Wicked - George Maguire

Wicked by George Maguire

Eh. I have not seen the musical, although I am planning to when it comes to Boston, but from what I understand, it is better than the book. I was hopeful, because it was pretty good for the first half (Linds -- stay away from this one -- it has a LOT of talking animals), but then it just got too political for it's own good.

So the idea behind this book is that it is the prequel to "The Wizard of Oz" explaining how Glinda the Good Witch knows the Wicked Wich of the West (and East) and blah blah blah -- I think that if Maguire had used of his own original characters and world, it would have worked, but I just couldn't shake the images from the movie. I thought the classic tale/characters/movie take away from the book.

This one only gets one bookmark. Not totally denied, but only a little approved. :o)

Check this Out - A New Book by Anita Diamant

Since The Red Tent is such a popular book with this crowd, I thought I'd share a recent discovery - that author Anita Diamant is releasing a new novel in September (i.e. THURSDAY). Here's some stuff I pulled from her website about it. (IN HER WORDS!)
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THE LAST DAYS OF DOGTOWN is set in the early 1800s in rural Massachusetts. In it, I set out to imagine the lives of people who have been left out of history: the poor, widows and spinsters, orphans, New England Africans - both enslaved and free. Marginal and voiceless, these folks fascinate me because so little is known about them. As in THE RED TENT, their silence gives me permission to imagine an entire world of longing and loss, of laughter and hope.
This is a character-driven book, populated by people who might be called "eccentric," which happens to be a term applied to the large boulders strewn by the last ice age over the rocky outcrop of Cape Ann.

My research for this book included reading up on 19th century dentistry, studying drawings of ladies' underwear and shoes of the period, searching out maps of the era, and tramping the terrain, where almost nothing is left of the houses and fields of those early residents. The most vivid evidence of the Commons Settlement, as Dogtown was originally known, are the remnants of stone walls, which still line rarely traveled roads and set the boundaries around long-abandoned fields and farms.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim - David Sedaris

I know I just posted, but I am perplexed as to why no one has posted any of David Sedaris' books yet. They are Fantastic. Yep, with a capital F. I read four of his books and this is by far my favorite, with Me Talk Pretty One Day in a close second. This follows him and his crazy and quirky family, which we all have to some degree. It is sort of a memoir, telling of times in his life, from childhood to present, each chapter being a hilarious time period in his life. And even if it isn't a funny moment, he makes it one. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud. I don't like to talk things up too much in case it causes someone to get too excited about something and to ultimately be disappointed, but I can't NOT talk this one up. It's Fantastic.

Four bookmarks to this one. And that's Four, with a capital F.

The Lady and the Unicorn - Tracy Chevalier

I just finished this book, literally today, a few hours ago, and it's fresh in my mind. I liked it. Didn't love it, but I liked it. It tells of events that happen during the production of a tapestry commisioned by a nobleman in the 1500's. Sounds like it could be dry and boring, but it isn't. Each chapter takes the perspective of a different character, some being from the nobleman's family, one is the painter, the others are from the weaver's family. Surprisingly a lot of scandal and sex. The sexual references are actually quite funny since they are told in somewhat childish terms. For example, the "unicorn" is a metaphor for a piece of the male anatomy. Hint- not the adam's apple. It is a sweet, easy read, and it is always interesting to read about another time period. I was a bit annoyed at the ending, but overall, it's a good read.

Another interesting point is that this tapestry does exist, and I think the author used it as her basis and created the story from actual accounts, so there could be some truth to it.

I think I'll rate my books with bookmarks. Out of a total of 4 bookmarks. 1/2 bookmark increments are possible.

I give this book 3 bookmarks.

I know this isn't our typical format for the blog, but I read this article in the NYT today, and thought it was interesting. Seems like something that might be up our alley. I especially found the pictures at the top amusing! Let me know what you think about posting book reviews on the site.




The New York Times
August 23, 2005
A Book to Read Carefully, With a Physical Therapist Near

By EDWARD WYATT
"Hunger's Brides," Paul Anderson's debut novel, is certain to be one of the biggest books of the fall. The question is how many readers will want to do the heavy lifting required to read it.
At 1,360 pages (not counting 8 pages of titles and contents at the beginning of the book and 8 blank pages at the end, presumably added for production reasons) the book, quite simply, is massive. It weighs 4 pounds, 9 ounces, equivalent to two and a half copies of "The Da Vinci Code," and it is thicker than Verizon's Manhattan telephone directory (either the white or yellow pages).
"The size implies a certain audacity, especially since we are living in the age of the sound bite," said Philip Turner, the editor in chief of Carroll & Graf Publishers, which will release the book on Sept. 14. "But we figured, why not publish the apotheosis of the big novel?"
"Hunger's Brides" puts other behemoths to shame, including Michel Faber's "Crimson Petal and the White," (848 pages, 3 pounds); Neal Stephenson's "Quicksilver" (944 pages, 3.3 pounds) and the recent reigning champ, Vikram Seth's "Suitable Boy" (1,349 pages, 4.1 pounds).
The plot of "Hunger's Brides" revolves around Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century Mexican poet and nun whose vow of silence at the age of 40 was signed in her own blood. Her life and work have inspired writings by Octavio Paz, Robert Graves and Diane Ackerman.
But the book is more - much, much more - than an extended piece of historical fiction. It is also the story of Beulah Limosneros, a graduate student who immerses herself in the study of Sor Juana, and Donald Gregory, her professor and a serial adulterer. And in addition to narrative fiction, it is told in the form of poetry, dramatic plays, letters and notes in the margins.
"It is an elaborately beautiful, intricately baroque game that has at its center this mystery about Sor Juana's silence," said Anne Collins, the publisher of Random House Canada, which published the book last fall. Ms. Collins who said she fell in love with Mr. Anderson's writing in 1999 after reading a 50-page sample from the draft of the novel, in which he wrote lyrical passages in four distinct voices.
"Not many first-time novelists have even a clue how to do that," she said. "He totally hooked me."
When Mr. Anderson - a Calgary, Alberta, resident, who worked on the book for 12 years - submitted his 1,000-page manuscript, Ms. Collins had one piece of advice for him: Make it longer.
"What was missing was something that I knew he already knew was missing," Ms. Collins explained - the leap into what, from her childhood or whenever, haunted Sor Juana and eventually forced her into her vow of silence. "I told him, 'You can't not go there.' And that's how it got longer."
Mr. Turner, the American publisher, said that other than making minor changes, he never considered re-editing the book or trying to shorten it. "Because of the sumptuousness of the package - this is a gorgeous piece of typesetting - we weren't inclined to alter it," he said.
"In for a penny, in for a pound," he added - or in this case, four and a half of them.
"Hunger's Brides" has received attention for more than just its girth. After generally good reviews, the book won the top prize for literary fiction at the Alberta Book Awards. Random House Canada sold its entire first press run of 5,000 copies and has gone back to press.
Carroll & Graf has printed 10,000 copies, and the book received starred reviews in Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews and is on the September recommended list of BookSense, a trade group representing independent bookstores.
But there is no escaping its size, which evidently has presented problems for the book's printers as well as its readers. (One copy arrived at this newspaper with the book's pages bound upside down within the cover.) To aid readers, the author himself has contributed some helpful hints. The book's elaborate Web site (http://www.hungersbrides.com/) features a slide show of "safe reading positions."

The Namesake - Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

If you're looking for a fast paced, action packed thriller, this is not for you. However, if you are looking for a beautifully written, "not much happens except real life" story that follows life rather than a plot, this one IS for you. This book follows an Indian couple who moves to Campbridge, MA after their arranged marriage. It then follows the life of their son -- and his constant struggle with the name his parents have given him.

Ms. Lahiri won a Pulitzer for her collection of stories, "The Interpreter of Maladies" -- I have that on my shelf to read, too.

APPROVED!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Tim by Mark Haddon

Quirky and cleverly written -- this is narrated by an 15-year-old autistic boy who is a mathematical genius, but a socially ... challenged. Reminded me of the time I used to baby-sit for that autistic kid, Matt, and his sister Hayley from down the street ... oh wait, that wasn't me ... that was Claudia from the Baby-Sitters Club ...

This is a good read -- quick, too. One of my favorite moments is when he is describing being spoken to by someone in a coffee shop and how kept on screaming because he didn't want to be spoken to. He says it in a way that made me feel it was "no big deal" that he was screaming -- because isn't that what you do when you don't want someone to talk to you?

APPROVED!

The Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan

The Joy Luck CLube by Amy Tan

I think I originally read this for a class, but then I read it again on my own because I liked it so much. It's a story of four mothers and daughters and what a difference a generation can make.

A side story: a male friend of mine went through at least three copies of this book -- he hated it so much he hit one copy with a baseball bat into a lake, ran another over with a lawnmower, and burned another ...

I, however, really enjoyed my copy. :o) I have Tan's "The Kitchen God's Wife" on my bookshelf -- anyone read that one?

APPROVED!!

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

A staple among female book readers, right? Loved this book -- I really felt like the main character was my friend -- I really cared about what happened to her.

A friend made a good point about this book: Golden poured a lifetime of interest, research and work into this book -- he might not have anything else to give ... Not sure if he has another book up his sleeve, but this one is definitely worth reading. I think it's being made into a movie soon -- with the girl from Crouching Tiger? Am I making that up?

APPROVED!!!

Mythology -- Edith Hamilton

Mythology by Edith Hamilton

OK so it's more of a text book than a morning commute book, but I am going to give it a go. I have always liked mythology and this book is a compilation of it all. I might end up skimming it, but I need to read something that makes my brain work ...

Yeah, skimming is the jey here -- really is more of a reference book. I'll keep it around, but my friend from work let me borrow "The Shipping News" ...

Mystic River - Dennis Lehane

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

Really really good book .... that made me sad to be a human. I really felt I was IN the book it was so realistic -- almost too realistic (almost). I haven't seen the movie, but I hear it's good. Now that I've read the book, I'm not sure I could stomach the movie. I'd be interested to hear what Jason thinks about the book because he is someone who can always figure out what's going to happen. This book has some plot twists that I was NOT expecting -- I wonder if they're obvious to others. I digress ....

APPROVED!

The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory

Okay, yes, I have finally read the book that everyone has been raving about !!! And, surprisingly, it did live up to the hype. It's almost 800 pages, and I read it in a week and a half, which is a pretty quick pace for me.

This is the story of Anne Boleyn, told from the point of view of her sister, Mary, her best friend and biggest rival. Gregory's writing style is very engaging. The details are incorporated in a way that makes the characters, along with their actions and emotions seem so lifelike that by the end you really feel as if it must not be fiction.

I enjoyed this book very much. Tell me if someone else already reviewed this and I missed it.

APPROVED.

How to be Good - Nick Hornby

How to be Good by Nick Hornby

Slightly annoying and very frsutrating (story and characters both), but still a good read. Another "what would you do?" question. Your husband goes a little nutty, quits his job and invites a spiritual healer to live in your home (and a homeless kid?)... what would you do?

Approved (but not in caps)

Beloved - Toni Morrison

Beloved by Toni Morrison

I read it in high school and I remember liking it, but not liking the fact that I liked it because it was for school and that meant I had to take tests and write papers about it. I'll have to read it again. This also became a not so great movie with Oprah and has been recently reworked into and opera, Margaret Garner -- Morrison wrote the libretto. Oh, Margaret Garner was a real person and this book is based on her life -- ooh now I want to read this one again ....

I'm in a book funk

I've started a few things, but haven't been able to get into anything. I finished that terrible "Skinny Dip" [ahemCRAPaham] and now I just haven't been jazzed about anything new. I have a shelf of books -- but no burning desire to read any of them!

That's all. I am going to go try to start a book about mythology. Let's have another "meeting" soon, OK?

She's Come Undone - Wally Lamb

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

Remember how I said I wasn't a fan of male authors trying to write in a female voice? Well Mr. Lamb wins. Phenomenal. I haven't read this in years so I won't try to summarize. I just remember REALLY liking this one. I might have to pick it up again.

APPROVED!

Bridget Jones - Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones Diary and The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding

I'll keep this short because I think we've all read these, but I laughed (embarassingly loud) out loud (in public) while reading these. Haven't seen the second movie yet, but I own the first and I have to say that (besides changing the story a bit and putting some of the second into the first), it was great. Are the books better? Hmm. I almost always say yes. I .... think ... yeah, the books are better. :o)

APPROVED!!!

The Dive from Clausen's Pier - Ann Packer

The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

What would you do? You're a 23 year old in the mid-west. You're "eh" about everything in your life because it's exactly the same as high school except now your boyfriend is your fiance -- and then he breaks his neck and is confined to a wheelchair. Do you stay? Or do you run?

I'd be interested to hear what someone who isn't married thinks about that choice. For me, it's a no brainer. Discuss ...

APPROVED!!

PS -- Who did I lend this to? I forget, but I'd like it back when you're done. :o)

Midwives - Chris Bohjalian

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian

As if I didn't fear childbirth enough as it is .... This is the story of a Vermont midwife on trial for the death of one of her patients. Narrated by her daughter, it's a smart, scary legal drama. And a Lifetime movie with Cissy Spacek!

APPROVED!

The Five People You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

OK, am I a cry baby? Why are all of my favorite books ones that made me cry? :o) I'm not a religious person, but I do believe in heaven. I can't tell you why, but this book reinforced the belief. I really appreciate books that make me think about religion/God/heaven etc. in a new or different way. The Da Vinci Code did that for me -- so did this one. Although it made me cry, it IS a "feel good" story. And a not very good movie of the week starring John Voight.

APPROVED!!

Lucky - Alice Sebold

Lucky by Alice Sebold

I loved "The Lovely Bones" so I picked up Sebold's memoir, "Lucky." The opening chapter described her rape as a college freshman so graphically that I nearly threw the book. Actually, I think I did throw it. It really disturbed me. I haven't been able to pick it up again. My mom had the same reaction. Not what you'd call a "feel good" story.

The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

OK, I am a sucker for tear jerkers. :o) This book, narrated by ... hmm ... does that ruin it? Let's see. I have a sister and when I read this book, she was 16 or so and the narrator is 14 (I think?) therefore in my head, the narrator was my sister. Jeez -- I am getting teary just thinking about it. Read it. It's good.

APPROVED!!!

The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Let me start out by saying I am a Star Trek: The Next Generation fan ... I am a sucker for science fiction for simpletons. Hee hee.

Science fiction meets romance ... I'm in. If you like figuring out dates and ages as he drops in and out of time, this is great -- if you get confused by non-sequential writing, this might not be for you. I was a BIG fan. Love conquors all and all that cheesy stuff?

APPROVED!

My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Someone mentioned to me that Picoult wrote something else worth reading -- anyone know what that might be? I forget who told me and what book it was ...

I think I mentioned this in my top ten listing, but I'll say again: This is a smart tear-jerker. I have a sister and I have a history of illness in my family, so this one really hit home for me (in a kind of sort of related way, but ...). It is the story of a young girl who refuses to be an organ doner for her cancer-stricken sister anymore. I feel like I already wrote this up ... did I?

Anyhow, it is written in alternating chapters narrated by all the different players (the girl, the sister, each parent, the lawyer, the social worker etc.) They are all great characters, but there is SO MUCH to the story that I almost feel jipped -- it could be a trilogy story -- or at least twice as long. I felt like there was so much more to know about each character and Picoult only skimmed the surface -- but then again, I still cared about each and evey one of them.

I won't share my feelings on the end just in case anyone else wants to read it. If you read it, let's have a chat about how you felt about the end ....

APPROVED!!!

The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

I recently re-read this book and I have to say, it was better the second time around. I read it SOFAST the first time, that the second time around, I really paid attention to details.

This book is a page turner -- every chapter is a cliff hanger which can get tiring if you're an evening reader and it's past your bedtime ...

If you like art, mysteries, religion, suspense, etc. I'd recommend.

APPROVED!

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - JK Rowling

Harry Potter # 6 by JK Rowling

Man, I wish I thought of Harry Potter. What a great idea. And the story just keeps getting better -- the more far fetched, the more believable in the world of wizards! I am a Har Pot fan so if you are, too, I'd definitely recommend reading this one. No. 4 is still my favorite, but this one is a close second -- I am sad that they are almost done ... I wonder if Rowling will keep writing -- she certainly doesn't need the money, but ... it would make me happy!!

APPROVED!

Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasen

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen.

This book is crap. Well, OK. I'll say this: if you know what you're getting into, maybe it's not that bad. But I thought it was going to be funnier and smarter and ... eh, it was crap.

This book is obviously written by a man -- I find that I am more than a little bit biased when it comes to a) male authors speaking in the female voice and b) male narrators.

DENIED.