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2rainpebble
Hi there Nickelini.
Just checking in with you and getting you starred so I am all set to go. Good luck with your 2010 reads.
belva
Just checking in with you and getting you starred so I am all set to go. Good luck with your 2010 reads.
belva
3Nickelini
1. When Christ and His Saints Slept, Sharon Kay Penman
Historical fiction, 1995
Rating: 4/5
Comments: This novel covers the first sixty years of the 12th century, and the central action is the fight for the English throne between William the Conqueror's grandchildren Stephen and Maude (aka Matilda). In the final third of the novel, the future Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine (the Brangelina of the 12th century) enter the action (which is continued in Penman's sequel).
What I liked: I love this time period--it's so old and obscure. This is before the Magna Carta, Thomas Aquinas, and 400 years before the reign of Henry VIII. Really old stuff. True medieval culture complete with knights on horseback (though no damsels in distress--the women characters are all strong in this one).
I also really liked how Penman had me cheering for whatever character I was currently reading about--I had sympathy for Stephen when reading about him, and Maude when reading about her, but --hey--they're in opposition. Some people might find this frustrating, but I think it doesn't really matter who the reader sides with, as history has already determined the outcome anyway. I feel for Stephen--history hasn't been kind to him, but according to this novel, he was just living in the wrong age. He seems like he would have been a good ruler if he lived in a social democracy. The war-mongering, feudal world he lived in just wasn't right for him. And Maude had similar problems--history has her down as haughty, but that history was written by misogynistic men who feared strong women.
What I didn't like: The things I disliked about this novel perhaps say more about me than actual criticism of the book itself. First, it was really long--746 large pages. I started on Dec 27 and finished today, Jan 9. I really didn't have the luxury of the time needed to read this as I have other obligations, so the length started to annoy me. Plus, I usually prefer shorter books, whether I have commitments or not.
I've read a lot of historical fiction over the years, and I've developed very particular tastes in what I like. This book had far too many battle scenes and political ruminations for my liking. The ever-switching allegiances among the large cast of nobles really didn't interest me. If these parts would have been trimmed down, the book could have been a much more manageable 400 pages, and I would have liked it more. When Penman focused on her main characters' actual lives, the book was most interesting.
Why I Read This Now: I thought it would be a nice long, escapist, Christmas-break read, but I think I got more book than I bargained for.
Recommended for: People who like long, involved historical fiction, lovers of Tudor-era fiction who are ready to expand their fictional horizons.
Historical fiction, 1995
Rating: 4/5
Comments: This novel covers the first sixty years of the 12th century, and the central action is the fight for the English throne between William the Conqueror's grandchildren Stephen and Maude (aka Matilda). In the final third of the novel, the future Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine (the Brangelina of the 12th century) enter the action (which is continued in Penman's sequel).
What I liked: I love this time period--it's so old and obscure. This is before the Magna Carta, Thomas Aquinas, and 400 years before the reign of Henry VIII. Really old stuff. True medieval culture complete with knights on horseback (though no damsels in distress--the women characters are all strong in this one).
I also really liked how Penman had me cheering for whatever character I was currently reading about--I had sympathy for Stephen when reading about him, and Maude when reading about her, but --hey--they're in opposition. Some people might find this frustrating, but I think it doesn't really matter who the reader sides with, as history has already determined the outcome anyway. I feel for Stephen--history hasn't been kind to him, but according to this novel, he was just living in the wrong age. He seems like he would have been a good ruler if he lived in a social democracy. The war-mongering, feudal world he lived in just wasn't right for him. And Maude had similar problems--history has her down as haughty, but that history was written by misogynistic men who feared strong women.
What I didn't like: The things I disliked about this novel perhaps say more about me than actual criticism of the book itself. First, it was really long--746 large pages. I started on Dec 27 and finished today, Jan 9. I really didn't have the luxury of the time needed to read this as I have other obligations, so the length started to annoy me. Plus, I usually prefer shorter books, whether I have commitments or not.
I've read a lot of historical fiction over the years, and I've developed very particular tastes in what I like. This book had far too many battle scenes and political ruminations for my liking. The ever-switching allegiances among the large cast of nobles really didn't interest me. If these parts would have been trimmed down, the book could have been a much more manageable 400 pages, and I would have liked it more. When Penman focused on her main characters' actual lives, the book was most interesting.
Why I Read This Now: I thought it would be a nice long, escapist, Christmas-break read, but I think I got more book than I bargained for.
Recommended for: People who like long, involved historical fiction, lovers of Tudor-era fiction who are ready to expand their fictional horizons.
4Nickelini
2. Palace Walk, Naguib Mahfouz (translated by William M Hutchins & Olive E Kenny)
1956, Egyptian literature
Rating: 3.5/5
Why I Read This Now: It was the January book for my book club.
Comments: This is a story of a middle class Egyptian family in Cairo from around 1917-1919. Mahfouz does a wonderful job of bringing the reader behind the very closed doors of Egyptian life. In fact, one of the strongest emotions it pulled from me was deep gratitude that I didn't live in WWI-era Egypt.
The most interesting character was the husband/father, who was a tyrannical control-freak who was extreme even in his time and place. I think my deep loathing of this character is proof of Mahfouz's talent as a writer.
The language in this novel is straight-forward, and the chapters are short, which makes for quite an easy read. However, the book was very long (or maybe it just seemed so to me because I have a huge stack of other reading obligations looming that I must get to). My other complaint about this book was that I didn't like any of the characters--the wife was far too weak (I was hoping that she'd murder her husband in her sleep, or get revenge on him in some way). Their adult children were all dislikable in some way, and the youngest child was not endearing either. In fact, the only character I liked was the daughter-in-law, but her part was tiny.
Overall, I liked this book--I think it was certainly well written-- but it's not something I would have picked up on my own.
Recommended for: anyone looking to experience a slice of life in the Cairo of 90 years ago.
1956, Egyptian literature
Rating: 3.5/5
Why I Read This Now: It was the January book for my book club.
Comments: This is a story of a middle class Egyptian family in Cairo from around 1917-1919. Mahfouz does a wonderful job of bringing the reader behind the very closed doors of Egyptian life. In fact, one of the strongest emotions it pulled from me was deep gratitude that I didn't live in WWI-era Egypt.
The most interesting character was the husband/father, who was a tyrannical control-freak who was extreme even in his time and place. I think my deep loathing of this character is proof of Mahfouz's talent as a writer.
The language in this novel is straight-forward, and the chapters are short, which makes for quite an easy read. However, the book was very long (or maybe it just seemed so to me because I have a huge stack of other reading obligations looming that I must get to). My other complaint about this book was that I didn't like any of the characters--the wife was far too weak (I was hoping that she'd murder her husband in her sleep, or get revenge on him in some way). Their adult children were all dislikable in some way, and the youngest child was not endearing either. In fact, the only character I liked was the daughter-in-law, but her part was tiny.
Overall, I liked this book--I think it was certainly well written-- but it's not something I would have picked up on my own.
Recommended for: anyone looking to experience a slice of life in the Cairo of 90 years ago.
5LisaCurcio
So are you going to read the other two in the trilogy? :-)
Egypt is so old and so complex, and, for us in North America, so unknown, that I really like Mahfouz, his stories and his writing. Sorry it did not resonate with you.
Egypt is so old and so complex, and, for us in North America, so unknown, that I really like Mahfouz, his stories and his writing. Sorry it did not resonate with you.
6Nickelini
It was okay--my problem is that I have a huge stack of reading that I must do, so I didn't have the luxury of relaxing with this one. I'm not against reading the other two, but I'm trying to read my TBR pile first, so rightfully I shouldn't even think about those other books for at least four years.
7Nickelini
3. Who Owns the World: the Surprising Truth about Every Piece of Land on the Planet, Kevin Cahill
2010, non-fiction
Why I Read This Now: it was an ER book that I thought looked really interesting.
Rating: 1/5 stars. I'd give it zero stars, but then it would appear that I didn't rate it.
Comments: I’m a geography geek, so I was thrilled to get an ER copy of Who Owns the World—a question I have pondered often in my travels. Chapter one, “Of Wealth and Poverty,” although not very well written, is an interesting and thought-provoking essay on the important relationship between poverty and land ownership. Unfortunately, this chapter was the only worthwhile part of the book. I’d really like those hours back that I spent with this one.
Who really does own the world? I’ll save you the frustration of reading the book and just tell you: according to this book, it is highly probable that wherever you are, the land is somehow in some form, ultimately owned by the state. Not very useful, I know, but there you have it. For example, Cahill says that Queen Elizabeth II is the largest single landowner on the planet. The first problem with that is that he uses her name as a synonym for the British monarchy or crown, which it is not. The second—bigger—problem with this is that he includes her property to include every inch of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a whole bunch of other countries. Maybe that’s technically true on some level, but it is simplistic and meaningless. It gives zero information on the reality of everyday life for the people connected to that land. Furthermore, in the case of Canada, he doesn’t even mention that Quebec is legally a “distinct society” has its own system of law based on the French system, and he fails to mention Indigenous land claims. He doesn’t come right out and say it, but the implications of his statements are that, if she wanted to, Queen Elizabeth could, say, kick everyone out of the province of Prince Edward Island because she wants to retire there on her own private sheep farm. This is absolute nonsense.
The structure of the book is terrible. First, there is not one single map. Not one. How do you have a geography book without maps? Two, instead of logically dividing the world into its physical landforms, he discusses first “The Land of America,” by which he means only the United States, and utterly ignoring all the other countries that are part of America (the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, South America). This is just one example of how the author is sloppy in his use of language. He may think that America = USA, but many people in this world strongly do not. Along the same lines, he states that Columbus “discovered America.” Why would he choose that term when it has been widely deemed offensive and inaccurate for at least the past 25 years? He could so easily have selected historically correct and neutral words. It’s not just with language that he is imprecise. He does not value precision of fact either. According to Cahill, Canada (which he categorizes not as part of North America, but as a “Land of Queen Elizabeth II”) is a “federation of 13 provinces.” Uh, no it’s not. There are ten provinces and three territories. Similarly, he claims that Australia is “a federation of six states, including Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Jarvis Bay Territory.” That one isn’t even close to correct. It’s not like these details about Canada and Australia are obscure or confusing. I had this info down by the time I was nine years old. And it’s easy to verify. So why would he blunder so? And if he gets this simple information wrong, what else has he messed up? Why would you bother to read a book by an author with no credibility?
Okay, maybe I’m being too nit-picky, and I need to look at the larger picture. Unfortunately, as a whole, the book doesn’t get any better. Many sentences are ambiguous, and Cahill constantly drops facts into paragraphs without explaining the implications of what it means. The organization is a mess—entirely inconsistent. He throws in trivial tidbits intermittently that have nothing to do with landownership, but then doesn’t give basic information in other places. (I really could go on and on and on and on about how poorly organized this book is—if you really need to know, ask me for more details on my profile page.) He uses seemingly important statistics but doesn’t explain what they mean. For example, for most countries, he gives an “ownership factor,” which is always either “N/A” or “1”. I have no idea what that means. He sometimes gives the information collected from a World Bank land-registration system questionnaire, but does not explain the implications of this information, or what the reader should expect to see.
In conclusion, this book is a worthless mess that is sadly a waste of the paper used to print it.
Recommended for: people who like lots and lots of stats, but don’t really care about accuracy; people who think the United States is the centre of the universe; people looking for scrap paper to start their campfire.
2010, non-fiction
Why I Read This Now: it was an ER book that I thought looked really interesting.
Rating: 1/5 stars. I'd give it zero stars, but then it would appear that I didn't rate it.
Comments: I’m a geography geek, so I was thrilled to get an ER copy of Who Owns the World—a question I have pondered often in my travels. Chapter one, “Of Wealth and Poverty,” although not very well written, is an interesting and thought-provoking essay on the important relationship between poverty and land ownership. Unfortunately, this chapter was the only worthwhile part of the book. I’d really like those hours back that I spent with this one.
Who really does own the world? I’ll save you the frustration of reading the book and just tell you: according to this book, it is highly probable that wherever you are, the land is somehow in some form, ultimately owned by the state. Not very useful, I know, but there you have it. For example, Cahill says that Queen Elizabeth II is the largest single landowner on the planet. The first problem with that is that he uses her name as a synonym for the British monarchy or crown, which it is not. The second—bigger—problem with this is that he includes her property to include every inch of the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and a whole bunch of other countries. Maybe that’s technically true on some level, but it is simplistic and meaningless. It gives zero information on the reality of everyday life for the people connected to that land. Furthermore, in the case of Canada, he doesn’t even mention that Quebec is legally a “distinct society” has its own system of law based on the French system, and he fails to mention Indigenous land claims. He doesn’t come right out and say it, but the implications of his statements are that, if she wanted to, Queen Elizabeth could, say, kick everyone out of the province of Prince Edward Island because she wants to retire there on her own private sheep farm. This is absolute nonsense.
The structure of the book is terrible. First, there is not one single map. Not one. How do you have a geography book without maps? Two, instead of logically dividing the world into its physical landforms, he discusses first “The Land of America,” by which he means only the United States, and utterly ignoring all the other countries that are part of America (the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, South America). This is just one example of how the author is sloppy in his use of language. He may think that America = USA, but many people in this world strongly do not. Along the same lines, he states that Columbus “discovered America.” Why would he choose that term when it has been widely deemed offensive and inaccurate for at least the past 25 years? He could so easily have selected historically correct and neutral words. It’s not just with language that he is imprecise. He does not value precision of fact either. According to Cahill, Canada (which he categorizes not as part of North America, but as a “Land of Queen Elizabeth II”) is a “federation of 13 provinces.” Uh, no it’s not. There are ten provinces and three territories. Similarly, he claims that Australia is “a federation of six states, including Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and Jarvis Bay Territory.” That one isn’t even close to correct. It’s not like these details about Canada and Australia are obscure or confusing. I had this info down by the time I was nine years old. And it’s easy to verify. So why would he blunder so? And if he gets this simple information wrong, what else has he messed up? Why would you bother to read a book by an author with no credibility?
Okay, maybe I’m being too nit-picky, and I need to look at the larger picture. Unfortunately, as a whole, the book doesn’t get any better. Many sentences are ambiguous, and Cahill constantly drops facts into paragraphs without explaining the implications of what it means. The organization is a mess—entirely inconsistent. He throws in trivial tidbits intermittently that have nothing to do with landownership, but then doesn’t give basic information in other places. (I really could go on and on and on and on about how poorly organized this book is—if you really need to know, ask me for more details on my profile page.) He uses seemingly important statistics but doesn’t explain what they mean. For example, for most countries, he gives an “ownership factor,” which is always either “N/A” or “1”. I have no idea what that means. He sometimes gives the information collected from a World Bank land-registration system questionnaire, but does not explain the implications of this information, or what the reader should expect to see.
In conclusion, this book is a worthless mess that is sadly a waste of the paper used to print it.
Recommended for: people who like lots and lots of stats, but don’t really care about accuracy; people who think the United States is the centre of the universe; people looking for scrap paper to start their campfire.
8fannyprice
Damn, that is an awesome review. I will totally NOT be checking this one out.
11Medellia
Actually, I thought you could have been a little more clear on how you really liked the book. Other than that your review was fine.
:)
:)
12lauralkeet
Love that review, Joyce.
14janemarieprice
7 - Great review! And so sad - the premise had all the potential in the world.
15Nickelini
4. Remarkable Creatures, Tracy Chevalier
2010, Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5/5 stars . . . I rated the book so high because it brought me great enjoyment and was the perfect comfort read, and not because I think it's a literary masterpiece.
Comments: Remarkable Creatures is a highly enjoyable read. Set against the scientific world of Regency England before Darwin, it is the story of the friendship between two unlikely companions and fossil hunters. A spinster who is dependent on her brother for support, Elizabeth Philpot reminds me of a character from a Jane Austen novel. Working class Mary Anning is more like someone out of Dickens. Together they explore the world of 19th century paleontology, support each other, quarrel, and take on the patriarchal scientific community (in their own humble way). As with the other two Chevalier novels I’ve read, there are no glaring anachronisms in her historical fiction. I also love how she focuses on people from history who are barely known, instead of royalty; I also appreciate her focus on material culture over politics and battles. I have little interest in fossils, but in Remarkable Creatures, I felt like I was right there with Mary and Elizabeth exploring the wind-swept beaches of Lyme Regis.
What would have made this book great is if there were illustrations of the fossils. I read Chevalier’s Girl with the Pearl Earring with my Vermeer book at my side, so I was thrilled that her Lady and the Unicorn was illustrated. Chevalier and her publisher should take a close look at Barbara Hodgson’s books (eg: Hippolyte’s Island) and learn from her example.
Why I Read This Now: This was an ER book from late last year that I was thrilled to get.
When I was in England last year we got fairly close to Lyme Regis. In the last few years I've loved Persuasion, the French Lieutenant's Woman and On Chesil Beach. But had I gone there, I wouldn't have known to look for fossils. So, on my next trip to England, I have all the more reason to make sure I get to Lyme Regis.
Recommended for: I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, especially those who appreciate well-done historical fiction, and also those who like reading about science in a fictional context.
2010, Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5/5 stars . . . I rated the book so high because it brought me great enjoyment and was the perfect comfort read, and not because I think it's a literary masterpiece.
Comments: Remarkable Creatures is a highly enjoyable read. Set against the scientific world of Regency England before Darwin, it is the story of the friendship between two unlikely companions and fossil hunters. A spinster who is dependent on her brother for support, Elizabeth Philpot reminds me of a character from a Jane Austen novel. Working class Mary Anning is more like someone out of Dickens. Together they explore the world of 19th century paleontology, support each other, quarrel, and take on the patriarchal scientific community (in their own humble way). As with the other two Chevalier novels I’ve read, there are no glaring anachronisms in her historical fiction. I also love how she focuses on people from history who are barely known, instead of royalty; I also appreciate her focus on material culture over politics and battles. I have little interest in fossils, but in Remarkable Creatures, I felt like I was right there with Mary and Elizabeth exploring the wind-swept beaches of Lyme Regis.
What would have made this book great is if there were illustrations of the fossils. I read Chevalier’s Girl with the Pearl Earring with my Vermeer book at my side, so I was thrilled that her Lady and the Unicorn was illustrated. Chevalier and her publisher should take a close look at Barbara Hodgson’s books (eg: Hippolyte’s Island) and learn from her example.
Why I Read This Now: This was an ER book from late last year that I was thrilled to get.
When I was in England last year we got fairly close to Lyme Regis. In the last few years I've loved Persuasion, the French Lieutenant's Woman and On Chesil Beach. But had I gone there, I wouldn't have known to look for fossils. So, on my next trip to England, I have all the more reason to make sure I get to Lyme Regis.
Recommended for: I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, especially those who appreciate well-done historical fiction, and also those who like reading about science in a fictional context.
17bragan
Since I am someone who likes "reading about science in a fictional context," this one is now on my wishlist, too. I'm rather impressed by how favorable the LT reviews for this are.
18wandering_star
That sounds fun! I remember reading about Mary Anning when I was a kid.
You might also enjoy Andrea Barrett's Servants Of The Map, interlinked short stories with a sciencey context, mostly in the 1800s. I think one of them has a fossil theme too...
You might also enjoy Andrea Barrett's Servants Of The Map, interlinked short stories with a sciencey context, mostly in the 1800s. I think one of them has a fossil theme too...
19kiwidoc
I remember being rather disappointed with A Girl with a Pearl Earring but then I am a contrary fool. I liked the Vermeer exploration. For art stories, I much preferred the Michael Frayn book called Headlong which explored Brueghel using a mystery plot - you needed an art reference book on hand for that one too, to appreciate the story.
20auntmarge64
>7 Nickelini:
Well, I'm sure glad I didn't win Who Owns The World from ER, and it sounded so promising!
Well, I'm sure glad I didn't win Who Owns The World from ER, and it sounded so promising!
21Nickelini
I remember being rather disappointed with A Girl with a Pearl Earring
I absolutely adored the Girl with the Pearl Earring. I've long been a huge Vermeer fan (he's one of my two favourite painters), and I've always been puzzled and intrigued about the room he used in almost all his paintings. This book gave me a chance to visit that room. What more could I ask for? I also really liked the main character. I know I wouldn't have liked the book as much if it had been about, say, Rembrant or some other Dutch painter.
I absolutely adored the Girl with the Pearl Earring. I've long been a huge Vermeer fan (he's one of my two favourite painters), and I've always been puzzled and intrigued about the room he used in almost all his paintings. This book gave me a chance to visit that room. What more could I ask for? I also really liked the main character. I know I wouldn't have liked the book as much if it had been about, say, Rembrant or some other Dutch painter.
22Nickelini
Well, since I only managed to get through four measly books this month, and because Lois encourages us to list all our other reading here too, I am going to tell you what else I've been busy with:
For my humanities class on Rome, I read selections from these writers: Virgil "The Aeneid," Livy, Plutarch, Propertius, Cicero, Dionysius of Halicarnasus, Frontinus, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Augustus, Ammianus Marcellinus, more Livy, Tacitus, dio cassius, Tacitus, more Procopius, Pliny the Younger, Juvenal, Ovid, Martial, Josephus, Aelius Aristides, Augustine, Rutilius Numantius and more Ovid.
I was surprised to find I enjoyed most of these readings. Juvenal in particular was a hoot.
For my English Lit Theory and Criticism class I read selections from: Marshall McLuhan "Understanding Media," a big chunk of our Norton Anthology, Plato "Ion," "Republic," and "Phaedrus," Aristotle "Poetics," and "Rhetoric," Horace "Ars Poetica," Aktagawa "In a Bamboo Grove," Nietzsche "On Truth & Lying in the Extra Moral Sense," Saussure "Course on General Linguistics," and after reading the five page introduction to Jacques Derrida, I've decided I just don't have room in my brain, or the energy, to read the 40 page "Plato's Pharmacy."
I highly recommend Akatagawa's "In a Bamboo Grove" (which is in his short story collection Rashomon).
I'm really, really happy that after this course I will never have to read Plato ever again. Don't misunderstand me--I'm glad I've studied Plato, but this is about my eighth class where I've had to read him, and I've had more than enough. The more I read of him, the sillier I think he is. In the margins of "the Republic," I've written "sod off, Plato!" I only wish I could meet him in person to say that to him.
I've also been reading selections of Virginia Woolf in preparation for future assignments.
For my humanities class on Rome, I read selections from these writers: Virgil "The Aeneid," Livy, Plutarch, Propertius, Cicero, Dionysius of Halicarnasus, Frontinus, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Augustus, Ammianus Marcellinus, more Livy, Tacitus, dio cassius, Tacitus, more Procopius, Pliny the Younger, Juvenal, Ovid, Martial, Josephus, Aelius Aristides, Augustine, Rutilius Numantius and more Ovid.
I was surprised to find I enjoyed most of these readings. Juvenal in particular was a hoot.
For my English Lit Theory and Criticism class I read selections from: Marshall McLuhan "Understanding Media," a big chunk of our Norton Anthology, Plato "Ion," "Republic," and "Phaedrus," Aristotle "Poetics," and "Rhetoric," Horace "Ars Poetica," Aktagawa "In a Bamboo Grove," Nietzsche "On Truth & Lying in the Extra Moral Sense," Saussure "Course on General Linguistics," and after reading the five page introduction to Jacques Derrida, I've decided I just don't have room in my brain, or the energy, to read the 40 page "Plato's Pharmacy."
I highly recommend Akatagawa's "In a Bamboo Grove" (which is in his short story collection Rashomon).
I'm really, really happy that after this course I will never have to read Plato ever again. Don't misunderstand me--I'm glad I've studied Plato, but this is about my eighth class where I've had to read him, and I've had more than enough. The more I read of him, the sillier I think he is. In the margins of "the Republic," I've written "sod off, Plato!" I only wish I could meet him in person to say that to him.
I've also been reading selections of Virginia Woolf in preparation for future assignments.
23theaelizabet
>22 Nickelini: AND you STILL managed to read "four measly books"!!!
24Nickelini
Well, they were only "selections." Some of them were just one page (although the dreaded Plato was much longer). :-)
25avaland
>22 Nickelini: wonderful, wonderful! I'm glad you noted your "other" reading. What did you glean from the McLuhan, btw?
26citygirl
Hello. Thanks for your review of Remarkable Creatures. I've gobbled up several other Chevalier books, but I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the subject matter of this latest one: science and not art. The positive review helps. I'll probably get around to it sooner or later.
27Nickelini
5. Virginia Woolf: an Illustrated Anthology, Jann Dunn ed.
1995
Comments: This is a delightful little--and I do stress little--book that any Virginia Woolf fan would love. Well, I think so anyway. It's a compilation of quotations from Woolf and some of her friends, and pictures that are relevant to the quotation.
Why I Read This Now: I read this entire book while waiting in the car for my daughter. I ordered sight unseen from AbeBooks and when it arrived I just couldn't resist. I had bought it with the thought of turning it into an altered book, but it's much too nice a copy for that (also too small for what I want to do, anyway).
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: this would make a lovely gift for the Virginia Woolf fan in your life.
1995
Comments: This is a delightful little--and I do stress little--book that any Virginia Woolf fan would love. Well, I think so anyway. It's a compilation of quotations from Woolf and some of her friends, and pictures that are relevant to the quotation.
Why I Read This Now: I read this entire book while waiting in the car for my daughter. I ordered sight unseen from AbeBooks and when it arrived I just couldn't resist. I had bought it with the thought of turning it into an altered book, but it's much too nice a copy for that (also too small for what I want to do, anyway).
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: this would make a lovely gift for the Virginia Woolf fan in your life.
28Nickelini
6. A Room of One's Own (Annotated Edition) Virginia Woolf
1929, Essay
Comments:This was a detailed, word-by-word, reread for a class I'm taking. I enjoyed the book the first time I read it (about 6 years ago), but I loved it this time. It really helps to read Woolf slowly and with all brain cells clicking. A lot of what she says in this long essay is self-evident to us today, so it makes me wonder how it would have been rec'd back in the '20s. However, HOW she says it is still wonderful and makes the book more than just an interesting historical document. The annotations were pretty helpful, and the introduction was very good in this edition.
Why I Read This Now: I'm doing a presentation on the book next week and writing my term paper on it later on.
Recommended for: people who like to think, someone who has never read Woolf before (I think it's a bit easier than her novels).
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars.
1929, Essay
Comments:This was a detailed, word-by-word, reread for a class I'm taking. I enjoyed the book the first time I read it (about 6 years ago), but I loved it this time. It really helps to read Woolf slowly and with all brain cells clicking. A lot of what she says in this long essay is self-evident to us today, so it makes me wonder how it would have been rec'd back in the '20s. However, HOW she says it is still wonderful and makes the book more than just an interesting historical document. The annotations were pretty helpful, and the introduction was very good in this edition.
Why I Read This Now: I'm doing a presentation on the book next week and writing my term paper on it later on.
Recommended for: people who like to think, someone who has never read Woolf before (I think it's a bit easier than her novels).
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars.
29avaland
>28 Nickelini: I agree with the "slowly and with all brain cells clicking" - well put.
30charbutton
I'm just catching up on your thread after a couple of weeks away from LT.
I think I need to have a 'books not to buy' notebook as well as one listing books to buy so that I don't accidentally purchase books like Who Owns The World!
I think I need to have a 'books not to buy' notebook as well as one listing books to buy so that I don't accidentally purchase books like Who Owns The World!
31RidgewayGirl
That is an excellent idea. I would do that, except I would grab the wrong notebook as I left the house late and in a hurry and return home with terrible books.
32Kirconnell
>22 Nickelini: WOW! *picks jaw up off floor and toddles away*
33Nickelini
>32 Kirconnell: - My profs don"t seem to think that it's unreasonable...hmmm, I just realized that they're both Americans. I'm going to have to talk to the university about their hiring policies on foreigners. Oh, scratch that--it's my last term--what do I care what future students have to go through? ;-)
34Nickelini
7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer
Comments: I'm probably the last woman in the western world to read this book, so I'm not going to say a lot. I didn't expect to like this one much--I expected it to be fey and sacchrine. So it was a pleasant surprise--I found it very charming. I'd call this a comfort read. Sure, I could pull apart the books flaws--and there definitely were some. But it was so charming that I don't want to. How can I complain about a book that celebrates reading? And I really liked the little Oscar Wilde tangent near the end. Oh, and I really liked the Channel Island setting.
Why I Read This Now: bookclub selection for February
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: grumpy people, die-hard literary snobs and people stuck in genre fiction won't give this book a chance, otherwise I think it's good for everyone.
Comments: I'm probably the last woman in the western world to read this book, so I'm not going to say a lot. I didn't expect to like this one much--I expected it to be fey and sacchrine. So it was a pleasant surprise--I found it very charming. I'd call this a comfort read. Sure, I could pull apart the books flaws--and there definitely were some. But it was so charming that I don't want to. How can I complain about a book that celebrates reading? And I really liked the little Oscar Wilde tangent near the end. Oh, and I really liked the Channel Island setting.
Why I Read This Now: bookclub selection for February
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: grumpy people, die-hard literary snobs and people stuck in genre fiction won't give this book a chance, otherwise I think it's good for everyone.
35Talbin
Joyce - Thanks for the review of Guernsey. Probably because of all the hype here on LT, I haven't wanted to read the book (I guess it's the revolutionary in me), but your review gives me hope that it wasn't just the "latest thing" and that I should give it a go.
36Nickelini
Tracy--I didn't want to read it because of the hype either--those books always disappoint, don't they? But I did like this one. It's not great literature, but when you're in the mood for something lighter it's good. Hmmm--It's funny how it seems like a light book, considering it goes into some nasty WWII stories.
37Nickelini
For one of my classes recently I did a presentation on Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. As part of my presentation, I created an altered book on the ROOO theme. If you'd like to see it, I've posted scans at my 100 books link (messages 32-39):
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79647
http://www.librarything.com/topic/79647
38theaelizabet
Quite excellent! I'm impressed!
40janemarieprice
37 - Lovely!
42Nickelini
8. Family Album, Claribel Alegria
1990, Latin American fiction
Comments: Look for my review in the upcoming Latin American issue of Belletrista.com.
1990, Latin American fiction
Comments: Look for my review in the upcoming Latin American issue of Belletrista.com.
43Nickelini
9. Imperfect Birds, Anne Lamott
2010
Comments: A few years ago I read Lamott's non-fiction book Bird by Bird, which I really enjoyed. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember reading it on the ferry and laughing out loud. So I was thrilled when I won a ARC of Imperfect Birds as part of the Early Reviewers program. I guessed it was some sort of sequel. Wrong, it's a novel, but the description sounded good: Elizabeth's teenage daughter seems to have a perfect life, but "there are disturbing signs that the well-adjusted teenage life Rosie claims to be leading is a sham . . . slowly and painfully, Elizabeth and James are forced to confront the fact that Rosie has been lying to them." It sounded pretty good to me.
But the description on the back cover didn't match the actual book. The opening line is "there are so many evils that pull on our children," and the opening pages describe Elizabeth's great worries about her daughter who she knows is lying, and she knows is doing drugs. I didn't see any slow realization happening--it was all there in the first few pages of the book.
By page 37 I seriously considered quitting. I couldn't relate to the characters, and I found the writing choppy and sort of all over the place. But as a mother of a teenage daughter, I thought I should stick it out. I did gain some empathy for the parents, but the lying, selfish party girl was boring, as most lying selfish partiers tend to be.
Although Lamott turns a nice phrase occasionally, for the most part this book did nothing for me. If you want to read a book about a parent's struggle with their successful teen throwing away their life to addiction, I recommend instead Beautiful Boy by David Sheff.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Why I Read This Now: ER book
Recommended for: it's not the worst book I've ever read by any means, but I can't really recommend it either.
2010
Comments: A few years ago I read Lamott's non-fiction book Bird by Bird, which I really enjoyed. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember reading it on the ferry and laughing out loud. So I was thrilled when I won a ARC of Imperfect Birds as part of the Early Reviewers program. I guessed it was some sort of sequel. Wrong, it's a novel, but the description sounded good: Elizabeth's teenage daughter seems to have a perfect life, but "there are disturbing signs that the well-adjusted teenage life Rosie claims to be leading is a sham . . . slowly and painfully, Elizabeth and James are forced to confront the fact that Rosie has been lying to them." It sounded pretty good to me.
But the description on the back cover didn't match the actual book. The opening line is "there are so many evils that pull on our children," and the opening pages describe Elizabeth's great worries about her daughter who she knows is lying, and she knows is doing drugs. I didn't see any slow realization happening--it was all there in the first few pages of the book.
By page 37 I seriously considered quitting. I couldn't relate to the characters, and I found the writing choppy and sort of all over the place. But as a mother of a teenage daughter, I thought I should stick it out. I did gain some empathy for the parents, but the lying, selfish party girl was boring, as most lying selfish partiers tend to be.
Although Lamott turns a nice phrase occasionally, for the most part this book did nothing for me. If you want to read a book about a parent's struggle with their successful teen throwing away their life to addiction, I recommend instead Beautiful Boy by David Sheff.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Why I Read This Now: ER book
Recommended for: it's not the worst book I've ever read by any means, but I can't really recommend it either.
44Nickelini
10. How to Read Novels Like a Professor, by Thomas C Foster
Literary criticism, 2009
Comments: A few years ago I read and loved How to Read Literature Like a Professor, so when I saw this "sequel" at the bookstore, I couldn't resist. But part of me wondered if it was just the same material recycled. I'm happy to say it wasn't--evidently, there's lots to talk about when it comes to books. Reading this book is like sitting through lectures by a really interesting professor. The only complaint I have is that there is no index. What is up with that?
Rating:4 out of 5
Recommended for: anyone who likes to read about books.
Literary criticism, 2009
Comments: A few years ago I read and loved How to Read Literature Like a Professor, so when I saw this "sequel" at the bookstore, I couldn't resist. But part of me wondered if it was just the same material recycled. I'm happy to say it wasn't--evidently, there's lots to talk about when it comes to books. Reading this book is like sitting through lectures by a really interesting professor. The only complaint I have is that there is no index. What is up with that?
Rating:4 out of 5
Recommended for: anyone who likes to read about books.
45rebeccanyc
Nickelini, have you read Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer? It was wonderful and has a great reading list in the back.
ETA Needless to say, I haven't followed its number one recommendation, which is to read much more slowly than I do.
ETA Needless to say, I haven't followed its number one recommendation, which is to read much more slowly than I do.
46detailmuse
>43 Nickelini: RATS! :)
I have a copy coming also. And though I loved Bird by Bird and liked her memoirs and essays (including about her son as a child and now teen), this will be my first of her fiction. *crossing my fingers*
hey btw I finally got a copy of The Incident Report, really liked it, so glad to have found it through your thread last year!
I have a copy coming also. And though I loved Bird by Bird and liked her memoirs and essays (including about her son as a child and now teen), this will be my first of her fiction. *crossing my fingers*
hey btw I finally got a copy of The Incident Report, really liked it, so glad to have found it through your thread last year!
47Nickelini
have you read Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer? It was wonderful and has a great reading list in the back.
Yes, I read that one a few years ago too and I too thought it was wonderful.
Yes, I read that one a few years ago too and I too thought it was wonderful.
48Nickelini
43 RATS! :)
I have a copy coming also.
Well, other people here at LT have given it positive comments, so maybe you'll be one of those who sees something that I've missed.
I have a copy coming also.
Well, other people here at LT have given it positive comments, so maybe you'll be one of those who sees something that I've missed.
49kidzdoc
I'm glad that you liked How to Read Literature Like a Professor. I also own it, and I'll read it soon.
50jintster
Great reviews! I really like the sound of When Christ and His Saints Slept since my knowledge of England's first civil war is sadly lacking.
51juliette07
~37 - just 'found' your thread here. What a beautiful altered book you made - was it a piece of homework or motivated purely for pleasure?
53juliette07
Thank you - and for you great reviews!
54arubabookwoman
Do you think (or know) whether any part of the Anne Lamott book is based on her true experiences? Since she is generally regarded as such an excellent writer (and I'll admit I've not read anything of hers) could this subject have been too close to the heart for her to handle?
55Nickelini
I don't know much about Anne Lamott, but I'm pretty sure she is or has been the mom of a teen (I think a son, though). To me it seemed like the book is a draft copy and needed to go through the editing-rewriting process for a few more cycles. Plus I've realized this past year that I find substance abusers to be quite boring at the best of times. Maybe just not the book for me--I know others at LT liked it.
56Nickelini
11. Food Rules: an Eater's Manual, Michael Pollan
Non-fiction, 2009
Comments: I adore Michael Pollan, and this very small book was an impulse buy. This is a mini-version of his other books--kinda the highlights condensed into small bites.
Recommended for: anyone who wants the basics on how to eat in a healthful and ethical way, but doesn't have time to read his real books (I highly recommend Omnivore's Dilemma).
Why I Read This Now: it was an impulse, but not much of an investment because it's extremely short.
Rating: while it doesn't compare to his longer books, for what it is, I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Non-fiction, 2009
Comments: I adore Michael Pollan, and this very small book was an impulse buy. This is a mini-version of his other books--kinda the highlights condensed into small bites.
Recommended for: anyone who wants the basics on how to eat in a healthful and ethical way, but doesn't have time to read his real books (I highly recommend Omnivore's Dilemma).
Why I Read This Now: it was an impulse, but not much of an investment because it's extremely short.
Rating: while it doesn't compare to his longer books, for what it is, I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars.
57Nickelini
I don't feel like I'm reading books at my usual pace. It's because of all the bits and pieces I'm having to read for my two classes. Here is some of the other stuff I read in February that is distracting me from the stuff I want to read:
Selections from: Augustine "City of God," Leo I & Attila "Accounts," Canon Benedict "Mirabilia Urbis Romae," Magister Gregorius "Marvels of Rome," Cardinal Jacapo Stefaneschi "Poem on the Jubilee of 1300," Boccaccio "Decameron Day 1, Story 2," Petracrch "Familiares" and "Seniles," Adam Usk "Chronicle of Adam Usk," Giannozzo Manetti "Life of Nicholas V," Raphael "Letter of Pope Leo X," Andrea Palladio "Antiquities of Rome" and "Chronicles of Rome."
For my English class I read "The Critic as Artist" by Oscar Wilde, "Death of the Author" by Roland Barthes and "The Rise of English" by Terry Eagleton.
Selections from: Augustine "City of God," Leo I & Attila "Accounts," Canon Benedict "Mirabilia Urbis Romae," Magister Gregorius "Marvels of Rome," Cardinal Jacapo Stefaneschi "Poem on the Jubilee of 1300," Boccaccio "Decameron Day 1, Story 2," Petracrch "Familiares" and "Seniles," Adam Usk "Chronicle of Adam Usk," Giannozzo Manetti "Life of Nicholas V," Raphael "Letter of Pope Leo X," Andrea Palladio "Antiquities of Rome" and "Chronicles of Rome."
For my English class I read "The Critic as Artist" by Oscar Wilde, "Death of the Author" by Roland Barthes and "The Rise of English" by Terry Eagleton.
58cocoafiend
Your reading pace is staggering compared to mine, Nickelini.
Just wanted to say I'm enjoying your reviews. Was thinking of reading Palace Walk but not so sure now. Might enjoy rereading Woolf's Room of One's Own instead... I really like your format - comments, why I read this now, recommended for...
Just wanted to say I'm enjoying your reviews. Was thinking of reading Palace Walk but not so sure now. Might enjoy rereading Woolf's Room of One's Own instead... I really like your format - comments, why I read this now, recommended for...
59Nickelini
12. Italian Journey, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Travel memoir, 1786-1788
Why I Read This Now: assigned reading for my Humanities 340 class on Rome.
Comments: First, I have to say that the other students in my class seemed quite enthused about this book, and it did generate lots of fairly interesting discussion. There were some really well-written, though-provoking bits.
But I disliked the absence of a story—this is, for the most part, just a series of events of his time in Italy made up of letters, diary entries and memories. There are moments of splendid finesse, but over all, I found it rather a bore and was quite annoyed with Goethe by the end. Reading this was like listening to some pompous distant relative go on and on about himself. So I had to laugh when the next writer I had to read, the grouchy historian and fellow-German Barthold George Niebuhr, dissed Goethe’s musings on Rome. Writing 30 years later, he says that Goethe wrote “in a fit of intoxication,” and he was “doubtless infected by the spirit of his age.” He goes on to say that Goethe “has no inward, native insight” and writes “with an air of patronizing superiority.” Never mind that Niebuhr writes with an air of patronizing superiority himself. It just felt good to know that I wasn’t the only one to find Goethe’s Italian Journey to be a snooze-fest.
That said, it was an unintimidating read, and I look forward to reading other works by Goethe as long as I’m assured that they have a narrative.
Recommended for: Readers who are interested in first-hand accounts of the Grand Tour.
Travel memoir, 1786-1788
Why I Read This Now: assigned reading for my Humanities 340 class on Rome.
Comments: First, I have to say that the other students in my class seemed quite enthused about this book, and it did generate lots of fairly interesting discussion. There were some really well-written, though-provoking bits.
But I disliked the absence of a story—this is, for the most part, just a series of events of his time in Italy made up of letters, diary entries and memories. There are moments of splendid finesse, but over all, I found it rather a bore and was quite annoyed with Goethe by the end. Reading this was like listening to some pompous distant relative go on and on about himself. So I had to laugh when the next writer I had to read, the grouchy historian and fellow-German Barthold George Niebuhr, dissed Goethe’s musings on Rome. Writing 30 years later, he says that Goethe wrote “in a fit of intoxication,” and he was “doubtless infected by the spirit of his age.” He goes on to say that Goethe “has no inward, native insight” and writes “with an air of patronizing superiority.” Never mind that Niebuhr writes with an air of patronizing superiority himself. It just felt good to know that I wasn’t the only one to find Goethe’s Italian Journey to be a snooze-fest.
That said, it was an unintimidating read, and I look forward to reading other works by Goethe as long as I’m assured that they have a narrative.
Recommended for: Readers who are interested in first-hand accounts of the Grand Tour.
61Nickelini
No, ma'am. I'll get right back to it. Just taking a wee break from reading Judith Butler's ideas on Gender Trouble.
63janemarieprice
12 - I came very close to reading this for a paper on the Grand Tour. I'm glad I didn't. I found a lot of the Grand Tour travel memoirs I looked at were not particularly interesting or helpful for what I was doing.
64Nickelini
13. Ines of My Soul, Isabel Allende
Historical fiction, 2005
Comments: look for my review in the upcoming Latin American issue of Belletrista.com.
Historical fiction, 2005
Comments: look for my review in the upcoming Latin American issue of Belletrista.com.
65Nickelini
14. The Pleasure of My Company, Steve Martin
Contemporary fiction, 2003
Comments: Yes, the author is that Steve Martin. He's one multi-talented individual.
Although Daniel Cambridge lives in an apartment near the ocean in Santa Monica, California, he really lives in his own world. Daniel's life is controlled by his OCD, but somehow he manages to have interesting and fulfilling relationships with a whole raft of characters (none as quirky as himself), save a psychology student from her abusive ex-husband, and win the Most Average American essay contest. Martin has a gift for language--the novel is highly amusing, though not the laugh-out-loud funny you might expect from him. He is obviously a writer of great intelligence. There isn't a lot of plot to the book, but the character arc is very satisfying.
Rating: Right now this is just a shade under 4 stars, but I'm going to think about it and decide in a week or so and see how the book settles in my mind.
Why I Read This Now: When I picked it up I thought it was a novella that I could read for the Club Read novella month. But it's 163 pages long and reads like a novel. Also, I wanted to read something completely different from what I've been reading this year.
Recommended for: people who like books with quirky characters or are interested in OCD, people who like books that have intelligent language but are still easy to read.
edited to add: I read Martin's other novel, Shopgirl, a few years ago. I definitely preferred the Pleasure of My Company because Shopgirl was just too lonely and depressing. Even though PoMC has some sad moments, and Daniel is controlled by his anxieties, he is always optimistic.
Contemporary fiction, 2003
Comments: Yes, the author is that Steve Martin. He's one multi-talented individual.
Although Daniel Cambridge lives in an apartment near the ocean in Santa Monica, California, he really lives in his own world. Daniel's life is controlled by his OCD, but somehow he manages to have interesting and fulfilling relationships with a whole raft of characters (none as quirky as himself), save a psychology student from her abusive ex-husband, and win the Most Average American essay contest. Martin has a gift for language--the novel is highly amusing, though not the laugh-out-loud funny you might expect from him. He is obviously a writer of great intelligence. There isn't a lot of plot to the book, but the character arc is very satisfying.
Rating: Right now this is just a shade under 4 stars, but I'm going to think about it and decide in a week or so and see how the book settles in my mind.
Why I Read This Now: When I picked it up I thought it was a novella that I could read for the Club Read novella month. But it's 163 pages long and reads like a novel. Also, I wanted to read something completely different from what I've been reading this year.
Recommended for: people who like books with quirky characters or are interested in OCD, people who like books that have intelligent language but are still easy to read.
edited to add: I read Martin's other novel, Shopgirl, a few years ago. I definitely preferred the Pleasure of My Company because Shopgirl was just too lonely and depressing. Even though PoMC has some sad moments, and Daniel is controlled by his anxieties, he is always optimistic.
66Nickelini
15. Women and Writing, Virginia Woolf
Essays & literary criticism, 1904-1942
Comments: This book is an absolute gem. Part one covers essays where Woolf discusses women and writing as a whole, part two covers essays about particular women authors (inc. George Eliot, Christina Rossetti, Katherine Mansfield and of course Jane Austen and the Brontes). There is also an excellent 39 page introduction. Woolf covers many of the same themes and topics as she does in A Room of One's Own, but from a slightly different angle.
My very favourite essay is "Professions for Women" (which is also published in the collection The Death of the Moth). In it, the narrator brilliantly describes how she had to kill the Angel in the House: "I turned upon her and caught her by the throat ..." This is Woolf at her most vigorous, taking agency in her life. I also really enjoyed her essays on Jane Austen and the Brontes, and also one titled "Royalty." Great stuff!
Why I Read This Now: I wandered in to it looking for a quotation or two for an essay, and stayed to read the whole book.
Recommended for: This is a must-read for fans of A Room of One's Own and anyone interested in the issues that women novelists face, and also anyone interested in women writers in general.
Rating: 4/5 stars. I would have given this a full 5 stars, but there were several essays that I didn't care for, mostly because I had no knowledge of the authors Woolf discussed. That doesn't take away from how fabulous some of the other essays were, however.
Essays & literary criticism, 1904-1942
Comments: This book is an absolute gem. Part one covers essays where Woolf discusses women and writing as a whole, part two covers essays about particular women authors (inc. George Eliot, Christina Rossetti, Katherine Mansfield and of course Jane Austen and the Brontes). There is also an excellent 39 page introduction. Woolf covers many of the same themes and topics as she does in A Room of One's Own, but from a slightly different angle.
My very favourite essay is "Professions for Women" (which is also published in the collection The Death of the Moth). In it, the narrator brilliantly describes how she had to kill the Angel in the House: "I turned upon her and caught her by the throat ..." This is Woolf at her most vigorous, taking agency in her life. I also really enjoyed her essays on Jane Austen and the Brontes, and also one titled "Royalty." Great stuff!
Why I Read This Now: I wandered in to it looking for a quotation or two for an essay, and stayed to read the whole book.
Recommended for: This is a must-read for fans of A Room of One's Own and anyone interested in the issues that women novelists face, and also anyone interested in women writers in general.
Rating: 4/5 stars. I would have given this a full 5 stars, but there were several essays that I didn't care for, mostly because I had no knowledge of the authors Woolf discussed. That doesn't take away from how fabulous some of the other essays were, however.
67lilisin
I'll be looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the Allende in the upcoming belletrista. I know I really enjoyed reading it when it came out. A very relaxing read. :)
68Nickelini
16. The Age of Oprah: Cultural Icon for the Neoliberal Era, Janice Peck
2008, non-fiction (media & cultural studies)
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Comments: I was surprised at how much I liked this book. It was meticulously researched, and decidedly scholarly, but a well written and interesting read. The author of The Age of Oprah, Janice Peck, teaches journalism and media at the U of Colorado, and she has never been a fan of Oprah. That does not mean that this book is a smear job; this is not a personal attack. Instead, Peck unpretentiously but scrupulously traces Oprah’s shadow through Reaganomics, the Clinton years and up to the present, and situates her within a broader political milieu.
The author gives a great crash course on the changes to US social and economic policy brought on my neo-liberalism, a political philosophy that views the world entirely through the lens of economics (and is not in opposition to neo-conservatism, as I once assumed). She traces the development of Oprah’s worldview that everyone can be empowered by positive thinking. She shows with specific examples how Winfrey resisted efforts by her guest experts to connect whatever issue was under discussion with the broader political and economic issues. For Oprah, right thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit solve all problems. According to Peck (and I agree now that she’s pointed this out), Winfrey subtly distances herself from feminist politics and the radicalism of the Civil Rights movement. Further, she has a “propensity to valorize individual volunteerism approaches to systemic social problems.” Through thinking, acting, doing, it is up to each individual to overcome inequalities of race, class and gender: after all, Oprah did it herself. What’s your problem? The downside to this way of thinking is that it has a strong “depoliticizing power” that results in a society of consumers rather than citizens. (And consumerism is another thing that Oprah is definitely a cheerleader for--an aspect of her that has bothered me for many years).
I’ve always had mixed feelings about Oprah. I admire that she at least tries to send a positive message, because that’s a rare thing to see on TV. And I’ve certainly seen some interesting things over the years of her shows. But I’ve often been annoyed by her, and I think her ego is larger than her bank account. So, in other words, I neither loved nor hated her. After the Age of Oprah, however, I know I will never see her in such a benign light ever again. From now on, colour me skeptical.
Recommended for: anyone interested in US cultural studies. This is also and excellent example of good academic writing that is sophisticated without being mired in pretentious jargon.
Why I Read This Now: I was tempted by it at the uni bookstore, but then found it at the library and couldn't resist. This was in impulse read.
2008, non-fiction (media & cultural studies)
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Comments: I was surprised at how much I liked this book. It was meticulously researched, and decidedly scholarly, but a well written and interesting read. The author of The Age of Oprah, Janice Peck, teaches journalism and media at the U of Colorado, and she has never been a fan of Oprah. That does not mean that this book is a smear job; this is not a personal attack. Instead, Peck unpretentiously but scrupulously traces Oprah’s shadow through Reaganomics, the Clinton years and up to the present, and situates her within a broader political milieu.
The author gives a great crash course on the changes to US social and economic policy brought on my neo-liberalism, a political philosophy that views the world entirely through the lens of economics (and is not in opposition to neo-conservatism, as I once assumed). She traces the development of Oprah’s worldview that everyone can be empowered by positive thinking. She shows with specific examples how Winfrey resisted efforts by her guest experts to connect whatever issue was under discussion with the broader political and economic issues. For Oprah, right thinking and an entrepreneurial spirit solve all problems. According to Peck (and I agree now that she’s pointed this out), Winfrey subtly distances herself from feminist politics and the radicalism of the Civil Rights movement. Further, she has a “propensity to valorize individual volunteerism approaches to systemic social problems.” Through thinking, acting, doing, it is up to each individual to overcome inequalities of race, class and gender: after all, Oprah did it herself. What’s your problem? The downside to this way of thinking is that it has a strong “depoliticizing power” that results in a society of consumers rather than citizens. (And consumerism is another thing that Oprah is definitely a cheerleader for--an aspect of her that has bothered me for many years).
I’ve always had mixed feelings about Oprah. I admire that she at least tries to send a positive message, because that’s a rare thing to see on TV. And I’ve certainly seen some interesting things over the years of her shows. But I’ve often been annoyed by her, and I think her ego is larger than her bank account. So, in other words, I neither loved nor hated her. After the Age of Oprah, however, I know I will never see her in such a benign light ever again. From now on, colour me skeptical.
Recommended for: anyone interested in US cultural studies. This is also and excellent example of good academic writing that is sophisticated without being mired in pretentious jargon.
Why I Read This Now: I was tempted by it at the uni bookstore, but then found it at the library and couldn't resist. This was in impulse read.
69TadAD
I've never seen an episode of Oprah, so I have no reference for the discussion, but you make that book sound quite interesting.
70avaland
>68 Nickelini: oh, this sounds like a book I'd be interested in. I enjoy cultural commentary and O is indeed a cultural icon.
btw, are you still reading Living Dolls or was a break needed. I found the latter part about biological determinism a bit of a slog (maybe because this stuff wasn't new to me).
btw, are you still reading Living Dolls or was a break needed. I found the latter part about biological determinism a bit of a slog (maybe because this stuff wasn't new to me).
71Nickelini
Lois, yes, I still have Living Dolls on the go. I don't really like reading more than one book at a time, but I find that I can only take this one in pieces. I found I could relate more to The Age of Oprah, so I finished that one first. I'll probably finish Living Dolls this week. However, when I got up this morning and looked at my homework, I realized that I've fallen behind again, and I am currently having a minor panic attack over it. So I may not get any reading done at all.
72detailmuse
Terrific comments about the Oprah book. Sounds like a smart, substance-y alternative to the upcoming biography of her by Kitty Kelley.
73avaland
>71 Nickelini: Agree about taking it in pieces. I do that often with nonfiction myself.
74booksontrial
>44 Nickelini:: Nickelini,
Added How to Read Literature Like a Professor to my To Read list. Thanks for the review. Are there any other "How to Read ..." books you would recommend?
Added How to Read Literature Like a Professor to my To Read list. Thanks for the review. Are there any other "How to Read ..." books you would recommend?
75janemarieprice
68 - Sounds interesting. I'm sort of fascinated by her impact as well which has always felt like it was in a weird middle-ground to me.
77Nickelini
Sigh, March has been a long month. Here are the bits and pieces that kept me away from Mnt TBR this month:
English Theory and Criticism: Kant "The Critique of Judgment," Hegel "The Master-Slave Dialectic," Marx "The Communist Manifesto," Lacan "The Mirror Stage," Nietzsche "The Birth of Tragedy," Bakhtin "Discourse in the Novel," Butler "Gender Trouble," Freud "The Uncanny," Hoffmann "The Sandman," and a whole slew of scholarly articles on Virginia Woolf. Most of these were fairly dreadful.
For my humanities class on Rome, I read Byron "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" selections, Wildes poems on Rome, Niebur selected letters, Nightengale selected letters, James "Italian Hours" selections, Twain "Innocents Abroad" selections, Wharton "Roman Fever," Hawthorne "Marble Faun" selections, Williams "In Rome." I enjoyed these ones quite a bit, especially the Wharton, James and Hawthorne.
English Theory and Criticism: Kant "The Critique of Judgment," Hegel "The Master-Slave Dialectic," Marx "The Communist Manifesto," Lacan "The Mirror Stage," Nietzsche "The Birth of Tragedy," Bakhtin "Discourse in the Novel," Butler "Gender Trouble," Freud "The Uncanny," Hoffmann "The Sandman," and a whole slew of scholarly articles on Virginia Woolf. Most of these were fairly dreadful.
For my humanities class on Rome, I read Byron "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage" selections, Wildes poems on Rome, Niebur selected letters, Nightengale selected letters, James "Italian Hours" selections, Twain "Innocents Abroad" selections, Wharton "Roman Fever," Hawthorne "Marble Faun" selections, Williams "In Rome." I enjoyed these ones quite a bit, especially the Wharton, James and Hawthorne.
78Nickelini
70 btw, are you still reading Living Dolls or was a break needed. I found the latter part about biological determinism a bit of a slog (maybe because this stuff wasn't new to me).
Lois - I hit that part yesterday. It's almost like I'm reading a different book. Interesting, though like you say, not entirely new. I'm not sure how I'm going to review this book.
I like your idea of starting a thread somewhere to discuss all these books. Perhaps in the Girlybook group. If you don't start it, I'll do it when school is finished.
Now off to try and squeeze an essay out of the bits and pieces I've been assigned! This has been a somewhat awful term for writing!
Lois - I hit that part yesterday. It's almost like I'm reading a different book. Interesting, though like you say, not entirely new. I'm not sure how I'm going to review this book.
I like your idea of starting a thread somewhere to discuss all these books. Perhaps in the Girlybook group. If you don't start it, I'll do it when school is finished.
Now off to try and squeeze an essay out of the bits and pieces I've been assigned! This has been a somewhat awful term for writing!
79citygirl
Thank you very much for your Review of Women and Writing. I am indeed a fan of AROOO (sounds like something Scooby-Doo might say), but I didn't even know that this other one existed. I'm definitely going to get it.
80avaland
>78 Nickelini: oh, you sound tired! (it's almost over!). Yeah, I think we can give it a few months.
81Nickelini
17. Living Dolls: the Return of Sexism, Natasha Walter
2010, Non-fiction
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Comments:. My . . . where to start . . . this was a very interesting book that covers a side of British culture that I missed on my visit last year! Actually, there are two books here. The first section, titled "the New Sexism" discusses various ways our pornographied culture (did I just make up that word?) is bad for women, despite the claim that it gives us choices. The second half, titled "the New Determinism," shows the different ways that the media pushes aside ideas of socialized behaviours in favour of biological determinism, and again, how this is detrimental to girls and women. Unfortunately, the bad science that the popular culture follows negatively affects our beliefs and our behaviour.
Walter wants her readers to "become more alert to the impact the new fashion for biological determinism might have on strengthening stereotypes in everyday life and therefore on holding back the possibility of greater equality."
Recommended for: any female over the age of 14, anyone who meets females during their day to day activities.
Why I Read This Now: Because Avaland recommended it and it had just arrived at my library.
2010, Non-fiction
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Comments:. My . . . where to start . . . this was a very interesting book that covers a side of British culture that I missed on my visit last year! Actually, there are two books here. The first section, titled "the New Sexism" discusses various ways our pornographied culture (did I just make up that word?) is bad for women, despite the claim that it gives us choices. The second half, titled "the New Determinism," shows the different ways that the media pushes aside ideas of socialized behaviours in favour of biological determinism, and again, how this is detrimental to girls and women. Unfortunately, the bad science that the popular culture follows negatively affects our beliefs and our behaviour.
Walter wants her readers to "become more alert to the impact the new fashion for biological determinism might have on strengthening stereotypes in everyday life and therefore on holding back the possibility of greater equality."
Recommended for: any female over the age of 14, anyone who meets females during their day to day activities.
Why I Read This Now: Because Avaland recommended it and it had just arrived at my library.
82Nickelini
18. the Love of a Good Woman, Alice Munro
1998, Short stories
Comments: I'm not sure what I want to say about this one. There are things about it I liked (general writing style, some of the settings), and things I disliked (unsettling feeling it brought on, some of the characters and situations). Giller Prize winner.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: people wanting to read prize winners in CanLit.
Why I Read This Now: this hard cover had been taking up room on Mnt TBR for way too long.
1998, Short stories
Comments: I'm not sure what I want to say about this one. There are things about it I liked (general writing style, some of the settings), and things I disliked (unsettling feeling it brought on, some of the characters and situations). Giller Prize winner.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: people wanting to read prize winners in CanLit.
Why I Read This Now: this hard cover had been taking up room on Mnt TBR for way too long.
83avaland
>81 Nickelini: So, you survived:-)
84dchaikin
Hi Nickelini - I'm just catching up here, I was somewhere back in early March. Love your thread. I just wanted to comment that your review of Oprah is fascinating in itself (although I'm not sure I'm interested in the book). Also, enjoyed all the comments on Virginia Woolf, Living Dolls etc.
85kiwiflowa
After reading your thread I got out The Age of Oprah: Cultural Icon for the Neoliberal Era by Janice Peck from the library. I'll read it sometime in the next 6 weeks :) I live in NZ but Oprah has been a day time TV show here for as long as I can remember. In fact I remember at the age of 3 or 4 my daily routine after getting home from preschool would be to eat lunch watching Oprah with mum and then some aerobics show then nap time lol.
86Nickelini
19. The Slap, Christos Tsiolkas
2008, Australian lit
Rating: 4/5 stars ... at times I thought his might go up to 5 stars, at other times I thought it was more like 2.
Comments: Crikey! This was one of the most engaging books I’ve read in a long time. "At a suburban barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own." The novel is divided into eight sections, each covering the point of view of one of the characters who was at the barbeque. But it is soon clear that there are many, many issues besides the slap. I thought about giving up after the first page because the introductory character is so despicable. I continued on and soon found myself swept up in the story. About ¾ of the way through, it really tanked, but got more interesting again with the final section.
What I liked: the best thing about this book is that it is a compelling a read. The almost 500 pgs flew by. I also liked the strong hit of Australian culture. Finally, I liked how the story was structured around eight different characters and their various points of view.
What I didn’t like: Although the judges that awarded this book the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize obviously disagree with me, I thought this book needs a ton of editing. The Slap should not have gone a page over 300. They could have saved trees and trimmed out 50 pages just by deleting all references to smoking cigarettes. Next, the language used by every single character was ridiculous. Adults really say the F-and C-words in front of children? Really? Also, everything the author knows about sex was apparently learned from watching porn. There are too many characters in this book, and I disliked all of them (except perhaps Anouk—not sure about her. And maybe Richie). The rest of them have to be the most despicable citizens of Australia.
Why I Read This Now: it’s the April book for my book club.
Recommended for: Book clubs. This is NOT a typical book club, but is definitely great for sparking discussion.
Not recommended for: readers who dislike gratuitous swearing, sex and drug use and books with nasty characters.
2008, Australian lit
Rating: 4/5 stars ... at times I thought his might go up to 5 stars, at other times I thought it was more like 2.
Comments: Crikey! This was one of the most engaging books I’ve read in a long time. "At a suburban barbeque, a man slaps a child who is not his own." The novel is divided into eight sections, each covering the point of view of one of the characters who was at the barbeque. But it is soon clear that there are many, many issues besides the slap. I thought about giving up after the first page because the introductory character is so despicable. I continued on and soon found myself swept up in the story. About ¾ of the way through, it really tanked, but got more interesting again with the final section.
What I liked: the best thing about this book is that it is a compelling a read. The almost 500 pgs flew by. I also liked the strong hit of Australian culture. Finally, I liked how the story was structured around eight different characters and their various points of view.
What I didn’t like: Although the judges that awarded this book the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize obviously disagree with me, I thought this book needs a ton of editing. The Slap should not have gone a page over 300. They could have saved trees and trimmed out 50 pages just by deleting all references to smoking cigarettes. Next, the language used by every single character was ridiculous. Adults really say the F-and C-words in front of children? Really? Also, everything the author knows about sex was apparently learned from watching porn. There are too many characters in this book, and I disliked all of them (except perhaps Anouk—not sure about her. And maybe Richie). The rest of them have to be the most despicable citizens of Australia.
Why I Read This Now: it’s the April book for my book club.
Recommended for: Book clubs. This is NOT a typical book club, but is definitely great for sparking discussion.
Not recommended for: readers who dislike gratuitous swearing, sex and drug use and books with nasty characters.
87avaland
>86 Nickelini: Well, i think we all can agree that editors seem not to have that kind of editing in their job descriptions anymore (why isn't there a campaign around the obesity of fiction?).
Hey, I picked up my The Age of Oprah book at the store today;-)
Hey, I picked up my The Age of Oprah book at the store today;-)
88Nickelini
#87 - oh good, when you get around to reading it you can tell me what you think of her take on Reaganomics and the Clinton years. I didn't pay any attention to US politics during their regimes, so I found it all very interesting now. But I'd like to hear from someone who was watching what was going on during those years.
89RidgewayGirl
I'm adding The Slap to my wishlist after that description. I'm developing a fondness for unpleasant characters in fiction. Less fond of them in real life, though.
90citygirl
Not recommended for: readers who dislike gratuitous swearing, sex and drug use and books with nasty characters.
Sounds like The Slap is just the book for me! Onto the wishlist it goes.
Sounds like The Slap is just the book for me! Onto the wishlist it goes.
91dchaikin
FYI - back on Oprah - NPR had an interesting article on Kitty Kelley's book this morning: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125856397
92Nickelini
I've never read anything by Kitty Kelley, but that was very interesting. Thanks for posting the link. I always thought unauthorized biographies were -- as she says -- nefarious, but I appreciate her point about not being under the control of the subject as with the authorized bio.
93Nickelini
20. A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
1859, British literature
Rating: 3.5 stars
Comments: I have been trying to read this book for at least 20 years (bought my copy somewhere between 1988-1990) and finally did it. I really thought this was the Dickens I was going to love best. I loved the opening lines, and loved the idea of a novel set against the French Revolution. Unfortunately, I found most of the first half a real slog. It did pick up in the second half, and I rather enjoyed it in the end, but it's not a page turner for me like Bleak House was. The details about the revolution were great, and I know next time I visit Paris, I will really look at it through different eyes! Every Dickens book has at least one outstandingly memorable character, and in this one I'd have to say it's Madame Defarge. Just thinking of her sends shivers of fear and revulsion down my spine! And that's all I have to say about that.
Why I Read This Now: I tried to read it for the February Dickens group read, but didn't get very far, also it's one of the oldest books in Mnt. TBR. And I'm on a quest to read a Dickens a year, so this is my 2010 entry.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended for: I hear that people who don't care for Dickens like this one; it's different than his other stuff. Definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the French Revolution because it captures the capricious atmosphere of the time perfectly.
1859, British literature
Rating: 3.5 stars
Comments: I have been trying to read this book for at least 20 years (bought my copy somewhere between 1988-1990) and finally did it. I really thought this was the Dickens I was going to love best. I loved the opening lines, and loved the idea of a novel set against the French Revolution. Unfortunately, I found most of the first half a real slog. It did pick up in the second half, and I rather enjoyed it in the end, but it's not a page turner for me like Bleak House was. The details about the revolution were great, and I know next time I visit Paris, I will really look at it through different eyes! Every Dickens book has at least one outstandingly memorable character, and in this one I'd have to say it's Madame Defarge. Just thinking of her sends shivers of fear and revulsion down my spine! And that's all I have to say about that.
Why I Read This Now: I tried to read it for the February Dickens group read, but didn't get very far, also it's one of the oldest books in Mnt. TBR. And I'm on a quest to read a Dickens a year, so this is my 2010 entry.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended for: I hear that people who don't care for Dickens like this one; it's different than his other stuff. Definitely a must read for anyone who is interested in the French Revolution because it captures the capricious atmosphere of the time perfectly.
94Nickelini
Bloody Tower, Valerie Wilding
2002, Children's
Comments: These are the diary entries of Tilly between the ages of 12 and 18. Tilly is the daughter of the Tower of London’s physician, and it is set in the years starting with the short reign of Lady Jane Grey and ending with Elizabeth I’s ascent to the throne. During these years Tilly watches the waves of change in English politics that flow around the Tower, and witnesses many executions. There are some nice details of daily life in 16th century London that the author slips in unobtrusively.
This book doesn’t spare any gory details, and some of them may be disturbing to especially sensitive readers, but it IS a children’s book, so it’s pre-teen level head chopping ;-) This is part of the My Story series, which also includes books about the 17th century plague, the Irish famine and the London Blitz.
Recommended for:This is also a good gateway book to start any young reader’s Tudor addiction. Bloody Tower at ten, Wolf Hall at 18.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Why I Read This Now: My 10 year old daughter has been playing university and she assigned this book for me to read and then write an essay on.
2002, Children's
Comments: These are the diary entries of Tilly between the ages of 12 and 18. Tilly is the daughter of the Tower of London’s physician, and it is set in the years starting with the short reign of Lady Jane Grey and ending with Elizabeth I’s ascent to the throne. During these years Tilly watches the waves of change in English politics that flow around the Tower, and witnesses many executions. There are some nice details of daily life in 16th century London that the author slips in unobtrusively.
This book doesn’t spare any gory details, and some of them may be disturbing to especially sensitive readers, but it IS a children’s book, so it’s pre-teen level head chopping ;-) This is part of the My Story series, which also includes books about the 17th century plague, the Irish famine and the London Blitz.
Recommended for:This is also a good gateway book to start any young reader’s Tudor addiction. Bloody Tower at ten, Wolf Hall at 18.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Why I Read This Now: My 10 year old daughter has been playing university and she assigned this book for me to read and then write an essay on.
95detailmuse
My 10 year old daughter has been playing university and she assigned this book
:) Sweet!
:) Sweet!
97Nickelini
Yea, me! I got an A+. Here are her comments: "Great job! Good thoughts and than you for explaining what unobtrusively means. I had no idea!"
98janemarieprice
What a great exercise!
100Nickelini
2. Cat's Eye, Margaret Atwood
Canlit, 1988
rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: Atwood is really a fabulous writer. She is able to describe people, places and events that is absolutely crystalline (by that I mean both clear and sparkling). There were many brilliant moments in this book. I especially liked the parts about the protagonist's brother, especially when he is an adult. However, there were also some repetitive boring bits in this book--I think it should have been about 150 pages shorter.
I guess that I was a little disappointed because based on the book's description, I expected this to be my favourite Atwood yet (art! memory! bullies! What could be better?). It was good, but not my favourite.
Why I Read This Now: I'm reading an Atwood a year, and there was an Atwood group read happening this month.
Recommended for: a broad audience . . . people who appreciate well-written contemporary literature.
Canlit, 1988
rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: Atwood is really a fabulous writer. She is able to describe people, places and events that is absolutely crystalline (by that I mean both clear and sparkling). There were many brilliant moments in this book. I especially liked the parts about the protagonist's brother, especially when he is an adult. However, there were also some repetitive boring bits in this book--I think it should have been about 150 pages shorter.
I guess that I was a little disappointed because based on the book's description, I expected this to be my favourite Atwood yet (art! memory! bullies! What could be better?). It was good, but not my favourite.
Why I Read This Now: I'm reading an Atwood a year, and there was an Atwood group read happening this month.
Recommended for: a broad audience . . . people who appreciate well-written contemporary literature.
102Nickelini
Well, I really liked Oryx and Crake and the Handmaid's Tale, but my favourites are either Alias Grace or The Robber Bride. I'm leaning toward the later, but they're both great.
103Nickelini
23. Life After God, Douglas Coupland
1994
Comments: What an odd little book! Some readers describe it as short stories, and I guess some parts are, but, no, I wouldn't label this short stories. Vignettes? Tidbits? Fictionalized memoir? Postmodern snapshots? All of those and none of those.
The title, Life After God, relates to the theme of the book, which is the ennui experienced by the "first generation raised without God" and their search for meaning and purpose.
There were some real gems in this book. A lot of readers like Coupland's philosophical insights, but what I really like is when he describes events I've experienced or places I've been. He has a fabulous gift for capturing these in just the right words.
Here's one bit that I found most enjoyably bizarre: "I looked at her and didn't even blink an eye--the answer just flashed into my head--it was the name of Peter Zzyzzy, the guy who had always been listed as the last person in the Vancouver telephone book. 'Peter Zzyzzy,' I said."
. . . every year when I was a kid we'd check the last name in the phone book, and yes, indeed, it was Peter Zzyzzy. And we would marvel at such a fabulous name, and wonder if he changed his name just so he could be at the very end of the book. Over the years, the names at the end got stranger and stranger (this is before we realized you could give the phone company any name--it didn't have to be real). And at the same time, on the other side of town, little Dougy Coupland was doing the same thing. And then grew up to be a famous author and write about it. Bizarre.
The book is also physically odd: it's 360 pages long, but there are lots of illustrations, and it's only about 3 inches by 2 inches. A friend read it in one sitting, but the voice got to me after a while and I had to read it in chunks.
Why I Read This Now: it was time for something completely different, and short.
Recommended for: people who like reading post-modern snapshots? People who like humorous philosophy?
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
1994
Comments: What an odd little book! Some readers describe it as short stories, and I guess some parts are, but, no, I wouldn't label this short stories. Vignettes? Tidbits? Fictionalized memoir? Postmodern snapshots? All of those and none of those.
The title, Life After God, relates to the theme of the book, which is the ennui experienced by the "first generation raised without God" and their search for meaning and purpose.
There were some real gems in this book. A lot of readers like Coupland's philosophical insights, but what I really like is when he describes events I've experienced or places I've been. He has a fabulous gift for capturing these in just the right words.
Here's one bit that I found most enjoyably bizarre: "I looked at her and didn't even blink an eye--the answer just flashed into my head--it was the name of Peter Zzyzzy, the guy who had always been listed as the last person in the Vancouver telephone book. 'Peter Zzyzzy,' I said."
. . . every year when I was a kid we'd check the last name in the phone book, and yes, indeed, it was Peter Zzyzzy. And we would marvel at such a fabulous name, and wonder if he changed his name just so he could be at the very end of the book. Over the years, the names at the end got stranger and stranger (this is before we realized you could give the phone company any name--it didn't have to be real). And at the same time, on the other side of town, little Dougy Coupland was doing the same thing. And then grew up to be a famous author and write about it. Bizarre.
The book is also physically odd: it's 360 pages long, but there are lots of illustrations, and it's only about 3 inches by 2 inches. A friend read it in one sitting, but the voice got to me after a while and I had to read it in chunks.
Why I Read This Now: it was time for something completely different, and short.
Recommended for: people who like reading post-modern snapshots? People who like humorous philosophy?
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
104detailmuse
>103 Nickelini: hmm, definitely a book to take a look at
And checking the end of the phone book is the most interesting quirky habit I've heard. Wish I'd thought to do that all along.
*off to check the (mostly) useless one that came recently ... last entry is Zver*
And checking the end of the phone book is the most interesting quirky habit I've heard. Wish I'd thought to do that all along.
*off to check the (mostly) useless one that came recently ... last entry is Zver*
106Nickelini
The latest issue of Belletrista is up! http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue5/index.php
My reviews for #8 Family Album and #13 Ines of My Soul are there, as promised. Here are the links:
book #8: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue5/anth_7.php
book #13: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue5/anth_13.php
My reviews for #8 Family Album and #13 Ines of My Soul are there, as promised. Here are the links:
book #8: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue5/anth_7.php
book #13: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue5/anth_13.php
107Nickelini
24. Ethan Frome and Selected Stories, Edith Wharton
1910-ish
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: When I bought this book for $1 a few years ago, I thought I'd just read Ethan Frome and then pass it on to a charity shop. Based on the negative comments about Ethan Frome here at LT, and descriptions of its grim bleakness, I really wasn't expecting to like it. So what a pleasant surprise it was! Yes, the story of a poor man, frozen by bleak circumstances and trapped by life, is hardly a FUN! read. But Wharton's gift of language and manipulation of story makes for a fascinating read. And yes, the ending is melodramatic and overblown, but I didn't see that as a negative.
The novella Ethan Frome takes up the first half of this edition, and it is followed by four shorter stories:
"The Pretext" - I have to admit this one did nothing for me. In ways it was similar to Ethan Frome, but not as interestingly drawn.
"Afterward" - A ghost story that's really more about karma.
"The Legend" - Wharton shows how silly pretentious scholars really can be.
"Xingu" - the best of the lot . . . Wharton shows how pretentious silly book club ladies really can be. Seriously though, if you've ever been to a book club, I suggest you read this story. It's widely available for free online.
I know I haven't said much about what any of these stories are actually about, but you just have to read them and see for yourself. Sorry, I've sent my brain on a little vacation as a reward for finishing my degree. It will be back sometime later this month.
I also have to mention that although I own several of these Barnes & Noble Classics editions, this is the first I've read. I'm quite happy with the quality of the binding, paper, extras and artwork. I had assumed that these were sort of throw away editions, but now I think they're rather nice.
Oh, and I'm going to go add Edith Wharton to my favourite authors list.
Why I Read This Now: I read a Wharton short story a few months ago for school ("Roman Fever") and I wanted to read more of her. ClubRead's group project this month is short story collections, and I was going to read Ethan Frome anyway, so I thought I'd read them all.
Recommended for: fans of literary fiction.
edited to adjust rating . . . I first gave it a five but then noticed all the wonderful 4 and 4.5 books in my library and so have now adjusted it.
1910-ish
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: When I bought this book for $1 a few years ago, I thought I'd just read Ethan Frome and then pass it on to a charity shop. Based on the negative comments about Ethan Frome here at LT, and descriptions of its grim bleakness, I really wasn't expecting to like it. So what a pleasant surprise it was! Yes, the story of a poor man, frozen by bleak circumstances and trapped by life, is hardly a FUN! read. But Wharton's gift of language and manipulation of story makes for a fascinating read. And yes, the ending is melodramatic and overblown, but I didn't see that as a negative.
The novella Ethan Frome takes up the first half of this edition, and it is followed by four shorter stories:
"The Pretext" - I have to admit this one did nothing for me. In ways it was similar to Ethan Frome, but not as interestingly drawn.
"Afterward" - A ghost story that's really more about karma.
"The Legend" - Wharton shows how silly pretentious scholars really can be.
"Xingu" - the best of the lot . . . Wharton shows how pretentious silly book club ladies really can be. Seriously though, if you've ever been to a book club, I suggest you read this story. It's widely available for free online.
I know I haven't said much about what any of these stories are actually about, but you just have to read them and see for yourself. Sorry, I've sent my brain on a little vacation as a reward for finishing my degree. It will be back sometime later this month.
I also have to mention that although I own several of these Barnes & Noble Classics editions, this is the first I've read. I'm quite happy with the quality of the binding, paper, extras and artwork. I had assumed that these were sort of throw away editions, but now I think they're rather nice.
Oh, and I'm going to go add Edith Wharton to my favourite authors list.
Why I Read This Now: I read a Wharton short story a few months ago for school ("Roman Fever") and I wanted to read more of her. ClubRead's group project this month is short story collections, and I was going to read Ethan Frome anyway, so I thought I'd read them all.
Recommended for: fans of literary fiction.
edited to adjust rating . . . I first gave it a five but then noticed all the wonderful 4 and 4.5 books in my library and so have now adjusted it.
108lilisin
Very nice review of Ines. I first read Ines when it first came out in Spanish and really loved it so I'm always pleased to see others get enjoyment out of it. I really should read another Allende soon.
110Nickelini
25. Enlightened Sexism, Susan J. Douglas
2010, non-fiction
rating: 4.5/5 stars
Comments: In this book, Douglas examines how girls and women are represented in the media. Popular culture says that full equality for women has been achieved. Of course, any reflective, thoughtful adult would recognize that this is a myth. But the media doesn’t recognize it, and instead perpetrates the idea that feminism is now pointless and even bad for you. This is part of what defines “enlightened sexism.” The definition also includes the idea that, because women are now equal, it is amusing to resurrect sexist stereotypes. TV shows and movies that show women in power—the judges, high-powered attorneys, police chiefs and surgeons—while very nice to see, do not reflect the reality of life for women in our society. One of Douglas’s main points is that these fantasies distract us from the ongoing status of women as second class citizens.
Douglas examines a vast array of shows and personalities to expose enlightened sexism. She cites others as good examples of feminist media. Just some that she discusses include: Murphy Brown, Beverly Hills 90210, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Loreena Bobbit, Ally McBeal, Living Single, Grey’s Anatomy, Sex & the City, Cosmo and Vogue magazines, reality TV, Mean Girls, Clueless, celebrity culture (including the search for the ‘baby bump’), Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Desperate Housewives and the dearth of lesbian characters and celebrities. This is a partial list, and she discusses many others.
Although I haven’t seen half of the shows she discusses, I still found Enlightened Sexism extremely interesting. At times it was so discouraging and depressing that I had to put it aside for a few days. However, Douglas has a great sense of humour, which helped to elevate the extreme bleakness of the material. She also writes in a conversational tone that makes for smooth reading.
Recommended for: This is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural studies, media studies or women’s studies. Also recommended for anyone who is female or knows anyone who is female.
Why I Read This Now: A LT book fairy sent it to me and it was too intriguing not to read immediately.
2010, non-fiction
rating: 4.5/5 stars
Comments: In this book, Douglas examines how girls and women are represented in the media. Popular culture says that full equality for women has been achieved. Of course, any reflective, thoughtful adult would recognize that this is a myth. But the media doesn’t recognize it, and instead perpetrates the idea that feminism is now pointless and even bad for you. This is part of what defines “enlightened sexism.” The definition also includes the idea that, because women are now equal, it is amusing to resurrect sexist stereotypes. TV shows and movies that show women in power—the judges, high-powered attorneys, police chiefs and surgeons—while very nice to see, do not reflect the reality of life for women in our society. One of Douglas’s main points is that these fantasies distract us from the ongoing status of women as second class citizens.
Douglas examines a vast array of shows and personalities to expose enlightened sexism. She cites others as good examples of feminist media. Just some that she discusses include: Murphy Brown, Beverly Hills 90210, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Loreena Bobbit, Ally McBeal, Living Single, Grey’s Anatomy, Sex & the City, Cosmo and Vogue magazines, reality TV, Mean Girls, Clueless, celebrity culture (including the search for the ‘baby bump’), Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Desperate Housewives and the dearth of lesbian characters and celebrities. This is a partial list, and she discusses many others.
Although I haven’t seen half of the shows she discusses, I still found Enlightened Sexism extremely interesting. At times it was so discouraging and depressing that I had to put it aside for a few days. However, Douglas has a great sense of humour, which helped to elevate the extreme bleakness of the material. She also writes in a conversational tone that makes for smooth reading.
Recommended for: This is a must-read for anyone interested in cultural studies, media studies or women’s studies. Also recommended for anyone who is female or knows anyone who is female.
Why I Read This Now: A LT book fairy sent it to me and it was too intriguing not to read immediately.
111avaland
>110 Nickelini: great summary! (I wish I could have done that, but in writing about it I started thinking again about it and ....).
112dchaikin
"Also recommended for anyone who is female or knows anyone who is female." :)
A popular book in Club Read... I just read avaland's review earlier today, and I enjoyed yours as well (which, of course, was posted first).
A popular book in Club Read... I just read avaland's review earlier today, and I enjoyed yours as well (which, of course, was posted first).
114avaland
>113 Nickelini: *snort* ha!
115Nickelini
26. Have a Nice Doomsday: Why Millions of Americans are Looking Forward to the End of the World, Nicholas Guyatt
2007, Non-fiction
Comments: Apparently, 50 million Americans believe that we are living in the end times, and that any day now, Jesus is going to swoop down to earth and Rapture his true believers. Everyone else will have to hang around for the Tribulation and life under the one-world global empire of the Antichrist and face Armageddon. Guyatt, an Englishman, is fascinated by this worldview and wonders why, if these people are leaving soon,are they bothering to get involved in US politics? And are the leaders of this movement (prophecy preachers who are part of the Religious Right) influencing Washington in hopes of bringing this on?
Having been raised by Bible-literalists as a child, but waking up as an adult to realize I don't share that worldview, I find literalists, fundamentalists and political evangelicals both fascinating and scary. Guyatt approaches these people with a great deal of respect, and for the most part they come off as nice people (he is no Richard Dawkins). This is an interesting, easy read (he's a history professor here in Vancouver, but this is not a dry academic read).
Some readers have criticized the book because he doesn't exactly answer the question in his title ("WHY millions of Americans are Looking Forward to the End of the World"). I think he does in an oblique manner -- one answer he gives is that people are attracted to this belief because it means they will avoid "the whole death thing" (p 211).
The biggest concern that this book raises is that these prophecy preachers are often invited to appear on TV (Fox of course, but also CNN) and are presented as "Middle East Experts" but without mentioning that they've earned this label only through studying Biblical prophecy and not through educational or career credentials. Further, they are in regular communication with congressional representatives and government staffers. This could have scary results, as their idea of the future is very different from the general population.
The author is currently working on a book about creationism that I will definitely read when it is published.
Why I Read This Now: I couldn't find the non-fiction book I planned to read, but this one was just there, calling my name.
Recommended for: readers interested in fringe influences on US politics, people interested in cultural studies.
Rating: 4/5 stars
2007, Non-fiction
Comments: Apparently, 50 million Americans believe that we are living in the end times, and that any day now, Jesus is going to swoop down to earth and Rapture his true believers. Everyone else will have to hang around for the Tribulation and life under the one-world global empire of the Antichrist and face Armageddon. Guyatt, an Englishman, is fascinated by this worldview and wonders why, if these people are leaving soon,are they bothering to get involved in US politics? And are the leaders of this movement (prophecy preachers who are part of the Religious Right) influencing Washington in hopes of bringing this on?
Having been raised by Bible-literalists as a child, but waking up as an adult to realize I don't share that worldview, I find literalists, fundamentalists and political evangelicals both fascinating and scary. Guyatt approaches these people with a great deal of respect, and for the most part they come off as nice people (he is no Richard Dawkins). This is an interesting, easy read (he's a history professor here in Vancouver, but this is not a dry academic read).
Some readers have criticized the book because he doesn't exactly answer the question in his title ("WHY millions of Americans are Looking Forward to the End of the World"). I think he does in an oblique manner -- one answer he gives is that people are attracted to this belief because it means they will avoid "the whole death thing" (p 211).
The biggest concern that this book raises is that these prophecy preachers are often invited to appear on TV (Fox of course, but also CNN) and are presented as "Middle East Experts" but without mentioning that they've earned this label only through studying Biblical prophecy and not through educational or career credentials. Further, they are in regular communication with congressional representatives and government staffers. This could have scary results, as their idea of the future is very different from the general population.
The author is currently working on a book about creationism that I will definitely read when it is published.
Why I Read This Now: I couldn't find the non-fiction book I planned to read, but this one was just there, calling my name.
Recommended for: readers interested in fringe influences on US politics, people interested in cultural studies.
Rating: 4/5 stars
119RidgewayGirl
I grew up in a similar environment, in which the Bible was the literal word of God. I still know people I grew up with who remained in that world and I find it almost impossible to hold a conversation with them. But it does still exert a fascination.
120avaland
Wasn't the world going to end in 1986? Hal Lindsey and The Late Great Planet Earth* and all that? It might have happened. Are we missing anyone?
*ok, sorry, I'm way out of date on this topic. Please see the "Left Behind" series for a fictional update.
>115 Nickelini:, 119 I didn't grow up in it, but had a few years of intense initiation into fundamentalism (well, it was the 70s so your choices were religion or drugs). And I to know people who remain there.
*ok, sorry, I'm way out of date on this topic. Please see the "Left Behind" series for a fictional update.
>115 Nickelini:, 119 I didn't grow up in it, but had a few years of intense initiation into fundamentalism (well, it was the 70s so your choices were religion or drugs). And I to know people who remain there.
121rebeccanyc
I agree with Darryl in 116 that these people are really scary. They also tend to be the people who think the US is a "Christian country," which I'm sure is scary for a lot of Christians too but which is especially scary for those of us who aren't Christian at all.
122fannyprice
Joyce, you've got some great non-fiction going on recently. My interest is peaked!
123Nickelini
#121 - I hear you Rebecca. We don't have much of a political fundie movement in Canada (nothing like the religious right or moral majority--at least nothing I've ever heard of), but even here, I don't think anyone would get elected as Prime Minister who identified as anything other than Christian. It's not right that someone is excluded from leading a country because he or she is Buddhist or atheist, or whatever.
In the afterword of the book, Guyatt makes some interesting comments on the divide between evangelicals and liberals, and it also touches on what Ridgeway Girl has to say about it being impossible to speak with these people (I know exactly what you mean!). What do you think of this?:
"This brings me to the second misconception: the belief of many liberals that it's a total waste of time to talk to evangelicals,or that there's something about the evangelical perspective that's automatically absurd and insane. this kind of thinking easily slides into total dismissal, widening the gap between liberals and religious conservatives. It also persuades conservatives that the country is run by a liberal elite which is condescending and contemptuous toward Americans from the flyover states who don't read sophisticated magazines or have fancy degrees. We've seen this kind of culture clash before . . . (talks about Scopes trial) . . . But the result of this intellectual drubbing wasn't quiet submission on the part of evangelicals. They went away, licked their wounds, and built their own institutions and movements that paid no attention to the New York Times or the eggheads at Harvard."
I don't know--I can't see how anyone can think Sarah Palin is in anyway fit to run any country, let alone the world's superpower. I don't know how they can go on supporting homophobic leaders who will inevitably get caught in a gay-sex scandal in ten months, and still say that their group represents morality and the other side doesn't. And this is the same moral group that dismantled the world economy. I was raised that an important part of being a Christian meant to model your life on Christ's, and I don't see any of that from the religious right. Unless I missed that part of the Bible where he is a war-mongering, discriminating, money-grabber. Which gospel is that in again?
In the afterword of the book, Guyatt makes some interesting comments on the divide between evangelicals and liberals, and it also touches on what Ridgeway Girl has to say about it being impossible to speak with these people (I know exactly what you mean!). What do you think of this?:
"This brings me to the second misconception: the belief of many liberals that it's a total waste of time to talk to evangelicals,or that there's something about the evangelical perspective that's automatically absurd and insane. this kind of thinking easily slides into total dismissal, widening the gap between liberals and religious conservatives. It also persuades conservatives that the country is run by a liberal elite which is condescending and contemptuous toward Americans from the flyover states who don't read sophisticated magazines or have fancy degrees. We've seen this kind of culture clash before . . . (talks about Scopes trial) . . . But the result of this intellectual drubbing wasn't quiet submission on the part of evangelicals. They went away, licked their wounds, and built their own institutions and movements that paid no attention to the New York Times or the eggheads at Harvard."
I don't know--I can't see how anyone can think Sarah Palin is in anyway fit to run any country, let alone the world's superpower. I don't know how they can go on supporting homophobic leaders who will inevitably get caught in a gay-sex scandal in ten months, and still say that their group represents morality and the other side doesn't. And this is the same moral group that dismantled the world economy. I was raised that an important part of being a Christian meant to model your life on Christ's, and I don't see any of that from the religious right. Unless I missed that part of the Bible where he is a war-mongering, discriminating, money-grabber. Which gospel is that in again?
124RidgewayGirl
Quite the opposite. We're in a climate where the vocal "Christians" spend their time manufacturing offense and give very little attention to personal morality (unless it's keeping an eye on other people's morals). And look at the rise of the prosperity doctrine, which believes that if you please God, he will reward you with great wealth. Christianity seems to do better when it's a strictly personal religion or when it's a small minority.
But we have to remember that individuals are not evil or brain-washed (mostly) and we should all try our best to keep talking to each other. It is a weakness, but while I can see God loving Osama bin Laden, I have a much harder time believing that he loves Dick Cheney.
I've put that book on my wishlist and I've got another about snake-handling churches on my TBR pile.
But we have to remember that individuals are not evil or brain-washed (mostly) and we should all try our best to keep talking to each other. It is a weakness, but while I can see God loving Osama bin Laden, I have a much harder time believing that he loves Dick Cheney.
I've put that book on my wishlist and I've got another about snake-handling churches on my TBR pile.
125Nickelini
I have a much harder time believing that he loves Dick Cheney.
(grin) . . . every time I hear that name it makes me think about how the Daily Show (Jon Stewart) makes him seem like Darth Vader's double.
(grin) . . . every time I hear that name it makes me think about how the Daily Show (Jon Stewart) makes him seem like Darth Vader's double.
126avaland
>125 Nickelini: I envision him in the Daily Show bit where they were doing weird things with a picture of him in the wheelchair from the inauguration:-)
127Nickelini
27. The Probable Future, Alice Hoffman
2003
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: Since the 1600s, in the small town of Unity, Massachusetts, there have been only girl children born to the Sparrow family and every one of these daughters has kept her family name. On their 13th birthdays, the Sparrow women have woken up to discover they have a "gift"... in the case of the three Sparrow characters in The Probable Future, the gifts are the ability to spot a lie, the ability to see other people's dreams, and the ability to foresee how others will die. I guess this book could be summed up by saying it's about the youngest, 13 year old Stella, struggling to come to terms with her gift.
What I Liked: There is an enchanting atmosphere about this book that made me happy to enter its world every time I picked it up. If this town really existed, I would want to move there. Other words I'd use to describe it are lush, verdant, and charming.
What I Didn't Like: This book has flaws on a number of levels. Errors of fact, annoying repetition and flaws in pacing are just some of the things that jump out at me. I think it should have gone through at least one more edit before publication.
Recommended for: This is not the type of book I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. It is a good vacation or comfort read.
Why I Read This Now: Just clipping through my TBR pile.
2003
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: Since the 1600s, in the small town of Unity, Massachusetts, there have been only girl children born to the Sparrow family and every one of these daughters has kept her family name. On their 13th birthdays, the Sparrow women have woken up to discover they have a "gift"... in the case of the three Sparrow characters in The Probable Future, the gifts are the ability to spot a lie, the ability to see other people's dreams, and the ability to foresee how others will die. I guess this book could be summed up by saying it's about the youngest, 13 year old Stella, struggling to come to terms with her gift.
What I Liked: There is an enchanting atmosphere about this book that made me happy to enter its world every time I picked it up. If this town really existed, I would want to move there. Other words I'd use to describe it are lush, verdant, and charming.
What I Didn't Like: This book has flaws on a number of levels. Errors of fact, annoying repetition and flaws in pacing are just some of the things that jump out at me. I think it should have gone through at least one more edit before publication.
Recommended for: This is not the type of book I usually read, but I really enjoyed it. It is a good vacation or comfort read.
Why I Read This Now: Just clipping through my TBR pile.
128Nickelini
28. Brightsided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America, Barbara Ehrenreich
2009, Non-fiction
Comments: I finished this book the other day, and I've been thinking about what to say, but I'm just not feeling very inspired. It was an interesting, quick read. At times the nihilist side of me felt conflicted with the glass-is-half-full side.
Recommended for: This book would appeal to a wide-audience. Somehow though I think it's more likely to be read by grumps and nihilists like me. People like my annoyingly perky sister-in-law, who walks around cheering "Life Is Good!!!!" and "I am So Blessed!" should read it, but most likely won't.
Why I Read This Now: it was calling my name from the top of Mnt. TBR.
2009, Non-fiction
Comments: I finished this book the other day, and I've been thinking about what to say, but I'm just not feeling very inspired. It was an interesting, quick read. At times the nihilist side of me felt conflicted with the glass-is-half-full side.
Recommended for: This book would appeal to a wide-audience. Somehow though I think it's more likely to be read by grumps and nihilists like me. People like my annoyingly perky sister-in-law, who walks around cheering "Life Is Good!!!!" and "I am So Blessed!" should read it, but most likely won't.
Why I Read This Now: it was calling my name from the top of Mnt. TBR.
129avaland
>128 Nickelini: You are right, of course, that the people most needing to read this aren't going to. Do you see why - after hearing the Daisy Goodwin comments - that I feared the Orange prize was going "bright-sided"?
130rebeccanyc
I think I would enjoy that book for the very reasons you give (i.e., I am a confirmed pessimist)!
131avaland
>130 rebeccanyc: the cultural forces are against you! :-)
132Nickelini
29. the Bloody Chamber, Angela Carter
1979, Short stories
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: The Bloody Chamber is a collection of short stories that are all inspired by fairy tales. They all have a distinctly adult and very dark side to them. Sounds like something I'd like, but alas, I didn't. Carter writes many stunningly beautiful sentences and has an exquisite gift for imagery. Unfortunately, I didn't find the sentences worked when placed together. The parts did not make a whole. I find quite often that retellings of myths and fairy tales have a distant, distracted tone to them that just doesn't do it for me.
Recommended for: people who like new twists on fairy tales.
Why I Read This Now: It's short story month at ClubRead.
1979, Short stories
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: The Bloody Chamber is a collection of short stories that are all inspired by fairy tales. They all have a distinctly adult and very dark side to them. Sounds like something I'd like, but alas, I didn't. Carter writes many stunningly beautiful sentences and has an exquisite gift for imagery. Unfortunately, I didn't find the sentences worked when placed together. The parts did not make a whole. I find quite often that retellings of myths and fairy tales have a distant, distracted tone to them that just doesn't do it for me.
Recommended for: people who like new twists on fairy tales.
Why I Read This Now: It's short story month at ClubRead.
133Nickelini
30. Villette, Charlotte Bronte
1853, British literature, Audiobook
Comments: Villette is a lengthy novel told by the duplicitous first person narrator, Lucy Snowe, about her life as an English governess in the faux Belgian city of Villette.
What I Liked: Charlotte Bronte is truly writes beautifully, and the language in this book is delightful for its own sake. I also like the atmosphere created by the tension of the dark, almost gothic elements threatening the light. Even though Lucy Snowe's cagey, enigmatic narrative technique often drove me a little crazy, I did like how there was a lot that went unsaid in this novel. I also liked the proto-feminist statements and stance of the book.
What I Didn't Like: This book drove me crazy. One problem is that it was simply too long--many times I found myself screaming inside "just get on with it!" Huge sections of the book were about Lucy Snowe judging other people, or being judged. Then I found myself screaming "stop being so damn judgmental and just get on with your lives!" And, as in Jane Eyre, there is a tremendous amount of surveillance going on--everyone is constantly watching the other and trying to control other's behaviors through surveillance. It's interesting how this combines with Lucy Snowe's layers of concealment (which actually makes me think it's an element of the novel that perhaps I like--at least it would make an interesting essay topic. But, yea!, I don't have to write an essay on Villette.) But I digress . . .
And as in Jane Eyre, some of the plot developments were just too convenient (although, unlike Jane Eyre, they weren't as unintentionally comical). Although I get that Lucy Snowe is intentionally concealing facts in order to tell HER story, I think most readers would have liked more information about her past and how she came to be in this situation.
Many readers today are annoyed or even offended by Bronte's commentary on Catholicism, and I can see their point. It's not just Catholics who she looks down on though, but anyone non-English. It seems very dated, although I suppose this book could be viewed as cultural commentary on its time and place.
If so, then it gives me yet another reason to be happy that I didn't live back then--Lucy Snowe's was a most unpleasant world.
Rating: Part of me sees this book as a 4 star read, but another really loud voice says 2. So I guess that makes it 3 stars out of 5.
Recommended for: This one is only for the true-blue 19th century fiction fan.
1853, British literature, Audiobook
Comments: Villette is a lengthy novel told by the duplicitous first person narrator, Lucy Snowe, about her life as an English governess in the faux Belgian city of Villette.
What I Liked: Charlotte Bronte is truly writes beautifully, and the language in this book is delightful for its own sake. I also like the atmosphere created by the tension of the dark, almost gothic elements threatening the light. Even though Lucy Snowe's cagey, enigmatic narrative technique often drove me a little crazy, I did like how there was a lot that went unsaid in this novel. I also liked the proto-feminist statements and stance of the book.
What I Didn't Like: This book drove me crazy. One problem is that it was simply too long--many times I found myself screaming inside "just get on with it!" Huge sections of the book were about Lucy Snowe judging other people, or being judged. Then I found myself screaming "stop being so damn judgmental and just get on with your lives!" And, as in Jane Eyre, there is a tremendous amount of surveillance going on--everyone is constantly watching the other and trying to control other's behaviors through surveillance. It's interesting how this combines with Lucy Snowe's layers of concealment (which actually makes me think it's an element of the novel that perhaps I like--at least it would make an interesting essay topic. But, yea!, I don't have to write an essay on Villette.) But I digress . . .
And as in Jane Eyre, some of the plot developments were just too convenient (although, unlike Jane Eyre, they weren't as unintentionally comical). Although I get that Lucy Snowe is intentionally concealing facts in order to tell HER story, I think most readers would have liked more information about her past and how she came to be in this situation.
Many readers today are annoyed or even offended by Bronte's commentary on Catholicism, and I can see their point. It's not just Catholics who she looks down on though, but anyone non-English. It seems very dated, although I suppose this book could be viewed as cultural commentary on its time and place.
If so, then it gives me yet another reason to be happy that I didn't live back then--Lucy Snowe's was a most unpleasant world.
Rating: Part of me sees this book as a 4 star read, but another really loud voice says 2. So I guess that makes it 3 stars out of 5.
Recommended for: This one is only for the true-blue 19th century fiction fan.
134Nickelini
31. Planet of Slums, Mike Davis
2006, Non-fiction
Comments: This book made me want to crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head, and never ever come out. Davis looks at the urbanization of the planet, and along with it, the billions of people living in urban squalor. According to Davis, the "exponential growth of slums is no accident but the result of ... corrupt leadership, institutional failure, and IMF-imposed (International Monetary Fund) Structural Adjustment Programs leading to a massive transfer of wealth from poor to rich."
For the most part, this book looks at the situation from a very high level, and does not focus on any city or specific issue for more than a paragraph or two. I was disappointed that the book stayed at such a high level and didn't delve into specifics--although Davis is outraged at the plight of billions of slum dwellers, this book lacks humanity. This complaint might be meaningless for readers who are looking for other information from the book. And I did learn all sorts of very interesting things. For example:
- in the list of top 20 countries with the largest slum populations, all of the countries are outside of the Western world, except the United States, where there are 12.8 million people living in slums. That's more than the population of all of Greece. However, that was one of the few mentions of the US in the book, as the focus was elsewhere.
-the best way to clear a slum is to soak a cat or a rat in kerosene, light it on fire, and let it loose to run through the slum (they don't use dogs because they die too fast)
- the upper classes have built walled suburbs to sequester themselves from the great unwashed. This is not surprising, but what is surprising to me is that these are often engineered to copy a fantasy southern California lifestyle. These 'off-worlds' have names like Orange County (Bejing) and Beverly Hills (Cairo), and are more like private cities than suburbs. This sounds like something out of Oryx and Crake!
- Of course many of the slum dwellers live in excrement. But I never considered how the absence of latrines causes particular problems for women in many third world countries, who are "terrorized by the Catch-22 situation of being expected to maintain strict standards of modesty while lacking access to any private means of hygiene . . . to defecate, women and girls have to wait until dark, which exposes them to harassment and even sexual assault."
It's an ugly world we live in. This book describes the situation and its causes, but doesn't suggest solutions or give any hope. An interesting read, but very depressing.
Rating: 3.5 stars--perhaps not a true reflection of the merit of the book, but more a comment on my disappointment at the lack of human detail.
Recommended for: readers interested in the topic who want a well-researched, thoughtful look at this dire reality.
Why I Read This Now: I felt like reading some non-fiction.
2006, Non-fiction
Comments: This book made me want to crawl into bed, pull the covers over my head, and never ever come out. Davis looks at the urbanization of the planet, and along with it, the billions of people living in urban squalor. According to Davis, the "exponential growth of slums is no accident but the result of ... corrupt leadership, institutional failure, and IMF-imposed (International Monetary Fund) Structural Adjustment Programs leading to a massive transfer of wealth from poor to rich."
For the most part, this book looks at the situation from a very high level, and does not focus on any city or specific issue for more than a paragraph or two. I was disappointed that the book stayed at such a high level and didn't delve into specifics--although Davis is outraged at the plight of billions of slum dwellers, this book lacks humanity. This complaint might be meaningless for readers who are looking for other information from the book. And I did learn all sorts of very interesting things. For example:
- in the list of top 20 countries with the largest slum populations, all of the countries are outside of the Western world, except the United States, where there are 12.8 million people living in slums. That's more than the population of all of Greece. However, that was one of the few mentions of the US in the book, as the focus was elsewhere.
-the best way to clear a slum is to soak a cat or a rat in kerosene, light it on fire, and let it loose to run through the slum (they don't use dogs because they die too fast)
- the upper classes have built walled suburbs to sequester themselves from the great unwashed. This is not surprising, but what is surprising to me is that these are often engineered to copy a fantasy southern California lifestyle. These 'off-worlds' have names like Orange County (Bejing) and Beverly Hills (Cairo), and are more like private cities than suburbs. This sounds like something out of Oryx and Crake!
- Of course many of the slum dwellers live in excrement. But I never considered how the absence of latrines causes particular problems for women in many third world countries, who are "terrorized by the Catch-22 situation of being expected to maintain strict standards of modesty while lacking access to any private means of hygiene . . . to defecate, women and girls have to wait until dark, which exposes them to harassment and even sexual assault."
It's an ugly world we live in. This book describes the situation and its causes, but doesn't suggest solutions or give any hope. An interesting read, but very depressing.
Rating: 3.5 stars--perhaps not a true reflection of the merit of the book, but more a comment on my disappointment at the lack of human detail.
Recommended for: readers interested in the topic who want a well-researched, thoughtful look at this dire reality.
Why I Read This Now: I felt like reading some non-fiction.
135rebeccanyc
Thanks for the review, Joyce. I've had this book on the TBR for a year or two but haven't read it yet. Can't decide whether your review encourages me to read it soon or not!
136Nickelini
Yeah, I know what you mean. I had mixed feelings about it. It was interesting, but didn't really get my emotions going. It's sort of halfway between popular, compelling non-fiction (in my opinion books such as the Tipping Point, Guns, Germs and Steel, and Freakonomics) and painfully dry academic journal articles.
137wandering_star
#134, the comment about toilet facilities - and what it means when there aren't any - reminded me of an excellent book I read last year, The Big Necessity. It's very good, and might provide some of the human detail you have been missing here...
138rebeccanyc
134, 137, On a related note, I have read in several books about how the lack of private facilities for girls in schools in many countries, particularly in Africa, keeps them from going to school, especially once they start having their periods.
139Nickelini
Thanks for pointing out The Big Necessity, Wandering Star. I've added it to my wishlist.
140Nickelini
32. What Maisie Knew, Henry James
1897
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: In another take on innocence corrupted, Henry James tells the story of Maisie Farange, who is used as a pawn by her two nasty divorced parents. Her life becomes entangled in a web of relationships involving her selfish parents, her stepparents, and a handful of assorted lovers and governesses. Poor Maisie never meets another child through the whole story. This is mid-career James, so although I found it a fairly quick read, it is composed of typically Byzantine Jamesian sentences and one must keep one's brain cells active in order to understand what is going on and read between all those lines.
Recommended for: Henry James fans. I wouldn't recommend this novel to a James newbie.
Why I Read This Now: I was in the mood for some James, and this one was the oldest in my closet.
1897
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Comments: In another take on innocence corrupted, Henry James tells the story of Maisie Farange, who is used as a pawn by her two nasty divorced parents. Her life becomes entangled in a web of relationships involving her selfish parents, her stepparents, and a handful of assorted lovers and governesses. Poor Maisie never meets another child through the whole story. This is mid-career James, so although I found it a fairly quick read, it is composed of typically Byzantine Jamesian sentences and one must keep one's brain cells active in order to understand what is going on and read between all those lines.
Recommended for: Henry James fans. I wouldn't recommend this novel to a James newbie.
Why I Read This Now: I was in the mood for some James, and this one was the oldest in my closet.
141urania1
>135 rebeccanyc:,
I read Planet of the Slums when it first came out and taught it in a senior seminar. Sometimes, the class spent days huddled under their desks in collective misery.
I read Planet of the Slums when it first came out and taught it in a senior seminar. Sometimes, the class spent days huddled under their desks in collective misery.
142Nickelini
>141 urania1: - Oh, Mary, that's too funny. I can just picture it. I actually found the book at the uni bookstore--it was a text for a class that I wasn't taking. I'm not even sure what department--sociology, perhaps. Anyway, it looked interesting so I bought it on impulse.
143Nickelini
33. Light on Snow, Anita Shreve
2004
Comments: A 12 year old girl is struggling to create a life for herself with her father in New Hampshire after the accidental death of her mother and baby sister. Out snowshoeing one December afternoon, they find an abandoned baby.
Someone commented on this book's review page that this book read like a movie-of-the-week, and that's a perfect description. A quick, interesting-enough read that's fairly benign. My edition had a mesmerizingly shiny purple dustjacket and underneath the book was a very pretty shade of violet. I liked that part a lot.
Recommended for: Well, literary snobs can skip this one. I'd recommend it as a beach read, but most of it happens during a snowstorm, so perhaps it is better suited to take along on a ski vacation. Anyway, recommended for anyone who wants a quick, easy read.
Why I Read This Now: I needed a break from the heavier and more difficult stuff I've been reading these past few months, and this was a refreshing break, in a potato chip sort of way. I'd never read Shreve before, and I will read her again when I'm in this sort of mood.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
2004
Comments: A 12 year old girl is struggling to create a life for herself with her father in New Hampshire after the accidental death of her mother and baby sister. Out snowshoeing one December afternoon, they find an abandoned baby.
Someone commented on this book's review page that this book read like a movie-of-the-week, and that's a perfect description. A quick, interesting-enough read that's fairly benign. My edition had a mesmerizingly shiny purple dustjacket and underneath the book was a very pretty shade of violet. I liked that part a lot.
Recommended for: Well, literary snobs can skip this one. I'd recommend it as a beach read, but most of it happens during a snowstorm, so perhaps it is better suited to take along on a ski vacation. Anyway, recommended for anyone who wants a quick, easy read.
Why I Read This Now: I needed a break from the heavier and more difficult stuff I've been reading these past few months, and this was a refreshing break, in a potato chip sort of way. I'd never read Shreve before, and I will read her again when I'm in this sort of mood.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
144Nickelini
34. The Anybodies, NE Bode
2004, Children (10-13 yrs according to the back of the book)
Comments: Written in a similar style to the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Anybodies is the story of a most unusual girl named Fern. Early in the book Fern learns that her parents, the Drudgers, who are "ridiculously dull" (after all, they are both accountants for the firm Beige & Beige), are not indeed her real parents. Her real--somewhat magical--family is much more interesting, and somewhat more dangerous.
There are lots of delightful details in this book (the Drudgers themselves had both been "exceptionally boring children who enjoyed putting their toys in rows and keeping their pencils sharp. When feeling wild, they might have hummed, but that was about it") and it is packed with literary references (Alice, Oz, Narnia, Charlotte's Web, Roald Dahl). It also has fabulous illustrations by Peter Ferguson (who according to the back cover, "lurks in a dusty corner of the hamlet Montreal, not far from the Arctic Circle"). Further, there was a strong female protagonist who, it is very clear, can take care of herself. I loved all the details, but put together, it was all a bit frantic for me. However, I am not the target audience. My 13 year old thought it was great.
Recommended for: This book would appeal equally to boys and girls. It has humour and action, and literary references that reward the book lover. However, most of the books referred to have been made into popular movies, so the non-reader would not feel left out.
Why I Read This Now: it looked interesting and fit into my 1010 challenge.
2004, Children (10-13 yrs according to the back of the book)
Comments: Written in a similar style to the Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books, The Anybodies is the story of a most unusual girl named Fern. Early in the book Fern learns that her parents, the Drudgers, who are "ridiculously dull" (after all, they are both accountants for the firm Beige & Beige), are not indeed her real parents. Her real--somewhat magical--family is much more interesting, and somewhat more dangerous.
There are lots of delightful details in this book (the Drudgers themselves had both been "exceptionally boring children who enjoyed putting their toys in rows and keeping their pencils sharp. When feeling wild, they might have hummed, but that was about it") and it is packed with literary references (Alice, Oz, Narnia, Charlotte's Web, Roald Dahl). It also has fabulous illustrations by Peter Ferguson (who according to the back cover, "lurks in a dusty corner of the hamlet Montreal, not far from the Arctic Circle"). Further, there was a strong female protagonist who, it is very clear, can take care of herself. I loved all the details, but put together, it was all a bit frantic for me. However, I am not the target audience. My 13 year old thought it was great.
Recommended for: This book would appeal equally to boys and girls. It has humour and action, and literary references that reward the book lover. However, most of the books referred to have been made into popular movies, so the non-reader would not feel left out.
Why I Read This Now: it looked interesting and fit into my 1010 challenge.
145Nickelini
35. The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde
late 19th century; novel, short stories, plays, poetry, essays
Comments: I didn't actually read all 954 of these oversized pages, because I had already read much of it in other places. I decided that it's not important that I read every word Oscar Wilde ever wrote. I've previously read A Picture of Dorian Gray, which I will read again in the future. I read all the short stories, but I'd rather see the plays preformed than read them. And I've read enough of his poetry and essays to get the idea.
Recommended for: big time Oscar Wilde fans; other readers can stop after The Picture of Dorian Gray (although they should also see his plays if the opportunity arises).
Why I Read This Now: It's a great big chunkster that's been in Mnt TBR for ten years, so this winter when I had to study one of his essays and a bunch of poems, I thought now was the time (I started back in January).
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
late 19th century; novel, short stories, plays, poetry, essays
Comments: I didn't actually read all 954 of these oversized pages, because I had already read much of it in other places. I decided that it's not important that I read every word Oscar Wilde ever wrote. I've previously read A Picture of Dorian Gray, which I will read again in the future. I read all the short stories, but I'd rather see the plays preformed than read them. And I've read enough of his poetry and essays to get the idea.
Recommended for: big time Oscar Wilde fans; other readers can stop after The Picture of Dorian Gray (although they should also see his plays if the opportunity arises).
Why I Read This Now: It's a great big chunkster that's been in Mnt TBR for ten years, so this winter when I had to study one of his essays and a bunch of poems, I thought now was the time (I started back in January).
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.
146RidgewayGirl
The Anybodies sounds like something my daughter would enjoy. Me too.
147Nickelini
36. Loitering With Intent, Muriel Spark
1981, BritLit, Audiobook
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I had never heard of this book when I downloaded it from my library's website on to my iPod. There was almost nothing available, and desperate for something, I went on Spark's reputation alone.
Comments: I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this. The tag "autobiography" was prominent on the book's page, and I knew little about Spark. It was soon clear that this was no straight biography, but a novel about a young writer in mid-20th century London. Highly amusing, at times laugh-out-loud funny (which is always fun when one is listening to her iPod in public). If Fleur Talbot is Muriel Spark, then I think she's just fabulous (and much nicer than that strange Miss Jean Brodie!). This made the Booker shortlist in 1981 (lost to Midnight's Children, which keeps winner the Booker after all these years).
Recommended for: people who like books about writers, Anglophiles.
1981, BritLit, Audiobook
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I had never heard of this book when I downloaded it from my library's website on to my iPod. There was almost nothing available, and desperate for something, I went on Spark's reputation alone.
Comments: I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this. The tag "autobiography" was prominent on the book's page, and I knew little about Spark. It was soon clear that this was no straight biography, but a novel about a young writer in mid-20th century London. Highly amusing, at times laugh-out-loud funny (which is always fun when one is listening to her iPod in public). If Fleur Talbot is Muriel Spark, then I think she's just fabulous (and much nicer than that strange Miss Jean Brodie!). This made the Booker shortlist in 1981 (lost to Midnight's Children, which keeps winner the Booker after all these years).
Recommended for: people who like books about writers, Anglophiles.
148kidzdoc
Nice review, Joyce. Unfortunately your touchstone of Loitering with Intent links to a book by Stuart Woods (ick). I'll definitely add the Spark to my wish list, as it is right up my alley.
149avaland
>146 RidgewayGirl: N.E. Bode is the pseudonym for Julianna Baggott, a wonderful poet and wryly comedic writer of adult novels. I think you might like her books Girl Talk and The Miss America Family. My favorite volume of her poetry is Lizzie Borden in Love. As a reader of her adult stuff, I was a bit disappointed that she moved into juvenile books.:-( I think I have a copy of The Anybodies because I was curious...
150Nickelini
Unfortunately your touchstone of Loitering with Intent links to a book by Stuart Woods (ick)
Ooops! Thanks for pointing that out. I've fixed it now.
Ooops! Thanks for pointing that out. I've fixed it now.
152Nickelini
37. The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy
1997, Indian literature
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I think I'm the last person to read this one, so all I'll say is that I thought this was a beautifully written book. When I started it, I thought it was about half-way between A Fine Balance and Midnight's Children, but I soon realized it was a lot more like the Rushdie book. Arundhati Roy uses magical, evocative language to describe horrific things and events (rather than Rohinton Mistry's depressing stark realism).
I couldn't give this book five stars, however, because I thought the author overused the non-linear narrative technique. The novel is a puzzle that jumps back and forth in time, necessitating the use of heavy foreshadowing to help make connections for the reader. A little less of this would have made it a stronger book.
Why I Read This Now: this has been on my wishlist since 2004 and my sister-in-law had a copy to lend me.
Recommended for: readers who like beautifully written books, readers who like books about India, readers of Booker Prize winners.
1997, Indian literature
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I think I'm the last person to read this one, so all I'll say is that I thought this was a beautifully written book. When I started it, I thought it was about half-way between A Fine Balance and Midnight's Children, but I soon realized it was a lot more like the Rushdie book. Arundhati Roy uses magical, evocative language to describe horrific things and events (rather than Rohinton Mistry's depressing stark realism).
I couldn't give this book five stars, however, because I thought the author overused the non-linear narrative technique. The novel is a puzzle that jumps back and forth in time, necessitating the use of heavy foreshadowing to help make connections for the reader. A little less of this would have made it a stronger book.
Why I Read This Now: this has been on my wishlist since 2004 and my sister-in-law had a copy to lend me.
Recommended for: readers who like beautifully written books, readers who like books about India, readers of Booker Prize winners.
154Nickelini
39. Exit Lines, Joan Barfoot
2008
Why I Read This Now: it was my book club selection for the month.
Comments: Four residents of a retirement home commit "small acts of pleasurable rebellion". Barfoot is a gifted writer--the characters are interesting, this book is well-structured, and I enjoy the tone of her writing. The layers of stories are absorbing, and the author has something to say about life and aging.
When my book club picked this book, I had no interest in it what-so-ever. Unfortunately, because of other priorities, I did not have much time to read this book before we met on it, and I only made it to page 167 (out of 320). And due to other priorities, I don't think I'll have time to finish it before it's due at the library. Despite all the good things that I think about this book, somehow I'm still not committed to finishing it--it's interesting, but maybe not quite interesting enough? Perhaps I'm just afraid of getting old and so don't want to hear about it? However, if it ever crosses my path again, I will try to finish it. And I will definitely look for the author's other books in the future too.
Rating:3.5 out of 5 stars. If I finished it I suspect it would be a 4 star read.
Recommended for:Despite the fact that I didn't finish it, I do recommend this book.
2008
Why I Read This Now: it was my book club selection for the month.
Comments: Four residents of a retirement home commit "small acts of pleasurable rebellion". Barfoot is a gifted writer--the characters are interesting, this book is well-structured, and I enjoy the tone of her writing. The layers of stories are absorbing, and the author has something to say about life and aging.
When my book club picked this book, I had no interest in it what-so-ever. Unfortunately, because of other priorities, I did not have much time to read this book before we met on it, and I only made it to page 167 (out of 320). And due to other priorities, I don't think I'll have time to finish it before it's due at the library. Despite all the good things that I think about this book, somehow I'm still not committed to finishing it--it's interesting, but maybe not quite interesting enough? Perhaps I'm just afraid of getting old and so don't want to hear about it? However, if it ever crosses my path again, I will try to finish it. And I will definitely look for the author's other books in the future too.
Rating:3.5 out of 5 stars. If I finished it I suspect it would be a 4 star read.
Recommended for:Despite the fact that I didn't finish it, I do recommend this book.
155rebeccanyc
I'll be interested in your review of Salvation City, since I enjoyed The Last of Her Kind by Sigrid Nunez.
156Nickelini
Rebecca - I suspect they are really quite different. The Last of Her Kind sounds more like my kind of thing. Salvation City is marketed as a dystopian novel, but it really wasn't at all. So I'm muddling around in my head how to write the review.
157avaland
>156 Nickelini: what is your definition of a dystopian novel? Or, what were your expectations when you read the word "dystopian". (I know you are away on a romantic weekend with your hubby, so I'll wait—obviously—until your return for your answer:-)
158fannyprice
>156 Nickelini:, It is funny that you say that about your Belle read, Joyce, because my most recent Belle read was heavily marketed as post-apocalyptic and though there were elements of that in the book, I thought they were pretty understated in some respects, especially since they are all couched in terms of religious mythology and the long-ago past. It felt to me like calling our lives now post-apocalyptic simply because some people believe that a flood destroyed the world like it says in the Bible.
159Nickelini
40. Short Stories by Anton Chekhov
Russian literature (1860-1904), audiobook
Comments: A collection of five interesting Chekhov stories (Talent, Anytua, The Helpmate, Ivan Matveyitch & Polinka) that are deceptively simple. On the surface they seem more like vignettes than complete stories, but under the surface Chekhov exposes the inequalities of class and gender.
As audio books go, this one is fine. At times the reader sounds almost like a computer voice, which is sort of odd. More of a quibble than a complaint though.
Recommended for: fans of literary fiction & classics.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read This Now: This ER book was sent to me months ago and I needed something to listen to while I did mindless housework.
Russian literature (1860-1904), audiobook
Comments: A collection of five interesting Chekhov stories (Talent, Anytua, The Helpmate, Ivan Matveyitch & Polinka) that are deceptively simple. On the surface they seem more like vignettes than complete stories, but under the surface Chekhov exposes the inequalities of class and gender.
As audio books go, this one is fine. At times the reader sounds almost like a computer voice, which is sort of odd. More of a quibble than a complaint though.
Recommended for: fans of literary fiction & classics.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read This Now: This ER book was sent to me months ago and I needed something to listen to while I did mindless housework.
160Nickelini
41. The Oprah Affect: Critical Essays on Oprah's Book Club, Cecilia Konchar Farr, ed.
2008, Non-fiction (cultural studies)
Comments: This is a collection of 16 scholarly essays about what Oprah's book club means to current culture. As with most anthologies, some of the essays were fabulous, some not so much. The gist of the book is that there is something culturally significant behind the whole thing, and for elitists to dismiss or diss Oprah's book experiment is to be simplistic and miss the point. There's also a lot of criticism about the manner in which the book club approaches and discusses books (for example, using novels as therapy). Overall, it was interesting and thought provoking.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read This Now: I found two scholarly books about Oprah in the uni bookstore a few months ago. I immensely enjoyed the first, The Age of Oprah by Janice Peck. I've since been reading this one, an essay at a time.
Recommended for: a must read for anyone interesting in both books and cultural studies. The essays are not about Oprah herself, but about the cultural implications of her book club.
2008, Non-fiction (cultural studies)
Comments: This is a collection of 16 scholarly essays about what Oprah's book club means to current culture. As with most anthologies, some of the essays were fabulous, some not so much. The gist of the book is that there is something culturally significant behind the whole thing, and for elitists to dismiss or diss Oprah's book experiment is to be simplistic and miss the point. There's also a lot of criticism about the manner in which the book club approaches and discusses books (for example, using novels as therapy). Overall, it was interesting and thought provoking.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read This Now: I found two scholarly books about Oprah in the uni bookstore a few months ago. I immensely enjoyed the first, The Age of Oprah by Janice Peck. I've since been reading this one, an essay at a time.
Recommended for: a must read for anyone interesting in both books and cultural studies. The essays are not about Oprah herself, but about the cultural implications of her book club.
161Nickelini
what is your definition of a dystopian novel? Or, what were your expectations when you read the word "dystopian"
Lois - When I took the course on dystopian literature we discussed how the term is indeed slippery and that there is no one definition. However, the story should include some of these elements:
- the world is fundamentally different from ours
- the protagonist is under threat of some negative action by another, more powerful force--usually a state or charismatic leader. The action is often arbitrary
- most people in the story generally go along obliviously about their lives, following the arbitrary and unfair rules
- dystopian novels usually contain an element of social commentary that criticizes current trends in culture
- there is often a sense of deprivation, oppression or terror
- there is often a purpose of warning readers about some danger in current cultural trends . . . they show terrible things to come if our deplorable behavior continues unchecked
A book doesn't have to have all of these elements to be dystopian, but Salvation City had none of them. I'm puzzled as to why the author was on the dystopian panel at the recent Book Expo America.
Lois - When I took the course on dystopian literature we discussed how the term is indeed slippery and that there is no one definition. However, the story should include some of these elements:
- the world is fundamentally different from ours
- the protagonist is under threat of some negative action by another, more powerful force--usually a state or charismatic leader. The action is often arbitrary
- most people in the story generally go along obliviously about their lives, following the arbitrary and unfair rules
- dystopian novels usually contain an element of social commentary that criticizes current trends in culture
- there is often a sense of deprivation, oppression or terror
- there is often a purpose of warning readers about some danger in current cultural trends . . . they show terrible things to come if our deplorable behavior continues unchecked
A book doesn't have to have all of these elements to be dystopian, but Salvation City had none of them. I'm puzzled as to why the author was on the dystopian panel at the recent Book Expo America.
162Nickelini
42. Song Over Quiet Lake, Sarah Felix Burns
Canlit, 2009
Look for my review in an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com
Canlit, 2009
Look for my review in an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com
163Nickelini
43. The Death of Ivan Ilych, Leo Tolstoy
Russian literature, 1882
Comments: A brilliant little novel that is still completely relevant today.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: was in the mood for a short book.
Recommended for: Everyone. This would also be a good introduction to Russian literature for those who find the longer works intimidating. This book is very accessible.
Russian literature, 1882
Comments: A brilliant little novel that is still completely relevant today.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: was in the mood for a short book.
Recommended for: Everyone. This would also be a good introduction to Russian literature for those who find the longer works intimidating. This book is very accessible.
164avaland
>161 Nickelini: I'll come back to this after I get Belle out (later today, hopefully), you've got a great list there. Could a subculture within the greater culture be considered dystopian? I can't let you distract me yet...soon though....
>160 Nickelini:. Curse you, another fab sounding book! la la la la la *fingers in ears* (maybe that should be *hands over eyes*).
>160 Nickelini:. Curse you, another fab sounding book! la la la la la *fingers in ears* (maybe that should be *hands over eyes*).
166Nickelini
44. The Best American Science Writing 2009, Natalie Angier, ed
Non-fiction, 2009
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments This is a collection of 24 science-related articles that appeared in publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and Harpers. As with any anthology, there are stronger pieces and weaker. Overall, I really liked this collection--there was only one article (about monkeys) that I found too boring to finish.
My favourite was "The Itch," by Atul Gawande, which was originally published in the New Yorker. where the author talks about not just itching, but also why people with missing limbs still feel them, and most shockingly, about a woman who scratched through her skull into her brain (I told my daughter about it and she has had me retell it to all of her friends--it's a story that never fails to fascinate!). There was also a chilling article by Gregg Easterbrook titled "The Sky is Falling" that explains how NASA's messed up priorities may be jeopardizing the future of the planet. If I lived in the US I'd certainly be contacting my elected representatives and drawing their attention to it. The other article that stood out for me was "Looking Up," by Jennifer Margulis (from Smithsonian), and which is about an endangered breed of giraffes in west Africa. (Although I've been a big giraffe fan since childhood, I had no idea about their interesting mating habits. Hmmm).
Recommended for: People who like to learn interesting things about our world.
Why I Read This Now: I found it on the sale table a few weeks ago and thought I should read it before it became dated-- so it never went into Mnt TBR. Reading a series of articles was perfect for my super busy week, because I only had small snippets of free time.
Non-fiction, 2009
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comments This is a collection of 24 science-related articles that appeared in publications such as The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, and Harpers. As with any anthology, there are stronger pieces and weaker. Overall, I really liked this collection--there was only one article (about monkeys) that I found too boring to finish.
My favourite was "The Itch," by Atul Gawande, which was originally published in the New Yorker. where the author talks about not just itching, but also why people with missing limbs still feel them, and most shockingly, about a woman who scratched through her skull into her brain (I told my daughter about it and she has had me retell it to all of her friends--it's a story that never fails to fascinate!). There was also a chilling article by Gregg Easterbrook titled "The Sky is Falling" that explains how NASA's messed up priorities may be jeopardizing the future of the planet. If I lived in the US I'd certainly be contacting my elected representatives and drawing their attention to it. The other article that stood out for me was "Looking Up," by Jennifer Margulis (from Smithsonian), and which is about an endangered breed of giraffes in west Africa. (Although I've been a big giraffe fan since childhood, I had no idea about their interesting mating habits. Hmmm).
Recommended for: People who like to learn interesting things about our world.
Why I Read This Now: I found it on the sale table a few weeks ago and thought I should read it before it became dated-- so it never went into Mnt TBR. Reading a series of articles was perfect for my super busy week, because I only had small snippets of free time.
167Nickelini
165 - #161 - Does a dystopia need to be fictional?
Sorry, I missed your post while I was away from the computer with other craziness. No, dystopians don't need to be fictional (eg: North Korea). But we were talking about dystopian fiction and I was referring to the dystopian literature course that I took back in 2007.
Sorry, I missed your post while I was away from the computer with other craziness. No, dystopians don't need to be fictional (eg: North Korea). But we were talking about dystopian fiction and I was referring to the dystopian literature course that I took back in 2007.
168Nickelini
45. The Underpainter, Jane Urquhart
Canlit, 1997
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments:The narrator, Austin Fraser, is a successful painter from New York who is in his old age, reflecting back on his life. He is emotionally stunted and has suppressed commitment and genuine friendship his whole life. I've known selfish artist types like him, and so I had no sympathy for the character. However, the people who's lives he messed with--namely Augusta, George & Sara--were very interesting and likable, and their stories made up most of the book. Their stories traverse from New York to the north shores of Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, and over to the WWI battlefields of France.
A LT friend with similar tastes as mine gave up on this book in the first 100 pages, and I can see her point. It got off to a slow start. But Urquhart is a beautiful writer, and I saw glimmers of promise so I persevered, and was rewarded for my patience. Urquhart is one of those poetic, atmospheric writers that are a treat for the senses.
Recommended for: readers of literary fiction who are in the mood for a somewhat chilly, distracted, meandering journey.
Why I Read This Now: Although I loved two other Urquhart novels that I've read, and this book has been in my TBR pile for years, I was just never interested in this one. But it's Orange prize July, and I needed to go on a couple of flights, and this was one of the lighter Orange prize books I own, and the first page grabbed me . . . and there you have it.
Canlit, 1997
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments:The narrator, Austin Fraser, is a successful painter from New York who is in his old age, reflecting back on his life. He is emotionally stunted and has suppressed commitment and genuine friendship his whole life. I've known selfish artist types like him, and so I had no sympathy for the character. However, the people who's lives he messed with--namely Augusta, George & Sara--were very interesting and likable, and their stories made up most of the book. Their stories traverse from New York to the north shores of Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, and over to the WWI battlefields of France.
A LT friend with similar tastes as mine gave up on this book in the first 100 pages, and I can see her point. It got off to a slow start. But Urquhart is a beautiful writer, and I saw glimmers of promise so I persevered, and was rewarded for my patience. Urquhart is one of those poetic, atmospheric writers that are a treat for the senses.
Recommended for: readers of literary fiction who are in the mood for a somewhat chilly, distracted, meandering journey.
Why I Read This Now: Although I loved two other Urquhart novels that I've read, and this book has been in my TBR pile for years, I was just never interested in this one. But it's Orange prize July, and I needed to go on a couple of flights, and this was one of the lighter Orange prize books I own, and the first page grabbed me . . . and there you have it.
169Nickelini
When I posted my review of The Underpainter on the book's page, I added this note:
I've made this comment about other novels with a strong visual element (mostly books about painters, but also novels about archaeology and architecture): give the reader some illustrations! I can make a picture in my mind of what Fraser was painting, but I really would like to see what the author had in mind. Publishers could learn so much by looking at illustrated novels like the ones by Nick Bantock and Barbara Hodgson.
I've made this comment about other novels with a strong visual element (mostly books about painters, but also novels about archaeology and architecture): give the reader some illustrations! I can make a picture in my mind of what Fraser was painting, but I really would like to see what the author had in mind. Publishers could learn so much by looking at illustrated novels like the ones by Nick Bantock and Barbara Hodgson.
170fannyprice
>166 Nickelini:, Joyce, I loved the Best American Science Writing book that I read - I think it was for 2008? That story about someone who scratched through her head into her skull made me cringe! I might have to pick this one up.
171detailmuse
>166 Nickelini:, 170 It mystifies me that I ignore those collections every year. You inspire me to remedy that.
172Nickelini
46. Fault Lines, Nancy Huston
Contemporary lit, 2007
Comments: This compelling read is the story of four generations of a family, told in reverse order by the characters as six year olds. The book starts out with the off-the-scales obnoxious Californian, Sol, then jumps back to his father living in 1980s Israel, his grandmother in Toronto and New York City in the early '60s, and finally, his great-grandmother in WWII Germany. I found this book un-put-downable from the first page.
Other reviewers have pointed out its flaws, and there are many. None of the characters actually sounds like a six-year old. Twelve, at the youngest. There is a lot of political agenda crammed into their young minds. And they aren't even every likable, either. The historical detail is pretty sloppy--something that usually drives me crazy. Somehow none of these problems especially bothered me, and I just enjoyed the ride.
Recommended for: readers who are looking for a good read and can forgive its flaws (and handle some politics that rub against US conservatism).
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: it was the Orange prize book calling loudest from Mnt. TBR.
Contemporary lit, 2007
Comments: This compelling read is the story of four generations of a family, told in reverse order by the characters as six year olds. The book starts out with the off-the-scales obnoxious Californian, Sol, then jumps back to his father living in 1980s Israel, his grandmother in Toronto and New York City in the early '60s, and finally, his great-grandmother in WWII Germany. I found this book un-put-downable from the first page.
Other reviewers have pointed out its flaws, and there are many. None of the characters actually sounds like a six-year old. Twelve, at the youngest. There is a lot of political agenda crammed into their young minds. And they aren't even every likable, either. The historical detail is pretty sloppy--something that usually drives me crazy. Somehow none of these problems especially bothered me, and I just enjoyed the ride.
Recommended for: readers who are looking for a good read and can forgive its flaws (and handle some politics that rub against US conservatism).
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: it was the Orange prize book calling loudest from Mnt. TBR.
173Nickelini
47. The Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers, Xiaolu Guo
Contemporary literature, 2007
Comments: I bought this book after hearing so many positive, interesting comments about it. But then I started hearing negative comments--and from people who I usually agreed with. Yikes! But I gave the book a try anyway, and was pleasantly surprised.
Yes, the main character Z gets herself into a relationship with a man that no sane woman would touch with a proverbial 10-foot pole. Yes, she is waaaaay too fixated on men and sex, and acts toward this part of her life in what seems to me a very unrealistic manner. But . . .
I really liked how the novel was structured by months, and then by dictionary words and definitions within each month. I liked how you could follow her progress as her English skills developed. I really liked the cultural comparisons between China and the west, and how she showed strengths and weaknesses of both. The other really strong point of this novel was the Z's voice. Not her cutesy mistakes, but her actual Chinese English. Living in Vancouver I've always gone to school and worked with many Chinese people. Most books that attempt to capture the Chinese voice utterly fail, in my opinion. It usually comes off sounding like something out of a bad Hollywood sitcom. In this novel, Z sounded authentically Chinese, and not just like someone playing Chinese.
Rating: Right now, I'm giving it 4 stars for capturing the language right and for the cultural observations. I might decide to knock back half a star if I think about it and the silly storyline irritates me.
Recommended for: readers who are looking for something different and enjoy cultural observations in their fiction reading.
Why I Read This Now: it was the Orange prize book that fell into my lap.
Contemporary literature, 2007
Comments: I bought this book after hearing so many positive, interesting comments about it. But then I started hearing negative comments--and from people who I usually agreed with. Yikes! But I gave the book a try anyway, and was pleasantly surprised.
Yes, the main character Z gets herself into a relationship with a man that no sane woman would touch with a proverbial 10-foot pole. Yes, she is waaaaay too fixated on men and sex, and acts toward this part of her life in what seems to me a very unrealistic manner. But . . .
I really liked how the novel was structured by months, and then by dictionary words and definitions within each month. I liked how you could follow her progress as her English skills developed. I really liked the cultural comparisons between China and the west, and how she showed strengths and weaknesses of both. The other really strong point of this novel was the Z's voice. Not her cutesy mistakes, but her actual Chinese English. Living in Vancouver I've always gone to school and worked with many Chinese people. Most books that attempt to capture the Chinese voice utterly fail, in my opinion. It usually comes off sounding like something out of a bad Hollywood sitcom. In this novel, Z sounded authentically Chinese, and not just like someone playing Chinese.
Rating: Right now, I'm giving it 4 stars for capturing the language right and for the cultural observations. I might decide to knock back half a star if I think about it and the silly storyline irritates me.
Recommended for: readers who are looking for something different and enjoy cultural observations in their fiction reading.
Why I Read This Now: it was the Orange prize book that fell into my lap.
174avaland
>173 Nickelini: You very accurately described why I also liked this book!
175dchaikin
#167 - oops, forgot where I was going with my question in 165.
Nickelini - I really enjoyed the four reviews of yours I just read (post 166-173) - especially the Guo book which I own and have also seen the criticism for and have been ambivalent about opening. Your review encourages me. I added Fault Lines to the wishlist.
Nickelini - I really enjoyed the four reviews of yours I just read (post 166-173) - especially the Guo book which I own and have also seen the criticism for and have been ambivalent about opening. Your review encourages me. I added Fault Lines to the wishlist.
176Nickelini
48. Horse, Flower, Bird, by Kate Bernheimer
I can't say much about this because I'm reviewing it for an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com, but I will say that I loved it. Quirky, strange, funny, dark, did I mention strange? Somewhat indescribable, but I'm reviewing it anyway. Highly recommended for the right reader. Everyone else will just go "huh?"
I can't say much about this because I'm reviewing it for an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com, but I will say that I loved it. Quirky, strange, funny, dark, did I mention strange? Somewhat indescribable, but I'm reviewing it anyway. Highly recommended for the right reader. Everyone else will just go "huh?"
177TadAD
>173 Nickelini:: That one sounds interesting to me...on to the Wish List it goes.
>176 Nickelini:: I've got Horse, Flower, Bird on pre-order at Amazon. I tried to get an ARC of it, but no luck. I'm looking forward to trying it.
>176 Nickelini:: I've got Horse, Flower, Bird on pre-order at Amazon. I tried to get an ARC of it, but no luck. I'm looking forward to trying it.
178Nickelini
49. The Girls, Lori Lansens
2005, contemporary lit
Comments: When this book was published I put it right on to my wish list--the premise of the story of conjoined twins sounded so interesting. I finally got around to reading it and I have to say it really wasn't for me after all. I don't know why I didn't like it--I think maybe it was the two narrator's voices. And there were some annoying elements--like the whole thing to do with the grandmother's ashes. And it was really sad in parts. Still, I managed to get through the whole 455 pages, so it wasn't awful.
Why I Read This Now: It was my last Orange July book.
Recommended for: well, I don't recommend it, but I know a lot of other readers liked it, so don't let me stop you from reading it.
Rating: 3/5
2005, contemporary lit
Comments: When this book was published I put it right on to my wish list--the premise of the story of conjoined twins sounded so interesting. I finally got around to reading it and I have to say it really wasn't for me after all. I don't know why I didn't like it--I think maybe it was the two narrator's voices. And there were some annoying elements--like the whole thing to do with the grandmother's ashes. And it was really sad in parts. Still, I managed to get through the whole 455 pages, so it wasn't awful.
Why I Read This Now: It was my last Orange July book.
Recommended for: well, I don't recommend it, but I know a lot of other readers liked it, so don't let me stop you from reading it.
Rating: 3/5
179Nickelini
#177 I've got Horse, Flower, Bird on pre-order at Amazon. I tried to get an ARC of it, but no luck. I'm looking forward to trying it.
Where did you learn about Horse, Flower, Bird? It's not a book that would have ever crossed my radar if it wasn't for Lois. I'll definitely look out for Bernheimer's other books now.
Where did you learn about Horse, Flower, Bird? It's not a book that would have ever crossed my radar if it wasn't for Lois. I'll definitely look out for Bernheimer's other books now.
180Nickelini
50. Psyche in a Dress, Francesca Lia Block
2006, YA
Comments: This is a highly unconventional little book. Using Greek myths and characters, it tells the story of a young woman raised by dysfunctional Hollywood parents. Block uses evocative, poetic language to describe both whimsy and horror. At first I thought it was very pretentious, but that impression didn't last long as I was swept up by the beautiful language and unusual story.
I found this on the sale table in the teen section. I've always considered YA books to be aimed at teens, but in this case I think this book is really is adult. Not just because of the dysfunctional sex, and drug use, but because of all the allusions to Greek myths and also the emotions of motherhood. I wouldn't have a problem with a mature teen reading it, but I just don't think they'd appreciate it. Anyway, I liked it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I started reading it when I was moving some books, and didn't stop. It took about an hour to read.
Recommended for: people who like retellings of myths and fairy tales, people who like urban fantasy, people looking for something interesting and different.
2006, YA
Comments: This is a highly unconventional little book. Using Greek myths and characters, it tells the story of a young woman raised by dysfunctional Hollywood parents. Block uses evocative, poetic language to describe both whimsy and horror. At first I thought it was very pretentious, but that impression didn't last long as I was swept up by the beautiful language and unusual story.
I found this on the sale table in the teen section. I've always considered YA books to be aimed at teens, but in this case I think this book is really is adult. Not just because of the dysfunctional sex, and drug use, but because of all the allusions to Greek myths and also the emotions of motherhood. I wouldn't have a problem with a mature teen reading it, but I just don't think they'd appreciate it. Anyway, I liked it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I started reading it when I was moving some books, and didn't stop. It took about an hour to read.
Recommended for: people who like retellings of myths and fairy tales, people who like urban fantasy, people looking for something interesting and different.
181Nickelini
51. Orlando, Virginia Woolf (Annotated edition)
1928, Brit Lit
Rating: 5/5 stars
Comments: Although the movie version of this book is one of my favourites, and although I've read a decent amount of Virginia Woolf, I was rather dubious about this book. It seemed very odd compared to her other writing. And it is . . . but it's wonderfully odd. This may be my favourite of all her novels.
What really made this book for me was all the magic realism elements. I loved her descriptions of Orlando viewing all of England from his/her oak tree, including "the wild tides that swirl about the Hebrides". The whole Great Frost section was exceptionally well done, and I especially loved the description of the porpoise frozen in suspended animation in the icy Thames, or the Norwich countrywoman who turned visibly to powder by the cold while she crossed the road. I could go on and on . . .
As for the annotations, as with the other annotated Woolf books published by Harvest Harcourt, I have mixed thoughts. Some of the annotations were very helpful. However, I thought they missed some things in the text that I would have appreciated a note on, and there were many notes that I thought unnecessary.
Why I Read This Now: because I wanted to!
Recommended for:I want to say "everyone," but alas, Virginia Woolf is not everyone's cup of tea.
1928, Brit Lit
Rating: 5/5 stars
Comments: Although the movie version of this book is one of my favourites, and although I've read a decent amount of Virginia Woolf, I was rather dubious about this book. It seemed very odd compared to her other writing. And it is . . . but it's wonderfully odd. This may be my favourite of all her novels.
What really made this book for me was all the magic realism elements. I loved her descriptions of Orlando viewing all of England from his/her oak tree, including "the wild tides that swirl about the Hebrides". The whole Great Frost section was exceptionally well done, and I especially loved the description of the porpoise frozen in suspended animation in the icy Thames, or the Norwich countrywoman who turned visibly to powder by the cold while she crossed the road. I could go on and on . . .
As for the annotations, as with the other annotated Woolf books published by Harvest Harcourt, I have mixed thoughts. Some of the annotations were very helpful. However, I thought they missed some things in the text that I would have appreciated a note on, and there were many notes that I thought unnecessary.
Why I Read This Now: because I wanted to!
Recommended for:I want to say "everyone," but alas, Virginia Woolf is not everyone's cup of tea.
183Nickelini
52. Tom's Midnight Garden, Philippa Pierce
1958, Children's literature
Rating 4/5 stars
Comments: Tom is sent to live with his very boring relatives because his brother has measles. When the grandfather clock in the hall downstairs chimes 13, Tom gets out of bed to explore and finds a portal to a Victorian garden where he meets a young girl and has adventures. Delightfully English.
Why I Read This Now: one of the older books on Mnt TBR. I bought this when I was studying the children's lit canon back about 12 years ago but was never very interested in actually reading it (despite rave reviews). I think I would have really liked it when I was 10 or 12.
Recommended for: 10 to 12 year olds who like a little magic in their stories, and who like a story that wraps up nicely. And did I mention that it's delightfully English?
1958, Children's literature
Rating 4/5 stars
Comments: Tom is sent to live with his very boring relatives because his brother has measles. When the grandfather clock in the hall downstairs chimes 13, Tom gets out of bed to explore and finds a portal to a Victorian garden where he meets a young girl and has adventures. Delightfully English.
Why I Read This Now: one of the older books on Mnt TBR. I bought this when I was studying the children's lit canon back about 12 years ago but was never very interested in actually reading it (despite rave reviews). I think I would have really liked it when I was 10 or 12.
Recommended for: 10 to 12 year olds who like a little magic in their stories, and who like a story that wraps up nicely. And did I mention that it's delightfully English?
184Nickelini
53. The Lover, Marguerite Duras (read in translation)
1984, French literature
Comments: A French woman looks back on her life, focusing on her youth in Vietnam and the sexual relationship she began with a wealthy Chinese man when she was 15 yrs old. She also looks at how her dysfunctional family (mother with mental health issues, a brother with a gambling addiction) shaped her life. The story is told by both first- and third-person narrators, and Duras uses a distanced, distracted style. This style suits a story of someone reflecting on a life of pain. However, it also kept me distanced from the story and made it difficult for me to actually care about anything I was reading. In the end, it was a "meh".
Rating: 2/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: wanted a book for my 1010 challenge category "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die." I know I could definitely have lived rather nicely without ever having read this one!
Recommended for: I actually don't recommend this one, although it's not awful or anything.
1984, French literature
Comments: A French woman looks back on her life, focusing on her youth in Vietnam and the sexual relationship she began with a wealthy Chinese man when she was 15 yrs old. She also looks at how her dysfunctional family (mother with mental health issues, a brother with a gambling addiction) shaped her life. The story is told by both first- and third-person narrators, and Duras uses a distanced, distracted style. This style suits a story of someone reflecting on a life of pain. However, it also kept me distanced from the story and made it difficult for me to actually care about anything I was reading. In the end, it was a "meh".
Rating: 2/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: wanted a book for my 1010 challenge category "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die." I know I could definitely have lived rather nicely without ever having read this one!
Recommended for: I actually don't recommend this one, although it's not awful or anything.
185Nickelini
54. Travel as a Political Act, Rick Steves
2009, non-fiction
Comments:There are two Rick Steves. Probably the better known is Rick Steves, host of the PBS TV show “Rick Steve’s Europe.” He’s a benign über-dork who reminds me of a Lutheran youth minister, and the best guy to show you where to find the last remaining lederhosen wearers in Switzerland, or every cheese maker in Holland. He’s a pretty cheesy guy, actually.
Then there is Rick Steves, the travel writer. This is the guy I find much cooler—more interesting and funnier. His guidebooks (Europe through the Backdoor, etc.) have given me the best advice for my four European excursions and I can’t recommend them highly enough. I agree with his travel philosophy: the most enriching and rewarding experiences are found when you meet the locals in their spheres. (Although I love this way of travel, I have to admit that I’ve also loved the opposite, such as the week I spent at the Westin Resort in Maui. But I digress.). In preparation for my first trip to Europe back in 1992 (a seven-week backpack, Eurorail romp), I read his Europe 101, which is a thoughtful look at European history and its implications. So I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from Travel as a Political Act.
In this book, however, he goes beyond Europe to look at some pressing global issues. His mantra is that you can understand people better by experiencing their world. The most interesting chapters for me were about El Salvador and the how the people live with oppressive poverty; Denmark where they are “highly taxed and highly content,” Europe’s approaches to illegal drugs; and his fascinating look at Iran. In the final chapter, he gives some fabulous ideas on what people can do to increase global understanding and improve the planet.
Recommended for: this book is clearly written for Americans. Particularly those who think that the United States is the best country in the world and that it is so great that there is no reason to look beyond its borders for any reason (other than to export US culture). The people who think it’s only important to be an American citizen, and not a citizen of the world. For those who have this view because they haven’t been exposed to anything else, this book could be an eye-opening, life-changing experience. For those who have that ideology because they’ve thought long and hard about it and decided that is the view they want to have will probably find this book to be a stressful read. Maybe even make them angry. I’m afraid that this is one of those books that the people who should read it, won’t.
Rating: I was going to give it 4 out of 5, but then I read the final chapter full of suggestions on how to get involved, which I thought was excellent. So in the end, I'm giving this one 5 big shiny stars.
Why I Read This Now: Because. (Isn’t that a good reason?)
2009, non-fiction
Comments:There are two Rick Steves. Probably the better known is Rick Steves, host of the PBS TV show “Rick Steve’s Europe.” He’s a benign über-dork who reminds me of a Lutheran youth minister, and the best guy to show you where to find the last remaining lederhosen wearers in Switzerland, or every cheese maker in Holland. He’s a pretty cheesy guy, actually.
Then there is Rick Steves, the travel writer. This is the guy I find much cooler—more interesting and funnier. His guidebooks (Europe through the Backdoor, etc.) have given me the best advice for my four European excursions and I can’t recommend them highly enough. I agree with his travel philosophy: the most enriching and rewarding experiences are found when you meet the locals in their spheres. (Although I love this way of travel, I have to admit that I’ve also loved the opposite, such as the week I spent at the Westin Resort in Maui. But I digress.). In preparation for my first trip to Europe back in 1992 (a seven-week backpack, Eurorail romp), I read his Europe 101, which is a thoughtful look at European history and its implications. So I had a pretty good idea of what to expect from Travel as a Political Act.
In this book, however, he goes beyond Europe to look at some pressing global issues. His mantra is that you can understand people better by experiencing their world. The most interesting chapters for me were about El Salvador and the how the people live with oppressive poverty; Denmark where they are “highly taxed and highly content,” Europe’s approaches to illegal drugs; and his fascinating look at Iran. In the final chapter, he gives some fabulous ideas on what people can do to increase global understanding and improve the planet.
Recommended for: this book is clearly written for Americans. Particularly those who think that the United States is the best country in the world and that it is so great that there is no reason to look beyond its borders for any reason (other than to export US culture). The people who think it’s only important to be an American citizen, and not a citizen of the world. For those who have this view because they haven’t been exposed to anything else, this book could be an eye-opening, life-changing experience. For those who have that ideology because they’ve thought long and hard about it and decided that is the view they want to have will probably find this book to be a stressful read. Maybe even make them angry. I’m afraid that this is one of those books that the people who should read it, won’t.
Rating: I was going to give it 4 out of 5, but then I read the final chapter full of suggestions on how to get involved, which I thought was excellent. So in the end, I'm giving this one 5 big shiny stars.
Why I Read This Now: Because. (Isn’t that a good reason?)
186Cait86
I love Rick Steves too, and always use his travel guides! I especially like that he includes small towns in his books, not just big cities. Without him, I never would have seen the Cinque Terre, the Dingle Peninsula, or Bath - three of my favourite places so far. I've never watched his TV show, though, and from your description, I guess that is a good thing! Europe Through the Back Door was the best prep for my first trip, much better than any of the Lonely Planet books.
I'm putting Travel as a Political Act on my TBR.
I'm putting Travel as a Political Act on my TBR.
187Nickelini
Oh, his shows are okay. But I got to know him from his books, and then when I saw him I was surprised at how square he seemed. His shows cover the same places as his books, which is nice.
189TadAD
>179 Nickelini:: Sorry for the delay; I've been traveling.
Where did you learn about Horse, Flower, Bird?
I actually saw it twice, once on the Big Other blog and once on the Fairy Tale Review blog over on blogspot.
Where did you learn about Horse, Flower, Bird?
I actually saw it twice, once on the Big Other blog and once on the Fairy Tale Review blog over on blogspot.
190Nickelini
55. The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches, Gaetan Soucy (translated by Sheila Fischman)
1998, Canadian literature, originally written in French
Comments: Oh, what a strange, disturbing little book! The narrator and her brother have spent their whole lives cloistered on their father's estate with no contact with the real world. The story begins with their discovery of his dead body, which leads to their exposure to the outside world and a slow revealing of what reality is to them. The two siblings are almost feral children, so ill-prepared are they to be in society. The narrator has a highly-peculiar way of speaking and thinking ("I rememoried in bits and pieces") which I found very interesting but also distracting (I kept thinking "what word did the author use for that in the French version?"). The unusual language builds a mystery that the reader has to pull apart and what really makes the book interesting, but also makes it more work than I had expected. It's the kind of book that I'd like to reread because the second reading would be a completely different--but just as interesting-- an experience.
Recommended for: readers who like unusual--and somewhat creepy--books.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: need to return it to its owner.
1998, Canadian literature, originally written in French
Comments: Oh, what a strange, disturbing little book! The narrator and her brother have spent their whole lives cloistered on their father's estate with no contact with the real world. The story begins with their discovery of his dead body, which leads to their exposure to the outside world and a slow revealing of what reality is to them. The two siblings are almost feral children, so ill-prepared are they to be in society. The narrator has a highly-peculiar way of speaking and thinking ("I rememoried in bits and pieces") which I found very interesting but also distracting (I kept thinking "what word did the author use for that in the French version?"). The unusual language builds a mystery that the reader has to pull apart and what really makes the book interesting, but also makes it more work than I had expected. It's the kind of book that I'd like to reread because the second reading would be a completely different--but just as interesting-- an experience.
Recommended for: readers who like unusual--and somewhat creepy--books.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: need to return it to its owner.
191Nickelini
56. Murder in Amsterdam: the Death of Theo van Gogh and the Limits of Tolerance, by Ian Buruma
2006, Non-fiction (cultural studies)
Comments: I remember how shocked I was when Theo van Gogh was murdered in full daylight on an Amsterdam street by a Islamic fascist. I really couldn't understand why people who didn't believe in tolerance would live in the Netherlands--a country that is known around the world as highly tolerant. So I wanted to read this book as soon as it was published. My interest in it increased after I read the amazing Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (who made the feminist film Submission with van Gogh and was the excuse for his murder).
In Murder in Amsterdam, Buruma looks far beyond the murder itself and at today's Dutch and even European society as a whole. He makes every effort to report fairly, and does an excellent job at showing a wide range of viewpoints. He hides his personal biases well. He answered a lot of questions and increased my understanding of the the issue of immigrants in Europe today. But the question remains: How do you make people feel at home in a secular, liberal society, in which customs, values and collective memories clash with their theocratic, traditional ones?
Recommended for: Anyone interested in contemporary European cultural studies. Many scholars predict that parts of Europe will soon have a population that is 50% Muslim--will this change in the fabric of European society go well, or is Europe looking at yet more war? I think this is a subject that is in everyone's best interest to learn about.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I've wanted to read it since it was published.
2006, Non-fiction (cultural studies)
Comments: I remember how shocked I was when Theo van Gogh was murdered in full daylight on an Amsterdam street by a Islamic fascist. I really couldn't understand why people who didn't believe in tolerance would live in the Netherlands--a country that is known around the world as highly tolerant. So I wanted to read this book as soon as it was published. My interest in it increased after I read the amazing Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali (who made the feminist film Submission with van Gogh and was the excuse for his murder).
In Murder in Amsterdam, Buruma looks far beyond the murder itself and at today's Dutch and even European society as a whole. He makes every effort to report fairly, and does an excellent job at showing a wide range of viewpoints. He hides his personal biases well. He answered a lot of questions and increased my understanding of the the issue of immigrants in Europe today. But the question remains: How do you make people feel at home in a secular, liberal society, in which customs, values and collective memories clash with their theocratic, traditional ones?
Recommended for: Anyone interested in contemporary European cultural studies. Many scholars predict that parts of Europe will soon have a population that is 50% Muslim--will this change in the fabric of European society go well, or is Europe looking at yet more war? I think this is a subject that is in everyone's best interest to learn about.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I've wanted to read it since it was published.
193wandering_star
Interesting. I have read some of Buruma's other books about European identity, and have enjoyed them. I just wanted to comment on the statistic that you mention. There are already pockets of European cities that are overwhelmingly Muslim, just as there are pockets of cities everywhere where immigrants and the children of immigrants are congregated. The total number of Muslims in Europe today is round about 20m - about 5% of the total population. There are projections that by 2025, the total number of Muslims could be up to 38m - but this is still around 8% of the projected population by then. And of course, the majority of these are not deeply resistant to integration, but (again like immigrants of other backgrounds) are creating their identities partly from tradition and partly from their current lives: there's an interesting article on this here. So, while it's not inaccurate to say that "parts" of Europe will have populations that are 50% Muslim, I think this can often be used as an alarmist statement. I am certainly not saying that this was what you intended, but I wanted to add this clarification for others who might read the statement!
194Nickelini
Well, that makes sense. Yes, he actually said parts of Europe, not the whole. My mistake there. Thanks for clarifying that!
195Nickelini
57. Sky Burial, Xinran
2006, memoir (?)
Comments: Not going to say a lot here because I read this for something that's going on in an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com (not a review--you'll have to check in and see). In a few words, this is the story of a Chinese woman in the 1950s who goes to Tibet on a quest and gets lost, disappears from the world, and resurfaces in China thirty years later.
2006, memoir (?)
Comments: Not going to say a lot here because I read this for something that's going on in an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com (not a review--you'll have to check in and see). In a few words, this is the story of a Chinese woman in the 1950s who goes to Tibet on a quest and gets lost, disappears from the world, and resurfaces in China thirty years later.
196Nickelini
58. Greengage Summer, Rumer Godden
1958, Brit lit
Comments: 13 year old Cecil travels on holidays to a French hotel in the Marne district with her mother and a gaggle of siblings. Her mother immediately takes ill and is hospitalized and their father is in Tibet (and everyone knows, once someone goes to Tibet, no one knows when they'll be seen again). Essentially, the children are on their own except for a mysterious but kind English gentleman who sort of takes them under his wing. Cecil's older sister is so beautiful that all the men in the story lose their senses around her (what is it with men like this in fiction? Are their brains so fragile that they fall apart in the mere presence of a pretty girl? Sheesh!).
This is a charming book, what I like to call "a quiet novel." Actually, some parts aren't so quiet--there is crime and teenage drunkenness. But still, it's so atmospheric that the mood overtakes the story (which is essentially a coming-of-age novel).
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to read the oldest books in my closet, and this one was obviously set in summer, and it's summer now, so seemed fitting.
Recommended for: not sure . . . give it a try.
1958, Brit lit
Comments: 13 year old Cecil travels on holidays to a French hotel in the Marne district with her mother and a gaggle of siblings. Her mother immediately takes ill and is hospitalized and their father is in Tibet (and everyone knows, once someone goes to Tibet, no one knows when they'll be seen again). Essentially, the children are on their own except for a mysterious but kind English gentleman who sort of takes them under his wing. Cecil's older sister is so beautiful that all the men in the story lose their senses around her (what is it with men like this in fiction? Are their brains so fragile that they fall apart in the mere presence of a pretty girl? Sheesh!).
This is a charming book, what I like to call "a quiet novel." Actually, some parts aren't so quiet--there is crime and teenage drunkenness. But still, it's so atmospheric that the mood overtakes the story (which is essentially a coming-of-age novel).
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to read the oldest books in my closet, and this one was obviously set in summer, and it's summer now, so seemed fitting.
Recommended for: not sure . . . give it a try.
197avaland
>195 Nickelini: oh, you are such a tease.
198Nickelini
59. The Forgetting Room, Nick Bantock
1997, Illustrated novel
Comments: An artist travels to Spain to claim his inheritance upon his grandfather's death. There is a mystery, discovery and art.
I think the concept was stronger than the execution. While I liked it, it isn't as strong as Bantock's Griffen and Sabine series or Barbara Hodgson's illustrated novels.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: fans of illustrated novels. Newbies should start elsewhere.
Why I Read This Now: It was one of the older books in my closet. I bought it in 2000 when I was really into illustrated novels.
edited to fix wayward touchstone
1997, Illustrated novel
Comments: An artist travels to Spain to claim his inheritance upon his grandfather's death. There is a mystery, discovery and art.
I think the concept was stronger than the execution. While I liked it, it isn't as strong as Bantock's Griffen and Sabine series or Barbara Hodgson's illustrated novels.
Rating: 3/5
Recommended for: fans of illustrated novels. Newbies should start elsewhere.
Why I Read This Now: It was one of the older books in my closet. I bought it in 2000 when I was really into illustrated novels.
edited to fix wayward touchstone
199Nickelini
60. Giovanni's Room, James Baldwin
1956
Rating: 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I actually had little interest in this book, but it was a really ugly little mass market paperback that I wanted to get off my shelf. I had bought it for a quarter at a charity sale a few years ago because it's on the 1001 books list. I have found books that wouldn't normally cross my radar on the list that turned out to be fabulous. This was one of them.
Comments: I don't want to start describing this book, because it is so rich and full of material that I'm afraid I would write an essay. I wish I was studying this at university and had to write about it.
Yes, it's about a young man's struggle for his identity, and his struggle with his homosexuality, but it's more than that. I loved the contrasts between clean and squalor, and between Americans and Europeans. The filth reminds me of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice, and the louche, hard-drinking expatriates remind me of The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. But Giovanni's Room is more interesting than either of them.
This book must have made quite the explosion in the book world when it was published back in the 1950s. Not only is it an exploration of forbidden sexuality, but it's a book about a white man written by an African-American.
Recommended for: lovers of rich, intense literature.
1956
Rating: 5 stars
Why I Read This Now: I actually had little interest in this book, but it was a really ugly little mass market paperback that I wanted to get off my shelf. I had bought it for a quarter at a charity sale a few years ago because it's on the 1001 books list. I have found books that wouldn't normally cross my radar on the list that turned out to be fabulous. This was one of them.
Comments: I don't want to start describing this book, because it is so rich and full of material that I'm afraid I would write an essay. I wish I was studying this at university and had to write about it.
Yes, it's about a young man's struggle for his identity, and his struggle with his homosexuality, but it's more than that. I loved the contrasts between clean and squalor, and between Americans and Europeans. The filth reminds me of Thomas Mann's Death in Venice, and the louche, hard-drinking expatriates remind me of The Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. But Giovanni's Room is more interesting than either of them.
This book must have made quite the explosion in the book world when it was published back in the 1950s. Not only is it an exploration of forbidden sexuality, but it's a book about a white man written by an African-American.
Recommended for: lovers of rich, intense literature.
200kidzdoc
Nice review, Joyce. This is my favorite novel by Baldwin, and one of my favorite American novels, definitely a 5 star read.
201Nickelini
61. Kabul Beauty School, Deborah Rodriguez
2007, Memoir
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to make room in my shelves and so am reading some books I know will leave my house after I've read them. A friend lent this to me last year and I figured it was time for it to go home.
Comments: My friend that put this book in my hands is a passionate reader of all things about Afghanistan, and even she gave this book a so-so recommendation. I really had no interest in reading it. Beauty school? Who cares?
Well, it turns out that beauty under the burqa is a very important thing in Afghanistan. The narrator travels to Kabul as an aid worker and soon finds herself teaching young women to apply makeup and style hair. With these skills they can then find some of the only jobs available to women in their culture, and in making their own money, empower themselves. Thus, it isn't only aid from doctors, nurses, and engineers that this country needs.
There were many interesting vignettes about daily life for women in Afghanistan in this book. Unfortunately, I didn't like the narrator. I think she's supposed to come off as plucky and gutsy, but I found her annoying, foolish and a bit of a twit.
Rating: a generous 3/5 stars
Recommended for: readers interested in the lives of women in Afghanistan.
2007, Memoir
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to make room in my shelves and so am reading some books I know will leave my house after I've read them. A friend lent this to me last year and I figured it was time for it to go home.
Comments: My friend that put this book in my hands is a passionate reader of all things about Afghanistan, and even she gave this book a so-so recommendation. I really had no interest in reading it. Beauty school? Who cares?
Well, it turns out that beauty under the burqa is a very important thing in Afghanistan. The narrator travels to Kabul as an aid worker and soon finds herself teaching young women to apply makeup and style hair. With these skills they can then find some of the only jobs available to women in their culture, and in making their own money, empower themselves. Thus, it isn't only aid from doctors, nurses, and engineers that this country needs.
There were many interesting vignettes about daily life for women in Afghanistan in this book. Unfortunately, I didn't like the narrator. I think she's supposed to come off as plucky and gutsy, but I found her annoying, foolish and a bit of a twit.
Rating: a generous 3/5 stars
Recommended for: readers interested in the lives of women in Afghanistan.
202Nickelini
62. Possessing the Secret of Joy, Alice Walker
1992
Comments: In this novel, Walker pulls peripheral characters from The Color Purple that live in her invented African country, Olinka. The focus is on Tashi, who voluntarily underwent female genital mutilation as a young woman.
I found this book very interesting, both in concept and execution, and I recommend it. However, I'm having trouble describing it briefly--it sort of begs for an essay, which I'm not in the mood to write. Although it was well done, I've read a lot about FGM and I didn't learn anything new here. Therefore ...
Rating: I liked it a lot, but didn't love it. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommended for: Readers who don't know much about female genital mutilation, or who are very interested in the subject.
1992
Comments: In this novel, Walker pulls peripheral characters from The Color Purple that live in her invented African country, Olinka. The focus is on Tashi, who voluntarily underwent female genital mutilation as a young woman.
I found this book very interesting, both in concept and execution, and I recommend it. However, I'm having trouble describing it briefly--it sort of begs for an essay, which I'm not in the mood to write. Although it was well done, I've read a lot about FGM and I didn't learn anything new here. Therefore ...
Rating: I liked it a lot, but didn't love it. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommended for: Readers who don't know much about female genital mutilation, or who are very interested in the subject.
203Nickelini
63. The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera
1984, translated from Czech
Comments: This is yet another book that is impossible to sum up and comment on with only a few sentences. It really commands--and deserves--an essay. Which I won't do. Let's see, there's a lot of philosophy, and it's very European, and extremely interesting, and a lot easier to read than I expected.
Recommended for: readers who like something different and rather philosophical, but not weird make-your-brain-hurt philosophical.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: It spoke to me from Mnt. TBR.
1984, translated from Czech
Comments: This is yet another book that is impossible to sum up and comment on with only a few sentences. It really commands--and deserves--an essay. Which I won't do. Let's see, there's a lot of philosophy, and it's very European, and extremely interesting, and a lot easier to read than I expected.
Recommended for: readers who like something different and rather philosophical, but not weird make-your-brain-hurt philosophical.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: It spoke to me from Mnt. TBR.
204avaland
OK, I've found my copy of The Means of Reproduction and will try to nibble away at it over the next week or two. Are you still reading it?
205janeajones
203> The Unbearable Lightness of Being is one of my all time favorite books. I vividly remember the Soviet tanks rolling into Prague on my 21st birthday.
And I love the movie too -- Daniel Day Lewis, Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche are to die for. Have you seen it?
And I love the movie too -- Daniel Day Lewis, Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche are to die for. Have you seen it?
206Nickelini
I've found my copy of The Means of Reproduction and will try to nibble away at it over the next week or two. Are you still reading it?
I was away for the long weekend and didn't take it with me, but I'll pick it up over the next day or two. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
I was away for the long weekend and didn't take it with me, but I'll pick it up over the next day or two. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
207Nickelini
And I love the movie too -- Daniel Day Lewis, Lena Olin and Juliette Binoche are to die for. Have you seen it?
I haven't, but Cariola already alerted me to it, so I'm on the look out at my libraries for it.
I haven't, but Cariola already alerted me to it, so I'm on the look out at my libraries for it.
208Nickelini
post 153, book #38 Salvation City, Sigrid Nunez
My review is now up at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_17.php
And my interview with the author is at: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/features_1.php
My review is now up at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_17.php
And my interview with the author is at: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/features_1.php
209Nickelini
Message 162, book #42 Song Over Quiet Lake, Sarah Felix Burns
I reviewed this novel set in the Yukon and in Vancouver at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_10.php
I reviewed this novel set in the Yukon and in Vancouver at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_10.php
210Nickelini
Message 176, book #48 Horse, Flower, Bird, Kate Bernheimer
This is probably my favourite book that I've reviewed for Belletrista. You can read more here: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_1.php
This is probably my favourite book that I've reviewed for Belletrista. You can read more here: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/reviews_1.php
211Nickelini
Message 158, Book #57 Sky Burial, Xinran
I had fun participating in a conversation about this book at Belletrista. You can read all about it here: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/features_4.php
I had fun participating in a conversation about this book at Belletrista. You can read all about it here: http://www.belletrista.com/2010/issue7/features_4.php
212dchaikin
Joyce - you've busy over on Bellatrista. Lovely, excellent review of Horse, Flower, Bird. That's not to say the other contributions weren't good, that review just stood out.
214Nickelini
64. Garden in the Wind, Gabrielle Roy
1975, Canlit
Comments: I will review this reissued edition for a future issue of www.Belletrista.com
1975, Canlit
Comments: I will review this reissued edition for a future issue of www.Belletrista.com
215janeajones
214> I'll look forward to this review. I found Roy's The Tin Flute fascinating.
216avaland
>206 Nickelini: Other than reading the first couple of pages, I haven't gotten very far, but things should simmer down after the weekend.
217Nickelini
65. Smile, Raina Telgemeier
2010, graphic novel memoir
Why I Read This Now: My 10 year old read this book earlier in the week, and kept telling me about it. Specifically, she kept describing in great detail the dental treatment the main character went through. Having worked for years in the dental field, I noted how in depth the book was going--who's ever heard of a story about dental treatment? My daughter also asked me a bunch of questions about the San Francisco earthquake. My interested was piqued!
Comments: This is the memoir, in graphic novel format, by NY Times bestselling author and cartoonist about her pre-teen and early teen years, sort of centred around the years and years of dental treatment she needed after falling and knocking out her two front teeth. But she also goes through the usual teen angst issues--friendships, sports, school, crushes. Quite an entertaining 45 minutes!
Recommended for: both my 10 year old and 13 year old liked it. Also for anyone interested in stories about dental work :-/ I have a dentist appointment today, so I'm going to take it in to show my dentist.
Edited to say: my dentist found it fascinating!
2010, graphic novel memoir
Why I Read This Now: My 10 year old read this book earlier in the week, and kept telling me about it. Specifically, she kept describing in great detail the dental treatment the main character went through. Having worked for years in the dental field, I noted how in depth the book was going--who's ever heard of a story about dental treatment? My daughter also asked me a bunch of questions about the San Francisco earthquake. My interested was piqued!
Comments: This is the memoir, in graphic novel format, by NY Times bestselling author and cartoonist about her pre-teen and early teen years, sort of centred around the years and years of dental treatment she needed after falling and knocking out her two front teeth. But she also goes through the usual teen angst issues--friendships, sports, school, crushes. Quite an entertaining 45 minutes!
Recommended for: both my 10 year old and 13 year old liked it. Also for anyone interested in stories about dental work :-/ I have a dentist appointment today, so I'm going to take it in to show my dentist.
Edited to say: my dentist found it fascinating!
218Nickelini
66. The Means of Reproduction: Sex, Power and the Future of the World, Michelle Goldberg
2009, Non-fiction
Why I Read This Now: saw it at the bookshop, and as I loved the same author's Kingdom Coming last year, I bought it and read it right away.
Comments: As the subtitle says "sex, power and the future of the world." Yikes! How do I sum that up in a couple of paragraphs? I can't. The best I can say is that Goldberg looks at the conflicts around the world between tradition and modernity that are being fought on the "terrain" of women's bodies. She connects many different trends and concerns and believes that women's rights will ultimately shape the future. She reasons that if women in the western world have brought about societal change, then women elsewhere can too--it is not simply a matter of the West imposing its value system everywhere. In every one of these trends and concerns, she pulls the topic apart and looks at it from different angles--it is clear that nothing is simple. All her statistics and claims are supported and referenced.
Some of the topics she covers include: reproductive rights and access to safe abortions (65,000 - 70,000 women die annually because of botched abortions). She goes into great depth about the history and developments of the global family planning movement (I had no idea that in the 1960s the Catholic church performed an extensive study on birth control and the panel recommended its approval--the recommendation was denied by a very small uber-conservative group of Vatican officials and the reason for denying it had nothing to do with the findings of report, or reason, but had everything to do with power and politics.)
Other chapters cover female genital mutilation (again, more complex an issue than I'd read previously) and infant sex selection in Asia and the ramifications for societies with an unbalanced female-to-male ratio. She also touches on the AIDS epidemic in Africa, which was fascinating but too short. And she talks about a whole pile of other interesting stuff too.
Recommended for: Everyone. This was an informative, enlightening read.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. I took off half a star because somehow I didn't quite like the book as much as Kingdom Coming. That may have just been that I find nutty fundamentalists really interesting, and so I was more entertained by her earlier book. So I'm probably not being fair, because The Means of Reproduction is looks at very serious topics that cover a tremendous scope, and which are really not entertaining.
2009, Non-fiction
Why I Read This Now: saw it at the bookshop, and as I loved the same author's Kingdom Coming last year, I bought it and read it right away.
Comments: As the subtitle says "sex, power and the future of the world." Yikes! How do I sum that up in a couple of paragraphs? I can't. The best I can say is that Goldberg looks at the conflicts around the world between tradition and modernity that are being fought on the "terrain" of women's bodies. She connects many different trends and concerns and believes that women's rights will ultimately shape the future. She reasons that if women in the western world have brought about societal change, then women elsewhere can too--it is not simply a matter of the West imposing its value system everywhere. In every one of these trends and concerns, she pulls the topic apart and looks at it from different angles--it is clear that nothing is simple. All her statistics and claims are supported and referenced.
Some of the topics she covers include: reproductive rights and access to safe abortions (65,000 - 70,000 women die annually because of botched abortions). She goes into great depth about the history and developments of the global family planning movement (I had no idea that in the 1960s the Catholic church performed an extensive study on birth control and the panel recommended its approval--the recommendation was denied by a very small uber-conservative group of Vatican officials and the reason for denying it had nothing to do with the findings of report, or reason, but had everything to do with power and politics.)
Other chapters cover female genital mutilation (again, more complex an issue than I'd read previously) and infant sex selection in Asia and the ramifications for societies with an unbalanced female-to-male ratio. She also touches on the AIDS epidemic in Africa, which was fascinating but too short. And she talks about a whole pile of other interesting stuff too.
Recommended for: Everyone. This was an informative, enlightening read.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. I took off half a star because somehow I didn't quite like the book as much as Kingdom Coming. That may have just been that I find nutty fundamentalists really interesting, and so I was more entertained by her earlier book. So I'm probably not being fair, because The Means of Reproduction is looks at very serious topics that cover a tremendous scope, and which are really not entertaining.
219Nickelini
67. The Caged Virgin: an Emancipation Proclamation for Women and Islam, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Non-fiction, 2006, originally written in Dutch and translated by Jane Brown
Comments: This is a collection of essays that Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote while she was still a Dutch politician. I have long admired her for her courage to speak out for women's and children's rights and also her intelligence. Reading this book I realize that I also admired her communication skills--she clearly presents her argument, gives examples and reasons why she holds her view, logically reasons through the argument, answers counter-arguments and presents a thoughtful conclusion and call to action. Some of these essays would be excellent material to use in a university-level writing class.
Because this is a collection of essays written at different times and perhaps for different audiences, there is some overlap. However, this didn't bother me and just showed me how she is unwavering in her mission and beliefs. Basically her argument is that the moderate Muslims living in the west must speak and act to reform the religion and halt its hijacking by fundamentalists. She sees Islam as a static belief system where questioning and discussion are strictly banned, and therefore is forcing people today to try to emulate a lifestyle of 7th century nomadic Arabs. She has absolute disdain for cultural relativists (who say that all cultures are equal and one group cannot critique another). Her paramount belief is that human rights far outweigh the rights of any culture. She tackles all of these issues from different angles, which I think are quite clear from her essay titles:
1. Stand Up for Your Rights! Women in Islam
2. Why Can't We Take a Critical Look at Ourselves
3. The Virgin's Cage
4. Let Us Have a Voltaire
5. What Went Wrong? a Modern Clash of Cultures (where she heavily references What Went Wrong by Bernard Lewis)
6. A Brief Personal History of My Emancipation
7. Being a Politician is Not My Ideal
8. Bin Laden's Nightmare: Interview with Irshad Manji
9. Freedom Requires Constant Vigilance
10. Four Women's Lives
11. How to Deal with Domestic Violence More Effectively
12. Genital Mutilation Must Not Be Tolerated
13. Ten Tips for Muslim Women Who Want to Leave (a very important, and somewhat chilling chapter!)
14. Submission: Part 1 (the script for her film, which is available on YouTube)
15. The Need for Self-Reflection within Islam
16. Portrait of a Heroine as a Young Woman
17. A Call for Clear Thinking
There are reference notes and an index. I might add that my copy is heavily underlined!
Why I Read This Now: my book club is planning to read Infidel this year, which I've already read, so I thought I'd read something else by her. Also, I recently finished The Means of Reproduction and was in the mood for some more about human rights.
Recommended for: anyone interested in human rights, anyone who is interesting in living in a world where those of different faiths can co-exist, or --gasp--, even co-operate.
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
Non-fiction, 2006, originally written in Dutch and translated by Jane Brown
Comments: This is a collection of essays that Ayaan Hirsi Ali wrote while she was still a Dutch politician. I have long admired her for her courage to speak out for women's and children's rights and also her intelligence. Reading this book I realize that I also admired her communication skills--she clearly presents her argument, gives examples and reasons why she holds her view, logically reasons through the argument, answers counter-arguments and presents a thoughtful conclusion and call to action. Some of these essays would be excellent material to use in a university-level writing class.
Because this is a collection of essays written at different times and perhaps for different audiences, there is some overlap. However, this didn't bother me and just showed me how she is unwavering in her mission and beliefs. Basically her argument is that the moderate Muslims living in the west must speak and act to reform the religion and halt its hijacking by fundamentalists. She sees Islam as a static belief system where questioning and discussion are strictly banned, and therefore is forcing people today to try to emulate a lifestyle of 7th century nomadic Arabs. She has absolute disdain for cultural relativists (who say that all cultures are equal and one group cannot critique another). Her paramount belief is that human rights far outweigh the rights of any culture. She tackles all of these issues from different angles, which I think are quite clear from her essay titles:
1. Stand Up for Your Rights! Women in Islam
2. Why Can't We Take a Critical Look at Ourselves
3. The Virgin's Cage
4. Let Us Have a Voltaire
5. What Went Wrong? a Modern Clash of Cultures (where she heavily references What Went Wrong by Bernard Lewis)
6. A Brief Personal History of My Emancipation
7. Being a Politician is Not My Ideal
8. Bin Laden's Nightmare: Interview with Irshad Manji
9. Freedom Requires Constant Vigilance
10. Four Women's Lives
11. How to Deal with Domestic Violence More Effectively
12. Genital Mutilation Must Not Be Tolerated
13. Ten Tips for Muslim Women Who Want to Leave (a very important, and somewhat chilling chapter!)
14. Submission: Part 1 (the script for her film, which is available on YouTube)
15. The Need for Self-Reflection within Islam
16. Portrait of a Heroine as a Young Woman
17. A Call for Clear Thinking
There are reference notes and an index. I might add that my copy is heavily underlined!
Why I Read This Now: my book club is planning to read Infidel this year, which I've already read, so I thought I'd read something else by her. Also, I recently finished The Means of Reproduction and was in the mood for some more about human rights.
Recommended for: anyone interested in human rights, anyone who is interesting in living in a world where those of different faiths can co-exist, or --gasp--, even co-operate.
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
220Nickelini
68. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Anne Bronte
BritLit, 1847
Rating: part of this book gets a dazzling 5 stars from me, but unfortunately chunks of it get 1 star. In the end, I'll give it 3/5 stars.
Comments:
What I Disliked This book was ridiculously over-long. My edition was 487 oversized pages, which doesn't sound that bad really. However, too many of these pages were completely unnecessary. The actual story, which took up the middle of the book was framed with a 96 page (sixteen chapters!) introduction and a 76 page conclusion. Everything that happened in these 172 pages could have been considerably condensed. The events of the first section could easily be told in one paragraph. Okay, to add a little suspense, Bronte should have made it one short chapter. The concluding frame was a little more important to the story, but again could be told in one chapter. As for the middle section, it also could have been trimmed.
Bronte really likes to use a lot of words. She uses a lot of words to describe every.single.detail of what is going on in a character's mind, and what they think is going on in the other characters' minds. There is also a lot of moralizing and 19th century social commentary. For pages and pages and pages and pages. Near the end, Gilbert apologizes for his "melancholy musings." Sorry, too late. I already hate you.
What I Liked: There is probably about a hundred pages of this novel that I just love and think are brilliant. The protagonist, Helen, is a courageous proto-feminist who stands up to her abusive alcoholic husband in an era when that just wasn't done. And the 150-odd pages of actual story were very interesting.
I also think that Anne's main characters were much more realistic than her sisters'. In particular, her ability to write male characters far surpasses Emily and Charlotte's. These men actually have conversations, and can speak to a woman without going into diatribes and sermons, like every male character in Jane Eyre. Sure, Huntington is a tyrannical reprobate, but he's not an evil psychopath like Heathcliff.
And when the going gets tough, Helen forms a plan just like an real adult. She doesn't have a hissy fit and will herself to die (Cathy, Wuthering Heights) or run away, immediately lose all her money and then wander the moors (the heroine in Jane Eyre). In the end I like both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre better than The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but the one thing I can say in Anne's defense is that her main character is a grown up.
Just for fun, I'd like to see this story retold from Huntington's point of view. Yes, he was vile--I mean, what sort of father gets his four-year old son drunk and teaches him to swear? But still, I think from his wing-back in front of the hearth, Helen would look like a humorless stick-in-the-mud. He was no angel, but considering he was met with her dour, judgmental face at breakfast every morning, its no wonder he escaped to London for months at a time.
Recommended for: Fans of 19th century British literature. I also think that anyone who has enjoyed the other Brontes should give this one a try too.
BritLit, 1847
Rating: part of this book gets a dazzling 5 stars from me, but unfortunately chunks of it get 1 star. In the end, I'll give it 3/5 stars.
Comments:
What I Disliked This book was ridiculously over-long. My edition was 487 oversized pages, which doesn't sound that bad really. However, too many of these pages were completely unnecessary. The actual story, which took up the middle of the book was framed with a 96 page (sixteen chapters!) introduction and a 76 page conclusion. Everything that happened in these 172 pages could have been considerably condensed. The events of the first section could easily be told in one paragraph. Okay, to add a little suspense, Bronte should have made it one short chapter. The concluding frame was a little more important to the story, but again could be told in one chapter. As for the middle section, it also could have been trimmed.
Bronte really likes to use a lot of words. She uses a lot of words to describe every.single.detail of what is going on in a character's mind, and what they think is going on in the other characters' minds. There is also a lot of moralizing and 19th century social commentary. For pages and pages and pages and pages. Near the end, Gilbert apologizes for his "melancholy musings." Sorry, too late. I already hate you.
What I Liked: There is probably about a hundred pages of this novel that I just love and think are brilliant. The protagonist, Helen, is a courageous proto-feminist who stands up to her abusive alcoholic husband in an era when that just wasn't done. And the 150-odd pages of actual story were very interesting.
I also think that Anne's main characters were much more realistic than her sisters'. In particular, her ability to write male characters far surpasses Emily and Charlotte's. These men actually have conversations, and can speak to a woman without going into diatribes and sermons, like every male character in Jane Eyre. Sure, Huntington is a tyrannical reprobate, but he's not an evil psychopath like Heathcliff.
And when the going gets tough, Helen forms a plan just like an real adult. She doesn't have a hissy fit and will herself to die (Cathy, Wuthering Heights) or run away, immediately lose all her money and then wander the moors (the heroine in Jane Eyre). In the end I like both Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre better than The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but the one thing I can say in Anne's defense is that her main character is a grown up.
Just for fun, I'd like to see this story retold from Huntington's point of view. Yes, he was vile--I mean, what sort of father gets his four-year old son drunk and teaches him to swear? But still, I think from his wing-back in front of the hearth, Helen would look like a humorless stick-in-the-mud. He was no angel, but considering he was met with her dour, judgmental face at breakfast every morning, its no wonder he escaped to London for months at a time.
Recommended for: Fans of 19th century British literature. I also think that anyone who has enjoyed the other Brontes should give this one a try too.
221janemarieprice
Sorry, too late. I already hate you.
Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only gets to feeling this way about characters sometimes.
Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only gets to feeling this way about characters sometimes.
222auntmarge64
>220 Nickelini: Loved the review! I needed a good laugh to get me going this morning.
She uses a lot of words to describe every.single.detail. That's my feeling about most of the lit I read from that time period, and I have to be in.the.mood to read and enjoy it.
She uses a lot of words to describe every.single.detail. That's my feeling about most of the lit I read from that time period, and I have to be in.the.mood to read and enjoy it.
223Nickelini
69. The Life of Insects, Viktor Pelevin
1996, Russian literature
Comments: Another mixed reaction to a book:
What I Liked: I loved the premise of satirizing life in late 20th Russia by showing people as sometimes-insects, or insects as sometimes-people. The whole book was terribly clever.
I also liked the chapter structure that sort of cycled between different insects (some interact with the others, some don't). Some of their stories were very interesting and amusing.
The language was quite simple and straightforward, which helped, because the imagery was sometimes difficult to sort out in my brain . . .
What I Disliked: because characters morphed from human to insect and back again, sometimes on a sentence-by-sentence level, and characters also morphed from one type of insect to another, it was often difficult to form a mental picture in my head of what I was reading.
Here's one example: “Seyozha especially loved finding windows: he would thrust his fingers into the earth and carefully feel the cold hard surface, then clean it off, trying to guess what he would see behind the glass.” As I read on in this story ("Paradise"), the metaphor here became clear and was rather clever. But reading this, my brain couldn't figure out what it looked like--windows in the dirt? Insects with fingers? Human digging for windows in the earth? Huh?! There were a lot of these moments.
I also found that I never really wanted to pick this up and read it. I had to force myself. Once I got into it, I liked it, but I was never that sad to put it down either. Often the characters were quite boring.
Rating: 3/5
Why I Read This Now: There was a 20th century Russia theme read going on at the Reading Globally group and I had this one sitting in Mnt. TBR.
1996, Russian literature
Comments: Another mixed reaction to a book:
What I Liked: I loved the premise of satirizing life in late 20th Russia by showing people as sometimes-insects, or insects as sometimes-people. The whole book was terribly clever.
I also liked the chapter structure that sort of cycled between different insects (some interact with the others, some don't). Some of their stories were very interesting and amusing.
The language was quite simple and straightforward, which helped, because the imagery was sometimes difficult to sort out in my brain . . .
What I Disliked: because characters morphed from human to insect and back again, sometimes on a sentence-by-sentence level, and characters also morphed from one type of insect to another, it was often difficult to form a mental picture in my head of what I was reading.
Here's one example: “Seyozha especially loved finding windows: he would thrust his fingers into the earth and carefully feel the cold hard surface, then clean it off, trying to guess what he would see behind the glass.” As I read on in this story ("Paradise"), the metaphor here became clear and was rather clever. But reading this, my brain couldn't figure out what it looked like--windows in the dirt? Insects with fingers? Human digging for windows in the earth? Huh?! There were a lot of these moments.
I also found that I never really wanted to pick this up and read it. I had to force myself. Once I got into it, I liked it, but I was never that sad to put it down either. Often the characters were quite boring.
Rating: 3/5
Why I Read This Now: There was a 20th century Russia theme read going on at the Reading Globally group and I had this one sitting in Mnt. TBR.
224avaland
I really enjoyed The Life of Insects back a few years ago when I read it. The ones I remember were the two mosquito businessmen discussing various human landscapes (I believe they were fond of Asian bottoms) and the one that began with a female termite (?) landing and cutting off her own wings...
Hubby and I both like Pelevin, but we've read different ones. He really liked Homo Zapiens. I know I don't get half of his satire, since I'm not familiar with contemporary Russia in the way one might need to be to thoroughly enjoy his work, but I find him amusing all the same.
Hubby and I both like Pelevin, but we've read different ones. He really liked Homo Zapiens. I know I don't get half of his satire, since I'm not familiar with contemporary Russia in the way one might need to be to thoroughly enjoy his work, but I find him amusing all the same.
225Nickelini
70. Ghost Stories and Mysterious Creatures of British Columbia, Barbara Smith
1999, "true stories"
Comments: These aren't really stories in the usual sense of the word, but instead bits of reportage, as one might find in the local interest section of a community newspaper. Somewhat interesting when I was familiar with the people or places involved, otherwise not at all interesting.
Why I Read This Now: This month I'm reading an October ghosts and ghoulies theme. I found this in my TBR stack when I was looking for appropriate books. I started with this one because I was super tired one night but still felt like reading something.
Rating: 2/5 stars. My expectations of this were super low to begin with, and so I almost gave it 3 stars. But in the last third of the book she discusses the Sasquatch (Big Foot, Yeti) and then the Ogopogo (our Loch Ness monster), and talks about how they are real. That was a fail for me.
Recommended for: only those who are interested in silly local lore.
1999, "true stories"
Comments: These aren't really stories in the usual sense of the word, but instead bits of reportage, as one might find in the local interest section of a community newspaper. Somewhat interesting when I was familiar with the people or places involved, otherwise not at all interesting.
Why I Read This Now: This month I'm reading an October ghosts and ghoulies theme. I found this in my TBR stack when I was looking for appropriate books. I started with this one because I was super tired one night but still felt like reading something.
Rating: 2/5 stars. My expectations of this were super low to begin with, and so I almost gave it 3 stars. But in the last third of the book she discusses the Sasquatch (Big Foot, Yeti) and then the Ogopogo (our Loch Ness monster), and talks about how they are real. That was a fail for me.
Recommended for: only those who are interested in silly local lore.
226detailmuse
>223 Nickelini: I like the intellectual fun of premises such as The Life of Insects. But their overall flatness ... your comments make me think too much goes into the premise at the expense of other aspects of story. It keeps things helpfully simple but it also hinders engagement.
227Nickelini
#226 - Yes, I would tend to agree with your point. In the book's defense, I have to add that I read some reviews of Life of Insects on the internet, and several people were upset about the translation of this one--so maybe the beauty was lost in translation? I'm not likely to learn Russian and reread it, so I'll have to rely on others to tell me.
228bobmcconnaughey
I first read (and very much liked) the short stories in A Werewolf problem in Central Russia - absurdism joined with the fantastic. Light reading at its best; it's not that the themes are simple or simplistic, but the stories are short and (usually) very intriguing.
When i followed that with the life of insects I was a bit disappointed - maybe it was the translation, but i think it was more that i got tired of the central conceit.
When i followed that with the life of insects I was a bit disappointed - maybe it was the translation, but i think it was more that i got tired of the central conceit.
229Nickelini
A Werewolf Problem in Central Russia has been on my wishlist for years just because I love the title. Good to hear the it's also a worthwhile read.
230avaland
>227 Nickelini: I think Andrew Bromfield translated all of the Pelevin books we have and I don't see why this one would be translated badly and the others not. He's a prominent Russian translator. I might be more inclined to think that Bob's idea might have some merit.
>229 Nickelini: My husband read The Sacred Book of the Werewolf (a novel, as opposed to similarly named collection Bob mentioned), and liked it a lot.
btw, here is a great, albeit older interview with Pelevin from BOMB magazine.
>229 Nickelini: My husband read The Sacred Book of the Werewolf (a novel, as opposed to similarly named collection Bob mentioned), and liked it a lot.
btw, here is a great, albeit older interview with Pelevin from BOMB magazine.
231Nickelini
71. Sanctuary Line, Jane Urquhart
2010, Canlit
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments: Urquhart fans will love this one. Can't say more because I'm reviewing it for the next issue of www.Belletrista.com
2010, Canlit
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments: Urquhart fans will love this one. Can't say more because I'm reviewing it for the next issue of www.Belletrista.com
232Nickelini
72. Gothic Tales, Elizabeth Gaskell
1851-1861, British literature
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments: As with every collection, some pieces are better than others. In this book, there are four stories and novellas that I loved, one I had mixed feelings about and four I disliked. However, the strength of the four outweighed the weakness of the others.
I was puzzled why the collection began with "Disappearances," which is more a series of vignettes than an actual story. It was based on real life disappearances that Gaskell had read about. A very weak beginning, but I see in the chronology that the pieces are printed in the order that they were published.
The next story is "The Old Nurses Story," which is a wonderfully typical Gothic ghost story set in a creepy old English house. It was followed by "The Squire's Story," which really isn't so Gothic but interesting all the same. I also loved "Lois the Witch," a story that was obviously inspired by the actual Salem witch trial documentation. My favourite of all, however, was the final story, "The Grey Woman." It started a little slowly, but soon took off and Gaskell maintained the tension for the remaining 50 pages.
I have the Penguin Classics edition (with the wonderful creepy Caspar David Friedrich cover), which includes a lengthy introduction. I found this intro helpful, as for one thing, I wouldn't have understood the story "Curious, if True" without it.
Yeah, so the other stories really didn't do it for me, but because I loved the four that I do, I'll have positive memories of this book.
As for Gaskell's writing, I suspect I'm definitely becoming a fan. I read and liked Cranford a couple of years ago and now know that I'll read more of her. Compared to other 19th century writers, she's not as excessively verbose, and I appreciate that.
Recommended for: readers who want to take a literary trip to 19th century England.
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to read ghostly and ghouly stories to celebrate October, and this one was the oldest on Mnt. TBR.
1851-1861, British literature
Rating: 4/5 stars
Comments: As with every collection, some pieces are better than others. In this book, there are four stories and novellas that I loved, one I had mixed feelings about and four I disliked. However, the strength of the four outweighed the weakness of the others.
I was puzzled why the collection began with "Disappearances," which is more a series of vignettes than an actual story. It was based on real life disappearances that Gaskell had read about. A very weak beginning, but I see in the chronology that the pieces are printed in the order that they were published.
The next story is "The Old Nurses Story," which is a wonderfully typical Gothic ghost story set in a creepy old English house. It was followed by "The Squire's Story," which really isn't so Gothic but interesting all the same. I also loved "Lois the Witch," a story that was obviously inspired by the actual Salem witch trial documentation. My favourite of all, however, was the final story, "The Grey Woman." It started a little slowly, but soon took off and Gaskell maintained the tension for the remaining 50 pages.
I have the Penguin Classics edition (with the wonderful creepy Caspar David Friedrich cover), which includes a lengthy introduction. I found this intro helpful, as for one thing, I wouldn't have understood the story "Curious, if True" without it.
Yeah, so the other stories really didn't do it for me, but because I loved the four that I do, I'll have positive memories of this book.
As for Gaskell's writing, I suspect I'm definitely becoming a fan. I read and liked Cranford a couple of years ago and now know that I'll read more of her. Compared to other 19th century writers, she's not as excessively verbose, and I appreciate that.
Recommended for: readers who want to take a literary trip to 19th century England.
Why I Read This Now: I'm trying to read ghostly and ghouly stories to celebrate October, and this one was the oldest on Mnt. TBR.
233Nickelini
73. Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
2006
Why I Read This Now: this month's selection for my book club
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Comments: I have always found circuses both boring and distasteful. Therefore I now found this book about circuses boring and distasteful. The writing wasn't good enough to rescue the story and make it a worthwhile read despite its setting.
I have often been pleasantly surprised when my book club picks a book I don't want to read. Not in this case--I could just tell.
Recommended for: people who like circuses. However, this book is not very well written, so I'm somewhat flummoxed by all the rave reviews here and at Amazon.
2006
Why I Read This Now: this month's selection for my book club
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Comments: I have always found circuses both boring and distasteful. Therefore I now found this book about circuses boring and distasteful. The writing wasn't good enough to rescue the story and make it a worthwhile read despite its setting.
I have often been pleasantly surprised when my book club picks a book I don't want to read. Not in this case--I could just tell.
Recommended for: people who like circuses. However, this book is not very well written, so I'm somewhat flummoxed by all the rave reviews here and at Amazon.
234Nickelini
74. Halloween Tree, Ray Bradbury
YA, 1972
Comments: In The Halloween Tree, some pre-teen neighbourhood boys gather to trick or treat and instead find themselves whisked off on a time-travelling romp through Halloween history. The book invokes the mythical mid-twentieth century world where there were no parents, or girls either, to get in the way of your fun. Despite a certain charm and some wonderful phrasing by Bradbury, the dialogue—with its unwavering barrage of excitement—and endless run-on sentences was exhausting to read. In the end, this book completely fell flat for me.
Recommended for: I don’t actually recommend it, but if you like andocentric worlds where boys are named Ralph and Wally and say “shucks!” and “gosh,” well you might like this book better than I did.
Why I Read This Now: October is ghosts and ghouls month, and this one was on Mnt TBR. It also filled in a YA spot on my 1010 challenge.
Rating: 2/5 stars
YA, 1972
Comments: In The Halloween Tree, some pre-teen neighbourhood boys gather to trick or treat and instead find themselves whisked off on a time-travelling romp through Halloween history. The book invokes the mythical mid-twentieth century world where there were no parents, or girls either, to get in the way of your fun. Despite a certain charm and some wonderful phrasing by Bradbury, the dialogue—with its unwavering barrage of excitement—and endless run-on sentences was exhausting to read. In the end, this book completely fell flat for me.
Recommended for: I don’t actually recommend it, but if you like andocentric worlds where boys are named Ralph and Wally and say “shucks!” and “gosh,” well you might like this book better than I did.
Why I Read This Now: October is ghosts and ghouls month, and this one was on Mnt TBR. It also filled in a YA spot on my 1010 challenge.
Rating: 2/5 stars
235dchaikin
"I mean, what sort of father gets his four-year old son drunk and teaches him to swear?"
oh fine, I'll cross that one off my to do list...
Just catching up...very entertaining reviews.
oh fine, I'll cross that one off my to do list...
Just catching up...very entertaining reviews.
236kidzdoc
I'll definitely cross Water for Elephants off of my list of possible reads. Nice reviews, Joyce.
237lauralkeet
>236 kidzdoc:: oh God Darryl, yes. While I liked it well enough, I am certain it would make you retch.
238Nickelini
My book club met on Water for Elephants tonight. As predicted, I was the only negative review. However, we had a great discussion and much fun was had by all. They may have convinced me to raise my rating to 2.5 stars.
239detailmuse
I have a soft spot for the aged, and the passages on Jacob as an old-old man carried me through Water for Elephants.
240avaland
>235 dchaikin:,238 The movie comes out in April :-) Stars Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson.
241bonniebooks
I don't like circuses either, because I just feel sorry for the animals, but that's one of the reasons I liked the book because you get the behind-the-scenes look of how they operated--and during the depression, too, which was another interesting aspect of the book . I was drawn to Jacob's story as well. For me, Water for Elephants falls into a category of books that aren't great writing, but are enjoyable, even exciting reads.
242perlle
I am often the lone dissenter in my book club. (And no one ever wants to read what I suggest.) I found myself there again because we just read The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. It has at least one thing in common with Water for Elephants. They were both written in a month.
243Nickelini
75. Annabel, Kathleen Winter
2010
I just finished this and want to think before I write my review for the ER program, but I just wanted to say that this was definitely one of my very best reads of 2010. Five stars.
2010
I just finished this and want to think before I write my review for the ER program, but I just wanted to say that this was definitely one of my very best reads of 2010. Five stars.
244lauralkeet
Oooh, I can't wait to read your review!
245Nickelini
75. Annabel, Kathleen Winter
2010
Rating: 5 stars
Comments:
First off, I have to say that this was definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. Interesting, beautifully written, unique. Winter writes with elegant simplicity. As the blurb on the cover by author Michael Crummey says, “a beautiful book, brimming with heart and uncommon wisdom,” and that sums it up perfectly.
Annabel is the story of a baby born in 1968 in a remote village in Labrador---itself a remote region of Canada—with both male and female genitalia . A decision was made—somewhat reluctantly by his mother and her best friend/midwife-- to raise the baby as male, and so his vagina was stitched shut, he was given life-long meds, and the female side of little Wayne was hidden inside himself. By the time Wayne reaches puberty though, it is clear to him that he is not like any other child, and the truth is revealed to him in bits and pieces. More than just a story of what it’s like to live an intersex life, this is a story of silences and secrets, and all about identity and how we all perform our genders. Winter approaches this all with great dignity and sensitivity. If I have quibble about this book, it’s just that Wayne’s poor mother disappears from the book about 2/3rds of the way through. What happened to her?
I received this book as part of the ER program back in July, but between the frosty blue cover with the deer on it and the author’s name “Winter,” the book just seemed too cold to read in the height of summer. Having read it now I wonder why I took so long—this is a great read any time of the year.
One more small thing: Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” is important to a three of the characters in a few spots. When it came up right near the end I was curious and so pulled it up on YouTube. Of course I recognized it right away. It’s a stunning piece of music, and listening to it as I read the final pages was an enriching experience that brought tears to my eyes.
Annabel was nominated for the literary triple crown in Canada: the Roger’s Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize (which was recently awarded to Emma Donoghue for Room), the Governor General’s Literary Award, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Why I Read This Now: It was a long outstanding ER book, also, I wanted to read it before the Giller announcement next week.
Recommended for: Everyone.
2010
Rating: 5 stars
Comments:
First off, I have to say that this was definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year. Interesting, beautifully written, unique. Winter writes with elegant simplicity. As the blurb on the cover by author Michael Crummey says, “a beautiful book, brimming with heart and uncommon wisdom,” and that sums it up perfectly.
Annabel is the story of a baby born in 1968 in a remote village in Labrador---itself a remote region of Canada—with both male and female genitalia . A decision was made—somewhat reluctantly by his mother and her best friend/midwife-- to raise the baby as male, and so his vagina was stitched shut, he was given life-long meds, and the female side of little Wayne was hidden inside himself. By the time Wayne reaches puberty though, it is clear to him that he is not like any other child, and the truth is revealed to him in bits and pieces. More than just a story of what it’s like to live an intersex life, this is a story of silences and secrets, and all about identity and how we all perform our genders. Winter approaches this all with great dignity and sensitivity. If I have quibble about this book, it’s just that Wayne’s poor mother disappears from the book about 2/3rds of the way through. What happened to her?
I received this book as part of the ER program back in July, but between the frosty blue cover with the deer on it and the author’s name “Winter,” the book just seemed too cold to read in the height of summer. Having read it now I wonder why I took so long—this is a great read any time of the year.
One more small thing: Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” is important to a three of the characters in a few spots. When it came up right near the end I was curious and so pulled it up on YouTube. Of course I recognized it right away. It’s a stunning piece of music, and listening to it as I read the final pages was an enriching experience that brought tears to my eyes.
Annabel was nominated for the literary triple crown in Canada: the Roger’s Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize (which was recently awarded to Emma Donoghue for Room), the Governor General’s Literary Award, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize.
Why I Read This Now: It was a long outstanding ER book, also, I wanted to read it before the Giller announcement next week.
Recommended for: Everyone.
246charbutton
Sounds like a great book. I might have to get it, if only to see how it tackles this subject in comparison with Middlesex.
247lauralkeet
>246 charbutton:: just asked the same question but on your 75 Book thread!
248RidgewayGirl
I just got a copy of Annabel from a friend in Canada. I'll have to read it soon.
249Nickelini
Char - as I said on my other thread, Middlesex just never interested me in the least. If I come across it now, however, I'd like to read it just to compare the two.
250auntmarge64
Middlesex was superb. I'll be very interested to hear a comparison.
253Nickelini
76. A Voice of Her Own: Women and the Journal-Writing Experience, Marlene A. Schiwy
Non-fiction, 1996
Comments: It was with some trepidation that I bought this book. Was it silly to buy a book on journalling? Was it just going to be a bunch of new age mumbo jumbo? Well, I'm happy to say that the new age stuff was kept to a minimum and my gag reflex was never activated.
Was it a waste of money? Well, no. On one hand, the secret to writing a journal is just to write. That's it. No one needs a book to tell them that. However, this book tackled every angle of resistance. It was chock full of advice on overcoming the self-critic, exercises to inspire, how to journal as therapy and life coaching, using the journal to feed the artist muse, etc. and so on. Very helpful! She also debunks rules we journal writers put on ourselves. As she says, "there is no correct way to write a journal." This is very liberating and enriching.
Further, Schiwy has a strong feminist tilt that is wonderful. She is really driven to help women find their voices.
The downside of the book is that Schiwy is extremely long-winded. I'm sure we all know people who are very nice, perhaps even interesting, but who just talk too much. You have things to do, but they won't get off your front porch or let you off the phone. Or, you enjoy their company, but would like to get a word in edgewise. I suspect the author is one of those people. She went on and on about every point, and inserted every example she came across in her research. I often found myself getting cross and muttering "yes, I get it already! You've already told me several times." I would have liked this book better if it were tighter, and only 200 pages instead of over 300.
Recommended for: women who want to maximize their journal writing experience.
Why I Read This Now: I've been looking at this book on Amazon for a few months. I recently saw that Schiwy is teaching a series of journalling classes at the University of British Columbia this fall. I so very much wanted to attend, but it wasn't possible. So I bought the book instead.
Rating 4/5 stars.
Non-fiction, 1996
Comments: It was with some trepidation that I bought this book. Was it silly to buy a book on journalling? Was it just going to be a bunch of new age mumbo jumbo? Well, I'm happy to say that the new age stuff was kept to a minimum and my gag reflex was never activated.
Was it a waste of money? Well, no. On one hand, the secret to writing a journal is just to write. That's it. No one needs a book to tell them that. However, this book tackled every angle of resistance. It was chock full of advice on overcoming the self-critic, exercises to inspire, how to journal as therapy and life coaching, using the journal to feed the artist muse, etc. and so on. Very helpful! She also debunks rules we journal writers put on ourselves. As she says, "there is no correct way to write a journal." This is very liberating and enriching.
Further, Schiwy has a strong feminist tilt that is wonderful. She is really driven to help women find their voices.
The downside of the book is that Schiwy is extremely long-winded. I'm sure we all know people who are very nice, perhaps even interesting, but who just talk too much. You have things to do, but they won't get off your front porch or let you off the phone. Or, you enjoy their company, but would like to get a word in edgewise. I suspect the author is one of those people. She went on and on about every point, and inserted every example she came across in her research. I often found myself getting cross and muttering "yes, I get it already! You've already told me several times." I would have liked this book better if it were tighter, and only 200 pages instead of over 300.
Recommended for: women who want to maximize their journal writing experience.
Why I Read This Now: I've been looking at this book on Amazon for a few months. I recently saw that Schiwy is teaching a series of journalling classes at the University of British Columbia this fall. I so very much wanted to attend, but it wasn't possible. So I bought the book instead.
Rating 4/5 stars.
254RidgewayGirl
I'm not a fan of the 'write your dreams' school of creative writing, with the journals of handmade Nepalese paper and lavender fountain pens, but then I'm a cynical, cranky mess.
My favorite journaling book is Writing Down the Bones, which is straightforward, inspiring, practical and keeps the frou-frou to a minimum.
My favorite journaling book is Writing Down the Bones, which is straightforward, inspiring, practical and keeps the frou-frou to a minimum.
255bonniebooks
I want to read Writing Down the Bones again. I remember it being so good--not that I followed any of the advice, unfortunately.
256Nickelini
I'm not a fan of the 'write your dreams' school of creative writing, with the journals of handmade Nepalese paper and lavender fountain pens, but then I'm a cynical, cranky mess.
Eh, ick. No, me neither. A Voice of Her Own certainly doesn't fit into that category at all (although the author would say that if handmade Nepalese paper and lavender fountain pens is what you need to write then go for it). I actually didn't like Writing Down the Bones much, but then I may have been in a cynical, cranky, messy mood when I read it. I had recently read Bird by Bird, which I preferred.
Eh, ick. No, me neither. A Voice of Her Own certainly doesn't fit into that category at all (although the author would say that if handmade Nepalese paper and lavender fountain pens is what you need to write then go for it). I actually didn't like Writing Down the Bones much, but then I may have been in a cynical, cranky, messy mood when I read it. I had recently read Bird by Bird, which I preferred.
257Mr.Durick
I want a lavender fountain pen, preferably a Pelikan, a DuPont, or a Namiki, but a Montblanc or a Montegrappa would be pleasant. I'd rather have Rhodia or Clairefontaine (a possible spelling) stationery than anything hand made though.
Robert
Robert
258Nickelini
Well, we're talkin' two different things here. First, I do not need a special lavender fountain pen in order to write a journal. That said, I absolutely covet the violet fountain pen that Juliette07 showed me when I visited her in England. Not only did she get the pen from her father, but the ink is the perfect shade. To die for. However, I do not need it in order to journal. So although I do not have your connoisseurship of fine writing utensils, Mr. Durick (aka "Robert"), I also appreciate a fine pen. Thank you for speaking up with the desired brand names if ever I am in the market for a better-quality pen. Currently I am enjoying my Zebra brand gel pens (hunter green is a perennial fav, tho I'm leaning toward indigo lately).
259wandering_star
I am especially fond, at the moment, of Muji's wide range of different coloured pens with different thickness of nibs! 0.38mm is, in my view, perfect.
260Nickelini
77. Regeneration, Pat Barker
1991, historical fiction
Why I Read This Now: I'm doing a personal World War I theme read for the month of November, and I want to read Barker's trilogy. This first book in the set is also on the 1001 Book list.
Comments: This World War I book is set a hospital in Scotland that treats soldiers with what was then called shell-shock. Barker mixes both imagined characters (such as Billy Prior) with historical people (Dr Rivers, Wilfred Owen, Sigfried Sassoon, Robert Graves) to tell her story.
I don't have a lot to say about this book--perhaps because I've seen the movie twice already. But I did really like the book.
Rating: 4 stars
Recommended for: readers who are interested in WWI, but perhaps not really the battles of WWI.
1991, historical fiction
Why I Read This Now: I'm doing a personal World War I theme read for the month of November, and I want to read Barker's trilogy. This first book in the set is also on the 1001 Book list.
Comments: This World War I book is set a hospital in Scotland that treats soldiers with what was then called shell-shock. Barker mixes both imagined characters (such as Billy Prior) with historical people (Dr Rivers, Wilfred Owen, Sigfried Sassoon, Robert Graves) to tell her story.
I don't have a lot to say about this book--perhaps because I've seen the movie twice already. But I did really like the book.
Rating: 4 stars
Recommended for: readers who are interested in WWI, but perhaps not really the battles of WWI.
261Nickelini
78. The Wars, Timothy Findley
1977, historical fiction (or perhaps even "historiographic metafiction")
Why I Read This Now: book two for my personal WWI theme read.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: This novel is narrated by a historian who is trying to put together the story of Robert Ross, a controversial young Canadian officer in WWI.
I'm at a loss on how to describe this book. I find WWI stories usually interest me (it is my "favourite" war, after all), so I expected to like this one too. But it's very different, and I liked that. More post-modern than most historical fiction, and I find that rather interesting. I'm babbling--just go read it and see what you think. I wish I would have come across this one in my classes at university--it would have been great fun to write about.
Winner of the 1977 Governor-General's award.
Recommended for: readers who want a different kind of war book. Also, readers who like books with horses in them. Horses are very important in this story.
1977, historical fiction (or perhaps even "historiographic metafiction")
Why I Read This Now: book two for my personal WWI theme read.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Comments: This novel is narrated by a historian who is trying to put together the story of Robert Ross, a controversial young Canadian officer in WWI.
I'm at a loss on how to describe this book. I find WWI stories usually interest me (it is my "favourite" war, after all), so I expected to like this one too. But it's very different, and I liked that. More post-modern than most historical fiction, and I find that rather interesting. I'm babbling--just go read it and see what you think. I wish I would have come across this one in my classes at university--it would have been great fun to write about.
Winner of the 1977 Governor-General's award.
Recommended for: readers who want a different kind of war book. Also, readers who like books with horses in them. Horses are very important in this story.
262Nickelini
79. The Eye in the Door, Pat Barker
1993, Historical fiction
Comments: In this second installment of the Regeneration trilogy, Rivers, Prior and Sassoon return to fight the contemporary climate that says the war is going poorly due to pacifism, homosexuality and general cowardice. I enjoyed this one at least as much as the first--if not more. A rather detailed homosexual act early in the novel may unsettle some readers, but it does not set the tone for the whole book. Definitely recommended.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: Doing a personal WWI theme read this month.
Recommended for: People who like war books without battles, people who like better quality historical fiction.
1993, Historical fiction
Comments: In this second installment of the Regeneration trilogy, Rivers, Prior and Sassoon return to fight the contemporary climate that says the war is going poorly due to pacifism, homosexuality and general cowardice. I enjoyed this one at least as much as the first--if not more. A rather detailed homosexual act early in the novel may unsettle some readers, but it does not set the tone for the whole book. Definitely recommended.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Why I Read This Now: Doing a personal WWI theme read this month.
Recommended for: People who like war books without battles, people who like better quality historical fiction.
263bonniebooks
79: The premise of that book sounds rather offensive. Were that there were more of all three if it could keep us out of wars.
264lauralkeet
>263 bonniebooks:: Were that there were more of all three if it could keep us out of wars.. True, Bonnie. But I wouldn't say these books are offensive; that is, if you have pacifist leanings. Barker's trilogy is decidedly anti-war.
265RidgewayGirl
The trilogy is astonishingly good. I read it a few years ago and think it's almost time to reread it.
266Nickelini
Bonnie - if the premise sounds offensive then it's only because I didn't describe it properly. (Unless, of course, you think that pacifism, homosexuality and cowardice are the reasons that wars go poorly.) I've started the final book in the series--Ghost Road and so far it's fabulous.
267bonniebooks
I think I missed a few important words when I read your review earlier, Joyce--never mind! Lol!
269Nickelini
80. the Ghost Road, Pat Barker
1995, Historical fiction
Why I Read This Now: to complete the Regeneration trilogy, which I'm reading as part of my WWI theme read this November. This book is also a Booker award winner and on the 1001 books list.
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I think this one is probably the best-written of the Regeneration trilogy--I think the symbolism was particularly sharp. Interesting story, and I think it would stand on its own, but I'm glad that I read the other two books first. I suspect the Booker Prize was really for the whole series and not just this one book. I know some readers didn't like the sections where Rivers remembers Melanesia, but I didn't mind them--possibly because I've been there and think Barker captured it quite well.
Recommended for: Obviously anyone who has read the earlier two books, but also anyone who likes war stories that are different from the usual.
1995, Historical fiction
Why I Read This Now: to complete the Regeneration trilogy, which I'm reading as part of my WWI theme read this November. This book is also a Booker award winner and on the 1001 books list.
Rating: 4/5
Comments: I think this one is probably the best-written of the Regeneration trilogy--I think the symbolism was particularly sharp. Interesting story, and I think it would stand on its own, but I'm glad that I read the other two books first. I suspect the Booker Prize was really for the whole series and not just this one book. I know some readers didn't like the sections where Rivers remembers Melanesia, but I didn't mind them--possibly because I've been there and think Barker captured it quite well.
Recommended for: Obviously anyone who has read the earlier two books, but also anyone who likes war stories that are different from the usual.
270Nickelini
81. Quiverfull: Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement, Kathryn Joyce
2009, non-fiction, cultural studies
Comments: The title, Quiverfull, refers to Psalms 127 which directs us to give birth to a quiverfull of God's arrows. Followers of Quiverfull philosophy are setting out to create a pure church, which strictly follows the Bible literally. They believe in a strict patriarchal structure with all females in total submission to the males in their lives. They leave God to open and close the womb, meaning no birth control, including the rhythm method. This ensures a full quiver of between five and twenty children for each family.
These children are home schooled and kept under tight control to prevent any outside influences. In this way, the movement's leaders hope to flood the US with a powerful group of pure Christians who will save the country while preparing for Christ's return.
Although there are only about 10,000 followers in the US (with a smattering in other English speaking countries)--a true fringe group--there are many more people who subscribe to these beliefs without self-identifying as a Quiverfull family. Many protestants who have left the mainstream churches because they aren't Biblical enough stumble into this lifestyle without realizing it has a name. Also, this isn't a strictly cohesive group--they range from the typical Christians who only care about God, Church and the Family all the way to extremist Taliban-like dangerous nutjobs (e.g.: Andrea Yates, who murdered her five children, was a Quiverfull mother who was mixed in with a extremely dangerous pastor)
Unfortunately, in reality, most Quiverfull families are not living the good life as exemplified by the most famous bunch--reality TV's Duggar Family of 19 Kids and Counting fame. Instead, most of these families struggle on one small income and daily life is quite harsh for them. Women live a cycle of housework, birth, breastfeeding and home schooling--oh, and church, of course. Schooling for girls is sometimes neglected and there is certainly no need for post-secondary education for those without a penis. Instead the ideal daughter should focus on serving the men in her life, by doing things such as "fetchng a father's slippers for him in order to free the father up for weightier dominion tasks in reclaiming the world for Christ."
Kathyrn Joyce is a feminist and not a Christian, so obviously her book is not written in support of this lifestyle. However, she stays away from pointed observation and lets the adherents speak for themselves through their own words.
I think the biggest fault of this book is that for all the research she obviously did, the author neglected to cite her sources directly. Otherwise, this was a thought-provoking and eye opening read.
Why I Read This Now: I hadn't planned to, but I was a little bored with the novel I'm reading, and then I read an interesting article at the AlterNet site ( http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/149022/creepy_christian_patriarchy_m..., and I just couldn't NOT read it. I mean, it has it all--cultural studies! wacky fundamentalists! Atrocities against women that get my feminist hackles up! How could I let it just sit on my shelf?
Recommended for: Readers interested in -cultural studies! wacky fundamentalists! Atrocities against women that get your feminist hackles up!
2009, non-fiction, cultural studies
Comments: The title, Quiverfull, refers to Psalms 127 which directs us to give birth to a quiverfull of God's arrows. Followers of Quiverfull philosophy are setting out to create a pure church, which strictly follows the Bible literally. They believe in a strict patriarchal structure with all females in total submission to the males in their lives. They leave God to open and close the womb, meaning no birth control, including the rhythm method. This ensures a full quiver of between five and twenty children for each family.
These children are home schooled and kept under tight control to prevent any outside influences. In this way, the movement's leaders hope to flood the US with a powerful group of pure Christians who will save the country while preparing for Christ's return.
Although there are only about 10,000 followers in the US (with a smattering in other English speaking countries)--a true fringe group--there are many more people who subscribe to these beliefs without self-identifying as a Quiverfull family. Many protestants who have left the mainstream churches because they aren't Biblical enough stumble into this lifestyle without realizing it has a name. Also, this isn't a strictly cohesive group--they range from the typical Christians who only care about God, Church and the Family all the way to extremist Taliban-like dangerous nutjobs (e.g.: Andrea Yates, who murdered her five children, was a Quiverfull mother who was mixed in with a extremely dangerous pastor)
Unfortunately, in reality, most Quiverfull families are not living the good life as exemplified by the most famous bunch--reality TV's Duggar Family of 19 Kids and Counting fame. Instead, most of these families struggle on one small income and daily life is quite harsh for them. Women live a cycle of housework, birth, breastfeeding and home schooling--oh, and church, of course. Schooling for girls is sometimes neglected and there is certainly no need for post-secondary education for those without a penis. Instead the ideal daughter should focus on serving the men in her life, by doing things such as "fetchng a father's slippers for him in order to free the father up for weightier dominion tasks in reclaiming the world for Christ."
Kathyrn Joyce is a feminist and not a Christian, so obviously her book is not written in support of this lifestyle. However, she stays away from pointed observation and lets the adherents speak for themselves through their own words.
I think the biggest fault of this book is that for all the research she obviously did, the author neglected to cite her sources directly. Otherwise, this was a thought-provoking and eye opening read.
Why I Read This Now: I hadn't planned to, but I was a little bored with the novel I'm reading, and then I read an interesting article at the AlterNet site ( http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/149022/creepy_christian_patriarchy_m..., and I just couldn't NOT read it. I mean, it has it all--cultural studies! wacky fundamentalists! Atrocities against women that get my feminist hackles up! How could I let it just sit on my shelf?
Recommended for: Readers interested in -cultural studies! wacky fundamentalists! Atrocities against women that get your feminist hackles up!
271fannyprice
>270 Nickelini:, Ugh, Joyce, I am disgusted and intrigued at the same time. I love your "recommended for" - this is me, to a T.....
272dukedom_enough
I find the Quiverfull movement fascinating and horrifying. Who needs science fiction, when we share the planet with people having beliefs so different from ours? The strict Quiverfull adherents may not have large numbers, but there are a great many people who aren't far different in their views. I read that not one of the major anti-choice groups promotes birth control (other than rhythm).
273rebeccanyc
For a lighthearted moment before I comment on the Quiverfull movement, dukedom's comment reminds me of the old joke: What do you call people who use the rhythm method? (Answer at end of post.)
The quiverfull thing is truly creepy. It is hard to believe though, that they will achieve their aim of flooding the US with these people because the life is so hard and the kids sound like they will end up at best not very able to do anything and at worst seriously psychologically disturbed. It would be interesting to compare them to other groups that try to remove themselves from modern reality -- it is very difficult to do.
Answer to joke: Parents.
The quiverfull thing is truly creepy. It is hard to believe though, that they will achieve their aim of flooding the US with these people because the life is so hard and the kids sound like they will end up at best not very able to do anything and at worst seriously psychologically disturbed. It would be interesting to compare them to other groups that try to remove themselves from modern reality -- it is very difficult to do.
Answer to joke: Parents.
274Nickelini
Yeah, I really don't think they have a chance, either. However, they may be able to make a mess of things where messes shouldn't be made.
275janemarieprice
It's quite frightening and mesmerizing at the same time. I'm tempted to add it to the wishlist but don't know that I would ever be able to make myself pick it up.
276Nickelini
82. Love in a Cold Climate, Nancy Mitford
Britlit, 1949
Comments: I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, and can open at any point and enjoy the words on the page, but in the end it didn’t add up to much. In 2007, I read In Pursuit of Love, which is included in this same volume. I had really liked it, and rated it four stars, so I was always looking forward to getting to this second novel in the book. It’s very much the same—actually, it’s too much the same. I like her wry commentary on upper class 1930s English society, and I like the sort of Jane Austen-Evelyn Waugh feel to the books. But really, they do go on and on without any sort of direction. That, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the aimlessness of Love in a Cold Climate made me not really care, and I started avoiding the book. What should have been a quick book ended up taking 16 days to read. My pace did pick up after I got to Part 2—it didn’t seem as aimless as the first part, and I found myself rather enjoying it. Both In Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate were included in the original 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, and Pursuit was dropped in later editions. I’m not sure why they thought Love was the one to keep, but I do agree that one is sufficient and they both don’t need to be there. In fact, I’m not sure that either deserves a spot on the list. Although I did enjoy some of my time in the Mitford world, the charm has gone off, and I’m generously giving Love in a Cold Climate three stars.
Rating: 3 stars
Why I Read This Now: Book had been hanging around since 2007
Recommended for: someone who likes Evelyn Waugh and Jane Austen.
Britlit, 1949
Comments: I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked it, and can open at any point and enjoy the words on the page, but in the end it didn’t add up to much. In 2007, I read In Pursuit of Love, which is included in this same volume. I had really liked it, and rated it four stars, so I was always looking forward to getting to this second novel in the book. It’s very much the same—actually, it’s too much the same. I like her wry commentary on upper class 1930s English society, and I like the sort of Jane Austen-Evelyn Waugh feel to the books. But really, they do go on and on without any sort of direction. That, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the aimlessness of Love in a Cold Climate made me not really care, and I started avoiding the book. What should have been a quick book ended up taking 16 days to read. My pace did pick up after I got to Part 2—it didn’t seem as aimless as the first part, and I found myself rather enjoying it. Both In Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate were included in the original 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, and Pursuit was dropped in later editions. I’m not sure why they thought Love was the one to keep, but I do agree that one is sufficient and they both don’t need to be there. In fact, I’m not sure that either deserves a spot on the list. Although I did enjoy some of my time in the Mitford world, the charm has gone off, and I’m generously giving Love in a Cold Climate three stars.
Rating: 3 stars
Why I Read This Now: Book had been hanging around since 2007
Recommended for: someone who likes Evelyn Waugh and Jane Austen.
277citygirl
Have you ever noticed that sometimes the wonderful thing about an author is that you've never read her before? And then you get used to her voice or themes and then the books can seem meh?
278lilisin
277 -
I'm having that problem whenever I read an Isabel Allende books these days. They're still good but they've become so formulaic that I'm like "meh, could be better". And I get duped every time I see a new book by her. "Yay a new Allende! Oh wait, I've seen this plot before." Very disappointing.
I'm having that problem whenever I read an Isabel Allende books these days. They're still good but they've become so formulaic that I'm like "meh, could be better". And I get duped every time I see a new book by her. "Yay a new Allende! Oh wait, I've seen this plot before." Very disappointing.
279wandering_star
#277 - yes, definitely - that happens to me a lot but you have expressed it really well.
I also find that I get fooled by any author where I liked the first book of theirs that I read - even if I never liked any others I still see books by them and think 'ooh, I like that writer'...
I also find that I get fooled by any author where I liked the first book of theirs that I read - even if I never liked any others I still see books by them and think 'ooh, I like that writer'...
280citygirl
I know, me too, and then it's like: correction: I reeeeelly liked that one book. For example, Rebecca is one of my favorites but I have never been able to finish another du Maurier.
281RidgewayGirl
For me, really loving a book by a new-to-me author can prevent me reading another by them for years because what if it's not as good?
282bonniebooks
Rebecca was another book I really enjoyed as a teenager. >281 RidgewayGirl: and above. I almost always think that the first book I read by an author is their best one. It doesn't keep me from reading another one, but I've learned to put some time between books by the same author, so I don't sick of that author's style.
283detailmuse
There are many writers I'm waiting to mark as "favorite authors" -- but I won't until I've read and loved at least two of their books. Some have only written debuts, but I do have seconds etc by others in my TBRs.
284Nickelini
83. Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truman Capote
1959
Comments: I think my main problem with this book is that this Holly Golightly is no Audrey Hepburn, and I adore Audrey Hepburn. In fact, now that I think about it, the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's is sort of weird and pretty annoying, and the only thing that makes it watchable is Audrey. So, yeah, the book didn't really do it for me. But on the upside, it was short and not difficult to read.
Recommended for: readers looking to check something off the 1001 books list.
Why I Read This Now: I was expecting it to be a sparkly read for the end of the year.
Rating: 3 generous stars
1959
Comments: I think my main problem with this book is that this Holly Golightly is no Audrey Hepburn, and I adore Audrey Hepburn. In fact, now that I think about it, the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's is sort of weird and pretty annoying, and the only thing that makes it watchable is Audrey. So, yeah, the book didn't really do it for me. But on the upside, it was short and not difficult to read.
Recommended for: readers looking to check something off the 1001 books list.
Why I Read This Now: I was expecting it to be a sparkly read for the end of the year.
Rating: 3 generous stars
285Cait86
I've always wanted to read Breakfast at Tiffany's, but maybe not so much anymore. I love Audrey Hepburn too, and I wouldn't want the book to ruin the movie for me... I read somewhere that Capote thought Hepburn was all wrong for the role of Holly Golightly - he wanted Marilyn Monroe!
Merry Christmas Joyce!
Merry Christmas Joyce!
286Nickelini
Cait - Now that you mention it, I've heard that before. Ugh! Audrey Hepburn is WAY upscale compared to Holly Golightly in the novella, and I like that. Having read the story, I still can't see Monroe in that part, even though Holly was blonde. As another LT friend said, "Holly Golightly in the book is quite a whore". Anyway, it's a very quick read, so if you do decide to read it you're not risking any big investment.
Have a fabulous Christmas too!
Have a fabulous Christmas too!
287rebeccanyc
Yes, the book is much darker than the movie; after all, they couldn't let Audrey Hepburn really seem to be a prostitute. And the American public probably wouldn't have gone for a true-to-the-novel movie, at that time.
288Nickelini
Usually I like the edgier version. But not this time. Audrey Hepburn just made it her own and took it away from Capote's version.
289Nickelini
84. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
1813
Rating: how do I give a book more than 5 stars? As Ralphie imagines in A Christmas Story, A+++++++++++++++++
Why I Read This Now: I was actually having trouble showing my face around here--what kind of book obsessed, LibraryThing aficionado and Jane Austen fan hasn't read Pride and Prejudice? Well, it goes like this. I've been reading one Austen book a year, and I thought I'd save the so-called best for last. Also, I own the BBC/A&E version, I've seen the dreadful Kiera Knightly version and the wonderful Bollywood Bride and Prejudice, I have Bridget Jones's Diary all but memorized, and I've watched Lost in Austen three times. So really, I was wondering if it was really necessary to read the book.
Comments: Despite my familiarity with both Austen's writing and the story itself, I was in for a huge, pleasant surprise. I really believed that Mansfield Park would always be my favourite of her novels, but no, it gets solidly bumped down to number two. P & P is indeed Austen's masterpiece. On every page there was something new to amuse me. This book was not just my favourite of the year, it has earned a place on my top 5 of all time. I'm looking forward to many rereadings over the years as Austen's humour will continue to delight. Add me to the legions of rabid P&P fans.
Recommended for: people who like really good books. Duh.
1813
Rating: how do I give a book more than 5 stars? As Ralphie imagines in A Christmas Story, A+++++++++++++++++
Why I Read This Now: I was actually having trouble showing my face around here--what kind of book obsessed, LibraryThing aficionado and Jane Austen fan hasn't read Pride and Prejudice? Well, it goes like this. I've been reading one Austen book a year, and I thought I'd save the so-called best for last. Also, I own the BBC/A&E version, I've seen the dreadful Kiera Knightly version and the wonderful Bollywood Bride and Prejudice, I have Bridget Jones's Diary all but memorized, and I've watched Lost in Austen three times. So really, I was wondering if it was really necessary to read the book.
Comments: Despite my familiarity with both Austen's writing and the story itself, I was in for a huge, pleasant surprise. I really believed that Mansfield Park would always be my favourite of her novels, but no, it gets solidly bumped down to number two. P & P is indeed Austen's masterpiece. On every page there was something new to amuse me. This book was not just my favourite of the year, it has earned a place on my top 5 of all time. I'm looking forward to many rereadings over the years as Austen's humour will continue to delight. Add me to the legions of rabid P&P fans.
Recommended for: people who like really good books. Duh.
290RidgewayGirl
Yep, it's a good book, alright.
291Nickelini
85. The Making of Pride and Prejudice, Sue Birtwistle and Susie Conkin
1995, Non-fiction
Rating: another 5 star book (by that I mean 5 stars for a book of its type)
Comment: This 120 page book was packaged with my 10th anniversary boxed set of DVDs of the BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice. My expectations were quite low as I usually find books like this to be poorly written. So when it turned out to be an extremely interesting page-turner, I was pleasantly surprised.
The book covers all the details of putting making a film. I was especially fascinated by the part on finding locations. The costume design part was also very interesting. Each section is written by the expert who handled that section of making the film. And there's a whole chapter by Colin Firth on how he approached Darcy!
Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennet) had something very interesting to say about learning the dialogue: "It's the hardest dialogue I've ever had to learn. Shakespeare is a doodle compared to Jane Austen. I think this is essentially because the sense of the line comes at the end of it and also the lines are much longer. When I get to the end of a sentence I usually say 'Oh, I see!' and then I have to go back and read it again. Sometimes the thoughts are quite convoluted--you do all these hairpin bends--so it takes some getting used to. But it's like anything--by the end I found it much easier to learn. It's like learning another language." I think that captures the challenge of reading Austen that a lot of readers experience!
The book is chock-a-block with high quality colour photos, and from a graphic design standpoint, it is a delight. It looks as if no expense was spared.
Recommended for: Obviously, anyone who loves the film, but I also recommend it to anyone who is interested in the details of how films--especially period ones-- are made.
Why I Read This Now: I just wanted to look at the pictures one day, and then I just started reading.
1995, Non-fiction
Rating: another 5 star book (by that I mean 5 stars for a book of its type)
Comment: This 120 page book was packaged with my 10th anniversary boxed set of DVDs of the BBC/A&E production of Pride and Prejudice. My expectations were quite low as I usually find books like this to be poorly written. So when it turned out to be an extremely interesting page-turner, I was pleasantly surprised.
The book covers all the details of putting making a film. I was especially fascinated by the part on finding locations. The costume design part was also very interesting. Each section is written by the expert who handled that section of making the film. And there's a whole chapter by Colin Firth on how he approached Darcy!
Jennifer Ehle (who played Elizabeth Bennet) had something very interesting to say about learning the dialogue: "It's the hardest dialogue I've ever had to learn. Shakespeare is a doodle compared to Jane Austen. I think this is essentially because the sense of the line comes at the end of it and also the lines are much longer. When I get to the end of a sentence I usually say 'Oh, I see!' and then I have to go back and read it again. Sometimes the thoughts are quite convoluted--you do all these hairpin bends--so it takes some getting used to. But it's like anything--by the end I found it much easier to learn. It's like learning another language." I think that captures the challenge of reading Austen that a lot of readers experience!
The book is chock-a-block with high quality colour photos, and from a graphic design standpoint, it is a delight. It looks as if no expense was spared.
Recommended for: Obviously, anyone who loves the film, but I also recommend it to anyone who is interested in the details of how films--especially period ones-- are made.
Why I Read This Now: I just wanted to look at the pictures one day, and then I just started reading.
292Nickelini
86. Yes You Can! Your Guide to Becoming an Activist, Jane Drake & Ann Love
2010, Non-fiction
note: touchstone says "your guide to changing the world," but it appears to link to the correct book. Go figure.
Why I Read This Now: This is an ER program book.
Comments: In 2010 I found myself thinking about social activism more than ever, so when this book became available through the ER program, I jumped at a chance to read it. I didn't realize that it was marketed for a teen audience. That wasn't a detriment, however, as most of the information in the book is applicable to a wider-audience.
This slim volume is well organized and packed with information. The chapters, or "steps" as the authors call them, tackle one issue each. They include an inspirational background story (for example, the beginnings of Greenpeace, or a short history of Gandhi), a section on useful strategies and tips for skill development, and finally conclude with a timeline of milestones and setbacks of a particular movement. Regardless of whether your area social activism is at the neighbourhood or global level, this book has helpful information, inspiration and advice to get you moving on your chosen cause. The writing is clear and concise and doesn't condescend to the audience. I also appreciate that the publisher included a useful index.
Recommended for: anyone who is interesting in getting involved in social change, whatever their age.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
2010, Non-fiction
note: touchstone says "your guide to changing the world," but it appears to link to the correct book. Go figure.
Why I Read This Now: This is an ER program book.
Comments: In 2010 I found myself thinking about social activism more than ever, so when this book became available through the ER program, I jumped at a chance to read it. I didn't realize that it was marketed for a teen audience. That wasn't a detriment, however, as most of the information in the book is applicable to a wider-audience.
This slim volume is well organized and packed with information. The chapters, or "steps" as the authors call them, tackle one issue each. They include an inspirational background story (for example, the beginnings of Greenpeace, or a short history of Gandhi), a section on useful strategies and tips for skill development, and finally conclude with a timeline of milestones and setbacks of a particular movement. Regardless of whether your area social activism is at the neighbourhood or global level, this book has helpful information, inspiration and advice to get you moving on your chosen cause. The writing is clear and concise and doesn't condescend to the audience. I also appreciate that the publisher included a useful index.
Recommended for: anyone who is interesting in getting involved in social change, whatever their age.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
293Nickelini
87. Parrot and Olivier in America, Peter Carey
2010, audiobook
Why I Read This Now: I've actually been listening to this audiobook since I think September. I needed something to download to my iPod for when I do mindless chores, and this was all that was available at the library. Although I do like historical fiction, this isn't set in one of my time periods and the subject matter didn't interest me. However, I had heard wonderful things about Peter Carey, so thought I'd give it a try.
Comments:
1. The book itself: Although the story isn't one I'd normally select, Peter Carey is such a fabulous writer that I was drawn in right from the beginning. I think his talent is really for great characters and great dialogue. Both the French Olivier and the English Parrot made quips and observations about the USA of the 1830s that could easily still apply today, and I found those particularly funny. I'd say that this book was just a little bit Dickensish.
2. Audiobook: the reader was Humphrey Bower, and he was excellent. The book was written in the first person by both main characters, and he did appropriate accents for each. His particular reading made Parrot an extremely sympathetic and somewhat loveable character, and I think he nailed the lower class English accent. But his real talent was getting Olivier just right--I've heard a number of readers criticize this book because they find Olivier too much. Bower's French aristocrat accent is pompous and silly, but just restrained enough so that he doesn't cross the line into farce. You can just hear that despite all his self-importance, Olivier is a short-sited, asthmatic little twirp. Instead of being too much, he's really quite funny.
3. Listening to books on the iPod: I must take a minute to disparage the iPod as a device for listening to audiobooks. The controls are extremely crude and I ended up listening to the same parts twice because it's impossible to mark your place, and it's almost impossible to get to where you left off. I'm so looking forward to the technology that will replace the iPod!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: fans of quality historical fiction.
2010, audiobook
Why I Read This Now: I've actually been listening to this audiobook since I think September. I needed something to download to my iPod for when I do mindless chores, and this was all that was available at the library. Although I do like historical fiction, this isn't set in one of my time periods and the subject matter didn't interest me. However, I had heard wonderful things about Peter Carey, so thought I'd give it a try.
Comments:
1. The book itself: Although the story isn't one I'd normally select, Peter Carey is such a fabulous writer that I was drawn in right from the beginning. I think his talent is really for great characters and great dialogue. Both the French Olivier and the English Parrot made quips and observations about the USA of the 1830s that could easily still apply today, and I found those particularly funny. I'd say that this book was just a little bit Dickensish.
2. Audiobook: the reader was Humphrey Bower, and he was excellent. The book was written in the first person by both main characters, and he did appropriate accents for each. His particular reading made Parrot an extremely sympathetic and somewhat loveable character, and I think he nailed the lower class English accent. But his real talent was getting Olivier just right--I've heard a number of readers criticize this book because they find Olivier too much. Bower's French aristocrat accent is pompous and silly, but just restrained enough so that he doesn't cross the line into farce. You can just hear that despite all his self-importance, Olivier is a short-sited, asthmatic little twirp. Instead of being too much, he's really quite funny.
3. Listening to books on the iPod: I must take a minute to disparage the iPod as a device for listening to audiobooks. The controls are extremely crude and I ended up listening to the same parts twice because it's impossible to mark your place, and it's almost impossible to get to where you left off. I'm so looking forward to the technology that will replace the iPod!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for: fans of quality historical fiction.
294bonniebooks
La-la-la... Ignoring your previous post until I read the book for myself, but totally agree with you on being able to enjoy Pride and Prejudice multiple times.
295Nickelini
La-la-la... Ignoring your previous post until I read the book for myself
You're too funny! Don't worry, no spoilers. I mostly just said that I liked it. I've never read Peter Carey before, but he definitely earned a new fan with this one.
You're too funny! Don't worry, no spoilers. I mostly just said that I liked it. I've never read Peter Carey before, but he definitely earned a new fan with this one.
296Nickelini
88. Amsterdam, Ian McEwan
1998
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Comments: What an odd little book. A lot of readers have disparaged this one, and I can understand their criticisms. However, I really like McEwan's way with language, the strange twists and turns he steers the reader through. Further, I think he makes some interesting observations about our culture. While many found the ending preposterous, I found it amusing.
Overall, a quick, well-written, interesting read.
Why I Read This Now: I wanted to read something short that I knew I could finish this year, and also, I like Ian McEwan and hadn't read him in a while.
Recommended for: readers who can enjoy a book even though they don't particularly like the main characters. Also, anyone trying to read the Booker Prize winners.
1998
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Comments: What an odd little book. A lot of readers have disparaged this one, and I can understand their criticisms. However, I really like McEwan's way with language, the strange twists and turns he steers the reader through. Further, I think he makes some interesting observations about our culture. While many found the ending preposterous, I found it amusing.
Overall, a quick, well-written, interesting read.
Why I Read This Now: I wanted to read something short that I knew I could finish this year, and also, I like Ian McEwan and hadn't read him in a while.
Recommended for: readers who can enjoy a book even though they don't particularly like the main characters. Also, anyone trying to read the Booker Prize winners.
297Nickelini
89. The Girl Who Cried Flowers, Jane Yolen
1974
Comments: Although published as a children's book, there is nothing childish about this collection of original fairy tales. Jane Yolen has a gift of capturing the feel and language of ancient folk tales and myths. My favourite is "The Lad Who Stared Everyone Down," although the title story was also hauntingly fine. The illustrations are clearly 20th century, but with just the right touch of timelessness and history.
Why I Read This Now: Sneaking one more in for my 1010 challenge. Also, it's been sitting around my bedroom forever.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I think it could easily be rated higher based on the writing, but I'm just not that into fairy tales. I think I like the idea of them better than the actuality of them (if that makes any sense).
Recommended for: readers who like fairy tales, of course!
1974
Comments: Although published as a children's book, there is nothing childish about this collection of original fairy tales. Jane Yolen has a gift of capturing the feel and language of ancient folk tales and myths. My favourite is "The Lad Who Stared Everyone Down," although the title story was also hauntingly fine. The illustrations are clearly 20th century, but with just the right touch of timelessness and history.
Why I Read This Now: Sneaking one more in for my 1010 challenge. Also, it's been sitting around my bedroom forever.
Rating: 3.5 stars. I think it could easily be rated higher based on the writing, but I'm just not that into fairy tales. I think I like the idea of them better than the actuality of them (if that makes any sense).
Recommended for: readers who like fairy tales, of course!
