The Magic Lasso

Sunday Salon: Orange Books and New Classics

2008-07-06T11:21:09Z

Good day, fellow Saloners! For those of you in the U.S., I hope you enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July and long weekend! Here is my brief update:

Orange July Update
I finished my first book for Orange July - Half of a Yellow Sun (my review). It's one of those books that pulls your heart out, squeezes it and then puts it back into your chest. It's definitely a book I will remember.

Now, I am on book #2 for Orange July, which is the mixed-reviewed The Gathering by Anne Enright. I love Enright's writing style, but you have to get past the many phallic references. I should finish The Gathering in the next few days, and then I will start Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. This is a book that I have always wanted to read!

EW Top 100 New Classics - Now a reading challenge!
I blogged about this list a few Sundays ago. EW (Entertainment Weekly) magazine printed a list of 100 "new classics" books published from 1983-2008 that they felt would stand the test of time. Based on my fellow bloggers' comments, some of you loved this list and some of you did not. Well, for those of you who did, you may want to check out the new reading challenge that's based on this list. Julie is hosting the New Classics Challenge, where you must read six books from the EW list between August1, 2008 and January 31, 2009. Check out Julie's blog for more details.

Thanks for visiting The Magic Lasso and see you next Sunday!

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2008-07-05T12:38:40Z

Half of a Yellow Sun
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Completed July 4, 2008

Admittedly, it was with trepidation that I selected Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for my personal challenge to read Orange prizewinners. So many of my reading friends raved about this book. When a book is so highly regarded, I worried that it would be too high up on the reading pedestal – and in the end, it would disappoint. Furthermore, when I finally got this book, I scowled (just slightly) at its length – 541 pages. Chunksters (what I consider books over 350 pages) rarely hold my interest. Indeed, I was worried.

However, once enveloped in this book, my worries quickly ceased. Half of a Yellow Sun was a book worthy of its praise and its long length. Quite simply, it was an astonishing, gut-wrenching read.

Briefly, it’s the story of the effect of Biafra’s (in southeastern Nigeria) quest for independence in the late 1960’s. It’s also the story of family – both biological and assumed – and how those ties know no bounds. Colorful and unforgettable characters filled each page: Ugwu, the houseboy; Odenigbo, the revolutionary-minded professor; Olanna, Odenigbo’s beautiful lover and her twin sister, Kainene; and Richard, who is in love with Kainene. The reader was swept into Nigerian cultures and lifestyles. Without a doubt, it was an illuminating read.

Adichie did not sugarcoat how war affects civilians. People died, family members went missing, homes destroyed, women raped and children became ill. This book is not for the weak of heart. As a reader, I was torn by my need to take a break from the content and my desire to continue reading because I was so caught up in the story.

I highly recommend Half of a Yellow Sun to anyone interested in reading a profound novel about war, family and the effects of nationalism. ( )

Happy Birthday, America!

2008-07-04T12:36:54Z

God bless those who are serving us at home and abroad. Come home soon and in peace.

Let's remember that part of being an American is being part of the process. Make sure to vote in November. Every vote does count. Do not go unheard.

May we never forget this day. Never. Remember the fear and the courage. Remember what we lost. Remember what it's like to be an American and vulnerable. Never forget this day. Never.

Happy Birthday, America. My country 'tis of thee. Sweet land of liberty. Thank you for the freedom to work, hug my kids, read my books and make mistakes. It's been a tough few years, but despite it all, I still love you.

What An Animal Reading Challenge

2008-07-04T11:53:30Z

Kristi at Passion for the Page is hosting her first challenge: What An Animal! This challenge runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, with the following rules:

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of these requirements:
a. an animal in the title of the book
b. an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal that plays a major role in the book
d. a main character that is or turns into an animal (define that however you'd like)

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragons, mermaids, centaurs, fairies, vampires...you get the idea...

3. Challenge runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. You can still sign up after July 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by June 30th.
4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.
5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or just list them as you find them.
6. Books may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).
7. Crossover books with other challenges is permitted and encouraged.
8. You don't have to blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.

This sounds like fun! And I was surprised how many books I have on my shelf that meet the criteria:

My selections
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Florida Roadkill by Tim Dorsey
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger (has horse on cover)

And some alternates
Hammerhead Ranch by Tim Dorsey
Orange Crush by Tim Dorsey
Triggerfish Twist by Tim Dorsey
(all of Dorsey's books have Florida wildlife on their covers and the main character, Serge A. Storms, is a crazed animal)

Come join the fun! Happy Reading!

An Orange July Kick-Off

2008-06-30T23:56:37Z

I am excited to begin my personal challenge to read "Orange" books throughout the month of July. Orange July is my personal commitment to read books that have won or been nominated for the Orange Prize. I will post my reviews here as well as the Orange Prize Project blog.

Actually, I have already started my first Orange Book - Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. A lot of my blog and LT friends have raved about this book, and at only 130 pages in, I can see why. After Half of a Yellow Sun, I will start The Gathering by Anne Enwright.

I hope you will consider joining me for an Orange July. Remember, there are no rules, no minimums and no reviews required. You can commit to read only one book or 20. It's up to you! Please leave me a comment if you plan on participating so I can check your blog for your reviews.

I think July will shape up to be a great reading month! Have fun!

Sunday Salon: A Mid-Year Wrap Up

2008-06-29T12:20:15Z

I can't believe July is just around the corner. So far I have read 43 books during the first half of 2008. Here are the books that earned a five-star rating from me (in order that I read them).

FIVE-STAR BOOKS (FICTION)
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan
Property by Valerie Martin

FIVE-STAR BOOKS (NON-FICTION)
A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen
Tara Revisited by Catherine Clinton

AND MY TOP FIVE BOOKS
1) The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
2) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
3) The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
4) The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
5) Property by Valerie Martin

READING CHALLENGES COMPLETED:
1) Beg, Borrow and Steal Reading Challenge
2) Pub 08 Reading Challenge
3) Themed Reading Challenge
4) Spring Reading Thing
5) Southern Reading Challenge
6) Book Awards Reading Challenge

I also participate in Bonnie's Book Around The States and Book Around The World reading challenges, and here is a summary of the places I have been:

BOOK AROUND THE STATES (my reviews)
Alaska - The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon
Hawaii - Moloka'i by Alan Brennert
Louisiana - Property by Valerie Martin
Maryland - Two Brothers: One North, One South by David H. Jones
Missouri - Becky by Lenore Hart
North Carolina - On Agate Hill by Lee Smith
South Carolina - Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
Texas - The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block

BOOK AROUND THE WORLD (my reviews)
Iran - The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
Pakistan - The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
Sudan - The Translator: A Tribesman's Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Yugoslavia - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
Wales - Resistance by Owen Sheers

Whew! It's been a very adventurous reading year so far! I am looking forward to my Orange July, when I will be reading a ton of books that have won or been nominated for the Orange Prize. That promises to be a good reading month, don't you think?

The Faith of a Writer by Joyce Carol Oates

2008-06-29T11:13:07Z

The Faith of a Writer
By Joyce Carol Oates
Completed June 29, 2008

Joyce Carol Oates explored the craft of writing in her collection of essays, The Faith of a Writer. I was expecting an autobiographical passage through JCO’s evolution as a writer, but that was not quite what she delivered in this slim book. Instead, she talked about how other writers – namely Emily Dickinson, Ernest Hemingway, Herman Melville and a host of others – became great writers.

Several themes emerged from JCO’s essays. First, writers are their own worst critics but have high opinions of their writing genius. Secondly, many of a writers’ early works were raw, hard to read and commercially unsuccessful, but without these first attempts, the greater works would not have existed. Finally, writers live in an alternate universe: always thinking about their stories, how to revise them and how to advance the story or the characters. This usually resulted in insomnia, social isolation and blank stares.

Probably, these essays are examined in great depth by college students whose professors want to explain the psyche of a writer. If you are looking for a book about the personal writing process, this is not the book for you. I would recommend Stephen King’s On Writing for that type of book. The Faith of a Writer is better suited for readers who love writers – the famous ones – and want a better understanding on how they perfected their craft. ( )

Book Awards II Reading Challenge

2008-06-28T19:58:32Z

3M is hosting the Book Award II Reading Challenge, coming off a successful first year of award-winning reading. This year's version is slightly different. We must read 10 books in 10 months, and at least five different awards must be represented. This challenge starts on August 1, 2008 and ends June 1, 2009. Come join the fun!

My selections

Alex Award
Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (2002)

Bellwether Prize for Fiction
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

Book Sense Book of the Year
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger (Adult Fiction 2002)

Bram Stoker Award
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill (2007 First Novel)

Commonwealth Writer's Prize
The Secret River by Kate Grenville (2006 Best Book)

Man Booker Prize
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje (1992)
Possession by A.S. Byatt (1990)
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)

Pulitzer Prize
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon (2001)
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
Shipping News by Annie Proulx (1994)
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1986)
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (1981)
The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty (1973)
All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren (1947)

Resistance by Owen Sheers

2008-06-28T15:04:02Z

Resistance
By Owen Sheers
Completed June 27, 2008

I think poets make great novelists. Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, even Shel Silverstein all embrace a stunningly descriptive way of writing that makes their stories and characters just flow through your mind. Like his poetic counterparts, Owen Sheers used this lyrical style in his debut novel Resistance.

Resistance is an alternate history – what if the German army invaded England during World War II? In this book, Sarah Lewis woke one morning to find her husband missing. In fact, all of the men in her Welsh valley had disappeared with no note, explanation or forewarning. Another wife, Maggie, discovered a pamphlet in her barn that led them to a grave conclusion: their husbands and sons left to join the Resistance.

Then, things become more precarious when a German patrol arrived in their valley, led by Captain Albrecht Wolfram, an Oxford-trained medieval scholar who became an unlikely soldier when Germany went to war. Settled into an abandoned house, the German soldiers collectively decided to stay in this isolated area because they felt the end of the war was near. As a fierce winter dug its teeth into the valley, the men helped the women maintain their farms. While their assistance was accepted reluctantly at first, the soldiers and women formed bonds as they fought against the devastating winter.

Two forces, however, threatened their delicate coexistence. If the Gestapo discovered these women whose husbands were Resistance fighters, the women would be executed (and more than likely the German soldiers would be court marshaled and killed too). If the British Resistance discovered that the women were “collaborating” with the German soldiers, their countrymen would kill them all. Isolation could be maintained easily during the winter. But when spring arrived, the sheep had to be brought to market, cows needed mates and goods needed to be exchanged. Spring, a time of new beginnings, created an unavoidable compromise in the fate of these characters.

The story is loosely based on the existence of a real Resistance group that Britain formed during World War II. Sheers also researched life on Welsh farms during this time, resulting in an engaging historical novel (despite the alternate history). Admittedly, I found some issues with the advancement of the plot, but overall, Resistance was a compelling story with fully developed characters, vivid descriptions of Wales and heart-breaking accounts of the effect of war on men and women. If you like World War II fiction or alternate histories, then I highly recommend Resistance to you. ( )

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert

2008-06-23T22:54:14Z

Moloka'i
By Alan Brennert
Completed June 22, 2008

Having just finished Moloka’i by Alan Brennert, I am left with a mixed bag of emotions. Here is a book that mostly everyone loved. Other reviewers described the main character, Rachel, as one that lingers with you. Others praised the rich Hawaiian history that filled this book. Others were engrossed by the sense of community created by these characters – all who were diagnosed with leprosy and isolated to prevent the spread of this disease.

I agree with all of these points. Rachel was fully drawn and life-like. I enjoyed reading about Hawaiian history at the turn of the century – a new topic for me. And I appreciate the community and family (“ohana”) that bound these people together.

But I am left with a nagging sense too. Specifically, there are two aspects of the book that bothered me:

1 The acceptance of Leilani, a transvestite, into Moloka’i without so much as a sneer, prejudice or a bad word. This is the early 1900’s in a traditional Catholic society. I highly doubt this would happen. Heck, it doesn’t happen now in 2008. Perhaps the author felt these people who were shunned by society could be welcoming to Leilani. It’s a stretch for me, considering the historical nature of homophobia.

2) The Forrest Gump syndrome, as I like to call it, when the main character witnesses historical events first-hand. We learn about the first airplanes, vehicles and “moving pictures” through Rachel’s eyes. Also, the usurpation of Hawaiian royalty and the attack on Pearl Harbor both find their places in this novel. I don’t mind reading about history through a character, but in this book, I found some of it to be distracting and non-essential to the story.

I realize that I am in the minority with my objections, and that’s okay. Each book holds something different for its readers. If you enjoy good character-driven historical fiction, then I think you will find Moloka’i to be a smart, heart-warming book. Despite my objections, I am glad to have read this novel and learn more about leprosy and historic Hawaii. ( )

Sunday Salon: EW Top 100 New Classics

2008-06-22T12:14:32Z

Admittedly, I am a sucker for book lists, and I stumbled across this one today on one of my Yahoo Groups: EW Top 100 New Classics. EW, for those of you who don't know, is short for Entertainment Weekly - a magazine of celebrity, movies, TV - and yes - book news. It's a fun little read if you like pop culture.

I am not sure what criteria EW used to compile this list, but here's what they propose as the top 100 books that are modern classics (published 1983-2008). I have highlighted the ones I have read in red and those on my TBR pile in blue.

1. The Road , Cormac McCarthy (2006)
2. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, J.K. Rowling (2000)
3. Beloved, Toni Morrison (1987)
4. The Liars' Club, Mary Karr (1995)
5. American Pastoral, Philip Roth (1997)
6. Mystic River, Dennis Lehane (2001)
7. Maus, Art Spiegelman (1986/1991)
8. Selected Stories, Alice Munro (1996)
9. Cold Mountain, Charles Frazier (1997)
10. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Haruki Murakami (1997)
11. Into Thin Air, Jon Krakauer (1997)
12. Blindness, José Saramago (1998)
13. Watchmen, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (1986-87)
14. Black Water, Joyce Carol Oates (1992)
15. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, Dave Eggers (2000)
16. The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood (1986)
17. Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez (1988)
18. Rabbit at Rest, John Updike (1990)
19. On Beauty, Zadie Smith (2005)
20. Bridget Jones's Diary, Helen Fielding (1998)
21. On Writing, Stephen King (2000)
22. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Díaz (2007)
23. The Ghost Road, Pat Barker (1996)
24. Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry (1985)
25. The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan (1989)
26. Neuromancer, William Gibson (1984)
27. Possession, A.S. Byatt (1990)
28. Naked, David Sedaris (1997)
29. Bel Canto, Anne Patchett (2001)
30. Case Histories, Kate Atkinson (2004)
31. The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien (1990)
32. Parting the Waters, Taylor Branch (1988)
33. The Year of Magical Thinking, Joan Didion (2005)
34. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold (2002)
35. The Line of Beauty, Alan Hollinghurst (2004)
36. Angela's Ashes, Frank McCourt (1996)
37. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi (2003)
38. Birds of America, Lorrie Moore (1998)
39. Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri (2000)
40. His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman (1995-2000)
41. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros (1984)
42. LaBrava, Elmore Leonard (1983)
43. Borrowed Time, Paul Monette (1988)
44. Praying for Sheetrock, Melissa Fay Greene (1991)
45. Eva Luna, Isabel Allende (1988)
46. Sandman, Neil Gaiman (1988-1996)
47. World's Fair, E.L. Doctorow (1985)
48. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (1998)
49. Clockers, Richard Price (1992)
50. The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen (2001)
51. The Journalist and the Murderer, Janet Malcom (1990)
52. Waiting to Exhale, Terry McMillan (1992)
53. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Michael Chabon (2000)
54. Jimmy Corrigan, Chris Ware (2000)
55. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls (2006)
56. The Night Manager, John le Carré (1993)
57. The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe (1987)
58. Drop City, TC Boyle (2003)
59. Krik? Krak! Edwidge Danticat (1995)
60. Nickel & Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
61. Money, Martin Amis (1985)
62. Last Train To Memphis, Peter Guralnick (1994)
63. Pastoralia, George Saunders (2000)
64. Underworld, Don DeLillo (1997)
65. The Giver, Lois Lowry (1993)
66. A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, David Foster Wallace (1997)
67. The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
68. Fun Home, Alison Bechdel (2006)
69. Secret History, Donna Tartt (1992)
70. Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell (2004)
71. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Ann Fadiman (1997)
72. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon (2003)
73. A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving (1989)
74. Friday Night Lights, H.G. Bissinger (1990)
75. Cathedral, Raymond Carver (1983)
76. A Sight for Sore Eyes, Ruth Rendell (1998)
77. The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro (1989)
78. Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert (2006)
79. The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell (2000)
80. Bright Lights, Big City, Jay McInerney (1984)
81. Backlash, Susan Faludi (1991)
82. Atonement, Ian McEwan (2002)
83. The Stone Diaries, Carol Shields (1994)
84. Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)
85. Gilead, Marilynne Robinson (2004)
86. And the Band Played On, Randy Shilts (1987)
87. The Ruins, Scott Smith (2006)
88. High Fidelity, Nick Hornby (1995)
89. Close Range, Annie Proulx (1999)
90. Comfort Me With Apples, Ruth Reichl (2001)
91. Random Family, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc (2003)
92. Presumed Innocent, Scott Turow (1987)
93. A Thousand Acres, Jane Smiley (1991)
94. Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser (2001)
95. Kaaterskill Falls, Allegra Goodman (1998)
96. The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown (2003)
97. Jesus’ Son, Denis Johnson (1992)
98. The Predators' Ball, Connie Bruck (1988)
99. Practical Magic, Alice Hoffman (1995)
100. America (the Book), Jon Stewart/Daily Show (2004)

While I have not read all of these books, I have to wonder how they determined the order. I was surprised to see The Handmaid's Tale not in the top 10, for example. And I see a few authors who are missing: Jodi Picoult, Anne Tyler, Anne Rice and Mary Doria Russell. Or maybe it's because they are among my favorites and I am biased.

What do you think of this list? Who's missing? What's right on? I will be curious to know what the Sunday Saloners have to say!

It's A Rainy Day in Florida

2008-06-21T13:59:07Z

Usually it rains every day in Florida during the summer. Around 4 o'clock, you can bet that a quick, thunderous downpour will come off the water and disrupt your commute home.

Today, however, we experienced something very unusual: long morning thunderstorms. The thunder started to roll around 7 a.m. and hasn't let up yet. We desperately need the rain, but it does cramp our Saturday morning journeys to the grocery store and Target.

Here are some snapshots of our rainy day in Florida:

View from my back porch: That blue tarp thing is our "solar blanket" that we put over the pool to help heat it. You may also notice that empty flower beds - still working on my gardens.

View from the front yard: Our front lawn is a moat and a mess. We just planted seed, so we're hoping it takes. I have lawn envy of our neighbor across the street (seen in the picture here). I swear I pull weeds from my garden beds every weekend (not that you can tell from this picture). My kids are dying to get in these puddles!

Completed the Southern Reading Challenge 2008

2008-06-20T22:42:33Z

Thanks to Maggie for hosting another round of the Southern Reading Challenge. This was a great challenge for me! Here is a summary of my books:

1) Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore (review)
2) Property by Valerie Martin (review)
3) Becky by Lenore Hart (review)
4) The Known World by Edward P. Jones (review)
5) Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray (review)

My favorite book from this challenge was Property by Valerie Martin. My least favorite book was The Known World, which I could not finish.

Look forward to participating in this challenge next year!

The Known World by Edward P. Jones

2008-06-20T22:05:44Z

The Known World
By Edward P. Jones
DID NOT FINISH

Those of you who visit my blog regularly know it's rare when I don't finish a book. What's even more unusual is when I don't love a book set in the antebellum South. Unfortunately, with The Known World, this is the case. I gave up on this book when I reached page 60.

The storyline was difficult for me to follow. It meandered aimlessly, and I felt no attachment to the characters. After hearing several other reviewers (with similar tastes as me) express their frustration with this Pulitzer Prize winner, I decided it was a sign that this was not a book for me.

It's unfortunate because I usually love books set in this time period. I am very disappointed that I could not finish The Known World. Perhaps I will pick up again another day. (no rating)

Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray

2008-06-18T23:51:45Z

Ecology of a Cracker Childhood
By Janisse Ray
Completed June 18, 2008

Janisse Ray carefully intertwined two distinct themes in her autobiographical book, Ecology of a Cracker Childhood. First, there was the theme of her family - an interesting tapestry of men (mostly) and women who made up her genetic landscape. Second, there was the ecological theme - chapters about the deforestation of south Georgia. Ray loved, admired and respected her family and her forest, and this tenderness made her memoir charming and memorable.

Wrapped in the sweet cadence of her language, I especially enjoyed reading about Ray's family. That was a colorful bunch. Most of the men suffered from mental illness, which Ray depicted with dignity. But they were also resourceful - living off the land and inventing machines from scraps. I could hear their drawl in every page.

All in all, I enjoyed this short book about this beautiful region of our country, their Southern ways and Ray's determination to protect and preserve the land that she loves. ( )

Spring Reading Thing 2008 Wrap-Up

2008-06-17T11:06:24Z

Thanks to Katrina for hosting the popular Spring Reading Thing Challenge! We're only a few days until the official close of this challenge, and I am pleased with my progress. I finished seven books! Here is my list:

1) Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice (review)
2) Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult (review)
3) The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon (review)
4) Digging to America by Anne Tyler (review)
5) Marley & Me by John Grogan (review)
6) March by Geraldine Brooks (review)
7) Property by Valerie Martin (review)

My favorite books were The Yiddish Policemen's Union and Property - both earned five-star ratings. My least favorite book was Marley & Me, but this book still earned three stars. All in all, I read seven great and distinct books for this challenge.

Looking forward to next year's challenge!

Janeology by Karen Harrington

2008-06-15T19:38:45Z

Janeology
By Karen Harrington
Completed June 15, 2008

Nature versus nurture – it’s an old question and still a widely debatable one. Do genes rule our own impulses? Does one’s environment shape who we become?

It’s this theme that formed Karen Harrington’s debut novel, Janeology. In this book, Jane Nelson decided that she was “done being a mother” and drowned her twin children. Her daughter, Sarah, survived the incident, and Jane was declared insane and sent to a psychiatric facility. However, the state was not done pointing fingers, and they pursued criminal neglect charges against Jane’s husband, Tom, who the state contended saw Jane spiral out of control and did nothing about it.

Faced with a five-year prison sentence, Tom’s attorney, Dave, wanted to build a case that focused on Jane’s genetic make-up and family history. In essence, nature and nurture underpinned Jane’s actions.

Little was known about Jane’s past, though, and Dave employed a clairvoyant, Mariah, to help them rebuild Jane’s lineage. Mariah was able to channel Jane’s parents, grandparents and great-grandparents – each telling a story where parents failed to protect their children, neglected their families and even committed crimes.

When I started to read Janeology, I was expecting a John Grisham-like court drama. Instead, this book focused on the stories that make up family histories and how our circumstances often affect our decisions as we get older. The appearance of the clairvoyant was a little far-reaching for my taste, but once I suspended a level of disbelief about Mariah, I was wrapped up in each family member’s tale.

As a parent, I found some of Harrington’s words very resonating: “ There was no gene that made one fit for parenting. One couldn’t assume that the instinct to protect exists in every individual, not if they haven’t been protected themselves.” (page 224). This very thought buttressed Tom’s entire defense.

Karen Harrington’s writing style was easy and engaging, and she toggled a hot-button issue with great objectivity. She drew her characters, including Jane, into several lights so you can gain a better perspective of each one. I look forward to reading more of Harrington’s books – she’s a promising young writer with a great gift for storytelling. ( )

Sunday Salon: An Orange July

2008-06-15T12:19:50Z

Throughout July, several of my LibraryThing friends and I have committed to reading books that have won, or were short- or long-listed for the Orange Prize. If you're like me, several "Orange" books grace my bookshelves, and I have found many of these books to be insightful, provocative and enjoyable reads.

I would like to extend an invitation to my fellow bloggers, Sunday Saloners and Orange Prize Project participants to join me in an Orange July. This personal challenge is exactly that - you determine the rules, how many books you want to read, whether you want to post reviews - whatever works for you.

For my Orange July, I am not setting a minimum number of books to read. Instead, I plan on reading my Orange books in the following order and see where I end up when July ends:

1) Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2007 winner) (review)
2) The Gathering by Anne Enright (2008 Long List)
3) Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood (1997 Long List)
4) Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (2004 Short List)
5) The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai (2007 Short List)
6) The Keep by Jennifer Egan (2008 Long List)
7) The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler (2004 Long List)
8) We Need To Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (2005 winner)
9) The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney (2007 Long List)
10) Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (2003 Long List)

Because this is a personal challenge, I will not set up a blog or list of participants. However, I encourage you to join the Orange Prize Project (if you haven't done so already) if you are interested in placing your reviews somewhere. This blog also is a great resource for finding reviews on Orange books and complete lists of Orange Prize winners and books that have made the long and short lists.

I hope you enjoy an Orange July with me!

The ARC Reading Challenge

2008-06-14T11:51:48Z

Teddy Rose is hosting her first challenge, and it's right up my alley - The ARC Reading Challenge! Running from June 21-September 21, this challenge inspires us ARC addicts to get moving on reading and reviewing our books. Here are the rules:

1. Make a list of all of the ARC's that you currently have and/or are on their way to you.

2. If you have:
1-3 ARC's then pick at least one to read and review for this challenge.
4-6 ARC's then pick at least two to read and review for this challenge.
7-9 ARC's then pick at least three to read and review for this challenge.
10 or more Arc's then pick at least 4 to read and review for this challenge.

3. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

4. List the books that you plan to read for this challenge (you can change it at any time, as long as the books you change are also ARCs). You can read the books on your list in any order.

5. Read the books and review them on your blog. If you don't have a blog, you can post your review on sites like Amazon. Leave a comment on this post with a link to each of your reviews.

I have eight ARCs on my bookshelves. I would love to finish them during this challenge, but that may be a tad too unrealistic. So, here is the order I plan on reading them, and I will commit to read the first three listed (per the rules).

My ARC Selections
Resistance by Owen Sheers (review)
Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
The Glimmer Palace by Beatrice Colin
The Aviary Gate by Katie Hickman
The Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz
The Mayor's Tongue by Nathaniel Rich
The Secret Between Us by Barbara Delinsky

It's so sad - many of these books have been released for months!

Looking forward to putting a dent in my ARC pile - won't you join us?

Tara Revisited: Women, War & The Plantation Legend by Catherine Clinton

2008-06-13T22:29:12Z

Tara Revisited: Women, War & The Plantation Legend
By Catherine Clinton
Completed June 12, 2008

Tara Revisited: Women, War and the Plantation Legend by Catherine Clinton was a non-fiction book that discussed the affect of the Civil War on white and black women of the American South. This book also explored the romanticized myths of white Southern women and slave/master relations during this time period.

For many, the Civil War holds an intriguing place in our American landscape. Southern belles, popularized by Scarlett O’Hara, emerged as the quintessential representation of all things “southern” – genteel and well mannered, tough and tenacious, and ardent supporters of the Southern cause during the Civil War. Called “The Lost Cause,” post-Civil War writers created this mystification of Southern women to perpetuate the “cause” long after the war ended.

Through her research, Clinton dispelled this myth. While many Southern women were active in the war effort, whether darning socks or assisting at military hospitals, they were impatient for the war to end. Home life without their men was hard, boring and frightening. Instead of yearning for what was, as contended by Clinton, Southern women were more interested in moving on.

The “Lost Cause” philosophy also advanced the untruth that blacks and whites lived harmoniously together with slaves emotionally attached and loyal to their owners. Again, Clinton ruled out this myth, based on interviews of former slaves conducted during the Great Depression. In reality, little love was lost between formers slaves and their white masters and mistresses.

Catherine Clinton, in my opinion, is one of the most approachable of historians. Her writing style was easy and interesting. She relied mostly on primary resources – memoirs, diaries, newspaper stories and interviews – to weave this historical account of an often-misunderstood period in American women’s history.

History is one big story, and Catherine Clinton is one of the best “storytellers” of this time period. I highly recommend this quick read to any reader interested in learning more about how the Civil War marked and impacted Southern women of both races during this era. ( )

Property by Valerie Martin

2008-06-09T00:03:02Z

Property
By Valerie Martin
Completed June 8, 2008

“And how did he earn your enmity?”

“Well, let me think,” I said. “Would the fact that the servant I brought to the marriage has borne him a son, and that this creature is allowed to run loose in the house like a wild animal, would that be, in your view, sufficient cause for a wife to despise her husband?”

He shrugged. “Mrs. Gaudet, there are many such cases. This cannot be unknown to you.”

“That is precisely my grievance,” I explained. “That it is common.” (page 38)

What is property? Is it a tangible thing you own? Or could it be something else – a spirit, a soul, a sense of freedom? In her Orange Prize-winning novel, Property, Valerie Martin explored the essence of property, ownership and freedom, using slavery and antebellum marriage to examine these themes.

Manon Gaudet is a young wife in a loveless marriage to a bankrupt, cruel planter in 1828 Louisiana. As a wedding gift, Manon’s aunt gave her a young slave, Sarah, to accompany Manon to her new plantation home. Because of conventional marriage customs and rights of slavery, both women, in essence, become property to the same man. Sarah soon bore a son to Manon’s husband while Manon never reproduced. As time progressed, Manon’s hatred for her husband only equaled her disdain for her slave. She secretly wished for her husband’s death to free her from this entrapment.

Several things struck me as compelling in this book. First, Martin portrayed a historic look into the slave-holding South. It was not a time of wine and roses; times were harsh, the slavery system was immoral, and white and black Southerners lived in fear of each other. Each page of Property stayed true to these details.

Secondly, the relationship between Manon and Sarah was far from a sisterly one. While they were bound together by the same problem – ownership by the same man – they did not seek comfort from each other against their common plight. Furthermore, they did not see each other as rivals because they did not yearn for the man’s attention. Instead, they hated each other – perhaps because each was a reminder of the life in which each woman was forced to live.

Intelligent, engaging, historical and rivoting - Property kept me at the edge of my seat, and I completed this book in two sittings. Admittedly, if you put a hoop skirt on the main character, it usually captures my attention. However, this book provided so much more than hoop skirts – it was a gritty story about the power and destruction of when one human tries to control another. This is a must-read for readers who enjoy antebellum Southern fiction, women’s studies and stories about slavery. I will certainly be looking for more books by this gifted storyteller. ( )

Sunday Salon: America America by Ethan Canin

2008-06-08T12:07:20Z

America America
By Ethan Canin
Completed June 8, 2008

Corey Sifter was an average boy, living with his working-class parents in New York, when the wealthy, well-connected Metarey family employed him to work on their estate. Liam Metarey, the family’s patriarch, took a shining to Corey and gave him important jobs at the mansion as well as paid for his education at a prestigious boarding school. While working on the estate, Corey was exposed to the presidential campaign of New York Senator Henry Bonwiller, who Metarey supported despite Bonwiller’s flaws. In turn, Corey witnessed numerous scandals, politics and events, which eventually shaped Corey into the man he became.

America America by Ethan Canin was, in effect, the story of the have’s and have not’s, 1970’s political scandals, family and friendships, and the power of the almighty American dollar. And this book’s main character saw it all.

This book was a slow-starter, slowly building momentum until the reader reaches the mid-point. Canin’s writing style reminded me of Richard Russo – quaint, meandering and illustrative. It takes patience to read a Russo book, and I needed the same patience to finish this Canin novel too.

I also have to comment about the characterization. While the reader gets to know Corey well enough, the other characters were flat to me. The wealthy Metareys seemed plastic and unbelievable. I felt no rapport for Corey’s parents, who were more like bystanders than parents during Corey’s employment with the Metareys. Even Senator Bonwiller, who had the potential for interest with his drinking and womanizing, was boring and lifeless. Perhaps the passivity of the characters was intentional, but for this reader, it cast a long shadow over this long book.

Critics are already raving about this novel, and I suspect that America America will make notable and prize lists this year. For me, the novel’s story was a good one, but I have a personal distaste for books that take awhile to build into a crescendo of a story. If you like books about politics and are a more patient reader than me, then I would recommend America America to you. ( )

The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields

2008-06-01T22:34:01Z

The Crimson Portrait
By Jody Shields
Completed June 1, 2008

The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields was a novel about the importance of faces, reflections and appearances. If your face became disfigured, how would it change you as a person? How would others perceive you?

Catherine was a lonely widow living on her husband’s estate during World War I. Her husband, Charles, offered up the estate prior to his death so it could be used as a hospital. Catherine had no choice but to watch a medical team convert her home into a hospital for men suffering from severe facial disfigurements. Their first order of business was to remove all mirrors – making the estate a place of no reflections.

At the estate, the physicians performed surgeries on these men in an attempt to restore their faces. For the unrestorable, the doctors turned to thin prosthetic masks, created by artist Anna Coleman. Their first subject was a young soldier named Julian, who was having an affair with the emotionally fragile Catherine. Anna needed to create a mask in the likeness of Julian prior to his injuries, and Catherine made a dangerous decision: to provide a picture of Charles as the pre-injured Julian so that Julian’s face would resemble her dead husband. Catherine, in effect, missed her husband so much that only his face would do on her lover’s body. But did it work to erase her demons?

The characters in this book were elegantly drawn. Catherine was depicted as severely depressed and delusional. The doctors battled between emotional attachments and treating their scarred patients. And the men battled their own demons, left with able bodies and faces that scared people.

Throughout this story, I often contemplated that it would translate well into the big screen. I think the medicinal and surgical aspect of The Crimson Portrait would draw audiences right in. And the unforgettable, flawed characters would seem human and familiar, especially considering our current state of military affairs.

Until the movie is made (if it’s ever made), I would recommend The Crimson Portrait to readers of World War I fiction or to those who are interested in stories that have medical theme. For certain, The Crimson Portrait is a medical book and one should find medicine interesting to enjoy this story. All in all, Jody Shields told a compelling and thought-provoking story about the love and loss of the human face – and human life. ( )

Sunday Salon: Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher by Lenore Hart

2008-06-01T16:55:50Z

Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher
By Lenore Hart
Completed May 29, 2008

I must admit that I am a sucker for a good companion novel. Last year, I read Finn by Jon Clinch, which was a story about Huck Finn’s infamous father. My latest read was the feminine side of this group of friends – a story about Becky Thatcher, Tom Sawyer’s sweetheart. In Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher by Lenore Hart, Becky got her voice and opportunity to set the story straight.

"I loved and hated men, lost and found them, tried and failed to tempt them away from their own destruction. I’ve been the cause of more than one death. I’ve been a friend and enemy and fiancée, wife and mother and widow. I’ve killed in a fight, and longed to do murder once or twice at home. I’ve taught, mothered, soldiered, mined and even written for the newspapers. But I was never the weeping little ninny Sam Clemens made me out to be in his book."

And with this statement, Becky began her story as a complex, multi-dimensional character, dead set about shaking this timid image that Mark Twain described in his novels.

The story opened as Becky’s husband, Sid, was about to leave for the army during the late months of the Civil War. This began Becky’s adventures as she chased her husband into the wilds of Missouri in an attempt to bring him home. She disguised herself as a soldier to accomplish this mission and was involved in skirmish or two. Once reunited, the couple decided to move to Nevada to escape the war atrocities as home – thus, beginning another set of adventures for Becky as she moved West.

Hanging like a web over all of these stories were Becky’s feelings for Tom. Tom and Huck were minor characters in this book, and Hart added different perspectives to these famous boys (who are now men in this book). Tom was self-absorbed and restless, always caring for his childhood sweetheart despite his lack of commitment to her. Huck was Tom’s loyal companion – raw, impatient, cunning and unforgiving - but I felt that Huck had more sense than his reckless friend. In addition to Tom and Huck, Hart added Sam Clemens, who came across as imaginative and scheming, eventually betraying his friendship with Becky when he published his books.

With all of these males in her life, one can see how Becky did not grow up to be a “weeping little ninny.” However, I think Hart tried too hard to prove Becky was as strong as her male counterparts. The killings, the soldiering, the wearing of pants, the lying, the adultery – it was a tad too much. Women can be strong without acting like men.

Despite this small criticism, I enjoyed Becky and highly recommend this book to lovers of Tom Sawyer stories, Civil War fiction and tales about women’s lives in history. ( )

Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan

2008-05-26T12:19:47Z

Songs for the Missing
By Stewart O'Nan
Completed May 25, 2008

I cannot imagine one of my sons disappearing into thin air. The panic, the fear, the anger, the questions – it would be all too much to bear. In Songs for the Missing, Stewart O’Nan tackled this topic head on, and after finishing this page-turner (I finished the book in one day), I was left exhausted and heart-broken. Despite the devastating topic, though, I am glad to have read this spellbinding novel.

The story is about the disappearance of Kim Larsen, Kim was pretty, popular and counting the days until she left for college. One afternoon, Kim did not show up for work. It wasn’t until almost dawn when her parents detected that she was missing. They called the police and the search for Kim was on.

Each chapter of Songs for the Missing was written from a different person’s viewpoint. At first, Kim had her voice until she went missing. Then, her father, mother, sister, boyfriend and best friend each “took turns” telling about the search, their hope for a positive outcome and how they tried to cope with the day-to-day aspects of living.

As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, you saw how each character realized that Kim might not return home. Each character dealt with the grief in different ways. I specifically thought the age-relevance of each character was realistic. The teenagers were equally scared about their fates as the police investigation uncovered drug use; the younger sister dealt with (again) being in her sister’s shadow; the mother worked furiously, advocating for missing persons; and the father struggled emotionally, financially and psychologically but never wanted to show these “weaknesses” to his loved ones.

Their plight was so realistic and heart breaking. Thanks to O’Nan’s superb writing style, you could not help but be drawn to these characters and wonder what happened to Kim. I kept hoping that Kim would be found alive because I wanted these characters to have a “happily ever after” ending. I was so invested in each one of their lives that their grief was my own.

This is my first Stewart O’Nan book, but it certainly won’t be my last. His writing style was gripping and the way he drew his characters reminded me of Jodi Picoult. I highly recommend Songs for the Missing to anyone. I don’t think any reader of literary fiction could be disappointed with this engaging story. ( )