SHORT REVIEWS: THE INVENTION OF WINGS + WHY I READ + HYPERBOLE AND A HALF

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love how it depicted Sarah's search for meaning in her life. Beginning with complicated and often difficult early years, she searched for purpose and felt its absence through most of her life. Her dedication to her inner idea and purpose for herself is inspiring. Historically fascinating as it brings the powerful story of the Grimké sisters to greater light.

Some plot points felt expected, more in the romance category, but weren't a major detraction.  This book also doesn't refrain from telling about slavery like it was. Painful. Handful's character shines.


Why I Read: The Serious Pleasure of Books
by Wendy Lesser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was a bit surprised that I liked this so much . . . at first I was groaning a bit about how much she discusses some strong classical literature, but the conclusions she reaches are brilliant and entirely relatable. I skipped over some parts (the part


about translations--not my thing) but especially enjoyed her thoughts on character & plot, and grandeur & intimacy. It's very reflective--a pleasant quality given the subject matter.

"For we are plotting creatures, we humans, and we like to be told a story that goes somewhere. We like to sense the connections between seemingly disparate events, even though we may recognize that real disparities rarely resolve so neatly. Life often foils us in this respect, with its coincidences and its dead ends. We turn to literature to remedy the loss, and to impose some kind of meaningful order on the non sequential. And good literature . . . meets us only halfway."

Hyperbole and a Half

by Allie Brosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Really a laugh-out-loud type of book, especially (for me) the parts about the dogs. Although the parts about depression and identity, while being humorous, are some deep-thinking and aren't lightly passed over. It was a pleasantly quick read--perfect length for the subject matter and Allie Brosh's strong voice. 

Tweet

REVIEW: WHISTLING PAST THE GRAVEYARD

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I first was attracted to this book because of the comparisons to To Kill A Mockingbird  and The Help. (Marketing success!) While this book wasn't as well layered as those classics, I found that the Southern setting, the bravery of a character who is learning what the world around her is really like, and the unsettling feeling of the Civil Rights movement--all things that I love about those two books-- are present in Whistling Past the Graveyard. Although those aspects of the book weren't really what drew me in--it was the plot, surprisingly full of action.

Right from the start, the book took a direction I was not expecting. The crazy, terrifying situation that Starla finds herself in when she meets Eula was rather unexpected, and things continue to move quickly from one place to the next as the characters fall into new predicaments, with the simmering danger that comes with the Civil Rights movement influencing a lot of the action. While this part of the story moves quickly, you can sometimes catch Starla in the middle of too much exposition. Starla is a nine year old girl; like a lot of other nine year old girls, loves to talk, and has plenty of passion and personality.

While some of her ramblings seemed to go on for a bit too long, I thought that the way the author wrote her character to be overconfident, curious, loyal and very emotionally driven was well done and fitting for her age. She was funny and interesting in the way that kids are when they are learning about the world around them. It was a little hard to believe that an almost ten year old girl, growing up in the place and time she did, wouldn't know more about segregation and the way people were treated at that time--so some parts were a bit of a stretch for me. But her voice is very captivating, and a great way to experience the struggles of defining family, justice, and life.

An Advanced Reader's Edition was provided by the publisher. 

Tweet

SHORT LIST 02: LATE SPRING READS

A few new & can't miss books for this lovely late spring season:

YA

 The 5th Wave 
by Rick Yancey

Alien invasion, but not as you've seen it before. Post-apocalyptic world, but not as it has been written before. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, you'll probably like this one. Cassie is running from Them, looking for her brother and trusting no one--there is no one to trust. Evan Walker might be able to help find her brother, but trust is still an issue, and so are a lot of other things, like not being found by Them--who look just like everyone else.

Read the first 70 pages here. You'll like it. (Review coming soon!)

Eleanor & Park 
by Rainbow Rowell

This is a great spring pick because it has all of the light-heartedness and humor of a new relationship and unique characters, but also has a serious, though-provoking side. Set in 1986, Eleanor and Park are an unlikely pair who met on a bus ride to school. She's the quirky new girl, and he's some kind of incredibly sweet secret ninja kind of guy.
This is perfect for fans of The Fault in Our Stars, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or Stargirl. 

See my review here.





Fiction

TransAtlantic 
by Colum McCann

If you liked his earlier, award winning Let The Great World Spin, then you are sure to love this. Once again, the writing will carry you away--this time through a series of stories from 1845, 1919, and 1998 that blend real events and people with fiction. The stories are all connected through time and different places in the world, and told beautifully. There's a lot to look forward to with Colum McCann--his writing and masterful storytelling make the world seem small and big at the same time. This is exactly what I want to be reading right now!

Nonfiction 

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work
by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Another selection that I'm excited for based on the author's previous books. Made to Stick and Switch are must-reads, so here's hoping that this one turns out great as well!

It turns out that making a decision isn't a simple thing--there are a lot of factors that influence our decisions--some of which enhance or take away from the effectiveness of the decision and outcome. Decisive looks at these factors, as well as current research on the matter, and offers ways to make the making of decisions more effective.

Tweet

REVIEW: MIDDLE MEN

Middle Men: Stories by Jim  Gavin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This set of short stories took me completely by surprise, and Gavin's writing totally swept me off my feet. I got caught up in the first story of the basketball hopeful, and it wasn't hard to keep going after that.

There is such a strong sense of place, which is evident in everything from the long freeway drives to the frequency that his characters go to Del Taco. Is Del Taco a SoCal thing? Anyway, the writing powerfully conveys certain emotions in each story, which highlight the middle-ness of the character's situations. Some are in the middle of grief, denial, mediocrity, but all are so in the middle. It's really brilliant--the truly strong sense of middle-ness that the stories convey.

The writing was powerful in its simplicity. You can feel so much meaning in the little details- from the gimp mask in "Illuminati" to the lizard at the bottom of the pool in "Costello". Once you start feeling this . . . it's no wonder that Jim Gavin is a fabulous writer. All these little details build up to convey those emotions and poignant moments in the glimpse we get of the character's life. Understated is the perfect word to describe this feeling. Understated but overwhelming and incredibly sympathetic, is what you can feel from reading this. I also particularly relished the snap with which each story ended. I don't read this kind of fiction often, but now he has me completely sold on it.

Tweet

REVIEW: THE ROUND HOUSE

The Round House by Louise Erdrich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joe grows up fast after is mother is brutally attacked and traumatized. The mystery of her attacker and then the web of the legal system is overwhelming to him, but he has his friends, family, and a community to fall back on as he deals with how the attack has changed his parents, his view on what evil can do, and his deep desire for justice and for things to go back to the way they were, even though he knows they won't. One of the most powerful things about this book is the carefully constructed characters, particularly Joe. The perspective it's told from--Joe looking back--is great. Love how he lets slip details about the future that affect how you see the present action. But it doesn't spoil it--it gives you hope. The way he is forced to grow up and face all kinds of things--rape, murder, love, respect--makes your heart ache and also makes you laugh sometimes. There are plenty of things about a young teenage boy growing up that can make you laugh, but plenty about Joe's unique situation that are sobering too.

It's easy to get carried away with the enchanting writing that flows with Native American culture and magical realism. The stories Mooshum tells in his sleep, the back stories of the clan animals and ghosts, all add another dimension that makes Joe's world complete.

The one thing that really brought it all together for me was the friendship between Joe and Cappy. They were like brothers--helping each other and loving each other like best friends do, but still existing in their own dimensions with their own loves and hates and challenges to deal with. I feel like Joe's character wouldn't have been complete without Cappy's counterpoint. And wow! some of the things that happen to them make me want to read faster and faster . . . (nicely crafted writing, definitely).

Another powerful aspect of this book was how it brought attention to so many things--I don't think I can pinpoint one as the center of the book--the friendship? The culture? Justice, "unevenly applied"? But one thing was for certain- it shed significant light on a little-known issue. Sometimes subtly, sometimes not so much--which was sometimes ok, and sometimes a little obvious. But 1 out of every 3 Native women? More, because they don't often report it? That is just unthinkable. For this reason it's kind of emotionally heavy. Definitely a well-paced narrative that explores not only the nature of justice and loyalty, but also growing up before you're ready.

P.S. I've seen this book on some book lists of "adult books for teens", and I think that in some ways it could appeal to that audience, especially since the main character is a teenage boy, and there are some great elements of suspension.

Tweet

I Brought A Book . . . to a sushi dinner date!

Do you ever carry a book on your person-- stashed in a pocket or backpack-- just in case? You know, just in case you might need it? In case a reading opportunity arises? I've kept boredom away in many a doctor's office, long line, and plane ride. In fact, I really just carry a book with me practically everywhere I go. Even if I don't read it, a book can be a great conversation piece and even (for me) a small bit of comfort knowing it's there. I don't pretend that everyone is this extreme! But this new feature that I'm excited to share with you will highlight some of those crazy places that I Brought A Book . . . and it'll be a little peek at the books I'm currently reading.

I Brought A Book  . . . to a sushi dinner date!

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

What is it about?

A small town girl, Dellarobia (what a name!) has settled in to her disappointing life being a wife and mother. A short-lived attempt at a moment of escape results in her seeing a "lake of fire" in a valley of trees in the mountains behind her house. She can't believe it. It seems like a miracle. She hurries back home, and soon it starts to change everything about her life and self as more people get involved in what it could be or possibly mean . . . and that's as far as I've gotten. 

Have a chance to read it? 

No, my date was way too captivating ;) but talked about it for a moment when asked what I was currently reading. 

Quick thoughts:

Anyone who's read Kingsolver before (hello Poisonwood Bible?) knows that her writing is like a dream. This book is especially descriptive and lovely. I'm not the biggest fan of the plot-- the tired, worn-out, broken dream main character makes me feel tired too-- but before I knew it, I was fifty pages in . . . completely enchanted by Kingsolver's writing style. It literally lulled me to sleep and into reader's dreamland despite my initial dislike of the plot. Who knows? The plot might improve . . . I'm definitely going to keep reading because reading Kingsolver's writing is a bit like getting All You Can Eat at a sushi bar when you're really hungry . . . can't stop won't stop.  

Tweet

Coal Black Horse

Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a thing for Civil War books, and quite possibly a thing for Cormac McCarthy too. This book satisfied both of my desires in that sense. Told in a somewhat sparse manner similar to McCarthy, it still had Olmstead's own style of writing that is at the same time poetic (but very descriptive) and haunting. The tragedies of the Civil War stay with you, especially when told in such a raw way in this book. A beautiful read just because of the way he puts words together to form images of a horrible, but meaningful, time. The characters were also memorable. I loved following Robey on his coming of age journey that was so full of development, personal revelations, and also symbolic meaning. I really came to like the boy. I also fell in love with his horse--a powerful, intuitive character that provides a constant in the book.

View all my reviews

Tweet

In The Garden of Beasts

In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I absolutely love Erik Larson. He has a talent for cliffhangers, and I have a weakness for history books. Very excited for this one and it's great so far.

Didn't disappoint. I love how Larson focused in on this one family, and the events leading up to WWII. The perspective of this family was great, because I think so many times--how could people let so many horrible things happen? but Larson revealed the climate in Berlin at the time; the climate that was the precursor to what we all know in retrospect as one of the worst times in history. I was so impressed with the writing . . . always am with Larson. Also, this was great insight into some of the major players of that time- lots of shocking details and stories that made me stop and say WHAT? that really happened?

Also, don't skip over the notes at the end- Larson loves to hide juicy bits in there that you won't want to miss . . . (Note: This is real history, more for mature readers.)



View all my reviews

Tweet

ROTH- a commentary on our world

The Plot Against America by Philip Roth


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I feel like I have too much to say about this book to write a review on it that would be short and not go into any kind of great depth . . .Roth really had me believing at times that this had really happened, and I think that just shows the quality of the writing and the amount of research and study that went into this. I also think that it is a magnificent commentary on our world today. That is as brief of a statement as I can give regarding the social/political commentary aspect of this novel- to say any more would require me to really go in depth about this. But, I would say that this book will probably be one of the top ones to read and study because of the social and political commentary about the world that we live in today. Also an interesting expose of the power of not only anti-semitism, but also on how a person would feel if they were a victim of discrimination and fear. I entirely enjoyed the perspective of 9 year old Roth- full of fear and confusion, and confronting the reality that his parents are not the superheroes that every child once though their parents were.

View all my reviews >>

Tweet

deja vu?

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book felt strangely familiar . . . it has a lot of the same elements in it as Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. Really, the setting, the names of the characters, and the ancient society are all that has changed. The characters are the same stereotypical Dan Brown characters: the smart, attractive female, the crazy cult man turned killer, and of course Robert Langdon aka Indiana Jones in disguise (I kind of like this comparison . . ). There are still multiple character perspectives and abrupt switches/revelations of information that throw twists and spin you 180 degrees.

Given all of these well used elements that have been successful in the past and are again repeated and sometimes predictable, I still enjoyed reading it--had to finish all 509 pages!

View all my reviews >>

Tweet