Bird Lake Moon
Kevin Henkes
179
I liked this book - particularly the way the protagonist had no idea how completely his plan really connected to the family next door. Unique.
Confessions of a Serial Kisser
Wendelin Van Draanen
294
I do so love Wendelin's books. This was no exception. A classic portrait of that very confusing time of adolescence and romantic obsession with no sense of boundaries....
Cornelia & the audacious escapades of the Somerset Sisters
Lesley MM Blume
264
Very Secret Garden this one -- lonely child who finds a soulmate -- love books that are stories within a story, too...
How I Saved My Father’s Life and Ruined Everything Else
Ann Hood
218
This little one was a surprise - had a lot more depth to the story than I had anticpated.
How To Build a House
Dana Reinhardt
227
Hmmm, really loved this one. Put me in mind of a female version of An Abundance of Katherines... good stuff.
Peeled
Joan Bauer
256
Vintage Bauer -- plucky girl protagonist and pals thwarting evil forces in a rural town. Fun.
What the Moon Saw
Laura Resau
272
I wanted to read it because I loved Red Glass -- sadly it was kind of like re-reading Red Glass...
7 books, 1710 pages, 9 hours and 20 minutes reading.
Must close the eyes for a bit now.... very gritty they are!
ZG
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
GAME ON!
Okay, I took a half a vacation day and reading will commence at 3PM Central Time.
I have been like a giddy kid on Christmas Eve! Could barely sleep last night! Could barely work today! Kept imagining which book I'd open as soon as I could begin opening my gifts!
Yippee!
ZG
PS Thanks for always throwing such a stellar birthday party every year and inviting us all to join in the fun, Mother Reader!
I have been like a giddy kid on Christmas Eve! Could barely sleep last night! Could barely work today! Kept imagining which book I'd open as soon as I could begin opening my gifts!
Yippee!
ZG
PS Thanks for always throwing such a stellar birthday party every year and inviting us all to join in the fun, Mother Reader!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
48- HOUR BOOK CHALLENGE!!!!
If you have ever wanted to INDULGE yourself in a glorious reading marathon but felt like you needed a solid excuse to justify such an endeavor -- well, friends, here's just the motivation and rock solid rationale you've been looking for - The Third Annual 48 Hour Book Challenge!
Mother Reader concocted this delightful (and diabolical) challenge two summers ago and is throwing down the gauntlet for a third time during the weekend of June 6-8, 2008!
Get all the details: CLICK HERE!
Come on, you know you want to -- just look at that stack of books by the bed -- and look at that list of titles you've been wishing to crack open -- click that link and get over to Mother Reader to sign up ASAP!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Spring Has Sprung!
At last, Spring has Sprung in the yearning Midwest.
The dark days and moods have begun to lift as well, and reading seems like a happy notion once again. (And if reading did not seem particularly appealing here at ML, you KNOW it was a long Winter, indeed.)
Look up from a page today and grin at the beauty of this blushing season!
- ZG
Friday, March 28, 2008
Still Reading. Still Silent. Still Snow on the Ground.
Reading, reading and more reading. But not too much posting..... just have that restless, flighty, when-the-#@!&^-is winter ever going to leave angst. Here's what I've read lately, and maybe I will manage some commentary sometime? Like when the temperature gets above freezing? Or some daffodils brave the slushy ground? Sigh.
Mr. Putter & Tabby Run the Race
Before, After & Somebody in Between
The Snows
The Ever-Running Man
Bleeding Kansas
Falling
Fake Boyfriend
Lessons From a Dead Girl
Total Constant Order
Sight
Another Kind of Cowboy
The Chaos King
Book of a Thousand Days
First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover
Undercover
Big Boned
Anything But Ordinary
Tips on Having a Gay (ex) Boyfriend
The Black Sheep
Fire From the Rock
Bone by Bone by Bone
Miss Spitfire
Beastly
Missing Girl
Three Little Words
Huge: A Novel
The Luxe
Carpe Diem
November Blues
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
A Tick Past the Ides of January....
Well, the awards and notables are all out there now. As mentioned in every corner of the K-sphere - some likelies, some shockers, and some just rights. My thought about the matter? Thank heaven these are not the writers who are out on strike!! (Particularly since my wanna read list has bloated to nearly 200 titles in the wake of all the upcoming Spring & Summer release lists!)
I had an odd patch of being drawn to non-fiction after the first of the year - picked up the biography Can't Buy Me Love and enjoyed reading about the lives and the global effects of the Fab Four. I was particularly amused by the sections where Gould discusses the songs on an album in detail and I found I was hearing the tunes from memory as I read - an internal soundtrack of sorts! It was intriguing to think back about my own life and its touchpoints with various songs and events connected to the Beatles -- I had forgotten my strong visceral reaction to the car radio news of John Lennon's murder until I was reading that section -- as well as the jockeying for position at parties before the endless possibilities of slow-dancing to "Hey Jude." A packed and fascinating biography of four unlikely boys who turned the music world on its edge.
Unintentionally following an entertainment theme, I also got my hands on Steve Martin's biography Born Standing Up in which he chronicles his years as a stand-up comedian. Tagging along as he moved from a 10 year old guidebook salesman at Disneyland to an arena-filling solo act is quite exhilarating -- particularly because of his reticence to reveal much about himself publicly. I was intrigued by his decision to focus his introspection on just one aspect of his career - and it is clear the book was written as a personal quest rather than to satisfy fan curiosity. I will always remember the book's photo of him on stage at Knott's Berry Farm and now have King Tut in rotation on my I-Pod Shuffle....
The cover of Punching In caught my eye on the new non-fiction shelves, too. After getting over the "Why didn't I think about doing this book myself?" reaction, I enjoyed the infiltrating-the-enemy feel of the piece and the opinions the author formed of the various companies that unwittingly employed him. The online psychological testing for several of the companies was new to me and a fascinating method for winnowing an applicant pool. And the author's vehement dislike of Starbuck's false company culture is in fascinating contrast to his boundless regard for the rock solid company culture of UPS. An interesting peek inside American commerce.
A couple of the novels I read in this last batch brought similar books to mind -- Gone mines the same territory as Boy Toy, but without the detail and involving character studies; The Very Ordered Existence of Merliee Marvelous recalled other misfit friends books, but never completely won me over. Maybelle in the Soup was a hoot and continues the leading actor streak of cockroaches and their friends in recent films like Ratatouille and Enchanted.
A better time was had with Gordon Korman's Schooled - also reminiscent of Stargirl in its portrayal of a granola-hippie homeschooler being plunked down in the midst of the hell that is a suburban high school - but done with a winning eye and flair. Both Capricorn and the student body are changed by their interactions and the reader is also given some good food for thought, but in a totally entertaining wrapper. I really need to give a general shout-out to Gordon Korman here -- he writes very fine books with excellent male characters that never fail to deliver: Son of the Mob, No More Dead Dogs, and my personal favorite Born to Rock. Props to you, GK.
Traveling through time and across the world, I spent a year with Leela, who at twelve, is experiencing the pain and superstition that surround her as a child widow in Ghandi-era India in Kashmira Sheth's lovely book Keeping Corner. It brought to mind Koly in Homeless Bird - another book about a young widow who is abandoned by her mother-in-law - but somehow the traditional restraints and superstitions binding Leela in her own home felt more wrenching. The additional threads of Ghandi's nonviolent protest movement and the notion of education as a way out of the darkness of blind submission to tradition make this a rich and involving story.
And what of Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat? I could not put this one down once I started it and thoroughly enjoyed the sinister nanny and her evil scientist swain, the lonely orphan and her touchy rat friend, and the wonders of underground cities full of rodents and minuscule humans. With madcap moments, evil plots and laugh-out-loud touches, this is a great read and would be such fun to read aloud. The scenes in the underground community made me nostalgic for one of my childhood favorites, Evelyn Sibley Lampman's The City Under the Back Steps - I continue to hold out hope that someone will republish it someday. In the meantime, Emmy can keep the flame burning.
When I Crossed No-Bob is a wonderful gem of a book with a wonderful gem of a narrator in Addy O'Donnell. This slice of hard scrabble life in the post-Civil War South is beautifully rendered and thoughtfully written. Addy's struggle to stay true to her bad-reputation family history in the face of a growing sense of self worth, possibility and morality is fleshed out in scenes large and small. The growth and transformation of her character in the space of this slim book is inspiring and hopeful. McMullan's work in expressing Addy's inner dialogue is wonderful - and many of her musings strike either a chord of recognition or a funny bone. A true gem.
Veering off in a completely different direction is the wacky trip of The True Meaning of Smekday. A wild adventure across an alien-invaded United States with 11-year old Gratuity Tucci, her cat Pig, and a disgraced Boov named J. Lo manages to be wickedly entertaining (great plays with language barriers, smackdowns of popular culture, wonderful pencil drawings and cartoon panels interspersing the narrative) as well as a great message about intercultural cooperation, loyalty among friends and self-reliance. Vividly imagined travels visit Florida, Las Vegas and Roswell, and if you think you can predict the fashion in which Gratuity and J. Lo manage to save the Earth - I'm here to tell you there's no possible way -- but you'll love it when you read it!
And then there's Laura Resau's amazing Red Glass. A captivating, gorgeously written novel of cultural acceptance, fierce loyalty, compassion and personal bravery, this is a book that sticks with you long after the reading is done. Sophie's journey begins with a late night phone call about a young boy who is the sole survivor of a family attempting a border-crossing from Mexico. His addition to their family circle (which includes several cultures already) is the spark for all that comes after. When a family decision is made to arrange a visit for the boy with his relatives in a remote Mexican village, Sophie is determined to defy her usual feelings of insecurity and fearfulness in order to be a support to him. From this decision, and from the relationships she forms with the others on the journey and in the village, her life changes in both real and magical ways. Without question, my favorite recent read, and I have already bought a copy so that I can both re-read it and share this deeply satisfying story with others. A must-read.
I had an odd patch of being drawn to non-fiction after the first of the year - picked up the biography Can't Buy Me Love and enjoyed reading about the lives and the global effects of the Fab Four. I was particularly amused by the sections where Gould discusses the songs on an album in detail and I found I was hearing the tunes from memory as I read - an internal soundtrack of sorts! It was intriguing to think back about my own life and its touchpoints with various songs and events connected to the Beatles -- I had forgotten my strong visceral reaction to the car radio news of John Lennon's murder until I was reading that section -- as well as the jockeying for position at parties before the endless possibilities of slow-dancing to "Hey Jude." A packed and fascinating biography of four unlikely boys who turned the music world on its edge.
Unintentionally following an entertainment theme, I also got my hands on Steve Martin's biography Born Standing Up in which he chronicles his years as a stand-up comedian. Tagging along as he moved from a 10 year old guidebook salesman at Disneyland to an arena-filling solo act is quite exhilarating -- particularly because of his reticence to reveal much about himself publicly. I was intrigued by his decision to focus his introspection on just one aspect of his career - and it is clear the book was written as a personal quest rather than to satisfy fan curiosity. I will always remember the book's photo of him on stage at Knott's Berry Farm and now have King Tut in rotation on my I-Pod Shuffle....
The cover of Punching In caught my eye on the new non-fiction shelves, too. After getting over the "Why didn't I think about doing this book myself?" reaction, I enjoyed the infiltrating-the-enemy feel of the piece and the opinions the author formed of the various companies that unwittingly employed him. The online psychological testing for several of the companies was new to me and a fascinating method for winnowing an applicant pool. And the author's vehement dislike of Starbuck's false company culture is in fascinating contrast to his boundless regard for the rock solid company culture of UPS. An interesting peek inside American commerce.
A couple of the novels I read in this last batch brought similar books to mind -- Gone mines the same territory as Boy Toy, but without the detail and involving character studies; The Very Ordered Existence of Merliee Marvelous recalled other misfit friends books, but never completely won me over. Maybelle in the Soup was a hoot and continues the leading actor streak of cockroaches and their friends in recent films like Ratatouille and Enchanted.
A better time was had with Gordon Korman's Schooled - also reminiscent of Stargirl in its portrayal of a granola-hippie homeschooler being plunked down in the midst of the hell that is a suburban high school - but done with a winning eye and flair. Both Capricorn and the student body are changed by their interactions and the reader is also given some good food for thought, but in a totally entertaining wrapper. I really need to give a general shout-out to Gordon Korman here -- he writes very fine books with excellent male characters that never fail to deliver: Son of the Mob, No More Dead Dogs, and my personal favorite Born to Rock. Props to you, GK.
Traveling through time and across the world, I spent a year with Leela, who at twelve, is experiencing the pain and superstition that surround her as a child widow in Ghandi-era India in Kashmira Sheth's lovely book Keeping Corner. It brought to mind Koly in Homeless Bird - another book about a young widow who is abandoned by her mother-in-law - but somehow the traditional restraints and superstitions binding Leela in her own home felt more wrenching. The additional threads of Ghandi's nonviolent protest movement and the notion of education as a way out of the darkness of blind submission to tradition make this a rich and involving story.
And what of Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat? I could not put this one down once I started it and thoroughly enjoyed the sinister nanny and her evil scientist swain, the lonely orphan and her touchy rat friend, and the wonders of underground cities full of rodents and minuscule humans. With madcap moments, evil plots and laugh-out-loud touches, this is a great read and would be such fun to read aloud. The scenes in the underground community made me nostalgic for one of my childhood favorites, Evelyn Sibley Lampman's The City Under the Back Steps - I continue to hold out hope that someone will republish it someday. In the meantime, Emmy can keep the flame burning.
When I Crossed No-Bob is a wonderful gem of a book with a wonderful gem of a narrator in Addy O'Donnell. This slice of hard scrabble life in the post-Civil War South is beautifully rendered and thoughtfully written. Addy's struggle to stay true to her bad-reputation family history in the face of a growing sense of self worth, possibility and morality is fleshed out in scenes large and small. The growth and transformation of her character in the space of this slim book is inspiring and hopeful. McMullan's work in expressing Addy's inner dialogue is wonderful - and many of her musings strike either a chord of recognition or a funny bone. A true gem.
Veering off in a completely different direction is the wacky trip of The True Meaning of Smekday. A wild adventure across an alien-invaded United States with 11-year old Gratuity Tucci, her cat Pig, and a disgraced Boov named J. Lo manages to be wickedly entertaining (great plays with language barriers, smackdowns of popular culture, wonderful pencil drawings and cartoon panels interspersing the narrative) as well as a great message about intercultural cooperation, loyalty among friends and self-reliance. Vividly imagined travels visit Florida, Las Vegas and Roswell, and if you think you can predict the fashion in which Gratuity and J. Lo manage to save the Earth - I'm here to tell you there's no possible way -- but you'll love it when you read it!
And then there's Laura Resau's amazing Red Glass. A captivating, gorgeously written novel of cultural acceptance, fierce loyalty, compassion and personal bravery, this is a book that sticks with you long after the reading is done. Sophie's journey begins with a late night phone call about a young boy who is the sole survivor of a family attempting a border-crossing from Mexico. His addition to their family circle (which includes several cultures already) is the spark for all that comes after. When a family decision is made to arrange a visit for the boy with his relatives in a remote Mexican village, Sophie is determined to defy her usual feelings of insecurity and fearfulness in order to be a support to him. From this decision, and from the relationships she forms with the others on the journey and in the village, her life changes in both real and magical ways. Without question, my favorite recent read, and I have already bought a copy so that I can both re-read it and share this deeply satisfying story with others. A must-read.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
New Year's Resolution Number One.......
I read, therefore I am ... happy.
However I am unhappy not to have the extra time after I finish a book to post about it!
So, to begin the New Year, some quick takes on recent reads....
Before I Die - Young girl dying of cancer who wants, more than anything, to experience love and sex before she shakes off her mortal coil. A touching and wrenching book - it nonetheless has some of the most accepting parents in history as well as one of the most steadfast and tender boyfriends ever conceived in literature.
Chloe Doe - Young prostitutes in a group home setting attempt to make sense of their former lives and make decisions about their futures. Unsettling, and very sad.
Frannie in Pieces - Coping with the unexpected death of her adored father, Frannie discovers a hand-carved jigsaw puzzle he made that transports her to a time before she was born. Again, the sense of loss is palpable - and the surprise about the mystery of the puzzle a good one.
Spanking Shakespeare - Shakespeare Shapiro -- how can you not already be rooting for this book's main character with that moniker? And he lives up to the hope - a wry, social misfit who is penning a memoir of his high school days... hilarious and memorable.
13 Reasons Why - Great premise -- a girl who has committed suicide sends a box of audio tapes to those who she supposedly holds at fault for her decision. Happily, it is not as "I know Who You Are" as it sounds -- possibly because it is narrated by the only person mentioned on the tapes that she does not hold directly accountable. Painful, chilling and very sad.
Life on the Refrigerator Door - A mom and daughter who inhabit the same house, but never at the same time due to their busy lives, communicate via notes on the fridge. Be forewarned, this breezy sounding premise evolves into a study of how these two lives are transformed by terminal illness......
Zen & The Art of Faking It - Jordan Sonnenblick can do no wrong. In this thoroughly engaging tale, a young misfit decides to present himself as a Zen master. The ensuing complications, rewards and life alteration are pure Sonnenblick. Don't miss this one.
Deadline - Chris Crutcher's take on "what would I do with my life if I knew I had only a short time to live?" - In the case of Ben Wolf, it means telling no one (not family or friends), going out for football (even though he is a little guy), and making a play for the girl of his dreams. Along the way, he learns a lot about himself, his relationships, and the consequences of his decision to keep his imminent departure a secret. Good stuff.
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned From Judy Blume - A fascinating collection of essays by a variety of authors detailing the effect Blume's books have had on their lives and their own writing. I was taken aback by the number of titles referenced by the essayists. A warm tribute to a true trailblazer.
If A Tree Falls at Lunch Period - Two newbies at a prep school - one white female and the other a black male discover they have a shocking personal connection. I didn't dislike this book, but I came away thinking that I have not loved a Choldenko book as much as I loved "Al Capone". Maybe the next one?
Leap of Faith - I enjoyed this look at a young woman who decides to become Catholic. At first, her decision is mainly to needle her parents, but as the book goes on, she discovers a real desire to believe in something larger than herself - and despite her uncertainties, makes the proverbial leap of faith and joins the church. An interesting and insightful journey.
My Mother the Cheerleader - I really disliked this book. I found it housed in the children's room of the public library, which seems a dicey fit. I felt hopeless for the narrator, I saw no real reason to make the mother a tramp, and I cringed at the martyred Jewish writer. Send readers off to a book about Ruby Bridges instead.
The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney - Born into a psychic family and living in Lily Dale (a real life town full of mediums), Sparrow Delaney refuses to acknowledge her own psychic gifts and experiences - until a young male ghost refuses to allow her to ignore him until she has helped him right a wrong. Clever, funny and honest about the ambivalent place spiritualism holds in an age of reason, this is an engaging read.
What-The-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy - I enjoyed this tale of a lost sprite who is grudgingly accepted into a band of tooth fairies. The bookend quality of the story-within-a-story is appealing and the collision of the seen and unseen realms is sketched out very nicely.
Glass - I did not read the first book in what I understand is to be a trilogy - but did not feel that I was at a loss for it. This is a stunning anguish of a tale - made more so by the author's note at the end revealing it to be based on the personal story of her daughter. The use of free verse is perfectly suited to this unfolding tale of addiction and its toll on a young life. Unforgettable.
Olivia Helps With Christmas - Ah, Olivia. The cover art alone on this one lights up the holiday season! Ever the resourceful and forceful presence, Olivia puts her very special stamp on Christmas in this wry picture book...
Delicious - I loved reading Pumpkin Soup back in my Story Time days, and so was powerless to resist picking up this new tale about the three cooking friends. I did not get the same kick from this new outing, however - though the illustrations are still a delight.
Duck & Goose - Illustrations to die for, but a story that fell flat for me. For much better stories in a similar vein try Zinnia & Dot or Guji Guji.....
Little Moon Dog - Again, I love the style of these illustrations, but they have never worked for me as well as my first encounter with this author-illustrator duo as in The Tin Forest. In that storyline, the tale and the visuals connect perfectly....
Lily Dale - Yep, the author's notes and research listings in Sparrow Delaney sent me straight out to find this book about the history of the spiritualist enclave that is the setting for Sparrow's tale. A fascinating and balanced look at the town of Lily Dale, it made me want to visit it myself to draw my own conclusions....
Boy Toy - Well, here's a book you'll not soon forget reading. The story of a young male student who begins a sexual relationship with his female teacher - this book paints a believable portrait of the psychological and physical progression of the connection between these two people and the relentless repercussions for the young man as he tries to get on with his life and his attempts to forge more age-appropriate male-female bonds. A book to ponder long after finishing the read.
Society of S - Another "what? we're vampires?" sort of tale - but with a fun twist: the family is in the clandestine business of providing a "blood substitute" to other vampire families around the globe. Not a must-read, but a fine way to spend a few hours.
Paint the Wind - Pam Munoz Ryan takes a spoiled, lonely rich girl and heals her heart and soul by plunking her down with her horse-raising relatives. A love letter to the beauty of horses and those that love them - particularly the wild ones - this is a great book to put into the hands of any horse fan.
Pieces of Georgia - Georgia is missing her mom and the life her family had before her mom's death. Tagged as at-risk at school, she begins writing a journal as a low-key mode of therapy, but what really opens her heart and mind to a possible path to the future is a mysterious gift membership to a local museum where her artistic abilities find inspiration. This is a small book with a lot of heart and Georgia is a heroine to root for....
Remembering Raquel - Young girl's meaning to the community only realized after her tragic death in an accident tale. Didn't really like this one - butterflies and all.
Billy Creekmore - Plucky young man faces all the misfortunes life can throw at him and still manages to inspire those who have even less than he does. From a horrific orphanage to the harsh conditions of a mining town to the rough and tumble work of a traveling circus, our hopes and dreams ride along with Billy as he keeps on doing his best in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. A memorable tale.
The Castle Corona - Perhaps a bit too precious, it is still a fun twist on a tale within a tale plot lines. The odd characters, the outsider/insider intrigue, the expected (and unexpected) outcomes are all fine - just wasn't one of my favorites of late.
When Dinosaurs Came With Everything - This, on the other hand, I loved so much I immediately bought a copy for my bookshelf at home. One of those delightful books that marry humor, plot and illustration to create something delectable that is even more than the sum of its parts! I long to read it aloud -- and to share the wonderful illustrations -- but as I have no Wednesday Story Hours in my current life -- I will implore you to get a copy and experience it for yourselves as soon as possible!!
No Talking - Another Clements school story - this time with the guys against the girls in a no-talking contest. The two main characters get the lion's share of the attention and the plot twist that ends the contest keeps this from becoming too predictable.
However I am unhappy not to have the extra time after I finish a book to post about it!
So, to begin the New Year, some quick takes on recent reads....
Before I Die - Young girl dying of cancer who wants, more than anything, to experience love and sex before she shakes off her mortal coil. A touching and wrenching book - it nonetheless has some of the most accepting parents in history as well as one of the most steadfast and tender boyfriends ever conceived in literature.
Chloe Doe - Young prostitutes in a group home setting attempt to make sense of their former lives and make decisions about their futures. Unsettling, and very sad.
Frannie in Pieces - Coping with the unexpected death of her adored father, Frannie discovers a hand-carved jigsaw puzzle he made that transports her to a time before she was born. Again, the sense of loss is palpable - and the surprise about the mystery of the puzzle a good one.
Spanking Shakespeare - Shakespeare Shapiro -- how can you not already be rooting for this book's main character with that moniker? And he lives up to the hope - a wry, social misfit who is penning a memoir of his high school days... hilarious and memorable.
13 Reasons Why - Great premise -- a girl who has committed suicide sends a box of audio tapes to those who she supposedly holds at fault for her decision. Happily, it is not as "I know Who You Are" as it sounds -- possibly because it is narrated by the only person mentioned on the tapes that she does not hold directly accountable. Painful, chilling and very sad.
Life on the Refrigerator Door - A mom and daughter who inhabit the same house, but never at the same time due to their busy lives, communicate via notes on the fridge. Be forewarned, this breezy sounding premise evolves into a study of how these two lives are transformed by terminal illness......
Zen & The Art of Faking It - Jordan Sonnenblick can do no wrong. In this thoroughly engaging tale, a young misfit decides to present himself as a Zen master. The ensuing complications, rewards and life alteration are pure Sonnenblick. Don't miss this one.
Deadline - Chris Crutcher's take on "what would I do with my life if I knew I had only a short time to live?" - In the case of Ben Wolf, it means telling no one (not family or friends), going out for football (even though he is a little guy), and making a play for the girl of his dreams. Along the way, he learns a lot about himself, his relationships, and the consequences of his decision to keep his imminent departure a secret. Good stuff.
Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned From Judy Blume - A fascinating collection of essays by a variety of authors detailing the effect Blume's books have had on their lives and their own writing. I was taken aback by the number of titles referenced by the essayists. A warm tribute to a true trailblazer.
If A Tree Falls at Lunch Period - Two newbies at a prep school - one white female and the other a black male discover they have a shocking personal connection. I didn't dislike this book, but I came away thinking that I have not loved a Choldenko book as much as I loved "Al Capone". Maybe the next one?
Leap of Faith - I enjoyed this look at a young woman who decides to become Catholic. At first, her decision is mainly to needle her parents, but as the book goes on, she discovers a real desire to believe in something larger than herself - and despite her uncertainties, makes the proverbial leap of faith and joins the church. An interesting and insightful journey.
My Mother the Cheerleader - I really disliked this book. I found it housed in the children's room of the public library, which seems a dicey fit. I felt hopeless for the narrator, I saw no real reason to make the mother a tramp, and I cringed at the martyred Jewish writer. Send readers off to a book about Ruby Bridges instead.
The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney - Born into a psychic family and living in Lily Dale (a real life town full of mediums), Sparrow Delaney refuses to acknowledge her own psychic gifts and experiences - until a young male ghost refuses to allow her to ignore him until she has helped him right a wrong. Clever, funny and honest about the ambivalent place spiritualism holds in an age of reason, this is an engaging read.
What-The-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy - I enjoyed this tale of a lost sprite who is grudgingly accepted into a band of tooth fairies. The bookend quality of the story-within-a-story is appealing and the collision of the seen and unseen realms is sketched out very nicely.
Glass - I did not read the first book in what I understand is to be a trilogy - but did not feel that I was at a loss for it. This is a stunning anguish of a tale - made more so by the author's note at the end revealing it to be based on the personal story of her daughter. The use of free verse is perfectly suited to this unfolding tale of addiction and its toll on a young life. Unforgettable.
Olivia Helps With Christmas - Ah, Olivia. The cover art alone on this one lights up the holiday season! Ever the resourceful and forceful presence, Olivia puts her very special stamp on Christmas in this wry picture book...
Delicious - I loved reading Pumpkin Soup back in my Story Time days, and so was powerless to resist picking up this new tale about the three cooking friends. I did not get the same kick from this new outing, however - though the illustrations are still a delight.
Duck & Goose - Illustrations to die for, but a story that fell flat for me. For much better stories in a similar vein try Zinnia & Dot or Guji Guji.....
Little Moon Dog - Again, I love the style of these illustrations, but they have never worked for me as well as my first encounter with this author-illustrator duo as in The Tin Forest. In that storyline, the tale and the visuals connect perfectly....
Lily Dale - Yep, the author's notes and research listings in Sparrow Delaney sent me straight out to find this book about the history of the spiritualist enclave that is the setting for Sparrow's tale. A fascinating and balanced look at the town of Lily Dale, it made me want to visit it myself to draw my own conclusions....
Boy Toy - Well, here's a book you'll not soon forget reading. The story of a young male student who begins a sexual relationship with his female teacher - this book paints a believable portrait of the psychological and physical progression of the connection between these two people and the relentless repercussions for the young man as he tries to get on with his life and his attempts to forge more age-appropriate male-female bonds. A book to ponder long after finishing the read.
Society of S - Another "what? we're vampires?" sort of tale - but with a fun twist: the family is in the clandestine business of providing a "blood substitute" to other vampire families around the globe. Not a must-read, but a fine way to spend a few hours.
Paint the Wind - Pam Munoz Ryan takes a spoiled, lonely rich girl and heals her heart and soul by plunking her down with her horse-raising relatives. A love letter to the beauty of horses and those that love them - particularly the wild ones - this is a great book to put into the hands of any horse fan.
Pieces of Georgia - Georgia is missing her mom and the life her family had before her mom's death. Tagged as at-risk at school, she begins writing a journal as a low-key mode of therapy, but what really opens her heart and mind to a possible path to the future is a mysterious gift membership to a local museum where her artistic abilities find inspiration. This is a small book with a lot of heart and Georgia is a heroine to root for....
Remembering Raquel - Young girl's meaning to the community only realized after her tragic death in an accident tale. Didn't really like this one - butterflies and all.
Billy Creekmore - Plucky young man faces all the misfortunes life can throw at him and still manages to inspire those who have even less than he does. From a horrific orphanage to the harsh conditions of a mining town to the rough and tumble work of a traveling circus, our hopes and dreams ride along with Billy as he keeps on doing his best in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. A memorable tale.
The Castle Corona - Perhaps a bit too precious, it is still a fun twist on a tale within a tale plot lines. The odd characters, the outsider/insider intrigue, the expected (and unexpected) outcomes are all fine - just wasn't one of my favorites of late.
When Dinosaurs Came With Everything - This, on the other hand, I loved so much I immediately bought a copy for my bookshelf at home. One of those delightful books that marry humor, plot and illustration to create something delectable that is even more than the sum of its parts! I long to read it aloud -- and to share the wonderful illustrations -- but as I have no Wednesday Story Hours in my current life -- I will implore you to get a copy and experience it for yourselves as soon as possible!!
No Talking - Another Clements school story - this time with the guys against the girls in a no-talking contest. The two main characters get the lion's share of the attention and the plot twist that ends the contest keeps this from becoming too predictable.
Taken - When a wealthy young girl is kidnapped, she believes she has only to fall back on the training she has received in how to survive such an ordeal - as it is almost an expected occurrence among her set of friends. But nothing about this kidnapping is by the book, and by the time it reaches its conclusion, her life will have been changed irrevocably. I followed this through to the end, but found myself longing to read "The Ear, The Eye & The Arm" again instead.....
The Breakup Bible - After being devastated when her beau wants to see other people, Jen's grandmother gives her a bright pink self-help book called The Breakup Bible. Despite her initial revulsion, Jen finds herself taking some advice from the book, and indeed moves on to see that her hero worship of her former flame was truly unjustified when she and another reporter on the school paper stand up for a story about racism in the community. A solid story lurks beneath this Pepto-Bismol colored cover....
What I Call Life - Placed in a group home when her mother has a psychotic break at the public library, Cal and the other girls are brought together by the serialized story told by the old woman who runs the home. Tough truths and slowly developing camaraderie help these broken girls to see hope in the face of their devastated lives. The finale of the old woman's tale is a perfect finishing touch to her ministrations and we long for happy family lives for each of the residents we've come to know.
The Rules for Hearts - Battle decides to move out to live in a rooming house full of eccentric theater folk before her freshman year of college - not to get a feel for the place as she tells her folks, but to live in the same house as her brother, who ran away from home years before. During the span of the summer, Battle falls for one of the other women in the house, stars in a play, and learns a great deal about herself - and a few unpleasant truths about her brother, as well. I want to read this book again, but I want to read her brother's story. He remained a mystery throughout the novel and that is the tale I was left wishing had been told.
The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It - Oh, this fabulous tale from Australia is a hoot and a half - I laughed out loud frequently - but was also moved to tears in sections. Gemma's sister is marrying into a family of military nuts and the families do not seem destined to mix well. And when Gemma is thrown together for a class project with Raven, a mysterious boy with a violent home life - she finds her world changing in ways she never anticipated. The experiences and growth that all of the characters manage in the course of this novel are hilarious, gut-wrenching and sometimes heartbreaking - but altogether quite satisfying. One of my favorite recent reads, to be sure.
The Entertainer & the Dybbuk - A mysterious Holocaust title in which the spirit of a murdered child overtakes the body of a ventriloquist to hunt down his Nazi assassin. An odd and disturbing book, it was nevertheless impossible to put down until I had finished. It was shelved in the children's room of our library -- not sure that is the spot for it....
The Aurora County All-Stars - Deborah Wiles always manages to take a small town tale and turn it into a little jewel. From the spooky opening scene where a young boy sits by the bedside of a dying man, to the moment when an unlikely hero emerges to save the day in a do-or-die baseball game, this charmer is full of heart, ideas and ideals that resonate long after the book has been devoured. An added bit of fun is had when a couple of the characters from other of Wiles' novels put in an appearance: Ruby Lavender and Comfort Snowberger to name two! Another home run for this author...
The Mailbox - Working from the shaky premise that a young boy would continue to live in a remote cabin with the dead body of his uncle, this novel turns out to have a memorable point to make about the sometimes haunted and mistrustful lives led by returning veterans of war. I probably would not recommend this book - but wasn't sorry I stuck it out myself.
Breathe My Name - A taut tale of a yong girl who narrowly escaped death when her mother methodically smothered her three siblings. Adopted by another family, she learns that her mother has been released from jail and is now living in an unsecured halfway house - news that sends her (and her adoptive parents) into a tailspin of worry. With one of the most (unbelievably?) supportive boyfriends ever to grace a page, Frances goes on an unsanctioned road trip to find and confront her mother. Though the plot goes into an unnecessary and unwelcome twist near the end, it is still a can't-look-away-story of the bogeyman living inside the house....
Epic - Though I am not a role-playing gamer, this book was nontheless fascinating. Well-written and intriguing, it posits a society that rewards and punishes its citizenry not through mortal combat, but through role-playing a computer game. A wonderful tale of misfit teens from the lower class taking a new tack toward playing the game of Epic and succeeding in vanquishing the crooked leaders, this is a satisfying fantasy with a promised sequel in the works.
General Winston's Daughter - I truly enjoyed this book. A privileged young girl and her companion travel to a distant outpost where her General father and her soldier fiance are stationed. On the journey she befriends a soldier onboard ship who is a native of the area they are traveling to reach. On the surface, this is a classic old-school romance novel, but it evolves into a very thoughtful musing about the reasons for war, for conquering a distant nation, the clash of cultures and the qualities that truly matter in a life partner. I found Averie a complicated and realistic heroine and found much to discuss and ponder in her adventures abroad.
Kissing the Bee - A slim tome about falling for a friend's boyfriend. Three can be a dangerous number for a triangle of compatriots and this is one of those slippery slopes. The best scenes in the novel are those at the bee farm. Every second of those scenes are written in a way that takes you there body and spirit. Those scenes alone make this worth reading.
Slam - A young skateboarder who worships Tony Hawk and has a mom who is young enough to be his older sister falls into a relationship with a girl and soon finds himself facing fatherhood. An unsentimental look at teen fatherhood, Sam's thoughts and feelings are revealed in interesting "time shifts" in which Sam sees glimpses of his future. Not heartwarming and redemptive, nor preachy and condemning, this is a frank and quirky book about teen pregnancy and its aftermath.
The Poison Apples - First off, this book LOOKS great -- with its poison apple red page edging - lovely! A tale of three disparate young women all sent off to the same boarding school by scheming stepmothers/stepfathers and their plots for revenge. I was tired of it before I finished, but it did have a few good moments with unexpected character development - especially in the evil stepmonsters.
The World Without Us - Just what would happen to the Earth if we were all spirited away tomorrow? Would it ever recover from the abuse we've heaped upon it? This fascinating non-fiction tome sets out to explore those very questions and the result is both sobering and hopeful. In time (a LOT of time in some cases) the Earth would likely be able to repair much of the damage we've wrought - which is heartening even as your heart is breaking at the litany of horrors we've perpetrated. The part of the book that really stuck with me, though, is the final section that discusses what tangible proof of our accomplishments would survive us. The notion of our collective human hubris eroded into dust still echoes inside my head weeks after finishing the book.
T is for Trespass - I love a good Kinsey. This time she is out to save a crotchety old neighbor from being swindled and/or murdered by an unscrupulous hired nurse. Another good addition to the series.
The Legend of Zoey - An odd time travel adventure set during the New Madrid earthquakes, this tale does have a satisfying twist at the end that makes it come together - but as with all such plot lines, a willing suspension of disbelief is imperative. Living in the Midwest, it did make me want to learn more about the current state of the New Madrid faultline - not sure I have any interest in seeing the Mississippi run backwards for myself!
Hurt Go Happy - The cover doesn't really work for this book, and I am not sure about the choice of title. Nonetheless, it is an intriguing and moving book about hearing loss, societal norms and animal abuse. How is that possible? A young girl who lost her hearing at a young age (the cause is mysteriously kept shrouded until late in the novel) has a mother who refuses to let her learn to communicate in sign language for fear she will be an outcast in "normal" society. A chance meeting with an old man who is raising a chimpanzee that communicates through sign language opens Joey's world in unimagined ways - and forms the catalyst for the remainder of the novel. Unsparing in its condemnation of using animals for testing (I defy any reader not to wince in this section of the novel) and unwavering in its support for ASL as a means to open the world to the hearing impaired and to communication between species - this is an unlikely but winning tale.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - I am always afraid of a book that has too much high praise heaped up before I read it -- but this one lived up to its advance press. Absolutely devastating in its depiction of reservation life and the internal and external struggles faced by modern Native Americans, it is not hopeless or self-pitying. Instead, in his honest telling of his life's story, Arnold Spirit is an inspiring soul. Determined to find a better life for himself, he chooses to attend a school outside the reservation - winning a few new friends along the way, but alienating many of his reservation neighbors - particularly his best friend, Rowdy. Scenes of harsh violence are told in a matter-of-fact voice or through insightful comic book style panels that speak more eloquently than a thousand words. Through it all, I felt connected to Arnold and his quest. I still do. A must-read.
Quaking - An incorrigible teen girl is sent to live with distant relatives who are Quakers. The expected clash of ideas and behaviors ensue, but along the way, an appreciation for their quiet simplicity and commitment to peaceful values alters Matilda's world view. An interesting look at lives that are focused on peace and willing to take action to make that view known to others - particularly in these days of war and terrorism.
Boot Camp - I just barely managed to get through this. I believe that such horrific places exist, but I had experienced enough sadism by the fifth chapter to last a lifetime.
Freak Show - It took a while for me to get with the groove of Billy Bloom's speech patterns, but once in, I was unable to look away as he works to find a place for his drag queen self in the most redneck of southern high schools. Flamboyant, creative and big-hearted, it is not easy to watch the torture and degradation heaped upon Billy - but as in all great fish-out-of-water tales, all's well that ends well and the guy gets his dream boy.
Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall - A quirky little last-look-around-before-death tale in which Tessa falls into a coma after being smacked in the head with a dodgeball in gym class and then wanders a heavenly version of the mall where both her parents work - discovering life lessons from memories associated with the various stores in the mall. Ultimately redemptive, this is, however, a journey of a young woman discovering that she has not always made the right or the decent choices in her life - but still deserves to believe in herself as a good person capable of making better choices in the future. I was so-so about the novel - the free verse is fun style choice and I enjoyed the keying of memories to the different mall locations, but it is not a book that I expect will stay with me.
Whew! Nearly an hour to go on January One and my first New Year's Resolution is completed - catching up on posts for the books I've read in the past 7 weeks! Yay!
Here's to 2008 and a whole new batch of amazing books to savor! Hurrah!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Elijah of Buxton
Elijah From Buxton is one of those books that makes me declare aloud as I finish it, "Now that's why I read!" I appreciate books that take me out of my time period, my knowledge base and my comfort level. I enjoy learning about a place or time or people that I never knew existed before cracking open the covers. I like a historical novel that is human, with true emotions, a balance of life experiences - good and bad - that allows me to connect to the story on a human level, even if it is very far removed from my own life's journey.
Christopher Paul Curtis' new novel does all those things and more. Telling the tale of Buxton Settlement in Ontario, Canada, the first community of former slaves, through the eyes of the first boy child born there as a free man, is an inspired choice. Elijah, though black, is as innocent of the horrors of slavery as many readers will be - making his journey of discovery our journey as well.
There are wonderful moments of grace and moments of complete despair in this novel and Curtis handles them all with equal aplomb. A truly wonderful novel.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Go Directly to Jail, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200
Okay, so maybe not to jail, but going back to work after my 7 weeks off post-surgery feels like the same thing - even at part time for the first week! The upside is feeling much better physically - the downside is not having the time or energy after work to read. I did get a few things in last weekend though.....
Mississippi Jack - I slurp these Jacky Faber books down like a root beer float on a hot summer day. I love her spunk, her voice and the way Meyer manages to keep it fresh and interesting while being true to his heroine's character - but while still keeping her apart from her true love. Having the watery tale move out to the Wild West in this episode was a hoot. Can't wait for the next adventure!
Love, Stargirl - I probably should have read the original again first but it is still entombed in the garage boxes that I am still enjoined from lifting. I remember liking it a lot - and being intensely curious about what prompted the writing of another book about Stargirl Caraway these long years later... I still found her charming in her home schooled, out-of-step way, and thought the connection between her old and new lives worked all right, too. It was an interesting choice not to have Leo appear in the flesh in any way. Like the heroine of Winn-Dixie, it's a tale of an "outsider" who brings together (and heals) a slew of people who also feel disconnected. Nothing wrong with that notion....
Ricochet - Though I had trouble with the hero's inability to extricate himself from the seminal point in the plot line, this was a fast read about the repercussions of an idle game of Russian Roulette. Dogged by a bad rep and the guilt of having been involved - however tangentially - in the death of a friend, Connor struggles to keep going forward in his life with the help of his music and his new friends. A fast read with definite cover appeal.
The Off-Season - I don't think I ever blogged about reading this one, though it's been a bit since I read it. I was surprised by my total involvement in the first story of the dairy farming, football playing Midwestern gal that is the unique heroine of this book and I was certainly not disappointed in this second installment of D. J.'s tale. A tense family crisis results when one of her older brothers suffers a serious spinal injury in a college football game and as in the first book, much of the burden falls on her shoulders. Her romance with the opposing team's star player is still a large part of the story, but it is D.J.'s strength of character that makes this a great and satisfying read.
Diary of a Fly - Now and again, I have to indulge my picture-book jones. I loved the Worm's tale, and the Spider's tale, and now I loved the Fly's tale. Funny, irreverent and yet educational (!) - this little insect series is a delight!
Mr. Putter & Tabby See the Stars - I adore Mr. Putter and Tabby. Their homey adventures, their obvious affection for one another and their ongoing friendship with Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke make these my grown-up choice to put alongside my childhood easy reader favorites about Little Bear. This outing concerns an upset tummy and a late night walk. Lovely. (My favorite is probably still the one about picking the pears. Or maybe baking a cake. Or painting the porch. Or getting the fish....)
Lean Mean Thirteen - No need to explain, right? Sometimes a gal just wants to live vicariously through Stephanie Plum while she chases down bail jumpers and agonizes about being loved by Ranger and Morelli....
The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World - There are shades of Mrs. Frankenweiler here and bits of Framed and echoes of Zazoo. And I liked every one of those books more than I liked this one. It is one of those books that has its moments, but also seems a bit too stuffed, a bit too precocious, a bit too eccentric, a bit too much. Frankenweiler is one of my favorite books from childhood (and even rereading it is good for me) and I really liked Silent to the Bone - but other recent books by Konigsburg have not been easy reads. When I got to the section in this book that suddenly started referencing character connections between this novel and Schuyler Place I shuddered - having not particularly cared for that one either. So, I guess my advice is to approach with caution...
The Noah Confessions - A young woman receives letters from her dead mother on her 16th birthday that submerge her into an old family secret involving a murder. An interesting combination of several narrators - the heroine, her father, her mother - and several time periods, this is a dense tale of evil and redemption.
The Lemonade War - This book could go right on the business bestseller list! A feud between a sister and her brother to see who can sell the most lemonade at their respective lemonade stands is more than the tired and true plot of sibling rivalry. Along the way, young entrepreneurs will glean lots of hints at marketing, motivating employees, attracting customers, added value options, and a fair amount of math! Although the ending comes up a bit too quickly and neatly after the explosive culmination of the "war", it is a good middle reader choice.
Mississippi Jack - I slurp these Jacky Faber books down like a root beer float on a hot summer day. I love her spunk, her voice and the way Meyer manages to keep it fresh and interesting while being true to his heroine's character - but while still keeping her apart from her true love. Having the watery tale move out to the Wild West in this episode was a hoot. Can't wait for the next adventure!
Love, Stargirl - I probably should have read the original again first but it is still entombed in the garage boxes that I am still enjoined from lifting. I remember liking it a lot - and being intensely curious about what prompted the writing of another book about Stargirl Caraway these long years later... I still found her charming in her home schooled, out-of-step way, and thought the connection between her old and new lives worked all right, too. It was an interesting choice not to have Leo appear in the flesh in any way. Like the heroine of Winn-Dixie, it's a tale of an "outsider" who brings together (and heals) a slew of people who also feel disconnected. Nothing wrong with that notion....
Ricochet - Though I had trouble with the hero's inability to extricate himself from the seminal point in the plot line, this was a fast read about the repercussions of an idle game of Russian Roulette. Dogged by a bad rep and the guilt of having been involved - however tangentially - in the death of a friend, Connor struggles to keep going forward in his life with the help of his music and his new friends. A fast read with definite cover appeal.
The Off-Season - I don't think I ever blogged about reading this one, though it's been a bit since I read it. I was surprised by my total involvement in the first story of the dairy farming, football playing Midwestern gal that is the unique heroine of this book and I was certainly not disappointed in this second installment of D. J.'s tale. A tense family crisis results when one of her older brothers suffers a serious spinal injury in a college football game and as in the first book, much of the burden falls on her shoulders. Her romance with the opposing team's star player is still a large part of the story, but it is D.J.'s strength of character that makes this a great and satisfying read.
Diary of a Fly - Now and again, I have to indulge my picture-book jones. I loved the Worm's tale, and the Spider's tale, and now I loved the Fly's tale. Funny, irreverent and yet educational (!) - this little insect series is a delight!
Mr. Putter & Tabby See the Stars - I adore Mr. Putter and Tabby. Their homey adventures, their obvious affection for one another and their ongoing friendship with Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke make these my grown-up choice to put alongside my childhood easy reader favorites about Little Bear. This outing concerns an upset tummy and a late night walk. Lovely. (My favorite is probably still the one about picking the pears. Or maybe baking a cake. Or painting the porch. Or getting the fish....)
Lean Mean Thirteen - No need to explain, right? Sometimes a gal just wants to live vicariously through Stephanie Plum while she chases down bail jumpers and agonizes about being loved by Ranger and Morelli....
The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World - There are shades of Mrs. Frankenweiler here and bits of Framed and echoes of Zazoo. And I liked every one of those books more than I liked this one. It is one of those books that has its moments, but also seems a bit too stuffed, a bit too precocious, a bit too eccentric, a bit too much. Frankenweiler is one of my favorite books from childhood (and even rereading it is good for me) and I really liked Silent to the Bone - but other recent books by Konigsburg have not been easy reads. When I got to the section in this book that suddenly started referencing character connections between this novel and Schuyler Place I shuddered - having not particularly cared for that one either. So, I guess my advice is to approach with caution...
The Noah Confessions - A young woman receives letters from her dead mother on her 16th birthday that submerge her into an old family secret involving a murder. An interesting combination of several narrators - the heroine, her father, her mother - and several time periods, this is a dense tale of evil and redemption.
The Lemonade War - This book could go right on the business bestseller list! A feud between a sister and her brother to see who can sell the most lemonade at their respective lemonade stands is more than the tired and true plot of sibling rivalry. Along the way, young entrepreneurs will glean lots of hints at marketing, motivating employees, attracting customers, added value options, and a fair amount of math! Although the ending comes up a bit too quickly and neatly after the explosive culmination of the "war", it is a good middle reader choice.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Return to Real Life Countdown Has Begun
I see my surgeon tomorrow, so assume that my "return to real life pass" is about to be issued. In reaction to this possibility, I got one last big old stack of books to read yesterday. A final booster-sized dose of biblioserum....
Chasing Tail Lights - Patrick Jones. Again I say - in your job working with teens, you must be a hell of a listener. You create a true voice for Christy and you smack down one napalm bomb of an ending. Whew!
Chasing Tail Lights - Patrick Jones. Again I say - in your job working with teens, you must be a hell of a listener. You create a true voice for Christy and you smack down one napalm bomb of an ending. Whew!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Book A Day Keeps Cabin Fever Away
Well, maybe not entirely, but it does help......
The Historian - Well-written, gripping, possibly even haunting. Yet it took me FOREVER to read it. I am awed by the research and time that went into the novel - and glad I'm done reading it.
Anatomy of a Boyfriend - Well, I see why Judy Blume gets a shout-out on the dedication page. A new millennium version of Forever complete with pretty graphic sex and language. How is this being received? With the same "every teen has read it, but it's banned everywhere" as Blume's original take on the subject?
Shark Girl - I didn't expect much from this and was completely taken by surprise. The format - with letters, emails, dialogue, journal entries - is refreshing and well-suited to the tale. This is a deep and involving look at moving on from sudden and unexpected tragedy. A real find!
The Wall - First off, I adore Peter Sis. This "picture book" of his life growing up behind the Iron Curtain is astonishing for its ability to convey so much about history and the human condition in this format. For me, it was shocking to realize that at the same time that I was dancing around to the Beatles, teens in Prague were being beaten after a Beach Boys concert! An incredible accomplishment by a talented artist.
How To Get Suspended & Influence People - A so-so look at the creative and miscreant behavior of a group of 8th grade TAG students. Occasionally funny, but not a great read overall.
Going Nowhere Faster - And then a book about a misfit genius high schooler from a nutty family that is a thorough delight from start to finish. I really liked Stan and his story. Thumbs up.
Pretty Is - Younger sister of a dorky older sister worries about how she will be perceived when they are both in the same junior high school. Can't really even think of something to say about it.
Parrotfish - Ostensibly about transgender youth, this is just a good story about adolescence, self-discovery, and acceptance. I would wish this kind of acceptance and courage for all teens.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - I was a huge fan of Elsewhere, and I enjoyed this Zevin outing, too. Best? The examination of what is left of yourself without memories - and what is kept and what is discarded when those memories return. Lots to mull and reread.
The Historian - Well-written, gripping, possibly even haunting. Yet it took me FOREVER to read it. I am awed by the research and time that went into the novel - and glad I'm done reading it.
Anatomy of a Boyfriend - Well, I see why Judy Blume gets a shout-out on the dedication page. A new millennium version of Forever complete with pretty graphic sex and language. How is this being received? With the same "every teen has read it, but it's banned everywhere" as Blume's original take on the subject?
Shark Girl - I didn't expect much from this and was completely taken by surprise. The format - with letters, emails, dialogue, journal entries - is refreshing and well-suited to the tale. This is a deep and involving look at moving on from sudden and unexpected tragedy. A real find!
The Wall - First off, I adore Peter Sis. This "picture book" of his life growing up behind the Iron Curtain is astonishing for its ability to convey so much about history and the human condition in this format. For me, it was shocking to realize that at the same time that I was dancing around to the Beatles, teens in Prague were being beaten after a Beach Boys concert! An incredible accomplishment by a talented artist.
How To Get Suspended & Influence People - A so-so look at the creative and miscreant behavior of a group of 8th grade TAG students. Occasionally funny, but not a great read overall.
Going Nowhere Faster - And then a book about a misfit genius high schooler from a nutty family that is a thorough delight from start to finish. I really liked Stan and his story. Thumbs up.
Pretty Is - Younger sister of a dorky older sister worries about how she will be perceived when they are both in the same junior high school. Can't really even think of something to say about it.
Parrotfish - Ostensibly about transgender youth, this is just a good story about adolescence, self-discovery, and acceptance. I would wish this kind of acceptance and courage for all teens.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac - I was a huge fan of Elsewhere, and I enjoyed this Zevin outing, too. Best? The examination of what is left of yourself without memories - and what is kept and what is discarded when those memories return. Lots to mull and reread.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Healing With Books Part 2
Well, recovery continues. It's too slow for my taste, but I do have time to read!
Wow - Four good books in a row today:
A Crooked Kind of Perfect - I just adored this book. Loved every character, loved the heroine, loved the writing. It's a sunny Newbery kind of book. I recommend it.
Guyaholic - Surprisingly involving story of a teen learning to let go of past hurt and reach out for a loving future. Certainly not what the title or the cover would have suggested would be waiting inside.....
Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature - Finally, a local library added this to their collection so I could see what everyone in the KL-osphere has been chatting about! And it's all true! This is a terrific book about a difficult subject (religion & evolution) without cheap stereotypes. The heroine is endearing and believably conflicted - the other characters intriguing. This is just a really great book! Again - I'm jumping on the bandwagon and recommending this one!
Wow - Four good books in a row today:
A Crooked Kind of Perfect - I just adored this book. Loved every character, loved the heroine, loved the writing. It's a sunny Newbery kind of book. I recommend it.
Guyaholic - Surprisingly involving story of a teen learning to let go of past hurt and reach out for a loving future. Certainly not what the title or the cover would have suggested would be waiting inside.....
Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature - Finally, a local library added this to their collection so I could see what everyone in the KL-osphere has been chatting about! And it's all true! This is a terrific book about a difficult subject (religion & evolution) without cheap stereotypes. The heroine is endearing and believably conflicted - the other characters intriguing. This is just a really great book! Again - I'm jumping on the bandwagon and recommending this one!
Peter and the Starcatchers - I had resisted reading this (Dave Barry??), but a friend gave it to me with stern instructions to read it during my recovery and I admit I did enjoy it. The "new" take on a classic story is always a good ride (when well-done) and I closed the book aching to have an upper elementary school class to read it aloud to in thrilling installments!!!
And some others that were okay.....
Number Eight - A "boy with OCD gets involved in a mob mystery" book. Nuff said.
The Invisible - One of those "nearly-dead character hangs around to see his murderers caught" tales. Interestingly written (a translated offering) and with a sadly moving ending. I understand it has already been optioned as a movie....
Saturday, August 25, 2007
The Girl Who Lived
I'm happy to be able to make that statement in connection to my surgery last week. Didn't have the motivation or energy to do anything when I first got home, but have managed to get the bibliotherapy going in the past few days -- much nicer than the utter wasteland of satellite TV and a great comfort when - despite a longing I can taste - I cannot sleep.
The list so far:
Take This Bread - An interesting story of family legacies, the spiritual power of food, and faith.
Queen of Babble - Oh, Meg Cabot, the perfect fluff for the flagging soul and healing body!
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Completely fascinating - especially for a Midwestern girl from butcher stock - but I admit to skipping the chapters on animal cruelty & slaughter. Not up for images of blood or any other nausea-inducing stuff at present.
Rebel Heart - Imagined this as a guilty pleasure like the Des Barres groupie book - but instead got a portrait of a very lonely, sad, wasted life. Poor Liv - what a life.
Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit - Learned a bit about Audrey, but mainly read treacle from her son's analysis of her life. Great photos, though.
The Nanny Diaries - Didn't know if I could get past the first chapter - so much name and brand name dropping made me dizzy. Looks like the film is hyping the love angle. Most fun: right after finishing this I happened upon the Simpsons episode parodying Mary Poppins. Priceless.
The Burnt House - Always enjoy these. Serious police work (ie slow and methodical), real emotions, believable villains (ie no psychotic cannibals) and the infusion of Judaism all work.
Stuck in the 70's - Not what I expected. The sexual content was a surprise. But I enjoyed the denouement and did laugh at some of the anachronisms.
In Search of Mockingbird - A solid little book about a search for meaning and connection. The peripheral characters are charming and the heroine's "discovery" believable.
Resurrection Men - Wow. What a dark, disturbing book. Sheesh!
World of Pies - Flaky crust with lots of familiar ingredients. Tasty anyhow.
Call Me Hope - A bit didactic, but still a compelling heroine.
How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life - right up there with Meg Cabot for perfect post-surgery fluff.
First Light - An icy version of City of Ember.
Monkey Town - I love reading historical fiction about events of which I have precious little knowledge....
Finding Stinko - A mute street kid survives with the help of ventriloquism.
Way Down Deep - Orphan girl finds a new home, an old home and a new home again with the help of a cast of colorful mountain town residents.
Someone Like Summer - Romeo & Juliet in the Hamptons: flour face gal & Colombian illegal boy.
Invisible Lives - Luscious cross-cultural romance in a Seattle sari shop.
Does My Head Look Big in This? - Really great novel about Muslim teens in Australia.
Eclipse - Nothing like a giant vampire romance on a night without sleep.....
Size 12 Is Not Fat - Oh, Ms. Cabot - a series of girl detective mysteries? Delicous.
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Heartbreaking and horrifying - but ultimately life-affirming.
Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree - Quirky heroine attempts to solve the problems of 7th grade using cool logic and keen powers of observation - with interesting results.
The list so far:
Take This Bread - An interesting story of family legacies, the spiritual power of food, and faith.
Queen of Babble - Oh, Meg Cabot, the perfect fluff for the flagging soul and healing body!
The Omnivore's Dilemma - Completely fascinating - especially for a Midwestern girl from butcher stock - but I admit to skipping the chapters on animal cruelty & slaughter. Not up for images of blood or any other nausea-inducing stuff at present.
Rebel Heart - Imagined this as a guilty pleasure like the Des Barres groupie book - but instead got a portrait of a very lonely, sad, wasted life. Poor Liv - what a life.
Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit - Learned a bit about Audrey, but mainly read treacle from her son's analysis of her life. Great photos, though.
The Nanny Diaries - Didn't know if I could get past the first chapter - so much name and brand name dropping made me dizzy. Looks like the film is hyping the love angle. Most fun: right after finishing this I happened upon the Simpsons episode parodying Mary Poppins. Priceless.
The Burnt House - Always enjoy these. Serious police work (ie slow and methodical), real emotions, believable villains (ie no psychotic cannibals) and the infusion of Judaism all work.
Stuck in the 70's - Not what I expected. The sexual content was a surprise. But I enjoyed the denouement and did laugh at some of the anachronisms.
In Search of Mockingbird - A solid little book about a search for meaning and connection. The peripheral characters are charming and the heroine's "discovery" believable.
Resurrection Men - Wow. What a dark, disturbing book. Sheesh!
World of Pies - Flaky crust with lots of familiar ingredients. Tasty anyhow.
Call Me Hope - A bit didactic, but still a compelling heroine.
How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life - right up there with Meg Cabot for perfect post-surgery fluff.
First Light - An icy version of City of Ember.
Monkey Town - I love reading historical fiction about events of which I have precious little knowledge....
Finding Stinko - A mute street kid survives with the help of ventriloquism.
Way Down Deep - Orphan girl finds a new home, an old home and a new home again with the help of a cast of colorful mountain town residents.
Someone Like Summer - Romeo & Juliet in the Hamptons: flour face gal & Colombian illegal boy.
Invisible Lives - Luscious cross-cultural romance in a Seattle sari shop.
Does My Head Look Big in This? - Really great novel about Muslim teens in Australia.
Eclipse - Nothing like a giant vampire romance on a night without sleep.....
Size 12 Is Not Fat - Oh, Ms. Cabot - a series of girl detective mysteries? Delicous.
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Heartbreaking and horrifying - but ultimately life-affirming.
Emma Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree - Quirky heroine attempts to solve the problems of 7th grade using cool logic and keen powers of observation - with interesting results.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Bibliotherapy
A long, long month since last I wrote.
Having some major surgery in 6 days' time.
Looking forward to the euphoric effects of bibliotherapy
during my many weeks of recovery.
Perhaps there will be some posts as a result.
-ML
Having some major surgery in 6 days' time.
Looking forward to the euphoric effects of bibliotherapy
during my many weeks of recovery.
Perhaps there will be some posts as a result.
-ML
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Restless Reading
I've been a restless reader since the 48HBC. Life's been complicated lately and I got through so many of the things that had been languishing on my TBR pile for the challenge. I feel like I've started and rejected a lot of what I've picked up since then, but looking back, I guess I have managed to finish a few....
I did read Penny From Heaven last weekend. What a great book about family and secrets and love. I had no idea that Italian-Americans were persecuted (though why that surprises me, I don't know) but that revelation is not the core of this fine book. Having had Italian in-laws myself, so much of the portrait of Penny's father's family rang true and familiar to me. The notions of the differences between families and cultures and the realization that love is really the bottom line carries a strong and resonant message here. I really enjoyed this novel.
I also read Each Little Bird That Sings. Wow. I was one of those who lauded Cures for Heartbreak for its handling of the topic of grief and recovery, but I must offer this one right up alongside it. What a quirky, heartfelt and redemptive book!!!! I sobbed when I finished reading - it just opened up bits of my heart and soul. Comfort Snowberger is a character to keep inside forever from this fabulous, fabulous novel. Ms. Wiles, thanks for taking a painful part of your life and creating from it such a tribute to living and believing.
Going along with the death and dying theme, I also read the non-fiction book, Exit Strategy, a short-chapters style offering that proffers non-traditional concepts for funerals. It really is astonishing what options are out there -- ecological, adventure, artistic, historical. I found a lot of these notions quite appealing: becoming part of a fireworks display, becoming a lab-made gemstone, feeding a new forest. I was a bit skittish about the mummification center chapter and pretty seriously creeped out by the cryogenics lab. (Though you have to give the director credit for stating that the process "will either work or it won't.") Definitely food for thought.
Sometimes, a bit of fluff is just what the doctor ordered. The little snippets of small town life in Bill Geist's Way Off the Road seemed to fit that prescription, and they are quite enjoyable. Some are recognizable as the written form of some his humorous bits on CBS Sunday Morning, while others are brand new. Criss-crossing the country from small town to tinier town, Geist uncovers such delights as a parade that stands still while the crowd walks around it, a festival on the longest day of the year when the sun sets in the exact center of the railroad tracks, and a town that has banded together to preserve a frozen corpse on ice. As wacky as it all sounds, and as humorous as the writing is, the thing that makes this worth reading is Geist's obvious admiration for the subjects of his essays. The wonder and value of the moments he spends in these locations comes through clearly and makes this a warm blessing rather than a condescending condemnation.
Between library runs, and still not having unpacked all of our books from the move, I rummaged for something to read last week and pulled out Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos & Letters which I'd had since I originally watched The Aviator. I enjoy biographies, and this was no exception. Having only known the end-of-days stories of Hughes growing up, I was fascinated by the vital, inventive spirit DeCaprio portrayed in the film. I was amazed by the tale of the poor little rich boy who eventually (at 19!) makes a conscious decision to set three bold goals and achieve them at all cost. Socially twisted, personally driven, and doomed to a completely devastating death by the same things that made him such a unique visionary, Hughes was a fascinating person. While cringing at his callous use of very young women, I had to admire his ability to rally to fight for his empire even while in the grips of nervous collapse. By isolating himself and making privacy his most valued commodity, he sealed his own fate - and yet, I was haunted afterward by the sense of potential wasted, of a soul abandoned, a human being used by the very people employed to safeguard him. A fascinating life.
And now of course, there's the big question of how to prepare for the upcoming finale of the Boy Wizard Saga. Read all the previous six in order? Read the last two to get ready for the movie and the 7th book? Oy. Just can't decide. Started Book Six last night, but I felt like a slacker. We'll see what transpires in the next two weeks, I guess! One good thing about no longer living in Library Land - at least now I run a very slim chance of someone ruining the plot before I finish it -- I'm sure no on else in my current business will even know the publication date! :)
I did read Penny From Heaven last weekend. What a great book about family and secrets and love. I had no idea that Italian-Americans were persecuted (though why that surprises me, I don't know) but that revelation is not the core of this fine book. Having had Italian in-laws myself, so much of the portrait of Penny's father's family rang true and familiar to me. The notions of the differences between families and cultures and the realization that love is really the bottom line carries a strong and resonant message here. I really enjoyed this novel.
I also read Each Little Bird That Sings. Wow. I was one of those who lauded Cures for Heartbreak for its handling of the topic of grief and recovery, but I must offer this one right up alongside it. What a quirky, heartfelt and redemptive book!!!! I sobbed when I finished reading - it just opened up bits of my heart and soul. Comfort Snowberger is a character to keep inside forever from this fabulous, fabulous novel. Ms. Wiles, thanks for taking a painful part of your life and creating from it such a tribute to living and believing.
Going along with the death and dying theme, I also read the non-fiction book, Exit Strategy, a short-chapters style offering that proffers non-traditional concepts for funerals. It really is astonishing what options are out there -- ecological, adventure, artistic, historical. I found a lot of these notions quite appealing: becoming part of a fireworks display, becoming a lab-made gemstone, feeding a new forest. I was a bit skittish about the mummification center chapter and pretty seriously creeped out by the cryogenics lab. (Though you have to give the director credit for stating that the process "will either work or it won't.") Definitely food for thought.
In a continuing CSI vein, I read The Christopher Killer. The 17-year-old daughter of a local coroner becomes his assistant at a series of gruesome crime scenes in this first of a series of "forensic mysteries." I did enjoy this outing with Cameryn, with its odd mix of gore, humor, teen romance, detective work and musings on death and the afterlife. There's a second book out now, and I may have to check it out....
I rectified an oversight in my reading history and picked up The Westing Game. I am somewhat afraid to say it, but I really did not care for it. The odd mix of characters, the easily figured out word clues, the red herring double ending.... just didn't do it for me. Plus, I found it unlikely that a middle-grade reader would enjoy it either. It seemed to be written in a more adult style. Call me crazy, but I really did not see the "classic read" here.
I love Grace Lin's picture book The Ugly Vegetables. Its warm and loving depiction of the beauty of sharing cultures makes it a wonderful choice for children. So, I was delighted to find the back story to its creation included in Lin's novel, The Year of the Dog. Like the picture book, this novel allows us a view of a year in Grace's life as the only Taiwanese girl in her class. Lin's deft hand creates a memorable character who grows into a fuller soul by the end of the Year of the Dog. Both a window on her multicultural experiences (good and bad) and a warm view of the traditions of different culture, this, too, is a perfect choice for young readers.
Since The Great Whale of Kansas, I have been unable to pass up a book by Richard Jennings. Though I seldom had any luck interesting any young readers to enjoy them with me, there's something about them that appeals to me. I read Stink City and again, enjoyed myself and I think it might lure some of those younger readers, too. Beginning with a family fortune made from the manufacture of the world's most foul-smelling but effective catfish bait, its idealistic youngest member, his olfactorily-challenged best gal pal and ending with an over-the-top villainess and the destruction of Midwest's biggest fishing tourney, this is a wild romp and a heck of a lot of fun.
Read another title that explores the topic of school shootings and peer pressure, Quad. I appreciated the fact that there are many more than the usual suspects fingered here - it is not just the black duster-coated outcasts who are portrayed as victims of pressures beyond bearing. As a reader, I found my guess as to who the shooter would turn out to be wavering as another likely candidate would be fleshed out. When the bullets finally begin to fly (there's no doubt that the book is heading that way - the cover's not too subtle tagline of "every action triggers a reaction" being the first clue) my guess was completely wrong. That is the reason this is a worthwhile look at high school life - not because I was fooled, but because the book refuses to lay blame stereotypically.
Rosemary Wells is really something. How can the mind who has delighted millions of children (and adults!) with the antics of Max & Ruby also create a hard-hitting Civil War novel like Red Moon at Sharpsburg? Most assuredly an anti-war message, this novel also presents notions of what it is to be humane, the value of education, the potential of women's intellectual pursuits, and the real roots of lasting love. The images presented here of the carnage and senseless cruelties of a nation fighting itself are not soon forgotten - this is not an easy or gentle look at the topics at hand. But India's courage, tenacity and loyalty are inspiring and memorable. Like a nation coming back from a nightmare of its own making, the closing moments of this novel do give hope for a better future. An incredible accomplishment.
I also read How To Steal A Dog. It's amazing that this slim novel is created from the idea of stealing a dog and returning it for the reward money. That's really the entire crux of the plot. But on that plot line, O'Connor hangs so much more: homelessness, the random hits life hands out without notice, the struggle to survive, the spirit of imagination, the fallacy of appearances, and a whole cast of wonderful characters. Georgina and her desperate planning to do something she knows is wrong in order to recover a portion of the life she has lost is portrayed honestly, touchingly and with humor. It would be a great read-aloud.
I was taken by the cover of Runaround. The juxtaposition of the young girl and the classic pulp romance cover art was intriguing and once I cracked the book open, it was Sassy's lovelorn voice that kept me reading. Motherless, absent-fatherful, wicked older-sisterful, Sassy has questions about what it feels like to be in love that no one can answer. Buoyed by the "advice" she gleans from her trashy romance magazines, she sets out to learn the answers by forging a relationship with cute bad-boy, Boon. The results of which reverberate like an earthquake through her entire family. Not without a bit of ish-factor (Sassy is only 11) and not without a lot of anti-feminism (which being set in the hills of 60's Kentucky mitigates to a degree) I do think it is likely to be a book without a country on the shelves -- too old for the children's room (where I found it) and too young a protagonist for the teen room....
I managed to get through Touching Snow, but only just barely. The story of Karina and her family, new immigrants from Haiti to New York state, this is a tale of family violence that is brutal to the point of making this reader physically queasy. One of those "how much more can one young person have to deal with" novels, it is impossible not to feel for Karina and to hope for a release from those burdens -- particularly from the continual beatings. That the release comes in such an unexpected and shocking way fits right in with the rest of this difficult and wrenching tale of family evil. Gird your loins before wading in to this one.
The title of Nancy Pickard's mystery, The Virgin of Small Plains, caught my eye. Following the interwoven lives of a small Kansas town through the course of about 20 years, this novel opens with the horrifying discovery of the frozen naked body of a young woman in a snow-covered field. From that moment, lives are changed and secrets are sworn that will ripple out for years to come. Eventually the dead girl's grave site comes to be known as the sit of miracles, but two of the original players are determined to provide the "virgin" with the ultimate miracle - determining who she really was and how she died. Intricately plotted and full of surprises, this is a tight involving mystery.Sometimes, a bit of fluff is just what the doctor ordered. The little snippets of small town life in Bill Geist's Way Off the Road seemed to fit that prescription, and they are quite enjoyable. Some are recognizable as the written form of some his humorous bits on CBS Sunday Morning, while others are brand new. Criss-crossing the country from small town to tinier town, Geist uncovers such delights as a parade that stands still while the crowd walks around it, a festival on the longest day of the year when the sun sets in the exact center of the railroad tracks, and a town that has banded together to preserve a frozen corpse on ice. As wacky as it all sounds, and as humorous as the writing is, the thing that makes this worth reading is Geist's obvious admiration for the subjects of his essays. The wonder and value of the moments he spends in these locations comes through clearly and makes this a warm blessing rather than a condescending condemnation.
Between library runs, and still not having unpacked all of our books from the move, I rummaged for something to read last week and pulled out Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos & Letters which I'd had since I originally watched The Aviator. I enjoy biographies, and this was no exception. Having only known the end-of-days stories of Hughes growing up, I was fascinated by the vital, inventive spirit DeCaprio portrayed in the film. I was amazed by the tale of the poor little rich boy who eventually (at 19!) makes a conscious decision to set three bold goals and achieve them at all cost. Socially twisted, personally driven, and doomed to a completely devastating death by the same things that made him such a unique visionary, Hughes was a fascinating person. While cringing at his callous use of very young women, I had to admire his ability to rally to fight for his empire even while in the grips of nervous collapse. By isolating himself and making privacy his most valued commodity, he sealed his own fate - and yet, I was haunted afterward by the sense of potential wasted, of a soul abandoned, a human being used by the very people employed to safeguard him. A fascinating life.
And now of course, there's the big question of how to prepare for the upcoming finale of the Boy Wizard Saga. Read all the previous six in order? Read the last two to get ready for the movie and the 7th book? Oy. Just can't decide. Started Book Six last night, but I felt like a slacker. We'll see what transpires in the next two weeks, I guess! One good thing about no longer living in Library Land - at least now I run a very slim chance of someone ruining the plot before I finish it -- I'm sure no on else in my current business will even know the publication date! :)
Long Time No Thanks
It's been a good long while, I know. Sometimes that is just life.
I do want to say thanks to a bunch of folks for the ultra-cool stuff in my 48HBC prize box. I know they weren't chosen especially for me (to quote the old game show hosts) but I am enjoying them so, I do want to say thanks:
I do want to say thanks to a bunch of folks for the ultra-cool stuff in my 48HBC prize box. I know they weren't chosen especially for me (to quote the old game show hosts) but I am enjoying them so, I do want to say thanks:
- Journey-Woman -- your Starbucks card has kept me in much needed morning caffeine!
- Wrung Sponge -- your iris photo is completely gorgeous and inspiring.
- Barry Dennenberg - delighted to have your autographed book!
- Beth - what a gorgeous necklace and bracelet!!!
- Celise Downs - an autographed book and two cool key finders!
- Bonny Becker - love the autographed book and LOVE "The Christmas Crocodile"!!!!!!!!
- J & M Holm: An autographed Baby Mouse book and a (now framed) personalized drawing!
- Threadless - ah, my emo poems are known by Shakespeare, huh? Nice hoodie!
- Mother Reader - for all the other assorted treats and goodies - especially the paper bead jewelry!
The fun of reading for all those hours is still the best part of it all - but getting a box of such varied and amazing booty was also pretty dang cool, too! So thanks everyone!!!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Final Thoughts About the Challenge
Thanks to Mother Reader, I have spent a completely blissful and glorious weekend doing something that I adore: reading. I hope she knows how much I appreciate her giving me an excuse to be so self-indulgent. The past 48 hours curled up in my chair with a teetering pile of books beside me are the real prize of the contest.
As I wrote my dashed-off summaries to get in under the 48-hour wire tonight, I kept swirling that old chestnut around in my head - "books can take you anywhere." Yep, they surely can. In the twenty books I read this weekend, I met a girl in ancient Persia, a Vietnam veteran, and Dale the Chipmunk. I traveled through time, stopping off at various cities, countries and stars in the universe. I experienced the pain of love, the power of family, the brutality of dishonesty, the promise of friendship, the exhilaration of self-discovery, the electric jangle of a first kiss. I solved mysteries, flew with dragons, talked to potatoes, hoped for equality, and prayed against a killing frost in a peach orchard. Every book was something to be grateful for.
Yet every one of those adventures is the work of an author. Their spark of imagination, their long hours writing and revising, their hopes and struggles for the birth of what began as a single idea and was crafted into one of the amazing books I read this weekend.
So, I thank each of the authors who granted me such a wonderful prize this weekend: the joy of living with and through the characters you created. Your talent and creative tenacity is more appreciated and treasured than you will ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And please, keep writing......
As I wrote my dashed-off summaries to get in under the 48-hour wire tonight, I kept swirling that old chestnut around in my head - "books can take you anywhere." Yep, they surely can. In the twenty books I read this weekend, I met a girl in ancient Persia, a Vietnam veteran, and Dale the Chipmunk. I traveled through time, stopping off at various cities, countries and stars in the universe. I experienced the pain of love, the power of family, the brutality of dishonesty, the promise of friendship, the exhilaration of self-discovery, the electric jangle of a first kiss. I solved mysteries, flew with dragons, talked to potatoes, hoped for equality, and prayed against a killing frost in a peach orchard. Every book was something to be grateful for.
Yet every one of those adventures is the work of an author. Their spark of imagination, their long hours writing and revising, their hopes and struggles for the birth of what began as a single idea and was crafted into one of the amazing books I read this weekend.
So, I thank each of the authors who granted me such a wonderful prize this weekend: the joy of living with and through the characters you created. Your talent and creative tenacity is more appreciated and treasured than you will ever know. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And please, keep writing......
Challenge Book Commentaries
Dream Factory: How could I resist this tale of imperfection beneath the shiny motto of "the Happiest Place on Earth"? Sure, it was a "summer romance between unlikely souls" tale, but with the added snark of revealing an underbelly of a dream. In the end, though, it is a tale for true believers and lovers of fairy tales....
Exploits of a Reluctant... : I admit to having more trouble reading this one - set as it is in a slang and time not my own. Also was not much in the mood for a novel told in scattered paragraphs. But did admire the growth of the hero and his realization that one person can make a difference - if only in the life of one other person.
Bad Tickets: Oy. Why did all of us believe as 15-year-old women that we were invincible? Why was everything so new. So fraught with possibility that we never saw the dangers? This tale of two friends testing those new avenues for self-expression and independence brought back a lot of bittersweet memories....
Inexcusable: Raw and disjointed, this is a disturbing tale whose hero believes himself not to be a villain - despite all indications to the contrary. The pain of family dynamics and self-doubt twist a young man's soul - and self-perceptions - leaving his true self uncertain for himself and the reader.
Beauty Shop For Rent: A feel-good tale on the order of Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias. Our young heroine finds herself and her future in a blend of old friends' love and new friends' dreams. Happy, tear-jerky, satisfying.
Hold-Up: Told in a style I often find maddening - the tiny mini-chapters told from every character's individual point of view - this tale of a fast-food robbery gone bad was not a favorite from the reading pile this weekend. The voice of the the "mastermind" was particularly annoying - a sort of Hannibal Lecterish highbrow tone. Ish.
Far From Normal: A family of free spirits is caught in the ugly grip of corporate greed after speaking too freely and not paying their taxes. An interesting look at consumerism and the strength of a family that pulls together to save themselves.
Peaches: A book in the tradition of the Pants books, this follows the summer of three very dissimilar girls whose lives intertwine at a downtrodden peach orchard. Fights, boy trouble, betrayal, heartbreak, true love and undying friendship -- it's totally classic chick lit.
Alphabet of Dreams: This is why I read. A book takes me to ancient Persia to travel with a young girl and her dream-oracle brother and the Magi on their quest to follow the Star of Christ. A wondrous book full of amazing images and ideas.
Sammy Keyes & the Wild Things: If you ever read my blog, you know my childhood love of Nancy Drew is now fed by my favorite girl detective, Sammy Keyes. I love her spunk, her brains, he honesty and her ever-deepening relationship with Casey. (Who is much cooler than Ned ever was.) Condors, taxidermy, boar-hunters.... another great ride.
Getting It: At first, I was afraid this was going to be a one-note book hung on the thin thread of mimicking an episode of Queer Eye. I'm happy to report that it deepened into something better - a real look at friendship, hooking up, relationships, friendship, sex, and honoring a promise.
Come Juneteenth: Never knew the history of Juneteenth. Did not know that it was a Texas thing. Surely did not know that slaves in the Lone Star state had no idea they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation for more than two years. A hard story of war, tradition, lies and consequences. I cannot begin to say how completely I hated the end of the story -- (I'll say no more specifically in case others may it read, too) -- but learned some things I did not know.
Rat Life: Well. Tedd Arnold. You have written an amazing, memorable book. And not a goofy, bug-eyed child or critter anywhere. I was stunned by this tale of family, unusual friendship and the birth of a writer. Find a copy. Discovery it for yourself.
Dragon's Keep: Irresistible cover. Merlin. Dragons. A young girl destined to fulfill a 600-year-old prophecy. An evil mother. True love. Oh, and the small problem of being part dragon herself as the result of a pact her mother made with an evil sorceress. It rips along to a very satisfying conclusion and has a very strong girl protagonist - always a plus for me.
Beige: I kept waiting for the characters from Gordon Korman's Born to Rock to show up in the crowds in this book. The set-up of a non-musical kid being thrust into the punk rock lifestyle of their long-absent fathers was just too similar not to. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book, but I felt like I had read it before. (Plus, I really liked the Korman book a lot.)
Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes: I hung in till the end of this quest, but had a lot of trouble with it. This girl was 17? Taking off with no phone, money or guidebooks? Forbidden to contact anyone at home? Did she have parents? I found the whole thing a challenge to to my willing suspension of disbelief. Plus, I never got the sense that the character grew much. Not a fave.
Vote For Larry: I always wondered about the sequel to the first Larry novel - which was the all-time favorite of my teen book club back in Library Land. And, I have to say, I liked it just as much. A great book to get into the hands of teens now that we are revving up for a new election.
Waves: A spooky sort of murder mystery with mind messages sent between a brother and his coma-suffering sister, this has odd twists into incest, abuse, care of family, tradition, surfing... I was happy when the end came - both to get some plot closure and to be done with the twists.
Secret Order of the .... This was a wild ride into the Oz stories via four young girls from Sherbet. Yep, just as strange as it sounds, but also fun. Ancient piano teachers, talking potatoes, ruby slippers -- not to mention jealousy, friendship and personal bravery. Tween girls unite.
Tanglewreck: My favorite book of the challenge. A young girl thrust into a prophecy as old as time itself, this is well-written, full of intriguing imagery and characters, and shot through with a million interesting theories about the meaning and measure of time. A great read.
Exploits of a Reluctant... : I admit to having more trouble reading this one - set as it is in a slang and time not my own. Also was not much in the mood for a novel told in scattered paragraphs. But did admire the growth of the hero and his realization that one person can make a difference - if only in the life of one other person.
Bad Tickets: Oy. Why did all of us believe as 15-year-old women that we were invincible? Why was everything so new. So fraught with possibility that we never saw the dangers? This tale of two friends testing those new avenues for self-expression and independence brought back a lot of bittersweet memories....
Inexcusable: Raw and disjointed, this is a disturbing tale whose hero believes himself not to be a villain - despite all indications to the contrary. The pain of family dynamics and self-doubt twist a young man's soul - and self-perceptions - leaving his true self uncertain for himself and the reader.
Beauty Shop For Rent: A feel-good tale on the order of Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias. Our young heroine finds herself and her future in a blend of old friends' love and new friends' dreams. Happy, tear-jerky, satisfying.
Hold-Up: Told in a style I often find maddening - the tiny mini-chapters told from every character's individual point of view - this tale of a fast-food robbery gone bad was not a favorite from the reading pile this weekend. The voice of the the "mastermind" was particularly annoying - a sort of Hannibal Lecterish highbrow tone. Ish.
Far From Normal: A family of free spirits is caught in the ugly grip of corporate greed after speaking too freely and not paying their taxes. An interesting look at consumerism and the strength of a family that pulls together to save themselves.
Peaches: A book in the tradition of the Pants books, this follows the summer of three very dissimilar girls whose lives intertwine at a downtrodden peach orchard. Fights, boy trouble, betrayal, heartbreak, true love and undying friendship -- it's totally classic chick lit.
Alphabet of Dreams: This is why I read. A book takes me to ancient Persia to travel with a young girl and her dream-oracle brother and the Magi on their quest to follow the Star of Christ. A wondrous book full of amazing images and ideas.
Sammy Keyes & the Wild Things: If you ever read my blog, you know my childhood love of Nancy Drew is now fed by my favorite girl detective, Sammy Keyes. I love her spunk, her brains, he honesty and her ever-deepening relationship with Casey. (Who is much cooler than Ned ever was.) Condors, taxidermy, boar-hunters.... another great ride.
Getting It: At first, I was afraid this was going to be a one-note book hung on the thin thread of mimicking an episode of Queer Eye. I'm happy to report that it deepened into something better - a real look at friendship, hooking up, relationships, friendship, sex, and honoring a promise.
Come Juneteenth: Never knew the history of Juneteenth. Did not know that it was a Texas thing. Surely did not know that slaves in the Lone Star state had no idea they were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation for more than two years. A hard story of war, tradition, lies and consequences. I cannot begin to say how completely I hated the end of the story -- (I'll say no more specifically in case others may it read, too) -- but learned some things I did not know.
Rat Life: Well. Tedd Arnold. You have written an amazing, memorable book. And not a goofy, bug-eyed child or critter anywhere. I was stunned by this tale of family, unusual friendship and the birth of a writer. Find a copy. Discovery it for yourself.
Dragon's Keep: Irresistible cover. Merlin. Dragons. A young girl destined to fulfill a 600-year-old prophecy. An evil mother. True love. Oh, and the small problem of being part dragon herself as the result of a pact her mother made with an evil sorceress. It rips along to a very satisfying conclusion and has a very strong girl protagonist - always a plus for me.
Beige: I kept waiting for the characters from Gordon Korman's Born to Rock to show up in the crowds in this book. The set-up of a non-musical kid being thrust into the punk rock lifestyle of their long-absent fathers was just too similar not to. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book, but I felt like I had read it before. (Plus, I really liked the Korman book a lot.)
Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes: I hung in till the end of this quest, but had a lot of trouble with it. This girl was 17? Taking off with no phone, money or guidebooks? Forbidden to contact anyone at home? Did she have parents? I found the whole thing a challenge to to my willing suspension of disbelief. Plus, I never got the sense that the character grew much. Not a fave.
Vote For Larry: I always wondered about the sequel to the first Larry novel - which was the all-time favorite of my teen book club back in Library Land. And, I have to say, I liked it just as much. A great book to get into the hands of teens now that we are revving up for a new election.
Waves: A spooky sort of murder mystery with mind messages sent between a brother and his coma-suffering sister, this has odd twists into incest, abuse, care of family, tradition, surfing... I was happy when the end came - both to get some plot closure and to be done with the twists.
Secret Order of the .... This was a wild ride into the Oz stories via four young girls from Sherbet. Yep, just as strange as it sounds, but also fun. Ancient piano teachers, talking potatoes, ruby slippers -- not to mention jealousy, friendship and personal bravery. Tween girls unite.
Tanglewreck: My favorite book of the challenge. A young girl thrust into a prophecy as old as time itself, this is well-written, full of intriguing imagery and characters, and shot through with a million interesting theories about the meaning and measure of time. A great read.
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