Twiga Tales

The Brightest Star in the Sky by Marian Keyes

2010-06-16T12:02:00.000-07:00

Characters and story-lines and shenanigans abound! What a delightful tale.

Things I knew before I started listening to this book: 1) There would be lots of intersecting plots as the story followed the tenants of a particular apartment building. 2) The story would be narrated by an observing spirit/presence.

Things I failed to observe: Keyes' story is set in Dublin, Ireland...and the main character would become the delightful narrator -- who gave a whimsical and pitch perfect performance. Never in a million years would I have been able to give as much spunk and pizazz to the story as the narrator captures with each breath. If you've never entered the world of audiobooks, I order you to pick up this recording, kick back (or drive on) and escape.

As to the story itself, I enjoyed it. (It doesn't hurt that the ending is completely satisfying. *wink*) It took me a minute to catch on to what was going on. But there *are* four floors/sets of players to get to know. Also, Keyes does something very interesting with the time-line in the story. Time is moving forward and backward all at once. But once you get into it, it's easy to fall under Keyes' spell. I found myself rooting for all the players...even the ones who are a bit rough around the edges. Also, I found it impressive that Keyes could explore some keep and heavy subjects, while keeping the overall tone of the book light and quirky.

I'll be looking to read more from this author. Maybe I can convince my book club to come along for the ride.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen

2010-06-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

This is one from my TBR pile. My sister gave it to me over a year ago and assured me that it was hilarious and that I would really enjoy it. For some reason, I was dubious. Despite the cleverly written back cover, I was sort of put off by the title. So I just kept passing it by when it came time to grab my next book.

But a few weeks ago, some friends and I took a bus ride up to Philly to support the USA soccer team in their friendly match against Turkey before heading to the World Cup in South Africa. It's a 3-hour drive each way, and I went prowling for a the perfect book to take with me. Skinny Dip won the prize.

I got a good feeling when one of hte other bus patrons passed me and said, "Oh, that's a great book. You'll love it."

This is a snippet from Amazon's review:

Charles "Chaz" Perrone fancies himself a take-charge kind of guy. So when this "biologist by default" suspects that his curvaceous wife, Joey, has stumbled onto a profitable pollution scam he's running on behalf of Florida agribusiness mogul Red Hammernut, he sets out right away to solve the problem--by heaving Joey off the deck of a luxury cruise liner and into the Atlantic Ocean, far from Key West. But--whoops!--Joey, a former swimming champ, doesn't drown. Instead, as Carl Hiaasen tells in his 10th adult novel, Skinny Dip, she makes her way back to shore, thanks both to a wayward bale of Jamaican marijuana and lonerish ex-cop Mick Stranahan, and then launches a bogus blackmail campaign that's guaranteed to drive her lazy, libidinous hubby into a self-protective frenzy.

It's ridiculous. It's over the top. It's funny... Have you seen the Sprite commercial that focuses on a group of writers sitting outside a Hollywood studio? They're all just tapping their pencils and looking lost. But then a pirate ship, a panda, a cheerleader, and a martial arts fight all start falling out of the stratosphere, and when the main character takes a drink of sprite they all 'splash' into his imagination and you hear him say, "Ok, I got it. We'll start with a cheerleader..."

That's how I imagine Carl Hiaasen came up with some of this characters and plot devices. They're just that ridiculous. (For example: A woman made independently wealthy because her parents died in a plane crash while transporting their juggling circus bear home from the specialist who needed to treat the bear's impacted tooth.) But you forgive him. Because it's just so entertaining.

So thank you Amanda. I should have trusted you.

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

2010-06-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Can you judge an audio-book by it's CD-sleeve? I'm going to answer with a very decisive, "sometimes." *grin*

The cover art of this book grabbed my eye:

And the story was very satisfying. It's a coming of age tale, with a bit of love, and a tad of the paranormal. I really enjoyed it. The main characters are just at the beginning of high school, and the language and tone of the plot fits them perfectly. The narrator of the story sounded like she was in high school too, which I wanted to find fault with, but just couldn't bring myself to do it. Her voice just fit the part.

It's a great summer listen, that looks at the whimsical side of life without delving into vampires and werewolves. I recommend it!

Reading Update

2010-05-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

It's about time for another update...don't you think?

Raw Stats:

39 books read. (up from 12 in March)
18,072 pages. (up from 5,601 in March)
28 new (72%).
11 re-reads (28%).

Challenges:

TBR Challenge - Goal: 12 books. Completed: 5 books. I'm still on pace to finish by the end of the year.
Audio Book Challenge - Goal: 20 books. Completed: 11 books. I can't believe I'm getting ready for the 12th book of the Wheel of Time! This series has been a constant presence in my car since January. (You haven't seen any reviews/reports yet because I'm waiting to finish the whole series first.)
Support Your Local Library Challenge - Goal: 50 books. Completed: 27 books. I'm in love with the library!

Books I'm reading right now:

Star Trek by Alan Dean Foster - Thanks to a tip from my friend Heather, I get to listen to Zachary Quinto perform this book based on the new movie. It's fantastic!!
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver - a Bible Study assignment.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque - Recommended by one of my former students who couldn't believe I hadn't read it when I was in high school. It's supposedly one of the most loved war novels of all time.

Coming up:

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan - then I'll be officially caught up!
The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffrey Archer - a thriller.
A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot - from my TBR list
In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Opdyke - a book club assignment

There are seven books I have read but haven't blogged about yet, but that's not too bad. I'll work on remedying that situation soon. Is there anything I should add to my list?

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

2010-05-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

I picked this book for my book club for two reasons. 1) It was a Hugo Award winner. 2) It's an alternate history that looks at the world 20 years after WWII, but as if the Axis powers had won. The book follows several characters as they navigate their lives in a United States that has been parceled out to both Japan and Germany, with a buffer zone in the center.

Bottom line: It was wierd.

I forced myself to finish hoping that it would all make sense at the end. But it didn't. It just left me with a very unsatisfying "huh" feeling.

Thankfully, I had some insight into one of the major plot devices because of another book I've been reading: Watching the Tree by Adeline Yen Mah. Thanks to Yen Mah, I sort of understood the I Ching (Book of Changes). But Dick takes the I Ching and uses it in a completely different way than Yen Mah described. Based on what little I know, I would say it was a completely wrong way. (But I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert.)

In addition to the the wierd and disjointed plot, I found the characters and the writing dry. It was hard to root for any of them. Maybe I'm just not into the storytelling of the time period. But there it is.

Even with it's award and it's fame, I would skip this book.

My Struggle With Faith by Joseph Girzone

2010-05-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

I knew that Joseph Girzone was the author of "Joshua" series. I didn't know that he was also a Catholic priest. So when I saw this book on a library shelf, I was immediately intrigued.

I'm glad I picked it up.

I learned a lot about the Catholic faith: about the sacraments of confession, about their take on marriage and communion, about a lot of things. (I found it fascinating that while catholic and protestant ideas can be very different from each other, we often use the same passages as our inspiration. We just interpret them differently.)

Girzone's tone is very conversational and approachable. I loved that he was able to share (and even critique) without getting preachy or nasty or bitter. He's not afraid to let the reader know when he doubts, when he's still figuring things out, or even when he disagrees with the stance of the Church. Sometimes on very big things like the necessity for priests to be celibate, or the process of marriage annulment.

The more I read, the more I felt like I had discovered a kindred spirit. For example: In one passage he writes "It was not easy for me to keep digging and digging for a ‘reason for my faith.’… In their dedication to dogma, they lost total sight of the gentle, forgiving Jesus they were supposed to be representing. Instead, the did more damage to the name of Jesus and to people’s faith than heretics did with all their strange theological ideas. ….It was downright depressing." I've had similar thoughts in my long relationship with the church.

Girzone's book is full of honesty and compassion. If you're curious about the Christian faith, (or even if you have a disappointed view of the Church as an institution), I would strongly recommend this book.

Tempted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

2010-04-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Somehow in the blur that was my week, I managed to find time to read the latest House of Night novel. On one hand, I'm glad that I'm all caught up. On the other, now I have to wait for the new books to come out. The wait will be terrible!

This one was probably my favorite of the series. The theme of "choice" is front and center. It reminded me of the sage words of Albus Dumbledore: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." There are several major characters that face the choice for good or evil. Another type of choice was also there -- to follow stereotypes and expectations, or to be true to yourself. Not an easy stand, but one that's worth making.

So in the middle of the fun and the fluff, I keep finding a lot of great stuff in this series. Tempted keeps the high pace and the teenage drama. But it held some new twists that really changed the game. After a cliffhanger ending, it will be a long wait for the next chapter!

Jane Austen's Guide to Good Manners by Josephine Ross

2010-04-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

This book is a must-read (or peruse) for any Jane Austen fan. It goes behind the scenes of Austen's world to give insight into the "Compliments Charades and Horrible Blunders" of her day -- from "Forms of Introduction" to "Calling and Conversation" to "The Subject of Matrimony." It's written as if to members of the Regency Era, and it mixes lightheartedness and wit in a perfect blend.

I loved that it had one of those built in ribbon bookmarks -- the kind that you would find in a Hymnal. I imagine it comes in handy if you want to mark your favorite page. Maybe this one from "Calling and Conversation" (it made me laugh out loud): "It was an awkward ceremony at any time to be receiving wedding-visits, and a man had need be all grace to acquit himself well through it. The woman was better off; she might have...the privilege of bashfulness." Haha! Poor men. They get to weather the awkward moment all by themselves.

However, my favorite part of the book was the watercolor illustrations of Henrietta Webb. They're beautiful and charming and a treasure all their own.

The World According to Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers

2010-04-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

I picked up this little gem on a walk around the library. I thought it would be memoir-like, but instead I was happily surprised with a colleciton of quotes and excerpts from Mister Rogers writings.

"A timeless collection of wisdom on love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty from teh man who has been a friend and neighbor to generations of Americans"

Here's a taste from each section of the book:

The Courage to Be Yourself - "The values we care about the deepest, and the movements within society that support those values, command our love. When those things that we care about so deeply become endangered, we become enraged. And what a healthy thing that is! Without it, we would never stand up and speak out for what we believe."
Understanding Love - "In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers."
The Challenges of Inner Discipline - "I hope you're proud of yourself for the times you've said "yes," when all it meant was extra work for you and was seemingly helpful only to someone else."
We Are All Neighbors - "The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have, but what we do with our blessings. Some people have many blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away." Bonus: "'L'essential est invisible pour les yeux.' (What is essential is invisible to the eyes.) The closer we get to know the truth of that sentence, the closer I feel we get to wisdom."

I grew up watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and this kindhearted man is one of my heroes. With every page turn, I could almost hear his voice, and picture him in his foyer dolling out his final thought of the day while donning his outdoor coat.

When I was doing a lot of paper-writing in college, I collected books like these to augment and inspire my writing. I'll be adding this one my little shelf of treasures. It's not one that you read cover to cover, but one that you come back to when you need encouragement or a little reminder about what's really important.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

2010-04-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

**Spoilers this time**

This may be considered as cheating in book-blog land, but I want to talk about all five Percy Jackson books together. Because to me, there really is one big story arc that ties them altogether. They’re broken down into very digestible pieces (which is good considering they are young adult adventure fiction), but to me, once you get going it’s hard to stop until the resolution in book 5.

I watched the movie before I embarked on the journey though the books. Because of that, in some ways The Lightning Thief was ruined for me. The movie changes quite a number of things from the book, and I was pretty distracted by them. Instead of being able to sit back and enjoy the extra characters (some of them quite important) and the different circumstances (some of them quite pivotal), I found myself impatient to get through to events I knew were coming. Probably not the books fault. If I had read it first, I’m sure I would have had a different experience.

One of things I really enjoyed about this series is that Percy Jackson isn’t the only hero. For example, in The Sea of Monsters, he isn’t chosen to lead (or even go on) the quest to recover the Golden Fleece. So for me, the Percy Jackson series shares more with Lord of the Rings than it does with Harry Potter. Why? Because each member of the Fellowship had moments of glory, and things that made them heroes in their own right. Frodo had to carry the ring, Aragorn had to claim the throne of Gondor, Glorfindel saved the day at Helm’s Deep, etc. I really like that in this series lots of the demigod children get the chance to shine and have their moment. Getting back to book 2. I love the character Tyson -- Percy’s cyclops half-brother. He can seem a little simple at times, but appearances are deceiving. He’s got the heart of a lion, and is constantly proving that a person doesn’t have to follow the stereotype. What a great character! And I adored the final line of the book. It was a game changer, and makes you want to pick up the next book and keep right on going. (That’s exactly what I did).

The final three books really string together. The big bad guy remains the same, and some key characters face challenges that span through the rest of the story arc to the end of the saga.

I think The Titan’s Curse was the first book I really truly enjoyed. Percy is off on another rescue mission (a common occurrence in the series). And for some reason, things started hitting their stride for me -- from the different characters to the pacing to the humor. I also love it because you get to meet Nico. He’s one of my favorite characters in the series. I really liked the way he grows and develops. He doesn’t walk an easy path, and I enjoyed watching his choices and character unfold.

The Battle of the Labyrinth gets heavier and darker in tone. Much more time is spent in the realm of the Underworld, so there are more eerie and spooky things. I didn’t notice at first because I was firmly in Rick Riordan land. But I found out that a friend’s daughter had started with the fourth installment, and was strongly discouraged from reading the others. That changed my perspective a bit, and I started seeing how it could be quite scary for younger readers.

After another cliffhanger ending, the fast paced plot that started in Titan’s Curse carries through the end of The Last Olympian. And while I liked the 3rd book a lot, I think the finale is my favorite. You learn a lot of back-story of Luke, Annabeth, and Thalia. And the theme of “family” comes full circle. **Big spoiler** I loved the theme of family that concludes in The Last Olympian. The love of family, even if it’s a family of choice and not of blood, is what helps Luke to make an important decision. The importance of family is a major bargaining chip in confrontations between Percy and several of the gods. And there is a strong message for parental support, attention, and involvement in the last book (really in the whole series). i.e. If the Greek gods had been more involved in their children’s lives, many things could have turned out differently. And I think Percy’s last big choice (and his reasons behind it) in the book would make for wonderful discussion with one’s own child.

Overall: I thought it was a satisfying series. True, it is a little juvenile in tone. But I think that’s completely appropriate since it’s meant for a younger audience. I liked the contemporary spin Riordan gives to classic Greek mythology. It was fun to remember (and learn more of) the tangled web of roles and relationships held by the Titans and Olympians.

One other thing I really liked: Each of the main characters has a “fatal flaw,” and each are given the chance to overcome it. As I mentioned before, I found Nico’s journey the most dramatic. But all the major characters – Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, Nico, Clarisse, Grover, Tyson, Luke – are given the chance to face their flaws and triumph (or fail *wink*) in turn.

And it will be redundant, but I love good message of love, family, loyalty, and selflessness. All are included in the Percy Jackson series. Add in the constant stream humor and action, and I think it makes for a wonderful literary adventure. It’s just plain fun…with a lot of heart to boot.

Decoding the Universe by Charles Seife

2010-03-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

This was a happy find during a random walk-through my library. I was hooked from the moment I read the subtitle: "How the new science of information is explaining everything in the cosmos from our brains to black holes." How could I resist? Then I read the first line: "Civilization is doomed." Yep. This one was going to to be a winner. *grin*

I found this book fascinating. Sometimes it got a little heavy and I had to pause and process what I was reading, but Seife does and extraordinary job pulling everything together. You know why analogies work? Because things are connected. And Seife puts quantum physics, information theory, and other such fare into language I could understand. But better than that, it was language that I enjoyed!

One thing I love about science: While we're constantly figuring out new and mind boggling things, the old saying holds that "the more we learn, the less we know." To me, this reinforces a state of wonder and amazement for both the created world, and the creator behind it. I think I enjoyed this book so much because Seife writes from a similar optimistic and amazed point of view. He welcomes the paradoxes and questions, and admits that there are things we have yet to answer or figure out. Those questions keep us pushing and discovering.

If you want to exercise a different part of your brain, if you're curious about science, astronomy, or mathematics, or if you're just in the mood for something different...pick up this book. I think you'll like it!

Cleaving by Julie Powell

2010-03-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession" is Julia Powell's second book. I picked it up because I was curious. I had seen the movie "Julie and Julia," and wanted to read more about the woman behind the movie.

Of course, the person Julie is much more complex than the character in the movie. In fact, I had to giggle over a quote by Amy Adams (the actress who portrayed Julie Powell in the movie). When an interviewer told her that Julie was coming out with a new book which talked about her extramarital affair, Amy exclaimed "Not my Julie! My Julie Powell would never do that."

But of course, the real Julie did. And as "Cleaving" recounts, it was not just a short term thing. Her affair truly was an obsession. It encompasses every part of her life.

"Cleaving" follows Julie's thoughts during an "Eat Pray Love" type year. She gets sick of her affair and decides to stop it (sort of), takes up butchery to get her mind off things, and ends up going on a trip to visit with butchers around the world to continue her soul-searching.

But like "Eat Pray Love," I don't know that the soul-searcher ends up any different at the end of the journey. Some of Julie's analogies and comparisons are pretty good, but overall, I was disappointed. I probably wouldn't recommend this book to others.

One last note. At the end of her book, Julie writes this acknowledgment: "Most of all, I thank Eric and D. Writing your own story is easy enough; having your story written by another is hard. I am grateful down to my toes for you both, for your generosity and grace in handling a situation difficult and not of your choosing." I realize that in a way, Eric is probably simplified from his real-life self (then again, this book is very raw and an "overshare" in several places), but he's a saint. I can't imagine the sheer amount of grace, forgiveness, and patience this man has. I hope for his sake that the Powell's survive this storm and experience marital bliss once again.

Reading Update

2010-03-03T05:43:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post an update on my reading so far this year:

Raw Stats:

12 books read.
8 new (67%).
4 re-reads (33%).
5,601 pages.

Challenges:

TBR Challenge - Goal: 12 books. Completed: 2 books. Not bad there. I'm on pace to finish by the end of the year.
Audio Book Challenge - Goal: 20 books. Completed: 4 books. I'm almost done the 5th, with number 6 waiting in the wings. You haven't seen any reviews/reports yet because I'm waiting to finish the whole series first.
Support Your Local Library Challenge - Goal: 50 books. Completed: 8 books. Almost done the 9th (an audio book), and am in the middle of number 10.

Books I'm reading right now:

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan - part of my quest through the Wheel of Time series
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - a book club assignment.
Cleaving: A Story of Marraige, Meat and Obsession by Julie Powell - the follow-up to "Julie and Julia."
The Pursuit of God: A 31-day experience by A.W. Tozer- a Bible Study assignment.
Decoding the Universe: How the new Science of Information is Explaining Everything in the Cosmos, from our Brains to Black Holes by Charles Seife - surprisingly engaging and really interesting stuff.

Coming up:

The Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan - the quest continues
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis - both for the TBR challenge and for book club.
The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) by Rick Riodan - After enjoying the movie, I'm looking forward to diving into the books.

Anything I should add to the list? *grin*

The Boys are Back by Simon Carr

2010-03-02T09:31:00.000-08:00

I'm discovering a love for memoirs. Well, cleverly written ones anyway. This one certainly fits the bill.

This is what Amazon had to say:

"So there we are, a father and two sons in a household without role models, males together in a home different from anything I'd known--an idyllic Lost Boys' world with a house full of children and as few rules as possible."

When Simon Carr's wife Susie lost her battle to cancer, Carr was left to raise his 5-year old son, Alexander, on his own. Soon after, Hugo, his 11-year old son from a previous marriage comes to live with them. Now, this motley crew of boys have to learn how to be a family. Along the way, Carr reveals some illuminating truths about parenting and the differences between mothers and fathers. His messy household bears no similarity to the immaculate home his wife kept; his response to mothers on the playground fretting about his son's safety on the handlebars is, "If he falls, at least he'll know not to do it again." Emotionally honest and sharply witty, Carr's story is at once heartbreaking and wonderfully life-affirming.

One thing I'll readily admit: There were some parts of the book I just didn't get. But I won't blame that on the writing. I'll blame it on the differences between men and women. I think it would be interesting to discuss some of my "huh?" moments -- whether it was a joke I didn't get or an anecdote that didn't quite resolve -- with a bookworm of the male persuasion.

One thing I really liked: I discovered this book because I watched the movie "The Boys are Back" starring Clive Owen as Simon Carr. And moments I loved most in the movie were taken word for word from Carr's original. I love that. Now granted, Carr is a writer by trade. So he's used to expressing himself through words. But I still adore that Hollywood chose to stick with him. Not all details of Carr's life remain the same. But I bet you that the lines that will get quoted from the movie are straight from the inspired pen of Simon Carr.

This memoir is full of clever lines and touching moments. "Death by tetanus would have had disastrous political consequences on my theory of hygiene." "I found myself sobbing too -- not exactly because I was unhappy, but to make him hear me up three flights of stairs, to show him he wasn't alone." Totally worth picking up and devouring.

Drops Like Stars by Rob Bell

2010-03-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

Do you have a "go-to" genre? A fellow book-worm and I were talking the other day and she admitted that she always returns to epic adventures (in the vein of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, etc). Actually "admitted" is not the best word. She's not ashamed at all. Those are the books to which she comes home. Other literary forays are fine and good. But when she needs revitalization, that's where she returns.

For me, it's to books like this one: "Drops Like Stars: A Few Thoughts on Creativity and Suffering." Only 145 pages. And granted, it's more a work of art or a song than a book (a fact which frustrated some online reviews). But it's pure inspiration. I revel in the analogies and insights and questions. They encourage and affirm a part of me that gets worn down in the daily grind. If you've never picked up a Rob Bell book, treat yourself to this gem. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Hunted by P.C. and Kristin Cast

2010-02-15T12:28:00.000-08:00

"Hunted" is book 5 in the House of Night series. A collection of books that has become my rainy day guilty pleasure. Each installment only takes a few hours to read. Plus, since each book only advances the plot a few days or so, I can read one long after I've read the one before without becoming lost. In any case, the main character's constant internal battles and remeniscing fill in any potential blanks that might have formed.

Similar to Twilight, the protagonist's main weakness is the men in her life. But what I like about this series is that it explores deeper topics even while it embraces the vampire angst. The focus of "Hunted" is faith and free will. And I have to admit, it's one of my favorite of the series so far.

I especially love that Zoey has faith in herself, in her Goddess, and in her support system, even while she is obviously struggling with doubts as well. Is she ever 100% sure? Not really. But does she step out and make the decisions she believes she must to do what is good and what will save those she loves? Always. I can't help but admire that.

The series is planned to include 13 novels. I'm looking forward to following the story arc through to the end. (Even if it does move slower than the Wheel of Time series. And *that's* saying something!)

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

2010-02-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

"The Color Purple" a classic, a prizewinner, a film, and now a musical. For any and all of these reasons, it's been on my TBR list for quite some time. A snowy weekend provided just the excuse to cuddle up in a blanket and enjoy Alice Walker's work! In fact, with the wonder of Netflix instant-play, I watched the movie after I finished the book and had quite a lovely evening.

This book continues a theme of sorts (actually a few themes): epistolary novels, and novels about racism, relationships and female empowerment. (Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Blood Done Sign My Name, To Kill a Mockingbird, Secret Life of Bees....).

Bottom line: I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't my favorite.

The first half of the book is letters from Celie to God. It took me a while to get into. (I think part of it was getting used to the language.) Once I did, I found it brutal, honest, and engaging. Celie's voice is matter of fact, and straight from the heart. To be honest, I think that's the way we're supposed to talk to God. Talking about any and everyting. Pouring out our hearts and hurts.

But I was very glad when Walker introduced a second voice: the letters from Nettie to Celie. The sisters were separated from each other at the beginning of the story, and since Celie never heard from her sister she presumed Nettie was dead. I really enjoyed how Walker structured the second half of the book. The sister's never talk to each other. Their letters never actually change hands. Yet they catch up and dialogue with each other. It's brilliant.

I read somewhere that the color purple is a major theme and symbol in the book. However, I disagree. It's briefly mentioned once (granted, in a pivotal conversation between two of the main characters), but that's it. Surprisingly, pants are a major theme. When Celie comes into her own, pants are a major symbol of that independence. She shows her insight, creativity, and self-sufficiency through something as simple as making pants. I really enjoyed that.

Favorite line of the book: "Whether God will read letters or no, I know you will go on writing them; which is enough for me." It was in a letter from Nettie to Celie. She almost decides to stop writing her letters, since she knows there was almost no chance her sister would get to read them. But then she remembered Celie's habit of writing letters to God, because she couldn't bring herself to talk about them out loud. And whether or not God would answer, Celie was determined to write. I feel that way about praying sometimes. The most important part may not be the answer, it's the simple fact that I keep talking.

Favorite moment of the movie: There's a scene where Shug is entertaining a crowd on a dock, and they are within earshot of a church service. At first there's a bit of duel between the choir's song and Shug's performance. Then she starts singing the choir's song, and leads a procession from their hang to the church. The choir's soloist give's way to Shug's voice, and Shug pours her heart out in song at the base of the alter as the Pastor just stands there teary-eyed. They finally embrace...and it's a beautiful picture of a prodigal coming home. This exchange was a departure from the book, but it was my very favorite scene. There are so many little moments in it for each of the main characters, and it's just...moving.

Long story short: I would recommend this book (the movie too). It might be interesting to discuss it along with Blood Done Sign My Name, and The Secret Life of Bees... in case you need ideas for a book club or something *wink*

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

2010-02-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

I read this book after it was recommended to me by my cousin. She was in DC for a work conference, and we met and had a wonderful evening of catching up and getting to know each other. Turns out, we both share a passion for a reading. So it didn't take long for recommendations to fly back and forth.

Outliers: The Story of Success explores the factors that set people up for greatness. He explores this phenomenon in several settings, with very enlightening conclusions. Long story short - success is part talent, part timing, part practice, and part history.

I really enjoyed the chapter entitled "The 10,000-Hour Rule." Do you know what the Beatles, Bill Gates, and Mozart have in common? They all put a lot of time into learning their craft. Much more time than any of their peers. No one would ever claim that they didn't have an enormous amount of natural talent. But that talent alone wasn't the secret to their success. It was the time they put into honing and developing that talent. Note to self: This is one area in which I've never excelled. I'm a hard worker and enjoy learning new things. But I've never focused that time in one area. I'm more of a Renaissance woman - fairly good at lots of things. Which I suppose is a type of success. But there's really no way around it. To have the kind of success these men did, you need to decide where to focus...and then put in the time.

I also liked the chapter "Rice Patties and Math Tests." I liked it for two reasons. First, Gladwell has a fascinating (and believable) theory that explains why Asians excel at math. (It's based on the way their language handles mathematics. Pretty cool actually.) Second, he explores the different approaches Eastern and Western cultures have for education and the impact that approach has on the children of each culture. They're both rooted in agriculture. But the appraoches are as different as rice patties and corn fields. In Eastern cultures, students are expected to put in long hours year round. Gladwell quotes a farmer who states: "No one who can rise before dawn three hundred sixty days a year fails to make his family rich." Before dawn. 360 days a year. That's the kind of focus these cultures place on education as well as tending rice patties. And it shows in the academic achievements of their students.

I also enjoyed Gladwell's conclusion at the end of the book. I don't want to steal his thunder, so I'll leave it there in hopes that you pick it up and read it for yourself. It's worth it. (And it's an easy read, so it won't take you that long to conquer.)

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

2010-01-31T17:58:00.000-08:00

My book club read A Change of Heart in January. I thought it was ok, but I wasn't blown away by it's awesomeness. Two friends said that "Handle with Care" and "My Sister's Keeper" were two of Picoult's really good ones. "Handle with Care" was readily available at the library (the other book is a little more hard to find since the movie is out), so I decided to give it a try.

"Handle with Care" follows the story of the O'Keefe family and the decisions and struggles they face raising a daughter (Willow) who has brittle bone disease. After an especially harrowing experience, Willow's parents are presented with the idea of filing a wrongful birth lawsuit. Doing so would be a problem for a number of reasons, two of them being 1) Charlotte (the mother) would have to say that they would have chosen to abort Willow they had known of her illness and 2) the OB/GYN in the case is Charlotte's best friend.

It was bizarre. I was hooked from the beginning, totally invested and engrossed throughout the plot. Picoult explored issues from abortion to marriage to cutting to adoption to sibling dynamics to medical ethics to morality... great stuff! But then I was completely angered and let down by the end. Seriously. I was livid while the book was wrapping up.

I honestly can't remember being so engrossed and yet so let down by a book. One character in particular that bothered me throughout the book: Charlotte, Willow's mother. I can't decide if I like that, or if I don't. After all, it's good writing if the author gets me that invested, right? But I just don't understand her. I can't get behind her. And the repercussions and results of her actions are strongly to blame for my unhappiness at the end.

For Picoult aficionados, can I ask you a question? Do you think the final chapter is where Picoult gives her stance/opinion/leaning on the hot topic of her book? After reading both "A Change of Heart," and "Handle With Care," I'm tempted to think that's the case. It might be an interesting discussion question for a book club setting.

Before I go off on a tirade and give a gazillion spoilers, I'll leave this one be. But I can safely say that after the two Picoult reading experiences I've just had, I doubt I'll pick up another one of hers soon. I need a break. Silver lining: it's one more book for the library challenge. *grin*

And I quote...

2010-01-27T09:26:00.001-08:00

The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - that you thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you've never met, maybe even someone long gone. And it's as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.

~ The History Boys.

Violin by Anne Rice

2010-01-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever chosen a book for its title? That’s what I did when I picked up “Violin” by Anne Rice. I was walking through Goodwill, and thought that it might be a good adventure. Especially since it was ½ off day and it would cost me all of $0.50. I like Anne Rice’s “Vampire Chronicles,” and her book “Called out of Darkness” is also on my TBR list. Plus, I play violin. I convinced myself that this was a wise Goodwill impulse buy.

The first page of “Violin” is captivating.

What I seek to do here perhaps cannot be done in words. Perhaps it can only be done in music. I want to try to do it in words. I want to give tot the tale the architecture which only narrative can provide – the beginning, the middle and the end—the charged unfolding of events in phrases faithfully reflecting their impact upon the writer. You should not need to know the composers I mention often in these pages…My words should impart the very essence of sound to you. If not, then there is something here which cannot be really written. But since it’s the story in me the story I am compelled to unfold—my life, my tragedy, my triumph and its price—I have no choice but to attempt this record.

What followed was confusing, convoluted, and almost unresolved. The main character is a 54-year old woman named Triana who has experienced some deep and devastating losses. She’s visited by a ghost named Stefan who, in between serenades on a Stradivarius, verbally spars with Triana in an effort to drive her crazy. They end up going on a journey through time and distance, working through grief and guilt with music (and the violin itself) as a very large catalyst to that process.

So did I like it? Kind of. I have to admit, I probably wouldn’t have finished reading it if I wasn’t trying to get out of running by walking this week on the treadmill. As one reviewer said, “The novel is a beautifully written mess, a poetic pile of events which failed to capture the reader in a moment in time because this book moves too quickly and erratically to hold the reader in one place for long enough.” About halfway through, I figured it out. This isn’t a novel as much as it is an author grieving through a story. From what I understand (after a bit of research when I finished the book), “Violin” is very autobiographical. Knowing that, it makes sense to me that an author would best grieve through a story and characters. And if you enjoy books that are more about the journey than the destination, then you may enjoy it. But I was expecting a bit more plot. Serves me right for judging a book by its cover. *grin*

Speaking of covers: This is the one on my copy.

But I think this one I found is much more appropriate.

Has anyone else read this book? Or do you have a story about picking up a book just because you liked the title? Feel free to share!

Goals for 2010

2010-01-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

To Be Read Challenge

Pick 12 books – one for each month of the year - that you’ve been wanting to read (that have been on your “To Be Read” list) for 6 months or longer, but haven’t gotten around to.

* Violin - Anne Rice
* Called Out of Darkness - Anne Rice

* The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson
* Extraordinary: The Life You're Meant to Live - John Bevere
* A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael - Elisabeth Elliot
* The Color Purple - Alice Walker
* A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller
* The Genesis Trilogy - Madeleine L'Engle
* The entire bookshelf in the guest bedroom...
~~Skinny Dip by Carl Haissen~~

Audio Book Challenge

I'm going for "Obsessed" – Listen to 20 Audio Books.

The challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Audio books only, and only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

I am listening my way through the "Wheel of Time." - So that's 11 books to start...

Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge

I'm like my blogging friend Heather with this one. I get a lot of books from the library anyway, this will be more of a "patting myself on the back" thing. I won't be making a reading list for this one, just adding them as I pick them up.

I'm going for the "Just My Size" level – Check out and read 50 library books.

Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed. My favorite part? Crossovers from other reading challenges count!

Eve: A Novel of the First Woman

2009-10-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

By Elissa Elliott

If this book had not been on CDs, I probably would have stopped reading after the first few chapters. As it was, I had to “muscle through” and remind myself that I would be spending the time in the car anyway, so I might was well see how the story wraps up.

This book explored Eve, and Adam, their family, and their family’s interaction with the population of a nearby city. I read some reviews that were very harsh with the “historical accuracy” of the novel. To be honest, I wasn’t upset at all with the liberties Elliott took with Adam and Eve’s world. I *was* bored with the dynamic of the book. It was very disjointed. Half of the story was flashbacks by Eve, recounting creation, the fall, the exit from the garden, etc. But these flashbacks were all very bland. I could have done without them altogether. Also, the language of the book was inconsistent. For example: Eve has words for “ubiquitous” and “flummoxed” but not for “sun” or “brick.” Also, I found the plethora of similes a bit much to trudge through at times.

Adding to my frustration was Eve herself. She’s an incredibly weak and boring character. Her children all surpass her in intelligence, critical thinking, personality, and believability. For example: Eve and Adam are amazed when their six-year-old sun invents mud bricks. Not just by drying mud in the sun mind you, but by adding in different mixers to give added strength and structural integrity. Her other children are incredibly accomplished weavers, cooks, doctors, and farmers. Yet Adam and Eve seem to excel only at reminiscing about the past and wondering about their relationship…both with each other, and with Elohim.

While I enjoyed some the questions Elliott asked through her characters, I found it hard to believe that the children would be the rocks of the story. A couple of them trust Elohim, a couple others trust the faith of the city people, and the youngest is believable in her growing understanding and questioning. But Adam and Eve are frustratingly inconsistent. They vacillate from one extreme to the other: from wondering if they had hallucinated their experiences in the garden, to assaulting one of their children for even suggesting that Elohim isn’t the only god that exists.

This book had an interesting idea, but for me at least, it failed to deliver. If you’re going to write a book about Eve…I want to care about her.

Latter-Day Cipher

2009-10-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

By Latayne Scott

This book caught my eye because it was a murder mytery involving a familiar idea, but with a new setting. The deaths in this story have a religious focus...but instead of centering on the Catholic church, this book used the backdrop of the Mormon community.

It was an enjoyable read, though I was let down by the ending. After keeping my attention so well, the book ended very suddenly and I didn't feel it wrapped up well. Anticlimatic might be the word I'm looking for. But until that point, I enjoyed the journey of the main character.

The autor writes as someone who was burned by her experiences with the Mormon community. But while I sometimes felt like she was venting, I think she was also careful to show that not everyone in the Mormon church is a an extreamist. And similar to the DaVinci Code, it's probably a good idea to remember that this book is a work of fiction, so all the craziness should be taken with a grain of salt.

As usual, some of my favorite characters were the ones cheering from the sidelines. Why do I like minor characters so much? *sigh* Well, no matter the reason, one of my favorite relationships in this book was between Selonnah (the main character) and Ann (a character she meets along the way). They had some wonderful conversations.

All in all, it made a welcome break from my organizational theory books. Have you read this title? What did you think of it?

The Art of War for Women

2009-10-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

By Chin-Ning Chu

This was a great audio-book find. The full title is: "The Art of War for Women: Sun Tzu's Ancient Strategies and Wisdom for Winning at Work." I found it to be simple, insightful, respectful, and refreshing. I would definitely recommend it to any one of my female friends. It's not very long, but you'll find yourself mulling over Chu's insights for long after the CDs are done playing.

One thing I really enjoyed: Chu encourages women to be honest with themselves. What makes you happy? What do you want out of life? What are your strengths and weaknesses? ... There are no right or wrong answers. I really the analogy Chu used here. What kind of shoes do you want to wear: combat boots or glass slippers? Either answer is fine. Some women want glass slippers. Their perfect world includes prince charming, a castle, and a home life. Some women want combat boots. They want to enter the battle and conquer the business world. Each option is fine and good. But where we run into conflict is this: wearing a combat clothes with glass slippers, or trying to coordinate boots with a ball gown. Neither works. Because deep down, you're not being honest with what makes you happy. Such a simple idea. But one that needs to be remembered from time to time.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There's a lot of practical ideas and relevant advice. So if you're looking for something to play during your normal commute....give "The Art of War for Women" a try!

Catching Fire

2009-09-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

By Suzanne Collins

I'm in grad school, so I have to do a lot of reading on the specific topic of organizational and leadership theory. I like my chosen field. Don't get me wrong. But sometimes, the required reading is...less than exciting.

I read Hunger Games earlier this year and absolutely adored it. Suzanne Collins is a very visual author. Not once did I feel lost in any of the action scenes. I felt as if I was there. I could totally emerse myself in her fictional world. It was also the kind of book that you can't put down. Once you begin, you're strapped in for the ride. It was a unique book with a great cast of characters and an engrossing (yet unfinished) story.

In short, I was counting the days until the sequel.

Catching Fire did not let me down. After impulse buying it from Amazon, I forced myself not to read it as soon as it arrived (since I'm being such a diligent student). But last week I decided to take a brain break from my organizational theory and just read a chapter. Two chapters. 100 pages. Just 15 more minutes. Half the book. Well, since I'm halfway, I might was well keep going.... Yep, I read the whole thing it in a few hours without putting it down and LOVED every bit of it. (Sorry school work! I tried to resist, I really did!)

Some twists I saw coming. Others I did not. But I truly enjoyed watching these characters navigate the challenges presented to them. Stephanie Collins doesn't back away from complication. She dives in headfirst; which makes for an adventure story that's relatable and relevant, even while it's larger than life.

In short: at the end of my second helping, I'm eagerly looking forward to a third.

(I'm also wondering if I can find a real-life Cinna. I love him. And when he said "Don't worry. I alway channel my emotions into my work. That way I don't hurt anyone but myself," he immediately made me think of the quote "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence." What a wonderful little nugget of truth from a fantastic character! ...I want more!)

The Audacity of Hope

2009-09-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

By Barack Obama

It was enjoyable to experience this book in audio version, especially since it was read by the author: President Obama. I think when books are read by the author, you get to hear their words the way they intend. They can capture emphasis, inflection, and other things much better than a performer could. It just gives that extra glimpse into the author’s message. Plus, President Obama has a great voice.

Amazon says: With his second book The Audacity of Hope, Obama engages themes raised in his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, shares personal views on faith and values and offers a vision of the future that involves repairing a "political process that is broken" and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with the people.

I say: I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I think Barack Obama is a nice, sincere man…but I don’t always agree with his ideas and solutions. But this book affirmed a truth that I believe: there’s fault to find on both sides of the political aisle. Obama writes with passion and sincerity, and I appreciated the tone and flow of this book. My cynical side wonders if he just wrote what people may want to hear. But then again, his memoir is very honest with the fact that we face a lot of complex problems in our country (and in our world).

An interviewer asked Obama: If readers are to come away from The Audacity of Hope with one action item (a New Year's Resolution for 2007, perhaps?), what should it be?
He answered: Get involved in an issue that you're passionate about. It almost doesn’t matter what it is--improving the school system, developing strategies to wean ourselves off foreign oil, expanding health care for kids. We give too much of our power away, to the professional politicians, to the lobbyists, to cynicism. And our democracy suffers as a result.

I can fully agree with that.

Blaggard’s Moon

2009-09-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

By George Bryan Polivka

Allow me to borrow from the Amazon description: An exciting swashbuckling tale of a pirate sentenced to die for the crime of mutiny. As he awaits his fate, this pirate ponders his life and the events that have brought him to this fate. In the process of remembering, and in grappling with mercy and justice as they have been played out in his life, a tale is spun, a tale of true hearts wronged, noble love gone awry, dark deeds done for the sake of gold, and sacrifices made for love.

A pirate tale? Sign me up!

I really enjoyed this book. One of the things that made it unique was that it is told from three points of view/ points in time. You have the pirate awaiting his fate (Delaney). He is reminiscing, analyzing, and recounting a story told by Ham Drumbone. The view shifts to this storyteller, and Polivka does a fantastic job creating a fireside scene: the storyteller and his swarthy listeners. They interject and react to the story. Ham masterfully gets them back on course. The third point of view/time is the original events that comprise the storyteller’s tale – the story of Damrick and Jenta and the pirate world of Nearing Vast. I loved how it unfolded.

I also enjoyed that there was no clear hero of the story. It subtlety communicates themes like reaping what you sow, learning to change, and living without regrets, without getting overly sappy. The book has a bit of dark feel, but there’s a lining of hope around the edges.

I would recommend this book as a fun read. It would probably make for a good discussion book as well, since all of the major characters are flawed and don’t always make the best decisions.

Plus, there’s sword fighting. *grin*

Well-Built City Trilogy

2009-08-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

The Physiognomy, The Memoranda, and The Beyond by Jeffrey Ford

I picked “The Physiognomy” up off a display at the library. The cover intrigued me, and I saw that it won the World Fantasy Award in 1998. I figured it would be a good read.

At the end of the day: This series just wasn’t my cup of tea. I found it hard to follow in places. I thought large portions of it dragged. And some of the character transitions were a bit strange. Also, there were some nonsequitor plot points (particularly in the third book) that never resolved or went anywhere. That bothered me. I think all three books could have been edited a bit and combined into one story. But that’s just me.

Motivation: I wanted to read this book because it explored the idea of memory: how memories are stored, how they impact reality, how our mind works, etc. Also the main character, Cley, is a Physiognomist. (Didn’t see that one coming, did you? *wink*) Some friends and I had talked recently about the field of Physiognomy, and I was interested to see how Jeffrey Ford integrated this field into his story.

Of the three books, I think I enjoyed the second one the best. (Followed by the middle portion of the third book.) It’s in this part of the story that Ford really dives deeply into memory. Cley actually journey through the villain’s memory by way of an assisted mind meld. Very Star Trek. He’s looking for a solution to a pressing problem. And to find it he has to navigate and decipher the symbols and landscape in Drachton Below’s mind. Like Cley, I found myself getting attached to personalities and symbols within Below’s memory labyrinth…almost forgetting that they were not separate from Below himself. Then I remembered and found myself annoyed that Cley couldn’t do the same. Anytime an author can draw you in to be invested in the decisions made by his characters…it’s a good thing. (There are probably exceptions, but you know what I mean…I hope.) It was very unique.

I also liked the middle portion of the third book because it was when the main character had the surest idea of who he was and what he was doing. In the first book, he’s little more than a chess piece of Below. Then he starts breaking away, and forming his own thoughts, asking his own questions, and forming his own goals. That process takes from the middle of book 1 to the end of book 2. Cley really hits his personal stride in book 3. I enjoyed reading about him when he was full of purpose. (Course, then he gets a little fuzzy again. Or maybe I just didn’t fully understand the resolution of the series. In any case…the last part of book 3 let me down).

Physiognomy plays its most dominate role in the first book. Cley ends up mutilating one woman’s face in order to save her from her “evil” nature. It’s guilt over this act that wake him up as a character and start him on his journey. The rest of the series is really Cley’s quest to find forgiveness from that woman. As such, Physiognomy pops up now and again. Mostly to highlight that you can’t judge a person by their measurements. Much as you can’t judge a book by its cover.

The most intriguing character in the series is Misrix. A demon from the Beyond who is “adopted” by the evil Drachton Below, aides Cley on his journey, and later befriends a child from the city Wenau. There were some good moments in there about profiling, stereotypes, etc. My favorite character was a moody but trusty dog named Wood. Maybe because he made the most sense.

One reviewer observed that Ford writes about ideas instead of events. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t quite find my rhythm. It is a fascinating journey, especially in the 2nd and 3rd books. But it was one I felt I had to trudge through. Ford doesn’t fall back on stereotypes. He sticks with his own brand of crazy. I can respect that. But while parts of the series were nifty, there was something missing for me. Reading this series felt like watching an episode of Star Trek that featured Q.

In reviewing the third book, Publisher’s Weekly says, “Ford's graphic imagination is as powerful as ever, but the quest itself is vague and undefined, while the story ultimately fails to grip.” I think I agree.

Has anyone else read this series? Feel free to write and tell me what you thought!

Fellowship of the Ring

2009-08-15T09:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, one just needs to come home to a book. And that’s just what this series feels like to me: home. There’s just something about the characters, the world, the story, the adventure, the humor that pull me in each time. How can you not love a book in which the author writes in the forward:

“Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer. But even from the points of view of many who have enjoyed my story there is much that fails to please. It is perhaps not possible in a long tale to please everybody at all points, or to displease everybody at the same points; for I find from the letters that I have received that the passages or chapters that are to some a blemish are all by others specially approved. The most critical reader of all, myself, now finds many defects, minor and major, but being fortunately under no obligation either to review the book or to write it again, he will pass over these in silence, except for one that has been noted by others: the book is too short.”

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up these stories. I’ve been distracted by book clubs, reading challenges, and school demands. But as I strolled through these pages over the past week, I was reminded why time spent in Middle Earth is never wasted.

It was fun to remember all the bits that are different in the books than in the movies. For example, one of Gandalf’s most quoted lines – “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” – isn’t spoken in the depths of Moria. He makes this statement in Frodo’s living room at Bag End at the very beginning of the journey. Also, while Sam is recruited much as he is in the movie, Merry and Pippen aren’t random tag-alongs. They help Frodo prepare to leave the Shire, and then insist that they come along with him (kind of like the scene in Rivendale). They were always in it together.

Also, in the book Aragorn is never unsure about who he is or where he’s going. In the movie, the members of the fellowship gaze in awe at the statues of the Argonoth. It was nice to remember that in the book, everyone is pretty much intimidated by them...except for Aragorn.

“Frodo turned and saw Strider, and yet not Strider; for the weatherworn Ranger was no longer there. In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful strokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land. ‘Fear not!’ he said. ‘Long have I desired to look upon the likenesses of Isildur and Anarion, my sires of old. Under their shadow Elessar, the Elfstone son of Arathorn of the House of Valandil Isildur’s son, heir of Elendil, has nought to dread!’”

And for some reason, I absolutely adore the moment when Galadriel gives the Evenstar to Aragorn when the Fellowship is leaving Lothlorian. To me, it bears that much more weight that Arwen’s choice wasn’t a secret, but a precious gift given not just by her, but by her family as well.

I love Tom Bombadil too. (It’s hard not to.) I understand why he’s hard to incorporate into radio dramas and movies…which makes him that much more of a treat to read in the book.

And I love how the book doesn’t wrap up nicely. It stops in the middle of the confrontation at Amon Hen. Sam and Frodo crossing the river. Boromir sent to look for Merry and Pippin who are looking for Frodo. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli scouring the mountain for the ring-bearer too. It’s a lot of chaos, which makes me want to pick up Two Towers and keep right on reading. (Sounds like a great idea!)

My favorite quote this time through? [Frodo to Pippin] “Short cuts make delays, but inns make longer ones. At all costs we must keep you away from the Golden Perch. We want to get to Bucklebury before dark. What do you say Sam?’ ‘I will go along with you, Mr. Frodo,’ said Sam (in spite of private misigivng and a deep regret for the best beer in the Eastfarthing).”

(Probably extra hilarious just for me because I’ve been told I’m a blend of Pippin and Sam.)

Do you have books that feel like “home” to you? Or books that you enjoy reading more than once? Because not every book is a book like that. Some you can read once and move on. Others, like this one, become part of your literary landscape for a lifetime.

Haunting Lighthouses

2009-08-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

by special guest Pam Ripling

I do. I not only love lighthouses, collect them, and visit them, I haunt them as well. I guess you could place multiple meanings on “haunting” – I could be a spirit, looking for my lost love, my drowned sea captain, my missing child. But since I am not yet dead, that’s not the likely meaning.

It could be that I lurk in the world of lighthouses, traveling here and there to “haunt” their staircases, roam their keepers’ quarters, snapping my camera and taking notes. Living people do have their favorite “haunts,” as it were. Lighthouses surely are some of mine.

But actually, my form of haunting lighthouses has to do with creating tales of the supernatural and placing them there. (Aha! So that’s where she’s going!)

It’s common knowledge among lighthouse enthusiasts that these ancient, lonely beacons are often thought to be inhabited by spirits. The very nature of their purpose brings with it danger, isolation and hardship. Tragedy exists in the history of nearly every light station, histories fraught with violent storms, pirates, and madness. What better fodder for a good ghost story?

My latest novel, POINT SURRENDER, takes place in a fictional California lighthouse that’s been abandoned for many years. Its last keeper has been dead for more than 25 years, and left behind a journal found by those who are now restoring the ancient, decaying tower. The journal tells a sad tale, and hints at why the keeper died there—but not a word about his missing family. Is the ghost that appears from time to time the keeper, or someone else?

Of course there’s romance and mystery—a hero and heroine, both with emotional baggage—and a cast of supporting characters that complicate their journey. The lighthouse itself is the best character, brooding, sad, filled with remorse. For hasn’t the lighthouse seen it all unfold?

My upcoming release, CAPE SEDUCTION, is set in an off-shore lighthouse perched on a deadly reef near the extreme northern California coast. The story takes us back to 1948, when a popular Hollywood starlet goes missing after the filming of a blockbuster movie set in the land-locked beacon. In 2008, the lighthouse begins to cause trouble for its present day owners, and the spirit of a young woman makes her presence known to many. Look for CAPE SEDUCTION this winter from Echelon Press.

It doesn’t hurt to research those U.S. lighthouses “known” to be haunted. The house at Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon (shown on the cover of POINT SURRENDER) is said to be haunted by a young keeper’s wife. “Rue” seems to be mourning for a lost child, perhaps seeking her unmarked gravesite on the grounds of the keeper’s house.

I’ve been asked: do they scare me? Thinking about them, writing about them, walking among them? No. There is no record of any lighthouse ghost inflicting harm upon any guest. Do I believe in them? I think I would be some kind of fraud if I didn’t; I am, after all, a writer of paranormal lighthouse fiction!

Pam Ripling, who also writes as Anne Carter, is the author of paranormal romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER, from Echelon Press, Amazon, and for your Kindle, iPhone or other e-formats, Fictionwise. Visit Anne at BeaconStreetBooks.com.

60 books...one year.

2009-08-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I've already met and exceeded this goal. If you really want to know the extent of the damage, I've read 66 books. 21,421 pages. 76% of them for the first time. (Yes, I have a spreadsheet. Yes, there is conditional formating. and Yes, it rocks!) Some of those books were good, some of them I want to add to my very-special-only-inspiring-and-thought-provoking-stuff-goes-here shelf, and others I could have done without.

But you would have no idea...because I realized that I haven't been very good about posting my reviews and thoughts about those books. Shame on me. I'll blame it on a busy July.

Here's my promise. I'll be catching up. A post or two a week. And to reward you for your patience....I also promise something special for you next Tuesday.

Are you excited? I am!

Some Teasers:

The Simarillion = Yoda's diary + lots of "therefore"s.
The Physiogamist. Part of a trilogy that should have been one book. Maybe the only trilogy that I would recommend people read just the middle book.
Jesus Did it Anyway. Paradoxical Commandments = great stuff.
Marley and Me. Read it. Listened to it. Watched the movie....and cried during each one.
The Island in the Center of the Word. That Heather Johnson knows what she's talking about! (I picked this up after she reviewed it on her blog.)
Pedagogy of the Oppressed. School reading. Bleck. But I find myself thinking about one or two lines...so maybe not a waste.
Thirteenth Tale. Reminded me of Jane Eyre.
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World....oh wait...I haven't started that one yet. (Bonus points if you get my very bad joke)

Stay tuned!

A Hand to Guide Me

2009-06-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

I’m a sucker for inspiring material, and this book is chock full of it. Denzel Washington is a spokesperson for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He was active in the program when he was younger, and says “it was where I learned how to play ball, where I learned how to focus and set my mind on a goal, where I learned about consequences, and where I learned how to be a man.” That’s high praise. And in this book Denzel Washington brings together seventy-four others to talk about people who have inspired and shaped their lives. To borrow the words of the book sleeve, “Those voices join in the moving chorus of a book that pays tribute to the love and generosity of people taking time to help one another, lifting one life at a time.”

From a literary standpoint, it’s an “easy read.” The chapters are short. The language is informal. And the stories are very approachable.

But this is a book I will own because of the little “gems” scattered throughout the seventy-four stories. The personalities in the book are from all over. Some of them I instantly recognized. Some I recognized because of the company they keep. Others were totally unfamiliar. Some come from supportive families, and some from troubled pasts. But each and every one had a story to tell about someone who helped to shape his or her life. Some of the inspiration was the “long-term legacy” variety and some was the “random pivotal moment” variety. The presence of both makes this book poignant and relevant. Because you never know who’s watching. And you never know how you might just change someone’s life with a well spoken word or a right action in a difficult moment.

Legacy. It’s a beautiful thing.

"Change happens. The key is to keep reaching for that guiding hand and to keep extending our own. So go ahead. Train up a child in the way he should go...and watch what happens." ~ Denzel Washington

Geisha, A Life

2009-05-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

Not long ago, I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Though written as a realistic memoir, his book is a work of fiction. I read some fact vs. fiction reviews on his work and stumbled upon the name Mineko Iwasaki. She was interviewed by Golden when he was doing research for his book. He promised to keep her remarks confidential, but then gave a public “Thank You” in the acknowledgements of his book. I also read that Mineko was upset with Golden because she claimed he modeled much of his book on actual events of her life, but twisted them to portray them in a negative light. She was so upset that she decided to write her own story, and “Geisha, A Life” was born. With a back-story like that, how could I stay away?

I finished Mineko’s story during lunch today, and I can see why she was upset with Arthur Golden. As I was reading Geisha, A Life, I could see the inspiration for many of the characters and events in Memoirs of a Geisha. And as Mineko correctly points out, many of those events are given a more negative spin in Golden’s work.

But Mineko’s story is far from sad. She was a tremendously successful Geisha. She was singled out as a child to be the successor of her okiya, and though she had a charmed life, she worked very hard for it. Her drive, resourcefulness, and adaptability are what kept her performing at the top of her field until she chose to “retire” at age 29. She goes on to have a happy family life with her husband and children. Mineko’s book chronicles her successes and stumbles, and I found it to be a very enjoyable read.

One of the little nuggets in this story was an account of Mineko hiding a hobby from almost everyone in her life. Geisha in training were forbidden to participate in anything that might cause them bodily harm. And since Mineko was studying dance in particular, sports would never have been allowed for her. But even though her days started before dawn and ended late at night, she managed to join a girl’s basketball team! She says she got away with it because she claimed to be taking a flower arranging class. But as an ex-high school athlete, I don’t know if one class would provide enough cover. I had daily practices and weekly games, so my sporting life was a big commitment. But Mineko says she successfully kept her basketball career a secret. As an added bonus, her team finished second in their division that year. Go, girl, go!

Non-Fiction Challenge

2009-05-06T11:54:00.001-07:00

I just signed up for my first blog-reading challenge: To read five non-fiction books between now and September. Sounds like fun right? Feel free to join in.

The Mandie Books

2009-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

A little while ago, this post reminded me of a favorite series from my childhood: The Mandie Books. I picked up the first book at my grandparent's house. She didn't even know why she had it laying there. I read it and was drawn in. There was only one book, so I wait to wait for each new episode to come out...and as I result, I sort of grew up with Mandie. In every book she finds a mystery to solve, accompanied by her good friends Joe Woodard and Celia Hamilton. And at some tense moment in every book, Mandie gains courage from her favorite verse: "At what time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee."

Since the Mandie series was floating closer to the surface of my thoughts, on a recent trip to the library I decided to look up the author and the series to see how much the series had grown. (My Mandie addiction fell off in my high school years). That's when I discovered that my beloved childhood author passed away in October!

I immediately did two things: Checked to see how many books I was missing from the Mandie collection, and scour the internet to see if Mandie and Joe end up happily married at the end of the the last book (because the further along the series went, that was the biggest question I needed to be answered).

I have 36 of the 40 books, so well done there. But alas, there's no Mandie/Joe resolution. In fact, apparently there's a new potential love interest in the Mandie Goes to College "series" (only one book was ever finished)! I can't tell you how much this upsets me. Joe is fantastic. He's constantly saving Mandie's skin and then giving her the credit for solving the mystery. If she runs off with some college guy, then she's missing out on (and messing up) a fantastic childood-sweetheart opportunity. That's just not allowed!

Do you ever change storylines in your own personal literary world? Because in my Mandie universe, Joe will always have his place as the knight in shining armor.

Audio Adventures

2009-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

I recently listened to two familiar stories: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

I first read Redeeming Love a year or two ago, and loved it. I enjoy when authors can take a short passage of scripture and weave it into a larger tale. I think it gives us a chance to really dive in and understand the characters, their situations, and their choices. Looking at them sideways as Kate would say. Redeeming Love takes the story of Hosea and sets it in the Old West during the gold rush. Rivers brought the familiar Biblical story to life in a whole new way. The audio book was able to do the same thing: it allowed me to experience this story “new” again. It’s interesting to listen to another person giving a voice to characters. Sometimes the narrator emphasizes a sentence or thought differently than I would have read it…be it by the timing or the emotion they use etc. And that difference helped me to pay attention and enjoy the story anew, for a second time.

I had watched the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, but had not read the book. But I saw it as an audio book on the library shelf and decided to give it a shot. When I got to the checkout counter, my favorite librarian told me that he loved the book. “It’s so much better than the movie. And the movie was good,” he told me. After that praise, I’m happy to say that I concur. I really enjoyed how the book was recorded. The narrator talks slowly and deliberately, the way you might imagine an older, dignified, oriental woman telling a story. The book is full of similies and flowery descriptions. And since it *is* the book, it’s different than the movie. Parts of the plot are different, some of the characters have different facets, etc. Up until the last few chapters, I didn’t know if I was going to like how it all turned out. Nobu is a much greater part of Sayuri’s life in the book than in the move, and I found myself really liking him. The Chairman in Memoirs of a Geisha is kind of like Arwen in LoTR. They are portrayed a bit differently in the movies because the director wants you to connect more strongly with their characters. But having said all that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would happily recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the movie.

Where's My Happily Ever After?

2009-04-27T19:21:00.001-07:00

So I just finished all three books that are currently in the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead (the fourth book is scheduled to come out on 8/25/09), and here is my complaint. There is no happy ending. And no conceivable happy ending in sight. Do I expect every book to have a happy ending? Of course not. Some of my favorite books have bittersweet or downright depressing endings. But this time, I was looking for fluff. Not serious reading or great literature, just a quick read with an entertaining plot. Fluff, to me, includes a satisfyingly happy or, at the very least, ambiguous resolution (side note: is ambiguous resolution an oxymoron?). The end of the third book? NOT HAPPY*. Where's my warm fuzzy feeling that usually comes with fluff? Fuzz and fluff are relatives after all...

*Now, this is not to say that I am unhappy with the series as a whole...I liked it...I would consider reading it again...dependent on the outcome of the 4th book, which I am planning on reading. I hope my warm fuzzy feeling is not lacking this time, but I'll be sure to let you know...

House of Night Series

2009-04-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

House of Night Series
I read Marked, Betrayed, and Untamed. I skipped Chosen, but was able to infer the major plot events at the beginning of Untamed, so wasn’t lost at all in continuing the series.

The House of Night is a series of young adult Fantasy/Horror novels co-authored by P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast. The series revolves around the development and adventures of Zoey Redbird, a 16-year-old gifted fledgling vampyre who attends the House of Night school. Students move to this unique boarding school after they are “marked.” They then have four years of training (think, Hogwarts for vampyres) and during this time they will either make the full transition into a Vampyre or their body rejects the change and they die. Zoey has strong and unique abilities, and this sets her apart from her fellow students.

Things I like about this series:
It’s co-authored by P.C. Cast and her daughter. I also like how P.C. Cast acknowledges her students in the beginning of the book (she’s a teacher).

I like how the main characters are flawed and growing. There’s an emphasis on individual talent, but also the necessity of leaning on other and working together. I think the messages of trust, friendship, and doing the right thing get more poignant as the series progresses, and they would make good discussion points in a group setting. I especially like the character Sylvia Redbird. She is Zoey’s Cherokee grandmother and is often the voice of wisdom in the series. I also have a soft spot for Sister Mary Angela, who makes an appearance in book 4.

I like how the books are “easy reads.” They are engaging and you can finish one in a day or two (or if you’re me, in a couple hours). Also, each book covers a relatively short period of time, so if you happen to skip an episode, you can pick up what happened without too much trouble.

Things I didn’t particularly like:
Exploring sexuality is certainly a recurring topic in young adult fiction, coming-of-age stories, and the vampire genre as a whole, but many of the main crises in the series focus on the sexual misadventures of the characters. Even when other conflicts enter the storyline, it seems like the sexual dilemmas are always present.

The series is getting progressively darker as it moves forward. It reminds of the Harry Potter series: book one starts out with an introduction to the wizarding world, by book 4 the intangible villain has returned to power, and book 7 culminates with an “ultimate showdown” situation. But unlike Harry Potter which has one main villain who grows in power and influence, the House of Night seems to be introducing new evil personalities and phenomenon. It’s hard to tell how the escalation will continue to grow. Since it appears to be an open-ended series, maybe P.C. and Kristin Cast haven’t quite figured it out yet. I hope they have an arc in mind, otherwise I fear this series might go the way of the “Wheel of Time” – lots of books but no real end in sight.

Somewhat related, each book ends with a semi-resolution. The crisis of the particular book is resolved, but there’s already the sense of the next battle brewing. I know it’s meant to keep you hooked and coming back for more…but these books are literary candy to me and I want more of a warm fuzzy at the end. It’s there, but co-existing the gathering tension.

Overall recommendation:
Good for pleasure reading, especially if you like vampire stories.

Fashioned for Intimacy

2009-04-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

When I read Fashioned for Intimacy by Jane Hansen for the first time, I scarfed it up. I labeled it as one of the best relationship books I’ve ever read, and I meant it. So when I decided to re-read it earlier this year, I was surprised at how differently I feel about it now. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have the freshness and wonder of a brand new read. Maybe it’s because I’m a different person now. But for whatever reason, I didn’t experience the same joy on my second foray through the book.

I still agree with many of her insights. And I think she has some valid ideas of how the roles of men and women could be reconciled to the design that God initiated in the beginning. I particularly liked how Hansen affirms that men and women have different strengths, and those strengths are not meant to be in competition (who's stronger and in charge here?) but in cooperation (how can we be stronger together?). I think women who deal with dependency or identity issues would benefit from the wisdom offered in it's pages, so Fashioned for Intimacy is still worthy of a read-through. But I wouldn’t call it the “best relationship book ever.”

Heart of Jane's message:
"The woman is uniquely and specifically designed to stand before the man in an intimate, face-to-face relationship. However, although women were meant to look to God to find their life, identity, value and significance, since the fall of Eve in the dawn of creation, they have looked instead to men to fulfill these needs. Only when a woman's heart is turned back to God to meet her needs, she is…free to be the help God intended her to be: to draw the man out of his aloneness by relating on a level that moves past the surface and touches the deep places of his heart. She is then able to stand in a healthy, face-to-face relationship with him."

"Jane Hansen on Male Female Reconciliation." Jane Hansen, October 24, 2004

And I quote...

2009-04-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

Of all the diversions of life, there is none so proper to fill up its empty spaces as the reading of useful and entertaining authors.~ Joseph Addison ~

She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain. (1873) ~ Louisa May Alcott ~

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to bechewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts,others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly,and with diligence and attention.~ Francis Bacon ~