The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Square peg Jules is taken up by a group of arty teenagers at a summer arts camp in the Catskills in the '70s. Her friends remain in the arts as adults, some finding the pinnacles of success; Jules moves away from acting into a career as a therapist, but still struggles with envy, identity, and self-esteem. While I could sympathize with Jules, I just didn't find her very...interesting, and felt impatient with the self-absorption of the entire group.
The Tenth of December by George Saunders
A compelling and well-chosen group of short stories with a unique viewpoint. Saunders created a lot of buzz with his recent commencement address at Syracuse University, when he exhorted the graduates to remember to be kind. That theme continues in this book; in fact, in many of the stories here, Saunders skillfully blends his astute observations with a definite science fiction setting, unforgettably highlighting his characters' humanity.
The Burn Palace by Stephen Dobyns
The nurse on duty in the maternity ward in a small Rhode Island hospital leaves her post (and the one newborn baby in the nursery) for a broom-closet date with one of the doctors. On her return, she discovers the baby is missing, and in its place is a crib full of snakes. This event touches off a series of seemingly unrelated incidents in the town requiring the assistance of the state police; one trooper struggles with his own demons, as well as those unleashed on the town, as he tries to get to the bottom of it all. I think this owes quite a debt to 'Salem's Lot, but an absorbing page-turner nonetheless.
All That Is by James Salter
A young soldier survives World War II to go on to Harvard and a successful career as an editor for a literary publishing house, but true love eludes him. I must admit I struggled with this book; while Salter writes exceptionally well, I felt like I was missing the point of it. We watch Philip Bowman drift from one woman to another, treating some very badly, musing on the nature of his life, always looking for something he doesn't seem to have--and then the book ends. Perhaps a play on the title would sum it up best--That's All There Is?
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman
A yuppie writer struggles with his inclinations in a post-feminist society. Waldman doesn't paint a very flattering picture of Nate, who has difficulty committing to women who are his intellectual equal (or better), and can't seem to decide what it is he wants from a relationship; unlike All That Is, however, there is at least some resolution at the end.
The Other Typist by Suzanne Rindell
A plain, Jane Eyre-ish orphan who works as a stenographer in a police precinct is taken up by a glamorous flapper. Neither woman is what she initially seems, and the question becomes who to trust--the narrator, who seems increasingly unreliable and unbalanced, or the flapper, who has a closet full of skeletons?
Wildfire Loose : The Week Maine Burned by Joyce Butler
Butler skillfully pieces together primary sources detailing a horrific week in 1947 when multiple forest fires destroyed many areas of the state. With pictures.
The Weir by Ruth Moore
A Maine fishing family struggles with making a living and th and eir futures as fisherman and island dwellers in this classic. Finely wrought characters, a suspenseful story, good pacing, a resolved ending--they just don't write 'em like this anymore!
Night Film by Marisha Pessl
Investigative reporter Scott McGrath's career was derailed when, after following up on a lead from a chauffeur, he tried to expose the private life of a legendarily reclusive horror director. All his questions come flooding back after the daughter of the director is found dead, an apparent suicide. Pessl has crafted an excellent psychological thriller, using multimedia to enhance the reader's experience. The publicity machine has targeted fans of Gone Girl and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, and while I would agree, this book--while certainly dark--is ultimately an old-fashioned story of redemption.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
One-Paragraph Reviews (July/August)
The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls by Anton DiSclafani
In the early 1930's, a young Floridian girl, raised in an extremely insular, family-oriented environment, is sent to a camp/boarding school for equestriennes in the North Carolina mountains after a dalliance with her first cousin results in tragedy. Though exclusive to the privileged daughters of the South, the school provides enough contrast to her upbringing to give some perspective on her family's dysfunction. I found myself wishing I cared more about Thea; the author seemed to have trouble balancing her strong will with more sympathetic qualities, which made the going a little slow, but overall an interesting portrayal of a very specific section of society in a very particular time and place.
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood
Wood's memoir of growing up in Mexico, Maine, in the 1960s is wonderfully atmospheric and compelling, both for the events that shaped her childhood and for her portrayal of a long-gone way of life. Her intermingling of the history of the Rumford/Mexico area (and its dependence on the mill) with her personal story and the national events of the 1960s is deft and engaging, and though sure to please readers familiar with the area or who remember the era, Wood's work will appeal to readers of all ages and from any part of the country.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Young Adult; Audiobook)
A young boy's journey into manhood is marked by self-discovery after his best friend's suicide isolates him from his peers, and he is taken up by an older crowd in high school. Through a series of letters to an unnamed "friend", we learn of Charlie's struggle to come to terms with a repressed past; this style works particularly well as an audiobook, and the narrator did an excellent job of conveying Charlie's damage and fragility without making him maudlin.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed (Audiobook)
A memoir of Strayed's solo hike of the Pacific Coast Trail, and the events leading up to it, this reads more like fiction as Strayed must overcome one obstacle after another on her impulsive, ill-conceived trek. But overcome she does; she also grows up a little, and learns self-reliance and how to tolerate her own company along the way.
That Summer by Sarah Dessen (Young Adult; Audiobook)
We've all had "that summer"--the summer when, as teenagers, the veil is lifted, and we realize other people's inner lives and motives are just as rich and mysterious as our own. Dessen's portrayal of the angst 15-year-old Haven endures the summer her older sister gets married is fresh and spot-on; her appeal to a young adult reader is clearly evident, but she will also appeal to those of us with just as clear a memory of adolescence as her own.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Somehow I had never read one of the original dystopian, sci-fi/fantasy novels. Taut, economical, and the granddaddy of novels like The Hunger Games, this reminds you to question those decisions made for "the good of society".
Divergent by Veronica Roth (Young Adult)
Let's do all the dystopians in a row, shall we? Like Fahrenheit 451, this novel is set in a future Chicago after some unnamed disaster has (supposedly) reduced the United States to a small area in the city, with desolation reigning outside of the fence enclosing civilization. All of society is divided into 5 factions, each with their own responsibility and function; teenagers are screened at 16, then must declare their allegiance and leave their families for initiation into their chosen faction. But what if you don't completely fit into just one faction and are "divergent'?
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (Young Adult; Audiobook)
The end of the dystopian ride; this book takes place in a future Maine. Another fence protects what remains of the city of Portland from the wilds of Falmouth and beyond. In this society, love has been identified as the source of all evil in the world; thus everyone is made to undergo a brain operation at the age of 18 to "cure" them of the possibility of infection. As you may have guessed, not everyone is buying into the cure...
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
Last year's installment in the wonderfully atmospheric series about Armand Gamache, the head of homicide of Quebec's Surete de Police. This time Gamache and his assistant Beauvoir find themselves investigating a murder in a secluded monastery, far from Montreal as well as the charming village of Three Pines, where many of the books are set. The questions that have been dogging Gamache about the bad apple in the Surete follow him even to this remote location, however, and even as his suspicions increase, a plan to drive a wedge between Gamache and Beauvoir is set into play.
Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Several years down the line in this followup to The Devil Wears Prada, the characters you grew to love (and hate) are back. Andy and Emily have become friends and business partners in a successful new venture, drawing the interest of Miranda Priestly. She's baaaack!
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Inspired by the difficulties encountered when real-life Somali refugees tried to build a new life for themselves in Maine, this book follows two brothers who have left Maine for New York City. Both are lawyers; one is hugely successful, with national recognition and a seemingly perfect life, and the other, though loved by all who know him, has been haunted all his life by an incident from his childhood that he doesn't even remember and accepted that he will always live in the shadow of his older brother. Their sister, who remained in Maine, calls for their help when her son is accused of a hate crime, and when the family reunites old secrets come to light and the pecking order between the siblings implodes.
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The master of horror's first big success, about the strange events in Jerusalem's Lot, Maine, leading to the town's abandonment. King deftly blends suspense with an insider's knowledge of small-town Maine life, tackling big themes such as good vs. evil along the way.
In the early 1930's, a young Floridian girl, raised in an extremely insular, family-oriented environment, is sent to a camp/boarding school for equestriennes in the North Carolina mountains after a dalliance with her first cousin results in tragedy. Though exclusive to the privileged daughters of the South, the school provides enough contrast to her upbringing to give some perspective on her family's dysfunction. I found myself wishing I cared more about Thea; the author seemed to have trouble balancing her strong will with more sympathetic qualities, which made the going a little slow, but overall an interesting portrayal of a very specific section of society in a very particular time and place.
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood
Wood's memoir of growing up in Mexico, Maine, in the 1960s is wonderfully atmospheric and compelling, both for the events that shaped her childhood and for her portrayal of a long-gone way of life. Her intermingling of the history of the Rumford/Mexico area (and its dependence on the mill) with her personal story and the national events of the 1960s is deft and engaging, and though sure to please readers familiar with the area or who remember the era, Wood's work will appeal to readers of all ages and from any part of the country.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Young Adult; Audiobook)
A young boy's journey into manhood is marked by self-discovery after his best friend's suicide isolates him from his peers, and he is taken up by an older crowd in high school. Through a series of letters to an unnamed "friend", we learn of Charlie's struggle to come to terms with a repressed past; this style works particularly well as an audiobook, and the narrator did an excellent job of conveying Charlie's damage and fragility without making him maudlin.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed (Audiobook)
A memoir of Strayed's solo hike of the Pacific Coast Trail, and the events leading up to it, this reads more like fiction as Strayed must overcome one obstacle after another on her impulsive, ill-conceived trek. But overcome she does; she also grows up a little, and learns self-reliance and how to tolerate her own company along the way.
That Summer by Sarah Dessen (Young Adult; Audiobook)
We've all had "that summer"--the summer when, as teenagers, the veil is lifted, and we realize other people's inner lives and motives are just as rich and mysterious as our own. Dessen's portrayal of the angst 15-year-old Haven endures the summer her older sister gets married is fresh and spot-on; her appeal to a young adult reader is clearly evident, but she will also appeal to those of us with just as clear a memory of adolescence as her own.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Somehow I had never read one of the original dystopian, sci-fi/fantasy novels. Taut, economical, and the granddaddy of novels like The Hunger Games, this reminds you to question those decisions made for "the good of society".
Divergent by Veronica Roth (Young Adult)
Let's do all the dystopians in a row, shall we? Like Fahrenheit 451, this novel is set in a future Chicago after some unnamed disaster has (supposedly) reduced the United States to a small area in the city, with desolation reigning outside of the fence enclosing civilization. All of society is divided into 5 factions, each with their own responsibility and function; teenagers are screened at 16, then must declare their allegiance and leave their families for initiation into their chosen faction. But what if you don't completely fit into just one faction and are "divergent'?
Delirium by Lauren Oliver (Young Adult; Audiobook)
The end of the dystopian ride; this book takes place in a future Maine. Another fence protects what remains of the city of Portland from the wilds of Falmouth and beyond. In this society, love has been identified as the source of all evil in the world; thus everyone is made to undergo a brain operation at the age of 18 to "cure" them of the possibility of infection. As you may have guessed, not everyone is buying into the cure...
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
Last year's installment in the wonderfully atmospheric series about Armand Gamache, the head of homicide of Quebec's Surete de Police. This time Gamache and his assistant Beauvoir find themselves investigating a murder in a secluded monastery, far from Montreal as well as the charming village of Three Pines, where many of the books are set. The questions that have been dogging Gamache about the bad apple in the Surete follow him even to this remote location, however, and even as his suspicions increase, a plan to drive a wedge between Gamache and Beauvoir is set into play.
Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Several years down the line in this followup to The Devil Wears Prada, the characters you grew to love (and hate) are back. Andy and Emily have become friends and business partners in a successful new venture, drawing the interest of Miranda Priestly. She's baaaack!
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Inspired by the difficulties encountered when real-life Somali refugees tried to build a new life for themselves in Maine, this book follows two brothers who have left Maine for New York City. Both are lawyers; one is hugely successful, with national recognition and a seemingly perfect life, and the other, though loved by all who know him, has been haunted all his life by an incident from his childhood that he doesn't even remember and accepted that he will always live in the shadow of his older brother. Their sister, who remained in Maine, calls for their help when her son is accused of a hate crime, and when the family reunites old secrets come to light and the pecking order between the siblings implodes.
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The master of horror's first big success, about the strange events in Jerusalem's Lot, Maine, leading to the town's abandonment. King deftly blends suspense with an insider's knowledge of small-town Maine life, tackling big themes such as good vs. evil along the way.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
One Paragraph Reviews (May/June)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (audiobook) by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Another Book Club selection, so please see Book Club Meeting Notes for a more in-depth discussion. The format of this book (all letters) lends itself wonderfully to an audio format, and the format also brings the humor in the story right up to the surface! A very enjoyable listening experience.
The Sound Of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie
Crombie, an American who lives in Texas, has authored a series about two police detectives living in England. (Ours is not to ask...) The latest in the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series is, like its predecessors, a wonderfully atmospheric mystery that balances the whodunit with the personal preoccupations involved in the daily lives of Gemma and Duncan. Cozy and entertaining.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
Man, oh man, did this one blow me away! Very, very dark and disturbing, but oh so well done! There comes a moment about halfway through the book when you begin gasping in realization, and then you wind up gasping for the rest of the novel as revelation follows revelation. Not for everyone, but if you can handle it, this one is definitely worth the ride!
The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates
A tale in the Gothic tradition about strange goings-on in Princeton, N.J., in 1906. Features a cast of imaginary and real-life characters who may or may not be pursued by...devils? vampires? madness? You'll have to get to the very end, when all is made clear, to know for sure!
Machiavelli for Moms by Suzanne Evans
Or, "Fundamentals of Child-Raising for Liberal Arts Majors". (My alternate title.) Evans takes the tenets of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince and applies them to daily life in her blended family in an attempt to gain peace between her warring city-states--I mean, family members. Funny, yes, but also soul-baring and astute.
The Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (audiobook)
Tells the sorry story of how medicine--and its practitioners--failed to save the life of President James A. Garfield after an assassination attempt in the first months of his term. Garfield won the Republican nomination without even agreeing to be a candidate, had ardent supporters in both the North and the South, and appeared to be making a serious attempt to raise Washington politics above the infighting and corruption that were rampant at the time; it would appear that we lost a potentially great leader when he died.
The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
Everyone knows someone like Nora, the "woman upstairs": the good neighbor, friend, daughter who is dependable, devoted, of a certain age, and single. Has she chosen this life for herself, or allowed it to happen? Nora delivers a fantastic rant-- a la Peter Finch in Network--in the opening paragraphs. This book will have you wondering just what lies beneath the surface of the friend you take for granted.
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Young Adult)
A page-turner of an adventure/survival story! Sophie is half American and half Congolese; she spends the school year with her dad in Miami, then returns to The Democratic Republic of Congo and her mother's bonobo sanctuary for summer vacation. When her mother is away releasing bonobos into the wild, Sophie must protect herself--and an orphan bonobo she has rescued--from the dangers that arise after the country falls into civil war.
Capture the Flag by Kate Messner (Youth)
Three children from Vermont meet briefly at a gala to celebrate the restoration of the flag that inspired the national anthem, which each of their families has a connection to. They get to know one another better after the gala, when they are trapped by a blizzard in a Washington, D.C. airport and learn that the flag has gone missing. Can they work together to discover what happened to the flag, and clear the name of the mother of one of the kids? A great, fast-paced read for the 8-12 crowd.
Another Book Club selection, so please see Book Club Meeting Notes for a more in-depth discussion. The format of this book (all letters) lends itself wonderfully to an audio format, and the format also brings the humor in the story right up to the surface! A very enjoyable listening experience.
The Sound Of Broken Glass by Deborah Crombie
Crombie, an American who lives in Texas, has authored a series about two police detectives living in England. (Ours is not to ask...) The latest in the Gemma James/Duncan Kincaid series is, like its predecessors, a wonderfully atmospheric mystery that balances the whodunit with the personal preoccupations involved in the daily lives of Gemma and Duncan. Cozy and entertaining.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
Man, oh man, did this one blow me away! Very, very dark and disturbing, but oh so well done! There comes a moment about halfway through the book when you begin gasping in realization, and then you wind up gasping for the rest of the novel as revelation follows revelation. Not for everyone, but if you can handle it, this one is definitely worth the ride!
The Accursed by Joyce Carol Oates
A tale in the Gothic tradition about strange goings-on in Princeton, N.J., in 1906. Features a cast of imaginary and real-life characters who may or may not be pursued by...devils? vampires? madness? You'll have to get to the very end, when all is made clear, to know for sure!
Machiavelli for Moms by Suzanne Evans
Or, "Fundamentals of Child-Raising for Liberal Arts Majors". (My alternate title.) Evans takes the tenets of Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince and applies them to daily life in her blended family in an attempt to gain peace between her warring city-states--I mean, family members. Funny, yes, but also soul-baring and astute.
The Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (audiobook)
Tells the sorry story of how medicine--and its practitioners--failed to save the life of President James A. Garfield after an assassination attempt in the first months of his term. Garfield won the Republican nomination without even agreeing to be a candidate, had ardent supporters in both the North and the South, and appeared to be making a serious attempt to raise Washington politics above the infighting and corruption that were rampant at the time; it would appear that we lost a potentially great leader when he died.
The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
Everyone knows someone like Nora, the "woman upstairs": the good neighbor, friend, daughter who is dependable, devoted, of a certain age, and single. Has she chosen this life for herself, or allowed it to happen? Nora delivers a fantastic rant-- a la Peter Finch in Network--in the opening paragraphs. This book will have you wondering just what lies beneath the surface of the friend you take for granted.
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (Young Adult)
A page-turner of an adventure/survival story! Sophie is half American and half Congolese; she spends the school year with her dad in Miami, then returns to The Democratic Republic of Congo and her mother's bonobo sanctuary for summer vacation. When her mother is away releasing bonobos into the wild, Sophie must protect herself--and an orphan bonobo she has rescued--from the dangers that arise after the country falls into civil war.
Capture the Flag by Kate Messner (Youth)
Three children from Vermont meet briefly at a gala to celebrate the restoration of the flag that inspired the national anthem, which each of their families has a connection to. They get to know one another better after the gala, when they are trapped by a blizzard in a Washington, D.C. airport and learn that the flag has gone missing. Can they work together to discover what happened to the flag, and clear the name of the mother of one of the kids? A great, fast-paced read for the 8-12 crowd.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
May Book Club Meeting Notes
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Thanks to Kristie for hosting the discussion of this delightful book after our original host, Janet, had to drop out of this month's gathering! Kristie started us off with a bang with the question (furnished, like those to follow, via www.readinggroupguides.com) of how we all liked reading this type of format (the book is written as a series of letters). Most loved it; Betty admitted that at first she was very turned off by it, but as she grew accustomed to the format she loved it. We all felt it very quickly gave us a good sense of the characters, and Kristie thought the letter format allowed an enhanced style of language the authors wouldn't have been able to pull off using traditional dialogue. Dianne reminded us that during the time period of the book (immediately following World War II), there would have been mail deliveries more than once a day, so the quick replies were certainly feasible.
Next we discussed Juliet's friendships with Sidney and Sophie, with Mark, and with her new friends on Guernsey. Everyone felt Sidney and Sophie were adept at keeping Juliet grounded in the way that families do (as an orphan, Juliet had no other family). Although he was universally deemed a "great catch", Kathleen felt Mark was great on paper, not so much in real life. Kristie pointed out that everyone's idea of a great catch is different. Our first impressions of Dawsey were "salt of the earth" and "reticent"--making him a very different kettle of fish compared to everyone else in Juliet's immediate circle! As far as the mean-spirited correspondence that Juliet receives, accusing her and, later, Elizabeth of being immoral, we felt it was an accurate portrayal of what goes on in small towns; as Dianne said, "there's one in every town". And although Juliet and Elizabeth never actually met, as "noticers" they were certainly kindred spirits. Dianne noted that Elizabeth was the sort of person everyone would like to have in their corner. And with Kit, even more than with Dawsey, Juliet finds the person that gives her life meaning. Despite Juliet's fears that she will not make a good mother, our group had no qualms about her parenting skills. Kathleen said Juliet's enjoyment of the Dead Bride game--and her reluctance to give it up--were what would make her a good mother.
We agreed all book lovers are alike in some way, regardless of their generation, and thought the stories of Juliet breaking off her engagement (after her fiancé banishes her books to storage so he can display his trophies) were very indicative of this. We all also agreed with Isola that reading good books spoils your enjoyment of bad ones!
An interesting question posed by Kristie was whether we thought the book's realism was enhanced by the side thread of Juliet's vicissitudes as a writer. (We did.) Kathleen thought it was a happy juxtaposition to have read this directly after reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, in which so much of the author's tribulations creating the book wound up being part of the story.
Some historical facts in the book that surprised us were the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII, and also the islanders' fraternization with the Germans during the occupation. Shirley and Betty both thought the book painted an accurate picture of life during the war. Dianne thought the book handled a serious subject in an enjoyable way, and liked how even the awful things were handled very matter-of-factly; Carole agreed, saying this made the tragic events palatable. Betty thought the islanders didn't seem like--or see themselves as--victims. Kristie thought this made the story even more enjoyable, and Dianne thought it was also a typically British to adversity.
Our regular meetings will recommence in September.
Thanks to Kristie for hosting the discussion of this delightful book after our original host, Janet, had to drop out of this month's gathering! Kristie started us off with a bang with the question (furnished, like those to follow, via www.readinggroupguides.com) of how we all liked reading this type of format (the book is written as a series of letters). Most loved it; Betty admitted that at first she was very turned off by it, but as she grew accustomed to the format she loved it. We all felt it very quickly gave us a good sense of the characters, and Kristie thought the letter format allowed an enhanced style of language the authors wouldn't have been able to pull off using traditional dialogue. Dianne reminded us that during the time period of the book (immediately following World War II), there would have been mail deliveries more than once a day, so the quick replies were certainly feasible.
Next we discussed Juliet's friendships with Sidney and Sophie, with Mark, and with her new friends on Guernsey. Everyone felt Sidney and Sophie were adept at keeping Juliet grounded in the way that families do (as an orphan, Juliet had no other family). Although he was universally deemed a "great catch", Kathleen felt Mark was great on paper, not so much in real life. Kristie pointed out that everyone's idea of a great catch is different. Our first impressions of Dawsey were "salt of the earth" and "reticent"--making him a very different kettle of fish compared to everyone else in Juliet's immediate circle! As far as the mean-spirited correspondence that Juliet receives, accusing her and, later, Elizabeth of being immoral, we felt it was an accurate portrayal of what goes on in small towns; as Dianne said, "there's one in every town". And although Juliet and Elizabeth never actually met, as "noticers" they were certainly kindred spirits. Dianne noted that Elizabeth was the sort of person everyone would like to have in their corner. And with Kit, even more than with Dawsey, Juliet finds the person that gives her life meaning. Despite Juliet's fears that she will not make a good mother, our group had no qualms about her parenting skills. Kathleen said Juliet's enjoyment of the Dead Bride game--and her reluctance to give it up--were what would make her a good mother.
We agreed all book lovers are alike in some way, regardless of their generation, and thought the stories of Juliet breaking off her engagement (after her fiancé banishes her books to storage so he can display his trophies) were very indicative of this. We all also agreed with Isola that reading good books spoils your enjoyment of bad ones!
An interesting question posed by Kristie was whether we thought the book's realism was enhanced by the side thread of Juliet's vicissitudes as a writer. (We did.) Kathleen thought it was a happy juxtaposition to have read this directly after reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, in which so much of the author's tribulations creating the book wound up being part of the story.
Some historical facts in the book that surprised us were the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII, and also the islanders' fraternization with the Germans during the occupation. Shirley and Betty both thought the book painted an accurate picture of life during the war. Dianne thought the book handled a serious subject in an enjoyable way, and liked how even the awful things were handled very matter-of-factly; Carole agreed, saying this made the tragic events palatable. Betty thought the islanders didn't seem like--or see themselves as--victims. Kristie thought this made the story even more enjoyable, and Dianne thought it was also a typically British to adversity.
Our regular meetings will recommence in September.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
One Paragraph Reviews (March/April)
The Layered Garden : Design Lessons for Year-Round Beauty from Brandywine Cottage by David L. Culp with Adam Levine; photographs by Rob Cardillo
There's nothing like immersing yourself in someone else's lushly photographed garden to get you through the dregs of winter, and this book does not disappoint. I particularly liked the perspectives of different garden sections throughout the growing season, which illustrate very effectively Culp's strategy of planting for successive interest.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Audiobook)
As this is a book club selection, I will limit my remarks and just say how much I enjoyed the audio version of this book. The narrative alternates between the author's personal obsession with Henrietta Lacks (and the many obstacles she had to overcome while researching the book), the story of Henrietta, her family, and her legacy, and the medical history that was made after cancer cells were taken from Henrietta and used for research without her family's knowledge. As read by Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin, the audio version of this book has such an immediacy and intimacy that I forgot I wasn't actually listening to Skloot, but to an actress.
Canada by Richard Ford
Dell led an existence like any other mid-twentieth century teenager's, until the day his parents decided to rob a bank and he was catapulted into an alien life. Ford deftly captures the long, empty, baffling days of adolescence, when you begin to see your parents as human, and you begin to want things that you can't get from family life, but feel guilty, bewildered, and frightened about these new desires. The robbery forms an artificial before/after for Dell, who abruptly finds himself immersed in a frighteningly adult world with the same childish limitations he had before the robbery. The slow pace of the beginning of the book adds to the haunting, nostalgic tone, so don't try to read this one in a hurry.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
A very enjoyable tale about the power of books, reading, and computers, this is one of those reads that require you not only to suspend disbelief, but to (figuratively) let your vision unfocus, let go, and enjoy the ride without looking too closely at the machinery that's carrying you along. The reader can easily appreciate this fast-paced, entertaining homage to the traditional quest fantasy without being a die-hard, role-playing fantasy geek.
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
A searing account of a young man's struggle to come to grips with the devastating effects of war after serving in Iraq during the second Gulf War. Beautifully written, lyrical and heart-wrenching, this unforgettable glimpse into the life of one soldier is one of those books everyone will be urged to read; most importantly, the experience is worth it.
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
This harrowing tale about a storefront preacher and the havoc he wreaks is told by several different narrators, a device popular in many recent books that in this instance works especially well. Even though you know this isn't going to end well, you still hope it will--a testament to Cash's strong characters and powerful writing.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Tired of doom and gloom? You'll love this feel-good novel about a retired man coming to terms with the losses and failures of his life after an impulsive decision to walk the length of England to see a dying friend.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
Another story about a Gulf War veteran--this time, the soldier fought in the first Gulf War--this offers a completely different tone from The Yellow Birds. I saw one reviewer liken this book to Catch-22, which I thought very apt. Billy and his squadron have been flown home to America for a surreal "Victory Tour" of increasingly inane photo ops after a skirmish with the enemy was captured by the Fox News team embedded with squadron and broadcast live over national television. A biting, cynical look at not only the great divide between public perception of the war and the soldier's personal experience, but that between those in power and those who serve.
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
Just after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, a young newlywed couple board a steamer bound for America and home. Disaster strikes, the bride is put on a lifeboat, and her existence narrows from having the world at her feet to surviving the elements and her fellow boatmates. As her story is told in flashbacks, we begin to wonder if she is entirely trustworthy. This psychological thriller raises many questions and doesn't answer all of them, but it is definitely compelling.
Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison
The grande dame of vegetarian cuisine offers up an exhaustive, splendidly photographed guide to every vegetable you ever wanted to eat--and some you probably never heard of--complete with recipes. A great, essential reference.
Courting Trouble by Lisa Scottoline
Another dip into the romance genre (one of my 2013 reading resolutions), although this one was definitely more on the suspense end. Fun and entertaining after all the above heavy reading!
There's nothing like immersing yourself in someone else's lushly photographed garden to get you through the dregs of winter, and this book does not disappoint. I particularly liked the perspectives of different garden sections throughout the growing season, which illustrate very effectively Culp's strategy of planting for successive interest.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Audiobook)
As this is a book club selection, I will limit my remarks and just say how much I enjoyed the audio version of this book. The narrative alternates between the author's personal obsession with Henrietta Lacks (and the many obstacles she had to overcome while researching the book), the story of Henrietta, her family, and her legacy, and the medical history that was made after cancer cells were taken from Henrietta and used for research without her family's knowledge. As read by Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin, the audio version of this book has such an immediacy and intimacy that I forgot I wasn't actually listening to Skloot, but to an actress.
Canada by Richard Ford
Dell led an existence like any other mid-twentieth century teenager's, until the day his parents decided to rob a bank and he was catapulted into an alien life. Ford deftly captures the long, empty, baffling days of adolescence, when you begin to see your parents as human, and you begin to want things that you can't get from family life, but feel guilty, bewildered, and frightened about these new desires. The robbery forms an artificial before/after for Dell, who abruptly finds himself immersed in a frighteningly adult world with the same childish limitations he had before the robbery. The slow pace of the beginning of the book adds to the haunting, nostalgic tone, so don't try to read this one in a hurry.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
A very enjoyable tale about the power of books, reading, and computers, this is one of those reads that require you not only to suspend disbelief, but to (figuratively) let your vision unfocus, let go, and enjoy the ride without looking too closely at the machinery that's carrying you along. The reader can easily appreciate this fast-paced, entertaining homage to the traditional quest fantasy without being a die-hard, role-playing fantasy geek.
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
A searing account of a young man's struggle to come to grips with the devastating effects of war after serving in Iraq during the second Gulf War. Beautifully written, lyrical and heart-wrenching, this unforgettable glimpse into the life of one soldier is one of those books everyone will be urged to read; most importantly, the experience is worth it.
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
This harrowing tale about a storefront preacher and the havoc he wreaks is told by several different narrators, a device popular in many recent books that in this instance works especially well. Even though you know this isn't going to end well, you still hope it will--a testament to Cash's strong characters and powerful writing.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Tired of doom and gloom? You'll love this feel-good novel about a retired man coming to terms with the losses and failures of his life after an impulsive decision to walk the length of England to see a dying friend.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
Another story about a Gulf War veteran--this time, the soldier fought in the first Gulf War--this offers a completely different tone from The Yellow Birds. I saw one reviewer liken this book to Catch-22, which I thought very apt. Billy and his squadron have been flown home to America for a surreal "Victory Tour" of increasingly inane photo ops after a skirmish with the enemy was captured by the Fox News team embedded with squadron and broadcast live over national television. A biting, cynical look at not only the great divide between public perception of the war and the soldier's personal experience, but that between those in power and those who serve.
The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
Just after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, a young newlywed couple board a steamer bound for America and home. Disaster strikes, the bride is put on a lifeboat, and her existence narrows from having the world at her feet to surviving the elements and her fellow boatmates. As her story is told in flashbacks, we begin to wonder if she is entirely trustworthy. This psychological thriller raises many questions and doesn't answer all of them, but it is definitely compelling.
Vegetable Literacy by Deborah Madison
The grande dame of vegetarian cuisine offers up an exhaustive, splendidly photographed guide to every vegetable you ever wanted to eat--and some you probably never heard of--complete with recipes. A great, essential reference.
Courting Trouble by Lisa Scottoline
Another dip into the romance genre (one of my 2013 reading resolutions), although this one was definitely more on the suspense end. Fun and entertaining after all the above heavy reading!
Monday, April 8, 2013
April Book Club Meeting Notes
Betty led a much-diminished group's discussion of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. For all of you who missed it, here are the highlights!
Betty's first discussion question was if anything surprised us about the book? (Talk about opening a can of worms, Betty!) Kristie was surprised by the revelation of what constituted standard research practice in the 1950s, and we all had to agree with that. We were all also surprised that tumors, biopsies, blood and other tissue removed from your body is stored indefinitely and may be used for research at any time in the future, and that once it leaves your body you are not considered its possessor and generally give up any claim to monetary gain as a result of research using your "donation".
Betty loved how Skloot wove medical history, and personal history into one account. We all agreed Skloot's technique was incredible, and that in addition to being exhaustively, patiently researched, Skloot's pacing and character building made this read like a fiction book--although probably no one would have believed it if were fiction! Kristie and Kathleen both listened to the audio version of this book, and felt this greatly enhanced the author's method of interweaving personal and medical history.
Would this have happened if Henrietta had been white? Kristie and Shirley thought not, but Betty and Kathleen thought yes. Kathleen pointed out that this was, after all, just another in a long line of examples of questionable ethics on the part of researchers and medical companies. Betty reminded us that the Lacks family was not prone to question "authority", and continued to grant permission for researchers to study samples taken from Henrietta's descendants even after they learned the initial samples had been taken without Henrietta's permission. Kristie mentioned that she continued to be disturbed by the accounts of racism we have encountered in the various books we have read, and wondered at its prevalence.
Next month's meeting will be hosted by Janet on Saturday, May 4, to discuss The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer.
Betty's first discussion question was if anything surprised us about the book? (Talk about opening a can of worms, Betty!) Kristie was surprised by the revelation of what constituted standard research practice in the 1950s, and we all had to agree with that. We were all also surprised that tumors, biopsies, blood and other tissue removed from your body is stored indefinitely and may be used for research at any time in the future, and that once it leaves your body you are not considered its possessor and generally give up any claim to monetary gain as a result of research using your "donation".
Betty loved how Skloot wove medical history, and personal history into one account. We all agreed Skloot's technique was incredible, and that in addition to being exhaustively, patiently researched, Skloot's pacing and character building made this read like a fiction book--although probably no one would have believed it if were fiction! Kristie and Kathleen both listened to the audio version of this book, and felt this greatly enhanced the author's method of interweaving personal and medical history.
Would this have happened if Henrietta had been white? Kristie and Shirley thought not, but Betty and Kathleen thought yes. Kathleen pointed out that this was, after all, just another in a long line of examples of questionable ethics on the part of researchers and medical companies. Betty reminded us that the Lacks family was not prone to question "authority", and continued to grant permission for researchers to study samples taken from Henrietta's descendants even after they learned the initial samples had been taken without Henrietta's permission. Kristie mentioned that she continued to be disturbed by the accounts of racism we have encountered in the various books we have read, and wondered at its prevalence.
Next month's meeting will be hosted by Janet on Saturday, May 4, to discuss The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
One-Paragraph Reviews (February/March)
Meatless : more than 200 of the very best recipes from the kitchens of Martha Stewart Living
Beautifully photographed, of course--it's Martha, after all!-- and with a variety of levels of difficulty in the recipes, including quite a few quick and easies.
Days with Daisy by Nancy Hohmann
I read this book prior to Animal Communicator Nancy Hohmann's recent appearance here at HVL; I'm not sure I would have chosen to read it otherwise, but I'm very glad I did. Daisy, a dog diagnosed with bone cancer, decides that she has something to say to the world at large, and delivers her message via Hohmann. Sweet, funny, and touching, Daisy's musings on how animals and people could coexist more effectively certainly give one food for thought.
Teach Your Children Well : Parenting for Authentic Success by Madeline Levine
The lessons learned from Levine's years of experience as a therapist are substantiated by the results of recent research in this guide to creating mental and emotional well-being. This easy-to-read book helps parents of children from toddlers to teens.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
How does one become an adult when the future of life on earth is extremely uncertain? In this lovely coming-of-age novel, the grave consequences caused by the inexplicable slowing of Earth's rotation lend an air of urgency to Julia's adolescence, but do not prevent her from experiencing many of the joys shared by teenagers for generations.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Renowned architect Bernadette Fox has gone missing after a series of confrontations with her wildly competitive suburban neighbors and acquaintances; her daughter tries to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance through emails, letters, memos, and magazine stories. A hilarious look at keeping up with the Joneses, Seattle-style.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
This absorbing story travels back and forth between present-day Hollywood and Italy, 1962, when a young American actress, diagnosed with cancer while filming Cleopatra, seeks refuge on the Italian coast. Complete with Liz and Dick!
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Youth)
I loved, loved, loved this story encompassing Auggie Pullman's journey from a homeschooled, sheltered boy born with a severe facial deformity to one living a rich, full life, accepted by his peers. Sweet but not cloying, Auggie is an incredible character, and the other narrators (Auggie's friends, his sister, and her friends) not only lend perspective to the year's events, they truly enrich the story.
Arcadia by Lauren Groff
Follows Bit, the child of hippies living on a commune in upstate New York in the 1970s, through his unusual childhood and adolescence and into adulthood. A fascinating and detailed look at a failed social experiment, its aftermath, and the lasting effects on its children.
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (Young Adult)
Obsessive-compulsive Penelope (Lo) witnesses a murder after being in the wrong place at the wrong time; her disorder compels her to keep digging into the background of the murdered girl, despite a general reluctance on the part of law enforcement and increasingly disturbing signs that someone wants this story buried. Suspenseful and an eye-opening look at OCD.
The Witness by Nora Roberts
This is me keeping one of my resolutions--to read titles in the romance genre! 16-year-old Elizabeth flouts her mother's strictures and goes clubbing, with disastrous results that put her on the run until she meets good-hearted sheriff Brooks. I kept thinking I should like this more than I did, but some essential ingredient seemed to be missing that would have elevated it to one of those books you just can't put down.
Beautifully photographed, of course--it's Martha, after all!-- and with a variety of levels of difficulty in the recipes, including quite a few quick and easies.
Days with Daisy by Nancy Hohmann
I read this book prior to Animal Communicator Nancy Hohmann's recent appearance here at HVL; I'm not sure I would have chosen to read it otherwise, but I'm very glad I did. Daisy, a dog diagnosed with bone cancer, decides that she has something to say to the world at large, and delivers her message via Hohmann. Sweet, funny, and touching, Daisy's musings on how animals and people could coexist more effectively certainly give one food for thought.
Teach Your Children Well : Parenting for Authentic Success by Madeline Levine
The lessons learned from Levine's years of experience as a therapist are substantiated by the results of recent research in this guide to creating mental and emotional well-being. This easy-to-read book helps parents of children from toddlers to teens.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
How does one become an adult when the future of life on earth is extremely uncertain? In this lovely coming-of-age novel, the grave consequences caused by the inexplicable slowing of Earth's rotation lend an air of urgency to Julia's adolescence, but do not prevent her from experiencing many of the joys shared by teenagers for generations.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Renowned architect Bernadette Fox has gone missing after a series of confrontations with her wildly competitive suburban neighbors and acquaintances; her daughter tries to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance through emails, letters, memos, and magazine stories. A hilarious look at keeping up with the Joneses, Seattle-style.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
This absorbing story travels back and forth between present-day Hollywood and Italy, 1962, when a young American actress, diagnosed with cancer while filming Cleopatra, seeks refuge on the Italian coast. Complete with Liz and Dick!
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Youth)
I loved, loved, loved this story encompassing Auggie Pullman's journey from a homeschooled, sheltered boy born with a severe facial deformity to one living a rich, full life, accepted by his peers. Sweet but not cloying, Auggie is an incredible character, and the other narrators (Auggie's friends, his sister, and her friends) not only lend perspective to the year's events, they truly enrich the story.
Arcadia by Lauren Groff
Follows Bit, the child of hippies living on a commune in upstate New York in the 1970s, through his unusual childhood and adolescence and into adulthood. A fascinating and detailed look at a failed social experiment, its aftermath, and the lasting effects on its children.
The Butterfly Clues by Kate Ellison (Young Adult)
Obsessive-compulsive Penelope (Lo) witnesses a murder after being in the wrong place at the wrong time; her disorder compels her to keep digging into the background of the murdered girl, despite a general reluctance on the part of law enforcement and increasingly disturbing signs that someone wants this story buried. Suspenseful and an eye-opening look at OCD.
The Witness by Nora Roberts
This is me keeping one of my resolutions--to read titles in the romance genre! 16-year-old Elizabeth flouts her mother's strictures and goes clubbing, with disastrous results that put her on the run until she meets good-hearted sheriff Brooks. I kept thinking I should like this more than I did, but some essential ingredient seemed to be missing that would have elevated it to one of those books you just can't put down.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
March Book Club Meeting Notes
This month's book, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, is a young adult title; you know what that means--drama! The heroine of this book, 16-year-old Hazel, has stage IV cancer, so from the start the reader knows it's not likely to end well. Nevertheless, everyone greatly enjoyed the book.
Our host Carole started us off by mentioning that the title of the book, derived from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, has actually been tweaked to reflect the misfortune of the protagonists. (The original quote is "The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves...") Hazel meets Gus and Isaac at a support group for teens with cancer, where the dynamic shifts as members die and new kids are diagnosed. Carole explained that the author, John Green, spent time as a pediatric hospital chaplain. There followed a short discussion about how the story is sad, but not maudlin, and of how matter-of-fact the kids are in dealing with their misfortune, and even allow themselves some gallows humor from time to time, as in the blunt discussions of "cancer perks"--i.e. "make a wish" experiences--and the teasing Hazel gives Isaac about the girlfriend who deserted him.
Kristie wondered why Hazel purposely dressed as the character in Van Houten's book when she met him; did she intend to play upon any pity he might have for her? We all thought perhaps she did, but only to increase her chances of getting the answer to her question about the fate of the characters in Van Houten's book. One of Carole's discussion questions was why Hazel needs to know what happens after the story ends; Kristie suggested that since Hazel identified so strongly with the character in Van Houten's book, knowing how life went on for the other characters in that book would help her come to terms with her own fate and that of her family.
Dianne wondered why, as a society, we don't feel more comfortable addressing terminal illness in people we know? We spent some time on this, throwing out theories such as survivor guilt. We also briefly touched on the "cancer perks", and how it's one way to deal with this guilt; we also talked a bit about how the cancer perks might inspire envy in healthy children. Many of us remembered wanting-- as children--crutches, or a cast, or braces.
There was quite a bit of discussion about how realistic the kids were, or weren't. How would you deal with a diagnosis like this as a teenager? Betty found it hard to believe they could be so accepting of their fate, or so concerned about how their families would cope with their deaths. Were these characters too good to be true? Our group was divided, with some saying they just couldn't see it. Then we swung back around to a point that always seems to come up, about the appropriateness of the subject matter for a teen audience. Kathleen reminded everyone that books like these help teens learn how to deal with both everyday and big-time adversity, and recalled a slew of similar books she read as a teenager (Death Be Not Proud, Brian's Song, A Separate Peace). Finally, Toni brought up the question of whose parents were in better shape to handle their trial, Hazel's or Gus's; we all agreed Gus's parents were going to have a difficult time.
One thing we all agreed on--this book had us thinking about how we would handle such a diagnosis in our own lives. The book did a remarkable job in reminding us of how precious life is, and how we shouldn't waste a moment.
Our host Carole started us off by mentioning that the title of the book, derived from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, has actually been tweaked to reflect the misfortune of the protagonists. (The original quote is "The fault, dear Brutus, lies not in our stars but in ourselves...") Hazel meets Gus and Isaac at a support group for teens with cancer, where the dynamic shifts as members die and new kids are diagnosed. Carole explained that the author, John Green, spent time as a pediatric hospital chaplain. There followed a short discussion about how the story is sad, but not maudlin, and of how matter-of-fact the kids are in dealing with their misfortune, and even allow themselves some gallows humor from time to time, as in the blunt discussions of "cancer perks"--i.e. "make a wish" experiences--and the teasing Hazel gives Isaac about the girlfriend who deserted him.
Kristie wondered why Hazel purposely dressed as the character in Van Houten's book when she met him; did she intend to play upon any pity he might have for her? We all thought perhaps she did, but only to increase her chances of getting the answer to her question about the fate of the characters in Van Houten's book. One of Carole's discussion questions was why Hazel needs to know what happens after the story ends; Kristie suggested that since Hazel identified so strongly with the character in Van Houten's book, knowing how life went on for the other characters in that book would help her come to terms with her own fate and that of her family.
Dianne wondered why, as a society, we don't feel more comfortable addressing terminal illness in people we know? We spent some time on this, throwing out theories such as survivor guilt. We also briefly touched on the "cancer perks", and how it's one way to deal with this guilt; we also talked a bit about how the cancer perks might inspire envy in healthy children. Many of us remembered wanting-- as children--crutches, or a cast, or braces.
There was quite a bit of discussion about how realistic the kids were, or weren't. How would you deal with a diagnosis like this as a teenager? Betty found it hard to believe they could be so accepting of their fate, or so concerned about how their families would cope with their deaths. Were these characters too good to be true? Our group was divided, with some saying they just couldn't see it. Then we swung back around to a point that always seems to come up, about the appropriateness of the subject matter for a teen audience. Kathleen reminded everyone that books like these help teens learn how to deal with both everyday and big-time adversity, and recalled a slew of similar books she read as a teenager (Death Be Not Proud, Brian's Song, A Separate Peace). Finally, Toni brought up the question of whose parents were in better shape to handle their trial, Hazel's or Gus's; we all agreed Gus's parents were going to have a difficult time.
One thing we all agreed on--this book had us thinking about how we would handle such a diagnosis in our own lives. The book did a remarkable job in reminding us of how precious life is, and how we shouldn't waste a moment.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
February Book Club Meeting Notes
Three Weeks in December, by Audrey Schulman, was well-liked by the 8 participants at February's meeting. We all agreed the quote found by Barbara, our host, that the book was a "bizarre, creepy page-turner" was only partly accurate. We felt it was certainly a page-turner, and certainly bizarre and even creepy in parts, but to characterize the entire book this way would be inaccurate as well as dismissive of its many charming moments.
The novel follows two separate protagonists who both represent foreign interests in African projects, one at the turn of the twentieth century and one at the turn of the twenty-first. The success of each project has been hampered by peculiarly African challenges: Jeremy, the American engineer overseeing the construction of a railroad, has his progress impeded by a pair of man-eating lions that keep carrying off the workers, thus decimating morale; Max's modern-day quest to find a life-saving plant is complicated by political unrest caused by roving bands of child soldiers, as well as by the necessity of finding the plant by observing its use by a group of mountain gorillas.
Everyone agreed the parts of the novel told from Max's point of view seemed strongest. We had quite a bit of discussion about Asperger's syndrome, what we learned about it, and how it played such a large part in the story. Kathleen liked the statement made by Max about how everyone was "on the spectrum"; Janet reminded us that from a diagnostic point of view, everyone is not on the spectrum, and this led us into a discussion of what is considered "normal" human behavior and what is not, and why. We also all loved Max's reasons for why she preferred plants to humans, as well as her focus, stubborness, and determination; she has no doubt whatsoever that she will find the plant she is in search of.
Barbara asked if anyone was surprised by Jeremy's secret (no) or about the relationship between Max and Jeremy (yes, but we felt we shouldn't have been). She asked what we thought Max's fate, suggested but not specified by the author, might be (we all thought Max probably had the safety of the gorillas uppermost in her mind, not her own) and if we saw similarities between Max and Jeremy's stories (yes, both on the fringes of their particular societies, both more comfortable in Africa), and there was a side discussion about the origins of autism and whether "curing" it would lead to a different kind of society.
We all agreed the bizarre, creepy parts were those dealing with the murderous Kutu in Max's story and with the man-eating lions in Jeremy's story. Someone pointed out that the lions' method of smothering their prey by placing their jaws over their victim's face was reminiscent of the old wives' tale of housecats smothering babies, and wondered if this was its origin.
We were all interested in the tension created by the desire of the other members of the research group for the protection afforded by Max's presence, and their fervent wish that she not be successful in her search. There was also a discussion about pharmaceutical ethics--or lack thereof--and the author's implied criticism of both imperialism and colonialism.
There are plenty of complementary books and movies for this book: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (another book club selection) also deals with Americans attempting to bring "progress" to Africa; Out of Africa (both the film and the memoir by Isak Dinesen); and the film Gorillas in the Mist would also enhance a reading of this book. To learn more about mountain gorillas, click here: http://mountaingorillas.gorillacd.org/
Next month: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The novel follows two separate protagonists who both represent foreign interests in African projects, one at the turn of the twentieth century and one at the turn of the twenty-first. The success of each project has been hampered by peculiarly African challenges: Jeremy, the American engineer overseeing the construction of a railroad, has his progress impeded by a pair of man-eating lions that keep carrying off the workers, thus decimating morale; Max's modern-day quest to find a life-saving plant is complicated by political unrest caused by roving bands of child soldiers, as well as by the necessity of finding the plant by observing its use by a group of mountain gorillas.
Everyone agreed the parts of the novel told from Max's point of view seemed strongest. We had quite a bit of discussion about Asperger's syndrome, what we learned about it, and how it played such a large part in the story. Kathleen liked the statement made by Max about how everyone was "on the spectrum"; Janet reminded us that from a diagnostic point of view, everyone is not on the spectrum, and this led us into a discussion of what is considered "normal" human behavior and what is not, and why. We also all loved Max's reasons for why she preferred plants to humans, as well as her focus, stubborness, and determination; she has no doubt whatsoever that she will find the plant she is in search of.
Barbara asked if anyone was surprised by Jeremy's secret (no) or about the relationship between Max and Jeremy (yes, but we felt we shouldn't have been). She asked what we thought Max's fate, suggested but not specified by the author, might be (we all thought Max probably had the safety of the gorillas uppermost in her mind, not her own) and if we saw similarities between Max and Jeremy's stories (yes, both on the fringes of their particular societies, both more comfortable in Africa), and there was a side discussion about the origins of autism and whether "curing" it would lead to a different kind of society.
We all agreed the bizarre, creepy parts were those dealing with the murderous Kutu in Max's story and with the man-eating lions in Jeremy's story. Someone pointed out that the lions' method of smothering their prey by placing their jaws over their victim's face was reminiscent of the old wives' tale of housecats smothering babies, and wondered if this was its origin.
We were all interested in the tension created by the desire of the other members of the research group for the protection afforded by Max's presence, and their fervent wish that she not be successful in her search. There was also a discussion about pharmaceutical ethics--or lack thereof--and the author's implied criticism of both imperialism and colonialism.
There are plenty of complementary books and movies for this book: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (another book club selection) also deals with Americans attempting to bring "progress" to Africa; Out of Africa (both the film and the memoir by Isak Dinesen); and the film Gorillas in the Mist would also enhance a reading of this book. To learn more about mountain gorillas, click here: http://mountaingorillas.gorillacd.org/
Next month: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Monday, January 28, 2013
2013 Resolutions
The end of January is approaching, the sun is higher in the sky...this always seems to me to be a better time to make a resolution than right after all the mayhem of Christmas, when I'm always too tired to think clearly. Plus, all the talk by other people about resolutions gives me some inspiration, then I get some time to ponder my own. This year, I decided to implement some resolutions regarding my reading habits
Late in the year (last year), I vowed to read more non-fiction by listening to audiobooks on my commute. (That's another one of my tricks, implement the resolution before New Year's.) So far, I've completed one and am partway through another. I'm also planning to try to read more of a variety of genres this year, so I can better recommend titles for our patrons; as a former English major, I tend toward literary fiction for leisure reading, so last year I made an effort to add some mysteries and thrillers to my reading list. This year, I'll try to add Science Fiction/Fantasy and Romance to the mix. The final leaf on my resolution shamrock involves writing a sentence or two describing what I've read, pared down to its essence--a sort of review haiku. My hope is that it will help me to define the appeal of a book, and it will also serve as a resource for you, the reader. I will not, however, do the review haiku for Book Club selections or for picture books.
January's titles:
Mission to Paris by Alan Furst
An Austrian-American actor is loaned to another studio to make a film in Paris just as tensions ratchet up in the leadup to World War II, and he finds himself immersed in a world where everyone wants something of him, but no one's motives are to be trusted. I enjoyed peeking behind the scenes of filmmaking, as well as the way Stahl is slowly pulled into espionage; the pace is rather slow, but I think this serves to heighten the sense of dread and tension at the climax.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Young Adult)
A lovely, thought-provoking boy-meets-girl love story, with a twist: they meet in a cancer support group. There is a book-within-the-book aspect that greatly enhances the story and lends a different voice without detracting from the book's essential question of how to live your life to the fullest.
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Young Adult)
Would the world be a better place if we leveled the playing field so everyone was beautiful and no one was judged by their looks? An intriguing look at this possibility, and one sure to appeal to fans of The Hunger Games trilogy.
Laurel's Kitchen by Laurel Robertson
This vintage title in our cookbook collection, collaborated on by three friends in Berkeley, California in the late 1970s, sings the praises of vegetarian cuisine and contains much nutritional information as well as recipes. I had to giggle a little at the photos and illustrations, but did find some useful recipes.
Midnight Rising : John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz (Audiobook)
Horwitz paints a compelling picture of abolitionist John Brown, a man of strong convictions about right and wrong, but not a man who often succeeded at what he attempted. The bloodbath at Harper's Ferry was the culmination of a lifetime of poorly thought-out schemes on Brown's part, which nevertheless achieved his goal of starting America down the road to ending slavery.
Please feel free to share your reading resolutions for 2013!
Late in the year (last year), I vowed to read more non-fiction by listening to audiobooks on my commute. (That's another one of my tricks, implement the resolution before New Year's.) So far, I've completed one and am partway through another. I'm also planning to try to read more of a variety of genres this year, so I can better recommend titles for our patrons; as a former English major, I tend toward literary fiction for leisure reading, so last year I made an effort to add some mysteries and thrillers to my reading list. This year, I'll try to add Science Fiction/Fantasy and Romance to the mix. The final leaf on my resolution shamrock involves writing a sentence or two describing what I've read, pared down to its essence--a sort of review haiku. My hope is that it will help me to define the appeal of a book, and it will also serve as a resource for you, the reader. I will not, however, do the review haiku for Book Club selections or for picture books.
January's titles:
Mission to Paris by Alan Furst
An Austrian-American actor is loaned to another studio to make a film in Paris just as tensions ratchet up in the leadup to World War II, and he finds himself immersed in a world where everyone wants something of him, but no one's motives are to be trusted. I enjoyed peeking behind the scenes of filmmaking, as well as the way Stahl is slowly pulled into espionage; the pace is rather slow, but I think this serves to heighten the sense of dread and tension at the climax.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Young Adult)
A lovely, thought-provoking boy-meets-girl love story, with a twist: they meet in a cancer support group. There is a book-within-the-book aspect that greatly enhances the story and lends a different voice without detracting from the book's essential question of how to live your life to the fullest.
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Young Adult)
Would the world be a better place if we leveled the playing field so everyone was beautiful and no one was judged by their looks? An intriguing look at this possibility, and one sure to appeal to fans of The Hunger Games trilogy.
Laurel's Kitchen by Laurel Robertson
This vintage title in our cookbook collection, collaborated on by three friends in Berkeley, California in the late 1970s, sings the praises of vegetarian cuisine and contains much nutritional information as well as recipes. I had to giggle a little at the photos and illustrations, but did find some useful recipes.
Midnight Rising : John Brown and the Raid That Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horwitz (Audiobook)
Horwitz paints a compelling picture of abolitionist John Brown, a man of strong convictions about right and wrong, but not a man who often succeeded at what he attempted. The bloodbath at Harper's Ferry was the culmination of a lifetime of poorly thought-out schemes on Brown's part, which nevertheless achieved his goal of starting America down the road to ending slavery.
Please feel free to share your reading resolutions for 2013!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
January Book Club Meeting Notes
This month's selection, The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, was a popular choice. All six of us who attended the meeting liked the book, which tells the stories of a planter's family, his slaves, and an Irish indentured servant girl in the late 1700s-early 1800s.
Dianne started us off with some facts about slavery: the period when America actually imported slaves was relatively short (c. 1581-1808); thereafter, all slave trade was with slaves already existing in the country. By 1860, the commercial value of the enslaved was :
--3x greater than the total amount of all capital in the north and south combined
--3x greater than the total amount generated by all manufacturing in the country
--3x greater than the amount invested in American railroads
--7x greater than the amount invested in American banks
We all enjoyed the fast pace of the book and the strongly drawn characters, but felt a little disappointed that the author didn't explore more fully some interesting issues she raised. For example, what would have been the social consequences of the Captain's liaison with Belle's mother, a slave he "married" and set up house with, had she not died? The Captain's mother seemed particularly amenable to the situation, treating the child as naturally as she would have a white grandaughter; what was the reaction of the world outside the plantation? Was it so disapproving that when the Captain married Miss Martha he hid the true nature of his relationship with Belle? We all would have liked to read more about this, and also more about the indentured servants who came to America.
We also all enjoyed the strongly drawn, distinctive characters, especially naive Lavinia and the steely Mama Mae and her family. The plot, however, seemed to take over the further one got into the book. From the beginning and the prologue, we knew something bad was going to happen, and the story seemed to progress from a march to a dead run, hastening us toward the end. While we all agreed the book was hard to put down because of this, we also agreed that it made the book a little uneven. We also all agreed that some parts of the story seemed a little contrived and convenient-- Miss Martha's sister agreeing to take on Lavinia's education, for example. There was some discussion about how likely the slaves would have been to do some of the things they did (another lost opportunity for detail on the part of the author), and also some discussion about the situation beween Belle, Ben and Lucy. Some felt this was another plot contrivance that did not ring quite true. Most everyone was disappointed with how Will and Lavinia's situation resolved itself, and we also wondered what Lavinia hoped to get out of her relationship with Martha, when she was so lovingly nurtured by Mama Mae and Belle (one idea was that she was instinctively drawn to Martha as someone who could provide her with knowledge that the slaves could not).
Some other titles were mentioned in the course of our discussion that would enhance the topic: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed. (All are available at the library.)
Next month's selection: Three Weeks in December by Audrey Schulman.
Dianne started us off with some facts about slavery: the period when America actually imported slaves was relatively short (c. 1581-1808); thereafter, all slave trade was with slaves already existing in the country. By 1860, the commercial value of the enslaved was :
--3x greater than the total amount of all capital in the north and south combined
--3x greater than the total amount generated by all manufacturing in the country
--3x greater than the amount invested in American railroads
--7x greater than the amount invested in American banks
We all enjoyed the fast pace of the book and the strongly drawn characters, but felt a little disappointed that the author didn't explore more fully some interesting issues she raised. For example, what would have been the social consequences of the Captain's liaison with Belle's mother, a slave he "married" and set up house with, had she not died? The Captain's mother seemed particularly amenable to the situation, treating the child as naturally as she would have a white grandaughter; what was the reaction of the world outside the plantation? Was it so disapproving that when the Captain married Miss Martha he hid the true nature of his relationship with Belle? We all would have liked to read more about this, and also more about the indentured servants who came to America.
We also all enjoyed the strongly drawn, distinctive characters, especially naive Lavinia and the steely Mama Mae and her family. The plot, however, seemed to take over the further one got into the book. From the beginning and the prologue, we knew something bad was going to happen, and the story seemed to progress from a march to a dead run, hastening us toward the end. While we all agreed the book was hard to put down because of this, we also agreed that it made the book a little uneven. We also all agreed that some parts of the story seemed a little contrived and convenient-- Miss Martha's sister agreeing to take on Lavinia's education, for example. There was some discussion about how likely the slaves would have been to do some of the things they did (another lost opportunity for detail on the part of the author), and also some discussion about the situation beween Belle, Ben and Lucy. Some felt this was another plot contrivance that did not ring quite true. Most everyone was disappointed with how Will and Lavinia's situation resolved itself, and we also wondered what Lavinia hoped to get out of her relationship with Martha, when she was so lovingly nurtured by Mama Mae and Belle (one idea was that she was instinctively drawn to Martha as someone who could provide her with knowledge that the slaves could not).
Some other titles were mentioned in the course of our discussion that would enhance the topic: Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed. (All are available at the library.)
Next month's selection: Three Weeks in December by Audrey Schulman.
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