The more I read, the more I wish I were writing. I read works like Water for Elephants and I am floored by the level of research and creativity that combine into this beautifully created story about Depression-era circuses. The characters are vivid creations of humanity and uniquely gifted (or cursed) individuals struggling to eek out an existence. There is love, danger, sex and even dancing elephants.
But my absolute favorite part of this novel is the setting. Gruen begins the novel in a nursing home in the mind's eye of a 90+ year old man, our narrator. He is the story's protagonist, the young man who- faced with difficulties and loss of loved ones - runs off and stumbles upon a travelling circus. The snippets of the story in the "present" - from his nursing home, or rather, assisted living facility - paint an honest and heart-wrenching portrait of that world. Having watched my grandparents deteriorate over the past 7 years and then die in the later part of 2010, these sections of the novel were incredibly poignant. It was difficult to read because it hit home so hard, but it also beautifully captured the truth of the experience.
Gruen's novel has recently been made into a film starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. I'm looking forward to watching this film when it comes on Netflix or Red Box (because, let's face it...who wants to spent $10 going out to a movie when you can spend $1 to watch it at home in a few months? Oh, and that $10 dollars is a single ticket...taking your spouse or best friend only makes the economic impact worse.)
Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants is an excellent read! I would rate it PG-13 for some gritty descriptions, adult language, and violence.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Book 21, Final Blog...delayed
Ok, so I completed Book 21- Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - quite some time ago. I read it very quickly. I enjoyed it thoroughly. I don't remember much more than that. My brain has been a bumbly jumble of thoughts, lines, ideas - some mine, some others - so much so lately that I am losing track. I'm entirely too young for this kind of behavior which leads me to hope - at the very least HOPE that this is merely an attention issue. I am not paying as much attention. I'm letting things slip.
Wow...my blog suddenly became about me, rather than about my reading. Annoying.
Anyway, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a beautiful and moving 9/11 story from the perspective of a child (for the most part) but I wouldn't necessarily call it a children's or Young Adult book. There is some tough stuff in there...nothing a kid couldn't handle...but just some stuff you might want to know about before handing over a copy to Jr. for summer reading.
But an excellent read. I want to read more of Jonathan Safran Foer's work and definitely read and see Everything is Illuminated. Talented writer. Moving story. Good book.
Wow...my blog suddenly became about me, rather than about my reading. Annoying.
Anyway, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a beautiful and moving 9/11 story from the perspective of a child (for the most part) but I wouldn't necessarily call it a children's or Young Adult book. There is some tough stuff in there...nothing a kid couldn't handle...but just some stuff you might want to know about before handing over a copy to Jr. for summer reading.
But an excellent read. I want to read more of Jonathan Safran Foer's work and definitely read and see Everything is Illuminated. Talented writer. Moving story. Good book.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Updates & (Official) Book 21 Begins
Since my last posting, I completed three of the books I was in the midst of: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Great Lion of God, and The First Part Last. All, excellent books with varying levels of difficulty, topics, etc. I was asked, "how can you read several books at one time?" But with each one being so different from the other, I didn't have a problem. I also watched the film of The Two Towers, so now I can begin reading The Return of the King. However, this will NOT be Book 21 (Official).
Book 21 will be (drum roll, please)...Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Set in post-9/11 NYC, this award-winning novel is hailed as "an uplifting myth born of the sorrows of 9/11" (quote from the Boston Sunday Globe). I've only read the first paragraph...but I can tell I'm going to enjoy this writer very much. The narrator opens the novel talking about making his "anus talk"...and in French, no less. I am guessing that the narrator is also the 9 year-old protagonist...and I love the idea of a smart and witty 9 year-old hero. Now, onto more reading...I'll keep you posted!
Book 21 will be (drum roll, please)...Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Set in post-9/11 NYC, this award-winning novel is hailed as "an uplifting myth born of the sorrows of 9/11" (quote from the Boston Sunday Globe). I've only read the first paragraph...but I can tell I'm going to enjoy this writer very much. The narrator opens the novel talking about making his "anus talk"...and in French, no less. I am guessing that the narrator is also the 9 year-old protagonist...and I love the idea of a smart and witty 9 year-old hero. Now, onto more reading...I'll keep you posted!
Friday, February 4, 2011
2011 Update
2010 went out with several bangs that felt like gunshots straight into my heart and head. October was opaque. November was numb. December was devastating.
But I kept reading. The Hunger Games series is out of this world from cover to cover, beginning to end. Like I said, read it now. I cannot even recall every book I've read since my last post, but I'm going to try to hit the highlights.
Did I mention I'm re-reading the J.R.R. Tolkien Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? I'm in the midst of The Two Towers at the moment. While I'm a big fan of the series and the films, I have only read the novels themselves once in college, thanks to a former-boyfriend/self-proclaimed "Tolkienologist". Something good can come from every relationship.
I also began reading Taylor Caldwell's Great Lion of God. This is a fictional work chronicling the life of Saul of Tarshish - the Apostle Paul of The Bible. It's a favorite of my husband's and I had not really given it my full attention the first time I attempted to read it. This time, however, I got into it and am really loving it! Very near to the end now. Caldwell takes some liberties with Saul/Paul's personal life, but brings some real depth to the man we really only know from his biblical writings. A fascinating novel.
I picked up two more YA novels yesterday - The First Part Last (Angela Johnson) and The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart). Why YA? Besides the fact that I've read many wonderful novels under this classification - YA NOVELS ARE CHEAPER. I've also got a large stack of new acquisitions waiting on the shelf and more LOTR left to read. My bookshelves are teeming nearly as much as my DVD collection.
Here's to 2011 - the year that I read more, knit more, exercise more, love more...and hopefully STRESS less!
But I kept reading. The Hunger Games series is out of this world from cover to cover, beginning to end. Like I said, read it now. I cannot even recall every book I've read since my last post, but I'm going to try to hit the highlights.
Did I mention I'm re-reading the J.R.R. Tolkien Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings? I'm in the midst of The Two Towers at the moment. While I'm a big fan of the series and the films, I have only read the novels themselves once in college, thanks to a former-boyfriend/self-proclaimed "Tolkienologist". Something good can come from every relationship.
I also began reading Taylor Caldwell's Great Lion of God. This is a fictional work chronicling the life of Saul of Tarshish - the Apostle Paul of The Bible. It's a favorite of my husband's and I had not really given it my full attention the first time I attempted to read it. This time, however, I got into it and am really loving it! Very near to the end now. Caldwell takes some liberties with Saul/Paul's personal life, but brings some real depth to the man we really only know from his biblical writings. A fascinating novel.
I picked up two more YA novels yesterday - The First Part Last (Angela Johnson) and The Mysterious Benedict Society (Trenton Lee Stewart). Why YA? Besides the fact that I've read many wonderful novels under this classification - YA NOVELS ARE CHEAPER. I've also got a large stack of new acquisitions waiting on the shelf and more LOTR left to read. My bookshelves are teeming nearly as much as my DVD collection.
Here's to 2011 - the year that I read more, knit more, exercise more, love more...and hopefully STRESS less!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games
Book 20 has already been read. Book 20-A, as well (being the sequel to book 20). Book 20-B - the conclusion of this compelling trilogy is silently waiting for me at the public library on the hold shelf, a sticky note with my name plastered to its cover.
That, in and of itself should be enough of a statement. However, I embrace superfluous verboseness. Suzanne Collins has created in her Hunger Games trilogy a violent and gripping world where teenagers must fight to the death each year. When Katniss' sister, Prim hears her name drawn to compete in the annual games, there is no question. Katniss will go in her place. What unfolds is more than she ever bargained for...from beginning to end.
And as I've already told you, there are two further novels in the series...so be prepared to sacrifice hours of precious sleep to see what happens next...and still next...on and on until you fall asleep drooling on the pages, your eyes aching from reading for hours on end.
Did I mention, further that this is a Young Adult novel? I had heard the name tossed about and understood the basic concept of The Hunger Games but it wasn't until my niece read it for school that I even picked up a copy. After she'd finished it and my sister in law read it, both were emphatic...it is a must read. They were right.
While I loved this novel (and the sequel) and would love to just leave it at that: "Go read it now!", I also feel the teacher in me wanting to speak out. Having recently read a teeming stack of YA literature for a course, you can find my earlier post on the subject ("Attack of the Young Adult Novel"). I analyzed each book not only for its quality and readability but also for its controversial topics or things that just make us "grown ups" roll our eyes at best and cringe or shout "OMG!" at worst. So here's my personal (non-mother, teacher) reaction to The Hunger Games. Go. Read. It. Now.
Many YA Lit options are well-written but also teeming with things parents and teachers often have to avoid (or wish they could), including teen drug use, sexuality and other topics that might offend. As a teacher, many of the YA selections I read were followed with, "well, I really enjoyed that but I'm not tenured and I love my job." The Hunger Games - while violent beyond belief is relatively harmless. The only areas I can see to complain about are the violence and the rebellion against authority. No harsh language and (thankfully) no sex - although sexuality is not completely void from the novel, because what hormonal teenager would believe other teens weren't at least thinking about a little smooching? But it's safe enough for fearful teachers (eh-hem) to be able to introduce the novel without much fear of helicopter parents calling it "trash".
Well, to make a long blog short (too late!), GO READ IT NOW.
That, in and of itself should be enough of a statement. However, I embrace superfluous verboseness. Suzanne Collins has created in her Hunger Games trilogy a violent and gripping world where teenagers must fight to the death each year. When Katniss' sister, Prim hears her name drawn to compete in the annual games, there is no question. Katniss will go in her place. What unfolds is more than she ever bargained for...from beginning to end.
And as I've already told you, there are two further novels in the series...so be prepared to sacrifice hours of precious sleep to see what happens next...and still next...on and on until you fall asleep drooling on the pages, your eyes aching from reading for hours on end.
Did I mention, further that this is a Young Adult novel? I had heard the name tossed about and understood the basic concept of The Hunger Games but it wasn't until my niece read it for school that I even picked up a copy. After she'd finished it and my sister in law read it, both were emphatic...it is a must read. They were right.
While I loved this novel (and the sequel) and would love to just leave it at that: "Go read it now!", I also feel the teacher in me wanting to speak out. Having recently read a teeming stack of YA literature for a course, you can find my earlier post on the subject ("Attack of the Young Adult Novel"). I analyzed each book not only for its quality and readability but also for its controversial topics or things that just make us "grown ups" roll our eyes at best and cringe or shout "OMG!" at worst. So here's my personal (non-mother, teacher) reaction to The Hunger Games. Go. Read. It. Now.
Many YA Lit options are well-written but also teeming with things parents and teachers often have to avoid (or wish they could), including teen drug use, sexuality and other topics that might offend. As a teacher, many of the YA selections I read were followed with, "well, I really enjoyed that but I'm not tenured and I love my job." The Hunger Games - while violent beyond belief is relatively harmless. The only areas I can see to complain about are the violence and the rebellion against authority. No harsh language and (thankfully) no sex - although sexuality is not completely void from the novel, because what hormonal teenager would believe other teens weren't at least thinking about a little smooching? But it's safe enough for fearful teachers (eh-hem) to be able to introduce the novel without much fear of helicopter parents calling it "trash".
Well, to make a long blog short (too late!), GO READ IT NOW.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Book 19, Final Blog
I really enjoyed Angel Time by Anne Rice. This was my first experience reading her work (and not listening to a book on CD). It is clear she is a great storyteller and also that she does her research. I will admit, I preferred the first half of the book where her protagonist is still a hired assassin, struggling with his lack of faith and his own actions. Rice's personal views and experiences with her faith have really influenced her work beautifully, especially in this novel. Later, as "Lucky the Fox" goes on a mission from God (not quite like the Blues Brothers, mind you) the story is less compelling. Perhaps it felt too rushed for me? I would like to have seen as much detail in this portion of the text as the initial chapters.
The ending? Nicely done. And clearly leaves room for a sequel but doesn't demand one. There is more to this protagonist than "end of story". Not the ending I was expecting but I was also not totally surprised.
Overall, an enjoyable read. I will definitely read some more Anne Rice soon, perhaps Interview with a Vampire.
The ending? Nicely done. And clearly leaves room for a sequel but doesn't demand one. There is more to this protagonist than "end of story". Not the ending I was expecting but I was also not totally surprised.
Overall, an enjoyable read. I will definitely read some more Anne Rice soon, perhaps Interview with a Vampire.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Book #19, Anne Rice's Angel Time
I am back! Please don't think I have NOT been reading since my last post; quite to the contrary. I have been reading books in a few series, though; and repeating books I've already read. I reread the Sookie Stackhouse series up to the release of the newest edition (Dead in the Family) and enjoyed my escape into that dark and yet hilarious world. I also have continued the Louise Rennison series (YA novels written as the diary of a British teenaged girl). It's summer reading time, after all...light and enjoyable reads.
However, I am now back into my read-and-blog vein and I'm jumping in with one of the most known contemporary American authors. Anne Rice has been captivating readers for years, first with her vampire-themed works and more recently with her fictional accounts of the life of Christ.
So how did I pick this novel? Well, my husband was bemoaning the fact that I was reading "crap" with vampires and wizards. Finally he said, "at least read some good vampire writing...read Anne Rice!" So when I was at the library returning a YA novel, I saw this book on the new release shelf and immediately grabbed it. I didn't even read the inside cover. It didn't matter. I was going to show him!! Anne Rice, here I come.
So I'm pages in and I can see what an excellent writer she is. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Happy Reading!
However, I am now back into my read-and-blog vein and I'm jumping in with one of the most known contemporary American authors. Anne Rice has been captivating readers for years, first with her vampire-themed works and more recently with her fictional accounts of the life of Christ.
So how did I pick this novel? Well, my husband was bemoaning the fact that I was reading "crap" with vampires and wizards. Finally he said, "at least read some good vampire writing...read Anne Rice!" So when I was at the library returning a YA novel, I saw this book on the new release shelf and immediately grabbed it. I didn't even read the inside cover. It didn't matter. I was going to show him!! Anne Rice, here I come.
So I'm pages in and I can see what an excellent writer she is. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Happy Reading!
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