Bibliovore's Dilemma

Little Bee

2009-03-06T11:36:00.003-06:00

Author: Chris Cleave
Published: 2008 (in Britain)
Genre: Fiction
Age: Adult
Pages: 260
Synopsis: The story of two women, one British and one Nigerian, who meet unexpectedly on a beach and whose lives are forever altered and intertwined as a result.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed Cleave's writing (a real critic would probably say he "marveled at Cleave's rich prose") and the characters he created, particularly Little Bee. Her unique way of looking at the world was at times poignant, at times entertaining, but always intriguing. The story line was captivating enough, although by the end I began to grow weary.

Although a work of fiction, Cleave based a good deal of his story on actual conflicts and atrocities being committed in modern day Nigeria and the inhuman conditions in UK immigrant detention centers. This inevitably created a great deal of strife throughout the story and while reading about such things usually leaves me depressed, I found myself still able to enjoy the book, which is a credit to Cleave's 'rich prose.'

My Recommendation:
This story contains graphic violence of just about every sort imaginable (rape, suicide, etc.) and so I would only recommend it for adults.

Selected Quote:
"Horror in your country is something you take a dose of to remind yourself that you are not suffering from it."

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2009-02-27T09:31:00.002-06:00

Author: Jeff Kinney
Published: 2007
Target Age: 9-12
Genre: Children/Graphic Novel ('A novel in cartoons')
Series: First of 3
Synopsis: Greg is a middle school student dealing with the typical issues of adolescence--girls, grades, bullies, siblings, parents, etc.

My Thoughts:
A quick, easy read. The humor is definitely geared toward middle schoolers, but I found myself laughing--particularly at the illustrations. There's not really a plot line, but I guess I shouldn't have expected one from a diary. I think what I liked most about this was the ideas it gave me--this book could be a great launching pad for getting students to write their own diaries, or as Greg would rather have it called, journals.

My Recommendation:
Great for middle school students, especially boys and the 'reluctant reader.' Parents will enjoy reading it with their children.

The Graveyard Book

2009-02-23T13:48:00.004-06:00

Author: Neil Gaiman
Published: 2008
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Target Age: 9-12
Other books by Gaiman: Coraline, Good Omens, Stardust, American Gods
Awards: Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Synopsis: When a baby boy's family is murdered, he is taken in and raised by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard.

My Thoughts:
I had high expectations for The Graveyard Book--who wouldn't? It won an award for being the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Unfortunately, (IMHO) 'distinguished contribution' does not always mean 'enjoyable' (just look at 2008's winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--or don't look, because it's not worth your time). To be fair, there are some things I like about Gaiman's book--it is rich with literary and historical allusions that provide plenty of opportunities for kids to explore and find meaning (although this could also prove to be a barrier to understanding for some readers). Gaiman acknowledges that his inspiration for the story comes from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and although he states that if you've only seen the Disney film you don't know the full story, the book did feel like the movie in that for most of the book the protagonist, Nobody Owens, was meandering the graveyard having small, unrelated adventures. Not until the last two chapters does the plot really take off, and it's done in such a hurry that the whole reason for Nobody's family being murdered is not even thoroughly (or convincingly, or satisfactorily) explained. Hanging over the entire story like a mist is a melancholy that left me feeling 'blah'--along with the obvious reasons for this malaise (images of death, etc), the book ended with the feeling that, as they say, 'you can't go home again.' I'm not saying children's books have to end all honky-dory, but if a book is going to have a serious ending, I want there to be a compelling reason, or lesson, or message that has lead to it the entire time, and while some might argue that that message is about growing up and reaching your potential in The Graveyard Book, I don't think Gaiman does a convincing job of getting that across.

My Recommendation:
It saddens me to say I wouldn't recommend a Newbery Medal winner, but I can't find a compelling reason to encourage folks to read this, unless they've read other Gaiman books and enjoyed them or are (like me) on a mission to read all the Newbery winners.

Wish List II

2009-02-13T09:27:00.002-06:00

Some more books on my list...

5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize). "Morrison paints a somber picture of the brutal effects of slavery. It examines both the mental and physical trauma caused by slavery as well as its effect on survivors. The book follows the story of Sethe (pronounced "Seth-uh") and her daughter Denver as they try to rebuild their lives after having escaped from slavery."

6. The Namesake (2003) by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies). "The novel describes the struggles and hardships of a Bengali couple who immigrate to the United States to form a life outside of everything they know."

7. Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (astronomer, astrochemist, author, Cornell professor). "Cosmos was first and foremost intended to help the public better understand astronomy and astrophysics. Although the focus of the book is on astronomy and the world outside of the earth, it is also about human perception of the Cosmos throughout history. It is a history of how our matter originated in the stars, how consciousness sprang from that dead matter, and how unique our planet is."

8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) by Jeff Kinney. "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."

Wish List

2009-02-12T14:04:00.002-06:00

Part of my dilemma is the ever-growing list of books that I want to read--the following are just a few of those that I hope to complete in the near future. I'd love any recommendations you might have--things I should take off my list, move to the top, add, etc.!

1. Heroes of the Valley (2009) by Jonathan Stroud (Author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, which I loved). "An epic fantasy thriller, featuring murder, revenge and a slightly diminutive protagonist."

2. Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) edited by Jon Scieszka (Author of the Time Warp Trio Series). "Features brief contributions from scores of heavyweight authors and illustrators like Walter Dean Myers, Dan Gutman, Chris Crutcher, Avi, Brian Jacques, Dav Pilkey, Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, Chris Van Allsburg, Laurence Yep, and frequent collaborator Lane Smith. If there's one overarching theme here, it's the simple but important message: read what you like, when you like, whatever that happens to be."

3. People of the Book (2008) by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). "One of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, the Sarajevo Haggadah survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. In the hands of Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair."

4. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) by Malcolm Gladwell (Author of The Tipping Point). "Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior."

The Hunger Games

2009-02-11T10:24:00.002-06:00

Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult
Target Age: 12 and up
Series: Book 1 of 2 (2nd forthcoming)
Other books by Collins: The Underland Chronicles (See earlier post)
Synopsis:
In the future, the land once occupied by the United States is home to Panem, a nation of 12 alienated Districts ruled by the powerful Capitol. Each year, to remind the Districts of their subjugation, 2 children from each District are chosen at random to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the 24 'tributes' battle to the death as the nation watches. (Warning: slight spoiler ahead.) Katniss, a 16-year old from the impoverished 12th district, volunteers for the games when her younger sister's name is drawn.

My Thoughts:
Even though it's only February, I would venture to guess that this is quite possibly the best book I will read this year. I loved Collins' Underland Chronicles and she has outdone herself in Hunger Games. I finished it last night and would gladly read it again. Much like in the Underland Chronicles, Collins not only tells a riveting story, she also deals with social and moral complexities that add an intriguing and poignant depth to the tale. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!

My Recommendation:
Everyone should read this! My only caution is that the violence is not appropriate for young children.

Pride and Prejudice

2009-02-02T15:22:00.006-06:00

Author: Jane Austin
Published: 1813
Pages: 400 (depends on edition)
Target Audience: Teens and older (women)
Other books by Austin: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
Movies: Made into a 6-part television mini-series (A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; also adapted for film in 2005 starring Keira Knightley.
Synopsis:
Set in 19th century England, this story follows Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters on their quest to find suitable husbands.

My Thoughts:
Many of the 'classics' I've had to read for school have disappointed, and so I was worried that Austin's writing would be tedious and difficult to read, but was pleasantly surprised to find it light and witty. The book started off at a quick enough pace but slowed down about a quarter of the way through and had it not been for the promise of viewing the six hour A&E version with a friend, I might have abandoned it. Luckily, at about the half-way point, the excitement resumed and carried me eagerly to the end. Austin's characters are lively and amusing and I particularly enjoyed her word choice (most surprising: "super-excellent"). Several people have recommended that if I liked Pride and Prejudice I should try Austin's other novels, and I believe I will!

My Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel, Pride and Prejudice is a super-excellent choice!

And the winner is...

2009-01-27T09:52:00.008-06:00

Monday the winners of the 2009 Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Medals were announced, generally considered among the most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States.

Thanks to the American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/booksprintmedia/childrenyngadults/index.cfm) and Amazon.com for the following information!

2009 Newbery Winner: Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book
Synopsis: A spooky tale of a boy raised in a cemetery by ghosts and werewolves.
Other books by Gaiman: American Gods, Stardust, Good Omens, Coraline (coming soon to theaters--auspicious timing...or suspicious?)

In the author's own words:
"It’s a book that I think children will enjoy, but there’s also stuff that’s there for adults too. It’s a book about life and death and making families...this book is really a way of trying to think about the process of growing up, and, of course, the fundamentally joyous tragedy of being a parent, that if you do your job properly, your kids will grow up and leave you.”

Origins of the Newbery:
"The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

Comments:
The Newbery Committee has come under fire by some in recent years for being out of touch with what children enjoy versus what adults enjoy about children's books (take for example 2008's Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Schlitz--I've decided to follow the advice of Thumper's father from Bambi: "if you can't say anything nice, don't say nothin' at all..."). Based on what the author has said about his book, it should come as no surprise to detractors that it caught the Committee's attention. (He even describes it as "not a book for children" in his blog. Really?!) That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic that this year's winner will not disappoint, if only because it was already on my list of books to read.

2009 Newbery Honor Books:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

2009 Caldecott Winner: The House in the Night illustrated by Beth Krommes (written by Susan Marie Swanson)

Synopsis: "A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe."

Origins of the Award:
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

2009 Caldecott Honor Books:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, written and illustrated by Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant

Other Winners:
The Coretta Scott King Award recognizing an African-American author went to Kadir Nelson for We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball. ("The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field.")

The King Illustrator Award went to The Blacker the Berry, a collection of poems illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Joyce Carol Thomas.

Margarita Engle’s The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom won the Pura Belpré Author Award for book best portraying the Latino cultural experience.

Just in Case, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, won the Belpré Illustrator Award.

The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young-adult literature went to Melina Marchetta, author of Jellicoe Road.

The Underland Chronicles

2009-01-23T14:19:00.004-06:00

Books (5):
Gregor the Overlander
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Gregor and the Code of Claw
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Target Age: 12 and up
Other books by Collins: The Hunger Games (2008)
Synopsis:
Gregor the Overlander: Gregor's baby sister falls through a heating vent into the mysterious (and dangerous!) world hidden far beneath New York City. There he meets a civilization of people who have been living underground for hundreds of years and believe him to be the prophesied warrior sent to stop the evil king of the rats. In the subsequent novels, Gregor travels back and forth from his world to the Underland to help its inhabitants resolve a series of escalating conflicts.

My Thoughts:

Besides being a great story teller, Collins is a strong moral voice without being preachy. What I particularly enjoyed about the Underland Chronicles was the complexity of good and evil that Collins explores; the 'good guys' aren't always blameless and the 'bad guys' aren't pure evil (although some characters come pretty close). Collins even creates a disturbing, yet powerful allegory for the Holocaust in her final book that is provocative and stirring. This was the type of series that as soon as I finished one book I couldn't wait to start the next one.

My Recommendation:
Great for teens, especially fans of Harry Potter, Eragon, or The Lightning Thief. I would even recommend parents/teachers reading it with younger (no younger than 4th grade) students so they can skip some of the violent parts.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

2009-01-22T21:56:00.005-06:00

Author: Philip Dick
Published: 1968
Pages: 210
Genre: Science Fiction
Target Age: Adult
Movie: Adapted for the big screen in 1982 as Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford
Other works by Dick: A Scanner Darkly, Minority Report
Synopsis:
Set in the not-so-distant future, this story takes place in the fallout of a nuclear war that has left the earth barely inhabitable. People are encouraged to colonize nearby planets, with the incentive of a personal android servant for those who emigrate. Protagonist Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter of sorts, charged with hunting down escaped androids who return to earth after killing their masters. We meet Deckard as he is attempting to 'retire' the largest group of escaped androids while grappling with his own unsatisfying life.

My Thoughts:
The title Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a bit misleading; yes, the story is about androids and even has an electric sheep (or two), but to me, it implies a more...whimsical...tale, not the dystopia (isn't that a fun word?) that Dick creates. As dreary as he paints the future I still found the intricacies of his imagined world to be fascinating, from the tests created to distinguish androids from humans to the black market for 'real' (versus electric) animals. I particularly enjoyed Dick's treatment of what makes us human: our empathy. The basis for religion and spirituality in Rick Deckard's world is the ability to care for other living things and, quite literally, feel their pain. (Followers of 'Mercerism'--the empathic faith--commune with its founder via machine as he struggles up a hill and is pelted with rocks. When a rock hits Mercer, the faithful are struck as well. It's all very deep and symbolic.) While I enjoyed these details of Do Androids Dream, the overall plot was disappointing. It felt like Dick was trying to take the story in different directions at the same time and at parts left me confused. For those who have read previous posts, you're probably aware of my need for a satisfying conclusion, and while this story had one to a degree, I couldn't shake the general malaise and sense of impending doom inherent in Dick's writing.

My Recommendation:
Read this if you enjoy science fiction and/or the common elements of short stories mentioned in my review of Nine Stories.

Selected Quote:
"...victims of the despotic force of time..."

The Count of Monte Cristo

2009-01-22T21:24:00.010-06:00

Author: Alexandre Dumas
Published: 1844 (in French)
Genre: Adventure
Pages: 1,312 (Abridged version available)
Target Age: Teens and older
Other books by Dumas: The Three Musketeers
Movies: Has been adapted for film (television and the big screen) in every decade since the 1930's--most recently in 2002 starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, and Richard Harris.

Synopsis:
Set in France following the turmoil of Napolean's first fall, Dumas' tale of revenge centers around naive sailor Edmond Dantes. He is engaged to marry the kind-hearted Mercedes but, betrayed by jealous friends, is falsely accused of treachery and imprisoned for many years. While captive in the Chateau d'If, Dantes befriends fellow inmate Abbe Faria, an Italian priest who teaches him how to read and helps him discover the cause of his imprisonment. Before his untimely death, Faria tells Dantes of a hidden treasure and where he can find it. Dantes escapes from the Chateau d'If in Faria's 'coffin' (i.e. canvas bag) and goes out in search of the legendary riches. Upon finding the treasure, Dantes hatches a plot to exact his revenge on those who betrayed him...

My Thoughts:
After refreshing my memory (I read Monte Cristo over the summer and needed some help reconstructing the synopsis) on Wikipedia, I realized that I read the abridged version of Dumas' book, as some of the plot twists were new to me(unless there are some good liars on Wiki who slipped through unnoticed, which is possible). Either way, the abridged version still topped several hundred pages and bore little resemblance to the 2002 film, my inspiration for reading The Count of Monte Cristo. It pains me to say this (as a "bibliovore"), but I enjoyed the film more than the book. This is only the second time I've felt this way (the first being J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring--that wasn't a novel, it was a textbook) and it was likely due to the fact that I had seen the movie so many times before reading it and usually I read the book first. My complaint with most movies is that they cut out too much and over-simplify, but that came as a relief in both The Count of Monte Cristo and The Fellowship of the Ring. Perhaps most significantly, the film's resolution was much more satisfying than Dumas'. (Had I read it before watching the film I'd probably be saying the exact opposite, but I suppose we'll never know.) I realize that this says very little about the book itself, so let me expound a bit. Dumas' book was readable (unlike Tolkien's) and entertaining. That being said, Dantes' revenge was at points so convoluted as to lose its potency. Okay, so that still isn't much, but it's better.)

My Recommendation:
Read this if you're looking for a classic adventure and are willing and able to invest the time to finish it in a relatively short period (if drawn out, it could become harder to follow).

Historical Note:
"In 1838 a police archivist named Jaques Peuchet published six volumes of crime stories taken from the files of the Paris police. In one file was the story of a young shoemaker from Nimes who in 1807 became engaged to marry a rich and beautiful orphan, but because of a despicable practical joke played by four jealous friends was falsely arrested as a spy for the English against Napoleon and imprisoned until the empire fell in 1814. While in prison he had met a dying Italian priest who told him where a great treasure was buried. Upon his release he found the treasure and, using various disguises, cold-bloodedly wreaked his vengeance on those responsible for his misfortune, one of whom had married his fiancee." (Robert Wilson, in his forward to The Count of Monte Cristo)
Sound familiar?

Selected Quote:
"The sea is the cemetery of the Chateau d'If."

Nine Stories

2009-01-22T15:50:00.008-06:00

Author: J.D. Salinger
Published: 1953
Pages: 200
Genre: Short Stories/Fiction
Target Age: Teens and older
Other books by Salinger: The Catcher in the Rye, Franny & Zooey
Synopsis:
The title pretty much sums it up. (But to avoid appearing lazy, I've listed the title of each story with a brief introduction.)
"A Perfect Day for Bananafish" ~ A war veteran is shell-shocked (his wife complains on the phone)
"Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut" ~ Two women complain about their lives
"Just Before the War with the Eskimos" ~ A girl tries to get her money back from a friend (complaining ensues)
"The Laughing Man" ~ A coach regales his team with tales of the laughing man
"Down at the Dinghy" ~ A mother tries to get her son out of a small boat
"For Esmé - with Love and Squalor" ~ A soldier writes to a girl he once met
"Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes" ~ Two men talk on the phone (one complains about his life)
"De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" ~ A boy pretends to be an artist to get a job
"Teddy" ~ A boy genius talks about life (could be construed as complaining)

My Thoughts:
I remember being forced to read The Catcher in the Rye as a senior in high school at the same time that I was recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed. Suffice it to say, the pain of oral surgery was overshadowed by the pain of reading Catcher in the Rye. Why then, would I voluntarily submit myself to more Salinger? Well, besides the generous amounts of perspective, maturity, and wisdom I have accrued since the twelfth grade, I also gained a brother-in-law who, in addition to being a high school English teacher, loves J.D. Salinger. What better way to strike up a conversation than to make a casual reference to Salinger's impressive use of characterization (is there anything else he did?) in 'Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut'? Seriously though, with the exception of 'The Laughing Man,' I didn't read the stories for their plot lines. As I read more and more short stories (Okay so I haven't read a ton, but enough to notice a pattern), I'm starting to see some common elements:
1) They're never uplifting--some (not I) might describe them as macabre (that seems to be the most steadfast 'rule').
2) They often involve violence, pain, regret, or all three. (Hence observation #1)
3) The author tries to surprise, shock, or disgust the reader with some unsettling twist at the end.
4) People complain about their comfy lives (just in Salinger's stories).
Even if none of these observations are particularly appealing to me, I have been able to find value in Salinger's writing. It may not be a new or particularly astute insight, but there's a reason Salinger is known for his characterization (right?). The action and dialogue of Salinger's characters are so precise as to create a flawless image in my mind; I can hear the inflection in their voices and anticipate their reactions. Overall, I found Nine Stories worth reading due to the nature of the book--I could skip around if I only had time for one of the shorter stories--and Salinger's signature craft. Not all of the stories, however, held my interest enough to complete them; in a few instances I grew tired of the characters' melodrama and self-centeredness and found myself flipping ahead, hoping for a surprise ending to redeem it.

My Recommendation:
Read Nine Stories if you liked Catcher in the Rye or if you enjoy the common elements of short stories, as noted above. I would also recommend picking one at random and reading it--it will give you a good idea of what the rest are like. My personal favorite was 'The Laughing Man' and perhaps the most famous is 'Teddy' for its ending.

Amphigorey

2009-01-22T14:26:00.004-06:00

Author: Edward Gorey
Published: 1980
Pages: 192
Genre: Creepy Cartoons
Target Age: Teens and older
Synopsis:
This collection of 15 stories written and illustrated by Edward Gorey includes the famous Gashlycrumb Tinies ("A is for AMY who fell down the stairs, B is for BASIL assaulted by bears"). Some of the stories follow a single plot while others are a collection of limericks or short poems. (Interesting fact: the title is a play on the word amphigory, meaning a nonsense verse.)

My Thoughts:
Even if his stories are creepy and don't make sense most of the time, I enjoyed Amphigorey for its illustrations and silly rhymes (see quote below).

My Recommendation:
A good coffee table book--you can pick it up and look at it for a little while, but don't have to make a commitment. Recommended for those with a dark sense of humor or a fear of commitment.

Biographical Notes:
Gorey is famous for his distinctive black and white drawings of sad-looking, skinny people. People love describing his work as 'macabre.' (I will refrain from doing so in light of a traumatic run-in I had with a hipster whose persistent use of the word to describe something pretentious forever soured it to me.)
Some interesting things I learned about Gorey from Wikipedia: "Gorey became particularly well-known through his animated introduction to the PBS series Mystery! in 1980... [he was] also published under pen names that were anagrams of his first and last names, such as Ogdred Weary, Dogear Wryde, Ms. Regera Dowdy, and dozens more...The settings and style of Gorey's work have caused many people to assume he was British; in fact, he never visited Britain, and he almost never traveled. In later years, he lived year-round in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, where he wrote and directed numerous evening-length entertainments, often featuring his own papier-mâché puppets, in an ensemble known as La Theatricule Stoique. His major theatrical work was the libretto for an Opera Seria for Hand Puppets titled The White Canoe...Gorey was noted for his fondness for ballet, fur coats, tennis shoes, and cats, of which he had many."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gorey)

Selected Quote:
A beetling young woman named Pridgets
Had a violent abhorrence of midgets;
Off the end of a wharf
She once pushed a dwarf
Whose truncation reduced her to fidgets.

Comments

2009-01-22T13:42:00.004-06:00

Being new to blogs, I'm still learning how they work. I know some folks have been having difficulty posting comments (I had that problem too), so I changed the settings. Now anyone can leave a comment without having to have an account--hopefully this will encourage more comments, and since I haven't figured out how to count page views yet, it's the only way for me to tell if people are reading my posts!

You might also have noticed the little poll on the left-hand side of the blog. I'd love to know how you feel about my posts--my goal is to be entertaining but also helpful--I'm still trying to find that balance and would appreciate any and all feedback. Please be honest--the poll is anonymous and now that I've changed the posting process, you can leave comments anonymously as well! I'll never forget this quote I read (although I have forgotten where I read it) that said, "most of us would rather be ruined by praise than helped by criticism," and while I'll admit I often feel that way, I think the anonymity of criticism can make it easier to swallow. Post away!

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

2009-01-20T09:39:00.010-06:00

Author: Fannie Flagg
Published: 1987
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 416
Target Age: Middle-aged women
Movie: Adapted for the big screen in 1991 as Fried Green Tomatoes, starring Kathy Bates, Mary-Louise Parker, & Jessica Tandy

Synopsis:
Fannie Flagg interweaves the lives of the inhabitants of Whistle Stop, Alabama in the early 1900's with present-day Evelyn Couch as she visits with Ninny Threadgoode. Evelyn is a depressed, middle-aged housewife when she meets Ninny, a spirited elderly woman in an Alabama nursing home. As Ninny shares stories from her life in Whistle Stop, Evelyn's life is transformed by the audacity and spunk of its denizens, particularly Idgie Threadgoode.

My Thoughts:
*One of the top 11 reads of 2008
To start, I enjoyed the format of the book; Flagg alternates between the present day and the past so that the reader gets snippets of the story from an aging Ninny as well as when it's happening, via the Whistle Stop newspaper, the Weems Weekly. This also adds an element of suspense to the story as part of the story is explained in one time period but not fully revealed until later. The reader experiences Evelyn's transformation from timid housewife to empowered, confidant 'Towanda' alongside tales of fearless Idgie Threadgoode and her "companion" Ruth Jamison. (Although it is never explicitly stated, Idgie and Ruth are lovers.) There is no single problem that Flagg focuses on in the lives of Idgie and Ruth--rather, much like Anne of Green Gables or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, the story follows them as they make their way through their common, yet extraordinary lives. Flagg's cast of characters are funny and endearing and I found myself caring deeply for them. Tomatoes was an absolute joy to read and I would even recommend it to my non-middle-aged friends!

My Recommendation:
Read this if you're a middle-aged woman, if you know a middle-aged woman, if you ever plan on being a middle-aged woman, or if you like bacon.

Recipes from the Whistle Stop Cafe*:
*Note: these recipes come from Fannie Flagg's book, but there is an actual Whistle Stop Cafe in Juliette, Georgia where the movie was filmed. It looks like a neat cafe, my only concern was the absence of French Fries on the menu. There was something called "Freedom Fries" though--I wonder if they're similar?

Fried Green Tomatoes
1 medium tomato per person
salt and pepper
white cornmeal
bacon drippings

1) Season tomato slice with salt and pepper and coat with cornmeal
2) Heat drippings, fry tomato

Skillet Cornbread
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 c buttermilk
2 c cornmeal
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 TB melted bacon fat

1) Dissolve baking soda in milk
2) Mix cornmeal with salt, egg, milk
3) Add hot fat, pour into greased skillet
4)Bake @ 375 degrees until golden-brown

Buttermilk Biscuits
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 c shortening
1 c buttermilk

1) Sift dry ingredients
2) Add shortening, buttermilk
3) Roll thin, cut to desired size
4) Bake on greased sheet @ 450 degrees until golden-brown

If you liked Fried Green Tomatoes, you might also like:
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

Roald Dahl Day

2009-01-16T10:41:00.001-06:00

Another perk of working at a bookstore is discovering (accidentally) holidays devoted to your favorite childhood authors. (Ok so it's only happened once so far, but I'm sure I could make it happen again.)

I lifted a box of books the other day revealing a small sticker proclaiming 'Roald Dahl Day' and was instantly transported to two places simultaneously (in my mind): sitting on the couch listening to my mom read The BFG to my brother and me, and standing in my classroom last year screaming the part of the Grand High Witch in a thick European (German maybe?) accent from The Witches. Both memories left me smiling (for different reasons--the first because of the love and laughter associated with it and the second because of the relief and lack of stress associated with no longer having to teach).

Today I finally checked out the website for Roald Dahl Day (http://www.roalddahlday.info/Default.aspx) and was disappointed to find out that it might not be celebrated this year (the designated date in the past has been September 13). This disappointment was compounded by my realization that Roald Dahl Day is celebrated in England.

So I've decided to celebrate Roald Dahl Day right here and now by sharing (ok so just a more exciting way to say 'listing') all of my favorite Roald Dahl books. For anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of reading him, he wrote many short books that can be read in less than an hour (I've placed a ^ symbol next to these titles) and are a great way of getting a taste for his unique style without having to make the investment that his longer books require. Roald Dahl also wrote short stories for adults, but anyone who is hoping to read a grown-up version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be sorely disappointed--his adult stories are much darker and lacking the whimsy of his tales for children. That is not to say they are not entertaining or worthwhile--although disturbing at times, his adult stories are clever and infused with a magical realism reminiscent of The Metamorphosis by Kafka.

Roald Dahl Classics:
James and the Giant Peach
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
^Fantastic Mr. Fox
Danny, the Champion of the World
^The Enormous Crocodile
^The Twits
^George's Marvelous Medicine
^Revolting Rhymes
The BFG
The Witches
^The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
^Esio Trot
^The Magic Finger
Matilda
Boy
Going Solo

Note: this is not an exhaustive list, it includes only those titles I have read

The Freaking Point?

2009-01-16T09:27:00.001-06:00

I decided to review these two books together because of their similar content and appeal. While in a few instances they contradict each other, for the most part they provide coherent explanations of human behavior and societal trends.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Authors: Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
Published: 2005
Genre: Nonfiction, Economics/Psychology/Sociology
Pages: 242
Target Age: 16+
Synopsis:
The authors explore several social phenomena through the lens of economics (i.e. incentives) in an attempt to explain why people act in certain ways. Some of the topics covered include why drug dealers live with their mothers (despite their supposed wealth) and cheating on standardized tests among teachers.

My Thoughts:
Many of the explanations offered by the authors are controversial (e.g. crediting the legalization of abortion with decreasing crime), but well reasoned and fascinating. Freakonomics is the type of book that leads me to thoughts like, "Of course! How did I not see that? If our government read this book they could solve all of society's problems!" Once I overcame the 'ecstasy of the idea' (see The Book Thief's 'Selected Quote'), I realized that while yes, some of the research used in the book could prove useful, it was no panacea.

My Recommendation:
If you read (and enjoyed) The Tipping Point, definitely give Freakonomics a try. Read if you're interested in human behavior, social interaction, politics, education, economics, or ethics.

Selected Quote:
"Information is a beacon, a cudgel, an olive branch, a deterrent, depending on who wields it and how. Information is so powerful that the assumption of information, even if the information does not actually exist, can have a sobering effect."

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Published: 2002
Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology/Sociology
Pages: 304
Target Age: 16+
Other Books by Gladwell: Blink, Outliers
Synopsis:
Gladwell explores how trends, fads, and other social phenomena (sound familiar?) start, spread, and wane. His book is divided into three sections in which he discusses the people, content, and contexts that ultimately decide whether an idea will catch on and reach the 'tipping point.'

My Thoughts:
*One of the top 11 reads of 2008
What I liked most about The Tipping Point was the third section on the importance of context. I found myself saying 'yes' over and over again to the research Gladwell put forward about the dynamic nature of human personality--I felt vindicated for my own feelings and behaviors. I also saw many of his anecdotes as potentially useful tools for my new job as an Americorps VISTA, a position in which I would be working towards social change.

My Recommendation:
If you read (and enjoyed) Freakonomics, definitely give The Tipping Point a try.
Read if you're interested in human behavior, social interaction, education, politics, economics, or ethics.

The Book Thief

2009-01-15T18:37:00.002-06:00

Author: Markus Zusak
Published: 2006
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Pages: 560
Target Age: 14+
Other books by Zusak: The Messenger
Synopsis:
Narrated by Death (not deaf, as many people have misheard!), this story follows a young girl, Liesel, as she enters the lives of her foster parents and a small German town during World War II. The reader gets glimpses into Liesel's life through the books she steals and the people around her who meet their end.

My Thoughts:
*Best Read of 2008
A tour de force of literature, this was the feel good read of the year! Seriously though, Zusak's writing is highly entertaining and deeply moving. The unique style of narration adds to the intrigue and complexity of the story while supplying a new perspective on the Holocaust; Death is (not surprisingly) blunt but unexpectedly caring (despite what he might say to the contrary). I must admit that before I can (accurately) say much more about The Book Thief, I need to refresh my memory, which I will gladly do--this is a book I plan to return to again and again.

My Recommendation:
Read this if you can read. If you can't read, find someone to read it to you. (Probably the same person who's reading this to you right now).

Tear Factor:
Keep a box (or at least one of those handy little pocket-sized packs) of tissues near by. One friend admitted to openly sobbing for an extended period in front of her students while they took an exam. Even I got teary eyed (this may or may not be saying much--while I can turn on the waterworks, it is a spectacle that few have had the privilege of witnessing).

Selected Quote:
"On the other hand, he was also enjoying the ecstasy of an idea, not daring just yet to envision its complications, dangers, and vicious absurdities. For now, the idea was enough. It was indestructible. Transforming it into reality, well, that was something else altogether."

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn

2009-01-15T11:39:00.001-06:00

Author: Alison Goodman
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: First Dragoneye book
Pages: 544
Target Age: 14-18
Other books by Goodman: Singing the Dogstar Blues (Highly Recommended)
Synopsis:
(Warning: slight spoiler!)
Set in a fictitious land modeled after medieval Asia, this is the story of a young girl, Eona, who is forced to conceal her identity in order to enter the apprenticeship of powerful men able to convene with magical dragons. Eona, under the guise of Eon, is chosen by the Mirror Dragon, which has not chosen an apprentice for over 1,000 years. Eona must keep her true identity hidden while trying to learn how to communicate with her dragon and stop a power-hungry Dragoneye from usurping the throne.

My Thoughts:
*One of the Top 11 Reads of 2008
I think part of the reason I liked this book so much was that I got to read an advanced reader's copy before the book had actually been published (sorry, I couldn't resist showing off a little--one of the benefits of working at a bookstore!). That aside, it was a great book. What I liked most about this book was how easily Goodman combined the elements of a great fantasy with the complexity of moral dilemmas and poignant social commentary. Goodman explores gender, sexuality, and cultural norms in a way that's relevant but not preachy. The intricacies of military strategy are reminiscent of Eldest and Brisingr (by Christopher Paolini) and add a level of complexity and intrigue that is missing from many young adult adventure/fantasy novels.

My Recommendation:
Read this if you enjoy young adult fantasy.

A quick comment on the cover of the book:
I think the image on the front of Eon: Dragoneye Reborn might scare some readers away; it gives the impression of a much nerdier, hardcore fantasy than it actually is. I guess there's truth to that old adage...

Guilty Pleasure of the Year

2009-01-14T21:59:00.003-06:00

The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer deserves some special attention. Even if it didn't make the 'Top 11' of 2008 cut, it certainly provided a great deal of enjoyment for me and millions of teenage girls around the globe.

I first heard about Twilight over a year ago from a female coworker gushing about this amazing series. She handed me a copy and I read the back:
(It has to be read in a melodramatic teenage girl voice for effect--at least that's what I heard when I read it. )

"About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him--and I didn't know how dominant that part might be--that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

I handed it back and didn't give it a second thought for some time (despite some striking similarities, I am not a teenage girl).

Months later my sister mentioned it to me and gave a glowing review: "The writing is terrible and I hate the main character but I read them all and can't wait for the last one to come out."

Wow, sounds great. (I must admit there was a slight interest in seeing what this book that was supposedly so bad and yet so addictive was about.)

Fast forward a few more months. I'm sitting quietly reading while selling books at an event. An usher for the event comes up and asks me if I've read Twilight.

"It's on my list!" (It really was, after hearing it was coming out in theaters soon I decided to see what all the hub-bub was about.)

She then launched into a 5 minute speech about the benefits of dating a vampire (hauntingly beautiful, etc.) which was, unfortunately, lost on me at the time, but convinced me that if it could make this woman wax philosophically about the undead to a complete stranger, it must be worth reading.

So I finally took the plunge. The ensuing days/weeks are mostly a blur, punctuated by moments of clarity in which I came up for a breath of air to eat or go to work. But, about three things I was absolutely positive...

First, this was not what could be considered 'good' or 'classic' literature. (The main character refers to her broken heart as full of holes like Swiss cheese. No joke.)

Second, there was a part of me--a large part of me--that wanted to tell Bella to grow up, shut up, and get over herself.

And third, I was uncontrollably and embarrassingly in love with a fictional teenage vampire.

Needless to say, I was hooked by the angsty teenage romance and utter perfection of Edward Cullen. I think one coworker put it best when she described the series as "emotional porn for teenagers."

In the ensuing weeks all I could talk about was the book that had me reading at red lights and praying for traffic. One friend remarked that it sounded like I was "dating a book." When I told another friend that I had to put the book down at times and take deep breaths she said I "needed to get out more."

Despite what critics may think of Twilight, there's something to be said for a book that can engross such a large audience, even if most of them are embarrassed to admit they enjoyed it to anyone who hasn't also read it.

My Recommendation:
Read this series if you're a teenage girl, if you ever were a teenage girl, if you ever want/wanted to be a teenage girl, or if you have a lot of angst (is that redundant?).

Note to Twilight fans:
In case you haven't heard, Stephanie Meyer began writing a new version of Twilight from Edward's perspective called Midnight Sun. Unfortunately, it was leaked onto the internet and Meyer has said that she won't be finishing it. Fortunately, she has posted the unfinished version on her web page for all to read. If you thought you loved Edward before, Midnight Sun will make you realize that love was incomplete. Check it out: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

If you liked Twilight you might also try:
Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
This is the first book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series, which the new HBO series True Blood is based on. It was described to me as a more *ahem* "adult" version of Twilight.

The Cabinet of Wonders

2009-01-14T21:08:00.001-06:00

Author: Marie Rutkoski
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: First in the Kronos Chronicles
Pages: 272
Target Age: 9-12
Synopsis:
This story centers around Petra, a young girl from a small town in Bohemia, a magical remaking of Renaissance-era Czech Republic. Her father is a talented craftsman who is commissioned by the prince to build a magical clock in the country's capital, Prague. Upon completing the clock, the prince has her father's eyes removed for unknown reasons. Determined to get her father's eyes back, Petra sneaks away to Prague, gets a job in the prince's castle and, with the help of some new friends, hatches a plot to take back what the prince stole.

My Thoughts:
*One of the top 11 reads of 2008
Rutkoski does a great job of creating a magical world that is new and exciting--the use of magic is creative and intriguing and is paired with an original, unpredictable storyline that left me wanting more!

My Recommendation:
Read if you like young adult fantasy.

Books of 2008

2009-01-14T18:24:00.000-06:00

I've been keeping track of all the books I've read over the past 6 years (thanks, Mom) and I figured listing them would be a good way to start off! (Just 2008)

I've also put an asterisk next to my top 11 favorite reads of 2008

2008
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal)
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
*The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
The Giant Rat of Sumatra by Sid Fleischman
*Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
The Sisters Grimm (Book 1) by Michael Buckley
*The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
*The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Sideways Stories from Wayside School,
Wayside School is Falling Down,
Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger,
& Small Steps by Louis Sachar
Horseradish by Lemony Snicket
*A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip Dick
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
Peter and the Shadow Thieves
& Peter and the Secret of Rundoon by Ridley Pearson & Dave Barry
The Battle of the Labryinth by Rick Riordan
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
*The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Eldest & *Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
*Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Amphigorey by Edward Gorey
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri & Edgar D'Aulaire
*The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
*Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
*Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Twilight,
New Moon,
Eclipse,
& Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers
The Bro Code by Matt Kuhn
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling
*The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski

Insert clever literary reference to beginnings here

2009-01-14T14:31:00.000-06:00

I was just cursing the pretentious bloggers who title their posts with obscure references or witty names that they are clearly very proud of when I found myself trying to do the exact same thing. As far as the title of this entire blog goes, I really just wanted to call it "Books I've Read" but apparently someone else already thought of that. (Who would have thought?) I first saw the term 'bibliovore' used in The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski (a fun book that I'll probably post about at some point) and figured it would be a clever name for this blog but that was also taken so then (after typing in endless variations of 'book' and 'read' without any luck) I thought of Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma (another good one, although to be honest I never finished it) and that was the first title that wasn't already in existence, so I used it. I suppose it makes sense--so many books to consume, so little time.

I should say that Christine inspired me to start blogging by reading her entertaining "Yesterday's Neat Bug" which you can check out here: www.yesterdaysneatbug.blogspot.com. Thanks, Christine!

Anyway, I'm writing this as a way to share the books I've enjoyed. I hope others will enjoy them as well!