Author: Robert Levine
Really enjoyed this exploration of cultural time differences. It's something that I've always suspected but never had a way of expressing or understanding. Takeaway thoughts include cultures that value people more than time, the subtleties of saying yes hesitantly in Japanese to say no, navigating time and social expectations and event time versus clock time.
Reminded me of Flow, so I'll have to pull that out for a reread soon.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Molly's Cue
Author: Alison Acheson
High school filled drama, stage fright and family troubles. The worst is the truth about her Grandmother, who Molly believed was a stage actress. Finding out it was only a dream shakes Molly's self-confidence on stage to the core. She rebuilds and recovers with the help of friends and family.
Very solid and honest with adults behaving badly and coming to grips with their own issues as Molly solves her problem.
High school filled drama, stage fright and family troubles. The worst is the truth about her Grandmother, who Molly believed was a stage actress. Finding out it was only a dream shakes Molly's self-confidence on stage to the core. She rebuilds and recovers with the help of friends and family.
Very solid and honest with adults behaving badly and coming to grips with their own issues as Molly solves her problem.
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Distant Hours
Author: Kate Morton
I've been eyeing this book since reading The Forgotten Garden. Story within a story, it explores the literary history of 'The True History of the Mud Man' by investigating the author's three daughters, their wartime evacuee and her daughter.
Intricately intertwined and spell-binding.
I've been eyeing this book since reading The Forgotten Garden. Story within a story, it explores the literary history of 'The True History of the Mud Man' by investigating the author's three daughters, their wartime evacuee and her daughter.
Intricately intertwined and spell-binding.
Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes on the Right
Author: Kieran Kramer
A sworn spinster spurns her suitors with a fictional Duke, until he actually turns up. Then there is much intrigue involving the Russians and a spy, but it ends well, despite a lot of pre-marital explorations. Time machine wanted to verify just how much sex they got up to prior to marriage.
A sworn spinster spurns her suitors with a fictional Duke, until he actually turns up. Then there is much intrigue involving the Russians and a spy, but it ends well, despite a lot of pre-marital explorations. Time machine wanted to verify just how much sex they got up to prior to marriage.
Simply Love
Author: Mary Balogh
A follow up book - the wounded younger brother meets his love, a shockingly unmarried mother who teaches at a girl's school.
Lovely setting near the beach in Wales, mostly psychological barriers to overcome and a happy ending.
A follow up book - the wounded younger brother meets his love, a shockingly unmarried mother who teaches at a girl's school.
Lovely setting near the beach in Wales, mostly psychological barriers to overcome and a happy ending.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Secret Life of Ms. Finkleman
Author: Ben H. Winters
This is the same author that wrote Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters (with a little help from Jane Austen). I much preferred this book.
Ms. Finkleman is the invisible music teacher that gets exposed as the lead singer of a 90's punk rock band. She is forced to lead her music class to produce a rock'n'roll entry to a choral corral competition, aided by two students.
It's fun, the characters are engaging and it has a feel-good vibe about self-discovery and individual gifts.
This is the same author that wrote Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters (with a little help from Jane Austen). I much preferred this book.
Ms. Finkleman is the invisible music teacher that gets exposed as the lead singer of a 90's punk rock band. She is forced to lead her music class to produce a rock'n'roll entry to a choral corral competition, aided by two students.
It's fun, the characters are engaging and it has a feel-good vibe about self-discovery and individual gifts.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate
Author: M.C. Beaton
I can't seem to resist the pull of an unread Agatha Raisin book. No matter how I dislike the way she gets on with the men in her life, I can't resist her bull-headed plod to solving mysteries.
A very quick read, almost over too soon, and another single white male neighbour (where do they all come from?) and three more vicious murders, solved by a hunch that arose from less than gratifying memory of her misspent youth. Maybe that's what I like: she's hopelessly imperfect and fully aware of it, like the rest of us. Go Agatha!
I can't seem to resist the pull of an unread Agatha Raisin book. No matter how I dislike the way she gets on with the men in her life, I can't resist her bull-headed plod to solving mysteries.
A very quick read, almost over too soon, and another single white male neighbour (where do they all come from?) and three more vicious murders, solved by a hunch that arose from less than gratifying memory of her misspent youth. Maybe that's what I like: she's hopelessly imperfect and fully aware of it, like the rest of us. Go Agatha!
The Journey that Saved Curious George
Author: Louise Borden
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
There was a traveling exhibit in town that included memorabilia from the journey that H.A. Rey & his wife, Marguerite took when fleeing the Nazis. I missed the exhibit, but since I love their work, bought this book about it. The ink and wash illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelmens (who wrote & illustrated Madeline) than of H.A.Rey, who used cleaner lines and more solid colours.
I love that the book has the feel and energy of a Curious George book, even though my favorite Rey title is The Stars: A New Way to See Them.
Illustrator: Allan Drummond
There was a traveling exhibit in town that included memorabilia from the journey that H.A. Rey & his wife, Marguerite took when fleeing the Nazis. I missed the exhibit, but since I love their work, bought this book about it. The ink and wash illustrations are reminiscent of Bemelmens (who wrote & illustrated Madeline) than of H.A.Rey, who used cleaner lines and more solid colours.
I love that the book has the feel and energy of a Curious George book, even though my favorite Rey title is The Stars: A New Way to See Them.
The Seven Crystal Balls
Author /Illustrator: Herge
Ah, Tintin! I almost hate reading him in english because I always read him in french class and somehow Capitain Haddock's curses just sounded better. Also, the dog's name is Milou, not Snowy.
Apart from the choice of language, I love these books. The use of colour, clean lines and very full pages. Great characters with ample quirks, adventure, gunshots, travel, mysteries and never a lack of money or bravery. There's so much detail and so many things to learn about drawing a graphic novel contained in any one episode.
Ah, Tintin! I almost hate reading him in english because I always read him in french class and somehow Capitain Haddock's curses just sounded better. Also, the dog's name is Milou, not Snowy.
Apart from the choice of language, I love these books. The use of colour, clean lines and very full pages. Great characters with ample quirks, adventure, gunshots, travel, mysteries and never a lack of money or bravery. There's so much detail and so many things to learn about drawing a graphic novel contained in any one episode.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Sima's Undergarments for Women
Author: Ilana Stanger-Ross
Funny how we find great books. This one was reviewed in my alumni magazine. I loved the way the setting, pace of life and religion seeped in around the edges of the central story. Indeed, it feels like a story that couldn't exist in any other place in the world.
Although there are a few abrupt moments, it is gentle, human and loving. The ache of longing for a child, and the need to save someone else's child from pain are all too beautifully drawn.
The sanctity of the dressing room and shop and the way women talk and treat each other and observe, sometimes critically, always with love and empathy. I wish I could buy my bras there.
Funny how we find great books. This one was reviewed in my alumni magazine. I loved the way the setting, pace of life and religion seeped in around the edges of the central story. Indeed, it feels like a story that couldn't exist in any other place in the world.
Although there are a few abrupt moments, it is gentle, human and loving. The ache of longing for a child, and the need to save someone else's child from pain are all too beautifully drawn.
The sanctity of the dressing room and shop and the way women talk and treat each other and observe, sometimes critically, always with love and empathy. I wish I could buy my bras there.
Little Women and Me
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
I was so looking forward to this - after all who hasn't wanted to go back and fix Little Women? Everyone wants Beth to live and Jo and Laurie to live happily ever after. That's just what the main character sets out to do, once she's been sucked inside the book and dressed in dowdy linen.
Unfortunately, the main character is shallow and very much on the outside of the story. Too much irony, perhaps? There's a sense that she doesn't (and possibly never did) fully embrace the story and characters with love and acceptance. That distance kept putting me off while reading this. It felt like she was unworthy of the honour of entering the story.
Also, I found the surprise the main character showed as the story unfolded hard to believe. Really, so much of that book is so memorable that it couldn't surprise any avid reader the second time through.
I was so looking forward to this - after all who hasn't wanted to go back and fix Little Women? Everyone wants Beth to live and Jo and Laurie to live happily ever after. That's just what the main character sets out to do, once she's been sucked inside the book and dressed in dowdy linen.
Unfortunately, the main character is shallow and very much on the outside of the story. Too much irony, perhaps? There's a sense that she doesn't (and possibly never did) fully embrace the story and characters with love and acceptance. That distance kept putting me off while reading this. It felt like she was unworthy of the honour of entering the story.
Also, I found the surprise the main character showed as the story unfolded hard to believe. Really, so much of that book is so memorable that it couldn't surprise any avid reader the second time through.
Friday, January 6, 2012
No reading of books - Jan 7th to 14th
Already over my limit in the first week of the New Year. I tried to tell myself that the business books didn't count, but that would be lying.
Tomorrow, I return all my library books. The best thing about the new library at Hillcrest (Terry Salman Branch) is that you don't need to enter the library to do this any more. There's an automated take-in window by the skating rink. It significantly lowers the risk of perusing the new books and fast read sections.
This also means no more friendly chit-chat with my library ladies about which books were great, and how the chickens are doing. I miss that. It seems to me that books are a great thing to build community around - especially because they contain ideas and dreams.
Tomorrow, I return all my library books. The best thing about the new library at Hillcrest (Terry Salman Branch) is that you don't need to enter the library to do this any more. There's an automated take-in window by the skating rink. It significantly lowers the risk of perusing the new books and fast read sections.
This also means no more friendly chit-chat with my library ladies about which books were great, and how the chickens are doing. I miss that. It seems to me that books are a great thing to build community around - especially because they contain ideas and dreams.
The Art of Non-Conformity
Author: Chris Guillebeau
Set Your Own Rules / Live the Life You Want and Change the World
Do we see a New Year's theme emerging? Wrong. I subscribe to the newsletter and have read his manifesto and much of his on-line writing. It's not so much news as it is review and re-invigoration. It's helped with decision making (Graduate school? Finish BFA? Keep or give up studio?) (No, no, yes).
The best part was recommending it to my partner, who said, "I'm already doing that." And it's true. He is. Me too.
Set Your Own Rules / Live the Life You Want and Change the World
Do we see a New Year's theme emerging? Wrong. I subscribe to the newsletter and have read his manifesto and much of his on-line writing. It's not so much news as it is review and re-invigoration. It's helped with decision making (Graduate school? Finish BFA? Keep or give up studio?) (No, no, yes).
The best part was recommending it to my partner, who said, "I'm already doing that." And it's true. He is. Me too.
Tribes: We need you to lead us
Author: Seth Godin
Sometimes Seth annoys me, other times he inspires me, but his work is always worth looking at, especially when refreshing your approach to business and/or life.
This time around I am inspired. I'm sure I've read this before, or similar content on his blog, but today it is timely. There is work to do, and ideas to articulate and communicate. Starting now. Critical points to remember (and act on):
Sometimes Seth annoys me, other times he inspires me, but his work is always worth looking at, especially when refreshing your approach to business and/or life.
This time around I am inspired. I'm sure I've read this before, or similar content on his blog, but today it is timely. There is work to do, and ideas to articulate and communicate. Starting now. Critical points to remember (and act on):
- Publish a manifesto.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with you.
- Make it easy for your followers to connect with one another.
- Realize that money is not the point of a movement.
- Track your progress. Publicly.
The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Loved many things about this novel - the perspective of Henry in his fifties versus Henry at twelve and the backdrop of Seattle during WWII, the Japanese internment, Chinese society and Black jazz all intersecting. Racism and the absence of anticipated racism, denial, acceptance, grief, all sorts of emotions were touched on and gently revealed.
I look forward to his next novel.
Loved many things about this novel - the perspective of Henry in his fifties versus Henry at twelve and the backdrop of Seattle during WWII, the Japanese internment, Chinese society and Black jazz all intersecting. Racism and the absence of anticipated racism, denial, acceptance, grief, all sorts of emotions were touched on and gently revealed.
I look forward to his next novel.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Death Comes to Pemberley
Author: P.D. James
I was a little concerned that this might be more PD James than Jane Austen, but it wasn't the case. Admittedly, it wasn't quite as emotionally engaging as Austen, but was a good read, despite an overly long denouement. Had to sleep and finish when I woke up.
Best part was how the characters remained true to themselves.
I was a little concerned that this might be more PD James than Jane Austen, but it wasn't the case. Admittedly, it wasn't quite as emotionally engaging as Austen, but was a good read, despite an overly long denouement. Had to sleep and finish when I woke up.
Best part was how the characters remained true to themselves.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Dakota
Author: Martha Grimes
The trouble with limiting your reading quantity is that you feel like every book has to be a work of genius to warrant reading. This one wasn't genius, just intriguing and a bit frustrating since the amnesiac main character never recovers her memories or learns anything about her past.
Instead we learn about factory pig farming and the slaughterhouse, which does move me to think twice about buying meat in grocery stores (instead of the organic stuff that's been coddled at the farmer's market).
The trouble with limiting your reading quantity is that you feel like every book has to be a work of genius to warrant reading. This one wasn't genius, just intriguing and a bit frustrating since the amnesiac main character never recovers her memories or learns anything about her past.
Instead we learn about factory pig farming and the slaughterhouse, which does move me to think twice about buying meat in grocery stores (instead of the organic stuff that's been coddled at the farmer's market).
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Why 100 books?
Last year I read 281 books.
My partner wants me to join Readers Anonymous.
And avoid all libraries.
And bookstores.
And maybe even quit my book club (which only reads 10 books a year, for crying out loud!)
This is a compromise.
If I read two books per week, it adds up to 104 books in total (the extra four are my secret bonus). Sitting here on New Year's Day, it's hard to imagine how much time this might free up for other things (like writing or knitting penguin sweaters).
I'm already looking at that stack from the library and wondering which books are worthy.
*sigh*
My partner wants me to join Readers Anonymous.
And avoid all libraries.
And bookstores.
And maybe even quit my book club (which only reads 10 books a year, for crying out loud!)
This is a compromise.
If I read two books per week, it adds up to 104 books in total (the extra four are my secret bonus). Sitting here on New Year's Day, it's hard to imagine how much time this might free up for other things (like writing or knitting penguin sweaters).
I'm already looking at that stack from the library and wondering which books are worthy.
*sigh*
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