It’s been too long…

I apologize for my long absence! Now that I’m a poor college student, I can’t afford new books very much. As such, I’ve just been re-reading my favorite books. But I’ve recently read some new ones.

ODD THOMAS BY DEAN KOONTZ

More than one person has recommended this book to me in the past, and I finally bought it. I read it in about two days, not just because it’s an easy read, but the story is fast-paced and interesting. Odd Thomas (yes, his real first name is Odd) sees dead people. And this can sometimes be a problem. Odd lives in a small desert town, so when a new man arrives in town, followed by beings that thrive on death and destruction, he knows his town is in for trouble. Odd races against the clock to discover and prevent what is to come, helped by the ghost of Elvis, his boss at the local diner, and his soulmate. It took me a while to get into the groove of Koontz’s writing style, but once I did I couldn’t put this book down. While it’s not my favorite book, I’d certainly recommend it to people, especially those looking for an interesting and engrossing plot line.

[B&N]

THE GUNSLINGER BY STEPHEN KING

This is the first book of the Dark Tower series, which has been recommended to me several times. I bought it on a whim at a half-price bookstore. I don’t usually read series; I’m not sure why, but I figured I might as well start this one. Because it’s by Stephen King, it seems like it would be a horror series with lots of blood and crazy people. But far from a horror novel, this book is a futuristic Western-type somewhat reminiscent of the TV show “Firefly”. It takes place in a “world that has moved on” and follows Roland, the last Gunslinger on an odyssey of sorts to catch the Man in Black, a sorcerer with a dubious past. On the way, he picks up Jake, a boy from New York City brought to the world of the story by the Man in Black. This description makes it sound somewhat boring, but it is anything but. And the end, while being suspenseful and making you want to read the rest of the series, is not one of those annoying cliffhangers, a la Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, that seems like an obvious bid to make you read the rest of the books. I would highly recommend it and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books!

[B&N]

GOOD OMENS BY NEIL GAIMAN AND TERRY PRATCHETT

I recently reread this book, which made me remember why I love it so much. First, it’s about the apocalypse, and the apocalypse is always fun. Second, it’s British humor. Enough said. The book’s star characters are Crowley, a demon, and Aziraphale, an angel. After being stuck on the Earth for a few thousand years together, they have become something like friends, and have grown to like Earth. But the Devil has decided that it’s time for the birth of the Antichrist, and that Crowley will supervise it. However, the Antichrist leaves the hospital with the wrong family.  Meanwhile, Crowley and Aziraphale try to postpone the Apocalypse while all the preparations are made. And, as I’m sure you can imagine, hilarity and destruction ensue. Probably one of the funniest books I’ve ever read, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good laugh.

[B&N]

THE ANGEL’S GAME BY CARLOS RUIZ ZAFON

I had high hopes for the newest novel by the author of my favorite book. I’ve been wanting it since June, and I was so ecstatic when I got it for Christmas that I read it in two short days. This is another masterpiece from Zafon, but for some reason I enjoyed The Shadow of the Wind more. The book is extremely well-written and captivating. However, it is more disquieting than Zafon’s previous novel, possibly because it is a lot darker. One reviewer called it “Borgesian”, which is an apt assessment. The story has so many layers and is a lot deeper than it may seem on the surface, just like a Borges story. The main idea: David Martin is a hugely popular writer, except no one knows who he is. He made his name writing penny-dreadfuls under a pseudonym for dishonest publishers. He is a recluse who lives in an abandoned mansion with a disturbing past. So when Martin receives an offer from Andreas Corelli, a mysterious French  publisher, to write a book different than any other in existence, Martin accepts. But as Martin works on the book, he sinks deeper and deeper into a madness caused by the dark past of his house, along with the despair of forbidden love and his investigation of Corelli’s background. The end still baffles me today, and I’m not quite sure if that’s a good or bad thing. I would recommend it for someone who isn’t looking for a light and happy novel, but rather a dark, twisted, and complicated one.

[B&N]

MY LIFE IN FRANCE BY JULIA CHILD AND ALEX PRUD’HOMME

I bought this book at the same time as Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, but I didn’t get around to reading it until a couple weeks ago. The book is written exactly how Julia Child talked and presented her show. It isn’t as funny as Julie and Julia, but it is still interesting, genuine, and heartwarming. It’s the story of Julia Child’s, well, life in France. She talks about how she first got into cooking, the experience of living in France, and the ups and downs of writing Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I don’t usually like autobiographies, but this one is an easy and entertaining read, and I’d definitely recommend it.

[B&N]

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

Considering I’ve now read this twice for school, I should review it. Not that anyone would want to read it for fun. I found that the second time I read it wasn’t quite as painful as the first. This epic poem, which is largely considered the first great literary work, tells the story of the Sumerian king Gilgamesh and his quest for immortality. He and his best friend Enkidu set off to defeat  the forest and make names for themselves. But when Enkidu dies in battle, Gilgamesh’s quest becomes more personal and he looks for actual immortality. I wouldn’t recommend reading it for fun, but it’s not too terrible.

[B&N]

THE WHITE ROAD BY JOHN CONNOLLY

John Connolly is also the author of The Book of Lost Things, which happens to be one of my favorite books (I re-read that over winter break!). So when I saw this thriller in the airport bookstore, I figured it was a good bet. And it was. Connolly’s characters are complex and well-crafted, so much so that I became personally invested in the story. This book is part of a series featuring the same detective Charlie Parker, and so I came into the series late. Perhaps it may have been even better if I’d read the other books first. Charlie Parker takes on the case of a young black man wrongfully accused of the murder of the daughter of one of the most powerful men in South Carolina, and becomes engulfed in spectres from his past and racial tensions that run deep into the past. As he tries to solve the case, Parker treads the thin lines that separate this world from that of the spirits. The result: a disturbing supernatural murder mystery thriller.  The colorful cast of characters includes the disturbed and serious Parker, the psychopath who murdered his wife and child, a schizophrenic serial killer specializing in young women, and Angel and Louis, Parker’s friends with chips on their shoulders. A wonderfully crafted story that will leave you with chills for weeks afterward.

[B&N]

What I’m currently reading: La sombra del viento by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (this might sound familiar…it’s the original Spanish version of The Shadow of the Wind!)

It’s a smorgasbord!

As the title suggests, none of these books has anything in common with the others. A comedy spoof type of thing, an adventure, and a memoir, coming up!

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES BY JANE AUSTEN AND SETH GRAHAME-SMITH

Bear with me. If you are like everyone and my mother, you are now thinking “WHAT? THAT IS BLASPHEMY!!! How can any self-respecting Jane Austen fan read something this sacrilegious???” I am a self-respecting Jane Austen fan, which is why, when I saw this at Barnes and Noble, I had to buy it. And it did not disappoint. It’s about 80 percent Austen’s original text, but with Grahame-Smith’s interesting additions of zombie-related nature it becomes a different book entirely. England has been plagued by an epidemic of zombie-ism that cannot be stopped, but luckily all five of the Bennet sisters are highly skilled at zombie combat. Oh yeah, and their mother is trying to find them good husbands. It’s the story you know and love, except with kick-zombie-ass scenes added in. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think that doubters should at least try to read it before scoffing.

[B&N]

INKHEART BY CORNELIA FUNKE

People have been recommending this book to me for a while, so I finally went and bought it. I read it in two days, even though it’s 534 pages in the paperback edition. Funke’s writing is absorbing and it’s hard not to get lost in the rich world she creates. One night, a stranger named Dustfinger arrives at Meggie’s house. Her father will not tell her the purpose of his visit, and the next day they pack up and leave for Italy. But when her father is abducted, along with a book, Meggie is determined to save him from Capricorn, a villain she hears him mention but knows nothing about. The adventure that ensues is quite epic and has many twists and turns, although not so many as to make the story hard to follow. It’s fairly easy to tell that this was written for a younger audience (I found it in the Kids section at B&N), but that does not decrease enjoyment of the story. There are two more books in the series, Inkspell and Inkdeath, but this story is complete enough that I’m not sure if I’m going to read the rest of the series. We will see. In any case, this is a book I would heartily recommend to anyone who’s looking for an excellent adventure!

[B&N]

JULIE AND JULIA BY JULIE POWELL

I know, I know. I say I dislike non-fiction and yet continue to review it. But this is a different brand of non-fiction. As one reviewer put it, it is “Bridget Jones meets The French Chef”, and I’d agree with that assessment. Powell’s writing is so normal and unpretentious that it’s hard not to like her. This is a woman who decided to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s groundbreaking Mastering the Art of French Cooking (the first volume) in 365 days. She’s stuck working a dead-end secretarial job for a government agency and is feeling completely useless when she finds her mother’s copy of MtAoFC and randomly decides to cook all the recipes. In addition to mastering (or not) the art of French cooking, Powell also manages to discover those things most important to her: her husband, her family, and her network of diverse and supportive friends. The Julie/Julia Project, as she titled her blog, kept her going through the ups and downs of her life. It’s not always easy, and it usually involves messes, breakdowns, and angry outbursts at everyone and everything around her, but she perseveres and finds contentment with her life. The most hilarious book I’ve read for a very long time, but it makes me never want to attempt to cook anything out of MtAoFC. Read it. (By the way, there’s also a movie coming out with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep, my two favorite actresses! I know movies are almost always worse than books, but I will be seeing it.)

[B&N]

[The Julie/Julia Project]

Summer Reading 2: Dawn of the Dark Books

Okay, both of these are fairly dark. Not books to read if you’re looking for something light and happy.

SHADOW OF POWER BY STEVE MARTINI

This book was recommended to me with a description: a legal whodunit. At first, I was reluctant to read it. I like mysteries, but usually the legal ones are confusing and/or overdone and/or cliche. The prologue did nothing to assuage my fears. But as I continued reading and got used to the writing, the plot picked up and turned into a not-too-shabby story chock full of intrigue and suspense. So there’s this guy. His name’s Terry Scarborough. He’s a lawyer turned author, and his first book is a bestseller. The reason? It exposes the fact that *gasp* the language of slavery is still in the Constitution (which it is). His book has caused riots and destruction all over the country. And then he gets killed. And Carl Arnsberg’s fingerprints are found on the scene. How will defense lawyer Paul Madriani prove that Carl, a simple hotel employee, didn’t commit the crime? I wouldn’t give it a rave review, but I certainly enjoyed reading it.

[Barnes and Noble]

REBECCA BY DAPHNE DUMAURIER

This book is not like any other I’ve read. It’s a love story, a mystery, and a lot of the time it’s just downright creepy. A young, mousy girl is accompanying her loud and rude cousin on a trip in Monte Carlo when she meets Maximilian de Winter. Her companion informs her that he owns Manderley, a huge mansion on the Cornish coast, and that his wife Rebecca died a little over a year ago. The girl (whose name we never find out) falls in love with de Winter and on the day she is supposed to leave, he proposes. When the happy couple arrives back at Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter meets the creepy housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who is still devoted to Rebecca. Everywhere, Mrs. de Winter feels the presence of Rebecca, who was the perfect hostess and an even more perfect wife who Maximilian hasn’t quite gotten over. But was she really that perfect? At turns bonechilling and heartbreaking, this is a masterpiece that never disappoints. Some may find the writing a little odd, but for me it contributes to the story. Read this. You won’t regret it.

[Barnes and Noble]

And so the summer begins…

The best thing about summer vacation? Time to read tons of books! Here’s the first of many summer reading posts.

CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER BY GREGORY MAGUIRE

I read this book for the first time four or five years ago, but I just reread it a couple weeks ago. Maguire is known much better for Wicked, which I have also read, and this is a similar idea. He took the classic tale of Cinderella and rewrote it from the point of view of one of the ugly stepsisters. The result? A deep and complex tale full of rich settings and even richer characters. It will make you rethink the portrayal of Cinderella that you’ve grown up with. Thought Cinderella was a victim? Think again. Thought her stepsisters were evil and conniving? Think again. Iris, a plain but intelligent girl, and Ruth, her slow older sister, are forced to escape their native England with their mother, and take up residence in Holland. This novel mainly focuses on Iris’s point of view, although it is written in third person. When the family takes up residence with a well-to-do merchant, his overbearing wife, and their angelically beautiful daughter Clara, trouble begins brewing. Think you know the rest? Read this and find out how much you are wrong. A masterfully crafted read that may look formidably thick, but is worth the plunge.

[Barnes and Noble]

THE CLUB DUMAS BY ARTURO PEREZ-REVERTE

I picked this up on a lark at Borders. It seemed intriguing enough. This novel is, like every other novel that intrigues me, about books. More specifically, a book collector, and a man who does the book collector’s dirty work. Lucas Corso is a guy with sometimes questionable morals who will stop at nothing to obtain a book that he is being paid to find. He’s sort of like a bounty hunter. When one of his friends comes to him with a portion of the original manuscript of The Three Musketeers, the owner of which is a well-known bibliophile who is found hanging in his bedroom, Corso must navigate the murky book underworld to authenticate it. To complicate things, Corso is also sent to obtain a book rumored to have been written by Satan himself. Corso begins to find it hard to keep reality and fiction separate. Who can he trust? Where must he go? And will he make it out alive? An entertaining book, but the ending is extremely far fetched and did not satisfactorily tie up the story. I’m divided on whether to recommend it. You decide: will you read it or not?

[Barnes and Noble]

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS BY KHALED HOSSEINI

I received this as a Christmas present, but just read it about a week ago. This is by the author of The Kite Runner which I have not read but of which I have heard glowing reviews. I might just have to run out and buy that, because if it’s even half as good as this book, it’s a masterpiece. This is the story of two women in Afghanistan, who begin their lives separately but whose stories become inextricably tangled with each other. Mariam is the illegitimate daughter of a very influential man. She grows up with her bitter mother, and is married off at a young age and shipped off to Kabul. Laila is the daughter of Mariam’s neighbors. She is extraordinarily beautiful, but she is the third child; both of her brothers have left to fight against the Soviets, yet her mother adores her brothers and ignores Laila. When the revolution comes to Kabul, Laila and Mariam meet and become hopelessly connected, whether they want to or not. Hosseini builds a different picture of Afghanistan than the one we hear about in America. His characters are layered, complex, and totally human. The story comes together in ways that are unexpected and amazing. READ THIS BOOK.

[Barnes and Noble]

THE MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH BY MICHAEL CHABON

My copy of this novel, Chabon’s first, used to belong to my English teacher from sophomore year, who handed to me, looked me straight in the eyes, and commanded me to read it. Well, Mrs. Christiansen, I finally read it. I must apologize for all the Chabon on this website. In case you couldn’t tell, I am a fan of his writing. And you should be too. This was Chabon’s first novel, which he submitted as his Masters thesis and was eventually published. Here’s the deal: Art Bechstein is confused. At the end of his undergraduate college experience, summer looms before him, empty and full of possibilities. That is, until he meets the stylish and gay Arthur Lecomte. And the stylish and straight Phlox Lombardi. Art is torn between these two very different and very fascinating people, who hate each other because of their mutual love for Art. As he walks the line between what is accepted and what he wants, he meets people who will change his life forever, like  Arthur’s friend Cleveland, an alcoholic with a motorcycle, an unconventional intellect, and money coming from the Mafia. As with Chabon’s other books, the characters are approachable and interesting, and he finds ways to highlight the important things without being obvious. At the same time, Chabon is a chameleon. This is different from the other three books I have read, which are all different from each other. I think this is what makes him a good writer — he changes, his writing is never the same. This book is a wonderful book that will leave you stunned. Please read it.

[Barnes and Noble]

Fairytales 2.0 (also known as Catch-up Post #2)

So, again, I have neglected to update for a long while, so there a quite a few books that I need to review.

THE BOOK OF LOST THINGS BY JOHN CONNELLY

I’ve never read any of Connelly’s books, but I know that this is quite a departure for him. He usually writes thrillers, mysteries, and such. And while this is a thriller and a mystery, it is so much more than that. In 1939 London, a young boy named David loses his mother. His father takes up with Rose, his late mother’s nurse, and eventually David and his father move into Rose’s rambling old house. When Rose has a new baby, David begins to hear whispers from the books in his room, and his mother’s voice speaking to him from a sunken garden in the backyard. Finally, David goes through a hole in the wall and is transported to a whole different world, where there is never daylight, wild wolf-man hybrids terrorize the countryside, and harpies wait in canyons to eat careless travellers. David discovers the true value of home and family, and truly comes of age through his journey. This book is bewitching, heartwarming, shocking, and best of all, well-written. I highly recommend it!

Barnes and Noble

THE CHILDREN OF MEN BY P.D. JAMES

This book seemed intriguing so I picked it up. Hopefully you will not make the same mistake. I have read many of James’s murder mysteries and enjoyed them, but this is just one unfortunate piece of literature. For once, I think I can say that the movie is a bazillion times better than the book. No one changes, there is no good action, and the plot is lost in James’s attempt to show off her enormous vocabulary. I usually like dystopia novels, but this one failed. Theo Faron is an academic who teaches at Oxford in a time when all men in the world have become sterile and the youngest people are 25 years old. England is ruled by a dictator (who isn’t even that cruel!) who happens to be Theo’s cousin. One day, Theo is contacted by a group hoping to change the current state of things. Now, here is where the plot is apparently supposed to get interesting. But it doesn’t. Ever. Please, do yourself a favor and pass this one up.

Barnes and Noble

THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD, translated by HERMIONE GRANGER, commentary by ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, notes by J.K. ROWLING

I adore all things Harry Potter, and this is no exception. The book is very short, and has some great illustrations by Rowling. All of the stories are funny, some are scary, and all have a moral. Sort of like fables, except wizard-style. I don’t really know what else to say. I’d recommend this if you love Harry Potter as much as I do, but if you don’t, then pass.

Barnes and Noble

Yiddish anyone? (also known as Catch-up Post #1)

Sorry I’ve been so quiet for so long. Between college applications and the required school reading, I haven’t been able to find much time for reviews. So this should hopefully make up for lost time.

THE YIDDISH POLICEMAN’S UNION BY MICHAEL CHABON

This is yet ANOTHER murder mystery. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw it on the “Buy2, Get the 3rd” table at Borders. I do LOVE Michael Chabon (See my review of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay) and murder mysteries, but I couldn’t see the two coming together very well. However, in classic Chabon style, the plot and characters are more complex than the book jacket would have you believe. Here’s the set up: It is the present time in the Federal District of Sitka, Alaska. In 1948, the state of Israel collapsed, leaving the world to decide what to do with the Jewish residents of that country. So the US “temporarily” set up the Federal District of Sitka as a safe haven for Jews while a more permanent solution was searched for. Now, sixty years later, Sitka is set to revert back to US control, while the residents try to decide what to do next. Detective Meyer Landsman, a down-and-out policeman who is divorced from his one true love, lives in a dump of an apartment and tries to stay as drunk as possible. One night, another man living the apartment complex is murdered in the middle of the night, and Landsman is awoken to investigate. As the facts unfold, Landsman’s past, along with that of his partner Berko Shemets, is revealed. It is a story about chess, murder, religious fanaticism, and love. Not one to read if you are looking for some light fare, but for a deep and beautiful plot, I’d give this to many people. Plus, it comes complete with extensive use of Yiddish and a glossary to accompany. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to learn a little Yiddish?

MRS. DALLOWAY BY VIRGINIA WOOLF

More required school reading! This novel is not for the faint of heart, as it has no chapters, and sentences sometimes take up almost a whole page. This is one of those books considered a classic; that is, a book that everyone has heard of but no one actually wants to read. And with good reason. Woolf often changes speaker midsentence, making it hard to keep facts straight. Basically it’s one day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway, the wife of a British politician in post-World War I London, as she goes about planing a party that she is hosting that night. In between shopping and meeting with old acquaintances, she reflects on her life and remembers her past. The story is also told from the point of view of Peter Walsh, one of Clarissa’s old loves, and Septimus Warren Smith, a man who is greatly troubled because no one can understand him. I think that the book is so deep that it makes it inaccessible. However, there were passages which I enjoyed immensely. I wouldn’t really recommend it.

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN BY BETTY SMITH

I started this book simply because I needed something to read. The story didn’t seem particularly interesting, but I was willing to give it a try. As I started reading it, I became engrossed. As Anna Quindlen says in her forward to the book, it’s hard to say what it’s about because the plot develops slowly, more like real life than the often unrealistic time of other novels. It is the story of Francie Nolan and her childhood in the poor Williamsburg section of Brooklyn at the turn of the century. It’s the story of her brother Neeley, and her mother Katie, and her father Johnny. It’s the story of one very poor family learning to cope with life and each other. And it is beautiful. I mean, if a book can be beautiful. It will make you laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously. It’s just a really great book. Read it.

LAMB BY CHRISTOPHER MOORE

I received this for Christmas from my mother, and it seemed like an interesting choice. I’m not very religious, and considering it’s the story of Jesus, I was a little worried. But after reading the prologue, I was intrigued. The basic premise is that it’s the “greatest story never told”: the stuff that the Gospels don’t talk about, what happened between the birth of Jesus and when he next appears at age thirty. And who better to tell the story than Levi who is called Biff, Christ’s best friend? Two thousand years after the crucifixion, Jesus orders Biff to be ressurected to tell his side of the story. It’s one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. I had a smile on my face right up until the end, when…well, you know what happens…the whole death, then ascension into heaven three days later, thing. Moore makes light of things, but there is always a serious undercurrent. I’d recommend it, unless you’re very devout (which is cool with me) and/or don’t want to see Jesus as a humorous character.

Hm…

I didn’t know what to title this one-book post (hence the “Hm…”). 

THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY BY ERIK LARSON

So I just finished this book a couple days ago, but I don’t want to forget to review it. This is another of that rare species, the nonfiction book I enjoyed. In 1893, Daniel Burnham was one of America’s most prominent architects, the designer of Union Station in Washington DC, the Flatiron Building in New York City, and – most notably – the Chicago World’s Fair. In 1893, Dr H.H. Holmes, a charming and seemingly well-meaning man, opened his World’s Fair Hotel in Chicago, where there were only vacancies for young, beautiful, vulnerable women. Burnham would be remembered as producing the most beautiful event in American history, and Holmes would be remembered as one of the most prolific and remorseless serial killers in American history. The juxtaposition of the light and the dark, the White City and the Black, makes this book extremely addicting. As one of my friends put it, “It becomes an obsession. You can’t stop reading, even if you want to.” The haunting plot is not for the faint-hearted, and I found myself wishing this was fiction. I’d definitely recommend it to people who enjoy history and/or murder mysteries.

[Barnes & Noble]

Hodge-podge

These are books that I’ve read at various times, and just in general need reviewing. At least in the near future, there will be no rhyme or reason to my reviews. I’ll just review books as I remember them. So, here’s an advance apology for the probable disorganization. I’m also going to try out something new. At the end of each review, I’ll provide a link to the Barnes and Noble site for it, so you may read other reviews and purchase the book if you’d like.

THE DANTE CLUB BY MATTHEW PEARL

I should have included this in my post of “tales of suspense and intrigue”. It’s a horrific yet compelling novel that takes place in post-Civil War Boston. The main characters are Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, J.T. Fields, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and James Russell Lowell. If any of these names sound familiar, they should. They were the most prominent literary figures of their time, and they were working on the first English translation of Dante’s Inferno. They named themselves the Dante Club (thus, the title of the novel) and met regularly to discuss Dante and current events. However, when a judge is bizarrely and brutally murdered, setting off a series of murders, the Dante Club may become something more: investigators. As more and more people are killed, the members begin to realize that all the murders are similar to some of the punishments for sinners in the Inferno. Can they find the murderer and prevent more grisly murders? And does this sudden outbreak of violence have anything to do with their project? I LOVE murder mysteries, and this one was great. Very, very, very gruesome and graphic. But still wonderfully written and a great step back in time. I’d heartily recommend it.

[Barnes & Noble]

UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN BY JON KRAKAUER

The first nonfiction book to make it to my site! This is historic! This compelling book by the same author of such successes as Into Thin Air and Into the Wild focuses not on wildernesses like Everest and Alaska, but rather the state of Utah, where in 1984 brothers Dan and Ron Lafferty killed their sister-in-law and her 18-month old child supposedly under the orders of God himself. The Lafferty brothers were strict adherents to the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-day Saints, a breakaway sect of Mormonism that, most notably, believes firmly in the principle of polygamy, or multiple marriages. Switching between the history of the Mormon church, the beliefs of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-day Saints, and the story of the Lafferty brothers, this is one fascinating book. There are times when I wished it were fiction, but none of the book is made up. I have Mormon relatives, but I never really understood the beliefs of the church until I read this. What an eye-opening experience. Again, highly recommended.

[Barnes & Noble]

THE DEAD FATHERS CLUB BY MATT HAIG

I happen to be a die-hard Shakespeare fan, so I’m always game for an update of The Bard’s stories. So when I found this modern adaptation of Hamlet in the store, I naturally had to read it. And it was really quite good. Somehow, Haig made this extremely dark story funny in an offbeat way. So, basically what happens is this: Eleven-year old Philip Noble has some serious issues. The bloodied ghost of his father shows up at the funeral to inform Philip that he was killed by Uncle Alan, and that his death must be avenged so his ghost may escape limbo. When Philip finds out that Uncle Alan just wants his mom and control of the Castle and Falcon, the local pub, he takes his father’s ghost seriously. But when he meets the gorgeous and troubled Leah, he gets distracted from the task at hand, and suffers intense self-doubt. Will Philip be able to avoid the fate of his predecessor in tragedy Hamlet, or does history repeat itself? The simplistic style of Philip’s narration and the entertaining story make this worth the time and money.

[Barnes & Noble]

THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE BY HARUKI MURAKAMI

This novel took me FOREVER to get through because it is 607 pages and very very strange. Toru Okada is an unemployed house-husband who sits around while his wife is at work. When the couple’s cat randomly disappears, Okada’s wife Kumiko consults Malta Kano, an eccentric woman who cannot help with the cat, but emphasizes the importance of water and flow. But when Kumiko disappears, Okada does not know who to consult. He gradually makes friends (May Kasahara, a 16-year old girl working for a wig company; Creta Kano, a prostitute of the mind and Malta Kano’s sister; Lieutenant Mamiya, a man deeply scarred by what he witnessed in Manchuria and Mongolia during World War II) and enemies (Noboru Wataya, Kumiko’s brother and an increasingly powerful politician). The various people he meets either help or hinder his mission to regain Kumiko from wherever she vanished to, but even with help, can he ever succeed? Very interesting and full of metaphors and symbols. It isn’t an easy read, but it was fairly rewarding overall. The writing is fantastic, as is the plot. I might recommend it, but it won’t make the favorites list any time soon.

[Barnes & Noble]

Los favoritos!

So I’ve already reviewed a few of the books on my favorites page, but now I’m finally getting around to reviewing most of the others. I have to say, this list is probably very incomplete. My favorite books change with each book I read. These are just the ones that have stood the test of time.

THE THIRTEEN CLOCKS BY JAMES THURBER

I think this may be the first chapter book I ever read by myself (if not The Phantom Tollbooth). My copy is warped and dirtied beyond belief, and I hesitate to lend it to people because it looks so gross. This is the shortest book on my favorites list (at a mere 128 pages in the hardcover edition, and that includes illustrations). It’s the amazing story of an evil Duke, whose heart and house were cold enough to stop the thirteen clocks, and his beautiful niece Princess Saralinda who is the only warm thing in the Duke’s castle. One night, a wandering minstrel, “a thing of rags and tatters”, sees Saralinda and falls in love with her. But the Duke will hold on to her at all costs. It’s the classic fairy tale, but with many things that make it the best fairy tale ever told. Plus, the illustrations are fun.

ELLA MINNOW PEA BY MARK DUNN

Possibly the most clever book I’ve ever read. This book improved my vocabulary and my understanding of the English language. Ella Minnow Pea (yes, that’s someone’s name) lives on the fictitious island of Nollop off the coast of South Carolina. The island is named for Nevin Nollop, the inventor of the phrase the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog, a pangram which uses every letter in the English alphabet. Everyone on the island worships Nollop as a genius, and there is even a 100-year-old statue of Nollop with his phrase on it. All seems happy and idyllic, but one day disaster strikes when the letter Z falls off of the statue. No one knows what to think, but the High Council decides that it is a message from beyond the grave that the residents of Nollop should not use that letter. This is a tragedy, but luckily it’s only the letter Z. But as more and more letter tiles fall off of the statue, chaos and tyranny ensue, and it may be in the hands of young Ella to save her beloved homeland. It’s an epistolary novel, and honestly I don’t think it could be written any other way. It provides comedy and a first-hand look at the effects of the rapidly shrinking alphabet on the residents of the island. A thoroughly entertaining read.

SICK PUPPY BY CARL HIAASEN

This may be the funniest book I’ve ever read. It’s definitely one of the only ones that has made me laugh out loud multiple times. Warning: I’m going to use some language here. Palmer Stoat is a jackass. He drives a giant SUV and throws all his trash out of his window. Oh yeah, and his license plates read CAJONES. And he makes Twilly Spree mad. Really, really, obsessively mad. Spree, an eccentric millionaire who happens to be passionate about the environment, decides to wage a war on Stoat as a punishment for his littering. It’s a story with kidnapping, huge garbage trucks, dung beetles, Labradors, live Barbie dolls, glass eyes, animal heads, a crazy ex-governor, and other interesting plot pieces. Almost all of Hiaasen’s books have environmental messages, and this one is no exception. I think that some people might be offended by the novel’s message and type of humor, but personally I LOVE this book.

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE BY JANE AUSTEN

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.” Thus starts this quintessential romantic comedy that has often been imitated, but never duplicated. Jane Austen is my mom’s favorite author, and I’ve also read Emma and Sense and Sensibility, but P&P is by far the best. This is the story of the Bennett family, a lower middle-class family in 1800s England. Jane is the oldest sister and by far the kindest, Elizabeth is the most opinionated and prejudiced, Mary is a square, Kitty doesn’t know who she is and follows her youngest sister’s example, and Lydia is a flirt and has no idea how to be serious. When Netherfield Hall is “let at last” to the rich and single Mr. Bingley, the lives of the Bennetts change forever. Jane meets and immediately falls in love with Mr. Bingley, and Lizzie meets and immediately hates the proud and obscenely rich Mr. Darcy, Bingley’s best friend, after he wounds her pride. Will the two get their happy endings, or will misunderstandings and hidden secrets stop them from gaining true happiness? Equal parts hilarious, romantic, and sad, it is truly an amazing book. It took me a little bit to get used to the style, as it was written about 200 years ago, but the style didn’t block me from thoroughly enjoying the book.

THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS BY J.K. ROWLING

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of these books? I was actually 11 when I read the first book, so it was truly a magical experience (yes, pun intended) to grow up along with Harry. Harry Potter is just your average kid. Except he lives with his awful aunt, uncle, and cousin, the Dursleys, and weird, inexplicable things happen when he’s around. On his eleventh birthday, he gets an explanation why: he’s a wizard. He’s actually a hero in the wizarding world because he defeated the evil wizard Voldemort when he was just a baby. Harry is immediately thrust into a world he never knew existed. He goes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he finds things he’s never had: friends, and a place that he could call home. But wherever he goes, he still can’t escape from Voldemort’s grasp. Throughout the seven books, Harry fights evil, cheats death, falls in love, alienates people, and makes difficult decisions. The classic battle between good and evil, but in a totally new format. A stellar series, and definitely worth reading.

THE DISCWORLD BOOKS BY TERRY PRATCHETT

I wouldn’t quite classify these books as a series, but in a way they sort of are. There are recurring characters in many of them, and they all take place on the fictional planet of Discworld, but you can basically pick up any of the books and figure out what’s going on. All of the books are uproariously funny, and they have a special brand of humor that I’ve never found in any other book. The only author that even comes close to Pratchett’s style is Douglas Adams, but it’s even different than the humor of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I would highly recommend any of these books to anyone. The thing is, they aren’t marked as “the Discworld books”, so here are my suggestions. The Colour of Magic is the first Discworld book, and a great introduction to the style and setting. I also loved The Wyrd Sisters, Soul Music, Lords and Ladies, and Men at Arms. But again, all of the books are fantastic, so if you have any recommendations upon reading, feel free to let me know!

THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER AND CLAY BY MICHAEL CHABON

The only Pulitzer Prize winner to make it to my favorites list, and dang, did it deserve that prize. At a whopping 656 pages, many people get discouraged by the thickness of it, but it is totally worth reading. Joe Kavalier is a magician’s apprentice who must smuggle himself out of Nazi-controlled Czechoslovakia before it’s too late. When he arrives in New York City to stay with his cousin Sammy Clay, a big dreamer who wants to break into the comic book world, they form an inseparable bond. Together, they create the saga of the Escapist, a superhero that fights against fascism and evil. However, they are exploited by their agents, and are slow to realize. Joe also falls in love with the mysterious Rosa Saks, but as both Joe and Sammy explore new romantic territory, will they crack under pressure? Again, it looks very intimidating, but it goes by very quickly. There are some sexual scenes, but (at least in my opinion) these scenes are not gratuitous and instead of being raunchy, they are actually very artistic and quite beautiful. Definitely one of my favorites.

Ah, the lazy days of summer…

One of the reasons I love summer is the opportunity to read for pleasure. Of course, there is the obligatory summer reading, but there’s still time to read all of the books I’ve been putting off over the school year. This post will be updated each time I read a new book, so check back often!

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH BY NORTON JUSTER

This book is a classic. I think that I was 9 or 10 when I first read it, and I was amazed. At that time, I didn’t have any idea what a pun was or the definitions of many of the words. But the story was so clever that I couldn’t help falling in love with the book. And now, I can appreciate all of the puns and wordplays in the book. Basic plot: Milo is bored. Very, very bored. He doesn’t care about anything or anyone. Yet, when a giant and mysterious package arrives in his room, he decides he has nothing better to do than to open it. Inside is a tollbooth and assorted coins in order to pass through the toll booth. He drives his small car through the tollbooth, and is instantly transported to another place where watch dogs keep the time, you can literally get stuck in the Doldrums, and colors are produced by a symphony. The princesses of the kingdom, Rhyme and Reason, have been banished and chaos reigns everywhere. Can Milo overcome his apathy and restore Rhyme and Reason in the kingdom? Jolly good fun!

THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL BY BARONESS EMMUSKA ORCZY

I grew up watching the various film adaptations of this book, but nothing could have prepared me for the flowery prose and extreme exaggeration. Albeit, the plot is pretty interesting and as the back cover describes it, it is a “swashbuckling adventure”. Basically, the French Revolution is in full swing and the head of French nobility are rolling like crazy. But, the nobility have one final hope: the Scarlet Pimpernel, a dashing, brave man who is a master of disguise and transports doomed nobles to safety in England. No one is more hated in France or more admired in England. Meanwhile, Lady Marguerite Blakeney is married to a fool of man who is the complete antithesis of the Scarlet Pimpernel. She dreams of who the Scarlet Pimpernel might be in real life and wishes to escape her boring life. As countless novels and movies remind anyone who pays attention, be careful what you wish for. Lady Blakeney may get more than she bargained for. It’s an okay story, but the writing is some of the worst. Skip it.

ILLUMINATED BY MATT BRONLEEWE

An impulse buy from a late night trip to Barnes and Noble on the East Coast. I skimmed the back and it seemed pretty interesting, if not a little similar to The Da Vinci Code. August Adams is an expert on rare books, who buys and sells books for a job. August obtained a copy of the Gutenberg Bible, arguably the most valuable book in the world, for one of his clients. But two ancient organizations want to get their hands on a priceless secret contained in three Gutenberg Bibles. August has the span of the plane ride to uncover the secret and save his family. It actually surprised me in the beginning, because the premise was interesting if not a bit overused. However, as the novel proceeded, it seemed as if the author was becoming desperate for anything to add to the plot. And it ends so abruptly that I think the author may have been paving the way for a sequel (oh no!). I wouldn’t recommend this book, unless you like overdramatic and overused dialogue, characters, and plots.

1984 BY GEORGE ORWELL

So, I tried to read this book several years ago and only made it through about three pages until I couldn’t handle it anymore. But I decided to give it another try because it is a classic. The second time around, I got really into it. There’s something so cool about dystopias. But it is so weird and crazy, and it ends really abruptly. It is 1984 (in case you didn’t pick up on that), and the world has been divided into three massive states, Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. Winston Smith is an Outer Party member in Oceania, a combination of the UK, Americas, and a lot of Europe. He goes along with what the Party says, even though he doesn’t really believe it. The story begins when he buys a diary and a pen (obsolete objects) and writes in it, which is a thoughtcrime and could be punished by being sent to torture and then death. After this rash act of defiance, he becomes more bold, connecting with other people and thinking treasonous thoughts. But how long can he sustain his underground rebellion before the all-knowing party can get to him? Does he become too complacent with his defiance? Be prepared for some weird stuff going on. While 1984 happened 24 years ago, I seriously hope that the future is not as insane as the dystopia in the book. It’s definitely a classic, and it’s definitely worth reading.

MULBERRY AND PEACH BY NIEH HUA-LING

Now I’m finally getting to my school books. I really didn’t know what to expect when I opened this book, and after reading I still don’t know what to think. I enjoy stories about crazy people, but this one was very odd. Mulberry runs away from home in China during the war between the Communists and Nationalists. Her experiences are so traumatic that she gradually develops another personality. Her schizophrenia becomes more and more apparent as she immigrates illegally into the United States and meets many different kinds of people. A good work of fiction, but it left me a little dazed and confused because it jumps around a lot. I enjoyed it, although I didn’t really have a choice to read it.

THIS EARTH OF MANKIND BY PRAMOEDYA ANANTA TOER

Yay for more school books! I guess I enjoyed this book. It was a pretty difficult read, and I can’t quite figure out why. It may have been the writing style, or the fact that it’s translated. Minke, which may or may not be the narrator’s real name, is a Native in turn-of-the-century Dutch-ruled Java. Although he is a member of the lowest class, he is allowed to go to the Dutch high school and is considered very intelligent for a Native. But when his classmate Robert Suurhof takes him to the house of the Mellema family (Nyai Ontosoroh, Robert, and Annelies), Minke’s life changes forever. He and Annelies fall completely and totally in love with each other, and he eventually goes to live with the Mellemas, but as he gets in deeper and deeper, he must face prejudice, hate, and ridicule from all sides. This is the first in a series of four books (the Buru Quartet), so the ending is very abrupt, but at the same time is very final. The ending is satisfying enough, but the novel as a whole is not satisfying at all. I would skip it if I were you.

COMING SOON: SOPHIE’S WORLD