Good Day for a Book

Shadow of the Wind in the Windy City

2012-02-16T16:59:00.002-06:00

The "Shadow of the Wind" was our February selection for the Newberry Book Group. I liked it at the beginning, it got a little slow in the middle and the end was pretty good. We learned in the discussion that the author wants to introduce readers to the city of Barcelona. I think it was always raining in this book so I'm not sure how good this book is for tourism.

It's an airplane book, a long trip book, a sick day book, a beach book. Maybe a good book for someone who liked "Harry Potter" and is looking for something new to read. Lots of characters, plot twists and coincidences. I did not hate it but I'm not sure I would read anything else by the author. I was worried it would not be good for discussion but I was wrong - we had plenty to talk about especially the idea of a Quest. What stories involve a quest? "Lord of the Rings", "Wizard of Oz", "Star Wars".....etc. Do you lose interest in a book if it's a quest and you don't care about the quest? Good question. Long weekend coming up - looking forward to some reading!

Wooly Narrators

2012-02-03T18:48:00.000-06:00

"Three Bags Full" was a Christmas gift. P. figured I like mysteries and this one looked completely different. And it sure was! First, I did not know that the story is translated from German. Add on top of that the flock of sheep as the narrators. A few times I had to put the book down to try and figure out what I had just read. Did I not understand it because the sheep were not explaining it correctly? Or because it was a farming term I did not know?

You may think the technique of using animals as narrators would be too cute. Yes it is clever, but it's a dark story where the sheep are trying to figure out who murdered their shepherd. Some parts toward the end got a little trippy for me. I'm sure there are some religious themes that escaped me. Toward the end I was reminded of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". I also think it's no accident that the sheep that does most of the sleuthing is Miss Maple - Miss Marple anyone?

I enjoyed reading this one. It would be good for a mystery fan who wants something out of the ordinary. It was a good book to read during a long flight back from Arizona. I'm not that tall and feel bad for taller people - even I was squished and could only hold my book right in front of me on a very full flight.

The bonus of reading this one in print - my version has a flip book. Each right hand side page has a sheep and when you flip the pages it is a flip book. Something I don't think would be included in an e-book.

Get Ready Novella Group

2012-01-20T10:38:00.000-06:00

"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" was the January selection for the Newberry book group. We did not get to nearly enough of what I wanted to discuss about this book so watch out Novella Group, I'm thinking this is going to be one of our books for 2012.

I wish this book was still assigned in school. I don't think it is. At least I did not read it in school. It's from the 1920s so by the time I was in high school there were probably some more choices to assign.

What a book. The reason I would like others to read it is because I think it's a great book for cocktail party discussions. I think that how you react to this book says a lot about you as a person. The book provides a jumping off point for some pretty heavy discussions and thoughts. But it's not so a thick tome - it's actually a very quick read and parts are funny. I thought this, and others at Newberry did too, that it reads like a South American novel. It has some characters that have lived long enough to experience some fantastical events. (At one point you may think: "He's the most interesting man in the room").

The host for our discussion brought a first edition of "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" and it was wonderful to look at the original printing. The edition we read had an afterward that talked about the book's publication and how the publisher tried to bulk up the page count with huge text, big margins and illustrations. It's true! But, now, as the Novella Group has found out shorter books still command a real book price.

Not Your Daughter's Werewolf

2012-01-11T08:50:00.002-06:00

You know what you don't need if you have an iPad?

You don't need a flashlight to read a book under the covers!

This is not a teen werewolf book. Unless the teen has nicked the book from the family's library and is hiding it behind a textbook or reading it in private under the covers.

"The Last Werewolf" got a lot of hype/notice/interest. Books on the Nightstand liked it. I think it was on a Top 5 from a Powell's employee. It's a fast paced read. It's not high literature but it is a fun, engaging story that keeps you entertained.

Now I understand the difference between werewolves and vampires. Werewolves still have sex. According to this book, a LOT of sex. They can't talk when they are changed, they have to kill humans to fill their Hunger and they, too, live forever. Or until someone shoots them with a silver bullet.

And, yes, the full moon I saw on the way to the gym yesterday morning did give me some pause. Plus, I did not see the cliffhanger ending coming at all so Bravo! to you Glen Duncan.

Want to read this? Great snowy weekend book or save it for a summer read. I checked this one out from CPL using the Kindle format. So easy. Yes, I may have to wait a while for a Kindle book to be available but I've built up a waiting list and wish list on my CPL Overdrive account so I can be patient. I've added a new tag to Library Thing and my blog - Kindle CPL - in case you are interested in checking the book out from the library.

Watched Episode 1 of Season 2 of "Downton Abbey" last night. I may go into a decline if Bates does not return. Such a great show and I now have my mom hooked.

What did I do last weekend? Well, I have been saying I want to read more non-fiction and I was at a history trade show and the vendors were selling their books for cheap and I did not have to pack them in a suitcase. How could I resist???

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

2012-01-04T17:52:00.002-06:00

Esquire says their list of 75 Books Every Man Should Read is unranked but when I checked Raymond Carver's "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" was #1. Jesus, did they read the collection? It's not about sexy sex, it's about people who live so close to the edge they can go over the cliff at any time. It's about people who are so violent, or drunk or depressed that they can't have a normal relationship. And then there is the violence against women.

I'm not saying that this collection is not a classic. It is. You can see its influence in the work of other short story writers (I'm thinking of "Drown" by Junot Diaz) but if you tell me that you are copying down lines from this or taking any life lessons or dating instructions from this book I might get away from you pretty quick. If you say you are using it as a cautionary tale, I would agree. The cover on my copy is dead-on. Cigarettes in a bed in lingerie. Yeah, that's seedy people!

Marakumi translates Carver into Japanese so that's why his running collection was "What We Talk about When We Talk about Running". I can see the influence in his work. Short sentences. No fluff. But complicated stories and many, many layers. I know some people like to pick up and put down short story collections but this one you should read straight through like pulling off a bandage. If you stop you may never start again.

#1 for 2012

2012-01-03T17:14:00.000-06:00

In October we were out shopping and went into Quimby's Bookstore in Chicago and asked "what book should you read on a Las Vegas vacation if you've already read "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas""? Well, that got the staff thinking and one of the suggestions was "Cockfighter" by Charles Willeford. P. devoured it on the plane and has been after me to read it.

It is a fantastic read. This book is so well written. Such economy of language. Just enough description but not so much that it beats you over the head. You figure things out on your own but you also learn about the characters. You start to think about loyalty, dedication and honor.

Yes, there are scenes of cockfighting and they are graphic but an integral part of the story and not just there to be gory. This is a character that is down on his luck but does not feel sorry for himself. He knows how he got there and he knows what he needs to do to get back on his feet. No, he's not always nice and he doesn't win all the time but his experience pays off for success.

This was a good book to start out 2012. You wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to Frank. The book was made into a movie in 1974. I would be curious to see the film but am wondering how they handled one big challenge. And I'm not talking about the illegal cockfighting.

Have been catching the first season of "Downton Abbey" on Pbs.org. Great show. Also saw "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in Atlanta. If you could mush the Swedish and American versions together you might get a good representation of the story. There is so much in the books that it's hard to cover everything in a normal movie length.

Goodbye 2011 - Hello 2012!

2011-12-29T15:44:00.000-06:00

Whew - I feel like 2011 kicked my butt. So much I wanted to do, so little time. I felt a little disorganized this year. It did not start out great but I can't complain! A new kitty cat friend, a trip to Paris, a healthy family and my 10th marathon. But for 2012 more reading! I read 29 books this year which is a new low. It is a shame because there are so many good books out there waiting to be read. Truthfully I don't feel like I read too many quality books this year.

So even though I did not read the usual volume, here are the 5 I enjoyed the most in 2011:

1. "Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name"
2. "Please Look After Mom"
3. "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao"
4. "The Bean Trees"
5. "French Leave"

No, the Adam Ant biography did not make the Top 5 but I have tickets to go see him in concert in February! I can't wait.

Also - I read all of the Top 5 in print. Just interesting. I still feel it's the content and not the format so we'll see if an e-book shows up in the Top 5 in 2012.

I'm looking forward to "The Pale King" by David Foster Wallace which was a Christmas gift. I also have a Tao Lin title I have not read so have to get to that one. Picked up another Ripley book used while I was out buying gifts. So there will be some interesting books on next year's list - which will be longer! Happy reading to everyone in 2012!

Rest in Peace, Candy. We miss you and hope you are listening to the #1 Song in Heaven.

When you are sick and can read

2011-12-29T15:21:00.002-06:00

I had a cold that lasted all of Thanksgiving and beyond. But at least it was a cold that allowed you to read so I finished this one quickly but had not posted about it. #2 in the Maisie Dobbs series. I enjoyed it - Maisie is an interesting character. So organized. And Joseph Pilates has a funny mention. Maisie's work ethic has inspired me to try to be more organized next year. My lack of focus in 2011 resulted in a very, very low book count. Such a shame because there are so many great books out there. But no use crying over spilt milk! Chin up and shoulders back and let's carry on in 2012.

I heard an interesting story on NPR about female detectives. I believe there is a new anthology out of older stories featuring female detectives and the person who compiled it was talking about how the early female detectives were not forward about their profession. Perhaps they were a society person with some extra time on their hands and connections that allowed them to solve crimes. But few were employed as private investigators. Maisie Dobbs is a current series so she does not have those constraints - she is very open about her profession and her abilities.

Stuck with it

2011-12-05T17:27:00.001-06:00

I almost gave up on "Headhunters" by Jo Nesbo. The main character is such a jerk! But I stuck with it. And then there was a plot twist. And another. And another!

I figured it out. It's Agatha Christie sexed up for 2011. An okay read - looks like it's being turned into a movie which would be entertaining.

Rock n' Roll Review

2011-11-23T08:18:00.001-06:00

"A Visit from the Goon Squad" was the Newberry selection for November. I was the one who suggested it so I was also asked to lead the discussion. As with other books I have suggested the question from the people at Newberry was "why did you pick this book?". If you've read this one you will understand when I say "I listened to the parrots".

Judging by the press and reviews people were falling all over themselves to praise this book. It won the Pulitzer! It must be good. Not so fast, the Newberry group is not that easily won over.

We have read a few books lately that follow this new (it feels new to us) trend of combining many stories into a book. Is it a novel? A collection of short stories? It is a lazy way to write? Did the author have so many ideas that she could not edit or sustain a narrative? The other books we thought were similar were "Oscar Wao", "Let the Great World Spin" and "Olive Kitteridge". The group was not saying that we hate this new format, just that we think Egan did not present it as well as others we have read.

People liked Egan's writing and choice of words - they just did not care for the content and stories. I would have to agree. The record idea of Side A and B was a little cliche after a while. So if I don't like one of the stories is that like not liking a song and I can just skip it or not replay it? But books and music are not the same for me - music I will repeat, books I will not.

My favorite story was the one about Dolly and the General. I wanted to read more about those characters. But maybe that is the point - that you just get a taste. I think in some stories Egan was challenging any critics - if you don't like it you're too old - when Bennie talks about Lou being nostalgic and that means Lou is out of touch. I also thinks she has fun with trends in the last chapter. The wife writing her thesis about "quote" words was great. The Power Point chapter was confusing to most. We also wondered why even include the chapter withe the uncle going to rescue Sasha? I thought maybe to include the line about his writing about Cezanne painting words - is Egan writing a record? But would I re-read those stories? No. Would I read another book by Egan? Probably not.

So we agreed that while we did not care for the book we were glad we read it because we don't want to be stuck in the past and want to experience new authors.

Note to self: next time I might read the book I suggest for the Newberry group. And I heard people saying on the way out they would not recommend this book to someone to read. I would not either. The content I liked was a single, not an entire album. I would say read "Oscar Wao" or "Downtown Owl" before this one.

One of my favorite moments from the discussion is when one woman said "do you know records are in vogue again?".

Las Vegas Baby

2011-10-26T21:10:00.001-05:00

Nothing like a long plane ride to help knock out a book. Great reading to and from Vegas. Another Nesbo and liked this one a lot. More personal than "Redbreast". Great cast of characters and plotline. Had to flip through the final pages a second time - did what I think happen happen? Hmm.......when someone else reads this one let me know and we can compare notes.

Getting back into the reading groove and feeling good. My friend S. pointed out that I say that I'm getting ready to read or plan to read and that's true - I like to have a chunk of time set aside to work through part of a book. Now the Millennium trilogy I was reading anywhere and everywhere but for me the best is on the couch with the kitty kat and an hour or so of losing myself in a story. We were waiting to see if Pistache would be a snuggler and with the colder weather we have found out she is - yay! That will make you sit in one place for a while as well.

Baby P and Junot

2011-10-20T21:28:00.000-05:00

Pistache - what is it with you and books by Junot Diaz? Do they make you sleepy? Do you feel the need to sit on them? Well, you have good taste. Great short story collection. If you have someone who likes short stories and doesn't mind some adult content this would be an excellent holiday selection.

You know how you feel when you've been on a crying jag? Or when you are so sad that you can't cry - but your throat is all tight? That is how the stories in this book make you feel. The characters are so real, the emotions so raw, that you feel exposed. I caught my breath at the end of each of them but could not wait to read the next one.

Reading and Watching

2011-10-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

The USA Today review on the cover says "Reading 'The Redbreast' is like watching a hit movie" and another little sticker says "Fans of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' will want to read 'The Redbreast'". I would not argue too hard about those points. Detective Harry Hole is the star of this series. He is similar to Wallander but he's in Norway and not Sweden. But both countries seem to be struggling with a future that does not match what their people were expecting. I liked the personal stories in this one and how they wound together. The main political event left me scratching my head a bit because did not quite understand it. That is ok - it was a good read.

I've been watching more television shows rather than reading. Well, I know my reading is down this year just by looking at my year to date total. Oh, well, it's not a contest. But here's what I have been enjoying watching - and they are all in England!

"Luther" - on BBC America/Comcast On Demand - Dark and scary. Sexy, thrilling, smart, convoluted and interesting. London as it is now - under camera surveillance and yet violence still exists.

"Inspector Lewis" - on PBS.org iPad app via Masterpiece - So good. Every episode makes me laugh at some zinger. I love the relationship between Lewis and Hathaway. Detectives in Oxford so murder still happens but not as gritty as "Luther". I got to use the phrase "someone knicked his guitar from the boot of his car" while talking about one of the episodes.

"The Hour" - on BBC America/Comcast On Demand - Kept seeing the ads during the "Luther" episodes. Thought it looked boring but it is not! England as it was in the 1950s. Commentary on how events were covered in the news with a mystery thrown in for good measure. Also features 3 female leads that showcase different images of women at the time.

So, yes, a lot of tv but enjoying knitting while I watch.

Silly Book and New Book Group

2011-08-31T08:21:00.001-05:00

Interesting title. Ok book. A little bit of a spoof on writers, mysteries and New England. Reminded me of some other funny books by male authors ("Something Missing" and "Millard Fillmore, Mon Amour"). Is that a genre - male humor writing? But I find that sometimes, in these books, the lead character seems so soft. You read these books, and they are enjoyable, but they aren't classics and won't stick with you for long. Maybe I need more Hemingway and Steinbeck.

Speaking of which, thanks to the new St. Louis Chicago book group, Camus might have to be next up on my list.

Francophile

2011-08-14T12:22:00.002-05:00

If Anna Gavalda writes it, I will read it. Saw the book in the window of The Book Cellar and immediately went in and bought it. She has such an ear for dialog. This book follows 2 brothers and 2 sisters during a day and examines their relationships to each other. Not sappy, just real - what happens when siblings grow up and add new people to their group. Of course I liked this one.

An interesting connection, the book was published by Europa Editions. I believe this is the first book of Gavalda's they have published and it was translated by the same person who translated "The Elegance of the Hedgehog".

I have also discovered the PBS.org app for the iPad. Does anyone watch "Zen"? If you like mysteries, check it out. Rufus Sewell is the suave, Italian detective. Makes me want to go to Italy! There are 3 episodes available until the end of August. I've watched the first one and loved it and plan to check the 2nd one out today. I believe the order goes "Vendettta", "Cabal" and "Ratking".

A Short Break and Short Books

2011-08-09T18:32:00.000-05:00

I started reading "Matterhorn" which is a giant and kind of stalled. I think it will be a book to read during football season when I'm watching games. Then I was traveling for work and a little distracted and not reading. Although I did listen to "The Fifth Woman" and "Before the Frost" on MP3 from the library. Both are Kurt Wallander books by Henning Mankell. "The Fifth Woman" I had read and loved and it was interesting to listen to the book narrated by a male. "Before the Frost" is a Linda Wallander mystery - she is getting ready to join her father on the Ystad police force. That one was narrated by a woman and was also enjoyable. Made Indiana, Ohio and Illinois more exciting!

I re-read "Tinkers" for the novella group and loved it even more the second time. A magical book. Due to schedules, it was just me and P. for the discussion and we talked about the book for a long time over a few beers. I don't want to give anything away in case you are going to read it but if you want some discussion questions just email me. Last night P. and I were playing cribbage and I said we had not even talked about cribbage and "Tinkers".

Our next novella is "When the Emperor Was Divine". This is one I found in a bookstore in Milwaukee last summer when we were there for a wedding. I just looked at book spines and when I found one that looked to be under 200 pages I would pull it out to review. This one caught my attention. It is the story of a family living in Berkeley, California when the Japanese are forced to relocate. Disturbing and spare. A few conventions were used by the author, such as never giving the family members names, that I can't wait to discuss with the group. I need to do some research to have non-fiction facts to inform our discussion. I'm sorry to say that I was not aware that people were moved from their homes for such an extended period of time. Surreal in the descriptions of how neighbors accepted the Japanese being moved and then also accepted (although that is really not the right word) them back with little fanfare. As if everyone was joined in ignoring the issue so that no one could be to blame. I know the subject matter will make for a rich book group.

I'm currently reading another slim book by a favorite author and going to go finish it so I'll have another post up soon. Time to get back into my reading groove!

Something Totally Different from O'Nan

2011-07-06T18:31:00.000-05:00

I went to the library thinking I would check out a Stewart O'Nan book from any of the ones the library might have on the shelf. I chose "Prayer for the Dying". Wow, this is so completely different from "Last Night at the Lobster". At our Novella meeting I mentioned that O'Nan has had a hard time finding one publisher because he changes literary styles. This is Gothic. So scary and creepy. This would be good for someone who likes horror stories but is looking for something a little more literary.

Yet at the heart of the book is a man trying to do his job and do his best by the people that live in his town. Similar to Manny as he works to close the restaurant.

I am trying to use the Overdrive service from the Chicago Public Library to download some audio books. Has anyone used it? I consider myself fairly tech savvy and I find the system hard to use. I looked at the Audible service but it seems expensive to me and you can only get one title a month. If I get in a groove with audio books I would like to have one for most of my trips. I think I just need to find the right style of book to keep me entertained while I drive. Engaging but not too engaging - need to keep my focus on the road!

The Return to Reading Mysteries

2011-06-26T13:07:00.000-05:00

After Candy died I did not feel like reading. I just felt blah and when I would pick up a Swedish mystery they seemed too violent. So I must be feeling better because I was ready for another Van Veeteren story.

On my last road trip I caught up on my Sound Opinions podcasts and on one of the episodes they had a researcher on who had just done a study about teens and depression. They found that teens who listen to music are more likely to be depressed. They also found that teens that read are less likely to be depressed. Music doesn't make someone depressed - just that music is passive so if you are sad it's easier to sit and listen. Reading is active so you may not want to read if you are sad. I would agree. Now, of course, reading isn't as active as exercise but you still need some ooomph to move your eyes across a page of text. Something to consider if you find yourself in a reading slump.

"The Return" is so classic. It's not about the body with no head. It's about how society reacts to group think and guilt and innocence. It's also about surly Van Veeteren and how he can solve a crime from a hospital bed. Personal life informing professional life also pokes through with some of the characters. I like this series. The author is Swedish, the town is fictional, but I like to picture Sweden.

Nancy Pearl's podcast this month is great (as usual) and offers suggestions for book group books. I also enjoyed the recent Books on the Nightstand podcasts while driving. The shorter work of fiction must be in vogue because the hosts said on a few occasions that they had finished something in one, or two, sittings. Some new titles to check out for the Novella Group!

Novella Pick for June 2011

2011-06-26T12:35:00.001-05:00

S. recommended "Nectar in a Sieve" and I am so glad she did because I was not familiar with the title. Maybe it became high school reading after I left school and people decided it was time to highlight other cultures.

The book tells the story of an Indian woman from a lower station (mostly due to her family losing money and power through the years) who marries a farmer who does not own his own land. Sounds simple enough but I keep thinking about different parts of this book even a week after our discussion. We talked about how this book is quiet. It's not a big protest book with chest thumping and violent clashes. Perhaps the quiet is what causes it to get under your skin.

I always say that if aliens invade Earth I'm putting myself in front of a laser beam. I can go to movies where people fight for their lives against an unknown force and think "yeah, that is not worth it to me". But how do little changes that continually make your life worse day after day compare? Perhaps it's not hope, or tenacity, but the human drive to keep moving forward. Even as your life is falling apart with loss of money, resources and family you can take solace in love and personal strength. As you lose things do they become less important and you don't really miss them?

I understand why this book is taught and why so many papers have been written about it. You take any of themes from the book and spin them out. It's a good book for a book group and we had a good time discussing it.

I'm really liking Kingsolver

2011-06-07T18:23:00.001-05:00

Years ago I read "Poisonwood Bible" and thought it was a great book. It was also a people magnet and I believe it still holds the record for the most comments received about a book from strangers. I've had "The Bean Trees" for years and am pretty sure it was a book fair purchase. Finally picked it up to read and am so glad I did.

Do you ever start a book and just think "yeah, this is going to be good" and then just go along with the story? That is how this one hit me. I just fell into it and went along for the ride. I was sweeping the floor yesterday and thought "oh, I hope she doesn't end it that way" and Kingsolver did not let me down. This was her first book! While she's been nominated for the Pulitzer she has not won. I plan to check out more of her fiction. Warning: this book is a little emotional so if you're sad you might not want to read it. The Arizona setting fit in perfectly with the weather we have been having in Chicago. When Taylor was hot and not sleeping, I was hot and reading this book.

I have a road trip beginning tomorrow and will be listening to "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" also by Kingsolver about a year her family decided to commit to eating locally. I've heard the audio is good - it's narrated by Kingsolver and her husband and daughter and talks about their challenges with the decision and what they learned. Audio books sure make car trips go faster!

A First at LibraryThing

2011-06-02T18:29:00.001-05:00

I use LibraryThing to keep track of the books I read throughout the year. I finish a book, I add it to LibraryThing and then I post to the blog. I was the first person to put this book into LibraryThing!

I read about "Life After Sleep" in TimeOut. Usually their books are a little too hip for me and don't sound interesting. This one did - a novella about what it would be like if a way was developed that you only had to sleep for a few hours a night. It's not as cool as you might think. Plus a bit of a ding to new parents who are the ones who need Sleep the most. They can't use the Beds around newborns. The irony! The author was good at keeping the story tight. He did not start to examine the economic divides such a development could cause and instead focused on characters who were similar in the sense that they had access to the new technology.

I thought the book was well written and interesting. It's not a timeless classic, it's a quick read to download and inhale. I liked the different characters all dealing with their own problems with sleeping. I could see becoming a Sleep junkie. I sure do like naps. I thought Dr. Frost started to seem a little too Hunter S. Thompson by the end but I can't find too much fault with that - I'm sure if Sleep became a Drug and the good, original Dr. was still around he would have abused it.

Plus buying this book helps support a local group, the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography. I think I'm going to buy another book from them about running and working out problems. Need a quick read on the e-reader? I would suggest checking this one out - you can even purchase on a sliding scale. I bought mine through the Kindle store to read on the iPad.

First Novel

2011-05-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

Bought "Something Missing" at Book Cellar one night when P. and I were out and about and I felt like buying a book. I had heard about Matthew Dicks from Books on the Nightstand, I believe he was one of the authors at their recent retreat.

This is a really good first novel. I thought the author might have a hard time keeping all the balls in the air - he has a few plot lines and character traits he managed to carry throughout the book and make work together. Yes, it's a cute story but written in an original way. He really could have stumbled with the story but I felt he did it just right.

I was thinking it is that way with songs. You may think you are going to like something and then there is just something about the song that puts you off. It has too much going on - or not enough. I bet there are some reviews out there that say there is "nothing missing" in "Something Missing". Groan.

Martin would not pick me as a client. I use all my china, don't have that much of value and live in an apartment building. Would he pick you? The Ebay passages had me laughing out loud - especially the description of Anthropologie.

This book would be really good for an upcoming summer trip. Or long weekend. It's been lousy weather in Chicago for the end of May so good for hanging out on the couch and reading. I read the description of Matthew Dicks' next novel and it appears to feature another quirky male lead. I might give it a chance based on how much I enjoyed reading this one but I hope that is not a crutch for all his upcoming stories.

The Novella group met last weekend to discuss "Last Night at the Lobster". I'm not going to count the re-read toward my books for 2011 but the second time around was just as good as the first. Everyone liked the book and it made for a good selection. We are thinking about an end of the summer outing to Red Lobster in honor of Manny and Stewart O'Nan. I realized I had used the word "mystical" in the two book posts before this one. Nothing mystical about "Last Night at the Lobster". Real life without a Hollywood ending. "Something Missing" does not have any mystical touches either but great character development and writing that makes you want to keep reading.

It's Hard to be Oscar

2011-05-20T18:16:00.001-05:00

Oh, hi, Pistache. Yeah, I wanted to get back to reading my book but if you're using it for a pillow I guess I can wait until you are done. Sure, I can come back later.

I remember when "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" was released and there was so much Junot Diaz hype. Junot Diaz seemed to be everywhere and I avoided the book because I felt it was just popular and maybe not that good. I had not read his first book, the short story collection "Drown" but my friend J. loved it and was so excited about his new book. Then she was so disappointed because she did not like the book at all. She could not connect with the main character. When I told A. I was reading this one for Newberry she also said she did not particularly like this book.

I loved it. Which was shocking because I had pretty low expectations and don't differ too often from J. & A.'s reading opinion. I thought it was constructed in a very original format. It was sort of a collection of short stories. I liked the different perspectives and voices. I liked the "Lord of the Ring" references and the footnotes. I felt so bad for Oscar. It's so hard enough to be a teen and then add the overbearing mother, being overweight, not having friends and liking nerd hobbies. It is a recipe for depression.

The story seemed to pay homage to other Latin writers with a little bit of the mystical at the end. Could you believe that Oscar had some happiness? And at what cost? Is Oscar too good, or not good enough, to survive his fate? Is there really a curse?

P. and I were talking last night about the difference between nerds and losers. Nerds have hobbies that others may not understand. To me a loser is someone who could do better, or be interesting and engaged, but does not try. In my opinion, Oscar was a nerd.

This was a book that I looked forward to getting back to when I had free time. I would love to tell you what the Newberry group thought of it but I can't. I messed up my dates because we had switched some books around. This is actually the book for June! So I'm ready for June but missed May. Rats. I've been bad at scheduling lately. Oh, well, maybe I'm stuck too much in books and that is not so bad.

Please Look After Mom and Please Read this Book

2011-05-18T08:41:00.002-05:00

I'm back. Finally - I was having a major reading block. I don't know what was wrong with me because I was not enjoying the books I tried starting. I think it took a road trip to Iowa and catching up on podcasts to knock me out of my funk.

"Please Look After Mom" was mentioned on Books on the Nightstand. I generally avoid mother-daughter books but this one sounded interesting because it is by a (South) Korean author (Kyung-sook Shin). While Kyung-sook Shin is popular in Korea this is her first book to be translated into English. A wonderful, touching, sad and insightful book.

The first two sections will have you reaching for the phone to call a loved one. The third section will make you look more closely at someone you love and give them a big hug. The last section will make you grab the Kleenex. It's not one to finish in public. I think it is a tense and beautiful examination of becoming an adult and experiencing grief. How do you balance mourning and everyday life? This is not an American book. It's raw and not sappy and a little mystical.

I can't wait to see if the author's other works will be translated into English. I hope so because I would read something else by her for sure. I'm not sure how these decisions are made in the publishing world. With the closing of many Borders locations I'm also wondering lately about how and where people buy books. This one I purchased on the iPad but I never would have found it on my own which would have been too bad because I think this one will make the best of list at the end of the year.

I also recommend the Nancy Pearl Book Reviews podcast this month. She talks about Genres and it was food for thought.

Sounds Familiar

2011-05-15T15:25:00.000-05:00

A very smart, young woman.
A dark, violent past that has taught her survival skills.
An unusual job suited to her mental talents.
An older male mentor.
An exotic location.
A crime to solve.

Starting to sound familiar?

The difference is that Vannessa Michael Munroe solves her crime by getting out among the people and is a social to suit her needs, unlike Lisbeth Salander who hides behind a computer screen.

But a woman who is so beautiful that she can charm men to get her way yet can also dress and look like a male? Yes, you wonder who would play her in a movie. Sure you have to suspend some belief and logic but this was a good book. I enjoyed the setting - the countries I myself will never visit. I'm sure there will be a lot of books similar to the Millennium Trilogy and how could there not be based on the original series success. If Larsson isn't around to give his fans more, authors like Stevens will try to take up the mantle.

Oh, and her job? Finding out information about a country and its inhabitants and then writing up a detailed report for her employers? Yeah, the book could have been called "The Librarian" but Informationist sounds so much more interesting.

Moveable Feast and Time to go home

2011-04-20T19:36:00.001-05:00

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast. - Ernest Hemingway

I can't read those words without getting choked up. It's so true. I am very lucky that some people moved to Paris and I was able to visit them and I don't know how much it changed their lives but it changed mine. Paris is one of my favorite places. Yes, it can get tiring. I don't know the language, the doors open opposite every time, I don't know if people like me or if they are tired of tourists but for all that it is a great place to visit. You can do it high or low, much like Chicago.

Day 5 (Sunday)

Don't save your souvenir shopping for Sunday. Unlike the United States, Paris is closed up on Sunday. Except for the flea market. This is the perfect day to visit. Get there early before the crowds and imagine how cool your house would look if you could ship everything back that you love. The flea market looks like life doll house. The stalls are homes with the front side glassed off to be a very small store. Each vendor appears to have a specialty - chandeliers, furniture from the 60s, etc. Thank you so much to A. for sending this blog post from Oh Happy Day to us - I don't think we would have found the flea market otherwise. I don't think she posted about the bathrooms. The first one you encounter is primitive - wait until you get into the furniture section. Better wares for sale and better bathrooms.

After browsing and outfitting my dream beach house in the city we headed back to our area which was still hopping on Sunday. It was time for Game 3. Again, the French really do not like card playing. You can sit and smoke at a table for hours on end but the cards come out and you get odd looks. If anyone can explain I would be interested to hear why.

Poor P. I now rule Belgium and France. I brought the hurt. Cribbage World News had to publish a special edition from Paris. After his major defeat we went back to our apartment, drank our Bush beer and then went out for dinner on our street. I had pizza and it was good. Then we headed out for one last drink at a Scottish pub. We saw people that had run the Paris Marathon earlier that day and complimented them on their medals and a job well done. They were not French. Then it was time to go to bed to get up early. So sad to be leaving but also a little ready to go home.

Day 6 (Monday)

Our van picked us up at 4:30 a.m. A much better trip through the city with no traffic. We got in the van and people were already in it which was kind of creepy and everyone sat in silence to CDG. We had to fly Brussels Air to Brussels to get the less expensive United ticket. Now we realize that was kind of silly because it added time to our flight. Also, if you ever have to connect through the Brussels airport and have an hour and a half don't think that is a lot of time. The airport is HUGE!!! Two terminals with 100 gates each. We watched "Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One" on the way back and saw the flea market we had been at on Sunday. Then some naps, snacks and reading and we were back in Chicago. What a great trip - I can't wait to go back.

If you go to Paris I highly recommend Vacation in Paris. They were very easy to work with and the apartment was perfect for us. There are plenty of blogs and websites about Paris and check them out for good tips. I relied on David Lebovitz, Patricia Wells and John Talbott for restaurant suggestions. Another good source was the New York Times and I did not find that their suggestions were overrun with tourists. Even though I made fun of Rick Steeves for being a little tight he was right to just buy the 10-pack of train tickets. We were so centrally located we only need to buy 2 extra during the whole trip. So go to Paris! Have fun!

And when we arrived home we waited a few days and then we were able to say "Bonjour Pistache!" It's good to be home.

Friday and Saturday - Wine, Cheese, Cribbage

2011-04-17T13:23:00.002-05:00

Day 3 (Friday)

Up and out early to see two museums. The first, Le Musee de la Poupee. It's fun to say and fun to visit. We happened in on a free admission day. Had a great time picking out our favorite dolls in each display. Could not read the signage but could get the general idea that the museum covered the history of doll production and trends. Very funny special exhibit about Ken. Then we went to the Maison de la Chasse et de la Nature. P. discovered this one online and it was a great find. Absolutely amazing building and very interesting collection celebrating hunting and nature.

After two museums we needed lunch! We went to Merce and the Muse because of the article in the New York Times (yes, we used them a lot for a reference). I like coffee and am lucky to live within easy reach of purveyors of Intellegentsia, Stumptown and Asado. The guy from Stumptown thinks Paris has bad coffee. Maybe they have bad drip coffee, but all the espressos I had were delicious. Anyways, this place is small, cute and so French. As was the guy working at the counter who was also working hard on his look (well, he was cute and French and normal size). Tamp it down, dude. Coffee was good and lunch was good fuel to go take a nap.

The night before the Russian guy at Bimbo Tower had told us about a show the next night featuring Radikal Satan, one of the albums P. bought. The show was going to be near Le Baron Rouge, another wine bar we wanted to check out. The wine bar is near the Marche d'Aligre which might be busier on the weekend but slow and sleepy when we walked through and since we were not buying food to cook we just looked around.

We waited for Le Baron Rouge to open at another cafe and had a beer. Here are a few things we learned. The French don't play cards and consider it a curiosity. Sometimes the waitstaff gets cranky if you can't make a quick decision. This stop during our trip marked my first win in Sarah's Reign of Quinze - Euro Cribbage Tour 2011.

We hit Le Baron Rouge shortly after it opened which was good because it's small and you can tell it gets packed. People stopping off on their way home for a quick glass of wine and a chat. Some guys sat down next to us and asked how we found the place because it's usually locals. The internet! And we let them try our rillettes. So good and a huge portion. Yield one win to P.

Off to the Rock Show! It was held at a gymnasium in a huge building. It was part of a music fest and after we got our wristbands we went inside. Pascal was there! He recognized us and shook P's hand and greeted me when I looked at the merch table. Rock shows in Paris (at least this one) serve snacks! Homemade chocolate bread. I tried to tell them how tasty it was but the language and noise kept me from making my point. Radikal Satan put on a good show. The band after was from the US and bad and I did not go all that way to see a bad American band. For dinner we went to Au Pied de Cochon which is famous, a little touristy but great food and near the Paris apartment. I'm not sure what I ate. I won't let P. tell me. It was good and hit the spot and was not testicles or brains so I'm fine not knowing.

Day 4 (Saturday)
Can you believe we took it a little easier on Saturday? Slept in and went to Maille to stock up on mustard. I love all the varieties. I wanted them all but we kept it in check knowing we did not want our luggage to be too heavy on the way home. Maille is in a super fancy neighborhood with expensive stores and tourists. We felt overwhelmed and headed to St. Germain des Pres for some shopping. We happened upon a very cool home store. I loved the bookcase made out of corrugated cardboard. A purchase from the store is below and will have more meaning later.

Lunch was a bi-valve and shellfish feast. Then back to the apartment to drop off purchases and rest for a night out. Went back to Le Garde Robe which had a different feel on a Saturday night. They were going to be packing them in and when we left our table was quickly snapped up. We got on the Metro and went to Rue Moufftard and Brewberry. If you like beer and are in Paris please go to Brewberry - I really want the young woman who owns it to succeed. She is running a fun place with beer and small bites. It is a store, not a bar, but if you want to try a beer you can as long as you buy something to eat. Not a bad deal at all! We had a beer and she was getting ready to close for the night. We bought one bottle of Bush for later - in honor of P. and also because it bills itself as the strongest Belgian beer. Dinner was at a Middle Eastern place down the street and then we walked home. And bought bottled water and conducted the transaction in French with the shop keeper. Yay!

In the next few days Sunday and our trip home plus some other resources if you, or someone you know, is going to Paris.

Paris 2011, Part One

2011-04-14T08:16:00.012-05:00

Here is a recap of what we did during our Paris trip in April 2011. You could follow this exactly and have a great time - we sure did!

Day 0

Went to O'Hare. We flew United to Paris so left out of Terminal 1. Which meant we got to eat at Tortas Frontera the new restaurant at O'Hare from Rick Bayless. I had been there before and knew the tortas were huge so we split the Conchinita Pibl. Don't be fooled by the sauce - use it sparingly. The woman next to us dumped it on her sandwich and P. felt bad for her since it was really hot. The couple had come to Chicago because of Rick Bayless. Guess they had met another couple at a Bayless book signing in CA and visited them in Chicago. Too funny. A good start to the trip. We watched "Mesrine: Killer Instinct" on the flight there on the iPad and it's a good film and helped kill some time.

Day 1 (Wed)

Arrived in Paris around 9:30 in the morning. Shaky start in a bad van trip to our apartment on Rue Marie Stuart (next time we will take the train). The apartment was in a great location off the Rue Montorgueil which is very lively. Above is Monet's representation of it. Not too far off - the place is swinging all the time. We cleaned up and hit the ground running. First meal was at Au Rocher de Cancale which was right at the end of our street and written up in a New York Times article. Then we did some walking around and happened upon a parade which seems to be a theme for our vacations lately.

P. had read about a wine bar near our apartment called Le Garde Robe. After a nap we decided we would go check it out and wanted to get there when it opened because it gets crowded. The time listed on the site we had was wrong - we thought it opened at 6 but it did not open until 7 so we walked around the neighborhood. We happened across the Spring Boutique. It sells wine and other food items and the woman there told us that the restaurant (also called Spring but not in the same location) is booked for dinner but sometimes lunch has openings. So the chef, Daniel Rose, was there and he took our reservation for lunch the next day. This guy and this place are a big deal - just written up in Food & Wine along with another store we wandered into while killing time for Le Garde Robe to open - Uah. After stalking Le Garde Robe it finally opened and we had some of the best meat and cheese and wine ever served by a twin of our Chicago friend A. After hanging out there we ate dinner at a place near our apartment and then hit the hay.

Day 2 (Thursday)

Up early for Pain Au Chocolate and espressos. Thank you high school French! I can at least order breakfast. Then to L'Orangerie to get my Impression fix. Beautiful walk through the Jardin des Tuileries. (Except for the hairless cat being walked by his owner which will continue to haunt me). We had wonderful weather the whole time in Paris. Very interesting museum and a good size - you can spend an hour there and see everything. After that we walked to Spring for our lunch reservation. Yes, I went all the way to Paris to have lunch prepared by someone from Wilmette. The irony. Now the day before when we made our reservation we were asked if we had any food allergies. No. Any food phobias? No. This place has one menu so it's not good for picky eaters but if you are open this will be one of the best meals you ever eat. Don't ask me to recount what we ate I just remember enjoying every part of the meal. The restaurant has an open kitchen so you can see the people at work and hear them talking - a mix of French and American English. Dessert was in 3 parts if that tells you something. And get the wine pairing - they know what they are doing.

After lunch a nap. Then we went in search of a record store P. had found near where we would eat dinner. If you like music and are in Paris you must go to Bimbo Tower. It's so small and hard to find the door - we had to ask the hipster in the bar around the corner where it was. Pascal, I'm assuming he is the owner, is a shy record guy who probably speaks English just fine but was not comfortable. So instead a Russian guy spoke English to him for us - not sure how that was any better. They gave P. some suggestions and he came away with a good selection and a suggestion of a show to go to the next night. After you go to Bimbo Tower go to the bar on the corner with all of the Teenage Fanclub and Smiths posters to get a beer. The guy working there was planning for a vacation to New York.

Our dinner. Whew. Also a suggestion from New York Times among others. Thank you to A. and K. for sending me the article. From Spring at lunch representing New French to Restaurant Astier which represents classic French. Great comfort food. Amazing meal (again). The only time someone asked us if we knew what something was - P.'s appetizer. The cheese tray is crazy - you cut off what you want and they send it along. After dinner we walked back to our Paris apartment. Doesn't get much better than that.

Tomorrow - more about our trip but this is a long post but it's good - it's helping me remember all that we did during our vacation. I'll have more pictures from next days including Sarah's Reign of Quinze.

Today the Pictures, Tomorrow the Words

2011-04-13T07:56:00.000-05:00

April in Paris....

Some things in Paris are very big.

Some things in Paris are very small.

We could not read the signage but the Museum of Dolls is worth the visit. The Ken doll dressed as Columbo had us in stitches.

Re-occurring vacation theme #1: A parade!

Re-occurring vacation theme #2: Mass shellfish killing.

In Paris even the garbage cans manage to look cool.

And the graffiti, too.

Easter is coming!

Sometimes I make P. stand in front of things even as French people watch and laugh.

Sometimes I stand in front of things and P. takes a photo - this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle playing football was painted on the side of a delivery truck. Guess if you can't stop graffiti at least do it yourself.

Our street. Cue French people walking around. The weather was so perfect during our visit. We felt as though we were on a movie set.

More specifics tomorrow about sights we saw and places we went. Enjoy the photos!

More about Impressionism

2011-04-12T17:14:00.001-05:00

Seems like I have been following a trend lately. Read a nonfiction book on a topic, read a fiction book on the same topic. I picked this one up at a Border's that was closing when I read the back of it and saw it was about Impressionist painters among other topics. I saw Elizabeth Kostova speak a few years ago when her first book, "The Historian", was being released. She was an interesting speaker but I never read the first book but have heard it's pretty good.

When artists are learning they sometimes copy other works of art. This book made me think about that practice. Kostova is a skilled writer. She keeps this long story going. The book is organized and original but reminds you of other books or stories. It was a good book for me because I was kind of in a funk and did not want to expend a lot of effort. I was not sure why I should care about Robert. So he was good looking but he seemed like a jerk and I never really could tell why he was in love with Beatrice. I kept waiting for him to time travel but no such luck.

This would be a good book to give as a gift to someone who liked "The Da Vinci Code" or "Time Traveler's Wife" or who likes historical fiction/romance. I think they would enjoy the various narrators and details. Let's just say for me it filled some time on a long flight.

More about that tomorrow! My own cliffhanger.

The Judgment of Paris

2011-03-22T18:45:00.000-05:00

Whew, this one slowed me down a little so I have not posted in a while. It's a very well researched and well written account of the beginnings of Impressionism. I marked a lot of pages with flags so I could look up the works of art on the internet. I want to see where some of them live now.

Manet sure did not do well during his lifetime. I was feeling bad for him when I was halfway through the book and he had still not sold anything. Then I learned that he lived on a fairly big allowance from his mother. If you were lucky enough to have purchased one of his works after his death you made a good investment. And, yes, MAnet and MOnet become friends later in life. Hope I did not spoil anything for you.

I loved picturing the artists delivering their works to the Salon for judging. Of course there was no FedEx so they had to push and pull their pieces down the streets of Paris. I enjoyed this book. The author documented his research but also included comments in his own voice to keep it interesting. Parts of it were funny. Parts were not - such as the invasion by the Prussians. The fact that so much art has survived wars is amazing.

P. and I are going to Paris in a few weeks so that was one reason why I picked this one up to read. I want to see if I can see any of the works in person. The Chicago Art Institute also has an iPad app for their Impressionism collection which was a good resource while reading this book. I plan to check out the Art Institute after vacation to look at the works with a new perspective.

In sadder news, P. and I lost our favorite reading companion last week. We miss you Candy. Thank you for warming our laps and our hearts.

Happiness

2011-02-22T17:19:00.000-06:00

"Hector and the Search for Happiness" is very twee. From the physical size of the book, to the title to the color scheme on the cover. I can picture it for sale on a very well appointed table at Anthropologie.

It was an okay read. I thought Hector compiled a good list about happiness on his travels. He did not have one specifically about health which I would have included. I have had a cold all weekend and I'm cranky - when I'm healthy I'm much happier.

The book is written in a childlike tone but don't be fooled - it's not one to read aloud to children. Hector is an adult and engages in adult behavior on his quest around the world for happiness.

I think this book is a bit of a rip-off at a list price of $14. I bought it at ALA as part of deal in the Penguin booth. For $2.50 it was a break from Swedish mysteries and more serious subjects. If someone wants my copy let me know and I'll pass it along.

I Heart you Adam Ant!!!

2011-02-17T21:31:00.002-06:00

I finally had to purchase this book from the UK because it had not been released in the United States. I waited a month and a half for it to arrive and started reading it almost as soon as it hit my doorstep.

Now, let me explain something. I love Adam Ant. I love his music. Most of the music I listen to now (Cut Copy, M83, The Futureheads, Franz Ferdinand) remind me of Adam Ant. I love the double drums. I love the costumes. As I write this I'm listening to "Antics in the Forbidden Zone" - a greatest hits compilation.

My brother and I were not allowed to put up posters in our bedrooms. We did, however, have full license to decorate our very large walk-in closets. Mine was floor to ceiling Adam Ant. Posters and pictures from Teen Beat and Tiger Beat. Any article I could find was cut out and put on the wall.

I saw Adam Ant twice in concert when he toured the United States - with the Price Charming and the Strip tours. I had the concert t-shirt from the Strip tour and it featured Adam Ant, shirtless, in leather pants. When I tucked it into my jeans it looked like I had a naked man on my chest. My mother loved that shirt - kidding! I don't think I could wear it to school.

This was before YouTube and Tivo so if Adam Ant was scheduled to be on the Motown Tribute, or Grammys, or as a guest on Northern Exposure, my friends and I would be glued to the TV to watch the appearance. If people asked me to babysit I would ask if they had cable. My friends and I watched MTV for hours to catch every Adam Ant video. Luckily this was when MTV still played videos and Adam Ant's popularity meant he was on often.

As much as I loved him, as sexy as I thought he was, I was still a teenager. I was never going to meet him. He was an idol. An innocent crush without adult complications. In the book, Adam Ant makes the point that at the time he was hitting the music scene there were not as many outlets covering pop stars. I'm glad about that because Adam Ant had a lot of troubles going on behind the scenes of his hip shaking, dancing, Kings of the Wild Frontier/Prince Charming/New Romantic personas.

I think he is a sex addict. He also suffers from manic depression. His recent run-ins with the law in Britain have publicized his illness well after his initial fame. My mom said she felt old when she read about him being arrested and they listed him as being 50 years old. Selfishly, I'm glad there weren't outlets covering his very personal life when he was my favorite musical artist. He seemed to be having fun and I wanted to have fun. Isn't that what rock music should provide? Something to make you dance around your room? Something to have in common with others? Did I understand what it meant when I sung along with some of his music? I probably understood some of the innuendo but not all of it.

The book is funny. I am assuming Adam Ant wrote it himself because he does not credit a co-author. It's well-written by someone who enjoys being in the public eye. He makes funny references to his songs - he buys a house "in the country". He tells a newspaper reporter that he doesn't drink and doesn't smoke so he is a "goody two shoes". You have to either like him or not, he's a fellow Scorpio so you have to be "friend or foe". I laughed out loud in some parts.

As an adult I could handle reading about his misery and self doubts. I found it interesting to find out the inspiration behind some of his songs. I'm still glad I did not know this when he was my teen crush. I can respect his struggles and achievements as an adult. I still think kids should get to have idols but that is harder as the internet, tabloids, magazines and 24-hour news channels, work to find out every nitty gritty detail about a celebrity.

Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name

2011-02-11T08:53:00.000-06:00

Greetings from Chicago - still digging out after the 3rd largest snow storm. It's a week later, people, let's stop dibbing parking spots.

So it's cold and you're stuck inside. Why not read about Lapland? Just saying Lapland is fun. Try it. I've wanted to read this book since I saw it reviewed in Bookmarks because I think it has one of the best book titles ever. "Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name". Doesn't it just give you chills?

Before the snow hit I treated myself to a trip to the thrift store to browse the books and this one was there. If you are ever looking for an inexpensive book fix check out the local thrift store.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it is incredibly well written and the format is unusual. Some parts of the book are broken out into little paragraphs. Almost as if they are journal entries or short thoughts or memories that occur to the narrator. Some of them read like poetry and I found myself re-reading them because I enjoyed them so much the first time. Many are heart breaking and quite raw.

I won't give away any more information than the book flap. The narrator is a young woman who has just experienced the death of her father. Her mother left when she was a teenager. Except after her father's death, she discovers that he was not her father and that her mother had been married before and that is the person named on her birth certificate. She is alone in the world and finds out that people in her life have been keeping secrets. The biggest secret of all - who is she? So she goes in search of her father and the journey takes her to Lapland.

It's an adult book about being alone, losing your family, making your own family and finding your own way in life. I recommend reading this one and I'm going to keep my eye out for other titles by the author (Vendela Vida).

**Here's another book hint. I tried out something different on my recent work road trip. I found a new (to me) podcast on iTunes called "Books on the Nightstand". The podcasts run about 20 minutes and are divided into sections - the hosts cover a topic and then each suggest a book for you to read. While I don't agree with all of their opinions (the one host loves the Outlander series and "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" and P. and I heard that author speak and I thought I would never get P. to another author reading it was so terrible). Check out the podcasts but be warned - my "to be read" list just kept growing while I was listening. It is interesting that the hosts like every book they talk about but that could be because, like me, they would give up on a bad book. I also listened to some Sound Opinions podcasts and they will talk about albums they don't like but maybe that's because you can listen to a bad album while doing something else but a bad book is a total waste of time.

Anywhere you go, you can talk about books

2011-02-04T17:26:00.000-06:00

Last week I was stuck at the Syracuse airport. I can't complain. I travel for work now and if I let every flight delay get me down I would be in a bad mood a lot of the time. I'm just glad I was flying direct back to Chicago and not missing a connection like most of the people on my flight.

I did not have my iPad with me this trip and had finished the book I brought with me and was feeling restless. There is one snack stand in the United area at the Syracuse airport. It also serves as the bookstore. I needed something to read and saw "Persuader" by Lee Child. Score. But wait, it's not the newest one. It's the 7th in the series. Had I read it? I looked at the back cover and really could not remember. So I consulted my own book blog. Yes, that is pretty geeky. But luckily I had not read this one so went back to the snack stand to buy it.

The cashier asked me if my pizza had been ok and looked at what I was buying. Her co-worker walked by and said "I'm reading that one right now! I love Jack Reacher!". I agreed that I enjoyed the books and admired her for reading them in order. We both marveled that the books have not been turned into a movie. She said she would love to see a Jack Reacher movie. It was a nice break in killing time and it was fun to have an exchange with someone so passionate about what she is reading.

I would put this one in the top third of the Reacher books. Some of the incidents at the end seem a little weak but I will cut Lee Child a break. Excellent set-up and great technique with the parallel stories. I enjoyed this one and it did exactly what it was supposed to do - keep me entertained while sitting in an airport. I wasn't far from home, I was solving a mystery. Plus I pass Reacher books along to J. so they get double use. I am also slightly obsessed with the 4" x 7" trade paperback format. Hey, I wonder if the narrowness helps get more titles onto an airport shelf. I think I just figured out my own mystery!

Happy travels and reading!

One last comment about traveling and e-readers. I was recalling my Syracuse story to a friend at a party and she said she often goes to the airport bookstore to get title ideas. Then she downloads the book onto her Kindle! Can't beat e-readers for travel. I don't think I'll leave mine at home again.

Sort of like tv..in print

2011-01-28T16:55:00.000-06:00

Reading "The Chicago Way" is like reading an episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit with a whole bunch of Chicago references thrown in for local color.

Tales from Snowy Chicago

2011-01-23T11:17:00.000-06:00

It was very cold yesterday in Chicago. It was also very icy and dangerous to walk around. So it was best to stay inside and enjoy a book on a cold Saturday. Maybe a book you can finish in a day.

I picked this one up at ALA in the Penguin booth. A few years ago I heard someone wonder if yoga would ever become the theme of fiction similar to how knitting had started its own sub-genre. A type of craft, or hobby, fan-fiction if you will. It has happened with "Tales from the Yoga Studio".

I was fully prepared to dislike this book. I was thinking it would be find-and-replace type writing. Take out "yoga" replace with "needlepoint". But it's better than that. The author has the yoga class attendee types down and takes a removed approach to the subject. You can tell the author likes yoga, but is not so emotionally vested in it that she can't poke a little fun at it. I thought the characters were developed enough for what feels to be the first in a series of books revolving around a yoga studio in California. You get a little hint about all of the characters but not so much that you would not want to read about them again.

I think if you practice yoga the story makes more sense. Maybe go out and take some yoga classes and then read this book. Or suggest it to someone you know who takes yoga as a good travel or beach read. If you are in Chicago and are looking for a studio I like Namaskar and Pipal Tree.

It's still cold and icy and we got some more snow last night, but I'm off to a yoga class in a bit to calm my nerves before the Chicago Bears take on the Green Bay Packers. I'm going to breathe deep and send some good energy to the team. Let's go Bears and Namaste!

Rat Girl

2011-01-22T20:17:00.001-06:00

Bought this one at Transistor with a Groupon. It is a good store with nice owners and I think is the model of the bookstore of the future. Very edited selection based on the theme of the store --- for Transistor it's music and fashion and architecture.

Remember when Boston was the hot music city and 4AD was THE music label? I do. I am sure I've seen Throwing Muses live. While reading this book I listened to some songs on iTunes and, boy, are they dated.

A memoir can be tricky since it's such a specific time in a person's life. I wondered where her parents were during this time in her life. I wondered why she had to take out her contacts to perform live, and was on lithium but could still have the energy, and desire, to send demo tapes to record companies. The books straddles shyness and ego. It's not a great book. I think I read it because I was interested in that time in music but not particularly this person.

A spy can be a regular person

2011-01-17T08:26:00.000-06:00

I've started noticing more videos on Amazon to promote books. If you watch the one for "Your Republic is Calling You" you might think the book is a little more action packed. Thanks to A. for telling me about this title because it's fiction about North Korea! A great combination.

It took me a chapter or two to get into the rhythm of the translation. I did like this book and would read another by this author. I thought the main character was interesting and funny. He makes a great comment about spies. You never know really good spies because they are too good to be caught. Even though he is a North Korean living in South Korea and helping North Koreans who enter the country, he does not seem like a spy in the traditional James Bond sense of the word. He is kind of a normal guy all things considered. Running a business. Raising a family. Who can he trust? So after 10 years of being left alone it appears that North Korea wants him back.

There are really good characters in this book. My favorites were the main character, the teacher, the local government agent and the daughter. I could have done without the wife but I guess she was included for another layer of secrecy. Plus I got to read about North Korea in a fiction book. This book explained a little more about the student movement in South Korea to support the North Korean government and those scenes are pretty funny. South Korean students posturing that they want to support the Dear Leader while one of their fellow students is North Korean.

Read this one on the iPad but in the Kindle format. This title was not available in iBooks. Found the Kindle format very similar to iBooks and easy to read. Kindle does include a feature where it will show what others have underlined in their book. Ugh! I turned that off right away. Why all these social features? I don't care what someone else underlined in their book.

ALA and First for 2011 and Nancy

2011-01-11T17:17:00.000-06:00

Back to a snowy Chicago after 5 beautiful days in San Diego for ALA. Truth be told I saw about a 2 mile radius around the convention center but don't feel bad for me - picked up some good books. I also saw Nancy Pearl walking the aisles by herself and stopped her to tell her that I really enjoyed her podcasts and am a big fan. She is so cute and nice.

So here is my haul from ALA Midwinter. I had limited space in the suitcase so had to be picky about my selections.

The Diaz is an upcoming Newberry selection and Penguin was having a good deal on their titles. I am excited about the Dubus III since I loved "House of Sand and Fog" and this is a memoir. The yoga one makes me laugh. A while back some of my friends were wondering with the popularity of knitting stories would yoga get its due with fiction? And it has! (The book looks silly but I'm willing to give it a chance).

My first book from 2011 was a title I picked up at the ALA meeting in the Fall. "You Killed Wesley Payne" is a YA book to be released in February of 2011. It is send-up of noir detective stories. I liked it at the beginning and then it began getting a little too hip for me. (A person who has hung himself has pulled an "INXS". Would a YA reader get that reference?). Plus the story talks about a high school student hanging himself and features a clique called the Lee Harvies that shoot at students. It's done tongue in cheek but the story can get a little uncomfortable at times. I could see it turned into a movie with effects similar to "Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World".

Gifts and Trips and Lists

2011-01-05T11:15:00.001-06:00

I am off to ALA tomorrow and am leaving room in the suitcase just in case. C'mon, sending a book lover to ALA is just heaven.

Picture of 3 Christmas gifts received at 2057. What do they all have in common? They are all bricks! The one of the left is from P. to me, the item in the middle is a needlepoint brick cover from my very talented mother and the right is to P. from me.

If you have not seen it - the Powell's Top 5 list from their staff is great.

Wrapping up 2010 with the top 6

2011-01-02T12:52:00.003-06:00

Here are my Top 6 books read in 2010:

1. "Mathilda Savitch"- A great writer and storyteller with an amazing ear. I hope the author writes another book soon.

2. "Hunting & Gathering" - Dreamy. Romantic. Chick lit in Paris - chic lit?

3. "The Man with the Golden Arm" - A classic you should read. Language is absolute poetry while telling the story of drifters and bums.

4. "The Fifth Woman" - 2010 brought the discovery of the Kurt Wallander detective series. This one is strong enough to stand on its own.

5. "The Girl Who Played with Fire" - Yes, the Millennium Trilogy deserves all the hype. This is the 2nd one and my favorite of the three. Again, strong enough to be on its own. You know when a book review says you can't put the book down? For this one it's true - be prepared to cancel plans in order to finish.

6. "Shoplifting from American Apparel" - Tao Lin. What can you say? Is it an act? Or is he a genius? Looking forward to reading the novel I bought when we saw him in person.

2010 was a good year in reading. I wanted to read more non-fiction and looking at my full list of books for 2010 I did not have as much non-fiction as I thought. And it was all about North Korea! But that's ok - I am fascinated by the country and already have my eye on a few North Korean books for 2011.

2010 was also the year I purchased an e-reader. An iPad to be exact. I love it. I had someone say to me on New Year's Eve that they don't like the iPad as a reader. I think he was jealous. I find the reader very easy on the eyes and I wear bifocals. I have also downloaded the Kindle app and will try that format for an upcoming book.

I started a new job in 2010 which requires travel and I have been in a car a lot more than recent years. I have started trying out books on CD and find I enjoy them for long car rides. Sure beats flipping through bad radio stations. So perhaps the big change in 2010 was the way I consumed the content. Although all of my Top 6 books were read in print. That may be different in 2011, we will see what the year brings. I think 2011 may also bring some re-reads. I have a few books I have been thinking about, and even though I do have a lot of new books to read, I think there may be a few titles I re-read this year. That is not such a bad problem to have!

Happy 2011 to everyone! I hope you are able to take as much time as you like to read in the new year.

**I just compared my LibraryThing list for 2010 and found that I left a book out so I ended up with 51 for 2010. I keep the main list in LibraryThing and had left off "Nothing to Envy". Then I had left 2 books off my running list on the blog so, all in all, 51 for this year. Not too shabby.

#50 and Lessons from Patricia

2011-01-01T19:00:00.001-06:00

"Ripley Under Water" marks off #50 for 2010. Once I hit 49 books I slowed down a little and had to tend to a few things in Santa's Craft Workshop for Christmas. Happy 2011 everyone!

Reading is a great way to learn. For example, when you read Patricia Highsmith you learn some very important life lessons.

1. If you have a pond on your property someone will drown in it.
2. If you suspect someone of murder don't bother them - they probably want to be left alone.
3. Bad guys don't always lose and good guys can often be jerks.

This is the 5th and final Ripley book and while it's good I did not enjoy it as much as the others I have read in the series. I checked and it has not been make into a movie and I think I would have enjoyed it as a movie. The story involves art forgery and the descriptions of the paintings were detailed and it would be interesting to see them come to life.

Speaking of movies, if anyone has read "Winter's Bone" and seen the movie let me know. I thought there were 3 differences between the book and the movie that I found curious. The movie is very good, but in this instance, I liked the book better.

I should be posting my Best Of 2010 tomorrow. Happy New Year!

Hello Again Dewey!

2010-12-13T19:34:00.002-06:00

Oh, boy. Now I know emotions tend to run high this time of year, but it might be a bad sign when you are bawling your eyes out on Page 1 of the new Dewey book. The picture of him was just killing me.

This book is a collection of stories by people who wrote to Vicki Myron after the death of Dewey. The main theme is that these people see their cats not as mere animals, but as members of the family or a best friend or as someone who helped them through rough patches. Now Candy is my first pet ever and I have never considered her just a cat. She is my buddy. And, yes, as this book points out, people tend to get the cat that fits them best. That is for sure in our house. As I have told the story many times, Candy picked P. out at the shelter by biting him a few times to get his attention.

That said, I have to say this book is not very well written. Just goes to show that big readers do not always make great writers - even with a co-author. It started to sound like a broken record. Similar to the LeBron James' autobiography. We get the point - please stop repeating it.

I also started to feel kind of bad reading the book after a while. I don't like to feel better about my life because others have bad lives. The people featured in this book have, for the most part, really been through the wringer and the connecting thread is a cat that meant the world to them. It just got to be a little much after a while. Each time I started a story I thought "oh, here we go again".

As much as I love the story of Dewey, I don't think I will read another Dewey book. If you know a library lover, a cat lover and/or a book lover buy them the first Dewey book for the holidays.

Two more weeks until the end of 2010! Time to start thinking about the "best of" list and time for me to sneak a few more in under the wire.

A quick download

2010-12-06T17:57:00.000-06:00

iPad reading during a long holiday trip.

A recently divorced woman owns a donut shop.
Set in a small town.
A murder.
A homegrown investigation.
New love.

So sue me - it was cute and I liked it! I would consider reading the other titles in the series. A perfect book to download when you need something to read. No idea how I found it - was browsing the iBooks store.

Tinkers

2010-12-02T08:54:00.002-06:00

This is the Newberry selection for January. It also has the distinction of being the first book I purchased in e-format. Which had me thinking while reading the book because one of themes seems to be change and things that no longer exist or are no longer popular.

It takes a true talent to write about nothing. I'm not saying that to be flip at all. I am not surprised that this one won the Pulitzer because you finish it and think "man, I just read a book about nothing and nobody". But that's not entirely true because even the most normal lives have extraordinary events and nobody is entirely a nobody or a nothing.

If you are really emotional person be careful reading this one because it will get you. It was kind of hard to read it at my parents' because essentially it is the story about a man who is dying and thinking about his father. It is more than that and you should check this one out.

No, I'm not reading a book a day. I finished 3 books in Atlanta but could not post to Blogger so figured I would put up the reviews one at time for the next few days. Coming tomorrow a silly one - after two sad ones in a row I needed some levity!

Winter's Bone - Armchair Travel

2010-12-01T17:12:00.002-06:00

Reading is a great way to travel to places you might never get to visit. You might not travel to a certain location because it's too far away, or too expensive or off limits. The Ozarks featured in "Winter's Bone" are not exactly trying to attract any tourism. They are not trying to attract anything - especially not unwanted attention. When you first start reading this book and learn about the code of conduct for the area, the way families and loyalties have developed and observe the living conditions you might think the story takes place in the 50s. Then you get blindsided by the mention of crystal meth and you are shot right into the present day.

The writing is sparse but so descriptive. I dare you to not feel cold while reading this. I felt cold, hungry and dirty through most of the story. I heard an interview with this author on NPR and the impression I got was that people in this area try to stay out of each other's way and live and let live. Which can be tough to do when a house blows up because it's a meth lab. Also kudos on the ending. I thought Ree was a great main character. It's not a long book and would be a good choice for a cold day when you don't want to go outside. I will check out other titles by this author. I'm curious about the movie of the book and may check it out.

It's also that time of year when The Millions starts featuring The Year in Reading. Read at your own risk. I usually find these posts add to my wish list of books to read.

Old Book, New Technology

2010-11-19T17:14:00.002-06:00

I have purchased an iPad. I love it. What a great invention. Now I can travel with email, books, movies, games and the internet in one portable device. Plus using it at home is so fun to not leave the couch and have so much at your fingertips.

I downloaded a free book through iBooks. I had been curious about the Jeeves' books by P.G. Wodehouse. Bertram Wooster is a cleaner, much less bawdy, version of Flashman. Zingy British humor and witty dialog. I enjoyed it. It was a great test drive of reading a book in an electronic format. The pages on the iPad seem a little shorter than in an actual book so I felt I was reading faster. I like turning the pages by dragging my finger across the screen. It's just plain fun. No, no, I'm not giving up print books but I do understand some of the advantages of electronic distribution of book content. I'm going to Atlanta for 10 days and don't have to worry about taking enough to read. If I run out of things I can download something.

45 titles and counting as we work toward the end of the year. Was just reviewing the titles read in 2010 and thinking about my favorites. I'll post that later in December but see some that are in the lead.

Let the Great World Spin

2010-11-12T08:51:00.000-06:00

I have to say that Colum McCann changed my mind about this book as it went along. It is the Newberry selection for November and I'm leading the discussion next Thursday. The first chapter had me thinking "oh, crap" because I could not take the list making technique. It was annoying. The second chapter made me feel as though I was stuck in a Maeve Binchy story with all the people being interconnected.

But as the book went along I decided that it was really more a collection of short stories and McCann has some really great short stories in this book. The one where Petit describes his training is amazing. I felt I was there. Tillie's turn at storytelling was reminiscent of "Infinite Jest". The technique of using different narrators to tell the same story can be tricky because you may find a favorite and want to skip others but McCann avoids this by allowing the stories to overlap a little but they really standalone so you have to, and want to, read all of them.

McCann lost me a bit with the last chapter. Did he end it that way to bring it into the present? I could have done without that and instead stayed in the past where the shadow of 9/11 remains over the story but not inserted into it. It could have been more subtle. What is meant by a 9/11 novel? One that will cover the actual event? Or one that references the event?

Do I think this was a good book? Yes, and parts of it contain great writing. Would I say read it? Yes, especially now. It is perfect for the holidays because you can read each chapter in a chunk and then spend time in holiday activities and then come back to the book.

There used to be a woman who came to our Newberry group who one time said that a book we had just read was ok but not great fiction and was the type of book she would finish and leave in the seat pocket of an airplane. That is an apt sum-up of "Let the Great World Spin". Read it, enjoy it and then leave it behind.

Accident or On Purpose

2010-11-03T19:54:00.000-05:00

I might have accidentally (or on purpose) brought a shorter book ("The Reconstructionist") on my trip to Boston. Because if I finish a book I can get a new one and I figured Boston would have some good bookstores.

I was lucky enough to be at Harvard on Thursday with time to kill before my meeting. My co-worker was telling me about the great remainder section at the Harvard Book Store. No kidding! It has a place in part of the first floor and the entire basement. Great selection - fiction, history, biography, art, etc. Some of the books you pick up and think "I could be a person who reads about......(fill in the blank)".

But I'm not. I'm a person who really likes Swedish mysteries. So when I saw this one used I had to have it. So great. Possibly the best Wallander thus far. Why? Because even if you are generally not a mystery person this is a great story. Wow, does Kurt have a lot to deal with in this one. I won't give it away. Sure you can benefit from having read some of the earlier stories but it's not a requirement. This is not a "solve it in 60 minutes" CSI mystery. It's much more methodical and luck and good timing do not always swing Kurt's way. (He did not run over a hare in this one but he saw a few. Good thing for the hares of Ystad!)

At Harvard I also got to see an Espresso in action - not just at a trade show showing samples. The employee was so gracious to answer all my questions. It is very cool. Such a fun day with great weather and great scenery. The kind of day someone should have been taking pictures of the Quad for the Harvard brochure. But do they need marketing help? Probably not.

I'm up to 43 books for 2010. I should have no problem making 50 this year since I'm taking a 10 day vacation to my folks over Thanksgiving. As mentioned before I am an avid reader, in part, because my parents encouraged the activity. I can picture some days of us all reading and walking around the condo listening to our various iPods. Trust me - it could happen!

Thanks Nancy - quick read makes for a quick flight

2010-10-28T07:46:00.000-05:00

Nancy Pearl now has a Twitter feed. You will read it with your hand on your credit card or searching your local library catalog or running off to the bookstore or checking your bookshelves so be warned. Nancy Pearl on Twitter makes sense to me because 140 characters is enough to reveal her passion for a book and encourage me to check it out.

Years ago I loved Josephine Hart. I love her lush prose and breathless, sexy stories so when Nancy said she felt this was her best one I was buying it for $1 on Abebooks. Due to bad weather and a long flight I knocked this one out quickly. It's not my favorite Hart book and I still prefer "Damage" or "Sin" but maybe I need to re-read them to be sure. Thanks, or no thanks, to the movie of "Damage" I will forever picture Jeremy Irons in the lead role in any of Hart's books. But I picture him in the lead role of most English books owing to my love of the "Brideshead Revisited" mini-series. (Oh, I must rent that one again! Is it true the remake did not have Aloysius? Just terrible.)

My favorite parts were Jack's meetings with his patients. I could have done without the story of his sister. But you win some and you lose some and it was a good book for a bad flight.

Done - and other things to check out

2010-10-25T17:37:00.000-05:00

Bought this one at Prairie Lights. The short review was funny. I am liking the smaller paperback size. I was intrigued and thought I would check out a new genre. I did not give up on this one but it was not that good. Interesting to have a female be the violent lead character in charge of leading warring factions. The revenge plot got tired. I did not connect with anyone. But I hauled this puppy on quite a few plane rides and was glad for the diversion.

While I can't recommend this book I can say that I am really enjoying the Nancy Pearl podcasts available from iTunes. This is also a funny article about the dangers of drinking and e-readers - be warned!

Stopped in at Faulkner House Books while in New Orleans. Small but great selection. Bought a mystery by a local author. Also bought "Spoiled" which is very emotional. Sure, we've all seen the pictures of the Superdome during Katrina and people being rescued from their homes but somehow these photos of refrigerators left out to be picked up are so moving. Support local bookstores on your travels!

A Tale of Two Bookstores

2010-10-07T17:16:00.000-05:00

I have been traveling a bit and have been very fortunate to visit two really good bookstores recently. I would highly recommend them if you find yourself in Milwaukee, WI or Iowa City, IA.

A few weekends ago I was in Milwaukee for a wedding. The wedding was Friday night, and lots of fun, so P. & I had Saturday free to walk around Milwaukee. The last time we were in Milwaukee we were running a marathon so did not see much of the city. Even though the day was overcast and cool we covered quite a bit of ground. After visiting the Milwaukee Art Museum (also a great destination) we were walking toward the Third Ward and happened upon Downtown Books. I can't pass up a used bookstore - especially one that says it makes housecalls. I asked what kind of housecalls. If you are sick in bed and out of things to read will they bring you something? No, it's if you want to sell your books. But the staff laughed. They have a great selection of titles and it's very organized. There is also a cat so be on the lookout for him and he will let you pet him forever. Four great picks. I can't pass up anything Algren after "The Man with the Golden Arm". Bought the Achebe for the cover, the Howard Norman because I loved another book by him and the 4th because it's novella length and by a woman so might be a pick for our book group.

I was in Iowa City this week for work, so you know I went to Prairie Lights. Went in there on Tuesday night and Paul was not around. Which was actually ok because it gave me time to poke around the store. Still have not shopped the second floor - it was closed for an event. I bought the title "Best Served Cold". It was on the Staff Recommended display and had a three word review "Dark, Mean and Funny". I think I have that right. A different genre for me since I don't usually read Fantasy but it is perfect for travel and hotel rooms. A fun story that I am enjoying.

On Wednesday I had some time between my two meetings and thought I would just go back to Prairie Lights to check if Paul was around. He was and working at a desk in the back. I went up to him and asked him if he had time for a recommendation and he looked and me and pointed and said "for you?". Yes, and I told him what I bought last time and what I liked. About 45 seconds later I'm holding three books and telling him that is my limit for this trip. What I love about Paul is that I've never even heard of these books. I read a lot of reviews and have not seen them mentioned. He really goes to that level under the popular titles and authors and can introduce you to some real gems. I will let you know how they work out. Paul said he was really busy and in the middle of something but I said that was just fine by me since I had another meeting and really like his no-nonsense style.

Can you read too many Swedish mysteries?

2010-10-02T09:06:00.000-05:00

I would be inclined to say, no, you can't read too many Swedish mysteries.

Until this happens....

6:30 a.m. a gray kitty cat appears outside your apartment door and when you open the door he runs into your home. You do not recognize the cat and do not know who owns him.

6:45 a.m. P. takes the cat upstairs and the neighbor's apartment door is open so he puts the cat into their apartment all the while hoping it is indeed their cat.

7:00 a.m. The cat is back at your door meowing loudly. You don't want him running in the hallway or getting outside so you let him back in the apartment and begin playing with him.

8:00 a.m. You figure your neighbors must be awake by now and you carry the cat upstairs and knock on their open apartment door calling their names. You try to put the cat in the apartment and close the door but the door won't close because the deadbolt is out from the inside. No answer but you can see inside the apartment but don't want to enter because.....

They could be dead. It could be a grisly scene only suitable for a Swedish detective to view. You are now taking note of the time of events of the morning so you can report them to the police. You go to call your landlord so he can call your neighbors and wake them up --- if they are in fact home and the cat is not the only survivor of some horrible incident. And you are realizing that P's fingerprints are on pieces of their furniture because he helped them move.

But all ends well. The neighbors are home and they come to retrieve their super cute kitty. Your cat comes out of hiding. You realize your imagination is a little overactive but you are not willing to give up murder-mysteries. Especially really entertaining ones from Sweden where it's dark and the weather makes people maudlin.

This was another one picked up at Newberry. Van Veeteren is the lead detective in this series. I could see him grabbing a drink with Wallander. The characters in this story have some great chemistry and it's funny in places even while solving a terrible crime. He doesn't run over any hares but he does like a game of badminton. While the country is never named the driving, weather and general atmosphere sure make it sound like Sweden and the author, Hakan Nesser, is Swedish and he has won the Best Swedish Crime Novel three times.

I'm trying to think of a comparison between the Millennium Trilogy/Larsson and the Wallander/Van Veeteren books. If "Girl with Dragon Tattoo" is the summer blockbuster, the other series could be the art film. Or if you discover New Order first you then move onto Joy Division. I'm not sure - I'll keep working on that explanation. One is the entry to the mysteries - the other ones keep you hooked. Great book and the first in the series so I started in the right place this time.

Eat, Love, Eat

2010-09-30T12:01:00.001-05:00

This is the third book by Reichl that I have read and they are all good. I just checked her website and it looks like that, as far as Reichl being the author, I only have to get the one from 2009 to have read all of her books. She is a great writer. I felt this one should have been the one called "Tender at the Bone". She shares a lot of very personal information. All the while she is working, writing, living, eating and cooking. She reminds me how much food can mean in your life. Not just shoving stuff into your mouth but really thinking about what you are eating. Enjoying it and sharing it with people in your life. In Ruth's honor why don't you make dinner tonight and share it with someone. It doesn't have to be fancy - just put yourself into it and it will be a culinary delight. Or go out to eat and don't rush through your meal. Inexpensive or over the top, enjoy the restaurant, the staff, the smells, the sounds. I am thinking about making Danny's noodles from this book for a future meal. Reichl's books also make great gifts for foodies. Or if you know someone who likes to eat out give them "Garlic and Sapphires".

Not bad - an author to watch

2010-09-22T19:04:00.002-05:00

If we were at the bookstore together and you picked this one up I would encourage you to buy it. It's a good book. It's not a great book. It's a very enjoyable story, a quick read, a historical novel and a family history**. I felt the characters were a little stiff. I think the author had more hits than misses during the story and I would read other books by him.

When we read "Death and the Penguin" there was a review on the back cover that called the book a "minor classic" and we were saying how that was kind of a backhanded compliment. This book could be a minor classic. A book that is popular for a few years and then fades away. I also picture this one as a movie. The author works in Hollywood and writes screenplays and has already had another book turned into a movie so that's not much of a stretch. But, again, if you asked me if you should take the time to read this one I would say "yes".

**Good one for David Benioff! I was looking to see if this was going to be made into a movie and found out something about the book that surprised me. I was going to say I did not like the writing convention he used at the start of the book but reading this interview makes me like it better. SPOILER in the interview so do not read it if you are going to read the book. Wait until after you are done.

Going back to #1 Kurt

2010-09-19T07:45:00.001-05:00

The Scene: Myopic Bookstore on a Wednesday Night killing time before Quimby's

Looking for the shop cat all over the store. No, not on the second floor, don't see him on the fiction landing. I'll go to the basement and check out the mysteries and see if he's down there. Hmmmm....sure is a little creepy in the basement. No one else is down here and the mystery room is pitch black. Should I look for a light switch? Sure is quiet down here - hope no one sneaks up behind me. Creepy deserted basement. Mystery room in darkness. I think I'll run back upstairs and ask them if the light is burned out. That seems much safer!

Never found the cat but did find the first in the Kurt Wallander series which is what I wanted. Read it in a fever pitch. Again, great story telling and not the usual "solved in 60-minutes" mystery. As with the other installments, you are reminded that Kurt Wallander is more than a detective and in this story you see how, and where, it all begins. You can read the books out of order - I've read #2 and #4 and now finally read #1. The BBC series is filmed out of order so not following the series exactly won't affect any enjoyment. I don't want to give too much away but I'm wondering how much Mankell had planned when he wrote this first Kurt Wallander mystery. Did he have a timeline for the characters and ideas for future plots?

If I do ever meet Henning Mankell in person I'm going to ask him what is the deal with the hares? Kurt runs over one in every book.

On Tao Lin and Signed Copies and Quotes

2010-09-16T17:53:00.000-05:00

When I saw that Tao Lin was going to be speaking at Quimby's I knew I had to attend. His book "Eeeee Eee Eeee" ranks as one of the weirdest things I have ever read. It was also one of our more emotional Novella group discussions. Plus, I had just put myself out there to say I would not be shocked if he gets a Genius Grant. If you are familiar with Chicago you also know that Quimby's is at the intersection of Hip-Hipper-Hippest (North/Damen/Milwaukee) so I wanted to see who would come out to hear him read.

Well, when P. & I entered Quimby's I was a little surprised that all the seats were not taken. So we sat down and A. arrived in time to get a seat as well. By the Sexy Art books. When Tao Lin entered the store I just started laughing. He is exactly as pictured. Short, slight and nerdy. Remember when you first had to start reading out loud in class and that one boy would read as if everything were one-big-sentence-and-would-not-breathe-and-put-no-emphasis-on-words-and-had-no-inflection? That is how Tao Lin read from his newest book "Richard Yates". You almost want to punch him or ask him if it's an act or if that is how he really reads. I will hear his voice when I read this writing. The Q&A was uncomfortable. People tried to draw him out but he would have none of it. Although he did make a really interesting point about how he does not write about good and bad. He said to determine good and bad you need to make assumptions and he does not make those assumptions. I found that really cool - it's true - he is a writer who is observing. He catalogs activities but he does not make judgements.

He is not vegan.

I did buy the book. I had to. There was not a long line to get it signed although I did wait behind a female groupie and a very earnest, yet super shy, hipster. As Tao signed my book I told him how my novella group read "Eeeee Eee Eeee" and how the discussion was very polarizing. I told him one of my friends hated it so much she could not even come see him read. That caused a genuine smile. I love how he signed my book. I am glad I went and glad P. & A. joined me so I would have witnesses to the humorous event.

Some other really great news to share -
Before we went to see Tao Lin P. and I met for a beer near Quimby's. A guy came in and sat down and was reading "Infinite Jest" and he was flipping back and forth between the main text and the end matter. I told P. I was going to tell him to use two bookmarks. After my disaster of trying to talk to someone on the el about "Infinite Jest" I was still going to do it. So I walked up to him and said "it's easier if you use two bookmarks" and he said he was almost done and I said I read it last summer and thought it was an amazing book. And the reader agreed! So yay for talking to someone about IJ!

Also - after being a huge fan of The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks I finally found a sign to send in to the site and it was posted today! It's from the end of our alley. If you've never checked out the site before it is really funny.

Here are some other author signatures I thought you might find amusing from my collection - enjoy!

I saw David Sedaris read many years ago - and they let him smoke in the bookstore! I love the $ in the "S" for Sarah.

Robert Rodi is a Chicago author and at his signing you could pick from 3 or 4 phrases for when he signed your book. I chose "slut". I don't remember why now but at the time I remember it being funny. My co-workers (also fans) used to see him walking near our office and we would squeal "there's Robert Rodi!".

Of course I'm going to enjoy it! It's from Dennis Lehane!

Troubles

2010-09-16T17:12:00.000-05:00

"Troubles" by J.G. Farrell was the September selection for the Newberry Book Group and kicked off our 2010-2011 season. This kind of book is exactly why I love being in that group. I never would have found this book on my own. It's not something I would have sought out. It was dense, and slow at times, but a very well written and engaging read. It's perfect for a book group because there is so much to talk about. We only meet for an hour and 15 minutes and barely scratched the surface. Often after Newberry I find myself reviewing the discussion on my way home and thinking "oh, what about this?" or "ah, I wish I would have brought up that".

I think I concentrate on the literal when I'm reading. During this one I kept thinking "why don't you fix it!" or "C'mon - do you not notice what is going on?". I found the Major a really well thought out character. His comments about keeping up with events were dead on because don't we all get a little news overload and maybe don't pay attention to every crisis. It's a book about Ireland after World War I and focuses on a group of people living in a decaying hotel. You would get all that from the back of the book. For the humor, the relationships and the violence in Ireland, you will have to read it. I understand it's the first in a trilogy and at Newberry we have a habit of picking trilogies and reading one installment each season so I'll be interested to see if we continue with this one.

Fear and Loathing

2010-09-07T17:52:00.000-05:00

This is the book our Novella group is going to read for our Bonus September novel. For some reason this book had been on my mind and so I suggested it and everyone agreed. I don't think anyone in the group has read it before. I read it many years ago and remembered parts of it. I won't give away my thoughts now. I will only say that I read it during a recent trip and the theme of travel in this book reminds me of driving somewhere you have never been and don't know. At times, when I'm taking U-turns in a strange driveway, I feel as though being stopped by a police offer would not be so bad. At least then I could ask for directions.

(Yes, I bought a GPS in time for my next trip).

Tao Lin is the Modern Day Alan Sillitoe

2010-08-31T07:55:00.002-05:00

I am sitting at my Mac Mini, posting to Blogger, drinking an iced Americano with a neutral facial expression. Last night P. and I ate squid and discussed if Tao Lin was criticizing, or observing, the characters in "Shoplifting from American Apparel". After dinner we rode our bikes home and passed a jogger and said that she should run faster. Today I will text J. and tell her that this book is great and she will punch me yelling "think about the dolphins!".

I would not be surprised by a MacArthur Genius Award.

*****Update: You have got to be kidding that this was the Daily Candy for today.

Immersed in Wallander

2010-08-27T21:42:00.000-05:00

I have a friend, T., who has a music blog. T. has not posted lately because he has been obsessed with one band. A band that has been around for a while and has a lot of albums and when T. started his blog he thought he would write about new music. But who really cares? Sometimes you get into a groove and things just feel right. You want to listen to a song on repeat. You cook the same meal that you enjoy. I have a hat pattern I knit a few times a year because I know the result will be exactly what I want. And the past couple books I've read have been Kurt Wallander mysteries because I have discovered that I really like them. I don't think T. should feel bad that he has a singular obsession right now - embrace it and tell people why you are so blown away by the band....or, in my case, the author and the character.

With the majority of books I read I take them to the thrift store. Now I'm wishing I had not taken "Dogs of Riga" as quickly as I did because I think P. would have like to read it. This book follows "Dogs of Riga" - "The Man who Smiled" is #4 in the Wallander series. At least according to the spine of this book which I believe is a UK release (picked it up at Newberry).

Oh, this one is good. I'm starting to understand the Swedish mystery a little more with each book I read set in that country. One of the bad guys is the country itself that is changing and people are not ready for it. Or they can't believe it. How did this happen? How did people get so violent and who will protect the innocent? What is happening to a country that has always provided for its people going to do when times change and private interests become more powerful?

Through it all Wallander works to solve the crime. It's funny because at times I thought "man, I would just give up at this point" but his team keeps working toward a solution. As a reader it's easy to say that Wallander should have recognized the bad guy before he did but no one else suspected the person either. I enjoyed this one and it was perfect for my recent travel. Kind of like listening to the same band for a while. You'll move onto other bands, or authors, eventually, but right now you are in a comfort zone. It's not a bad thing.

Now for a recommendation - with the purchase of a new computer and iPod I have been listening to podcasts and Nancy Pearl has a very current book review podcast available on iTunes. I've listened to the Touch of Fantasy one and I have a few books from that one that I would like to check out. She just makes you want to read everything so be forewarned!

Does the Format Really Matter?

2010-08-15T13:30:00.003-05:00

It's not surprising that a book titled "Books" has me thinking, and talking, a lot about books. Found this one at a used bookstore which fits the theme of this book. It's a memoir of McMurtry's life as a reader, a writer and a bookseller. An antiquarian bookseller which I think deserves its own distinction. It's an ok book. It has me on the lookout for "Lonesome Dove" or another McMurtry title to read his fiction.

The book starts out with McMurtry discovering reading. His parents weren't readers and it took a gift of books from a cousin for McMurtry to enter the land of fiction and reading. I can relate to childhood consumption, and over consumption of times, of reading everything you could put your hands on. Then we move onto McMurtry starting to write and also starting to learn about the antiquarian book trade. McMurtry continues to be a huge reader, even when he is on the hunt for rare and expensive books. He starts an antiquarian bookstore in Georgetown, which later moves to Archer City, TX.

Ok, now bear with me. So you have reading which is an activity. Then you have books. Added to that you have antiquarian books which are collected and could be considered works of art. So the box that McMurtry received from his cousin, or the paperback reading room my parents had, would any of these be less powerful if they were in electronic format? Is it the story that draws you in as a new reader? The content rather than the cover design, the size of the book or the smell?

Sometimes you hear that people don't read anymore but what is meant by that? Because with blogs, websites, electronic newspapers, Facebook updates, Twitter feeds, text messages, etc. some people are reading a lot. Maybe they are just not reading books. And what do we mean by books? Does it have to have a cover? Or if it's a story with a defined start and finish could that be a book as well?

I have to get the title for the Newberry book group for September. It's not a book I know and it's not one I have been looking for to read. I have to buy it so I can read it. I was thinking if I had an e-reader I would just buy it electronically instead of having to search for it (not at the library, not at the local bookstore so I ordered it online). I don't really care about the physical part of the book because I just need the content. Plus I'm not a book collector, rare or otherwise. Yes, I would like to someday display my curated book collection but I don't need to keep every book I've ever read just for a trophy.

So that's what McMurtry has me thinking about. Are people reading less? Or are new formats making more readers? I can't ever see making the 100% commitment to electronic reading, but I will be making the leap in the next few months to get an e-reader and can see where it makes sense in my reading life. One that began because I had easy access to books and a family that encouraged reading. That puts me onto another thought - you can see books on the shelf and many users can see the same collection but e-readers depend on a user having their own device. So would my reading life have been different if I could not wander into a room with a huge bookcase but instead had to wait for my mom & dad to hand me a Kindle or an iPad? Luckily I'm already on my way in life as a big reader but I will be curious to see what the future holds for new readers.

The Danger of - If you liked that book, you'll love this book

2010-08-13T20:13:00.002-05:00

My dream job involves a card table and a chair and me sitting in Daley Plaza and as people go to and from work they can stop by and ask me what they should read next. Now, of course, I would have to know about a lot of different genres and books. And there could be the temptation to get lazy and think "well, if you liked this book, you might like this other book".

Books are no different than musical trends. The new song by a singer-songwriter means other singer-songwriters might get their chance at stardom by riding on the tails of a trend. But not all singer-songwriters are the same. The point? Not all books set in Sweden featuring murder and mystery are "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Henning Mankell is receiving attention in the United States because of the success of the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. But Kurt Wallander, the police detective, in Mankell's books is nothing like Lisbeth Salander. I don't think he ever turned on a computer, or even got near a computer, in this book. He's internal but not as socially introverted. The story features his family and everyday complications. Ok, yes, he has to investigate a murder and is sometimes in danger, but the story is not at the same pace. So I would not compare the two. Picked this one up at the Newberry sale because I recognized the author and series from The New York Times article about Swedish authors.

"The Dogs of Riga" reminded me of books such as the "The Maltese Falcon" or "The Big Sleep". The pace is a little slower. The discoveries made during the course of the book can be personal and not always about the case. I enjoyed the book because I like the older style mysteries. I really like Wallander. He seems to operate a slow burn. I would hate to piss him off. He seems to have an internal struggle questioning if his police work is doing any good.

Kenneth Branagh stars in the PBS "Wallander" series. I rented the set from the library that has the first season on it. Watched "Sidetracked" tonight and really enjoyed it. Was hoping it might be winter in Sweden so I could pretend I was cold during the Chicago summer. No such luck but I will watch the other episodes.

Now this is more like it....thanks John Banville

2010-08-07T22:03:00.003-05:00

Benjamin Black is the pen name for John Banville ("The Sea" - Booker Prize winner 2005). We read "The Sea" for the Newberry book group. At least I think I read it. I can't remember.

This was another title that I picked up on cd to listen to while I was driving around this week. I had read good reviews of Banville's mystery writing and was surprised to see that this one was narrated by Timothy Dalton (James Bond).

Finally! This was exactly what I was looking for when I thought about checking out books on cd. It kept me interested while driving through Indiana and Wisconsin which is quite a task. There were 8 disks in this set and I kept popping them into the player. I wanted to find out what happened next. I was interested in the characters. Dalton narrated with enough variation in tone that you could differentiate the characters but did not go overboard. He was very good.

The plot involves a pathologist in Ireland who was an orphan and was taken in by a local family. The father loved him more than his own son so there is tension between the grown men/brothers. The brothers marry sisters and there is a love square. The plot also involves unwed mothers, the Catholic church, adoption and Boston society with some murder for good measure. Whew! Quite a bit to throw at the plot but Banville/Black really weaves the characters in and out of each other's lives in a believable way. I had almost finished all the disks when I arrived back in Chicago on Friday afternoon and finished it up today while playing with my new toys - a new computer and iPod. So not much reading for the past couple days but it will pick up soon. Scored some really good mysteries at the Newberry book sale and want to read a few during the dog days of summer

New Format and OMG

2010-07-26T19:45:00.001-05:00

I have some driving to do over the next few weeks. I have learned my lesson about radio outside of Chicago. Sometimes you will think it's a really fun song and then you realize it's about Jesus Christ. Not this time! I will not be fooled.

So I checked out some books on CD from the library. I was pretty excited when I saw "Imperial Bedrooms" by Bret Easton Ellis because it's a follow-up to "Less Than Zero". Plus Andrew McCarthy, Clay from "Less Than Zero", is the narrator.

Well, ugh, ugh, ugh. I guess there is a reason why Bret Easton Ellis' name is bigger than the title on this one. Hoping to dupe the reader. The book/book on CD starts out great - a reflection on the reality and fantasy of making "Less than Zero' and the 80s. After that? Wow - shame on you Bret! You are a hack. You take "Less than Zero" and smush it with "American Psycho". If I had not been in a car in the middle of Indiana I would not have finished this one. I really liked the mystery part of the story but the depraved sex? C'mon - find a new crutch. If this is the extent of your talent than you should retire. No one reads anymore anyways or haven't you heard? So why waste our time?

Andrew McCarthy retains his boyish lisp and makes a very good narrator for the book. If I would have heard "Doheny Plaza" or "it's complicated" one more time I might have driven my car into a stanchion. Skip this one in ALL FORMATS. You have been warned.

I did enjoy listening to a book on CD and will continue to explore titles in this format to keep me entertained during road trips.

Eh - same old, same old

2010-07-26T19:32:00.000-05:00

Eh. I bought "French Milk" with a gift card at a local bookstore. I thought I would try a graphic novel and it's about a trip to France so how could I go wrong? This book confirmed that I do not enjoy mother/daughter stories. Are you friends with your mom? I'm not - my mother is my mother, we have no ambiguity in our relationship. Yes, I have been on vacation with my mother. We had a great time but I never questioned our place. She is my mom and that is that.

The author is young when she wrote this and I have to say I don't really remember 22. But I was never this woman. I was not this exotic, and yet stunted, at the same time. I agree with her boyfriend who reprimands her about whining about spending five weeks in Paris.

I did like her drawings. I did enjoy the cataloging of the places she went in Paris. I could not identify with the mid-life crisis/panic in the early 20s. Give me a break. If you can't stomach the plane ticket to Paris right now, and I know I'm making alternate vacation plans, then read this book if you've been there to remember how amazing Paris is for any tourist. Want something else? Read an Aimee Leduc mystery.

Winter v. Summer

2010-07-26T19:24:00.001-05:00

"Death and the Penguin" is a re-read for me. This was our Novella selection for July 2010 as we work to read authors from other countries. Is the real talent the fact that this book is really not about anything? That is has so little action? Is that restraint the sign of a talent?

I think I must have read it during Winter the first time. It's a curl-up-on-a-couch-with-a-fancy-afghan kind of book. Perhaps not a Summer book. Man, I wanted some vodka. The translation struck me as terrible the 2nd time around. But still a great novella discussion! So many viewpoints even for a sparse story. Can't believe it's already the end of July as we near the end of the 4th season of the Novella Group.

Misha, the Penguin, in the book comes from the Kiev Zoo. The Kiev Zoo has hit on some hard times recently so current events also made their way into our book group discussion. I would say read it - but wait until Winter or a during a time you can finish it out in one long reading session. Perhaps during a cold that doesn't knock you out too much to read.

Another Winner from Prairie Lights - Mathilda Savitch

2010-07-15T17:21:00.023-05:00

Please don't worry about me when I tell you my favorite book of 2010 is about a pre-teen girl who has a sister that was murdered.

Please don't worry when I tell you that "Mathilda Savitch" is one of the best books I have ever read. I mean it. It's magical the way it was written. I guess I assumed because the main character is named Mathilda, and that strikes me as an old fashioned name, that the story would take place in the past. It is more modern and deals with some current events. The issues it deals with are timeless - the story could happen anytime, anywhere. It may make you consider how you act, and what you say, in front of children. They are not as unobservant as they appear.

And PLEASE don't read reviews of this book if you are thinking of reading it. This is one where the reviews will really ruin the story for you. Thanks online reviewers for tirelessly recounting all of the plot - why would I want to read it now?

Of course you can read Paul's post about it because he knows how to get you interested without giving the farm away. This one ended up in my pile during my Prairie Lights visit. I really enjoyed it. It is a unique story with a very unusual narrator. I would give Mathilda a big squeeze if I could. Instead I will encourage you to pick this one up and see for yourself how you like it.

"The best stories are like that. They're like spaceships. They take you somewhere far away, and you think, oh, what a weird place. But then you think, wait, maybe I've been here before. Maybe I was even born here."
- "Mathilda Savitch" by Victor Lodato

ALA and Meeting Lehane

2010-07-07T17:06:00.002-05:00

This is my haul from the American Library Association Annual meeting that just took place in Washington, DC. I was there for work but, as you can see, had some time to visit the vendors at the trade show to pick up a few new books. Some were free, most were purchased at steep discounts at the Penguin booth. P's question was "how did the plane fly on the way home?". Trust me - I was not the only one hauling back this many books in my bag. It's a library conference!

So you may notice that in the middle of the pile is one from Dennis Lehane. Yes! He has a new book out. When I saw that he was going to be at ALA I was so excited. I helped out a work function and they used my trade show pass to get into the show early and get in line to get his autograph. Ok, a little unfair I suppose, but there were people in front of me who did the same thing! I asked if they were going to be selling anything for him to sign and the rep from the publisher said they would have a galley. In my excitement I forgot that meant "new book" - I was thinking something like a record flat. Anyway, Dennis Lehane is very nice in person. The few seconds I spent babbling to him anyways while I explained that I was so happy to see that he has a new book out and how if I could not wait in line to meet him I was going to run by the booth shouting "write something new!".

"Moonlight Mile" is the brand new one from Dennis Lehane. It's so new you may not even be able to get it yet**. But let me tell you - it's good. When you were a kid did you ever want to stay up all night reading but you couldn't because you weren't allowed and you thought you would change that when you became an adult? Well, last night it was about 90 degrees in Chicago with no breeze and no air conditioning and I did not have much more to go in this one and could not fall asleep so got up to read and stayed up until about midnight finishing it.

It picks up where "Gone Baby Gone" left off so Patrick and Angie are back. Lehane does a great job of getting you back into the story while still respecting the fact that you have probably read all of his previous books and don't need to be beat over the head with background material. I'm not saying you could not start with this one - you would not be lost - but for those who read the other books you get right back into the flow. I had one little beef but not enough to take away from the overall book. It's fast paced and I've missed Patrick and Angie. Plus, Boston, like so many cities that host a lot of detective stories, has a never ending supply of bad guys. The Russians get their due in this one. As does the state of the economy and the every day pressures of life.

So enjoy because Dennis Lehane is back! (Now write another one!). :) Please!

**And you can't borrow mine. Autographed books do not circulate from the Palmer library. Sorry.

Another Paul Suggestion

2010-07-05T21:07:00.005-05:00

This was one that was suggested by Paul at Prairie Lights. It's the one he said I should get for P. and that it's a book that finally gives slackers their due.

It is crude and lewd and rude. But funny and intelligent! I got a kick out of this one. The office humor is spot on. Yes, Shane is making fun of others but he isn't building himself up - he is recognizing the frustrations in his life. It's slim and it will make you laugh out loud even when you think you should not.

See the Movie, Don't read the Book

2010-07-05T21:04:00.004-05:00

This is one author that I like the movie better than the book. The book was funny at the beginning but got a little boring toward the end. I can't help but read Hornby's books without thinking about how they might be cast for the movie.

This is Paradise! My North Korean Childhood

2010-06-23T17:08:00.007-05:00

If I had not been reading so much non-fiction about North Korea I'm not sure I would have believed that the things in this book really could have happened. This slim memoir is excellent. It reminded me of "Patient" by Ben Watt because Hyok Kang writes his story in a very straight forward way without asking for pity or adding too much additional to the storytelling.

I was astounded by the amount of physical labor Kang was required to do while living in North Korea. The stories of starvation made me feel guilty. And once his family leaves North Korea, when he is 13, their troubles are not automatically over. A story of living in North Korea and then the escape and the aftermath of being a refugee in South Korea.

Read this book. It's not happy but it's important. The cover of the copy I checked out from the library was even darker - the image on the cover is two malnourished young children - a reminder of the food shortages in North Korea.

61 Hours

2010-06-20T12:54:00.001-05:00

Have you read Reacher yet? If not this is a great introduction. If you have read Reacher then what are you waiting for? There's a new book out!

****Little bit of a spoiler*****

This one ends with a cliffhanger which is different then the other Reacher books. The other books tend to wrap up and then you pick up in a new city with the new story. This one leaves you wondering. Some interesting touches in this new story that set it apart from other ones.

Again - what are you waiting for? You know you want to read it. Just set aside some time because once you start you will want to keep reading. The 61 hour countdown makes this a fast one.

Things Fall Apart

2010-06-20T12:53:00.004-05:00

This is a book you should read. That is not just my opinion since this book appears on many "Best Of" Lists. It is a modern classic. Three of us gathered to discuss the book on Father's Day which is ironic if you have read the book. We had a very good discussion and agreed that this book is hard to talk about because of the cultural differences. We can not judge a society we do not understand but we can talk about the universal themes presented in the book.

If your reading has been a little light lately, and there's nothing wrong with that, and you want to add in an important book to your mix this one fits the bill. It's a short book that packs a wallop.

1961 - Chicago Waits No More

2010-06-11T17:21:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks - 2010 Stanley Cup Champions!

Flurry, clad in his Blackhawks rally towel, was our good luck charm during the playoffs.

C'mon Cubs - you are next!

Happy Wednesday - Oh, I'm Sad

2010-06-09T08:37:00.010-05:00

When I returned from my Iowa trip a few weeks ago I took a cab home from O'Hare. I started the trip playing Word Mole on the BlackBerry (I am addicted) and when I missed my high score by one point gave it up and started talking to the cab driver. He was a very nice younger guy who had moved to Chicago about two years ago from the Ukraine. He had some interesting observations about the United States and was a good conversationalist. He talked a little bit about his mother who had moved to the United States, then back to the Ukraine, and then back to Chicago. He lives at home with her and was proud to say he is a "momma's boy" (his term).

Where am I going with this? Well, I don't know how we got on the subject but we started talking about reading. He told me that he does not enjoy reading because he is too sensitive. Books make him too sad. I have been thinking a lot about that comment since the cab ride and it really hit home last night.

Why do I read? Why do you read? I enjoy reading for a variety of reasons. I enjoy sitting still. As a kid I played outside a fair amount, but not all the time, so reading gave me something to do that I could enjoy indoors. I do read to learn more about other people and places. How would I have learned more about Iran without reading "Persepolis"? How would I have learned about North Korea without reading "Nothing to Envy?". I am an armchair traveler and love to explore countries I may not get to visit by reading about them.

I do use reading as an escape into another life. I can laugh along with Bridget Jones. I can try to solve a crime with Jack Reacher. I can kick some butt with Lisbeth Salander. And, yes, I can laugh with a book as quickly as a book can make me cry buckets. (See: "Elegance of the Hedgehog", "Stones from the River" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" to name a few). I don't think that a book making me sad would cause me to stop reading all together.

Now, I can't judge someone from a former Soviet Republic that only received its independence in 1991. I lived in the Ukrainian Village in Chicago and remember the old people walking along the sidewalks on their Independence Day. So, yes, he comes from a country that has been in recession since the early 90s and he and his mother have moved to a foreign country to live. He drives a cab and enjoys it because it allows him to have a flexible schedule and he has been traveling around the United States. Maybe he's had enough sadness in his life that he doesn't need to read sad stories.

So I would not recommend "Montana 1948" to my cab driver. It is a gut wrenching story. I was close to finishing before bed last night and told P. I just wanted to keep reading because I knew it was going to be very sad. And it was. As an adult, David, recounts events that happened when he was 12 years old and living in Montana with his mother and father. The story reminded me of "A River Runs Through It" since is has a dominant father with two sons he does not treat equally. Don't look up any reviews about this one if you want to read it. It's slim and you can finish it in a matter of days and should let the story evolve for you on its own. It is depressing but it's also cathartic. This is our June selection for Newberry and I can't wait for the discussion next week to hear what others think about this book.

Third and Done - So Long Lisbeth

2010-06-07T17:23:00.001-05:00

6/2/2010

Dear Chicago Public Library Patron:

Material you requested is available for pickup at: Sulzer Regional. It will be held for 9 days from the date printed above.

Thank you for using the Chicago Public Library.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
This seemingly innocent note should contain the following warnings:

1. You won't need 9 days to pick up this book because as soon as you get the email you are planning your trip to the library.

2. As soon as you finish work on Wednesday, which included an emergency trip to the vet for your sidekick, you look at your outfit and say out loud "man, I hope I don't see anyone I know".

3. You furiously ride your bike to the library and immediately regret yelling "hi" and waving to your friend B. due to your ridiculous outfit.

After you check out the book you are so happy that the Chicago Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup playoffs because when the games are being televised you are not expected to make pleasant conversation and can focus on reading.

Yes, some of the political parts were a little slow but what a finish! There was one part early on that made me want to stand up and cheer. When I was almost done last night I was thinking "well, maybe he thought he could write more books because there sure is a lot hanging". Keep the faith - Larsson knew what he was doing.

I only wish that Lisbeth, who in the 2nd book started getting a little more social, could have continued the trend in this one. I often felt that at times she had gone backwards and was still very untrusting even though she had so many people working on her behalf. That was my only regret - the rest is pure blockbuster.

The Interview that Started it All

2010-06-01T08:09:00.009-05:00

Here are some of the things I did over the Memorial Day weekend:

I ran a 10 mile race with thousands of other people that went on Lake Shore Drive, down the Chicago Lakefront path and ended in Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears and a memorial to fallen American soldiers.

I ate BBQ with my friends and and we made fun of Obama's new policy banning clove cigarettes.

I drank PBR and then went to the gym today to work it off.

I attended two yoga classes that encouraged people to be thankful for all they have.

I called my parents 2x to see how their weekend was going.

Today, after the holiday weekend, I will go to the grocery store. While I may complain that the produce is not fresh all the time in Chicago, everything I want to buy will most likely be at the store in abundance and if something is not there I can substitute something else.

No one went to a gulag. No one was tortured. No one went hungry. No one was afraid while we poked fun at Obama. No one was worried that they would never see their families again. We were respectful of the veterans attending the BBQ but my friends and I realize we are lucky to be a generation that has not been required to serve in the military.

The NPR feature of Barbara Demick talking about her book "Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in Korea" is the interview that started my curiosity about North Korea. I was not aware of how isolated North Korea is from the rest of the world. I was not aware of the hunger faced by the population because North Korea can't produce enough food to feed its people.

Demick follows six North Koreans who have defected to South Korea and share their story with her. She is a talented writer who lets the people's stories speak for themselves. She does not have to add much because the stories are so sensational. I was thinking about the use of the word "ordinary" in the subtitle. I thought "these people are extraordinary to have survived what they did". That's the rub because their lives are ordinary when compared to others in North Korea because the experiences are the same.

North Korea has been in the news recently due to the sinking of the Cheonan. As this book points out, the relationship between North and South Korea is very complicated. Can the country be unified? Could the South cut off the North - wouldn't it just make the situation worse and cause more defections to South Korea? I don't know and I'm not an expert but an interested observer. I will be following the results of the North Korean team during World Cup. I feel it would be false to cheer for them, since my team will be U.S.A., but I still hope they win a game or two.

I highly recommend Demick's book. It's a quick and fascinating read and a very good introduction to North Korea. This one focuses on the people of the country and more recent times while "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader" is about the history and the leaders. I had to return "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader" to the library since it was overdue but I put it back on hold so will finish it when it comes back around to me.

**Barbara Demick's November 2, 2009 New Yorker story "The Good Cook" is worked into "Nothing to Envy". (Vol 85, Issue 35). Available via ProQuest if you have a Chicago Public Library card.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

2010-05-28T15:57:00.003-05:00

After North Korea, drug addicts in Chicago and childhood in Iran during the Cultural Revolution, I needed a short break! So let's go to 1950s England and solve a murder with an 11-year old girl.

"The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" was one of the selections Paul Ingram added to my book stack while at Prairie Lights in Iowa City. I could not find Alan Bradley's exact age (and did not look too hard on the Friday before Memorial Day) but he's in his 70s and is receiving numerous awards for this book.

The heroine/detective is 11-year old Flavia de Luce. Because the main character solving the crime is a child, and not an adult, she gets some slack when she mis-reads people or misses a clue. It's not to say she is not smart. She is passionate about chemistry and has a big rivalry with her two older sisters. Add a romanticized dead mother and a distant father and you have the de Luces.

I won't give anything away about the plot in case you want to read it. As with most mysteries it's not really about the crime but more about the characters. Flavia has great side-kick in Dogger, the family's jack of all trades servant. Flavia also realizes, during the course of this story, that her father is a person with a history of his own and his own burdens that might keep him from being as warm and loving as Flavia might want.

This is a Summer book. Or a book for anytime of the year when you could use a little break and an armchair escape to England. The dialog was good with some slang I did not always understand but that did not hinder my enjoyment. It's light and I have the second one in the series, also courtesy of Paul Ingram, so we'll see what mystery Flavia solves next.

Why did you pick this book? Newberry Group May

2010-05-21T15:10:00.008-05:00

10 of us met yesterday on a beautiful Chicago day to discuss drug abuse, drinking, bums, lost love, death, suicide and the gritty side of Chicago. I led the discussion and the others said that they had to come to find out why in the heck I had suggested this book for the Newberry group.

I explained that my first apartment in Chicago was at Honore/Augusta and I would walk by Evergreen Ave. (Honorary Nelson Algren Ave.) and think "I really have to read something by him". I felt like a fake Chicagoan for never having read Algren.

Well, we agreed there are still some of these characters in Chicago. For sure Algren would not recognize Wicker Park or Division. It's one of the hippest areas in the city. In fact the story goes that residents petitioned to have the honorary street name removed. Sure, don't want to hurt the re-sale value of the $1M condo.

This book won the FIRST National Book Award. It was a best seller but has gone in and out of print. The dialog can be confusing but you just have to go with it. One woman said she did not understand the slang involving the card games and we laughed and said maybe that was for the best. There is also the prose which we agreed is like poetry. Algren is one talented writer.

While I got tired of Frankie's act by the end of the book (you'll never be a drummer! get off drugs!) others felt he was a sympathetic character. The characters in this book did not benefit from any post WWII programs - they were on the bottom of society. This book doesn't make any comments about how to change their station or judge their way of living. In a way, Algren is utilizing his Journalism degree (from University of Illinois - yay!) to give us a peek into a life we may have never noticed and hopefully will never experience.

I could not find any book group guides online for this one. One woman quipped that was because little old ladies don't read it. So if anyone wants to add this one to their book group list let me know and I can share my discussion outline. Yes, Chicago is a character in the book and it's fun if you know the exact intersection or location but even if you're not in Chicago, or from Chicago, the tragic story is a good read.

Don't watch the movie - from what I hear it has a happy ending. If you want a visual for the book I would suggest looking for "Chicago's Nelson Algren" at your library. The Art Shay photographs and captions provide insight into Algren's life including his relationship with Simone de Beauvoir.

Most at the discussion agreed they were glad the book had shown up on the list because they had not read it. While it was depressing it provided for a great discussion, although we maybe should have planned a field trip to to Rainbo (supposedly one of the bars that Algren used as a model for Tug & Maul) for after book group!

As Good as Expected

2010-05-19T08:03:00.005-05:00

Sometimes things are just as good as you expect. When I learned I would be visiting Iowa City for work my first thought was "I get to go to Prairie Lights!". Ever since S. told me about Paul Ingram's videos on You Tube I have been hooked. I could not wait to visit the store that I have seen in the videos and hopefully meet Paul so he could suggest a few titles for me to take home. I decided I was not even going to set a budget for the trip.

So last Tuesday, after a meeting, I headed for downtown Iowa City and the store full of high expectations. When I walked into the store I started to look around for Paul and did not see him. I thought "oh, maybe he isn't working today - that's ok - it is still a great store so I'll just look around" and started checking out the fiction wall I have seen Paul wander on You Tube.

While I was standing there, Paul came up alongside me and said "may I suggest something?". I turned and said "I am a Paul Ingram groupie". You can imagine where it went from there! He was pleasantly surprised to find out that someone from Chicago had seen him on the internet and had come to the store.

The first order of business was to take care of a special request. It is not featured in the photo - sorry, no spoilers here!

Then I told Paul how I knew S. and he was so happy! Now I had a connection and we were off to the races. I physically had to get out of his way once he got rolling. He is so enthusiastic and it's contagious. And he really does walk along the wall exactly how it appears on You Tube. He talks like this:

YOU have to READ this BOOK right away! You WILL NOT be able to put it down! It is FABULOUS! Oh, do you like MYSTERIES? (Do I? And how!) Oh, then you have to GET THIS ONE (the first in a series) and then THIS ONE (the second in the series) because you WILL WANT to read it immediately.

So the stack in my hands grew. And then I thought I should maybe pick something up for P.

OH, yes! Does he like FUNNY? This is THE SLACKER book and it is so FUNNY. SLACKERS really need their due. And then get him these two - he WON'T find them anywhere else (2 from Tin House).

Whew. Ok. The exchange only lasted about 15 minutes but it was all I hoped for and more. How can you not respond to someone so passionate about what they do? The woman at the cash register asked me if I had been upstairs. No! I did not even make it to the 2nd floor - except to catch my breath with an iced coffee and look at what I had bought. Next time. As the woman said I can always come back.

So I have some new books and P. has some new books & a t-shirt. All in all a good trip to Iowa City. Stop by Prairie Lights if you ever get a chance - you will not be disappointed.

The Graphic Novel for Novella Group

2010-05-10T17:15:00.006-05:00

I had to leave North Korea in order to read "Persepolis" which is the May selection for the Novella Group. No, I'm not starting an Axis of Evil reading kick although it may seem like it.

"Persepolis" was a request by the Novella Group. We wanted to try to read novellas from other continents. We have not read a graphic novel before but I think the artwork is going to add another layer to the discussion.

I read "The Complete Persepolis" over the weekend which is Volume I and Volume II as they were published in the United States. It's a quick read although I found myself going back to read text or look at the pictures. Satrapi's voice is very straightforward. The heavy black and white artwork is arresting. I enjoyed this history lesson presented with words and pictures. It's a hard story about violence in a country that separates families.

Where have you been Sarah?

2010-05-06T14:05:00.019-05:00

The short answer: North Korea.

Huh?

The long answer to follow.

A few months ago I heard an interview on NPR with the author of a new book called "Nothing to Envy" about North Korea. The interview is from January but I could have sworn I heard it later in the year- no matter the days are just passing too fast as it is. Anyways I was just mesmerized. I really had no idea how isolated North Korea is from the rest of the world. I have heard of Kim Jong-il, of course, but did not know how he came to power or how North Korea was formed. My father served in the Navy during the time of the Korean Conflict but he did not see any action and I don't even think he got close to Korea but I would need to confirm.

Here is a country with no internet. No outside media. Very little food. Few export partners. And I can't help them because their leader does not want my help. He, and his father before him, have created a country isolated and crippled by their own stubbornness. I wanted to learn more so I put the book on hold at the library.

I also put "Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader" on hold. It arrived first. I remembered it from an article in Bookmarks a while ago about the best books on North Korea. It's a whopper! 876 pages. It is very well written and the author keeps it moving and keeps you interested. Those who know me are shocked at my choice for a really big, non-fiction book. Yes, it's a departure but I'm enjoying it. I would like to finish it soon, though, to move onto other titles.

I wanted to share one thing while I work on finishing this book. The book details an incident from 1968 when members of the Pueblo, a small U.S. Navy ship, were taken hostage by North Korea. The crew members were held from January of 1968 to December 1968. The Pueblo was the first surrender of a U.S. Navy ship during peacetime since 1807.

My G'pa Jackson kept a journal most of his life and each day would make a little note - White Sox scores, the weather, who he saw, etc. This is what he wrote on December 23, 1968, the day the Pueblo crew was finally released by North Korea:

Cold in 20's, windy. Flurries. Lunch with Office Section. Time at CA. Pueblo crew released. Astros in moon gravity pull. Word new Buick in town. Shop at night. Talk to Palmers.

Thanks to my Mom for looking up the entry. (I was 2 mos. old at the time and The Palmers are my Mom & Dad).

The Girl Who Played with Fire - now I really get it

2010-04-12T09:00:00.004-05:00

I really enjoyed "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and thought I understood the hype. I kept hearing the stories on the radio about bookstores importing the 3rd installment in the series, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", into the United States because their customers were asking for it. I also heard a story on NPR that a woman and her husband bought copies from Amazon in France and read the 3rd story in French because they just had to have it. The frenzy the series has caused! Yes, it's adult. Yes, it's scary. But Lisbeth is so cool!

Well, after finishing the 2nd book in 4 days I can see why people are so hot to get their hands on the 3rd book. This one ends with way more of a cliffhanger than the first book. I had to go back and re-read the last few pages just to make sure I read them correctly. Plus you have to find out what happens with Lisbeth and Mikael!

I think if I had a Kindle or an iPad, and I could download the 3rd book, I would have as soon as I put this one down on Sunday night. But I can wait --- I have put "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" on hold at the Chicago Public Library and will wait with bated breath for it to arrive.

The Natural - Opening Day

2010-04-12T08:58:00.003-05:00

Another baseball themed book to welcome the Cubs' Home Opener and baseball season in general. The Newberry book group read "The Fixer" by Malamud in 2007 and I vaguely remember the movie version of "The Natural" so I was not expecting an upper. This was Malamud's first novel, which I learned after finishing the story.

I can only imagine the writing process. Picking baseball as the game in this book, and how the main character makes his living and expresses his talent, allows Malamud to hang a lot on the theme. Baseball is romantic, it is America's sport. It's a sport where the individual is important but you also play with a team. A lot of men play it because teams are large but there is a whole farm league system so it can take a lot to get to the big leagues and the main team.

The story reminded me of "The Great Gatsby" which was published 27 years earlier. There is a man in love with a woman who does not love him as a person, but does love what he can give her. Nothing will ever be enough for her and the man begins to realize that in the course of the story. He will never have enough money, or fame, to make her happy.

Roy Hobbs can't win - in every sense of the word. His early career is cut short due to a woman, his comeback is tainted by a woman. His bat fails him and he goes through a terrible slump. He is one person but his whole team is affected by his ups and downs. He has talent but it's a specific talent playing a game and that won't last forever. Once that is gone and the public has moved onto the next sports hero he will no longer exist.

Malamud is a great writer. I'm not sure if you asked if I would say "oh, you have to read this book". It might be a good one for a book group so you could talk about it with other people. I enjoyed the book but it was depressing.

Anna Gavalda - My New Favorite

2010-04-01T09:30:00.006-05:00

I read "Hunting and Gathering" by Anna Gavalda at the beginning of the year and really enjoyed it. I like Anna Gavalda's style. It is very personal and sensual. Not dirty, but rather you feel that you are hanging out with the characters and they are sharing their life with you. I felt that "Hunting and Gathering" toed the line between schmaltz and total despair in a wonderfully balanced way. In my opinion that is a true talent.

Based on my enjoyment of the first book I read by this author, I purchased two other books by her. "I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere" is a collection of short stories from 2003. I enjoyed all of the stories - especially the first one which is a cautionary tale about the use of cell phones.

Anna Gavalda has a new book out that is receiving so-so reviews. I will still check it out because I like this author and want to keep reading what she is writing.

Baseball Season is Almost Here!

2010-03-30T17:58:00.004-05:00

Baseball season is right around the corner. I attended the ticket draft a few weeks ago at the Map Room. We share Cubs' tickets with a group of people. This guy next to us asked us what we were doing because "it looked so cool". It is, my friend. Random drawings to determine the order and then the decision of April v. September. Will they be any good this year? The billboards are promising Year 1 with a new owner. Hopefully Year 1 doesn't start the World Series count over for another 100 years.

The impending baseball season made this one a good choice. Spenser is hired to investigate a Red Sox pitcher who could be throwing games. The story is pretty quaint compared to the headlines for players today. (Spoiler!!!!) A pitcher married to a woman who was a prostitute and starred in one pornographic movie? Please. Watch reality tv and get much worse. No way you could blackmail someone with that information now.

Spenser has only known Susan for a year. No Pearl the Wonder Dog and no Hawk --- yet. Just checked and this was the 3rd book. Bought this one at Market Fresh Books in Evanston where they weigh the books by the pound. So it's early in the series but luckily I have the first two at home from a recent Abebook order. Whew! Bring it on Spenser and Go Cubs!

New Author (for me)

2010-03-24T17:20:00.004-05:00

Found this one on a trip to Bookworks. I never knew the store had a name - I call it the Crazy Bookstore in Lincoln Square. It's not for the faint of heart. It is crammed, not in order and really just a luck of the draw. Cash only as well in case you decide to visit.

In my case I found of stack of Rex Stout books and had to investigate. He's from Noblesville, IN! (That's where P's brother lived before Paris). Born in 1886. He created the detective Nero Wolfe. A new detective series to check out! One of the books I bought has a forward by Lena Horne.

This one is not a Nero Wolfe story. It features detective Tecumseh Fox. C'mon - is that not a great name? He has a wonderful crew of friends who help him out. In so many of these stories you really don't care who did it because you are swept up in the dialogue. This one was written in 1939 and I think some of the slang went over my head but I'm sure they were double entendres galore! Snappy and witty banter for all! A slim book and good for my recent travel. I swear the cover looks like Bob Newheart, but it's not.

The Phases of Olive

2010-03-09T19:13:00.002-06:00

This is the Newberry selection for March and I am so sad that I am going to miss the discussion. I am so interested to hear what my fellow book group folks think of this one.

Here were my 3 phases of reading during "Olive Kitteridge".

Phase I - Wow, this is a gutsy way to write a book. Each chapter could be considered a short story with Olive popping up at some point. The author makes her a local schoolteacher so it's not odd that she would know a lot of people in the town during different phases of their life. The danger is if the chapters are not even and someone likes one better than the other. I could see why this one won the Pulitzer Prize.

Phase II - C'mon....how many bad things can happen to one person? Or one town? And Christopher wins the worst son award right after Gogol in "Namesake". This is getting tiring.

Phase III - The end. You have got to be kidding me. I don't think Olive Kitteridge would like this book. I felt dumb at the end. Such a great start and then psssssstt............

Don't bother - if you want to read a better small town book pick up "Downtown Owl".

Introduction to a New Series

2010-02-21T14:08:00.005-06:00

My first Robert B. Parker book was my first book of 2010. I was not aware that he wrote a series featuring Spenser which became the basis for "Spenser for Hire". Then Robert B. Parker died and I started reading more about him. Many, including Dennis Lehane, count him among their heroes. So I had to try one. "Small Vices" is toward the middle of the Spenser series so you get the flashbacks to other cases and relationships. Spenser is funny and smart. He has good friends and a loyal girlfriend. Sure, it's a formula but it's one that works. This was an engaging read and I enjoyed it. I will keep my eye out for more Spenser books and look forward to hanging out with him and Hawk.

**Update: There's also Pearl, the Wonder Dog. Spenser having a dog sets him apart from other detective series I read. Being connected to animal provides him with a stability other characters do not have. For example, Jack Reacher is a drifter so his hobo lifestyle does not lend itself to a pet. Solving crimes, taking down bad guys and being able to come home to a loyal dog adds a slight element of normalcy.

The Pets is Weird

2010-02-21T13:54:00.003-06:00

I bought this book because Open Letter Books was having a sale. I think I found out about Open Letter through the New York Times or a reading friend. They are at the University of Rochester and publish translated works. The books are contemporary and the goal is to encourage people to read translated works. Open Letter Books has great cover designs and very good customer service so I hope they are successful.

"The Pets" is about a guy in Iceland who has just returned from a trip to England. He gets home and finds out that someone has come to see him while he was out and the person said they would come back. The person who wants to visit him is an old roommate who is a little off and was recently in a mental institution. Instead of calling the police, or shouting through the door that he doesn't want to see this person, the narrator hides under his bed. Now he is stuck. He can't come out.

Another person comes over, a fellow traveler from the plane back from England who needs to pick up his glasses. A woman from the flight comes over as well and some other various friends. They are drinking and hanging out while the narrator is still under the bed recounting the events that have brought him to this time and place.

It's an original story but strange. I never felt as though I could root for anyone in the book. I got a little tired of the guy under his bed and wanted to hang out in the kitchen with the people who were having a good time. If you asked me I would not say that you have to read this book. I would suggest that you check open Open Letter Books and try something by an author for another country. It's worth it just for something very different.

Gone Tomorrow - Back to Form

2010-02-09T21:04:00.003-06:00

Lee Child is back to his form after the disappointing "Without Fail". This one is an interesting, timely story with plenty of Reacher smarts. Yes, it is a bit odd that Reacher would care so much about a stranger, but, hey, he's not working and has some time to fill. It's action packed and a good choice when you have a short attention span - similar to the summer blockbuster, but in a very good way.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Believe the Hype

2010-02-02T19:35:00.004-06:00

Oh, yeah, believe the hype the Stieg Larsson trilogy has received. Lisbeth Salander is my new favorite character. Yes, the book is gruesome in parts but it really packs a punch. You think it's over, and then there's another ending, and then another ending. The kind of book you read while you are making dinner if no one else is home. The characters are smart and the dialogue is good and there are also some funny parts.

It's no wonder that people were importing the 3rd book before it was released in the U.S. - you finish the book and want to see what happens next. Maybe that is due, in part, to the fact that there are only three of them.

I bought a used copy and it's a little beat up but not too bad. If anyone is interested in it let me know and I will pass it along.

Hunting & Gathering

2010-01-30T16:42:00.003-06:00

I could have sworn that I found out about this book from The Millions "Year in Reading" series but when I went to search for the post could not find it. But I remember seeing a short blurb about this one and it said something about Paris and an odd group of friends and I was hooked - was ordering it on Abebooks right away.

I loved this book. I must say that I love Paris so any book set in the city in a cool, old apartment with quirky characters stands a good chance with me. Yes, it was a sweet story, but with some characters that really needed a few good things to happen for them. I think in the hands of another author it could have been really cheesy but I enjoyed the way the plot flowed and, yes, I could picture the ending in a movie but I still liked it.

I found a review online that did not care for this one as much as other works by the author that were a little darker. I will be checking out the other books so we'll see but I really enjoyed this author and am glad I saw the blurb about the book - wherever that may have been!

A moment to remember Robert B. Parker - who I just read! Sounds like he died the best way he could have all things considered, writing at his desk. He seems like a stand-up guy judging by the tributes I have read from authors and booksellers. He was big in Japan and that's not a joke.

Also a moment to remember J.D. Salinger. I can't imagine living his life. He wrote what may become one of the most enduring books of all time. History will have to see how "Catcher in the Rye" holds up but I'm thinking teenage angst will always exist. If you have not read "Catcher in the Rye" as an adult, try it, and let me know if your views on Holden have changed at all. I think The Onion did a brilliant send-up.

Hercule to the Rescue!

2010-01-28T18:13:00.000-06:00

Out sick Tuesday past.

The butler did not do it.

Best way to spend the day.

Dorian Gray - Revisited

2010-01-22T18:36:00.004-06:00

This is the selection for our Novella Book Group's Winter Bonus Novel. We had such a good time last Summer that we wanted to meet over the Winter. This was suggested by J. and I agreed that it would be a good one for our group. I last read it in 2007. I know I had read it at least once before that so this is my 3rd reading.

*****Spoilers*******so stop if you have not read the book or don't want to know what happens!

Yes, you may know the storyline that Dorian Gray makes a wish/sells his soul to remain forever youthful. While the painting of him as a young man ages, Dorian Gray, the person, does not age. It's one of those books, though, that as the reader ages, and changes, the book changes. This time I was more struck by the theme of not having any consequences for your actions.

When I drink too much, or don't get enough sleep, it shows! Yes, I look older and haggard. Dorian Gray can corrupt people, take drugs, live a depraved lifestyle and yet none of this is reflected in his physical appearance. Because he has the picture to absorb the results of his actions he is also able to absolve his conscience of any guilt.

People may not like him because he never gets any older or they may also not like him because he gets away with things. I am fascinated, and jealous, of people who can get away with things. I never get away with anything! But I don't think I want to be like them necessarily. If I could get away with things would I take advantage?

Would I like to be Dorian Gray? No, I don't think I would want to be him. While he may look young he is obsessed with his secret so the grass is not always greener. He still has worries. He is extremely selfish and self-centered while also being naive. This time the friendship with Lord Henry stuck out for me as well. Why does Lord Henry hang around with someone who seems so boring? Is it because he can mold him? Lord Henry asks toward the end of the book what Dorian's secret is and how he stays so young but I don't get the feeling that Lord Henry necessarily wants to have that for himself. He seems more sure of himself than Dorian Gray.

This one will make for an interesting book group!

Two Kinds of Decay

2010-01-10T15:03:00.003-06:00

Two people on The Millions had this on their Books 2009 list. So I was ordering from Abebooks before you knew it. As I have said before, I really enjoy memoirs. In a way they are similar to short stories because the author is forced to edit the book. Memoirs should be concise and not rambling histories of an entire life.

The author of "Two Kinds of Decay" gets sick. She thinks she has a cold but it turns out to be so much worse. A rare disease. This story reminded me of "Patient" by Ben Watt. Sarah Manguso relays her experience in very clinical, and as many have said, spare, terms. You aren't sobbing and tearing your hair. You are reading about someone who is caught up in a strange experience and goes through the steps of treating an illness without knowing if her life will ever return to normal.

When I finished the book I said "huh" out loud. "Huh" as in what would I do in her situation? "Huh" as in how would my family deal with this? "Huh" as in I understand why she rents an apartment and does not put down roots - she has something in her life that could return. She knows upheaval. This is a well written memoir and and I feel the author is very talented. She could have resorted to the easy way out and the "whoa as me" story but she did not.

**When I looked at The Millions I realized that the year before, in 2008, I read "Don't Point that Thing at Me" because of Sarah Manguso's recommendation.

Memento Mori - Book Group 2010

2010-01-10T15:02:00.005-06:00

Do you look at people and think "I wonder how old they are?". Do you think "wow, I look much better than that person!". Do you have friends that you have known for 10 years, 20 years, 30 years and you are growing old together?

If so, the people in this book are just like you. "Memento Mori" features a group of friends in their 70s and 80s as they age. They are getting crank phone calls that remind them that they are going to die. Some of them do not need reminding. They have accepted that they will die. Others are fighting the aging process.

This is the kind of book that makes you laugh and then you think "wow, I really should not laugh at that". This is the Newberry selection for January and when I started it I wondered why a group of older individuals wanted to read a book about old people who die. In the end I stopped wondering and enjoyed the story and its characters. The book pokes fun at older people who keep re-doing their wills to hold something over someone else.

I had not read anything by Muriel Spark before and I would check out more by her. I enjoyed her writing style. She reveals things slowly and has a good ear for conversation.

The Start of 2010

2010-01-05T18:55:00.003-06:00

Imagine you have been out on New Year's Eve to a bar with a bunch of friends. It's a typical New Year's Eve where it's 9 p.m., then it's midnight (hello 2010!) and then you're at Korean BBQ and walking home around 4 a.m. It just happens. So to kick off the new year you want something simple. Ease into it. Something you can read while watching Northwestern play the longest Bowl game ever. A book that does not interfere with Ohio State winning the Rose Bowl.

"All Our Yesterdays" fits that bill. P's dad had this one in his "reading room" for as long as I have known their family. When P's dad was getting ready to move I took this paperback. I was curious - here was a book that had been in one spot for about 9 years. It never moved. It was most likely purchased at a used book store or church rummage sale and had the 50 cent price sticker to prove it. (This is where Kindle does not make sense - this is a 50 cent pulp fiction book - not a $6.39 Kindle book).

Who knew but the author, Robert B. Parker, also wrote a series featuring Spenser. Yes, "Spenser: For Hire" as the series became for television. This is not a Spenser book. This one features 3 generations of Irish males - the Sheridan clan. They are all cops, they can't share their emotions and they are all a bit obsessive. The reader follows them through Boston and their connection to the Winslow family. It's really not that bad. Ok, it's not that good, but, again, what else can you read and comprehend while watching more sports because on Monday night the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks were playing. Yes, it's a rough life in Chicago. Happy 2010!