I think I should integrate What I Read into my main blog. So that will happen eventually.
Currently reading:
The Breath of God by Jeffrey Small
I read an article by the author on the Religion page of the Huffington Post. I liked it. At the end he plugged his novel so I downloaded the sample and then the whole book (kindle version $8.99). So far the style is kind of copy-cat Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code) but it's good. I love a little historical context interwoven into a mystery novel. I'm only at 27% so full review to come...
That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum
This is an important book. It makes me want to get off my ass and do something.
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Dostoyevsky books were $0 on Kindle so I downloaded this one. I am having some difficulty getting into it.
Now onto whatiread:
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
I liked this story. I didn't know much about the Japanese internment during WWII and I still don't but this story sheds a little light on it through the eyes of a Chinese boy (and then old man, looking back) who falls in love with a Japanese girl. Thumbs up.
The Abbey by Chris Culver
This was a Kindle Single. I think that just means it's 99 cents. It was ok. It was a crime novel. Not super exciting.
Now You See Her by James Patterson
This was my first foray into James Patterson. I may have waited too long to do the review because I am getting mixed up between this story and the only Nicholas Sparks book I've read (Safe Haven). Same deal where a girl is hiding from her past (an abusive husband). Safe Haven had a good twist. Now You See Her was entertaining.
The Shack by William P. Young
This was on my bookshelf. It came over from the move out of my mom's house. This is a book she recommends. It's a tad churchy for my taste but I still enjoyed it on some level. It was interesting.
The premise is that after a man's daughter is kidnapped and murdered he receives an invitation to spend the weekend at the shack (where the assualt took place) with God.
Interesting fact, in the midst of reading The Shack, I walked into my room to find that my Precious Moments Bible (I was raised Catholic and this was a first communion gift from my Grandparents) was ajar on the bookshelf. It's just me and the pooch at home. It was chilling. Though I'm sure I dislodged it pulling out another book days before and didn't notice until then.
It's the kind of book that gets the wheels turning regardless of your personal beliefs.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
This is young adult lit targeted at the same audience as Twilight but it's not as good. It has a mystical element that keeps your attention...at least until revealed. It was entertaining enough but I don't recommend it. I'd rather re-read Twilight.
I think that catches us up to date.
Please, if you have read any really great books this year, recommend them in the comments section. Thanks!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Now Reading...Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
They've already made this book into a movie. I saw the preview and it looked good so I purchased the ebook from Amazon with a birthday Kindle giftcard (Thanks, Bass!)
It's one of those bi-chapter perspective shifters. You go from present day American journalist in Paris writing an article on the Vel d'hiv (round up of the French Jewish population in Paris in July of 1942 by their own police) to a 10 year old French-born Jewish girl who is living through it.
Obviously it's depressing but the mystery, intrigue and historical relevance has kept me hanging on.
It's one of those bi-chapter perspective shifters. You go from present day American journalist in Paris writing an article on the Vel d'hiv (round up of the French Jewish population in Paris in July of 1942 by their own police) to a 10 year old French-born Jewish girl who is living through it.
Obviously it's depressing but the mystery, intrigue and historical relevance has kept me hanging on.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Awh Yah. Just finished this whale of a geography/history/creepiness lesson, Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.
Spoiler alert, I might give away some exciting deets (details) in this post. In my defense it's non-fiction so you should know this stuff already...dummy. Just kidding. For me it was like history class before college, you know, when it was fun because it was about learning and discovering instead of sounding smarter than the guy next to you...Or in my case spending time blending in to avoid getting called on cause I didn't do the reading BECAUSE it was not fun reading like this was. So unless you are a Chicago history buff it will probably read much like fiction and will be fun, surprising and exciting (at times)to read.
I'm not just giving it a thumbs up or down. (Up, by the way). Do I recommend it? I sure do.
Disregarding what I said above, it does remind me of a book a college professor might assign...a nice college professor. It's too dense to be completely enjoyable. So NOT a light summer read unless maybe you're Oprah. (Anna Karenina? Seriously, Oprah?)
Get it for the Fall. And don't read it if you live alone.
Quick synopsis (in case you haven't stopped reading this to start reading the book): It's the tail end of the 19th century. Chicago wins the bid to host the World's Columbian Expedition. The architects work to build a fair that will put the French and their Eiffel Tower to shame.
MEANWHILE University of Michigan (woot!...no press is bad press) Medical School grad moves to Englewood and sets up shop swindling contractors and consumers and builds a murder hotel to host fairgoers.
Takeaways:
1. Move out the way Unibomber you're not University of Michigan's only psychopath. Welcome back to the stage your predecessor H.H. Holmes aka Herman Mudgett.
2. My great great grandfather may have been the Detective that tracked down Holme's victims and got him put away for more than just fraud (family tree check: Frank Geyer?)Name and location are a match...plus the population was way smaller then. Totally plausible.
3. The Ferris Wheel made it's debut in Chicago by a man named Ferris!...and was later exploded and used for scrap metal. (spoiled surprise...sorry) So sadly, not the same wheel that stands/turns at Navy Pier today...actually that should be a comfort.
Lingering questions: Were there chads and trixies in Chicago during the World's Fair?
I previously reviewed Larson's more recent "In the Garden of Beasts," likewise this book was information heavy so the first half dragged a bit. I general whip through a book, this one took some time. I get sleepy from all the learning.
I look forward to a future trip to Chicago to check out the building(s) that are still standing. I've driven by the area countless times but now there's that added magical history there.
Spoiler alert, I might give away some exciting deets (details) in this post. In my defense it's non-fiction so you should know this stuff already...dummy. Just kidding. For me it was like history class before college, you know, when it was fun because it was about learning and discovering instead of sounding smarter than the guy next to you...Or in my case spending time blending in to avoid getting called on cause I didn't do the reading BECAUSE it was not fun reading like this was. So unless you are a Chicago history buff it will probably read much like fiction and will be fun, surprising and exciting (at times)to read.
I'm not just giving it a thumbs up or down. (Up, by the way). Do I recommend it? I sure do.
Disregarding what I said above, it does remind me of a book a college professor might assign...a nice college professor. It's too dense to be completely enjoyable. So NOT a light summer read unless maybe you're Oprah. (Anna Karenina? Seriously, Oprah?)
Get it for the Fall. And don't read it if you live alone.
Quick synopsis (in case you haven't stopped reading this to start reading the book): It's the tail end of the 19th century. Chicago wins the bid to host the World's Columbian Expedition. The architects work to build a fair that will put the French and their Eiffel Tower to shame.
MEANWHILE University of Michigan (woot!...no press is bad press) Medical School grad moves to Englewood and sets up shop swindling contractors and consumers and builds a murder hotel to host fairgoers.
Takeaways:
1. Move out the way Unibomber you're not University of Michigan's only psychopath. Welcome back to the stage your predecessor H.H. Holmes aka Herman Mudgett.
2. My great great grandfather may have been the Detective that tracked down Holme's victims and got him put away for more than just fraud (family tree check: Frank Geyer?)Name and location are a match...plus the population was way smaller then. Totally plausible.
3. The Ferris Wheel made it's debut in Chicago by a man named Ferris!...and was later exploded and used for scrap metal. (spoiled surprise...sorry) So sadly, not the same wheel that stands/turns at Navy Pier today...actually that should be a comfort.
Lingering questions: Were there chads and trixies in Chicago during the World's Fair?
I previously reviewed Larson's more recent "In the Garden of Beasts," likewise this book was information heavy so the first half dragged a bit. I general whip through a book, this one took some time. I get sleepy from all the learning.
I look forward to a future trip to Chicago to check out the building(s) that are still standing. I've driven by the area countless times but now there's that added magical history there.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Devil in the White City
Just started reading Erik Larson's Devil in the White City 2 nights ago. Earlier this summer I read his book, In the Garden of Beasts, which I loved. Larson's style is information heavy. At times it's a little difficult to wade through. It's historical fiction-technically...I think. The facts are real. There's ample source material. Larson quotes Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, etc. The fiction comes in only to link the story together...It's more of a taking of liberties than it is fiction...I assume. In any case, the story takes place during the construction of the World's Fair in Chicago at the tail end of the 19th century.
I was telling my dad about the book and he asked why Chicago was being referred to as the 'white city'- no idea so far.
As a woman that lives alone this may be a poor choice for a bedtime read.
...More to come.
Buy the book at Amazon via the link below. Thanks!
I was telling my dad about the book and he asked why Chicago was being referred to as the 'white city'- no idea so far.
As a woman that lives alone this may be a poor choice for a bedtime read.
...More to come.
Buy the book at Amazon via the link below. Thanks!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
upcoming titles...
i've been reading and not posting reviews so here's what's up and coming followed by a 1-3 rating. 1=i don't recommend it, 2=it was okay, 3=loved it, recommend it.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, rating 3
I'll review this one in tandem with the movie review. Movie comes out Wednesday.
The Hangman's Daughter, rating 2
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, rating 3
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, rating 2
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson, rating 3
The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain, rating 3
The Help by Kathryn Stockett, rating 3
I'll review this one in tandem with the movie review. Movie comes out Wednesday.
The Hangman's Daughter, rating 2
The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, rating 3
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, rating 2
In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson, rating 3
The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain, rating 3
The Red Tent: A Novel by Anita Diamant, rating 3
Monday, May 30, 2011
bossypants by tina fey
It's Memorial Day. I tagged along with my brother for his weekly road trip to Chicago. (I regularly reside in suburban Detroit). For the trip my bro downloaded Tina Fey's autobiography, Bossypants. The bulk we listened to on the trip there. We finished on the way home.
I loved it. There's something about people discussing their intimate feelings of inadequacy that make me feel at peace with myself. Tina's book is no exception. The book is extremely revealing. Far more so than I would have expected. From her first menses, to the dynamic behind the scenes at SNL, she is frank and liberal with details.
The audiobook is ideal for consuming this book. I am clearly biased. Here's my rationale: Tina Fey is a comedian. The book is basically an extremely personal and detailed stand up routine- At least it feels that way. Via audiobook you're practically guaranteed to get the comedic punches because Tina personally delivers the lines rather than leaving them to be marred by your own inner voice. Also, there are audio clips from an SNL sketch which you forgo (i would imagine) completely with the text version.
Regardless of which way you choose to read this, it's worth it. It's funny, inspiring, motivating, charming, my kinda book completely.
I loved it. There's something about people discussing their intimate feelings of inadequacy that make me feel at peace with myself. Tina's book is no exception. The book is extremely revealing. Far more so than I would have expected. From her first menses, to the dynamic behind the scenes at SNL, she is frank and liberal with details.
The audiobook is ideal for consuming this book. I am clearly biased. Here's my rationale: Tina Fey is a comedian. The book is basically an extremely personal and detailed stand up routine- At least it feels that way. Via audiobook you're practically guaranteed to get the comedic punches because Tina personally delivers the lines rather than leaving them to be marred by your own inner voice. Also, there are audio clips from an SNL sketch which you forgo (i would imagine) completely with the text version.
Regardless of which way you choose to read this, it's worth it. It's funny, inspiring, motivating, charming, my kinda book completely.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
In honor of wedding season beginning, or just coincidentally...I just started The Paris Wife. The recommendation comes from a solid source- future sister in law, Sarah. I downloaded the sample first from Amazon and was instantly hooked. I love those books. Here's a link to buy it now. The review is coming once I've finished.
ADDENDUM...
5/30/2011
I finished sometime in the middle of last week. LOVE THIS BOOK. Have I reviewed The Red Tent yet? I'm going to need to check on that one...
The Paris Wife is one of those historical fiction gems that I love so damn much (see The Red Tent). The narrator is Ernest Hemingway's first wife, Hadley. I'm going to leave out any mentions of plot but clearly they spend sometime in Paris and there is a whole lotta fun and recognizable name-dropping, their pal "Scott," for instance is F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby).
While I love Hadley, the rest of the characters (particularly Hemingway, himself) are awful people. They are like the hipsters of the 20s. Desperate elitists. Trying sooooo hard to be cooler than their friends. Despite the era difference, the characters are recognizable and on some level relate-able.
Great book to start off your summer reading :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)