19 posts tagged “books”
Wow. This was an amazingly brilliant book. I read it in a day, and will be discussing it at my new book club that I've joined, but for now, a few thoughts.
Dalia Sofer tells the story of an Iranian Jew in 1981, as the revolutionary guard has seized power of Iran, and people are being thrown into prison for "crimes" they may or may not be guilty of. Isaac Amin is accused of spying for Israel, taken from his family without any warning.
The Septembers of Shiraz alternates between family members, revealing to us Isaac's fate, his wife Farnaz's quest to find him and cope with his disappearance, his daughter Shirin's own rebellion, and his son Parviz's separation from the family during the ordeal, as a student in New York.
Though the topics included within our heavy, Sofer's decision to focus chapter by chapter on differening family members keeps the story moving, and so I think the book reads easier than if it only focused on Isaac.
Faith, meaning, beauty, family, love, fear, death, governments, revolutions... all are discussed, but not all are preached. It is a beautiful novel and I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend it.
A more detailed post might emerge after my book club discussion.
Dalia Sofer tells the story of an Iranian Jew in 1981, as the revolutionary guard has seized power of Iran, and people are being thrown into prison for "crimes" they may or may not be guilty of. Isaac Amin is accused of spying for Israel, taken from his family without any warning.
The Septembers of Shiraz alternates between family members, revealing to us Isaac's fate, his wife Farnaz's quest to find him and cope with his disappearance, his daughter Shirin's own rebellion, and his son Parviz's separation from the family during the ordeal, as a student in New York.
Though the topics included within our heavy, Sofer's decision to focus chapter by chapter on differening family members keeps the story moving, and so I think the book reads easier than if it only focused on Isaac.
Faith, meaning, beauty, family, love, fear, death, governments, revolutions... all are discussed, but not all are preached. It is a beautiful novel and I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend it.
A more detailed post might emerge after my book club discussion.
One of the dangers of working in a bookstore is that you buy too many books, and then before you even begin to read the ones you own, you buy more or check books out (we have a library system of sorts). As such, I have a decent sized stack of books waiting to be read, but I keep checking books out from work rather than going through my list.
A friend has started a book club though, so I have that book, The Septembers of Shiraz by Dalia Sofer, at home now and will need to keep it until the day our club meets. I am hoping that I can read it quickly and then tackle this pile of books sitting around, waiting to be read. Currently the list includes:
- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, which has come highly recommended by at least three people. It is a recent addition to the pile.
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher, the first in his Dresden Files series. Another new addition, and one I am nervous about, because if I like it there is an entire series following it.
- Through the Narrow Gate by Karen Armstrong, a memoir of her time in a convent that should prove insightful on how to write a memoir regarding living within a church atmosphere, something I wish to do.
- Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama, which I have started. I figure I should read this before election day.
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. I went on a classics kick and bought a ton of books, but have barely touched them.
- Naked by David Sedaris, which I am prone to starting but never finishing.
- Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. I'm actually a couple hundred pages into this monster of a book.
- Don't Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff. A poli-sci book on loan for quite some time now from a friend.
- Brave New World by Adolus Huxley, which I've all but read.
- Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies, & the Truth About Reality by Brad Warner. I've started this one as well.
- Kristin Lavransdatter II: The Wife by Sigrid Undset.
- Kristin Lavransdatter III: The Cross by Sigrid Undset. I read I: The Wreath for World Lit last year, and I want to know how the trilogy ends.
- I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson. I'm definitely up for more Bryson.
- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin which is a daunting book to tackle, and moreso, because there is more in the series.
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I really want to read this classic.
- Confessions by Saint Augustine. Curiousity has gotten the best of me.
- The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I should have read this in tenth grade but didn't. I did get an A on the test about it though.
- Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach. I did read this in tenth grade, which amazes me, considering some of the content.
- Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Curiousity. Again.
- Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding.
- Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding. Both gifts from my sister, from years ago.
- Wicked by Gregory Maguire. A gift from my parents, from years ago, that I've started on numerous occasions.
- On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac. I can't believe I haven't read this yet.
- Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank. Another book from tenth grade that I want to reread.
- Sabriel by Garth Nix. A recommendation from a friend that I should finally read.
- The Magus by John Fowles. This thing is a monster!
This list clearly shows that I have no shortage of books to read. It is not even all inclusive of the books I own but have not read. These are just the primary ones on the "To-Read" list. They are also not in any particular order. However, if I can manage half of them, along with books I borrow from work, plus maybe some school reading, I can easily fulfill my goal of 50 books this year.
That would be wonderful.
As it turns out, with one day left in June, I am one book ahead of schedule. Yes, it was Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by comedian Chelsea Handler that has placed me over the halfway mark, with one half of the year now gone.
Self-depreciating humor marks this second book by Handler. I've never read My Horizontal Life and I'm not sure if I can stomach that much of Handler's brash humor quite yet. But she is funny, not at all politically correct, and since I was looking for a book to read that wasn't going to require much thought, Vodka worked perfectly.
There were points where I couldn't stop laughing, and had to put the book down. I think humor hits best when you can relate to the situations detailed, and Handler's story regarding going to a "birthday" party for a "friend" was beyond hilarious. This "friend" was the sort of person who could talk for hours about nothing, really, and I know the type. But for each person involved in this party, with all their quirks and actions, Handler nearly had me in tears. Seriously. I'm not going to give anything away. Pick up the book at your local bookstore, read the chapter entitled "Re-Gift" and then tell me you didn't laugh.
I won't believe you.
Self-depreciating humor marks this second book by Handler. I've never read My Horizontal Life and I'm not sure if I can stomach that much of Handler's brash humor quite yet. But she is funny, not at all politically correct, and since I was looking for a book to read that wasn't going to require much thought, Vodka worked perfectly.
There were points where I couldn't stop laughing, and had to put the book down. I think humor hits best when you can relate to the situations detailed, and Handler's story regarding going to a "birthday" party for a "friend" was beyond hilarious. This "friend" was the sort of person who could talk for hours about nothing, really, and I know the type. But for each person involved in this party, with all their quirks and actions, Handler nearly had me in tears. Seriously. I'm not going to give anything away. Pick up the book at your local bookstore, read the chapter entitled "Re-Gift" and then tell me you didn't laugh.
I won't believe you.
I'm not going to lie. I read Once Upon a Time in the North partially because it was short. I wanted to make sure that as June ended I was halfway through my goal. This is the first time I've accomplished such a feet.
But Philip Pullman's mini-book is also (hopefully) a prelude to his promised and long-awaited "Book of Dust", a tome that will include more details from the trilogy His Dark Materials.
Once Upon a Time in the North is a prequel to Pullman's trilogy, giving a glimpse into the life of a young Lee Scoresby and how he came to be acquainted with Iorek Byrnison. I love these glimpses, like the one Pullman previously gave us in Lyra's Oxford, a sequel.
But then again, I'm in love with His Dark Materials, the antithesis to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and I plan on rereading the trilogy now that I've actually read the Chronicles. Two separate stories, with commentary on theology not so subtly hid in the background.
But Philip Pullman's mini-book is also (hopefully) a prelude to his promised and long-awaited "Book of Dust", a tome that will include more details from the trilogy His Dark Materials.
Once Upon a Time in the North is a prequel to Pullman's trilogy, giving a glimpse into the life of a young Lee Scoresby and how he came to be acquainted with Iorek Byrnison. I love these glimpses, like the one Pullman previously gave us in Lyra's Oxford, a sequel.
But then again, I'm in love with His Dark Materials, the antithesis to C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and I plan on rereading the trilogy now that I've actually read the Chronicles. Two separate stories, with commentary on theology not so subtly hid in the background.
The Witch of Blackbird Pond is the second Newberry winner on my reading list that I seemed to have missed during my childhood. I loved it. I was particularly pleased with the ending. Elizabeth George Speare wrote a terrific story that gave a glimpse into American history as well.
However, this book has led to two events recently that should be noted.
The second event is more humorous in nature. While pleasantly tipsy at a margarita party the other night, a friend showed up at the apartment we were all drinking at, but after the door was opened, he did not enter right away. Instead a moth flew in.
Seeing as how I was pleasantly tipsy I took that moment to note that perhaps my friend had turned himself into the moth, and declared him to be a moth witch. I was laughing too hard to enunciate correctly, so no one really understood my point, but I still found it funny.
The first event though was one that kept me up at night. I was thinking about how much the country had evolved in a short period of time, and how, 200 years before we were just a bunch of refugees, trying to make it in a harsh environment, without the conveniences that many of these settlers had grown used to back home. Now? We're the superpower that is the United States.
My train of thought took me to a future apocalypse involving nuclear war and the destruction of the world. I didn't sleep that night.
How many children's stories can really do that? Five stars!
However, this book has led to two events recently that should be noted.
The second event is more humorous in nature. While pleasantly tipsy at a margarita party the other night, a friend showed up at the apartment we were all drinking at, but after the door was opened, he did not enter right away. Instead a moth flew in.
Seeing as how I was pleasantly tipsy I took that moment to note that perhaps my friend had turned himself into the moth, and declared him to be a moth witch. I was laughing too hard to enunciate correctly, so no one really understood my point, but I still found it funny.
The first event though was one that kept me up at night. I was thinking about how much the country had evolved in a short period of time, and how, 200 years before we were just a bunch of refugees, trying to make it in a harsh environment, without the conveniences that many of these settlers had grown used to back home. Now? We're the superpower that is the United States.
My train of thought took me to a future apocalypse involving nuclear war and the destruction of the world. I didn't sleep that night.
How many children's stories can really do that? Five stars!
The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz was a "Buyer's Pick" at the bookstore where I work, which meant it was advertised in the store every hour on the hour for about a month. Because of this, a coworker read it, and then recommended it to me.
"It's quirky," he told me. "You're quirky. You'll like it and probably relate to it."
So I read the book and it was indeed quirky. I liked it. I read the book and then recommended it to my mom. She and my dad both read it and enjoyed it.
So when it came time to get my mom a birthday present this year, I got her the next novel in the series, Curse of the Spellmans. One of the benefits of living in the same city as my parents for the first time in four years is that I now have access to their library of books. So I borrowed my mom's gift from her after she had read it, and Lisa Lutz didn't disappoint.
The Spellmans are a family of private investigators. The main character is Izzy, who views men as potential ex-boyfriends. She's a fan of Get Smart and a former teenage hellion. She manages to land herself in jail quite frequently in this latest novel.
Then there's David, Izzy's far more responsible older brother, the only Spellman who has chosen not to work for the family firm.
Rae is the youngest of the children, known for her negotiating skills. The Spellman parents have their own quirks, most notably for their "disappearances" in this latest novel.
The family takes on different cases, but in their spare time they are notorious for spying on each other.
This dysfunctional family provides for a quick and easy funny read.
"It's quirky," he told me. "You're quirky. You'll like it and probably relate to it."
So I read the book and it was indeed quirky. I liked it. I read the book and then recommended it to my mom. She and my dad both read it and enjoyed it.
So when it came time to get my mom a birthday present this year, I got her the next novel in the series, Curse of the Spellmans. One of the benefits of living in the same city as my parents for the first time in four years is that I now have access to their library of books. So I borrowed my mom's gift from her after she had read it, and Lisa Lutz didn't disappoint.
The Spellmans are a family of private investigators. The main character is Izzy, who views men as potential ex-boyfriends. She's a fan of Get Smart and a former teenage hellion. She manages to land herself in jail quite frequently in this latest novel.
Then there's David, Izzy's far more responsible older brother, the only Spellman who has chosen not to work for the family firm.
Rae is the youngest of the children, known for her negotiating skills. The Spellman parents have their own quirks, most notably for their "disappearances" in this latest novel.
The family takes on different cases, but in their spare time they are notorious for spying on each other.
This dysfunctional family provides for a quick and easy funny read.
Having a little over a month to go before Breaking Dawn releases, I decided to kill some of that time by reading Stephenie Meyer's first "adult" novel, The Host. Meyer has shrugged off the teen and adult fiction labels, preferring to state that there are good stories and bad stories, no matter what age group they are aimed at.
It took me a while to get into this book. I read the first few chapters, grew bored, and finally picked it up again when myfanwy65 convinced me that it would be a worthy read. She was right. After the sixth chapter my attention was hooked, and I stayed up all night reading it.
The plot centers around an alien invasion of earth, where "souls" possess human bodies, and take over the planet. The humans remain in body, but their own identities vanish, leaving the souls free reign. They are a peaceful sort, and the book provides an interesting social commentary within the tale itself.
But not all humans are willing to vanish. Once the aliens are discovered, a small group forms a resistance. They are few and far between, as the souls do their best to overtake them. The remaining humans are forced into hiding, and every day is a battle for survival.
Melanie Stryder was part of the resistance, but she is captured, and a soul named Wanderer is implanted within her. But Melanie fights off this invasion, which is a very rare happening. The book details the struggle between Wanderer's attempts to gain control of Melanie, and Melanie's refusal to simply fade away.
I won't give more details, because I wouldn't want to spoil the book. But it's a great read. And despite it's "adult fiction" label, it's safe for teenagers to read.
Meyer has mentioned that she might write a sequel, and I would love one. She left the story open for one.
It took me a while to get into this book. I read the first few chapters, grew bored, and finally picked it up again when myfanwy65 convinced me that it would be a worthy read. She was right. After the sixth chapter my attention was hooked, and I stayed up all night reading it.
The plot centers around an alien invasion of earth, where "souls" possess human bodies, and take over the planet. The humans remain in body, but their own identities vanish, leaving the souls free reign. They are a peaceful sort, and the book provides an interesting social commentary within the tale itself.
But not all humans are willing to vanish. Once the aliens are discovered, a small group forms a resistance. They are few and far between, as the souls do their best to overtake them. The remaining humans are forced into hiding, and every day is a battle for survival.
Melanie Stryder was part of the resistance, but she is captured, and a soul named Wanderer is implanted within her. But Melanie fights off this invasion, which is a very rare happening. The book details the struggle between Wanderer's attempts to gain control of Melanie, and Melanie's refusal to simply fade away.
I won't give more details, because I wouldn't want to spoil the book. But it's a great read. And despite it's "adult fiction" label, it's safe for teenagers to read.
Meyer has mentioned that she might write a sequel, and I would love one. She left the story open for one.
This set of monkey photos was my "Farewell to the Internet in the weeks leading up to the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" image, which I used to alert my friends online that I would not be around until I'd finished book seven. Spoilers hit the net so viciously that I had to protect myself. The effort was worth it.
Yes, I am one of those crazy Harry Potter fans who read the book the night it came out. But I took it one step further. Three of my friends and I met up in Kokomo, Indiana, where one of my friends lived, and celebrated the book's release by sitting in silence and reading together. We read the first chapter aloud, and then split up to read individually.
I got teased by my friends here for being such a geek, but it was a great experience. Very few books can bring so many people together.
We also went to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake to celebrate the occasion. I couldn't stop giggling as I ordered this:
Anyway, I write about this experience because it was the Harry Potter series that renewed my love of reading. There's nothing like being captivated by a great story, especially when you find yourself unable to go to sleep until you've turned that last page. Now that I'm one book away from being halfway through my "50 books in 2008" goal, I can tell you that the renewed love affair with books has continued, even though the Harry Potter series has come to an end.
Yes, I am one of those crazy Harry Potter fans who read the book the night it came out. But I took it one step further. Three of my friends and I met up in Kokomo, Indiana, where one of my friends lived, and celebrated the book's release by sitting in silence and reading together. We read the first chapter aloud, and then split up to read individually.
I got teased by my friends here for being such a geek, but it was a great experience. Very few books can bring so many people together.
We also went to Dairy Queen to get an ice cream cake to celebrate the occasion. I couldn't stop giggling as I ordered this:
Anyway, I write about this experience because it was the Harry Potter series that renewed my love of reading. There's nothing like being captivated by a great story, especially when you find yourself unable to go to sleep until you've turned that last page. Now that I'm one book away from being halfway through my "50 books in 2008" goal, I can tell you that the renewed love affair with books has continued, even though the Harry Potter series has come to an end.
I had, on several occasions, attempted to read C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, and failed. I would start with The Magician's Nephew, and then I would get no further. This time was different. Several reasons factored into my success:
- I'd read Lewis' Space Trilogy. This prepared me for the way Lewis weaves a story over multiple books.
- I'd read Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials last year, the antithesis to the Chronicles.
- A friend of mine kept badgering me to read the series, telling me I would love it.
- I saw the movie version of Prince Caspian and had to know how the books ended.
- I approached the series with the idea of reading them for pleasure, rather than as a religious allegory.
That being said, the ending is the best ever of all series I have read. Well done, C. S. Lewis. Well done.
I told my mom that I want to walk the Appalachian Trail. She told me I was crazy. Then she told me to read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. I'm guessing that Bryson's depiction of his journey with his friend Katz would dissuade me from wanting to partake in such of an adventure.
Instead, it left me longing for the time when I'll be able to walk this 2000+ mile trail myself.
The book is funny. Really funny. I love Bill Bryson's writing style and I've been enjoying it on audio as well, because him reading aloud his account of the trip is even funnier. However, I will admit that the history lessons and commentary on the plants got old after a while. I'm a romantic when it comes to nature, not a scientist.
Also, once the initial stage of their trip was over and they split up to rejoin civilization, the pace of the book seemed to slow down.
But overall, this was a great read, and I enjoyed it immensely. And I still want to walk the Appalachian Trail.
Instead, it left me longing for the time when I'll be able to walk this 2000+ mile trail myself.
The book is funny. Really funny. I love Bill Bryson's writing style and I've been enjoying it on audio as well, because him reading aloud his account of the trip is even funnier. However, I will admit that the history lessons and commentary on the plants got old after a while. I'm a romantic when it comes to nature, not a scientist.
Also, once the initial stage of their trip was over and they split up to rejoin civilization, the pace of the book seemed to slow down.
But overall, this was a great read, and I enjoyed it immensely. And I still want to walk the Appalachian Trail.
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