? It's spectacular!

I read Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz, and, seriously, I don't know why everyone isn't reading these books?!?! They are the BEST...and so much fun. If you love Nancy Drew and/or Harriet the Spy...or even Dirty Harry...you'll love the Spellman books. Read them.

The Little Book by Selden Edwards

2008-08-26T22:47:00.000-04:00

I absolutely must read this book, The Little Book by Selden Edwards.

First of all, just look at the cover! Seems whimsical and fantastic. And, yes, I still judge books by their cover.

Second, it's got time travel in it...and I LOVE time travel. Anything related to time travel and anything similar to time travel, I absolutely love. The main character finds himself dislocated in time...uh, awesome!

I don't know where my fascination with time travel came from, but I find it absolutely the most interesting story device ever. And, no, I don't think it's overdone. Maybe it has been attempted a lot, but I don't think it's always successful. It actually takes a very intelligent person to craft a story based on time travel. It's confusing. Let's face it, it's not the easiest thread to follow, but when done right, it will give you chills!

Perhaps it was that Star Trek: The Next Generation episode where the Enterprise is stuck in a temporal loop...I'm sure you know what I'm talking about...and only Guinan knows something is up. It's only one of the best Star Trek episodes ever. Anyway, I seem to remember Star Trek using the time travel device a lot (a show set in space can do that) and I just loved those episodes. They were smart and very well done, and chilling at times.

Anyhoo, maybe that's where my time travel obsession began. My favorite book of all time is still The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger followed closely by The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde which has a device reminiscent of time travel. Oh, and The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer also uses the idea of finding oneself stuck in the wrong time and age, and that's also one of my favorite books.

So, as you can see, I love me some time travel. Okay, enough about me. I've heard this book, The Little Book by Selden Edwards, is absolutely terrific and that you should read it. But don't take my word for it; read what people are saying.

Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

2008-08-24T00:08:00.000-04:00

I'm buying this tomorrow and I'm so excited! It's on the bargain shelf for, like, $5 but it's worth so much more! Lutz's first book, The Spellman Files, was one of the most joyful, fun reads I've read in awhile. So I don't know why I've waited so long to pick up Curse of the Spellmans, the second installment of what will hopefully be a long and successful series about Izzy Spellman: Private Eye, and her wacky family.

Seriously, The Spellman Files was absolutely un-put-downable and I highly highly recommend it if you're looking for a fun, well-written book with a main character you wish really existed. I love love love loved it and I hope to love Curse of the Spellmans just as much. I'll let you know!

Lost on Planet China is seriously very good. If you're at all curious about China, I suggest you go pick it up right now. You will love Troost's writing and you will be utterly fascinated, shocked, and intrigued by all the tidbits he has to share about Beijing and the rest of China. Go pick it up! (and no, nobody is paying me to say that, I genuinely believe you will enjoy the hell out of Lost on Planet China.)

Dry Storeroom No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum by Richard Fortey

2008-08-22T23:51:00.000-04:00

This book, Dry Storeroom No. 1: The Secret Life of the Natural History Museum by Richard Fortey, is an import from England that looks fascinating. It's a behind-the-scenes look at the research, collections, and priceless items in London's Natural History Museum - items on display and retired. The reviews have been nothing but glowing since it came out in January.

For me, it sounds like a ton of fun. I adore museums and I would love to go behind the scenes and find out more about the exhibits; how the items were found, what those items mean to the world and how they are preserved. And of course the people; Fortey goes into great detail about some of the world-renowned scientists, researchers, and historians who contribute to the amazing exhibits that people enjoy every day. Ahhh, I love a good museum. Anyway, this book really caught my eye and I hope to pick it up soon.

I've been reading Lost on Planet China and it is SO good! Troost is a really fun author. His travels up to where I've read have been hysterical...and illuminating. I love that it's a personal account of Troost's trip to Beijing (and other parts of China) because I feel that China has tried so hard to keep up appearances during these games that none of us are getting a true sense of what Beijing is like. Well, Troost is telling it like it is.

I'm also plugging along at Love is a Mix Tape but I had to put it down last when I started crying. It's pretty brutal.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

2008-08-22T00:04:00.000-04:00

Okay, I suppose it's time for me to talk about this book, Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. Not since Harry Potter has a book captured such a fan base and garnered so much effusive praise from the tweens and teens. Oh, and adults like them, too.

Anyhoo, Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Twilight series; a series about a teen girl who is new in town (and thus the new kid in school) who falls in love. With a vampire. So they can't consummate their relationship because he might kill her. Sound like a teen book to you? Hehe. I think it's great, actually. Teens are full of repressed sexual energy; why not write a book about that and throw a vampire in for good measure?

And the fans have responded... because they have gone NUTS over this series. I actually had the honor of working at a Book Release party for Breaking Dawn and it was insane. Part of the insanity stemmed from the event coordinator putting together an absolutely unbelievable evening with a live rock band, raffles, prizes, competitions, food, and fake champagne. So it was a bitchin' party to begin with. But the hundreds of vampire and goth dressed tweens and teens were off their rockers with anticipation. It was tons of fun and really great to see so many young people excited about books and excited about reading. The teen section is regularly one of the best selling areas in the store.

Anyway, don't read Breaking Dawn until you read the others; it will spoil everything for you. I know from experience because I read what happens. Whoops!

Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost

2008-08-20T23:57:00.000-04:00

Just like the title of this book, I feel like I've been Lost on Planet China the past two weeks...as in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, bay-bay! Woot!

I can't even describe how much I love the Summer Olympics. I love the Winter games also, but I REALLY love the Summer games. All the stories and the competition and the anything-can-happen atmosphere...the heartbreak (Lolo Jones) and the victories (Nastia & Phelps); it's just so intriguing. It's the greatest reality tv show of all time.

At any rate, I have neglected my poor blog because of this obsession with the Olympics. There is only so much I can do in one day and it's really hard to get in reading and internetz time when I'm up until the wee hours of the morning watching May-Treanor and Walsh make history. Yippeeeee!!

Which is why I'm about to read Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost. Basically he traveled to China and wrote all about it! And I want to read all about it. Like many people around the world, I find myself wanting to learn more about the host country of these games.

I finished Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner and I really liked it. I feel I didn't get to appreciate it fully because I only read a few pages at a time really late at night over the course of two weeks. Yeesh. But it was very vivid and extremely well-written.

I also started reading Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield. It's suuuper sad. I thought it would be this quirky, upbeat memoir but I guess I didn't read enough about it because it's depressing. And it mentions a lot of bands and songs that I don't know so I don't think I am fully appreciating it.

Telex from Cuba: A Novel by Rachel Kushner

2008-08-12T00:38:00.000-04:00

I am absolutely digging this book right now, Telex from Cuba: A Novel by Rachel Kushner. I don't think I've been as excited about a novel since The House at Riverton. I just started it yesterday, but it already has me pleasantly surprised; the setting is interesting, the characters are vivid, and the plot keeps me turning the page, wondering what will happen next.

The book is set in the American-owned sugar cane enclave & nickel mines in pre-Castro Cuba...and when I say "pre-Castro" I mean the years leading up to the revolution. We are introduced to Fidel and Raul as teenage rebels only a few pages into the novel.

The book so far is beautiful and compelling; I can't fathom being able to write a novel of this magnitude with this kind of setting. I believe Kushner's mother actually grew up in Cuba in the 50's, so I think she was able to pull information from family letters, journals, photos, etc to create a rich, believable world that few others could craft.

I love debut novels. I feel like I'm getting in on something special when I find an amazing novel by a new author. And because I read a lot, sometimes I feel like I'm reading much of the same thing; debut novels typically are fresh & offer something unique. I can't quite describe it.

And if I weren't so obsessed with the Olympics I would probably be reading Telex from Cuba a lot faster. I'm torn every night between reading & USA swimming...

The Implacable Order of Things: A Novel by Jose Luis Peixoto

2008-08-10T01:32:00.000-04:00

One of Portugal's most acclaimed young writers, Jose Luis Peixoto, has had a book translated into English for us lucky readers. I have got to get my hands on this book, The Implacable Order of Things.

Peixoto won the Jose Saramago Literary Award in 2001 and even has an award named for him, the Jose Luis Peixoto Award. Granted, I think the award only exists in a certain part of Portugal, but still, that's pretty neat. I wouldn't mind having an award named after me; maybe I'll create one...

I digress.

I expect this book, The Implacable Order of Things, to be quite good. It's about two generations of men & women in a poor Portuguese village, but, like all great books, it's about so much more. Peixoto is also a playwright, which makes me like him even more (even though I have yet to read anything by him) His plays have actually been produced so he's not just a playwright in theory. He also collaborated on an art project with a band, so Peixoto seems like one of those all-around artistic & literary voices; someone who sees the value in many forms of art and understands that literature & art can be inclusive of each other. And I just plain like theater people.

I am very curious to read how Peixoto's theatrical & poetic sensibilities (did I mention he's also a poet?) have influenced his prose. There's something to be said for someone who can write all three. Oh, and short stories. He also writes short stories. Okay, so he writes everything.

Anyhoo, I'm definitely going to read The Implacable Order of Things eventually. Add it to the long list of books I'll read eventually...

I don't think I ever followed up on Atmospheric Disturbanes by Rivka Galchen. It ended up being really weird and heartbreaking...but brilliant. I can't quite describe it. And if I try to, I might give some of its beauty and surprises away. I recommend it for those looking for something extremely unique. Galchen certainly pushed the limits and tested the boundaries; and the pay off is fantastic. It is not for the typical reader, though. No offense.

I also finished Case Histories by Kate Atkinson and it was just okay for me. I felt like whole pieces of the story and huge chunks of characters were absent, but I "get" the commercial appeal of it. The problem with myteries is that even if it's not great, the reader will usually finish simply to know "whodunnit". That's what happened to me with Case Histories. I really could have put it down and not thought twice about it, but I needed to know who killed whom. So, maybe pick up this book for your book club or the beach or a plane ride...it's good for readers who have distractions because it's easy to get sucked in. But it's certainly not mind-blowing nor did Atkinson do anything different with the genre.

The Night of the Gun: A Reporter Investigates the Darkest Story of His Life. His Own. by David Carr

2008-08-09T13:33:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure I'm going to read this book, The Night of the Gun by David Carr, soon.

A memoir of a recovered drug or alcohol addict is easy to find; they're a dime a dozen, actually. That, of course, makes it difficult to find one that can really set itself apart from the rest. Augusten Burroughs' memoirs do (although that has more to do with his messed up childhood than his alcohol addiction), The Tender Bar is another one, as is Beautiful Boy.

Part of the challenge to those writing a drug recovery memoir these days is the scandal that ensued when James Frey's book, A Million Little Pieces came under fire for having some fiction in it. I think I've mentioned before (in my Bright Shiny Morning post) that I enjoyed Frey's book, either as fiction or fact. It wasn't exactly the best-written book, but it was entertaining. However, memoir writers are under scrutiny more than ever before to be careful about what they write and how they present it.

Enter David Carr's book, The Night of the Gun. He is now a journalist for the New York Times and approached his drug addiction story from the perspective of a reporter; he investigated his own life by talking to and interviewing friends and family and people who were around during that time.

I like that idea for a number of reasons. First of all, what drug or alcohol addict can really accurately remember or describe what happened and what he was like? Even if one *thinks* he remembers correctly, chances are his memories are skewed and someone else who was there (and who was sober) will have a much different story. Second of all, even sober memoirists have a skewed version and memory of their lives; let's face it...when recalling our past we can't possibly summon up exactly what happened. Our current circumstances, our feelings, and even our memories of re-telling the past come into play.

So I like the idea of somebody asking others to give their version of history. It feels honest and thorough.

Although, David Carr is kind of a pompous jerk. But, hey, anybody who writes a memoir must have an inflated sense of importance, right? I think I'll get past my personal feelings about Carr's personality and just read The Night of the Gun. I've read good things about it.

Take The Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk by Ben Carson

2008-08-08T23:53:00.001-04:00

I haven't updated in awhile, have I? I've been quite busy! I saw this book today called Take the Risk by Ben Carson. After reading more about it, I don't think I'll ever read it (it's not really my cup of tea but it may appeal to some out there) but the message is very appropriate right now since I went to the doctor today and was instructed to have surgery.

Egad. I hate the idea. I loathe the idea. I don't want to do it, I cried, I pleaded for another way, I asked all the questions, but, really I need to do this surgery for my own good.

Which led me to this book, Take The Risk. Ben Carson is a pediatric neurosurgeon who must weight acceptable risk on a daily basis. He says in his book that there are four questions he considers (and that we should consider) when thinking about risk: "What's the best thing that can happen if I do this? What's the worst thing that can happen if I do this? What's the best thing that can happen if I don't do it? What's the worst thing that can happen if I don't do it?".

So that is what I have been thinking about today. What is the best and worst thing that could happen if I do the surgery and what is the best and worst thing if I don't. Which is why I'm leaning towards taking the plunge...interesting because I felt the opposite just yesterday...that nothing in the world could convince me to go under the knife. (okay, maybe I'm being a little dramatic here).

But, really, if you consider those four questions, it really puts things into perspective. Because the worst that could happen if I don't do it is probably actually worse than the worst that could happen if I do. Very profound. If we applied those questions to other things in our lives, what would happen? Would we do things differently? Would we live differently? Think differently? Does it over complicate things?

I still probably won't read this book because the PW Review says that it goes off into religious and political tangents (tangents that I don't want to read) but it may be just the thing for someone else.

I just thought the idea of accepting risk and not running from it was an appropriate message for me today.

Put Your Life On a Diet: Lessons Learned From Living in 140 Square Feet by Gregory Johnson

2008-08-06T00:29:00.000-04:00

I saw this book, Put Your Life on a Diet: Lessons Learned From Living in 140 Square Feet by Gregory Johnson, and it totally caught my eye.

It was sitting on a table of books about green living, but this one really caught my attention because of the subtitle...living in 140 square feet?!?! Seriously? Is he living in the model apartment at IKEA's showroom? Which, btw, brings up the great point that if IKEA designed floor plans for all homes and apartments, we all could probably live in 140 square feet no prob....or at least in fewer than what we currently live.

But, I digress. Back to Put Your Life on a Diet. This isn't the only book out there with a title similar to this, or with a message like this; the idea of de-cluttering your life & your home, living with less and on less (money, that is) and leaving a smaller carbon footprint on the world.

This man, Gregory Johnson, goes to the extreme in green living. He obviously has no car (because let's face it; the truly green people can't have a car and claim to live eco-friendly) but what's even more surprising is that he has no running water! He doesn't even have a bathroom or shower or anything of the sort in his house. He buys his water by the gallon elsewhere, and brings it home. There's not even the ability for water at his house and he's got no plumbing.

My very funny husband pointed out that 10 years ago, Johnson would have been considered a hermit and perhaps someone for small children to stay away from, but today he's lauded as a Green Hero. However you classify him, he is definitely doing his part to leave a smaller footprint on the world and to live green, and he has some great ideas/hints/tips/tricks for how we can do the same. I like his writing style, too; it's very direct, which I appreciate.

I would also like to point out that the book at the bookstore clearly said "140" square feet on the cover. I have no idea why the image and every image I have found of this book says "150". Which is it, Mr. Johnson??

The Trader Joe's Adventure: Turning a Unique Approach to Business into a Retail and Cultural Phenomenon by Len Lewis

2008-08-03T00:58:00.000-04:00

This book, The Trader Joe's Adventure by Len Lewis looks terrific. I love Trader Joe's; it's by far my favorite grocery store and it's where we buy 80% of our groceries. There are a few things they don't carry (like YoCrunch, yum!) that we have to get elsewhere, but we make the trek out there twice a month religiously. (perhaps I should say my better half makes the trek out there...I loathe grocery shopping but I sure like the end result!)

At any rate, Trader Joe's is tiny... I think all of them are tiny, actually, but somehow they still manage to turn a profit and to continue turning a profit even in the current economy when so many retailers are seeing a downturn. According to the book's blurb, "Trader Joe's generates sales per square foot that are twice the industry average." That's crazy! How do they do that? Well I'm pretty sure Len Lewis will tell us....the book goes into detail about some of the business decisions that have led to their success; things like paying higher wages and maintaining a loyal staff, cutting out intermediaries, negotiating lower prices, controlling expansion, choosing cheap locations for their stores, etc, etc. I am so curious to read more about these business practices and to find out for myself just how Trader Joe's has become the phenomenon that it is.

Although I do have to add that the Trader Joe's packaging engineers are playing a cruel joke on us all because their packaging is *impossible* to open!

City of Thieves by David Benioff

2008-08-01T11:24:00.000-04:00

This is what Nancy Pearl is currently reading (or just read) and she gave it 5 out of 5 stars! Woah! I have to admit this book, City of Thieves by David Benioff, hasn't really been on my radar, but after reading that Nancy Pearl liked and looking more closely at the description, it sounds fun!

Maybe I'll add it to my always-growing, never-shrinking, endless list =)

Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen is bold and weird and just my style. Loving it!

Man Booker Dozen: Spotlight on Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

2008-07-30T23:27:00.000-04:00

The Man Booker Dozen has been announced, and, as suspected, Netherland by Joseph O'Neill is getting all the buzz. I posted about Netherland back in May (see post here ) and the reviews were glowing. So, it's no surprise that it's on the Long List for the Booker Prize and is the favorite to win. A few other exciting ones are on there, as well, including A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif, which I recently read, and The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry which is supposed to be terrific.

The one I'm excited about getting my hands on, though, is Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh. I first read about this book back in the spring and it sounds marvelous. It's an action-adventure story that takes place on the high seas, in poppy fields, and in the alleyways of China. The characters sound stranger than fiction and the scope of it incredible. I can't wait to read it! I believe it will be released in the states in October, so, unfortunately, I have to wait a few months. Unless anyone out there has a copy already....?

Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen

2008-07-28T23:20:00.001-04:00

I picked up Atmospheric Disturbances by Rivka Galchen after reading rave reviews about it from the New York Times Book Review, Publisher's Weekly, The Washington Post, Amazon, well, just about everyone. It's supposed to be funny and heartbreaking and unique and Borgesian. (and I love love love Borges, so anyone who is compared to Borges is a must-read) I hope it lives up to expectations; I did read the first page or two in the store tonight before making my decision, and it captured my attention, which is promising! More to come!

I finished Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey and, my goodness...someone must have just run over his puppy or something because it was enormously depressing. Come to think of it, I don't think there was a single positive outcome at the end of the book. It's all about living in L.A. and moving to L.A. to follow your dreams; Frey profiles 4 or 5 specific characters who have moved and are following their dreams and nothing but heartbreak occurs. They don't get what they want or what they came for, terrible things happen, good things happen but they don't last long, and ugh, I think it really put me in a crappy mood. If you or anyone you know is thinking about moving to L.A. for any reason at all, have them read this book because I assure you, they will not want to by the end. Any thoughts I had in the back of my head about moving out there someday have vanished completely. Not sure if that's a good thing or not...but for now I'm pretty happy about where I am!