Ok, so many of you know that I am back from Oxford and have been for a few days. So, where have I been? Why haven’t I been updated or posting my reading progress?
Well, I’ve been laid up with a pretty nasty bug ever since I returned on Monday. It’s consisted of, among other things, a horrible hacking cough, a 103 degree fever, vomiting, dizziness, and a complete brain fog. Those of you who follow me on Twitter know how miserable I’ve been for the past few days!
I have been doing some reading – I’ve been re-reading the Harry Potter series in an effort to exercise my brain’s muscles since they’ve been so dormant these past few days! However, those of you who are looking for me to begin reading review copies again will just have to be patient for just a few more days, unfortunately. Despite my current state of dizziness, I’m hoping to be slightly productive today and at least get around to cataloguing the books I received while I was gone! I also am still planning to post some more about Oxford, because I know I didn’t get to tell you that much while I was gone.
So please just bear with me! With my scheduled posting, I know that it doesn’t really seem like I’ve been gone, but trust me when I say I feel like I’ve been completely neglectful. I am back and will be returning to normal soon!
Title: Wishful Drinking Author: Carrie Fisher ISBN: 9781439102251 Pages: 163 Release Date: December 2, 2008 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5
From the dust jacket:
Finally, after four hit novels, Carrie Fisher comes clean (well, sort of ) with the crazy truth that is her life in her first-ever memoir. In Wishful Drinking, adapted from her one-woman stage show, Fisher reveals what it was really like to grow up a product of "Hollywood in-breeding," come of age on the set of a little movie called Star Wars, and become a cultural icon and bestselling action figure at the age of nineteen.
Intimate, hilarious, and sobering, Wishful Drinking is Fisher, looking at her life as she best remembers it (what do you expect after electroshock therapy?). It's an incredible tale: the child of Hollywood royalty -- Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher -- homewrecked by Elizabeth Taylor, marrying (then divorcing, then dating) Paul Simon, having her likeness merchandized on everything from Princess Leia shampoo to PEZ dispensers, learning the father of her daughter forgot to tell her he was gay, and ultimately waking up one morning and finding a friend dead beside her in bed.
Wishful Drinking, the show, has been a runaway success. Entertainment Weekly declared it "drolly hysterical" and the Los Angeles Times called it a "Beverly Hills yard sale of juicy anecdotes." This is Carrie Fisher at her best -- revealing her worst. She tells her true and outrageous story of her bizarre reality with her inimitable wit, unabashed self-deprecation, and buoyant, infectious humor.
When I first picked up Wishful Drinking, I was expecting a memoir by a troubled actress who reached her celebrity peak with three old but beloved movies. What I got was entirely different.
Wishful Drinking is actually based on Carrie Fisher’s stand-up show of the same name. While I knew going into the book that Carrie Fisher had a successful show that seemed to be pretty funny, I had no idea that the book was from similar material. As a result, if you saw the show, the book would simply be a repeat. Additionally, I think the book would be a lot funnier in person – I can imagine how it would make a hilarious stand-up show. Still, it was a funny memoir.
If you are looking for juicy gossip about the filming of Star Wars, Wishful Drinkingwould probably be a disappointment. There is only one short chapter devoted to these films. Instead, it is a reflection on Carrie’s eventful, often crazy life, which was made up of much more than these movies. I learned a lot about her while still being thoroughly entertained.
If you don’t have a chance to see Carrie Fisher’s stand-up show, but want to know more about her, then I recommend Wishful Drinking. While this isn’t the typical dishy celebrity memoir, this extremely quick read will definitely leave you laughing!
Title: A Secret Alchemy Author: Emma Darwin ISBN: 9780061714726 Pages: 448 Release Date: June 2, 2009 Publisher: Genre: Historical Fiction, Contemporary Fiction Rating: 3 out of 5
From the back cover:
The cruel fate of the Princes in the Tower is one of the most fascinating—and most troubling—of all England's historical murder mysteries. But what was the truth behind the deaths of the young Edward V and his brother, Dickon, taken from their mother, Elizabeth Woodville, King Edward IV's beautiful widow, and their guardian, Anthony Woodville? And what about the man who would become King Richard III?
In a brilliant feat of historical daring, the acclaimed author of The Mathematics of Love reimagines the tragedy of the youngest victims of the Wars of the Roses. Through the voices of Elizabeth, Anthony, and Una—a historian who herself knows grief, betrayal, and secret love—Emma Darwin re-creates the lethal power struggles into which the boys were born, their heart-wrenching imprisonment, and the ultimate betrayal of their innocence.
I’ve been reading a lot of books on The Wars of the Roses lately – it might be my new favorite time period for historical fiction! Therefore, when I heard about A Secret Alchemy, I immediately knew I wanted to read it.
A Secret Alchemy is a very strange book. It is told from three points of view: Elizabeth Wydville, Anthony Wydeville (Elizabeth’s brother), and Una, a modern day historian interested in Elizabeth and Anthony. From the book’s description, I didn’t pick up that Una’s story was set in the present. Therefore, I was incredibly confused when Una’s story took over! Happily, I adjusted quickly to the surprise.
A Secret Alchemy is very well written, in terms of language used. I appreciated that it was easy to read. Also, one of my favorite parts of the novel was that it was written from Elizabeth Wydeville’s point of view. As a result, this oft-vilified woman is given a voice of her own and portrayed sympathetically.
I say that A Secret Alchemy is strange because I often found myself confused when I was reading it. I’m really glad I was previously aware of the history of The Wars of the Roses because I would not have picked it up from this book. Darwin indiscriminately jumps time in this book. Had I not known what was going on, I would have been completely bewildered.
Additionally, the entire novel has a layer of ambiguity to it. If you persevere past the first 150 pages or so, things become clearer. But at the beginning, it’s really difficult to tell who is who and what time period they are in. Additionally, Una wasn’t really convincing for me as the modern day vehicle for the story. Her part focused much more on her personal issues, rather than on Elizabeth and Anthony.
A Secret Alchemy is definitely an interesting read, though I only recommend it to fans of historical fiction who already are familiar with the Wars of the Roses. If you don’t know much about the time period, definitely don’t start with this book – you will find yourself completely lost!
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!
Welcome to the Thursday Tunes! Each week, I will showcase music, whether new or old. Hopefully you will find something that interests you here!
Christopher O’Riley is a very talented pianist who has released two albums which are very interesting. Instead of regular classical music, O’Riley plays the music of the band Radiohead on the piano. He interprets and sometimes re-arranges these songs and the result is just amazing. Hold Me To This is a great album to put on in the background while you are reading. Even if you aren’t familiar with Radiohead, you’ll find something to like on this album. Hold Me To This can be purchased from the Amazon MP3 Store for $8.99.
Title: Tattoo Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes ISBN: 9780385733472 Pages: 272 Release Date: January 9, 2007 Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers Genre: Teen, Fantasy Rating: 3.5 out of 5
From the back cover:
Bailey Morgan isn't the type of girl who shows a lot of skin, but somehow, she ends up in a dressing room at the mall with her friend Delia applying a temporary tattoo to her lower back. Never one to suffer fashion doubt, trendsetter Delia knows exactly where she wants her own tattoo: on her stomach, right where her shirt ends—can you say "midriff"? Annabelle, the quiet one, chooses the back of her neck, and tomboy Zo plasters hers on the top of her foot. The tattoos will last for three days, and Delia's sure that with them, the four friends will absolutely kill at the school dance.
Unfortunately, killing is just what someone has in mind, and Bailey, Delia, Annabelle, and Zo are in for the battle of their lives. Along with her tattoo, each girl receives a gift—a supernatural power to help them in their fight. As Bailey's increasingly frightening dreams reveal the nature of their enemy, it becomes clear to the girls that it's up to them to save the world. And if they can get Delia to stop using her newfound power to turn gum wrappers into Prada pumps, they might actually stand a chance.
Tattoo is a teen fantasy story based on ancient myths and legends. At the same time, it’s about four close friends who care very much about one another. Of course, it has the requisite cute boys, but mainly this is a book of fantasy and friendship.
The four girls are very unique and I liked each of them for different reasons. I liked Bailey’s intelligence and her insight into the situation. Annabelle might have been my favorite – she watches everyone around her. Zo is fiercely protective of her friends. Delia was the comic relief, and while sometimes amusing, her shallowness irked me.
Tattoo is a book that is very much on the surface. It never delves deeply into the storyline or the mythology. Therefore, it is generally more appropriate for teenagers, rather than adults who may be looking for more within the novel. Still, it’s an enjoyable little book that is easy to read. I enjoyed it for what it was and look forward to reading the sequel, Fate.
Title: Falling Out Of Fashion Author: Karen Yampolsky ISBN: 9780758217011 Pages: 288 Release Date: May 1, 2007 Publisher: Kensington Genre: Chick Lit Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the dust jacket:
In the bestselling tradition of The Devil Wears Prada, Karen Yampolsky’s hilarious, disarmingly candid debut goes deep inside the glossy, glamorous, and completely ruthless world of magazine publishing, where bitchiness and betrayal are always in vogue…
Jill White always dreamed of the day when she would start a magazine of her own that would feature smart, witty, real women with aspirations beyond tinier thighs and shinier hair. That day has finally arrived—and Jill magazine is a huge hit. When mega-successful Nestrom Media takes over Jill’s parent company, The Nestrom suits are panting with admiration for both Jill and Jill.
But the ashes from the postcoital cigarette have barely hit the floor before Jill’s new bosses start barking about getting ad revenue up and toning down articles like “His penis is not a toy…or is it?” in favor of fluff pieces with the reality star du jour. What smelled like team spirit devolves into a bitter game of backstabbing. Ellen Cutter, the blond, bland, Bergdorfed CEO of Nestrom Media, and Liz Alexander, Jill’s publisher (and Ellen’s conniving sidekick) are suddenly aligned against Jill, making her life a living hell. Reluctant to quit or to watch as her baby morphs into yet another cheesy rag, Jill fights back, even as Ellen and Liz plot her next move for her. With everything on the line, Jill realizes mean girls don’t get left behind in high school—they grow up and work in publishing…
When I first heard about Falling Out Of Fashion, I knew I wanted to read it. I didn’t have high expectations; I expected yet another The Devil Wears Prada knock-off that was entertaining, but not much more. Instead, I got a nuanced novel that was a lot of fun to read. Falling Out Of Fashion is a layered novel with a main character who is easy to love and care about.
While I enjoyed Falling Out Of Fashion, I can’t say that it was completely satisfying. I really enjoyed the book and its ending, but it didn’t fulfill my catty, girly side – I wanted the two “bad guys” in the novel to get what they deserved! While arguably, they probably did, I was itching for a showdown in which Jill verbally maimed these women. That’s how good of a writer Yampolsky is; she got me completely emotionally involved in the story.
I really enjoyed Falling Out Of Fashion; I thought it was very well done. Yampolsky is a talented writer, and I really hope she pens another novel soon!
Title: The Girl Who Played with Fire Author: Stieg Larsson ISBN: 9780307269980 Pages: 512 Release Date: July 28, 2009 Publisher: Knopf Genre: Mystery Rating: 5 out of 5
From the publisher’s website:
Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.
But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.
As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was one of my favorite books of 2008. I thought it was an amazing mystery, extremely well written and impossible to put down. Therefore, I had incredibly high hopes for its sequel, The Girl Who Played with Fire, which I was lucky enough to receive from the Amazon Vine program. I am thrilled to say that The Girl Who Played with Fire was just as amazing as its predecessor.
Lisbeth Salander really is a mystery woman in the first novel. She has an ambiguous past that was obviously traumatic. Therefore, it was great to delve into her background in The Girl Who Played with Fire. I loved learning more about her. She was definitely the main character in this novel, though once again, much of it featured Mikael Blomkvist more than her.
The mystery in The Girl Who Played with Fire really was expertly done. It kept me guessing – I couldn’t put it down because I was so involved with the story. This book was an amazing ride. It really makes me sad that Larsson passed away after turning in the third book in the Lisbeth Salander trilogy because he really knew the craft of mystery writing inside and out.
I definitely think it is necessary to read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo before reading The Girl Who Played with Fire. Though Larsson makes an effort to review the events of the previous novel within this book’s pages, the reader would miss out on a lot of information. Larsson develops Lisbeth Salander’s and Mikael Blomkvist’s characters with expert precision in the first novel'; to dive straight into The Girl Who Played with Fire is to miss getting to know these characters. As a result, I think it would be hard to fully understand the second novel in the series. Plus The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is simply an amazing book that you don’t want to miss!
The Girl Who Played with Fire was an absolutely amazing read. Though the novel is on the longer side, the pages fly by. This is a novel that is impossible to put down – make sure you have some time set aside when you start this book because you will be in it for the long haul. Though I am sad that there is only one more Steig Larsson book forthcoming, I still can’t wait to read the conclusion of the Lisbeth Salander series.
Thank you to the Amazon Vine program for sending me this book to review.
Title: Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Lunar Module Author: Thomas J. Kelly ISBN: 9781560989981 Pages: 283 Release Date: March 17, 2001 Publisher: Smithsonian Genre: Non-Fiction, History Rating: 4 out of 5
From the dust jacket:
In 1961, only a few weeks after Alan Shepherd completed the first American suborbital flight, President John F. Kennedy announced that the U.S. would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. The next year, NASA awarded the right to meet the extraordinary challenge of building a lunar excursion module to a small airplane company called Grumman from Long Island, New York. Chief engineer Thomas J. Kelly gives a first-hand account of designing, building, testing, and flying the Apollo lunar module. It was, he writes, "and aerospace engineer's dream job of the century." Kelly's account begins with the imaginative process of sketching solutions to a host of technical challenges with an emphasis on safety, reliability, and maintainability. He catalogs numerous test failures, including propulsion-system leaks, ascent-engine instability, stress corrosion of the aluminum allow parts, and battery problems, as well as their fixes under the ever-present constraints of budget and schedule. He also recaptures the anticipation of the first unmanned lunar module flight with Apollo 5 in 1968, the exhilaration of hearing Apollo 11's Neil Armstrong report that "The Eagle has Landed," and the pride of having inadvertently provided a vital "lifeboat" for the crew of the disabled Apollo 13.
I’ve always been very interested in NASA and the Mercury/Gemini/Apollo missions. One of my favorite TV programs is the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon, which is an extremely well crafted and beautifully made account of the Apollo program. One of the best episodes of From the Earth to the Moon is “Spider",” which is the story of how the Lunar Module (LM), which was the vehicle that actually landed on the moon, was created. Inspired by this amazing episode, I went and found the book written by the head of the LM program, Tom Kelly, which is his account of how the module was created. That story is contained in Moon Lander: How We Developed the Apollo Moon Module.
While Moon Lander isn’t quite as fascinating as the miniseries episode, it’s a very engaging look at the process of building something completely new and unexpected. How do you even propose a design for a ship that is supposed to land on the moon when humans haven’t yet been there and have no idea what it’s like? Their design process was very interesting. It was really eye opening to see how many flaws they had to work through before they got it right. In this age of technology, we expect things to be done quickly and correctly the first time. We forget sometimes that the trial and error process is what brought us to where we are now.
I also loved the excitement that permeated through Moon Lander. You can tell that these guys were incredibly excited about being a part of something like the Apollo program. They really believed in what they were doing and were inspired by its successes.
Let me be clear: Moon Lander is a engineering book, more than anything else. While it isn’t too technical, this book is definitely written for those who are fans of the Apollo program and are already familiar with it. If you are looking for an introduction to books on this fascinating time period, I’d recommend A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin. While I haven’t read this popular tome, it’s the book that the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon was based on. Still, Moon Lander isvery interesting read that I recommend to any fans of the Apollo program, or anyone who is interested in engineering!
The last thing Berkeley-dwelling peace activist Sophia Raday expected was to fall in love with a straightlaced Oakland police officer. As someone who had run away from cops dressed in riot gear at protests, Sophia was ambivalent, to say the least, at the prospect of dating Barrett, who was not only a cop but also a West Point graduate, an Airborne Ranger, and a major in the Army Reserve.
During their courtship the two argued about many of the matters that divide the United States, things like drug policy and race relations. Startled by the freedom she found in a relationship of differences, by the challenge of sparring with Barrett, and by his steadfast acceptance of her, Sophia unwittingly fell in love. Then, just when Sophia believed her family was starting a new chapter with the birth of their son, came September 11. Barrett’s belief that he must always stay in Condition Yellow—the terminology coined by his favorite Guns & Ammo writer for a state of alert in which you realize your life is in danger and you may need to shoot someone—was suddenly in the forefront of their lives. Sophia and Barrett began to confront, on a very personal level, their differing viewpoints on polarizing values like fear, duty, family, and patriotism.
I thought that Love in Condition Yellowsounded like an extremely interesting read, as well as a timely one, considering how politically divided the United States seems to be these days. Living in Washington, DC and being a graduate student in Political Science, it is virtually impossible to get away from ideological debates. Though I’m not much of a fan of arguing, I do enjoy listening to different points of view. Often I find that I haven’t thought of a particular issue from a certain viewpoint and realize that I have been looking at the subject too narrowly. That’s how I felt a lot of the time while reading Love in Condition Yellow.
Though my views are not quite as liberal as Sophia’s, I generally agreed with her principles, rather than Barrett’s. As a result, when she would become frustrated with him for his rigid views, I found myself becoming frustrated as well. I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to keep her views to herself, especially when they ended up at the War College in Carlisle, PA. However, strangely enough I was more often irritated with Sophia than Barrett. She didn’t seem to know much about the issues and people she passed judgment on and often saw things in black and white, rather than in shades of gray. Her lack of nuance and tendency to judge people was frustrating.
However, I also really appreciated the lines of communication between Sophia and Barrett. Barrett often made me shake my head, but he also opened my eyes. I think Sophia softened Barrett in a lot of ways, made him realize the more emotional side of things. However, at the same time, Barrett affected Sophia and made her see that her way of interpreting things was often too simplistic. I really liked seeing the effect they had on one another, especially over time.
Love in Condition Yellowis a an eye-opening look at one marriage in the face of uncontrollable world events. Though it was slow at times, I appreciated the insight I gained from this little book.
Title: Just Breathe Author: Susan Wiggs ISBN: 9780778326564 Pages: 480 Release Date: September 1, 2008 Publisher: Mira Books Genre: Women’s Fiction Review: Originally posted at Curled Up With a Good Book Rating: 4 out of 5
Just Breathe is the story of Sarah Moon a happily (or so she thinks) married woman living in Chicago. Admittedly, she doesn’t really like Chicago, and her house is 100 percent her husband and zero percent her, and all she has been able to think about for the past year is getting pregnant but she doesn’t really know why. Still, she’s happy - or so she thinks, until she walks in on her husband oh-so-typically cheating on her with his client. Devastated, she throws all her belongings into a car and, without thinking, just begins driving. She finds herself on the doorstep of her childhood home in Northern California, a place where she was never happy and didn’t really belong.
Once there, Sarah reconnects with her past and begins to realize how unhappy her marriage really was. It doesn’t hurt that her crush from high school, gorgeous Will Bonner, is still in town, though everyone thought he would leave the first chance he got. Sarah realizes that it’s more complicated than it seems when she meets his beautiful stepdaughter, Aurora, whose mother took off a long time ago. As if life isn’t ridiculous enough, Sarah gets a surprise that sends her reeling, making her realize what love really is and what it means to be yourself.
Just Breathe is a sweet romance novel about finding yourself after losing everything you thought meant something to you. Sarah is a damaged person who most women can sympathize with - definitely an extreme, but a lot of misfits are insecure and don’t feel comfortable in their own skin. Underneath, Sarah has felt inadequate, that if she asserted herself, her “perfect” husband Jack wouldn’t love her anymore. Neither of them was actually happy in their marriage, but they each focused on something to make it more palatable: Jack had an affair, and Sarah wanted to fix everything with a baby. The book is a testament to the idea of a marriage of equals – you can’t let yourself disappear within your marriage, because you will never be happy.
The book is definitely a long one, but the pages fly by. I planned on taking this novel slowly but found myself hooked on Sarah’s story and couldn’t put it down. I ended up reading Just Breathe in two long sittings. Wiggs is a wonderful storyteller and readers will be captivated by Sarah’s quest to find herself.
Admittedly, the storyline is predictable. The reader pretty much knows what is going to happen from the second they read the book jacket. Wiggs does throw some monkey wrenches into the works with sub-plots, but generally it’s easy to say what is going to happen at the end of the book. The important part of the book really is the journey; it’s how Sarah gets to a solid position, personally, financially and emotionally. Some loose ends within the novel dangle; problems are mentioned then dropped. A few chapters later, the reader learns that the issue was magically resolved. In some ways, though, this actually has a positive effect on the novel; readers focus on Sarah’s journey and character development rather than the mundane problems of everyday life.
Just Breathe is a wonderfully enjoyable novel that is easy to get lost in. Fans of women’s fiction and romance will definitely enjoy this novel - it makes a great beach read.
Welcome to the Thursday Tunes! Each week, I will showcase music, whether new or old. Hopefully you will find something that interests you here!
Colbie Caillat actually got her start on MySpace. For about four months, she was the number one unsigned singer in her genre, which is a sort of pop-folk guitar. Of course, this didn’t last long – a major label snapped her up and she proceeded to release her first album, Coco. Coco is one of those albums you can listen to the entire way through. Her songs have a similar sound to one another, but in this case that’s a good thing! My favorite songs off the album are Bubbles, Realize and Battle, but all the songs are good! Coco can be purchased from the Amazon MP3 Store for $7.99.
Title: Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal Author: Julie Metz ISBN: 9781401322557 Pages: 352 Release Date: June 9, 2009 Publisher: Voice Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5
From the publisher’s website:
Julie Metz’s life changes forever on one ordinary January afternoon when her husband, Henry, collapses on the kitchen floor and dies in her arms. Suddenly, this mother of a six-year-old is the young widow in a bucolic small town. And this is only the beginning. Seven months after Henry’s death, just when Julie thinks she is emerging from the worst of it, comes the rest of it: She discovers that what had appeared to be the reality of her marriage was but a half-truth. Henry had hidden another life from her.
“He loved you so much.” That’s what everyone keeps telling her. It’s true that he loved Julie and their six-year-old daughter ebulliently and devotedly, but as she starts to pick up the pieces and rebuild her life without Henry in it, she learns that Henry had been unfaithful throughout their twelve years of marriage. The most damaging affair was ongoing—a tumultuous relationship that ended only with Henry’s death. For Julie, the only thing to do was to get at the real truth—to strip away the veneer of“perfection” that was her life and confront each of the women beneath the veneer.
Perfection is the story of Julie Metz’s journey through chaos and transformation as she creates a different life for herself and her young daughter. It is the story of coming to terms with painful truths, of rebuilding both a life and an identity after betrayal and widowhood. It is a story of rebirth and happiness—if not perfection.
Perfection was a book I thought sounded really interesting, especially since I’ve been reading a decent amount of women’s fiction dealing with the subject of betrayal. I was curious about reading a non-fiction take on the subject.
I found Perfection to be very well-written and smooth. This isn’t one of those memoirs that plods along and takes a long time to read. It’s almost difficult to forget that this is a fiction novel; Metz writes with such clarity and focus that it’s a simple and quick read.
I have to say, in some ways Perfection was a difficult book to read. The idea of a woman who had been hurt and betrayed by her husband was sad and definitely made me angry on her behalf. However, calling up each of the women her husband had been unfaithful with and yelling at them didn’t exactly seem like the best idea, especially when considering emotional health. In a lot of ways, it seemed like Metz was living in her husband’s past, rather than trying to put it all behind her. To be fair, the author realizes this more than once in Perfection; but you have to ask yourself, if I were in her place, might I do the same thing?
Perfection is a solid memoir about betrayal, as well as how to move past it. Metz employs many techniques to deal with her grief. While some of them move her backwards, rather than forwards, this book is an interesting look at moving past a horrible betrayal and coming through stronger on the other side.
Thank you for the publisher for sending me this book to review.
On Sunday, I went to Windsor Castle with some friends. We had a great time and were really impressed with the Castle – it is unbelievably huge! Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take pictures inside, so I don’t have any pictures of the State Apartments (which were gorgeous) or St. George’s Chapel (though I was really tempted to try and take a picture of the King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’s marble slab over their tomb).
St. George’s Chapel
Private Apartments of the Royal Family
The flag flying on top of the tower means the Queen was in residence while we were there.
Title: Orange Mint and Honey Author: Carleen Brice ISBN: 9780345499066 Pages: 336 Release Date: February 12, 2008 Publisher: One World/Ballantine Genre: Women's Fiction, Chick Lit Rating: 4 out of 5
From the back cover:
Broke and burned-out from grad school, Shay Dixon does the unthinkable after receiving a “vision” from her de facto spiritual adviser, blues singer Nina Simone. She phones Nona, the mother she had all but written off, asking if she can come home for a while.
When Shay was growing up, Nona was either drunk, hungover, or out with her latest low-life guy. So Shay barely recognizes the new Nona, now sober and with a positive outlook on life, a love of gardening, and a toddler named Sunny. Though reconciliation seems a hard proposition for Shay, something unmistakable is taking root inside her, waiting to blossom like the morning glories opening up in Nona’s garden sanctuary.
Soon Shay finds herself facing exciting possibilities and even her first real romantic relationship. But when an unexpected crisis hits, even the wise words and soulful melodies of Nina Simone may not be enough for solace. Shay begins to realize that, like orange mint and honey, sometimes life tastes better when bitter is followed by sweet.
I'd heard good things about Orange Mint and Honey, so when the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon came around I decided that this would be a good book to tackle. It was perfect for the occasion; light, yet very gripping.
Shay is a well-written character; she was obviously very emotionally damaged by her mother's severe alcoholism and hasn't been able to get past that, even into adulthood. In a lot of ways, she is emotionally crippled; she can't bring herself to trust anyone because in her heart, she believes they will end up letting her down. The growth she exhibits over the course of the Orange Mint and Honey is admirable and very well-crafted.
The issues raised by Orange Mint and Honey were very thought provoking. I found Shay's problems with her mother very interesting. It really brings up the topic of forgiveness – how can Shay even begin to forgive Nona for all the hurts she caused, for abandoning her for days at a time, for never taking care of her, for leaving Shay to fend for herself? I honestly can't conceive of how much strength it would take to cope with something like that, never mind find it in yourself to forgive someone for inflicting that on you.
I also thought the discussion of trichotillomania, or Shay's compulsive hair pulling, was very interesting. Disorders that are spurred by anxiety or emotional stress are difficult for me to comprehend. Brice writes about it in a way that is easy to sympathize with; she tries to make the reader understand why Shay pulls out her hair and what need it satisfies.
I found Orange Mint and Honey to be a very satisfying read. I definitely recommend it to any fans of chick lit or women's fiction, as well as to fans of interracial fiction, as Shay deals with some issues unique to being a black woman. It definitely doesn't disappoint!
Title: The Luxe Author: Anna Godbersen ISBN: 9780061345685 Pages: 464 Release Date: November 20, 2007 Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: Teen, Historical Fiction, Chick Lit Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the dust jacket:
Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.
With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...
In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.
The Luxe was one of those books I'd heard good things about, but wasn't planning on reading anytime soon. Still, when my request for it at the library was filled I went ahead and picked it up during a day of running errands, figuring I'd probably end up returning it unread. Before we were ready to head home, my husband wanted to run into Best Buy. We were parked illegally, so I decided to wait in the car. I ended up picking up The Luxe, thinking I would read a chapter or two and then put it down. It seems the book had other plans – once I started, I didn't want to stop reading it for anything.
I absolutely adored The Luxe. It was a ridiculously entertaining book. The entire time I was reading it, I kept thinking that it was basically Gossip Girl set 110 years ago. (In the interest of full disclosure, I've only watched the TV series. I've never read the books.) It was simply a delicious read, and what a gorgeous cover!
My favorite character was definitely Elizabeth. I felt so bad for her, and hated how no one seemed to understand her. Even worse, no one really seemed to care enough to try and see through her proper facade. Her beloved younger sister, Diana, judged her and her "best friend", Penelope, was insanely jealous of Elizabeth's beauty and status. I liked seeing Elizabeth's deeper side.
I had mixed feelings about Diana. I felt like she was really selfish at the beginning, but her character grew somewhat over the course of the book. Penelope, on the other hand, was horrible. I couldn't sympathize with her at all – she was that character everyone loves to hate. She was wonderfully wicked and really added a great dimension to The Luxe.
I wasn't really satisfied with the ending of The Luxe. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends and justice was most definitely not served. The only thing that appeased me was the knowledge that The Luxe is the first in a series; I can't wait to read the next book, Rumors. The Luxe was a deliciously fun read that I highly recommend – it will only leave you wanting more!
Title: The Book of Lies Author: Brad Meltzer ISBN: 9780446577885 Pages: 352 Release Date: 9/2/2008 Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Genre: Thriller Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the dust jacket:
In Chapter Four of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. It is the world's most famous murder. But the Bible is silent about one key detail: the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.
In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest. While mourning, his son dreamed of a bulletproof man and created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found.
Until now.
Today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Cal Harper comes face-to-face with his family's greatest secret: his long-lost father, who's been shot with a gun that traces back to Mitchell Siegel's 1932 murder. But before Cal can ask a single question, he and his father are attacked by a ruthless killer tattooed with the ancient markings of Cain. And so begins the chase for the world's first murder weapon.
What does Cain, history's greatest villain, have to do with Superman, the world's greatest hero? And what do two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? This is the mystery at the heart of Brad Meltzer's riveting and utterly intriguing new thriller
I heard Brad Meltzer speak at the National Book Festival in 2008 about his new book The Book of Lies. At that point, I had read one book by him (The Book of Fate) which was pretty good. However, after listening to his inspiration for The Book of Lies, as well as his enthusiasm and passion about the book, I became convinced that this was a novel I had to read.
Meltzer’s inspiration for The Book of Lies was the unsolved murder of Mitchell Siegel, the father of Superman creator Jerry Siegel. He obviously spend a lot of time and effort researching and finding out as much as possible about the history and circumstances of the murder. The reader can feel his enthusiasm as they are racing through this novel. It really draws you in.
The Book of Lies was a novel I simply could not put down. Meltzer is a master at creating and building suspense. I felt so connected to the story and what was going on. I also found the mystery of Mitchell Siegel’s murder very compelling, especially knowing that all the facts surrounding it are true from Meltzer’s National Book Festival speech. It was an incredibly well-crafted book – even if you aren’t a fan of thrillers, you should find something to enjoy in this novel
I have to admit, the Cain-Abel connection was a little bit difficult to believe. While I think it was a great “hook,” I think the real heart of the story was Jerry Siegel. I would even venture to say that Brad Meltzer probably agrees with me on that point.
Unsure about how passionate Brad Meltzer actually is about Jerry Siegel’s story? The video on this website will change your mind. This is a project that Meltzer started after visiting the house in which Superman was created and being appalled by the horrible condition it was in. Please take the time to poke around the website, Ordinary People Change the World. If you’re inspired, maybe you’ll want to donate some money or spread the word? If you’re curious, here is the shirt that I bought in order to support their efforts.
Title: Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi Author: Geoff Dyer ISBN: 9780307377371 Pages: 304 Release Date: April 7, 2009 Publisher: Pantheon Genre: Contemporary Fiction Rating: 3 out of 5
Every two years the international art world descends on Venice for the opening of the Biennale. Among them is Jeff Atman—a jaded, dissolutely resolute journalist—whose dedication to the cause of Bellini-fuelled party-going is only intermittently disturbed by the obligation to file a story. When he meets Laura, he is rejuvenated, ecstatic. Their romance blossoms quickly but is it destined to disappear just as rapidly?
Every day thousands of pilgrims head to the banks of the Ganges at Varanasi, the holiest Hindu city in India. Among their number is a narrator who may or may not be the Atman previously seen in Venice. Intending to visit only for a few days he ends up staying for months, and finds—or should that be loses?—a hitherto unexamined idea of himself, the self. In a romance he can only observe, he sees a reflection of the kind of pleasures that, willingly or not, he has renounced. In the process, two ancient and watery cities become versions of each other. Could two stories, in two different cities, actually be one and the same story?
Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi is actually two separate novellas combined into one book. The first novella, Jeff in Venice, is a worldly and self-indulgent account of a journalist named Jeff Atman who travels to Venice. He embarks on a journey of drugs, alcohol, and graphic sex, experiencing every pleasure that the city has to offer.
The second novella, Death in Varanasi, is a little more ambiguous. The reader isn’t entirely sure whether the narrator, who is unnamed, is the same as in the first novella. This story is much more of a travel narrative; the reader learns about the holy city of Varanasi through the anonymous narrator’s eyes. He is much more concerned with the state of his soul than the pleasures of the flesh; however, in some ways, he is just as self-indulgent as Jeff Atman (if they aren’t one and the same). He merely indulges the spirit instead of the physical. (It is interesting to note that Atman, the protagonist's last name, is a Hindu word which roughly means “true self.”)
Dyer’s writing style is very smooth. He is obviously a talented writer; however, I’m not sure the concept of this novel actually works. It’s an interesting thought, but in the end, the reader is merely presented with two different stories of different caliber.
Jeff in Venice is not a very enjoyable novella. It is childish and extremely self-indulgent. All Jeff wants to do is get drunk, get high, and have sex with Laura. He is extremely selfish and can’t seem to commit to anything professionally. While it is well-written, it’s not a very interesting story, even with deeper analysis.
Death in Varanasi, on the other hand, is an engaging tale of extremes. The narrator’s descriptions of Varanasi are vivid; he presents a beautiful portrait of the city, in all its ugliness. The stark contrasts of Varanasi are a wonderful background for the narrator’s spiritual journey. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this part of the novel, though it, too, was a bit self-indulgent.
Jeff in Venice, Death in Varanasi is a novel with a very interesting concept. Though I’m not sure how well it was executed, it’s clear that Geoff Dyer is a very talented writer. I look forward to reading his future novels!
Thank you to the Amazon Vine program for sending me this book to review.
Title: Censoring an Iranian Love Story Author: Shahriar Mandanipour ISBN: 9780307269782 Pages: 304 Release Date: May 5, 2009 Publisher: Knopf Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Satire Rating: 4 out of 5
From the publisher’s website:
From one of Iran’s most acclaimed and controversial contemporary writers, his first novel to appear in English—a dazzlingly inventive work of fiction that opens a revelatory window onto what it’s like to live, to love, and to be an artist in today’s Iran.
The novel entwines two equally powerful narratives. A writer named Shahriar—the author’s fictional alter ego—has struggled for years against the all-powerful censor at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Now, on the threshold of fifty, tired of writing dark and bitter stories, he has come to realize that the “world around us has enough death and destruction and sorrow.” He sets out instead to write a bewitching love story, one set in present-day Iran. It may be his greatest challenge yet.
Yet writing freely of Sara and Dara’s encounters, their desires, would put Shahriar in as much peril as his lovers. Thus we read not just the scenes Shahriar has written but also the sentences and words he’s crossed out or merely imagined, knowing they can never be published.
Laced with surprising humor and irony, at once provocative and deeply moving, Censoring an Iranian Love Story takes us unforgettably to the heart of one of the world’s most alluring yet least understood cultures. It is an ingenious, wholly original novel—a literary tour de force that is a triumph of art and spirit.
I have to say, Censoring an Iranian Love Story might be the most creative book I have ever read. Mandanipour manages to combine so many different elements into this book – it can be different things to different people, while being many things to one person.
On the surface, Censoring an Iranian Love Story is a story-within-a-story. The author writes himself writing a book. So there are two stories within this novel: the overarching story of an author struggling with censorship in Iran and the plot of the book he is writing. As the novel progresses, the two stories move closer and closer together until they are intertwined.
I really liked reading about censorship in Iran. The censorship process is extremely interesting and I was very curious about what they find offensive. The author’s war with the censor, Mr. Petrovich, was hilarious at times. While being extremely informative, the entire thing was a satire on censorship.
I found the story of Dara and Sara, the story within a story of Censoring an Iranian Love Story, to be the more compelling of the two. Though they were merely characters within a book within a book, I became emotionally connected to their story. Mandanipour did an excellent job of writing sympathetic characters.
I really enjoyed Censoring an Iranian Love Story. I thought it was very unique. Though it was slow at times, it was an entertaining novel that I definitely recommend if you are interested in subjects such as censorship or devices within a novel.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review.
Title: Whistling In the Dark Author: Lesley Kagen ISBN: 9780451221230 Pages: 336 Release Date: May 1, 2007 Publisher: NAL Trade Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery Rating: 3 out of 5
From the back cover:
Sally O'Malley made a promise to her daddy before he died. She swore she'd look after her sister, Troo. Keep her safe. But like her Granny always said-actions speak louder than words. Now, during the summer of 1959, the girls' mother is hospitalized, their stepfather has abandoned them for a six pack, and their big sister, Nell, is too busy making out with her boyfriend to notice that Sally and Troo are on the Loose. And so is a murderer and molester.
Highly imaginative Sally is pretty sure of two things. Who the killer is. And that she's next on his list. Now she has no choice but to protect herself and Troo as best she can, relying on her own courage and the kindness of her neighbors.
I've read a lot of great reviews of Whistling In the Dark, so when I picked it up, I expected an extremely enjoyable read. While it was a well-written book, I can't say I found it as compelling as others have. I also read this book during the 24 Hour Read-A-Thon, and I wonder if that had something to do with my lack of enthusiasm for this novel.
The story is told from the point of view of Sally, an eleven year old girl living in 1959, and I think that's where the book lost me. I don't think I really enjoy books told from the point of view of children. Still, Kagen writes Sally's innocence well, although her thought processes seem a bit advanced for her age.
The mystery of Whistling In the Dark is definitely the driving force of the novel. It's why I kept on with it, though I didn't identify with the narrator. It's very well-crafted and not really obvious at all. However, I did pick up on some of the "twists" of the novel and knew they were coming long before they actually occurred in the novel.
Though Whistling In the Dark wasn't for me, that doesn't mean it is a poorly written book or that you shouldn't give it a try. I didn't really enjoy the choice of narrator, but if you think you might like it, you should definitely read it!
Welcome to the Thursday Tunes! Each week, I will showcase music, whether new or old. Hopefully you will find something that interests you here!
Duffy is the stage name of Aimee Ann Duffy, a Welsh singer-songwriter whose debut album is called Rockferry. Duffy has a jazz-pop sound that is incredibly catchy. The song “Mercy” was featured in the TV show Grey’s Anatomy as well as the Sex and the City movie. She is incredibly popular over in the UK and has become increasingly popular here in the US as well.
My personal favorite songs off of Rockferry are Rockferry, Warwick Avenue, and Rain On Your Parade. The deluxe edition of Rockferry can be purchased from the Amazon MP3 Store for $9.49.
Today I visited Blackwell’s, a bookstore that has been a fixture in Oxford since 1879. I’m not 100% certain on this, but someone told me that it is the largest bookstore in the UK! If it isn’t the biggest, it certainly has to be in the top 5! The shop was five stories, including the cavernous basement called “the Norrington Room.”
Despite the fact I was in there for hours, I only bought one book. I knew that I would be mailing back any books I bought, so I only wanted to buy a book if it wasn’t available in the States. I came away with Amenable Woman by Mavis Cheek.
Title: The Post-Birthday World Author: Lionel Shriver ISBN: 9780061187896 Pages: 544 Release Date: March 13, 2007 Publisher: Harper Perennial Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction Rating: 4.5 out of 5
From the back cover:
American children's book illustrator Irina McGovern enjoys a secure, settled life in London with her smart, loyal, disciplined partner, Lawrence—until the night she finds herself inexplicably drawn to kissing another man, a passionate, extravagant, top-ranked snooker player. Two competing alternate futures hinge on this single kiss, as Irina's decision—to surrender to temptation or to preserve her seemingly safe partnership with Lawrence—will have momentous consequences for her career, her friendships and familial relationships, and the texture of her daily life.
When I first started The Post-Birthday World, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a long book, and within the first 50 pages, I could tell it was going to be a slow novel. However, as I got into it, I realized that it was a meticulously crafted novel that was as provocative as it was intricate.
The Post-Birthday World is basically a story of alternate futures that hinge on a single moment: whether Irina chooses to kiss Ramsey Acton, a man who is friends with her husband. In one future, she doesn’t kiss him and in the other future she does. The split is told in alternating chapters, reviewing the same events through the lens of each future. It’s an incredibly interesting way to tell a story – you don’t have to think “what if” because you know what if.
The end message of The Post-Birthday World is incredibly interesting. Basically, it makes you ask whether it even matters. Yes, one choice can change the events in your life drastically, but will it really change its course? Can one choice change the end result, or will you end at the same place regardless of what choices you make?
The Post-Birthday World is long, but it’s completely engrossing. It’s a very thoughtful book; it would actually make a great book club read. There’s a lot of material here to discuss: in which future was Irina better off? Does her choice actually make a difference? If you’ve read this book, feel free to discuss in the comments (though if your comment contains a spoiler, please say so!)
I know it’s been awhile since I’ve given you guys an update on my trip, but it’s because I’ve been really busy! There is always something going on, and when there isn’t, I am usually scrambling to work on my papers! But I am thoroughly enjoying myself here and I’ll try to start posting more.
This past Sunday, my friend and I made a little day trip to 4 different places: Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Avebury. It was an amazing trip and we really enjoyed ourselves.
Old Sarum was an ancient hillfort that has been occupied for thousands of years. It was great to just be able to wander around (and step on the grass, that has pretty much been beaten out of me after Oxford!)
Ruins of the Treasury of the Cathedral
View of Salisbury from the Old Sarum hill
Moving onto Salisbury, we had lunch and wandered around the town, and then went to Salisbury Cathedral which really was just beautiful.
This tomb is for Edward Seymour, cousin of Queen Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, who was married to the sister of Lady Jane Grey.
After Salisbury, we went to Stonehenge. Though I’ve been before, it was still just amazing.
(It was REALLY windy.)
Finally, we went to Avebury, which is another stone circle. Diameter-wise, it’s the largest stone circle in Britain, but it’s a lot more subtle than Stonehenge. Additionally, you can walk right up to and touch the stones of Avebury, which is very cool.
A house with a thatched roof in Avebury
The church in Avebury
The stones of Avebury
This weekend, we are heading to Bath and Windsor, plus I’m planning on wandering around Oxford a lot more this week so hopefully I will have more pictures to share soon!
Title: The Angel’s Game Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon ISBN: 9780385528702 Pages: 544 Release Date: June 16, 2009 Publisher: Doubleday Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5
From the publisher’s website:
In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David MartÃn, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner.
Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed—a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home.
Once again, Zafón takesus into a dark, gothic universe first seen in the Shadow of the Wind and creates a breathtaking adventure of intrigue, romance, and tragedy. Through a dizzingly constructed labyrinth of secrets, the magic of books, passion, and friendship blend into a masterful story.
When I was in college, I stopped reading for a few years. I’m not really sure why, I just was out of my element and got out of the habit. However, when I was browsing the bookstore one day, a little book called The Shadow of the Wind caught my eye. I decided to give it a chance – it ended up being one of the best books I had ever read, and is the book that got me back into reading. When I heard that Carlos Ruiz Zafon had a new book coming out, I was ridiculously excited to read it.
I’m not sure what I expected with The Angel’s Game, but the book was a surprise on many levels. I was really glad to see that the same translator, Lucia Graves, worked on The Angel’s Game as on The Shadow of the Wind. Graves translates Zafon’s writing absolutely beautifully. The words are fluid and flexible; they mold themselves to suit what they are describing. It is simply a gorgeous novel to read.
I really loved David, though at times he isn’t the easiest character to like. I think that is a testament to Zafon’s writing ability; he creates completely lifelike characters that are ready to leap off the page. It is easy to forgive David when he is unbecoming or rude because he seems like a good friend, rather than a character in a novel.
The Angel’s Game was a very slow novel. The mystery doesn’t really assert itself until about halfway through the novel. When it finally does, it still takes time to build up the momentum. While gripping, the supernatural elements and philosophy of the novel make it an entirely different novel than its predecessor.
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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St. George’s Chapel
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Ruins of the Treasury of the Cathedral
This tomb is for Edward Seymour, cousin of Queen Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII, who was married to the sister of Lady Jane Grey.
(It was REALLY windy.)
A house with a thatched roof in Avebury
