I am reading the new collection of stories from the women of York prison, I'll Fly Away, edited by Wally Lamb.
It is such an engrossing and compelling set of stories. The rawness of the women and the courage they show by sharing these stories is inspiring.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Telex from Cuba
Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner opened me up to a whole world I knew nothing about - American expats living in Cuba before the Castro era.
It's a well-written and engrossing book and I especially liked the two narrators who were children. There was just something so compelling about hearing what was going on from their point of view - free from bias and racism - though flawed by what they could not understand. The other two narrators are Rachel K, a cabaret dancer, and a french arms dealer. I found the adult narrators less believable and unsympathetic.
KC Stites and Everly Lederer provide the children's point of view from the two American interests in the east of the island - the United Fruit Plant and the Nicaro Nickel Plant across the bay. KC was born on the island and has never known any other life. His brother Del has runaway from home to join the rebels in the mountains. A display of rebellion from the privileged life he has led amongst so much strife.
Everly Lederer comes with her family from the Midwest when she is eight. Gawky and socially awkward, Everly is inquisitive and accepting of the island and the people she meets.
Everyone's story culminates with the revolution. I was left with a wonderful postcard of life in Cuba in the 1950s.
It's a well-written and engrossing book and I especially liked the two narrators who were children. There was just something so compelling about hearing what was going on from their point of view - free from bias and racism - though flawed by what they could not understand. The other two narrators are Rachel K, a cabaret dancer, and a french arms dealer. I found the adult narrators less believable and unsympathetic.
KC Stites and Everly Lederer provide the children's point of view from the two American interests in the east of the island - the United Fruit Plant and the Nicaro Nickel Plant across the bay. KC was born on the island and has never known any other life. His brother Del has runaway from home to join the rebels in the mountains. A display of rebellion from the privileged life he has led amongst so much strife.
Everly Lederer comes with her family from the Midwest when she is eight. Gawky and socially awkward, Everly is inquisitive and accepting of the island and the people she meets.
Everyone's story culminates with the revolution. I was left with a wonderful postcard of life in Cuba in the 1950s.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
About Alice
About Alice is Calvin Trillin’s homage to his late wife, Alice. I have not read much of Trillin’s other work, but Alice apparently plays a key role throughout his works. This one is certainly a loving remembrance of who she was and her impact on his life.
It is a very touching story and relationship - one most of us aspire to. It’s a short book (78 pages) and after completing it I was interested to read Alice’s famous work “Of Dragons and Garden Peas” about coping with serious illness, in her case lung cancer. She seemed to have been a remarkable woman married to a remarkable man.
It is a very touching story and relationship - one most of us aspire to. It’s a short book (78 pages) and after completing it I was interested to read Alice’s famous work “Of Dragons and Garden Peas” about coping with serious illness, in her case lung cancer. She seemed to have been a remarkable woman married to a remarkable man.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sarah's Key, And Then There Were None and By a Spider's Thread
Summer vacation reads
A successful week at the beach is, of course, measured in part by the number of books I read (along with my tan). This year was mystery themed (along with one WWII novel mixed in).
By a Spider's Thread, Laura Lippman
Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie
A successful week at the beach is, of course, measured in part by the number of books I read (along with my tan). This year was mystery themed (along with one WWII novel mixed in).
By a Spider's Thread, Laura Lippman
Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay
And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Evening is the Whole Day
The Evening is the Whole Day by Preema Samarasan is a beautifully written book set in Malaysia in 1980. It centers around the Rajasekharan family and their many secrets.
Asha, the youngest of three children, is the central, and most relatable, character. She sees ghosts, feels very misunderstood by her family and scorned by her older sister’s cold shoulder.
In the end, the book sets up some huge secret which led to misunderstandings and life changing impacts, however when it is revealed, it doesn’t seem as dramatic as I expected. Still, it’s a gorgeous book and worth a read.
Asha, the youngest of three children, is the central, and most relatable, character. She sees ghosts, feels very misunderstood by her family and scorned by her older sister’s cold shoulder.
In the end, the book sets up some huge secret which led to misunderstandings and life changing impacts, however when it is revealed, it doesn’t seem as dramatic as I expected. Still, it’s a gorgeous book and worth a read.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Beach House
After reading the Camel Bookmobile, I started reading The Evening is the Whole Day which is a great book, but found I needed something quick and light. So I picked up The Beach House by Jane Green.
Set in Nantucket, The Beach House is a sweet tale of lives falling apart and then coming together again in the most unexpected ways. Nan Powell owns a gorgeous old house which she finds she can no longer afford, so she turns it into a B&B. She brings together a group of people, including her grown son, who quickly become entwined in each others lives and become a surrogate family.
Set in Nantucket, The Beach House is a sweet tale of lives falling apart and then coming together again in the most unexpected ways. Nan Powell owns a gorgeous old house which she finds she can no longer afford, so she turns it into a B&B. She brings together a group of people, including her grown son, who quickly become entwined in each others lives and become a surrogate family.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Camel Bookmobile
The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton is our July selection for my book club - and it was my pick.
It was a lighter read than I expected, but was probably a good choice for a July/summer read.
The story centers around Fi Sweeney who leaves her job and life in NY to launch the Camel Bookmobile in Kenya. She's looking for something interesting and more exciting in her life than the stable, predictable boyfriend and job.
Since this is her purpose, along with making a difference in the lives of Africans living in the bush, it's not surprising that she has some interesting experiences and almost forces a meaningful adventure.
Fi visits many nomadic camps but she becomes drawn to Mididima and the people there - the teacher, his assistant, the young Kanika and Scar Boy. All have a stake in keeping the camel bookmobile coming to their village and eventually their desires and motivations come to a head and none of them will ever be the same.
But questions remain on the importance of "western" education in a nomadic village such as Mididima.
It was a lighter read than I expected, but was probably a good choice for a July/summer read.
The story centers around Fi Sweeney who leaves her job and life in NY to launch the Camel Bookmobile in Kenya. She's looking for something interesting and more exciting in her life than the stable, predictable boyfriend and job.
Since this is her purpose, along with making a difference in the lives of Africans living in the bush, it's not surprising that she has some interesting experiences and almost forces a meaningful adventure.
Fi visits many nomadic camps but she becomes drawn to Mididima and the people there - the teacher, his assistant, the young Kanika and Scar Boy. All have a stake in keeping the camel bookmobile coming to their village and eventually their desires and motivations come to a head and none of them will ever be the same.
But questions remain on the importance of "western" education in a nomadic village such as Mididima.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Olive Kitteridge
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is a collection of short stories that are all connected through a small Maine town and the title character, Olive Kitteridge.
The stories tend to focus on people in their 50s through 80s, so while all are interesting and very well written I found them a bit depressing. None of the characters in their "twilight" years seems very happy and there are many examples of strife and loneliness in their relationships.
I still recommend it as it is a wonderfully written selection of stories, however be prepared for some potential melancholy feelings to arise.
The stories tend to focus on people in their 50s through 80s, so while all are interesting and very well written I found them a bit depressing. None of the characters in their "twilight" years seems very happy and there are many examples of strife and loneliness in their relationships.
I still recommend it as it is a wonderfully written selection of stories, however be prepared for some potential melancholy feelings to arise.
A Separate Peace
Each summer I look through the Summer Reading selections at the local bookstores to see what is new to the list and to see if there is anything I have missed.
I realized a few years ago that I have never read A Separate Peace by John Knowles and I finally picked it up this year.
I don't know what I was expecting, but A Separate Peace was a bit disappointing. Maybe reading it at 34 in 2009 resulted in me missing the meaning. However, I was reminded a lot of Dead Poets Society which brought me back to the summer of my sophomore year when I watched it repeatedly and basically had it memorized.
I'm probably insulting many people with that comparison, so apologies in advance.
I realized a few years ago that I have never read A Separate Peace by John Knowles and I finally picked it up this year.
I don't know what I was expecting, but A Separate Peace was a bit disappointing. Maybe reading it at 34 in 2009 resulted in me missing the meaning. However, I was reminded a lot of Dead Poets Society which brought me back to the summer of my sophomore year when I watched it repeatedly and basically had it memorized.
I'm probably insulting many people with that comparison, so apologies in advance.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Mudbound
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan has been on my reading list for a while, so when I found a discounted hardcover I snatched it up.
Laura believes she is destined to be a spinster, teaching school and being aunt in Memphis in the 1940s. But when she meets Henry McAllan her plans change and they are quickly married. Laura is happy living in Memphis caring for her two girls and her husband until her husband comes home and tells her that he has purchased a farm in the Mississippi Delta.
Laura's life quickly changes at the farm, which she and the girls name "Mudbound" since it is always muddy and the bridge into town becomes impassable with every rain. The farm has no indoor plumbing or any other modern comforts.
Life at the farm is complicated by Pappy, Henry's racist, mean-spirited father; Jamie, Henry's brother who returns from the war with traumatizing memories; Hap and Florence Jackson the black share farmers on the land; Ronsel, the Jackson's son who has also returned from Europe where his race didn't matter like it does in the Delta.
Add in alcoholism, a love affair and the Klu Klux Klan and the story quickly speeds to the climax and a tragic outcome that leaves no one at Mudbound unchanged.
A great story and wonderfully written from the perspective of each of the major characters.
Laura believes she is destined to be a spinster, teaching school and being aunt in Memphis in the 1940s. But when she meets Henry McAllan her plans change and they are quickly married. Laura is happy living in Memphis caring for her two girls and her husband until her husband comes home and tells her that he has purchased a farm in the Mississippi Delta.
Laura's life quickly changes at the farm, which she and the girls name "Mudbound" since it is always muddy and the bridge into town becomes impassable with every rain. The farm has no indoor plumbing or any other modern comforts.
Life at the farm is complicated by Pappy, Henry's racist, mean-spirited father; Jamie, Henry's brother who returns from the war with traumatizing memories; Hap and Florence Jackson the black share farmers on the land; Ronsel, the Jackson's son who has also returned from Europe where his race didn't matter like it does in the Delta.
Add in alcoholism, a love affair and the Klu Klux Klan and the story quickly speeds to the climax and a tragic outcome that leaves no one at Mudbound unchanged.
A great story and wonderfully written from the perspective of each of the major characters.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Clothes on their Backs
The description on the back and the cover art of The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant led me to believe that this book would be very different than it turned out to be.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, because the book actually turned out to be better than I imagined it would be.
Vivien Kovacs is the bookish daughter of Hungarian-refugee parents in London. Her parents live a quiet, secluded life as if they are afraid that they will be found out. Vivien longs for more and goes off to college and has a short marriage, at which point she returns to her childhood bedroom.
Depressed and lost, Vivien remembers a tumultuous visit from an uncle who her father would not let into the house. He continued to refuse to talk about this mysterious Uncle even as he is all over the papers durning a high-profile trial where he is accused of being a slumlord.
Years later, Vivien sets out to meet Sandor but is not fully honest about who she is. Through her involvement with Sandor, she is exposed to new people and new experiences and she learns much more about her parents and their lives in Hungary.
A fine story, but nothing amazing.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, because the book actually turned out to be better than I imagined it would be.
Vivien Kovacs is the bookish daughter of Hungarian-refugee parents in London. Her parents live a quiet, secluded life as if they are afraid that they will be found out. Vivien longs for more and goes off to college and has a short marriage, at which point she returns to her childhood bedroom.
Depressed and lost, Vivien remembers a tumultuous visit from an uncle who her father would not let into the house. He continued to refuse to talk about this mysterious Uncle even as he is all over the papers durning a high-profile trial where he is accused of being a slumlord.
Years later, Vivien sets out to meet Sandor but is not fully honest about who she is. Through her involvement with Sandor, she is exposed to new people and new experiences and she learns much more about her parents and their lives in Hungary.
A fine story, but nothing amazing.
Monday, June 01, 2009
The Archivists Story
The Archivists Story by Travis Holland is our book club read for June. It takes place in Moscow in 1939. It is a bleak time under Stalin's rule and with Hitler looming across the border.
Pavel is a former teacher who's wife was killed in a tragic train accident. As Pavel deals with his wife's death, his mother's dementia and worries about various friends being killed for their political belief, he worries about his own future.
His job as the archivist of Lubyanka prison requires him to incinerate the writing of both major and minor Russian writers who have been imprisoned there. When he comes across an unclaimed work from an author who's work he used to teach in his classroom, he suddenly risks everything to protect what he values most.
A compelling, tragic work of fiction.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
I originally picked up The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery in a bookstore when I was traveling in CA. I didn't buy it then, but I was intrigued by the first two chapters I had read and had it on my "to read" list.
I finally purchased it at the Brookline Booksmith a few weeks ago and finished it quickly.
The novel is set in a apartment building in Paris. Madame Michel (Renee) is the concierge for the building who pretends to be dumb and uncultured because that is what she believes her tenants expect from their concierge. However, beneath the facade lies an intelligent woman who loves books, movies and art. She is fond of Tolstoy, so much so that her cat is named Leo after the author.
Paloma is a 12-year-old tenant of the building who has decided that she will commit suicide because she is dismayed by the adults she is surrounded by and what life has to offer. She is too smart for her age and pretends, like Madame Michel, to be dumber than she is. She despises her pretentious older sister and her mentally unstable mother. But she sets out to record interesting things about the world in her journal before she dies.
Renee's and Paloma's worlds intersect with the arrival of Karkuru Ozu the new tenant in the building. Kakuru sees through the facades of both and draws them out.
At times the novel felt a bit clumsy with long soliloquies on philosophy, but by the end I was glad I had stuck with it to see the transformation of Renee and the change in Paloma's view on life.
In the end, this is a tragedy, so be prepared for the non-Hollywood ending.
I finally purchased it at the Brookline Booksmith a few weeks ago and finished it quickly.
The novel is set in a apartment building in Paris. Madame Michel (Renee) is the concierge for the building who pretends to be dumb and uncultured because that is what she believes her tenants expect from their concierge. However, beneath the facade lies an intelligent woman who loves books, movies and art. She is fond of Tolstoy, so much so that her cat is named Leo after the author.
Paloma is a 12-year-old tenant of the building who has decided that she will commit suicide because she is dismayed by the adults she is surrounded by and what life has to offer. She is too smart for her age and pretends, like Madame Michel, to be dumber than she is. She despises her pretentious older sister and her mentally unstable mother. But she sets out to record interesting things about the world in her journal before she dies.
Renee's and Paloma's worlds intersect with the arrival of Karkuru Ozu the new tenant in the building. Kakuru sees through the facades of both and draws them out.
At times the novel felt a bit clumsy with long soliloquies on philosophy, but by the end I was glad I had stuck with it to see the transformation of Renee and the change in Paloma's view on life.
In the end, this is a tragedy, so be prepared for the non-Hollywood ending.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Story of a Marriage
You MUST read this....
They have a segment on NPR of this name, and I'm stealing it for the book I just finished. A Story of a Marriage by Adam Sean Greer is amazing.
It is one of the best books I have read in a long time and while I don't want to give too much away, I will say it is full of surprises. It is a wonderful story of Pearlie and Holland Cook shortly after World War II. It chronicles their marriage and is touching in so many ways.
They have a segment on NPR of this name, and I'm stealing it for the book I just finished. A Story of a Marriage by Adam Sean Greer is amazing.
It is one of the best books I have read in a long time and while I don't want to give too much away, I will say it is full of surprises. It is a wonderful story of Pearlie and Holland Cook shortly after World War II. It chronicles their marriage and is touching in so many ways.
Monday, April 06, 2009
The Women
TC Boyle is one of my favorite authors, so when his latest book was released, I had to read it.
The Women is Boyle's fictional account of Frank Lloyd Wright's three dramatic love affairs. Having read Nancy Horan's Loving Frank not long ago, I was a bit concerned that the subject matter would be repetitive, but Boyle is too good of a story-teller for that.
The Women starts with Wright's last partner, Oglivanna, and then works backward. Oglivanna is significantly younger than Frank and
Unfortunately, Wright's second mistress, Miriam who is characterized as unstable and vindictive is covered in the second chapter, so I found getting through the middle of the book the most challenging.
However, Boyle handles the chapter on Mamah Borthwick Cheney expertly, making it well worth getting through the Miriam sections.
I do think it would have been more pleasurable if organized in the true chronological order. Boyle's use of a Japanese apprentice to provide section introductions and footnotes, was a wonderful touch.
Overall, Boyle's latest effort didn't disappoint.
The Women is Boyle's fictional account of Frank Lloyd Wright's three dramatic love affairs. Having read Nancy Horan's Loving Frank not long ago, I was a bit concerned that the subject matter would be repetitive, but Boyle is too good of a story-teller for that.
The Women starts with Wright's last partner, Oglivanna, and then works backward. Oglivanna is significantly younger than Frank and
Unfortunately, Wright's second mistress, Miriam who is characterized as unstable and vindictive is covered in the second chapter, so I found getting through the middle of the book the most challenging.
However, Boyle handles the chapter on Mamah Borthwick Cheney expertly, making it well worth getting through the Miriam sections.
I do think it would have been more pleasurable if organized in the true chronological order. Boyle's use of a Japanese apprentice to provide section introductions and footnotes, was a wonderful touch.
Overall, Boyle's latest effort didn't disappoint.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Maytrees
The Maytrees by Annie Dillard reads like poetry with a love story or love stories woven in.
Annie Dillard captures you with the story of the Maytrees living in a very different from modern day Provincetown, MA. The beauty of the dunes and the descriptions of the night sky make me yearn to be there.
Toby Maytree tries to understand what love is by writing down quotes in a red speckled notebooks while never seeing what is in front of him. But patient loving, Lou, remains steadfastly committed to him. They have a handful of engaging and interesting friends. Deary who sleeps in the dunes. Reevadare an eccentric older woman.
They live cheaply and with great joy at the nature around them, but then things change. Toby Maytree moves to Maine and doesn't live quite so simply anymore.
In the end, he returns to the Cape and to the people and woman who still care for him after all he has done.
Annie Dillard captures you with the story of the Maytrees living in a very different from modern day Provincetown, MA. The beauty of the dunes and the descriptions of the night sky make me yearn to be there.
Toby Maytree tries to understand what love is by writing down quotes in a red speckled notebooks while never seeing what is in front of him. But patient loving, Lou, remains steadfastly committed to him. They have a handful of engaging and interesting friends. Deary who sleeps in the dunes. Reevadare an eccentric older woman.
They live cheaply and with great joy at the nature around them, but then things change. Toby Maytree moves to Maine and doesn't live quite so simply anymore.
In the end, he returns to the Cape and to the people and woman who still care for him after all he has done.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields by Marina Lewycka was a quick read . I think there I was supposed to get a deeper message but it just felt like a story about a group of transient workers who are shockingly clueless and are taken advantage of again and again.
The brief reviews on the back said it was funny, but I didn't really find anything humorous in the book at all. Maybe I read it at the wrong time.
The brief reviews on the back said it was funny, but I didn't really find anything humorous in the book at all. Maybe I read it at the wrong time.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Bird sWithout Wings
I finished Birds Without Wings by Louis De Bernieres with a few days to spare before book club.
It's a long book detailing the lives of the townspeople of Eskibahçe during the Ottoman empire. I found the stories of the townspeople, Iskander the potter, Ali the Snowbringer, Rustem Bey the landowner and Leyla most interesting.
The parts about Mustafa Kemel (future Ataturk) and the war scenes were much more difficult to slog through.
I found it sad when the town was ripped apart with all the Christians being sent to Greece and replaced with other Muslims who didn't speak Turkish. It seemed like suddenly the town became smaller and more insulated than what Mustafa was aiming for.
It's a long book detailing the lives of the townspeople of Eskibahçe during the Ottoman empire. I found the stories of the townspeople, Iskander the potter, Ali the Snowbringer, Rustem Bey the landowner and Leyla most interesting.
The parts about Mustafa Kemel (future Ataturk) and the war scenes were much more difficult to slog through.
I found it sad when the town was ripped apart with all the Christians being sent to Greece and replaced with other Muslims who didn't speak Turkish. It seemed like suddenly the town became smaller and more insulated than what Mustafa was aiming for.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
I See You Everywhere
Sadly, my book club selection has been putting me to sleep for the past few weeks, so when Julia Glass' I See You Everywhere was available from the library, I was happy to have a temporary interlude from Birds Without Wings.
Julia Glass' first novel, Three Junes, was a wonderful delight. Her second novel was a bit disappointing, but I was excited to see her third offering.
I See You Everywhere revolves around two sisters, Louisa and Clem, who are so very different, yet because of shared experience turn to each other in times of need. The book follows them throughout their 20s and 30s and my one complaint is that the sections sometimes read like short stories. Glass seems to want to reintroduce us to the characters and their relationship every 75 pages or so. I thought "I already know who your sister is and what happened..." a number of times.
But the writing is smooth and it was a quick read. It definitely filled the break I needed!
Julia Glass' first novel, Three Junes, was a wonderful delight. Her second novel was a bit disappointing, but I was excited to see her third offering.
I See You Everywhere revolves around two sisters, Louisa and Clem, who are so very different, yet because of shared experience turn to each other in times of need. The book follows them throughout their 20s and 30s and my one complaint is that the sections sometimes read like short stories. Glass seems to want to reintroduce us to the characters and their relationship every 75 pages or so. I thought "I already know who your sister is and what happened..." a number of times.
But the writing is smooth and it was a quick read. It definitely filled the break I needed!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Booklove
I found this blog today and I'm having great fun exploring.
http://booklove.wordpress.com/
Booklove is the brainchild of Mary Gomez, Technical Services Librarian at Rockingham Community College, who has created a blog for people who love to read and discuss books. This is a very informal blog that operates like a book club in promoting discussions and ideas on both fiction and non-fiction works.
http://booklove.wordpress.com/
Booklove is the brainchild of Mary Gomez, Technical Services Librarian at Rockingham Community College, who has created a blog for people who love to read and discuss books. This is a very informal blog that operates like a book club in promoting discussions and ideas on both fiction and non-fiction works.
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