It's a book about war.... what did I expect?

Okay, so here it is..... I listen to Imus on my way to work in the morning. Yeah, he's kind of a goober, but I like his guests and find his interviews with the political movers and shakers to be amongst the best around.

Anyway, a couple of years ago he recommended Fly Boys and had the author on his show to discuss the book and how he came to write it. It's a historical account of some fly boys (American air men) shot down in the Pacific during WWII. Among these air men was George H. W. Bush -- regardless of your political affiliation, his personal story is rather noteworthy as he was the youngest naval aviator of his time.

So, I kept meaning to pick up the book.... time went by and I didn't.

Well, I got a Borders gift card for my birthday and decided that I should put it to good use and along with some other books, I picked up Fly Boys.

Let's just say -- this book is fabulously written and a very compelling story -- but I just can't read it anymore. It's too grisly and although I'm drawn to it because of the story of bravery and the historical context..... it's a war book and I'm just not in a place where I have the stomach for it right now. I physically whince when I turn the pages..... the details come to life in such a way that I can't bear to put myself through it anymore.

I will read it -- but right now.... I'm putting it aside for something a little lighter -- Nothing Is Quite Forgotten in Brooklyn.

Join Me?

Judy Bloom meets John Steinbeck?

Okay -- so I finished The God of Animals, and I'm interested in what you (Arwen, because I think you are probably the only one besides me who read it) liked/disliked about it.

To me..... it was kind of an odd dichotomy -- an "end of the innocence" story in a rural setting..... a place where there was still a posse and cowboys mingled with "catfish" because it was profitable. A commentary on the affluent -- where the lives of both people and animals are just hobbies..... disposable -- and where things are rarely what they seem.

Thoughts?

Jews With Swords

Of late I have found it difficult to type or read blogs. Too busy with kids, largely indifferent to the suffering of others, entranced by Ms. Palin's keen grasp of social policy - the usual reasons.

It has been equally difficult to make the time to read anything more complex than classified ads. How does anyone locate the narrative thread in the busy tapestry of parenting, employment, and periodic unconsciousness? (And creaky metaphors? Hmm?)

In any event, I have just completed the above-pictured novel. It reads episodically, appears to be well-written, and lacks delf-seriousness. It does not have an "O" on it. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Chabon's work (as do I) and who suffers from a truncated attention span (yep).

Tootles!

Based on Arwen's Recommendation....

Based on glowing Arwen's recommendation, I'm going to read The God of Animals, by Aryn Kyle.

Anybody want to join me?

Frankly Scarlet..... Oh, sorry....different Scarlet

I just finished (well, I'm actually a couple of pages from the end of) Maeve Binchey's Scarlet Feather.

It may be because of familial background, but I've always loved Maeve Binchey's books -- she writes about the Ireland where I grew up -- small villages where everyone knew every one's business. Real people who faced real adversity and triumph every day. Her writing style is easy to get absorbed in -- it's complex in its simplicity.

She describes her characters with such warmth and honesty -- they become your friends, your neighbors, your family -- I cried when the Jack betrayed Benny in Circle of Friends and I wanted my parents to pack us up and move us back to Ireland like Patrick O'Neil did in Firefly Summer. I'm always sad to see the end of one of her books -- because I'll miss these people I've been spending time with. She always leaves story on the table.... I always walk away wondering what happened to them after.... did the romance take off? was the marriage saved? did the rascal's mischief ever catch up to him?

Scarlet Feather wasn't really like that for me. I had a hard time getting lost in the story -- the writing was the same, but the characters...... I just didn't care about them much. Cathy was nice enough, but not all that warm. Tom was warm -- but you really didn't see that side of him right away. My heart just didn't ache for them when they suffered disappointments.... my spirit didn't soar for them when they triumphed -- they were just people passing by.

Or so I thought.

It wasn't until I was about half way through the book that I began looking forward to picking it up. And although much of the plot points were really very predictable, and I knew what was coming -- I started to hope that I was wrong..... these are good people, they deserve a break -- some good luck.

I won't give too much away, in the event one of you (anybody still out there?) decides to read it -- but, I did end up getting weepy a couple of times... and happy a few too.

Overall, I'd say that this book was not one of Maeve's best -- but it was still good. It took a lot longer to get absorbed in it than some of her others -- the characters may not have been quite as compelling -- but, I am sad to say goodbye to Cathy and Tom. There are a few questions left unanswered -- so there is more story to tell.... I think she likes it that way.

I'm off to Borders to get a new book -- anybody want to make a suggestion?

Is This Thing On?

Hello, virtual bibliobots. I have been too busy reading to spend any time typing. Like, menus and such. The yellow pages. And Don DeLillo.

I was reading "Underground" for some time. This book is massive. Go ahead, measure it. Weigh it. I am not lying. The usual hallmarks of a good read, for this amateur reader, were evident. I wanted to know what was happening, or going to happen, to the characters.* Plus: lofty prose, rapturous passages, olfactory hallucinations. The good stuff. I would recommend this book to friends I expect to see again.

Whereas "Mao II" is pissing me off. So much so I don't care where my prepositions are found in. Or on! That's right. I want everyone in the book to perish so someone interesting or worthy of further interest can arise. Right now the anti-hero, or protagonist, or whatever it is is in Athens waiting to meet a terrorist, or accountant, or something and likely something bad will happen to him. Or not. Who cares? I don't care. I put the book in my closet and I am now reading something crappy but mildly funny** until the next massive book crawls into my field of vision and refuses to leave until it is done with me.

Or maybe I should haul Mao II from the closet and wait for the cultural revolution. I don't know if it's worth the effort. Do you?

PMO

* Mostly nothing. Or they'd disappear. Don DeLillo has eaten the Texas Highway Killer.
** Morgan Spurlock in search of public enema #1.

Recommendations?

So, I got a gift card to Borders and it's burning a hole in my pocket.

Anybody want to make a recommendation?

The Tipping Point

When I was in graduate school, I took a course in entrepreneurship -- The Tipping Point was assigned by the instructor and I was just too busy to read it. Listening to the class discussion, it was a book I'd regretted not reading -- so, I swore that I'd read it..... eventually.

Well, eventually is here -- I just finished it.

It is not the typical book club book. It's more text-booky than it is novel. It's non-fiction and it's full of facts, history, lots and lots of statistics...... all the things that make most people (unless they are math/accounting geeks like me) gloss over. But, it is also full of pop-culture, psychology and science.

This book is not for everyone, and I can understand why some people would pick it up and then promptly and permanently put it down.

However, there is a chapter on Sesame Street, Blue's Clues and child development that I think is worth reading for any parent.

I really enjoyed the book -- and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. It uses real examples to illustrate and explain how fads happen or, in many cases, why they fail to.

The next book in my line up is Maeve Binchey's Scarlet Feather

Being a first generation American who spent a lot of time in Ireland as a kid, I tend to really enjoy Maeve Binchey's books. I'm not sure if people without that connection would enjoy them quite as much, but -- given her popularity.... I'd say they do.

The Jerk's Wife

oh, okay -- that was kind of harsh...

I just finished The Time Traveler's Wife -- I read it based on rave reviews I got from a bunch of people who have never steered me wrong before.

Honestly, I didn't really like it much in the beginning.

The author is clearly very talented and has an amazing imagination -- and the format or method she uses to unfold the story (journal entries of sorts) was effective and engaging -- but, I just didn't really like the main character very much.

Perhaps I'm old fashioned or just naive, but I like a main character I can love or love to hate..... this guy?... he just seemed like a waste of time. I didn't like him much, didn't find him all that attractive..... but, I also didn't think he was worth the effort or energy involved in hating.

As the story progressed, my opinion did change and I did begin to enjoy the story. Although I still didn't love or hate this guy, his character was redeemed as he matured. Additionally, there were some plot twists and turns in the middle/end that really threw me and kept me just engaged enough to keep reading -- even during parts where I didn't think the story was that great.

Given that I have a new baby, there were some parts of the story that really tugged at my post-partum heartstrings.... but I don't want to give too much away in case you want to read the book yourself.

In the end, I can say that I liked the book -- I didn't love it, but I liked it and I would certainly read her next book.

I'm probably going to read The Tipping Point Next -- if anybody's interested in joining me.

This is a book that I've been meaning to read for years.

When I was in graduate school it was assigned as required reading for an entrepreneurship class and I didn't read it, but from the class discussion -- I regretted my laziness and put it on my list of books that I wanted to read. Well, here we are 6 years later and I'm going to make good.

The Devil Wears Prada

So, while I was in the hospital.... I managed to finish The Devil Wears Prada.

I'm not going to bother with some long detailed review -- I think I was the last person in America to read the book.... and I haven't seen the movie.

Instead, I'll just share some things that I found interesting.....

Upon seeing the book, every nurse in the hospital had to comment on it..... "I loved that book," "I hated that book," "It was hard to get into," and of course the usual "Not as good as the movie" or "So much better than the movie."

Makes me wonder..... do you prefer to read the book first? or see the movie first?

I personally prefer to read the book first (if I bother to see the movie at all) -- I can't really think of an instance where I preferred a movie to a book..... but that's just me.

The book was okay -- it was fluffy -- good for hospital (or beach) reading, but not much more.

Based on Sarah's and Arwen's recommendations, I'm currently in the middle of the The Time Traveler's Wife and so far.... I like it -- it's clever and different and it's holding my attention without being so intellectual that I can't put it down and pick it back up easily..... I hope to finish it by the end of the week..... so I'll let you know how it is when I'm done.

The God of Animals

You must all read this NOW! You will be happy I suggested it.

Psssst

Hey. I am finally reading "Special Topics in Calamity Physics".

Does anybody care?

tap, tap, tap..... is this thing on?

First of all, let me say that I just wrote and entire post and stupid Blogger deleted it -- so now, I must reconstruct..... let's just hope that I'm just as witty this time around -- I assure you, the first one was a real knee-slapper..... it would have had you in stitches -- might even have made you pee a little.

Let's see.... how'd I begin -- oh yeah,

What's it been 6, 7.... maybe it's 8 months now?

The Big Dubya mentioned a week or so ago that he was going to go to Barnes & Noble to use some gift cards that were burning a hole in his pocket -- pick up some books he's been meaning to read. Because I am who I am, I made a snarky comment about adding more books to an already too-high pile that were going unread on his nightstand. I got a well-deserved dirty look and the book store trip was quickly cancelled.

The conversation got me thinking of my own too-high pile of unread books collecting dust on my nightstand...... The Devil in The White City being at the top of the list. I had started reading it on a quick trip to Ireland over the summer, but just never got around to finishing it once I got home. I could blame work, the pregnancy or the two small children -- but that would be a cop out. I find time for all sorts of mindless crap, if I wanted to find the time to read -- I would -- I just haven't made it enough of a priority.

So this morning, rather than reading about Britney the trainwreck in the latest issue of People on the coffee table at Valvoline or about the wonders of Boniva in my doctor's office -- I brought the Devil with me. It had been a few months, but the story is pretty hard to forget -- I got right back in. And, because my doctor let me sit for a good 45 minutes..... between the two appointments, I managed to finish the damn thing.

I won't bore you with a detailed review -- just what I did and didn't like. I liked the use of language -- it's really well written (not like this post). He manages to tell several totally unrelated stories and tie them all back to Chicago and the World's Fair. If a specific story line begins to drag a little or you dont' care for it.... stick with it for a few more pages and you'll be moved on to something else.

Didn't like -- well.... all of the stories are dark. The book gets graphic and grisly in places.... the macabre is probably necessary for the intended effect, but -- it's enough to make me shudder and I don't really like that.

Overall, it's a good book -- not what I would normally read, but -- that's why I joined, to step outside the comfort zone of books I would select for myself.

This brings me to the Supercoolest Book Club Ever -- we've kind of fizzled out lately and I'd like to propose a re-launch.

I know it's short notice, and that most have you have probably already read it -- but, Aunt P lent me The Devil Wears Prada over the summer and it's still on the nightstand. It's light reading and I ought to be able to get through it fairly quickly, so I'm going to start there.

In the meantime, anybody want to suggest the next assignment?

Two Months Later...

Hey! I just finished reading "The Devil in White City".

What? You no longer care?

Fine.

Are we supposed to be reading something now?

A warning to you Muggles

(Cross posted from my blog, because Kara asked me to.)

The purchase of the latest and final Harry Potter book could result in the following:

• Extreme exhaustion - Due to the reader's reluctance to put the book down and, therefore, get some damn sleep already.
  

• Migraine headache - An unfortunate side effect resulting from the constant refrains of "MommyMommyMommyMommyMommyMommyMommyMOMMY! Pay attention to ME Mommy!" coming from the reader's child or children. And, eventually, because the young child or children, once realizing that the attention they so badly desire is not forthcoming, throws her or himself down on the floor in a full-fledged tantrum. Under normal circumstances a simple tantrum would not induce such nagging pain, however these are not normal circumstances (See Extreme Exhaustion above).

• Sore jaw and dry eyes - Both suffered by the reader - who stares in amazement, unblinking, while absorbing every heart-stopping chapter with jaw slack and hanging to floor - and by the reader's child or children who will spend far too many hours in front of the television until the book is finished (and we all know what young kids look like while watching TV, don't we?).

• A sense of disconnectedness from the outside world - Due to the reader breaking all contact with family, friends, the television and internet, and of course newspapers (why would you reader anything else when you could be reading Harry Potter??) until the book is finished.

• Skin irritation, redness and itching - Because the reader, in her excitement to finally start reading the last book in the series, forgets to put on sunscreen before sitting in the sun for three hours, resulting in a horrible sunburn across her chest.
  

• A horrible sense of loss and mild depression - When the reader is reaching the end of the book and realizes that this is the last time she and Harry, Hermione, Ron, and the rest of the characters she's come to love, will never meet again within the hardcover pages of a book. Sigh.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you may be suffering from Harry Potter-itis. Do not consult a doctor - because your doctor will probably laugh you out the door, if they're not already too busy with their own nose stuck in the last Harry Potter book - but know that you are not alone. We'll get through this together.

Just another Public Service Announcements from your friends at Chicky Chicky Baby.



(I'm almost done with the book. I know some of you have already finished it. I don't want it to end.)

(Hold me.)

Hello, muggles

So we got The Book yesterday. Technically, we got TWO books yesterday because we're big babies and won't share a children's book (which at 700= pages, hardly qualifies- wait- does it?) Book seven, baby, and I've even managed to sleep (thanks to a benadryl and a mojito and a beer- I'm not a pill-popping crazy, we were at a friend's house last night and I had an allergic reaction to something and popped a benadryl, which on top of a few drinks= sleepy me). Still, even with the book calling out to me, I have managed to get some stuff done around the house so I don't have boxes everywhere when our friends come to visit next week (Book Club members are invited- seriously! And also, would one of you please tell me why I can't just stop with the parenthetical banter? No? I don't know neither).

*******BIG BAD UGLY SPOILER ALERT SO DON'T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ AT LEAST 200 PAGES SO FAR. SERIOUSLY. I MEAN IT, I DON'T WANT ALL OF YOU MAD AT ME, GOT IT?**********

I got a little choked up when they Dursleys said goodbye to Harry. I always knew Petunia loved her nephew (go ahead, click the link, I wrote a piece of fan fiction.)

I think Mrs. Weasley is under the imperious curse. Snape's got a leak in the Order (or maybe he doesn't and is still working with the Order as a double agent and needs to let Voldemort trust him so he tips his hand a little and Moody is still alive as they never found his body because we know Mundungus disapparated and wasn't hurt or captured as they previously thought. Oh my gosh I'm in my 30's. What is wrong with me? For my next trick- a post in Klingon! Followed by one in Elvish! And then? I move back in with my parents! Who are we kidding, I would much rather learn Klingon.) She was acting strangely but that wouldn't explain why those Death Eaters were on top of the trio so soon after their departure from the Burrow. Anyway, there's just so many plot intersections, I'll be interested to see how she wraps everything up in the next 500 pages.

Dumbledore, like Elvis, lives.

Okay, Muggles, let your theories rip :)

My name is Mrs Big Dubya, and I'm a Bad Book Club Member

Hello Mrs Big Dubya.......

Hi everybody, I hope your summer is going well..... mine is going by too damn fast, but what can you do?

I found myself with 7 hours on a plane yesterday, so I took the opportunity to dive into The Devil in The White City..... our book for June? or was it May? uhm yeah okay it's mid-July... I know I'm behind..... but I don't see anybody else writing about it either, so shut up already!

Anyway about the book, the book is really cleverly written -- uses language very well. The author tells the story of two people living vastly different lives in 1890s Chicago. The thing that strikes me, other than the f*cking twisted-ness of one of the main characters, is that the author eludes to an awful lot. When discussing the heinous murders committed by a central character, he circles around and then gets closer and then walks away -- teasing with inference, but leaving enough unanswered questions that the reader is left wanting more. I don't personally like reading the gory details of a sociopath's grisly conquests -- but even I was left wondering what exactly he did and how.

The historical backdrop is very cool -- and as a project manager, the organization and planning required to pull off the Chicago World's Fair is mind boggling. Did you know, that's where the Ferris wheel made it's debut???

I'm only about 2/3 of the way through, but so far so good -- I'll keep reading. The stories are largely told in retrospect, so I'll be interested to see where they go. The book is dense, the language and the story are involved and keeping all the characters straight requires a fair amount of attention -- this isn't really a casual beach read (at least not for me).

I know a lot of members have been dropping out due to other obligations, but I hope you guys will stick with us -- maybe we can pick up a few new recruits.

And maybe we can try a book without death or murder, HINT! HINT!

Happ Birthday HDT

Today is the 190th birthday of one of my favorite authors, Henry David Thoreau. In honor of that, I started reading "Walden" again last night and thought I would throw-out a nice snippet from that quintessential book of his this morning... enjoy.

Chapter 16 - 'The Pond in Winter'

After a still winter night I awoke with the impression that some question had been put to me, which I had been endeavoring in vain to answer in my sleep, as what — how — when — where? But there was dawning Nature, in whom all creatures live, looking in at my broad windows with serene and satisfied face, and no question on her lips. I awoke to an answered question, to Nature and daylight. The snow lying deep on the earth dotted with young pines, and the very slope of the hill on which my house is placed, seemed to say, Forward! Nature puts no question and answers none which we mortals ask. She has long ago taken her resolution. "O Prince, our eyes contemplate with admiration and transmit to the soul the wonderful and varied spectacle of this universe. The night veils without doubt a part of this glorious creation; but day comes to reveal to us this great work, which extends from earth even into the plains of the ether."

Then to my morning work. First I take an axe and pail and go in search of water, if that be not a dream. After a cold and snowy night it needed a divining-rod to find it. Every winter the liquid and trembling surface of the pond, which was so sensitive to every breath, and reflected every light and shadow, becomes solid to the depth of a foot or a foot and a half, so that it will support the heaviest teams, and perchance the snow covers it to an equal depth, and it is not to be distinguished from any level field. Like the marmots in the surrounding hills, it closes its eyelids and becomes dormant for three months or more. Standing on the snow-covered plain, as if in a pasture amid the hills, I cut my way first through a foot of snow, and then a foot of ice, and open a window under my feet, where, kneeling to drink, I look down into the quiet parlor of the fishes, pervaded by a softened light as through a window of ground glass, with its bright sanded floor the same as in summer; there a perennial waveless serenity reigns as in the amber twilight sky, corresponding to the cool and even temperament of the inhabitants. Heaven is under our feet is well as over our heads.

Dang, I Suck Too

Still haven't finished Calamity. As a matter of fact, I left it at my doctor's office and I never even bothered to call to see if they'd hold it for me.

Sorry to say so, but I'm going to have to drop out. I have decided to go a different route with my blog for now, and any extra time I have will be devoted to exploring my adoptee experience.

Wishing you all the best,

Andie D.

Does Anybody Out There Even Care

Well, I just finished "Life of Pi".

I'm only what? Four months late.

Does anybody still want to talk about it?

I just want to say a couple of things about it:

1) I got a real "Castaway"/"Old Man and the Sea" feel except it was slightly less interesting than the former and way more interesting than the latter, and

2) I was reading the discussion questions at the end and the author believed that the novel would make you believe in God. I didn't get that at all.

So I guess we can talk about "The Devil in White City" some time in the fall. I really suck at this book club thing.

- Sarah