Book 6 - Under the Banner of Heaven

Under the Banner of Heaven

By, Jon Krakauer

433 pages - 3.5 stars

Under the Banner of Heaven is a book that came out awhile ago and I've heard a lot about it but never read it.  Growing up in a part of the country where there is a fairly prominent contingent of Mormons, I like to think I know a fair amount about their culture and religion but I have to admit that I'm probably largely influenced by our own popular culture as well.  

Krakauer does a pretty amazing job of delving into Mormon history, both standard Mormonism and fundamental Mormonism, and explaining it to those of us who aren't Mormons.  I can't say he paints a pretty picture of the religion's founding, which seems to be both fraudulent and bloody.  Then again, how does that really differ from most of the world's religions.

The really interesting part of Krakauer's book focuses on the struggle between mainstream Mormons and fundamentalist Mormons (another aspect of their religion that rings true to many others throughout the world) and to those who read strict law in the writings of their prophet.  Krakauer investigates the sub sect of Mormonism that believes in polygamy and specifically into the story of one family and a murder.

The Lafferty family, a standard Mormon family verging on fundamentalist, is the center of a story about murder and god's will and the future of the Mormon church.  Two of the Lafferty brothers kill a Lafferty wife and infant daughter in the name of God and the righteous.  Krakauer interviews pretty much everyone connected to the crime (including the surviving Lafferty brother) but really goes back in to the weeds to propose a connection between the founding of the Mormon church and the killings that happened in the Lafferty family.

The story is pretty intense and incredibly interesting.  I will warn you that the text verges on gratuitous (I had to sit down to settle my stomach on the subway) but the book is worth reading, if only to better understand a pretty significant section of our population.  

Book 5 - Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs

Running with Scissors

By, Augusten Burroughs

352 pages - 3.25 stars

Another Book Club book!

Running with Scissors is Augusten Burroughs' memoir of his messed-up childhood. In a nutshell. The book is a engaging, and a really quick read but when you've finished it, you're left with what amounts to a really messed-up childhood.

That's not to say that you're overwhelmed by that the entire time. Burroughs does a really great job of putting you in the mindset of a child, specifically of him as a child, so that you don't necessarily even notice that he's surrounding by chaos and craziness. The weirdest of moments seem normal as they happen - as I'm sure they came to feel normal (in a sense) for him - but at the end of the book you look back upon a cadre of weird moments, abusive moments.

It's hard to know whether Burroughs embellished, or whether the story is tainted by his perspective, or whether this is how his childhood actually went. The book was engaging but I have to admit that I wasn't left with a ton afterward. The book didn't stay with me and looking back, I wonder if I was driven forward by the quality of the book or by the incredibility of the story.

For those of you who don't know, Burrough's book was made into a movie in 2006 and both Burroughs' mom and brother have since written memoirs, somewhat contradicting this one, somewhat enforcing it. I have to admit that I'm curious about them, but probably not enough to read them.

Book 4 - Motherless Brooklyn

Motherless Brooklyn

By, Jonathan Lethem

311 pages - 3.50 stars

This is another of those books that ends up on my Amazon wishlist and I have no real recollection of where I got the recommendation. In writing this post I did a quick search for the title and it turns out the book is not a new one - it was published back in 1999 and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction.

Huh, well look at that.

I picked it off my wishlist, got it as a gift for Christmas, and started reading it earlier this year with little to no expectations. Motherless Brooklyn tells the story of some low level, petty criminals who get involved in some larger schemes (inadvertently for some) and are thrown in to the crime family arena. It follows some standard crime novel, hard boiled, detective fiction plot paths and tricks but it's a good book. Even though it stays true to its genre, it's inventive enough that it doesn't feel like just another detective novel.

Lethem's characters are cliche in some ways but they still feel three-dementional and he throws the reader a curveball with his narrator - who suffers from tourette's - but manages to not become a caricature in the novel. For the most part, you know Lionel (the tourettic detective) through his inner narration, a 1st person's account of what's happening via the play by play in his head. His tourette's only makes itself known in his interactions with the others in the book and in this Lethem manages to make Lionel a vulnerable character that you identify with. Because you know him through his internal voice he never seems like the "freak show" that he seems to others around him so the reader builds an affinity and a loyalty to Lionel, wanting to shield him from the cruelty of everyone else; even as he's physically beating a suspect.

I'm not gonna spoil the mystery for you but only partially because I want to save it for you. The mystery seems almost secondary to Lionel's story in the book so months later what I remember is him and not the surprising ending.

An interesting tidbit: my google search also returned an IMDB listing for a movie "in development" of the same title. Slated for 2013, it'll be interesting to see how that plays out.

Check out the Salon Review here.

Book 3 - A Visit From the Goon Squad

A Visit From the Goon Squad

by, Jennifer Egan

288 pages - 4.5 stars

If you're a fan of books (like I am), you've probably heard of Jennifer Egan. She kept popping up in various NPR podcasts talking about her newest book, A Visit From the Goon Squad, and at some point I added it to my Amazon wishlist (for the record, my Amazon wishlist is not for the faint of heart - I am constantly adding books to it and not remembering why) and then chose to purchase it for my Kindle App - not an insignificant feat given the number of books I weed through to choose one.

Not really remembering much about this book (or the author, for that matter), I went into the book without a lot of expectation... and was blown away. This was a book chosen for my commute (thus, the Kindle purchase) but it quickly sucked me in and I was reading it at home - on my phone. Nevertheless, the book pushed on and made me forget I was reading it on a 3.2 inch screen. It was really quite a wonderful book. I'll admit I'm a bit of a snob with books sometimes so an author's popularity can work against them in my mind - but I stand corrected with Jennifer Egan (on at least this book). The fanfare is warranted, the interviews reasonable - this book is really quite good.

Now, who should read this book? Well, the book chronicles a group of folks (punk fans) across multiple decades. Everyone is connected in some way (whether it be obvious or founded on the thinnest of hairs) and their stories merge and disconnect across the years in ways that alter others' course - or not. It's a wonderful portrayal of life in a way - some people "make it", some people don't; there are losers and victors, villains and victims; and each character is multi-dimensional so that one minute you're on board with them and the next, aghast at their decisions. You get sucked into the minutiae of their lives - because this book isn't really about grand events or anything like that; it's the story of multiple lives intersecting in various ways. Do you like music? Read the book. Do you like books? Read it. Do you like music and books? Stop reading this and go to the bookstore.

All that said, it's good. The characters are real and solid - you want to know what happens to them. You're invested in their lives and you're happy (or sad) with them. It's a real story with real people in it. I liked this book so much, I wanted to find people to give it to (Hi PVG!).

And, I guess I'm not alone, because A Visit From the Goon Squad won the Pullitzer Prize for fiction. Congrats Jennifer Egan, I'd like to see more!

Book 2 - The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag

The Aquariums of Pyonyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag

By, Kang Chol-Hwan and Pierre Rigoulot

272 pages - 3.0 stars

After reading Nothing to Envy last year, I got on a bit of a North Korean non-fiction kick. I've got a stack of new books and started it all off with this book. The story of North Korea, the gulags, and all of the stuff that's been going down there is really interesting to me, especially given how little I knew about it before reading Nothing to Envy.

The Aquariums of Pyongyang was a bit different in style - more of one person's experience with and account of spending a decade in the prison camps of North Korea. It was an interesting perspective and did have details that Nothing to Envy didn't but I have to say that I didn't like it as much as Nothing to Envy. The story was very powerful and it was interesting to get a single person's perspective but I appreciated the journalistic style of Barbara Demick's book and the many interviews that were included in that.

If you're into personal accounts of terrible things (no judgement, just calling it like I see it!), this book is probably in your wheelhouse. If you're looking for more of a report on North Korea, I'd check out Nothing to Envy.

New Book Goal!

I know May seems like a little late in the game to introduce a 2011 book goal but here's the caveat - this isn't exactly a 2011 goal (mostly because it'll definitely take me longer than one year).

So where does one go when they've crushed 10,000 pages and blown 52 books out of the water (sometimes you have to toot your own horn)? I'm instilling a little bit of culture into this piece and focusing on nobel prize winners.

I've read a few books written by nobel prize winners in my day but I want to cover them all! In no particular order I will be working my way through all of the Nobel Prize winners in Literature. Just for the record, I'll be reading a book by EACH of the Nobel Prize winners, regardless of past books read. And since an author wins the prize based on his/her body of work, I'll be allowed to choose the book.

If you don't have all of the Nobel Prize winners committed to memory (ahem-me-ahem) check out the official stats here: All Nobel Prizes in Literature.

I'll keep you all posted as I read my way through the prizes - I hope you will join me!

We Love Bookshelf Porn!

Okay, I know what you're thinking - what the F is Bookshelf Porn?

Well, dear readers, let me clear it up for you. Bookshelf Porn is a wonderful, magical tumblr blog (you know tumblr? home of -mostly- photo blogs with no real purpose except to entertain and delight?) that I have in my reader and that, no joke, brightens my day. The wonderful folks (folk?) over at Bookshelf Porn collate and aggregate the most wonderful images of books, bookshelves, and libraries from all over the world. Some of the images are actual photos and some are more artistic renditions or even simple "metaphorical" images that make you think of books.

Whatever your fancy, Bookshelf Porn is magnificent. Any good bibliophile (like yours truly) will drool over this blog.

And oh, they have a Twitter too. (Of course they do!)

Book 1 - Boy: Tales From Childhood

Boy: Tales From Childhood

by, Roald Dahl

176 pages - 3.50 stars

Is it just me or did everyone have an obsession with Roald Dahl when they were kids? Anyone? No? Alright. Well, for me, Roald Dahl books were amazing! Matilda, BFG, etc. I loved them all. In my adulthood, I've heard a lot more about Roald Dahl as a person and I don't think anyone will be shocked that he was a little weird, but that doesn't bother me. Weird is good, weird makes you not average.

Boy is the story of Roald Dahl's childhood which is appropriately weird and bleak but also comical in a way that you can see influenced his writing. I see the genesis of a number of his characters and it's a reminder that Dahl is from a different time. He feels contemporary to me but he really isn't. He was born in 1916 after all.

For anyone who is a fan of Roald Dahl, the book is a good read. It is a nice snapshot of his childhood and is extremely digestible. And if I can recommend it for nothing else (which is not the case), it did instill in me a brief obsession with travelling to Norway. Anyone care to join me?

52 Books - Owned!

I know, I know. You guys already know that I blew my 2010 goal out of the water but come on, don't I deserve a few moments of self fulfillment here? (Especially since I fell short on the other goals?)

55 Books

17, 769 Pages

Average Star: 3.78 stars

*Curtsies*

Books 52-55: Recap

I'm not even trying to pretend I'm remotely on time recapping my 2010 "Year of Reading" but... finally, here is the end of 2010!

Book 52 - Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch

Finishing out the year with some moderately fluffy Kindle reading. Katie Crouch's novel didn't break any literary barriers or blow my mind but it was a solidly good read. I identified with the characters and was interested in the plot, I wanted to find out what happen. And I did. And then I forgot. Sorry Katie, it was a nice book.

(288 pages; 3.25 stars)

Book 53 - Waking Up in the Land of Glitter: A Crafty Chica Novel by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Oye, this book. For those of you who aren't aware, I'm a bit of a crafty girl myself. I craft and sew and DYI and most importantly, I obsessively follow quite a few craft blogs - which is where I heard about this "crafty" novel. I admit it, I was intrigued. And, in the end, it wasn't a bad book exactly but I say again, Oye. The characters were less than one-dimensional, the plot was incredibly see-through... it just wasn't great. I almost stopped reading a quarter of the way through (and for the record, that's saying something - I've only stopped reading two or three books). It got better after that but still, not something I would ever recommend.

(335 pages; 2.75 stars)

Book 54 - Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga

I LOVED Aviga's first novel (White Tiger) and so, was excited that there was a new one. Between the Assassinations is very much in the style of the first novel, which I dug, and it's clearly another book in the same vein. I liked the book, but I have to admit, not as much as the first one. I got confused by what was happening and when (it skips around a bit) but that's probably on me and not the book.

(339 pages; 3.50 stars)

Book 55 - Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine

What better way to end the year than with an easily-read, graphic novel? Oh, maybe reading one that isn't supremely depressing and makes you question all human relationships. Happy New Year. Okay, okay, I'm over-reacting, it wasn't that bad, but the characters in Tomine's novel are pretty unlikeable and the plot is dismal. Tomine's work in the book (you know, art... writing... etc.) are great though and I'm hoping that his next book is a bit more encouraging.

(104 pages; 3.50 stars)

Books 47-51: Recap

Books, books, and more books! For you my dear readers, another recap! We're almost done with 2010 and just beyond... I see 2011! What? You say it's nearly March... bah! I won't have such treason hear in Quitsville...

Right, back to the recap!

Book 47 - Heat by Bill Buford

Oh how I love food and cooking books! Heat was recommended to me by a fellow food lover (note: not foodie, we just love food!) and it was a great book to read while on vacation - 1. on vacation you're allowed to eat whatever you want so it's okay to act on impulse after reading an entire chapter about cheese; 2. it's a novel-worthy daydream about food and 3. he does a fair amount of travel in the book and who wants to spend their reading hours being jealous? Buford's book tells the story of his journey from journalist to line chef under Mario Batali (who, it turns out, I knew very little of). Buford investigates all manner of dishes, cuisines, and ingredients and writes with such love that you can't help but want to try everything he does, except maybe using up an entire pig.

(336 pages; 4.0 stars)

Book 48 - My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

I've been hearing about Jodi Picoult for awhile now but I've never picked up any of her books. I got My Sister's Keeper on our shiny new Kindle, thinking it would be a good book for the big trip. I once read an Entertainment Weekly review that described Picoult's novels as something like 'based on current events, written in a year, and neatly wrapped up' (my remembering of their review of course, not an actual quote) - and I've got to say that's pretty accurate. This book pulls on your heart strings (ever visibly cried while on a cross-country train? you should try it!), does its best to paint all characters in 4 dimensions but clearly favors one or two, and is pretty neatly wrapped up in the end. All that said, the book does what it does well. I got what I expected and I was extremely drawn in to the story.

(448 pages; 4.0 stars)

Book 49 - One Mississippi by Mark Childress

One of my favorite things about travel is new book stores and how you inevitably run into a book that you never would have found otherwise. One Mississippi is a book like that - I picked it up at a tiny used book/cd store/video rental place in a tiny town in New Zealand on the way to our overnight cruise - I couldn't go on an overnight cruise without a book after all! The book was utterly surprising, mostly in that I had no idea what it was going to be about and expected far less of it than it gave (my fault). One Mississippi was surprising and heartbreaking and definitely worth a read.

(400 pages; 3.75 stars)

Book 50 - Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende

Daughter of Fortune is one of those books that I've had on my shelf for as long as I can remember and yet, I bought a second copy of it while on vacation and only then did I read it. Allende is a magical spanish storyteller, weaving fantastical notions into romantic, adventurous plot lines. It's almost unbelievable that I haven't read any of her books before. I loved Daughter of Fortune - it was everything I hoped for in an epic melodramatic love story. Allende avoids the cliche but keeps the fantastical and weaves a beautiful story with rich, impulsive characters, characters that belong on the frontier of a budding nation and in the adventure of that frontier.

(399 pages; 4.0 stars)

Book 51 - Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia

I picked up this book (signed!) when I went to see Birbiglia do stand-up last fall - and while I'll give the book a 3.5, I'd give Mike himself a big fat five point oh stars! He's a great comedian with a style that's unlike the standard stand up comedian - I've been following him for a few years now and I just really want to be his friend. He's self deprecating without being whiney and he has a knack for turning the typical of life into hilarity. The book is a collection of stories that he's told in his acts - with a few additions - so for the most part, I'd heard them before and they were funny. The problem comes because Mike isn't there telling the story to you and so much of his comedy is in his inflection and style that it can be missed in the written form. If you know and love him (like I clearly do) you can add his style back in as you read, which is what I'd recommend. Go see Mike Birbiglia live - then read his book.

(190 pages; 3.5 stars)

2010 in Review

So, it's February (in case you hadn't noticed) and I've yet to recap my 2010 goals and progress... or lack-thereof - let's be honest.

A quick refresher since I first posted these goals back in January 2010 ( a full 13 months ago):

1. Get the official Dr. Mario Record

2. Read 52 books (one a week for you math geniuses)

3. Take the GMAT

For all the nitty gritty details, read the original post: 2010 Quitsville Goals.

The bottom line here is that I was not as successful as one might have hoped. I didn't rock the world of the GMAT nor am I an official Twin Galaxies World Record Holder. Cue sad face.

I did read my 52 books however (54 if we're being exact - reviews still pending) and I did some other things that weren't on the list for 2010 but were on my life list - namely, getting married and going on an awesome trip! They weren't in my bullet pointed list for the year but they're pretty big accomplishments nonetheless.

But, we're not here to talk about success, we're here to talk about how I tanked on my yearly goals and why.

Goal 1 - Get the official Dr. Mario Record

You all know I've gotten the record, you've seen the photo, but sadly that's not enough to have my name immortalized for an unknown period of time on the Twin Galaxies website. No, they need cold, hard proof in the form of an in person viewing of my record game or a recording of said game. This creates two issues for me, the champion: one, the games are freaking long and I don't have anything to record 3+ hours of video game play nor can I even purchase a flipcam with enough time to do so and two, it seems I'm being snubbed by the Twin Galaxies Referee Union.

That's right dear blog readers - Twin Galaxies Referee Dave Nelson refuses to return my emails! Or I'm going into his spam folder. It's hard to tell. Either way, here I am, referee-less, camera-less, record-less.

Goal 3 - The GMAT

I like tests, I do well at them. Sometimes, when things are chaotic, it can be appealing to take a test and get a score and feel successful. But, I'm not entirely sure I want or need the GMAT to meet my life goals. In fact, my life goals are a little... up in the air... at the moment. I love my job, I think I'm good at it... do I want to do it forever? Nah... but the step after that? Still TBD really. GMAT is on hold for the time being. (It's expensive BTW).

So, I read all my books and I did some other big life goal things. Not a bad 2010 actually.

Books 42-46: A Recap

Book 42 - I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloanne Crossley

A reccomendation from a friend, I was told this book would make me laugh out loud on the subway (something you guys know I love doing!). I didn't think it was the funniest thing I've ever read but it did make me laugh on the subway and get some funny looks. Crossley takes a pretty askance look at her own life, especially her love life, and tells some great stories about her family, dates, etc. It's pretty fluffy - really a great commuter book. I'll be giving her other books a look.

(240 pages; 3.5 stars)

Book 43 - The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell

Oh David Mitchell... you of your Cloud Atlas and your Number 9 Dream. I get it, you're a big deal, you're a NY Times Book List favorite, you're a good author. You've got me, I'll read it. After hearing countless reviews of this book, I just had to read it. It's a period novel (a fave of mine), and it's got a beautifully colored cover, and let's face it, I like David Mitchell. The book turned out to be quite good; maybe not quite worth the fanfare it received, but quite good. The story is a bit of a saga (again, something I love!) and you're introduced to a myriad of characters and plot lines but it all intertwines quite nicely and the story is actually very beautiful. Mitchell explores a time and place that I knew very little about (hello, colonial Japan?) and really surrounded me with its particulars - whether they are true or not, I don't know; but, really, it wasn't a concern.

(496 pages; 4.0 stars)

Book 44 - Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

Some of you might remember Audrey Niffenegger from her first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife - which I read TWICE by the way. It was a very nice love story with fantastical elements (oh, say time travel) but that she spun in a way that was pretty believable. Her Fearful Symmetry, Niffenegger's second book, is very similar - it seems she has a wheelhouse, this one - a very nice love story with some fantastical elements. This second book is a fair bit darker though and has some pretty unexpected plot points (at least I did not expect them). It does lack a little of the believability that was so nice in The Time Traveler's Wife but maybe it's only me that has trouble with ghosts? That said, if you were a fan of the first book, you'll probably enjoy the second one as well. Niffenegger is, if nothing else, a very good storyteller and she draws you in to the book in a way that is more complete and engrossing than most novelists today.

(406 pages; 4.0 stars)

Book 45 - Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Some of you might be familiar with the musical Wicked - tells the story of the other witch in the Wizard of Oz, you know - the bad one. Well, it turns out that said musical is based on Maguire's novel of the same name. Wicked (the novel) follows the same general plot line as the musical (little green girl goes away to school, meets vapid blonde good witch, etc. etc.) but there are some vast differences between the two as well, mainly in its extremes. The novel is baser and naughtier but also darker in its themes and plot events. I wasn't sure about this one at the beginning but I really came to like it and was drawn into the story; it's very fantastical by nature and is true to a lot of the fantasy novel elements. I would definitely recommend it to fantasy readers!

(560 pages; 3.75 stars)

Book 46 - Drama City by George Pelecanos

For those of you who don't know, George Pelecanos was one of the writers behind thebesttvshowever The Wire. If you haven't watched it, stop reading my blog and go do that. But, assuming you have watched it, you're already familiar with gritty crime dramas and would probably dig Pelecanos' novel. Sure, it's not this year's literary masterpiece but it's a really entertaining read and perfect for travel. Pelecanos is clearly a fan of folks like Chandler and Marlowe and doesn't shy away from some good, old-fashioned, hard-boiled detectivedry. You can almost feel the gloom.

(304 pages; 3.25 stars)

We Love Libraries!

For anyone who's met me in person, this will be an old topic: I love my local library! It's true, I can't help it. The Minuteman Library system is amazing - connecting tons of local libraries within the Boston Metro area and allowing me to request nearly anything I could possibly want. I can request online and track my borrowing (I recently realized I can see ALL the items I've checked out since 2006... it's a bit scary). I love it. It appeals to my thrifty, DIY style and my anal-retentive data side.

Thank you Minuteman Library system!

I've been hearing lately that the young folks (those in their 20s) are getting more and more hip to the library and all I have to say is yay! The library is an amazing resource for all of us and I wish more people would use it. You can borrow books of course but also DVDs and CDs and museum passes. It's a great way to get to know your community with different events (book sales, movie nights, second language conversation).

Sure, I've had my moments of pain (thinking specifically of the time I lost a Will and Grace DVD in my stolen laptop - Mrs. Librarian was not understanding) but overall the staff at my local library is wonderful. They now recognize me (something that brings no end of teasing glee to my loved ones) and engage me in conversation around the books I request. Moreover, they've not once yelled at me for using the library to it's utmost - I mean seriously, I push all the boundaries of borrowing.

It seems I am not alone. Check out this Gizmodo article: Public Libraries are Beating Netflix, Redbox and Blockbuster in DVD Rentals.

And please, go get a library card.

We Love Book Sales!

Okay, you guys get it - I'm a big reader. So it makes perfect sense that when my favorite bookstore (for the record, the Harvard Book Store) holds their semi-annual warehouse sale, I go crazy with excitement.

The bookstore itself is fantastic - they have a great layout, lots of little cubbies to hide in with a book, tall bookshelfs and then a more open area for the latest and greatest. They've got tons of remainders and a used books cave below the main store. They do tons of readings and have a coop program (which I love!) and on top of that, they have a huge book warehouse that they've started opening up to folks for a book sale (in June and December).

This past weekend was the December book sale (typically goes both Saturday and Sunday). We hit it up Saturday mid day and it was magnificent! The shelves are stacked from floor to ceiling, books line every surface, and you can get wonderful deals just in time for the holidays. They hand out bags that you can fill while looking around (danger of shoulder dislocation but still) and every one of your sense is assaulted by books - everywhere you look there are books, it smells like books, you can't help but touch... okay, I didn't taste anything but I bet if I did, it would taste like literature.

For those of you in Boston, I wanted to make sure to share the Harvard Book Sale love with you. Sure, you can't go until June now but please, patronize this store and the warehouse. They're both full of beautiful books and great people.

Plus, you can pick up 15 books for under $100 (including glossy cookbooks!).

The Kindle: A Review

Dear readers! If you remember correctly, last time we met, a new Kindle had fallen into my lap (because it was purchased and brought into my house...). At the best of times, I would describe myself as "skeptical of new technology." I'm no Luddite but I like what I've got and new technology makes me nervous (how many mega pixels does a girl need!?). I'm old fashioned - I like the feel of a book, and the smell of the pages.

Well, without further ado, an old fashioned reader's review of the Kindle: it sort of rocks.

I mean, for serious folks, for travelling, this thing is THE THING. And don't go thinking that I was swayed by it's shiny beauty (I might have been a bit) - I compared the Kindle experience with that of the iPad reader and the Kindle app on my iPod. Yes, the iPad is pretty sweet - it's beautiful and fast and sleek and everything you expect from Apple. But as an e-reader? It's not ideal. Sure, it pulls together my "virtual bookshelf" in a way that is pretty appealing to the eye but once you've compared the actual reading experience to that of the Kindle, the iPad (as well as the Kindle app on the iPod) falls flat.

The Kindle is as close to a real book as an electronics device can get, in my estimation. The greyish screen (I know there's a fancier term for this but I can't remember it) is really paper-like. Your eyes don't get strained or tired; in fact, you sort of don't realize you're reading on a Kindle. And for me, that's the biggest compliment I can give the device. It's not a book; you don't actually turn pages, there's no old book smell, etc. But, I am not constantly reminded that it's not a book - as I am with other e-readers I've tested.

My biggest fear with the Kindle though, was not the feel of it but the actual mechanism for "turning pages." For those of you who aren't familiar, there's a slight shuddering with each page turn and I was convinced (mightily) that it would drive me mad. In reality, I stopped noticing it after page 2. It seems like a HUGE deal when you're just playing with the device but when you're reading a good book? You have other things to focus on.

So am I a convert? Not exactly. I'll probably still prefer hard copy books (unless we're talking War and Peace maybe!) but I have to say that I am a fan of the Kindle. I have converted in that sense. Would I buy one now? Yes. Would I buy one for someone else? Yes (in fact, I already have).

Nice job Amazon.

Books 37-41: A Recap

Another recap of books read when I was not blogging... but I swear... I will start blogging again!

Book 37 - Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick

This book was pretty amazing... and shocking. Amazing because she really pulls you into the daily lives of North Koreans, what it's like to live under a fantastical dictator, in poverty, etc. And shocking because wow, I know so very little about North Korea. It's easy in our ever-connected society to become jaded about the unknown (i.e. think there is no unknown) and it's shocking to find out that you know very little about a veritable genocide going on in current times. The North Korean story is shockingly stark and sad and Barbara Demick does an amazing job of clarifying and expanding the viewpoint that you have about the country and its viewpoints. (314 pages, 4.5 stars)

Book 38 - Awkward Situations for Men by Danny Wallace

Oh Danny Wallace... how I have loved you these many years (some of you might remember Danny from Friends Like These) and how you have forsaken me. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic but I'll be honest, I was disappointed by Mr. Wallace's most recent effort. Sure, it was still entertaining and I did laugh out loud once or twice but it wasn't in his wheelhouse. Danny Wallace excels at telling ridiculous stories about plans or missions or silly projects - long stories that develop. Awkward Situations is more anecdotal, more essays than a plotline. I missed Danny's developments and long stories... I hope the next book will be more like the Danny of old!
(256 pages, 3.75 stars)

Book 39 - Cop in the Hood by Peter Moskos
I think I bought this book when I was obsessed with The Wire which makes me feel both embarrassed and intrigued. Peter Moskos is a sociology student interested in documenting a year with the Baltimore PD who is, sort of unexpectedly, thrust into becoming an actual cop. The stories are heartwarming, infuriating, disheartening, disgusting, etc. He admits that it is a very small snapshot of real life on the force but the book is interesting none the less. I might have asked for some snappier writing but it was a research project after all. (280 pages, 3.5 stars)

Book 40 - Towelhead by Alicia Erian

I'd heard about Towelhead for awhile so I took advantage of my handy kindle app and downloaded the book. Thought I was pretty engaged in the book and thought a lot about it while reading it, I'm not entirely sure if I liked it or thought it was good. Does this happen to other people? The book was pretty sensationalist and it was difficult for me to tell if this was deliberate, to prove a point (that I might not have gotten) or if it was sensationalism instead of good plot development and writing. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to folks, so I guess that helps to determine my actual opinion.

(336 pages, 3.5 stars)

Book 41 - When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

I was drawn to When You Reach Me because it's a Newbury Award Winner. For the record, yes, I know I am not a young adult; that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good young adult novel. And Rebecca Stead's book is just that - a really good young adult novel. It pulls in conventions and plot points from other young adult books that I love (Hello A Wrinkle in Time!) but more than that, the characters are well developed, they have clear voices, and the plot is strong and unexpected. Well done Rebecca! I thoroughly enjoyed this book (even as an adult!) and have already been recommending it.

(208 pages, 4.5 stars)

Stay tuned for more books!

Kindle? Say it ain't so!

It's true dear readers. An honest to goodness Amazon Kindle has entered the household. The Kindle App was one thing (free being that one thing) - sure, I loved it; sure, I've read scads of books on it; but it was on my iPod. It didn't require another electronic device or the spending of much money (only the dollars spent on each book).

But now, we have a sleek charcoal-grey Kindle resting on our coffee table. And it already has books on it! Will I love it? Only time will tell really but you guys can count on a no-holds-barred review after I've had time to really use it.

It was purchased, of course, for the big trip coming up. Virtual books... it must be the future! Where's my hoverboard?

Books 32-36: A Recap

Per my last post, it's been a busy time... but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. Yes, it's been at a slower rate; yes, some of the books are not at my usual level (hello, young adult fiction); yes, a lot of them have been read on my iPod Touch (Woot! Kindle app!) - but I AM reading!

My memory is like a sieve with a rip so I'm not sure I could really pull together reviews for each and every book I've read in my hiatus. Instead, a recap (5 at a time):

Book 32 - New Zealand with a Hobbit Botherer by John Gisby

For those of you who don't know, I am planning a trip to New Zealand for the near future (you may or may not see a hiatus on the blog during November 2010) and I've been spending a lot of time reading whatever I can find about it (and trying to figure out if I can count the Frommer's that I read from cover to cover). My traveling companion happens to be mildly obsessed with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy so this booked seemed like a good fit. It was about what I expected - fairly interesting, full of good tips on traveling in NZ, and moderately well written. (210 pages - 3.5 stars)

Book 33 - The Blindside by Michael Lewis

I know what you're thinking... Sandra Bullock? Bear with me. I happened to catch The Blindside on a JetBlue flight earlier this year (and by happened to catch I mean shelled out $6 to watch) and I really enjoyed it. I, too, was shocked! I liked it so much that when I saw that it was based on a book, I added it to my library queue. In another flagrant betrayal of the way the world usually works, the book served to reinforce the worth of the movie. From what I can tell, the movie is an accurate and credible representation of the book and the true story and is not as sensationalist as it seemed it might be. Michael Orr's story is incredible, unbelievable, fantastical even - but the book is great. I've recommended it all over the place since I've read it - to football fans and non football fans alike. It's an amazing story, well written, etc. Definitely worth the read (and the watch). (324 pages - 4.75 stars)

Book 34 - The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones

Why, what's this? A food book by Julia Child's editor? Yes, please. After reading My Life in France recently, I was pretty much in love with everything Julia Child - her writing, her food, her editor. Even things remotely related to her - other food writing namely - were intoxicating. It was a mild obsession, truth be told. I picked up Judith Jones' life story and it did not disappoint. It helped carry the dreamy preoccupation I had developed and allowed me to linger further in the picture of a Paris that I will never get to visit. Delightful and warm, you can see why Julia and Judith were so well suited to each other in the literary sense, and I loved the sense that one could not tell whose voice it truly was. The mesh of Julia and Judith in this and other books is just wonderful. (282 pages - 4.5 stars)

Book 35 - City of Thieves by David Benioff

This book was given to me years ago by a dear friend (I am a notorious non-reader of gifts btw, I have to wait until the moment is right!), whose opinion I trust when it comes to great literature. That said, it clearly took me some time to get around to it, something I would not recommend! This book is great. It was a completely unexpected, beautiful book. It was funny and smart and heartbreaking. I loved it so much that I immediately went to find Benioff's other books (which I haven't read yet but still). I should listen to my friends, sometimes they're right. (258 pages, 5 stars)

Book 36 - The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten

Picked this up at a local used bookstore because of my recent penchant for food books (what's not to like? food + reading?!). I have to admit that I had trouble getting into the book; it took me awhile to be interested in what Steingarten had to say. It wasn't so much that he's not an interesting guy but it felt dated. The book is over 20 years old and it felt that way. Is it weird to think that food writing can be dated? Maybe, but it felt a bit like I was reading about the latest trends in Sega Genesis. Sure, it might still be interesting but it didn't feel as relevant. That said, I am still interested in reading his newer book - It Must've Been Something I Ate. (528 pages - 3.25 stars)

Book 31 - My Life in France by Alex Prud'homme

I'm going to say something shocking... so beware. My Life in France, Alex Prud'homme's wonderful biography of Julia Child (sort of auto-biography since he worked closely with her to write it) is the best book I have read this year. I'm not speaking about literary worth or linguistic talent (though both are quite good) but about sheer, actual joy of the process of reading this book. For the entire week that I was reading this, I walked around with a slight smile on my face... happy. This book made me happy. I know that shouldn't be revolutionary but for me, a person who tends to prefer books that are dense and complicated and (gasp) even depressing, it's not that often that a book makes me gleeful.

For those of you who aren't familiar, My Life in France chronicles Julia Child's life but focuses on her most joyous years - those that she spent in France with Paul. Sure they moved around, sure there were years in cold, Germanic countries; but all of those experiences were told in how they juxtaposed against the rose colored years in France. The descriptions of France, of their quirky apartments, of the characters and experiences... it's all quiet beautiful.

And the food! Oh the food. It's delightful to hear about Julia's early *ahem* failures with food, before she become the Julia Child and was only a very tall, outspoken woman who burned things. It should give every food lover hope. Innate talent helps out sure, but it's a quality of spirit and confidence that will win out in the end. And, of course, a wonderful life partner.

Reading Julia's stories did more than make me happy. I found myself daydreaming all the time (ksbooks agrees that it "sparked her wanderlust". What if I moved to France? What if I focused on food and cooking (something I fantasize about...)? I am by no means getting on in years but even if I were, there is comfort in Julia's unquenchable spirit. Even in her later years, she was still on the go - cooking, getting filmed, etc.

If you like food or France or Julia Child or really, just life (Rainy's Reading Room calls this a book about life) - read this book. Daydream and float off on the plans that you can build in your head.

Additional Reading:

• NY Times: Julia Child's Memoir of when Cuisine was French for Scary
• NY Times: Becoming Julia Child