Here's the list of what I read in January. If you want to read beyond the list, I have a few sentences about each book and how I would rate it. Let me know if any of these books are on your list, or if you have read these, what do you think?
Books-January 2011
1. Easily amused by Karen McQuestion
2. Crush by Alan Jacobson
3. Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
4. Perfect on paper by Maria Murnane
5. Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano
6. The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
7. Denim and diamonds by Debbie MaComber
8. Applying to College for students with ADD or LD by Blythe Grossberg (for SLJ review)
9. Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner (listened to via iPod)
10. Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park (for gender project)
11. We die alone by David Howarth (for gender project)
12. This life I'd led by Babe Didrikson Zaharias (for gender project)
13. Hangman by Faye Kellerman
14. The wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Morgan
1. I read McQuestion’s first book A Scattered Life on Kindle and enjoyed it. This one not so much. It made good beach reading, but can’t really recommend it.
2. A free book from Amazon Kindle. Long drawn-out story that would be better told in a made for TV movie.
3. Better than Corrections. Franzen is a great writer and his theme of freedom is readily evident throughout the book. I have to agree with Maureen Corrigan when she says, “Franzen gets more praise for doing what many fine female writers do ‘backwards and in heels.’”
4. Cute story, read it in Argentina and it turns out the author wrote it while taking a break from real life and moving to Argentina. (It is not about Argentina.)
5. Loved this historical fiction based on the author’s grandmother and great-grandmother’s real lives.
6. Maybe my favorite this month. Well written and compelling reading.
7. MaComber is an expert at romance writing. This one is set in Wyoming, so with a reduced price on Kindle, it was worth a go. Same story, different setting.
8. I read this for review on School Library Journal. If you have a high school child thinking of applying to college, it is worth the read, even if s/he does not have ADD or LD. Good organizational tips to keep everyone on the same page.
9. I love to listen to Weiner stories. She has a sarcastic style that comes across best in the spoken word. This one had two actresses playing the mother and daughter voices, convincingly and while there is not exactly a happy ending, there is a nice resolution to the relationship issues between the mother and daughter.
10. Park is a Newbery Award winning author. This is a sweet story about a Korean girl who doesn’t like being different, but finally recognizes that difference is okay too.
11. Great book! If you like adventure, this one is for you!
12. Another top book of the month! I loved Babe’s story and loved the way she told it. Wish she had not died of cancer at such a young age.
13. Kellerman does a good job of moving her series characters through the ups and downs of life while maneuvering through a gruesome murder or two at the same time. My favorite character is Rina. Any surprise?
14. A find from the new books shelf at the library. If you read it, let me know who you identify with more: Meg or Nancy? First wife or second wife? One of my favorite passages was when Meg, the first wife, was hungry for something to read after years in captivity and someone brings her a book, she speculates after seeing that it was nice and thick, "Dickens, perhaps. How silly to be so excited."
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Somebody's daughter, Somebody's wife
Both Marie and Michelle are reading historical novels, a favorite for them. I tend to read more contemporary fiction, but if the story is good and well-told, the setting or period is less important.
Marie, I read The Apothecary's Daughter a few months ago and I agree, it is a nice story. And the author allows the main character (named Lillian, the same as my daughter) to be a person who makes real choices in her life, in spite of the fact that she is a woman. Michelle, I have never heard of The Hangman's Daughter. I'll have to check it out.
But, you bring up the point about how many books are titled somebody's daughter or somebody's wife. Think about all the recent novels that use this title structure. I am still trying to think of more than a handful of books that are titled somebody's son or somebody's husband. Even in the 21st century, women continue to be known by our parent (often the male parent) or our husband. What's up with that?
Speaking of historical novels, I started a new one this week called, The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran. (I had not even noticed the title, since it is not worded exactly like the others, but it does fit the pattern. One more to add to the list!). It is set in the late 1800s, early 1900s, and tells the story of how Henry Oades ends up with two wives. It's based on a real legal case from that era. I am about half way through and love how the author develops the characters.
Marie, I read The Apothecary's Daughter a few months ago and I agree, it is a nice story. And the author allows the main character (named Lillian, the same as my daughter) to be a person who makes real choices in her life, in spite of the fact that she is a woman. Michelle, I have never heard of The Hangman's Daughter. I'll have to check it out.
But, you bring up the point about how many books are titled somebody's daughter or somebody's wife. Think about all the recent novels that use this title structure. I am still trying to think of more than a handful of books that are titled somebody's son or somebody's husband. Even in the 21st century, women continue to be known by our parent (often the male parent) or our husband. What's up with that?
Speaking of historical novels, I started a new one this week called, The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran. (I had not even noticed the title, since it is not worded exactly like the others, but it does fit the pattern. One more to add to the list!). It is set in the late 1800s, early 1900s, and tells the story of how Henry Oades ends up with two wives. It's based on a real legal case from that era. I am about half way through and love how the author develops the characters.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Winter evenings
It's cold out, dinner's over and Chris and I are settled in our chairs reading. I finished This Life I've Led about Babe Didrikson. My favorite part was her description of how she competed in a National Women's Track Meet as the whole track team. There were 8 events and she took first place in 5 of them and tied for first in a sixth. Her "team" won! What a great story, sounds a little like Pippi Longstocking, but it's true!
I'm now on to Hangman by Faye Kellerman (wife of psycho-mystery novelist Jonathan Kellerman). This book is the latest in a series about a couple living in Los Angelos. The husband is a police officer of the highly intelligent kind, and it doesn't hurt that he's a hunk. The wife is much younger, Orthodox Jewish and they are always in the middle of some murder that he is investigating. Of course, she helps him figure it out and provides a stable home-life for their blended family. The first book in this series was The Ritual Bath, published in 1986, so I have known these people for 24 years now. The quality of the writing is not always stellar, but the characters are likable and they grow and change over the years. Kind of fun to follow them.
What are you reading? I'd love to hear about some of your latest meanderings through the library of the world.
I'm now on to Hangman by Faye Kellerman (wife of psycho-mystery novelist Jonathan Kellerman). This book is the latest in a series about a couple living in Los Angelos. The husband is a police officer of the highly intelligent kind, and it doesn't hurt that he's a hunk. The wife is much younger, Orthodox Jewish and they are always in the middle of some murder that he is investigating. Of course, she helps him figure it out and provides a stable home-life for their blended family. The first book in this series was The Ritual Bath, published in 1986, so I have known these people for 24 years now. The quality of the writing is not always stellar, but the characters are likable and they grow and change over the years. Kind of fun to follow them.
What are you reading? I'd love to hear about some of your latest meanderings through the library of the world.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Bathtub reading
I know it's not as cold here in B'More as many other places, but it's cold enough. When I got home today, it was so nice to take a nice warm bath and read a new book. I started reading This Life I've led , an autobiography of Babe Didrikson Zaharias. She was a very famous athlete in the '30s and '40s and just an all around amazing woman. The book is captivating.
We had our book club yesterday and it was a lively discussion. Most of the women felt like there should be some legal recourse for the Lacks family to benefit financially from the profit made over the years from selling Henrietta Lacks' cells. But, the book was pretty clear that it is unlikely to happen. We all agreed that the book does an excellent job of going back and forth between heavy scientific material and personal relationships and family matters. Definitely on the recommend list.
We had our book club yesterday and it was a lively discussion. Most of the women felt like there should be some legal recourse for the Lacks family to benefit financially from the profit made over the years from selling Henrietta Lacks' cells. But, the book was pretty clear that it is unlikely to happen. We all agreed that the book does an excellent job of going back and forth between heavy scientific material and personal relationships and family matters. Definitely on the recommend list.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Back to school
Classes started today, so I will be doing more professional reading than I want to think about right now. I have a junior class of 25 students who will be working with emergent readers, so if any of you have a favorite children's book, let me know and we'll try to add it to our library.
Last night I finished a book for high school kids with ADD or LD who are applying to college. It was well written and very well organized. I have to submit a review of that today. Not exactly scintillating reading! But, still a worthwhile book.
I have also been reading Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park for my gender study project. When I read one of the gender study books, I count the male and female characters. The main character of this book is female and she has a male best friend. I haven't finished the count, but it looks like there are about an equal number of males and females. So, far, the study has shown that there are tons more males in children's books than females and the roles of the characters are very gender stereotypical. All the doctors are male, all the nurses are female, etc. Not sure what my conclusion will be, but it has been interesting to look at the books in a new way.
Last night I finished a book for high school kids with ADD or LD who are applying to college. It was well written and very well organized. I have to submit a review of that today. Not exactly scintillating reading! But, still a worthwhile book.
I have also been reading Project Mulberry by Linda Sue Park for my gender study project. When I read one of the gender study books, I count the male and female characters. The main character of this book is female and she has a male best friend. I haven't finished the count, but it looks like there are about an equal number of males and females. So, far, the study has shown that there are tons more males in children's books than females and the roles of the characters are very gender stereotypical. All the doctors are male, all the nurses are female, etc. Not sure what my conclusion will be, but it has been interesting to look at the books in a new way.
Friday, January 14, 2011
#1 Reader
On Fridays, I meet with a group of local fifth grade girls and talk about books. They are currently reading American Girl books, a book called Amulet (that I have never heard of), The Wimpy Kid books and Smile (another one I have never heard of). Both Amulet and Smile are graphic novels. It is great fun to have book discussions with them and to see what is interesting to them in books. Two of the girls made me a fancy card that said: "No. 1 Reader." It was a sweet gesture and one that touched my heart!
In addition to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, I am also reading Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano. Right now is it only 3.99 on Amazon Kindle. It is a fictionalized version of a family story that involves the mafia, a kidnapping and a great earthquake in southern Italy in 1909. It is well-written and the story moves along nicely. I have enjoyed the way the author connects the characters from the 19th to the 20th and 21st centuries. Nice job!
In addition to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, I am also reading Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano. Right now is it only 3.99 on Amazon Kindle. It is a fictionalized version of a family story that involves the mafia, a kidnapping and a great earthquake in southern Italy in 1909. It is well-written and the story moves along nicely. I have enjoyed the way the author connects the characters from the 19th to the 20th and 21st centuries. Nice job!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Book club
I'm wondering how many have ever been in a book club? I was in one when I lived in Casper, and just joined one here in Baltimore. It is organized by the local Hamilton branch of the the Enoch Pratt Free Library System. We have only met a few times. The book we are reading this month is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. It is about a woman in Baltimore whose tumor cells have been grown a trillions times over to use in medical research. She was a poor black woman who was not asked if she would consent to the use of her tissue; and she died shortly after her cells were removed from her body. Her family has never benefited from this use of her tissue; and as the author writes, the ironic part is that many of her descendants are also poor and unable to afford medical care in spite of the fact that Henrietta's cells have been beneficial in developing all kinds of medical breakthroughs. I am looking forward to discussing this book with the bookclub next Thursday night.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Vacation reading
Just returned from Argentina and decided that for the new year, I would start a blog about what I have been reading. While on vacation, I finished reading about five books and started two others. One of the best was a young adult book called, We Die Alone by David Howarth. This was originally published in 1955 about an amazing survival story during WWII. Another that I really enjoyed was Imperfect Birds by Anne Lamott. Well, I don't know if really enjoyed is a good description of how I felt. Lamott is such a great writer and I love how she uses language. (One of my favorite expressions was when one character said, "Don't smell the sweaty stuff"!) But, the book was about a teenage girl who spins out of control on drugs. So, a little heavy reading, but well worth the time.
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