The Reluctant Fundamentalist

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid was the November book for my (former) book club in Charlotte and I am so glad it was and that I read it. When I read about this book when it was first published, I think I had the impression that it was about something altogether different.

Set at a cafe in Lahore, a nervous American stranger encounters a Pakistani man who tells the story of his life and experience in America, before and after September 11th. But it is about more than being a Pakistani in America after the terrorist attacks, it is about an ambitious, smart young man looking for success and love.

This is a short novel, that flows beautifully along.

Swamplandia!

Karen Russell is the writer-in-residence at Bryn Mawr , so I wanted to read Swamplandia! before her reading/appearance this month.

Swamplandia! is an alligator attraction in Florida owned by the eccentric Bigtree family. Sadly, Hiola Bigtree, mother and main attraction at Swamplandia! dies of cancer and as the book opens we find the family and the park in trouble.

The three Bigtree children - Kiwi, Osceola and Ava - struggle to continue to support their father and the park while mourning the loss of their mother and growing into teenagers on a remote island.

The book comes to a climax as Kiwi and the Chief leave the island (separately) to help the park and Ossie ventures off to marry her ghost boyfriend with Ava following behind through the swamplands with a stranger called the Bird Man to rescue her. Much goes awry and I feared for the young Ava, but Russell keeps you reading through the perfect mixture of worry and great writing.

Powell's Holiday 2011 Catalog

Powell's released their Holiday Guide for 2011 today and they have some good ideas (mostly hardcover).

For anyone shopping for me this holiday, The Tiger Wife and The Cat's Cradle are two of the top books on my list :)

http://www.powells.com/holiday/2011/

The Marriage Plot

When I heard that Jeffrey Eugenides had a new novel coming out I pre-ordered it, so that I could read it as soon as it was released. The Marriage Plot arrived during fall break - perfect timing and I read it that week.

The story begins on graduation day at Brown University in the early 80s. We follow Leonard, his girlfriend, Madeleine, and Mitchell, who has a crush on Madeline, back through their college years and then the year after college. Learning how they all met and about their family and college experiences.

Madeleine's class on semiotics and interest in Victorian literature and Mitchell's exploration of religion read like a dissertation or class lectures on the subjects. Maybe it's because I'm in graduate school, but I didn't want to learn anything. I just wanted to enjoy the characters and the story.

There were parts of the novel that I really enjoyed. Eugenides can bring characters to life, making you feel like you are living their life and feeling what they feel. Leonard, one of the three main characters, suffers from bi-polar disorder and I felt his moments of mania and his moments of depression. I felt less connected to Madeleine and Mitchell. And it was clear that Eugenides was recounting some of his only experiences at Brown. 

In the end, it was an interesting story but I don't think I will be recommended this book to many others.

Brat Farrar

Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey was the book selection for my Charlotte book club. Even though I can no longer attend, I am trying to keep up on the reading. I figure it's a good way to ensure I'm still reading for fun during grad school.

I had not read one of Tey's mysteries before, so I am glad I had this opportunity. Tey wrote most of her novels after WWII, so there is something sweet and innocent about her mysteries compared to today's gore and psychotic crime tales.

Brat Farrar is a young man who is convinced to impersonate the presumed dead Patrick Ashby in order to gain access to his estate. His plans are complicated by Patrick's twin brother as well as his confused and curious sisters and Aunt.

It wasn't hard to figure out the mystery, but it didn't take away from the reading of the novel.

E-readers Part II

Even after my previous post on e-readers, I ended up being gifted a Kindle. I am starting grad school and thinking that it could be helpful and convenient tool for my text books, I decided to give it a shot.

I opened it and within 20 minutes was wishing I had left the box unopened. I hated it! There's no way to say it more nicely. I had trouble with the keys (tiny for my big fingers), had trouble reading the screen and couldn't tell what page I was on. Plus I found the Kindle store annoying.

I was planning to try to return it, but ended up finding a friend willing to buy it off me (cash goes a long way as a grad student!) and happily passed it along.

For now, I will stick with the old fashioned paper and ink. I may get left behind, but for now that's okay.

The White Woman on the Green Bicycle

I picked up The White Woman on the Green Bicycle by Monique Roffey after it was recommended by Nancy Pearl on NPR as part of the summer reading list.

Set in Trinidad, The White Woman on the Green Bicycle is a story about love, marriage, colonialism, race and so much more. It is set up in three sections, starting with the present and then going backwards to trace Sabine and George Harwood's arrival and early years in the country.

Something about that set up was confusing to me - I knew what happened in the end, but didn't have the context to understand why and then when I had the context I forgot some of the details of what happens.

I think it would have been better to stay in chronological order so that there wasn't any question of what was happening and why.

But overall Roffey tells a story that details life in Trinidad, the fall of colonialism, the rise of a democracy and corruption and race relations throughout.

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession

I picked up The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession by David Grann not long after returning from a trip to the Amazon river basin in Peru.

I was intrigued by a story of a lost city in the Amazon after seeing Machu Pichu (there could be something even greater?) and when reading the first few pages of Grann's book was hooked. It ended up being slow going at points, but I was pulled along by the wonder of El Dorado.

Grann is exhaustive in his research of Percy Fawcett who in the early part of the century disappeared in the Amazon in his quest to find El Dorado. Numerous Fawcett hunters followed suit and I feared the author would be the next victim.

After hearing about the conditions Fawcett and his party experienced during their trips in the Amazon - maggots in their skin, constantly biting mosquitoes, risk of malaria and other diseases, I was thankful for my insect repellant with lots of Deet and guides during my trip. Plus I was able to be a little more thankful for the experience and that I came out safely.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Everyone I know is reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, but it had been on my list for a while (since my sister asked for it at Christmas) and I'm glad I was able to borrow a copy from a friend.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks traces the history of the HeLa cells - cells that were taken from Henrietta Lacks and then were used to study and find cures for all sorts of diseases.

Skloot does a great job making the science digestable and weaving in the story of the Lacks family. She is fair to everyone - doctors, the family members - even when some bad stuff was going on and clearly put a lot of time and energy into tracing every part of the story.

I learned a lot while enjoying myself and would recommend this book to friends (I already have).

State of Wonder

I loved State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. I love Ann Patchett. It reminded me of Bel Canto. It swept me up from the minute it started and while I was left with questions and the themes were familiar, I want to read it again, right now.

A Visit From the Goon Squad

I've read two of Jennifer Egan's other books and had read good things about A Visit from the Goon Squad, so I was excited when it came out in paperback.

However, as I started reading the novel, I remembered the feeling I had with the other two books - like you are the straight-laced dorky kid in school who is getting a glimpse into the edgy world of the too cool for anything ordinary kids. And I, for one, like not to feel that uncool.

Egan introduces a new voice in each chapter and though they are all connected it is sometimes so tangentially that takes some work to put it all together. None of the characters are all that likable - not Benny, the aging rock producer or Sasha, the kleptomaniac assistant turned artist mom or any of the other characters who crossed their paths over the years.

And the last chapter set in a paranoid post-9/11 New York was disturbing with its bleak, Big Brother-like descriptions.

If you're looking for something out of the ordinary, I would recommend this book. If you want to retain the illusion that you are cool, you might want to skip it.

Under the Banner of Heaven

After reading The 19th Wife, I wanted to read more about Mormonism and polygamy so I picked up Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

Krakauer gives the history of Mormonism and particularly how fundamentalists broke off to create sects where polygamy is still practiced. He frames it around the brutal murders of Brenda Lafferty and her daughter by he fundamentalist brothers-in-law.

The story is well told and he expanded on history that was touched upon in The 19th Wife giving a broader understanding of the faith. However, I was left with a bad taste about fundamentalist Mormonism. I know not all Mormons are like this, but the extremism and using religion as an excuse for violence was disturbing.

At one point, Krakauer asks one of the brother's convicted of the murders how he is different from the 9/11 bombers (both believe they have been told by God to act and murder) and his answer is basically that he is listening to the true Prophet, they were listening to a false prophet.

Makes me afraid for the future of our country and world.

The Madonnas of Echo Park

The Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse begins with an author's note leading you to believe that the account to follow is a semi-autobiographical account.

Skyhorse takes us through the lives and years of the Echo Park neighborhood, introducing a new character and voice with each chapter. He weaves together the history of a community and families that are sometimes far-fetched, sometimes touching and sometimes sad which together gives you the feeling of being an insider.

This is Skyhorse's first novel and I look forward to more from him. Sadly though, the author's note in the beginning was all part of the fiction.

The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods

The Legacy of Luna: The Story of a Tree, a Woman and the Struggle to Save the Redwoods by Julia Butterfly Hill was our May book club selection.

While Julia and Luna's story is a touching one, the writing is terrible. I wanted to read this book and be inspired but Hill comes across as flighty, a lousy story-teller and very uninspiring.

Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom

Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom was recommended in a yoga class. I've read other books about meditation and spiritual practice, but this book written by Rick Hanson was compelling and well written.

It read like part textbook, part meditation manual. The science in the beginning was covered in a way that made it understandable even for the scientifically challenged.

There were also example meditations to put into practice in the second half of the book and each chapter contained a recap.

Plus, the subject made so much sense. That as we evolved we retained certain tendencies that are no longer needed and can become negative in today's environment (we're no longer running from prey, but when someone challenges us, our brain tells the rest of our body that we are in danger and we react accordingly).

It put so much into perspective while giving practical solutions for managing the stresses of every day life.

E-reader

I am one of those people who just can't bring myself to buy an e-reader. There's just something too comforting and flexible about the paper and ink of a paperback or hardcover. But as I prepare for a two week vacation in Peru, I wonder if I am hurting myself by remaining a traditional bibliophile.

There will be lots of down time and little to no electricity, so I plan on bringing ample reading material, but that means carrying them to and around Peru. (And my porter on the trek to Macchu Picchu will only be carrying 13 kg of my items).

I have already started thinking about what books to bring and I'll also try to coordinate with my book club buddy who is also going to be on the trip so that we can share books, but I just can't bring myself to buy an e-reader even now.

I'll be in a third world country with enough gadgets and luxury goods, do I really need to add one more? No, I will carry my paper and ink and maybe leave some behind to share with others.

My current list of books coming to Peru with me (in addition to travel guides of course):

Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter
A Visit from the Good Squad
What is the What
Under the Banner of Heaven

This is Where I Leave You

This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper is a darkly comical yet completely readable book.

The Foxman clan gathers together to sit shiva for their father who was never religious but his family being together for seven days was apparently his dying wish.

The story is narrated by Judd, the middle brother, who is spiraling out of control as he deals with his wife's affair with his boss. His older brother Paul still holds a grudge after an accident in their teens ruined his future. His sister Wendy has three kids and a blackberry wielding husband in tow. And Phillip is the youngest and best looking brother who has never had to work for anything in his life.

The familial issues and the descriptions of the friends and family visiting to pay homage to the deceased, sporting good owner father is enough to make you laugh out loud.

I was left with some remaining questions, but they didn't really matter, or maybe I really just didn't want the book to end.

Memory of Love

The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna opened up the world of Sierra Leone to me. Knowing little about this country and the civil war it went through, I was eager to read Forna's novel which was highly praised.

The Memory of Love tells the story of lives after the war, lives that have been completely altered by the atrocities of the world. Adrian Lockheart is a British psychologist who has come to Sierra Leone to help the survivors deal with the post traumatic stress of their experiences, but he comes to learn so much more through his experience with his patients, a young doctor named Kai and a local lover.

Much of the narrative centers around Elias Cole, an ex-professor who falls in love with a co-worker's alluring wife, Saffia in the late 1960s. You learn much through the story of Elias and Forna brings together all of the characters in a climax that uncovers all the beauty and tragedy of Sierra Leone.

There were times when the descriptive language felt overwhelming, especially as we came closer to the answer to the intersecting stories.

Reading this as they activities of Egypt unfolded this year, made this book even more compelling as it almost felt as if I was reading about Egypt in a few years - but hopefully without the tragedy.

For Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles

My book club is on an Indian theme at the moment and I couldn't be happier. We are meeting at an Indian restaurant tomorrow (weather permitting) to discuss For Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles by Sujoya Roy.

I read this book in 24 hours. It was smart, sweet and pulled you along with interesting characters and plot. The book is organized around the parts of bharatanatyam a type of traditional Indian. Sushi, the adult daughter of traditional Indian parents who emigrated to America, undergoes a journey to learn more about her mother, Krishna. Taking us along with her into the world of her mother's youth as a Brahmin and devoted daughter whose intelligence and talents were no match for an arranged marriage. I found myself rooting for the young Krishna and saw her experiences so clearly.

It appears that this book may have been self-published, which sometimes led me to question some of the veracity of the story but in the end made me love it more for it's realness and rawness.