Are you really surprised? I've found yet another challenge I want to join, this time courtesy of the lovely Shaila Abdullah. It's the New Author Challenge 2009, hosted by Literary Escapism.
The Rules:
The challenge will run from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.
Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels, but anthologies are also a great way to try someone new.
I want this to be an easy challenge, so you state how many new authors you want to try this year and then that’s your challenge. For me, I’m trying another 50 new authors. If you want a number given to you, try for either 25 or 50.
Add your name to the Mr. Linky below. If you do not have your own blog, you can join the group blog here.
Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome
When you read a new author, write your review (either at your site or the group blog) and then come back here and post a link to your review.
If you'd like to sign up, here is the information.
1. Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris [review] 2. The King's Last Song - Geoff Ryman [review] 3. Sister Wife - Shelley Hrdlitschka [review] 4. This Year's Model – Carol Alt [review] 5. One More Year: Stories - Sana Krasikov [review] 6. The Virgin Queen's Daughter - Ella March Chase [review] 7. Dreamers of the Day - Mary Doria Russell [review] 8. Bras and Broomsticks - Sarah Mlynowski [review] 9. The Gathering - Anne Enright [review] 10. The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty, Dehli, 1857 - William Dalrymple [review] 11. Wife Goes On - Leslie Lehr [review] 12. What Happened to Anna K - Irina Reyn [review] 13.. Black Ships - Jo Graham [review] 14. Apollo Moon Missions: The Unsung Heroes - Billy Watkins [review] 15. The View from Garden City - Carolyn Baugh [review] 16. Conscience Point - Erica Abeel [review] 17. Midori by Moonlight - Wendy Tokunaga [review] 18. Super in the City - Daphne Ulliver [review] 19. Real Life & Liars - Kristina Riggle 20. Eat, Drink, and Be From Mississippi - Nanci Kincaid [review] 21. Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name - Vendela Vida [review] 22. The Debs - Susan McBride 23. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders - Daniyal Mueenuddin [review] 24. Death by Black Hole and Other Cosmic Quandaries - Neil deGrasse Tyson [review]25. The Mighty Queens of Freeville - Amy Dickinson [review] 26. Dracula: The New Annotated Edition - Bram Stoker & Leslie Klinger [review] 27. I See You Everywhere - Julia Glass [review] 28. Mistress Shakespeare - Karen Harper [review] 29. The Fire Gospel - Michael Faber [review] 30. Bound South - Susan Rebecca White [review] 31. This One Is Mine - Maria Semple [review] 32. The Book of Unholy Mischief - Elle Newmark [review] 33. Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell [review] 34. The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett [review] 35. One True Theory of Love - Laura Fitzgerald [review] 36. The Kingmaking - Helen Hollick [review] 37. Posed for Murder - Meredith Cole [review] 38. The School of Essential Ingredients - Erica Bauermeister [review] 39. Just Breathe - Susan Wiggs 40. The Smart One - Ellen Meister [review] 41. The Last Lecture - Randy Pausch [review] 42. The Writing on My Forehead - Nafisa Haji [review] 43. Sonata for Miriam - Diana Olsson [review] 44. The Seance - John Harwood [review] 45. Ingrid: Ingrid Bergman, A Personal Biography - Charlotte Chandler 46. Delicate Edible Birds and Other Stories - Lauren Groff 47. Watchmen - Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons [review] 48. The Rose of Sebastopol – Katherine McMahon [review] 49. The Reader – Bernard Schlink [review] 50. Willing Spirits – Phyllis Schieber [review] 51. Pictures at an Exhibition – Sara Houghteling [review] 52. North of Beautiful – Justina Chen Headley [review] 53. The Heretic's Daughter – Kathleen Kent 54. Wake – Lisa McMann [review] 55. Almost Single – Advaita Kala 56. Land of Marvels – Barry Unsworth [review] 57. Descartes' Bones: A Skeletal History of the Conflict Between Faith and Reason – Russell Shorto [review] 58. Disquiet – Julia Leigh [review] 59. A Reliable Wife – Robert Goolrick 60. A Hopeless Romantic – Harriet Evans [review] 61. Saffron Dreams – Shaila Abdullah [review] 62. An Offer You Can't Refuse – Jill Mansell 63. The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine – Benjamin Wallace [review] 64. The Mechanics of Falling and Other Stories – Catherine Brady 65. It Will Come to Me – Emily Fox Gordon [review] 66. Silent in the Grave – Deanna Raybourn 67. Spade & Archer – Joe Gores 68. Sleepwalking in Daylight – Elizabeth Flock 69. Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven – Susan Jane Gilman 70. Secrets to Happiness – Sarah Dunn 71. The Traitor's Wife – Susan Higginbotham 72. Gifted – Nikita Lalwani 73. Laura Rider's Masterpiece – Jane Hamilton 74. The Empty Mirror – J. Sydney Jones 75. Caravaggio's Angel – Ruth Brandon 76. The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club – Gil Mcneil
So, since I've already read 76 books by new authors since the beginning of the year, I'm going to set my goal for new authors at 200! Whew, hope I can make it!
Title: A Reliable Wife Author: Robert Goolrick ISBN: 9781565125964 Pages: 304 Release Date: March 31, 2009 Publisher: Algonquin Books Genre: Literary Fiction Rating: 5 out of 5
From the publisher's website:
Rural Wisconsin, 1909. In the bitter cold, Ralph Truitt, a successful businessman, stands alone on a train platform waiting for the woman who answered his newspaper advertisement for "a reliable wife." But when Catherine Land steps off the train from Chicago, she's not the "simple, honest woman" that Ralph is expecting. She is both complex and devious, haunted by a terrible past and motivated by greed. Her plan is simple: she will win this man's devotion, and then, ever so slowly, she will poison him and leave Wisconsin a wealthy widow. What she has not counted on, though, is that Truitt — a passionate man with his own dark secrets —has plans of his own for his new wife. Isolated on a remote estate and imprisoned by relentless snow, the story of Ralph and Catherine unfolds in unimaginable ways.
With echoes of Wuthering Heights and Rebecca, Robert Goolrick's intoxicating debut novel delivers a classic tale of suspenseful seduction, set in a world that seems to have gone temporarily off its axis.
I've been sitting here for ten minutes trying to find the words to review A Reliable Wife, and so far I haven't had any luck. This is definitely one of the hardest books I've ever had to review because I can't exactly pinpoint why I enjoyed it so thoroughly. I can only say that I absolutely loved it – I raced through the entire book in one sitting, eager to find out what happens at the end of this provocative novel.
Let's start with the writing style of A Reliable Wife. Goolrick's prose is, quite simply, beautiful. It is what draws the reader into the novel, and in many ways, what keeps him or her hooked. It's wonderfully poetic and smooth. It is never jarring and there is never a word out of place. Goolrick's writing adds so much to the story, makes it so much more compelling than it would have been otherwise.
The characters in A Reliable Wife are a little more difficult to explain. None of them are exactly easy to like; they don't really endear themselves to the reader. However, I couldn't help but love Catherine from the very beginning, despite her questionable past and malicious intentions. As each of their stories unfolds, the characters grow on the reader. This isn't a book that is carried by the affability of the characters; indeed, if anything, I was surprised at how much I could enjoy a book where I didn't like some of the characters! Still, Goolrick is a master at creating intricate, nuanced characters that are full of life.
Ultimately, A Reliable Wife is about redemption. Can all people be redeemed and forgiven, no matter how horrible their past deeds are? I think the message of the book is that you have to actively seek out redemption; it will not come to you by chance. But the question is, is it ever too late to be redeemed?
I definitely recommend A Reliable Wife. It is a great read, but isn't for everyone – there is a lot of sex in the book, more inner monologue than actual occurrences, but if that type of thing bothers you in a novel, you may want to pass on this one. If it doesn't, I'd definitely say to pick this one up – it's a breathtaking read that will stick with you for a really long time.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!
Amy, Jen and I have put together a mini blog tour for this book. Make sure you check out their reviews as well!
Title: Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven Author: Susan Jane Gilman ISBN: 9780446578929 Pages: 320 Release Date: March 24, 2009 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Travel Rating: 4 out of 5
From the publisher's website:
They were young, brilliant, and bold. They set out to conquer the world. But the world had other plans for them.
Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman's new memoir is a hilarious and harrowing journey, a modern heart of darkness filled with Communist operatives, backpackers, and pancakes.
In 1986, fresh out of college, Gilman and her friend Claire yearned to do something daring and original that did not involve getting a job. Inspired by a place mat at the International House of Pancakes, they decided to embark on an ambitious trip around the globe, starting in the People's Republic of China. At that point, China had been open to independent travelers for roughly ten minutes.
Armed only with the collected works of Nietzsche, an astrological love guide, and an arsenal of bravado, the two friends plunged into the dusty streets of Shanghai. Unsurprisingly, they quickly found themselves in over their heads. As they ventured off the map deep into Chinese territory, they were stripped of everything familiar and forced to confront their limitations amid culture shock and government surveillance. What began as a journey full of humor, eroticism, and enlightenment grew increasingly sinister-becoming a real-life international thriller that transformed them forever.
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven is a flat-out page-turner, an astonishing true story of hubris and redemption told with Gilman's trademark compassion, lyricism, and wit.
Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven was definitely not what I was expecting. I thought it would be a memoir filled with the wonders of China, newly opened to the West. Instead, it was a vivid description of a communist country; it's exactly what you might picture when you think "Communist," versus what you think when you hear "China."
Don't get me wrong, in many ways this book is full of wonder and merriment, but that takes a backseat to Susie and Claire's personal troubles. At the beginning of the book, Ms. Gilman takes the time to explain that she has disguised the name and identity of Claire and her family as thoroughly as possible. I was curious as to why she made it a point to make that clear, but after having read the book I can understand why. More than once, I asked myself in an exasperated voice, "Why doesn't she just leave Claire and forge ahead on her own?" But then I remind myself that this is a memoir, not a fiction book and traveling with someone else in a foreign, communist country would be scary enough. I couldn't imagine traveling on my own in China during this time period.
The degree of culture shock that they experienced is amazing in some ways. I love how Gilman points out that most of what she knew about China before embarking on her trip was stereotypes. It really made me wonder how much we really know about other countries before we travel to them, and how much of that is just stereotyping as well. For example, Gilman said that she didn't know that in China, rice was a luxury and usually served for dessert. I consider myself well-traveled and knowledgeable about other countries, but I didn't know that either. Granted, the internet has made such information much easier to come by, but it still makes you wonder.
In some ways, I wish the book had focused more on Gilman's travels rather than her difficulties with Claire. However, in the end, her experiences added an entirely new dimension to Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven, making it different than the typical travel memoir. I was thoroughly impressed by Gilman's bravery and courage in facing entirely foreign situations – I'm not sure I could have handled what she went through! This is a fun memoir that is easy to read, I definitely recommend it if you are interested in travelogues or in China!
A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!
Well, this Sunday finds me very busy studying. My final paper topic for my Political Theology class was approved, so my lovely husband went to campus with me yesterday in order to be a library book hauler. I'm going to compare St. Paul's re-interpretation of the Old Testament with the Muslim re-interpretation of Biblical figures, focusing in both cases on Abraham. I'm really excited to be doing this topic because I think it sounds interesting. Funnily enough, the Bruce Feiler book Abraham gave me the idea for this. If you're wondering why I re-read the book just a few weeks after reading it for the first time, that's why!
This week was a very successful reading week, which is really good. I am literally drowning in review copies these days – I've taken to stacking them on the floor because I just don't have room on my bookcases anymore. It doesn't help that I already have reviews scheduled to post through the end of April – I might have to change the dates for some of these so I continue to meet my review commitments! (Who would have thought that too many reviews would be complaint?)
I'm currently giving away an autographed copy of the amazing Saffron Dreams by Shaila Abdullah! [review][entry page] This contest goes until April 4, so make sure you enter if you haven't already, this really was a great read.
I'm also giving away 5 copies of Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch, courtesy of Hachette Book Group. [review][entry page] This contest goes until April 8.
It was the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold. In 1985, at a heated auction by Christie’s of London, a 1787 bottle of Château Lafite Bordeaux—one of a cache of bottles unearthed in a bricked-up Paris cellar and supposedly owned by Thomas Jefferson—went for $156,000 to a member of the Forbes family. The discoverer of the bottle was pop-band manager turned wine collector Hardy Rodenstock, who had a knack for finding extremely old and exquisite wines. But rumors about the bottle soon arose. Why wouldn’t Rodenstock reveal the exact location where it had been found? Was it part of a smuggled Nazi hoard? Or did his reticence conceal an even darker secret?
Pursuing the story from Monticello to London to Zurich to Munich and beyond, Benjamin Wallace also offers a mesmerizing history of wine, complete with vivid accounts of subterranean European laboratories where old vintages are dated and of Jefferson’s colorful, wine-soaked days in France, where he literally drank up the culture.
If the summary above seems choppy, that's because I removed some paragraphs from it. I don't enjoy reading summaries that are longer than a chapter of the book! Ok, that might be exaggerating, but I appreciate minimal information about the contents of a book before picking it up – isn't that the point of actually reading the book, to figure out what the book is about?
The Billionaire's Vinegar piqued my interest because though I enjoy the occasional glass of wine, I don't know much about it. Therefore, the idea of a mystery behind a bottle of wine, concerning Thomas Jefferson no less, sounded really intriguing and I decided I definitely wanted to read this book.
Let me be clear: if you aren't at all interested in wine, you probably won't like this book. It's about the history of wine and wine collecting, framed through the mystery of the questionable provenance of this bottle of wine. That being said though, I really enjoyed The Billionaire's Vinegar. I laughed at the absurdities of rich wine collectors, was surprised at the gall of some of the characters in the book, and was enthralled by the mystery of where this bottle of wine really came from. I also found details such as the process of wine re-corking and the presence of radiation in wine after the first atomic bomb test incredibly interesting.
The mystery itself isn't actually that hard to figure out – it becomes pretty clear about halfway through the book. But still, there are those questions of lingering doubt. In the end, The Billionaire's Vinegar is more of a narrative than a mystery, a chronicle of what occurred as a result of this bottle of wine appearing at auction. It's very well written and never stops being a fascinating read.
The ending is somewhat unsatisfying, but I've found in non-fiction narratives, that is often the case. Still, The Billionaire's Vinegar is a very enjoyable read that I definitely recommend to non-fiction lovers and people who are interested in wine. If you are interested in the book but are hesitant about non-fiction, take the book slow, like I did – 50 pages at a time. The Billionaire's Vinegar definitely kept my interest and I hope it will keep yours as well!
Title: Salaam, Paris Author: Kavita Daswani ISBN: 0452287464 Pages: 272 Release Date: June 27, 2006 Publisher: Plume Genre: Chick Lit, Multicultural Fiction Rating: 3.5 out of 5
From the back cover:
Tanaya Shah longs for the wonderful world of Paris - the world that she feel in love with while watching Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina - so when a proposal comes along for an arranged marriage with a man who is living in Paris, Tanaya seizes the chance to leave her traditional Muslim family and her home in India. But once she lands in the city, she shuns the match. A stroke of luck turns Tanaya into a supermodel, and soon the traditional girl is cavorting with rock stars and is disowned by her family...
If it seems like the book summary above ends awkwardly and abruptly, you're very perceptive. I felt like the summary on the back of the book gave away too much information (a pet peeve of mine), so I decided to omit the last few sentences. Take that as a warning if you pick up this book and glance at the back cover.
Salaam, Paris is a coming of age, east-meets-west story. Tanaya feels trapped by her conservative Muslim culture, and while she doesn't want to rebel and holds her values very dear, she feels like she has to be free, even if just for a little while. Unfortunately, even that little amount of freedom translates to disaster in the eyes of her family. It is clear that Tanaya's family is important to her. Even when she is a supermodel, Tanaya might bend her values but refuses to break them for the sake of her wildly successful career. She is a great role model for younger girls.
One thing that disappointed me about Salaam, Paris was its lack of depth. While it showed a lot of promise, everything seemed to be on the surface. Tanaya never explores her culture, never really comes to terms with what it means to be Muslim in the fashion world. On the other hand, those interested in a fashion insider's look don't really have much to go on here either. While it is an enjoyable novel, I feel like Daswani really lost an opportunity by not delving deeper into at least one of these two areas.
Salaam, Paris is the fourth Kavita Daswani novel I've read, and definitely is the most disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book by any means. Like her other novels, it is an enjoyable, light, chick-lit romp with a multicultural twist. But its sheer lack of believability (which sometimes can be a good thing if you're in the mood to suspend disbelief) and superficial quality keep the novel at a lower level. Still, if you enjoy multicultural chick lit, this book is an easy read that you will probably enjoy.
I know I just announced a giveaway, but I'm excited to announce another one! This time it's Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch [review]. Hachette Book Group has generously donated 5 copies to give away!
To enter: leave a comment on this post. For a second entry, blog about this contest and link back here! Because this is coming from the publisher, U.S.and Canada only please, no P.O. boxes. This contest will run until Wednesday, April 8. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 9.
In 1666, sixteen years after his death, the bones of Rene Descartes were dug up in the middle of the night and transported from Sweden to France under the watchful eye of the French ambassador. This was only the beginning of the journey for Descartes' bones, which, over the next 350 years, were fought over, sold, stolen, revered as relics, studied by scientists, used in séances, and passed surreptitiously from hand to hand.
But why would anyone care so much about the remains of one long-dead philosopher? The answer lies in Descartes' famous phrase, cogito ergo sum: "I think, therefore I am." At the root of this statement is the world-shattering notion that one could look to fact and reason for truth, rather than to faith and authority.
In the years that followed, this powerful idea and Descartes' physical remains became intertwined with many of the major forces that define the modern era, influencing everything from the religious wars of the seventeenth century and the rise of democracy to today's greatest ideological conflicts.
When I heard the title Descartes' Bones, the thing that first jumped to my mind was "oh boy, another The Da Vinci Code knock-off." Indeed, while the title is apt for the narrative contained within the pages, it conjures an image very different from the book's actual contents. This book is actually a discourse on philosophy, using the story of the bones of Rene Descartes as a vehicle to explore that period in history.
It's clear that the author did an amazing amount of research in order to put together Descartes' Bones. It is a meticulous chronicle of history, of the debate between faith and reason in the 1600's. Descartes has been the symbol of this conflict since his death, and indeed, during part of his life as well. The mystery of what happened to the remains of Rene Descartes frames the entire book. As Descartes' bones are divided and questioned, so are his ideas. Shorto puts together a detailed account of the history of Descartes' remains; anyone interested in the philosopher's life and death will find a gem in this book.
The problem is, if you are more interested in the mystery behind Descartes' bones than the faith versus reason issue, then this book isn't that compelling. It is definitely well-researched and meticulous, but there is nothing to drive the narrative forward. This is a book purely for those interested in the intellectual debate or in Descartes himself. The mystery behind the bones just isn't that interesting.
As I've said, Shorto deserves credit for the sheer amount of research that went into putting together Descartes' Bones. Though I didn't find it very compelling, if you are interested in the topics discussed in the book, you should definitely pick it up.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!
I'm thrilled to announce that I'm giving away Saffron Dreams [review] by Shaila Abdullah! As you guys might know, I really enjoyed this book. The author generously has donated an autographed copy of her wonderful book for me to give away!
So, in order to enter, leave a comment on this post telling me why you want to read this book. You can get a second entry if you blog about it and link back here! Because this is coming straight from the author, this contest is open to the U.S. only, and no P.O. Boxes please! This contest is open until 11:59 P.M. on Saturday, April 4. I'll announce the winner on Sunday, April 5.
This is a weekly discussion of LOST. SPOILERS BELOW!
Wow, what an episode! I didn't have time to watch it last night, so I made a point to watch it as soon as I woke up this morning. I have to say, a brand new LOST episode is a great way to start the day!
There's a lot to discuss with tonight's episode, but I want to start with Daniel Faraday, or rather the lack of Daniel Faraday. This is something I've been meaning to bring up over the last few episodes, but I keep forgetting. Maybe I need to start taking notes during the episodes! Anyways, because of the season opener, we know he's in the Orchid station at some point, but where is he right now? Insane? Working merrily somewhere, and we just haven't seen him yet? Catatonic?
I'm not sure I like the way Sawyer handled the Sayid situation. I know he was trying to protect himself, but didn't he work his way up in the Dharma ranks in order to protect his friends if they ever came back? I know he had given up on them coming back, but still. In the end, he did the right thing by trying to let Sayid go, but I hate that it was "our way or the highway." Then again, I'm being critical of Sawyer, but what else could he really do?
Was Jin really going to tell on Sayid at the end of the episode? I don't think so, but apparently Sayid did.
Did you think the family who hired the woman who arrested Sayid was tipped off by Ben? I'm pretty sure that's the case.
Now let's get to the real question on everyone's mind: OMG Sayid shot a kid!!!!!!!!! At least he appeared to be broken up about it, I think he really saw himself in young Benjamin and didn't want Ben growing up to be the killer he becomes. But still, he shot a kid!!!!!!
Is young Ben really dead or just wounded? If he's just wounded then Sayid hasn't changed the future because he could recover. But what if he dies? Will older Ben on the present day Island disappear because he was killed as a child? If this is all moving towards our LOST-ies trying to stop the Dharma purge, as I think it is, Sayid just took a huge first step.
And on a side note, I don't know why Kate was so surprised that Sawyer took up with someone after she left. I mean, she's been gone three years and was engaged to Jack! Did she really expect Sawyer to just pine after her on the Island? I mean really!!
Quote of the night:
Sawyer: How're you doin'? Sayid: A 12 year old Ben Linus brought me a chicken salad sandwich. How do you think I'm doing?
I can't wait to see what happens next week – is Ben dead? And are Jack, Kate and Hurley suspected of setting him loose?
Welcome to the Thursday Tunes! Each week, I will showcase music, whether new or old. Hopefully you will find something that interests you here!
This week, my featured Thursday Tunes artist is one of my favorite singers, Idina Menzel. Idina is actually a Broadway star whose most famous role was Elpaba in Wicked; she was the star of the show's first run. Her voice is absolutely beautiful and I can't get enough of it.
I Stand is Idina Menzel's pop album, released in 2008. All the songs on the album are good, but my favorites are "Brave," "Better to Have Loved," and the title track "I Stand." The whole album is definitely worth listening to though! I Stand can be purchased from the Amazon MP3 Store for $9.90
I've been given more awards by the wonderful blogging community!
Amy over at My Friend Amy's Blog has given me the Sisterhood Award! Amy is one of my favorite bloggers – I consider her a friend, and if you have read her blog, you probably understand why it's one of my favorites. That's why getting this award from Amy is a real honor!
Sheri over at Bookopolis, another blogger I'm very fond of, has given me the Friend Award.
"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."
I'm not even trying to limit myself on challenges anymore. I figure that since this is my first year doing them, I can go ahead and sign up for as many as I want. If I don't finish some of them, I know it was too many. Good strategy, right? Ha!
The Rules
1.Read 5 non-fiction books during the months of May - September, 2009 (please link your reviews on Mister Linky each month; Mister Linky can be found each month on this blog) 2.Read at least one non-fiction book that is different from your other choices (i.e.: 4 memoirs and 1 self-help) 3. If interested, please sign up with the link to your NFF Challenge post (all choices do not need to be posted and may change at any time)
Since I don't have to pick books now, I'm not going to – I'll just wait and see what I end up reading!
Title: Saffron Dreams Author: Shaila Abdullah ISBN: 9781932690736 Pages: 248 Release Date: February 5, 2009 Publisher: Modern History Press Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction Review: Pump Up Your Book Promotion Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the back cover:
From the darkest hour of American history emerges a mesmerizing tale of tender love, a life interrupted, and faith recovered. Arissa Illahi, a Muslim artist and writer, discovers in a single moment that no matter how carefully you map your life, it is life itself that chooses your destiny. After her husband's death in the collapse of the World Trade Center, the discovery of his manuscript marks Arissa's reconnection to life. Her unborn son and the unfinished novel fuse in her mind into one life-defining project that becomes, at once, the struggle for her emotional survival and the redemption of her race. Saffron Dreams is a novel about our ever evolving identities and the events and places that shape them. It reminds us that in the midst of tragedy, our dreams can become a lasting legacy.
When I first heard about Saffron Dreams, I was really intrigued. The story of a Pakistani Muslim woman who lost her husband in the World Trade Center attacks seemed compelling and timely. Indeed, after reading the book, I am moved at how beautifully and tenderly Ms. Abdullah handled a controversial subject and made the book about our common humanity, rather than about the differences that divide us.
What really struck me about Saffron Dreams is that the 9/11 attacks aren't the only serious subject addressed in this small novel. Abdullah manages to talk about racism, fundamentalism, widowhood, culture clashes, and the challenges of raising a child with disabilities within its pages. With all those weighty topics, you would think the book would be a heavy read, but surprisingly, it isn't. Instead, it's an honest look at the life of a woman trying to live a normal life while chaos is reigning around her.
Despite the seeming lack of hope in Saffron Dreams' premise, the book is full of wonder. The novel is never depressing; even in the darkest times, Arissa never seems to lose that hope that the future will be a brighter, happier place. That feeling permeates the novel, leaving the reader with a sense of optimism after the last pages are turned.
Abdullah's writing is crisp, sharp and clear. She does not mince words; her writing is very precise, each word chosen carefully. Her words have a way of conveying raw emotion; because they are so stark, the feelings are so much more clear and powerful on the page. It's a wonderful writing style for a novel such as this.
In the end, the message I took away from the novel is that what we, as citizens of this earth, have in common is much greater than all those differences than set us apart from one another. We must look to our common humanity to bring us together. This is a message full of hope and love, much like Saffron Dreams itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed Saffron Dreams and recommend it to anyone interested in multicultural fiction – it's a great read and you won't be disappointed. I am eager to pick up Shaila Abdullah's book of short stories, Beyond the Cayenne Wall.
Thank you to Jaime at Pump Up Your Book Promotion and Ms. Abdullah for sending me this book to review!
Title: Everyone Is Beautiful Author: Katherine Center ISBN: 9781400066438 Pages: 256 Release Date: February 17, 2009 Publisher: Ballantine Books Genre: Mom Lit Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the publisher's website:
Lanie Coates’s life is spinning out of control. She’s piled everything she owns into a U-Haul and driven with her husband, Peter, and their three little boys from their cozy Texas home to a multiflight walkup in the Northeast. She’s left behind family, friends, and a comfortable life–all so her husband can realize his dream of becoming a professional musician. But somewhere in the eye of her personal hurricane, it hits Lanie that she once had dreams too.
These days, Lanie always seems to rank herself dead last–and when another mom accidentally criticizes her appearance, it’s the final straw. Fifteen years, three babies, and more pounds than she’s willing to count since the day she said “I do,” Lanie longs desperately to feel like her old self again. Lanie sets change in motion–joining a gym, signing up for photography classes, and finding a new best friend. But she also creates waves that come to threaten her whole life. In the end, Lanie must figure out once and for all how to find herself without losing everything else in the process.
I really enjoyed Katherine Center's first novel The Bright Side of Disaster, so when I got the chance to review her new novel from Pump Up Your Book Promotion Blog Tours, I jumped at the chance. I'm thrilled to say that Everyone Is Beautiful is just as good as, if not better than, The Bright Side of Disaster.
I love how honest Center's writing is. She doesn't try to hide anything; instead of telling us that Lanie is depressed and completely strung out, she shows us. She shows us how much Lanie gives to her family, and how there is little (if anything) left for herself. She shows us how much Lanie really needs something of her own, something to brighten her day and give her a chance to breathe. I have to say, reading the novel, I felt just as trapped as Lanie did. When Lanie finally does start doing something that is only for herself, I cheered for her. Center manages to get the reader fully invested in her characters. It's an amazing talent, and one that the author uses very effectively.
I thought the central message of this book was incredible. No one is perfect, and everyone is beautiful. How many times have we really thought of ourselves as beautiful? Not many, I'm guessing. It's always "my eyes look puffy" or "is that a new wrinkle?" or "ugh, bad hair day!" I love the idea that everyone is beautiful. It puts a positive spin on life!
I loved all the secondary characters in Everyone Is Beautiful as well. The only thing I wish for the novel is that there could have been more development of these wonderful personalities! Of course, I understand that it was Lanie's story, but it's just a testament to Katherine Center's character writing ability that I just wanted more!
As you can tell, I really adored Everyone Is Beautiful. This is a book with great characters, constant humor, an interesting storyline, and a wonderful message. I enjoyed it immensely, and I highly recommend it!
A big thank you to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book Promotion Virtual Blog Tours for sending me this book to review!
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
"Even if I were in prison, and this was the only thing on my wall, I wouldn't waste my time with it. I'd look at my feet or at my mattress or whatever, but not this, no way."
I tried my best not to sound too hopeful. "Is someone sending you to prison?"
- When You are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris, p. 144
Marie Burton over at The Burton Review and Desert Rose from Desert Rose Booklogue have both been nice enough to give me the Sisterhood Award! This is an award for blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude.
I just want to say thank you so much! I am absolutely honored by this!
Yesterday, I gleefully posted that I have managed to finish 100 books so far in 2009! (The number is now 101.) This led people to ask me the question that I have been asked many times before - "How do you read?"
In terms of how many books I read at once, the answer is three. I usually read one regular book, one "chunkster," and one non-fiction book at once. I generally read about 50 pages of the non-fiction book and 50 pages of the chunkster, and then complete the third book. Then I read 50 pages of the non-fiction and chunkster again, and then pick up a new book and read it. It's basically a cycle. So in terms of how I read, that's how. I used to only read one book at once, but I found that I wasn't reading enough longer books or non-fiction books because they were too slow going and I wanted to read a large number of books in order to post reviews. This was a good compromise.
So, the next question is, "how do you read so fast?" The answer to that one is more tricky because honestly, I don't know. It's something I view as a talent – some people can do math in their head, some can cook incredibly well – I read really fast. I've had people tell me that it's impossible to read that fast and retain any of the information you've read. I hope that my reviews are proof that this isn't the case!
Now, my question is how do YOU read? Not so much the speed, but do you read one book at a time? Two? Three? Twelve?
Title: This Year's Model Author: Carol Alt ISBN: 9780061366246 Pages: 272 Release Date: August 26, 2008 Publisher: Avon A Genre: Chick Lit Review: Originally posted at Curled Up With aGood Book Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Melody Ann Croft from New Jersey is about to hit it big. A fashion photographer “discovers” her waiting tables in her small-town restaurant and convinces her to give modeling a try. When she finally makes the call, she is thrust into a world of glamour and beauty, but also of lies and deceit.
Along with her new best friend, Jade, another model, she’s on her way to scoring lucrative contracts and ad deals. Not heeding Jade’s warning about dating male models, Melody (now conveniently nicknamed Mac) starts falling for Duncan, a beautiful male model with some down-home charm.
There’s just one problem with Mac’s new dream life: she has a potential full ride to Penn in the fall, and her parents will kill her if she gives it up to model. Also, her parents aren’t too thrilled about her modeling in the first place and have been less than supportive through the whole ordeal. In the end, Mac must choose who she wants to be: small-town Melody, who is valued for her brains, or model Mac, who is famous for her beauty. It’s a difficult decision that weighs heavily through the course of Carol Alt’s This Year's Model.
This Year's Model is a fun novel that reminds me a lot of Melissa Walker’s Violet on the Runway. Both girls are about to go to college. Both are “discovered” in their small towns and whisked off to a life of glamour. Both get caught up in their new lifestyles and make mistakes along the way. Both have a model friend who ends up disappointing them. It’s definitely not necessary to read both, so which do you choose? On one hand, Carol Alt knows the modeling business inside and out. Seeing as how she has been a coveted model for years, the reader knows that the “insider” information in her novel is genuine. She knows what she’s talking about.
However, on the other hand, Walker’s story is much more compelling. Violet is a more appealing character and the reader is more immersed in her life. Though both are good novels, Violet on the Runway is probably a better choice for most – though if you have room in your reading schedule for both, it certainly can’t hurt!
I was a bit disbelieving of Mac’s surprise at the dark sides of modeling. It seems that everyone is aware of the eating disorders, sex, drinking and drugs that come along with being a model; they splash the front pages of magazines every so often. It’s hard to believe that she wasn’t at least partially aware of the pitfalls of the industry, especially when a mere Internet search would reveal all she wanted to know and more.
I was impressed with Alt’s writing, clear and succinct - the book isn’t any longer than it needs to be. Her follow-up novel, Next Year’s Model, will likely continue Mac’s adventures, and hopefully at this point it will diverge from Walker’s novels. Alt shows a lot of promise as an auther, so here’s hoping that she breaks out of her shell and gives us a unique and interesting look at the world of modeling.
It's official – I have read 100 books in 2009! I'm a little bit in disbelief that I managed to do it before March is even over. Regardless, I'm really happy about my reading pace, though I don't think I'll be able to sustain it. Still, it's a good feeling!
This Sunday finds me still curled up in bed writing a paper. Why in bed? Well, I somehow hurt my back and while it's gotten much better over the past couple of days, I'm trying really hard not to strain it. The most annoying part is that I have absolutely no idea how I hurt myself! So besides being hurt, I also feel kind of stupid.
If you are on Twitter, you saw me tweeting about the Twilight movie on Friday. While I wasn't impressed, it was definitely enjoyable in a really bad way. The chemistry between Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson is believable enough. I do have to ask though, why is so much angst required for a mere conversation?
I also watched the series finale of Battlestar Galactica this weekend. While I didn't absolutely love the finale, I enjoyed it and cried at the end. They had some flashbacks interspersed through the finale which were quite annoying. I'm really going to miss the show. If you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend renting the miniseries to see what you think of it. I know the name of the show turns people off, but I really don't consider it sci-fi. Yes, it takes place in space, but there are no aliens! The acting really is amazing, I hope it gets some Emmy nominations this year.
I am currently giving away The Chocolate Run by Dorothy Koomson [review][entry page]. If you haven't entered yet, you have until March 25 to do so!
Welcome! I’m Swapna Krishna, and this is where you’ll find my book reviews. Feel free to look through my review database. I also host the South Asian Review Database and run the South Asian Challenge, which promote the authors and literature of the region.
I do accept books for review, but please take a look at myreview policy before pitching me a book. If you have any questions, please contact me.
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