Something special

Apparently, I'm posting about once a month now. Yikes! I really have read, and some have been worth the discussion, I just haven't gotten around to writing anything. But the other day, I finished a book that was just one of those books that for some reason, get into your heart. I'm not sure what it was about it, because it really doesn't seem like anything extraordinary but there is that book magic about it--a story well told that makes you want to read more and sad when it ends.

The book was Nation, by Terry Pratchett. I know, I know, I have been on a huge TP kick and you are sick of hearing about him. Well, this book is NOT in the Discworld series and has a distinct flavor from those. I mean, it is still Pratchett and has the Pratchett mark, but it's got a different feel, too. The plot would fall into the Jungle Book category - civilization meets primitiveness. And here I should mention I haven't ever read The Jungle Book, but thematically as a broad category, I guess I'd link the two. Although only in the broad category sense. 

I really liked the characters. I liked his choice to use young people who still have that open-mindedness that hasn't been assaulted by ingrained centuries-old cultural beliefs. Although, they are both right on the cusp of that, so not completely naive, but at the point where they know what society says, but are still bold enough to question that. (Which is not to say that this is a trait only youth possess, it is just the concept and it works well here. Not quite symbolism, but I can't think of the right phrase or description. Sophomore English was a long time ago). 

The whole time you are reading the book, you know that at some point adults are going to come in and ruin everything. And you find that you are hoping it will take a long time for them to get there and do that, because it will change everything. Of course it does happen, and it does change everything, in good and bad and strange and kind of sad and different ways. But it leads to one of those bittersweet endings that is right.

I enjoy all of Pratchett's books, but this was one of the ones I definitely recommend, which is saying something.

I'm in the book

A week ago I finally finished The Phone Book: The Curious History of the Book That Everyone Uses But No One Reads, by Ammon Shea. This is one of those books that I read the title and description and was intrigued, and found a copy on the cheap. I picked it up and actually got pretty far into it, but then got sidetracked by other books. It was looking pretty silly to have it on my "currently reading" list on goodreads.com for so long, so I decided enough was enough and finished it.

I know it sounds like a super geeky book, but it was actually really good. Mostly because Shea has a very readable style, so that something that could become tedious is pretty interesting. And you would be surprised at how much there is to know about the history of the phone book. But Shea doesn't just retell the history. He tells about how people have used it and for what, people who collect them, people who tear them in half, and what the future is looking like for the poor phone book. The book is chock full of information (and by the book, I was thinking of Shea's, but the phone book is, too, really). Shea does a great job covering a topic no one would usually think to explore because most people don't care, and while you read, you find you do care. I don't think I will ever look at a phone book the same way again.

Anyway, if you are looking for a good non-fiction read about a random topic, this one fits the bill. Seriously, it was a good book, and I'm glad I read it. And, in honor of this fine piece of work, check out this link: http://ur.umich.edu/9899/Jun21_99/3.htm

Lo, the power of the phone book.

Birds birds everywhere

As promised, more on Birdology, by Sy Mongomery. First off, I feel that this book deserves it's full title, which is (are you ready?): BIRDOLOGY: ADVENTURES WITH A PACK OF HENS, A PECK OF PIGEONS, CANTANKEROUS CROWS, FIERCE FALCONS, HIP HOP PARROTS, BABY HUMMINGBIRDS, AND ONE MURDEROUSLY BIG LIVING DINOSAUR. (Yes, I had to copy and paste that. How else was I ever going to get it all in their correctly?) I had no idea what this book was even about, but my brother put it on his Goodreads list, and I'll be honest, I found the title so intriguing, I figured how could it not be good and decided I had to read it. (Which goes to show the power of a good title). 

My brother is a birder, and while I'm not one, I have nothing against birds. I probably would never pick up a book about birds if it didn't have such a beckoning title, although having read this book, that might change. It was a really interesting book. I learned a lot about birds in general, and several types of birds specifically. And I now know that I will never be a hummingbird rehabber. Also, despite how much Sy loves chickens, I am not going to become a chicken lover. Except for dinner. And lunch. (I have no problem eating chicken. In fact, I feel pretty good about it.) I have a huge respect and admiration for cassowaries now. 

Bottom line, this is a really good book. It's informative but narrative. So not a bunch of facts poured out at length, but a very personal account with facts thrown in to give insight into the narrator's feelings. The book did not convert me into an avian adorer, but I have a new/different appreciation for them and the mild random interest I had in them out of experience with my brother has grown to a more educated interest for their own sake. And mine. The title did not betray the book--it is definitely worth reading. 

Aaaand, I'm back

It occurred that I haven't written in ages, and you probably all wondered what happened. Well, nothing. I just didn't blog anything. Not that I haven't been reading, I have just been reading a lot of Wodehouse and Pratchett, so there isn't anything really to blog about. But, I did just finally finish a series that is not by either of those authors, and that posed some interesting questions, so I actually have something to post about.

I recently finished the Montmoray series by Michelle Cooper. This is a really interesting series for me, because I can't give it a blanket recommendation. I would recommend it, but I'd have to give a caveat first. Primarily because this book deals with various issues of sexuality, and I'd want anyone I recommended it to to know that. And since it is written for a teen audience, I'd want to make sure that there was an adult apprised and ready to address the issues with them. Fiction is great, but I think there needs to be some real world context in some cases.

Anyway, what I did like about this series was that it gave a unique look at what WWII was like for those living in Europe, particularly England. There is a really great feel for the climate in Europe leading up to the War. I really liked the historical aspect of the novels, (although I was a little bit disappointed that there wasn't more detail about the historical authenticity in the author's note at the end).

And now for the issues. Not all of these were bad. For example, questions about puberty and the birds and the bees. I must admit, I do wonder sometimes how that knowledge was passed on in times when it was a more taboo topic, and that is one of the things that comes up in the book and was addressed quite tactfully. The author also has a character that is gay, and while it's not the main theme of the book, it was a running sub theme, you could say. Now, I have mixed feelings about throwing sexual orientation into historical-based plots, because so often, people try to reflect modern attitudes. In this case, the author did a good job of reflecting attitudes of the time--it was not socially acceptable, although people knew it happened, and it was kind of hushed up. And I think that the author did a good job of not interjecting her opinion on the matter, but just showing what the attitudes of the time were.

The author did the same thing with topics like couples living together and having affairs. Now, part of me says, "seriously, how prominent was all this? I mean it happened, but the odds of one family, one person, encountering all of these issues?" And then I say, "Well, how prominent was it? People didn't talk about it, so maybe it was as common. Maybe it wasn't. I don't know." But I think in this case, I think the author was just trying to show the culture of the time--in terms of the war, women's rights, politics, marriage, and these issues. So it works.

The one part I didn't like was the main character had a one night stand with someone (even weirder, it was her half cousin who also had a relationship with her brother, and it was all just weird). It was just a disappointment, because it seemed kind of out of character for her. That is the one thing that would really hold me back from giving it a blanket recommendation. Because it throws that "romance novel" scene in there. So, I'd want to be sure I knew who I was recommending it to, and how they would be affected/how they would react to that. Which, doesn't happen til the third book, but once you've read the first two, you have to know how the war ends for the characters (since we obviously know how the war ended for the world generally).

Anyway, the series did present me with some interesting things to think about. Currently I'm reading Birdology, so look forward to a bit on that. More about birds than you thought you wanted to know. (Still can't say I get the appeal of chickens).

Odds and Ends

I have been incredibly delinquent and haven't even really noticed. I suppose that means I've been keeping busy, but I'm not sure what I've been doing. Although in the last couple of days, I can say I've been enjoying the sunshine.

I have been reading, though. And listening to books. It seems like they have mostly been frivolous fantasy, nothing too serious. Definitely not anything that will rank among the classics. But among all that frivolity, there was one book that really stood out.

I read The Princess Curse, by Merrie Haskell. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail, because that would ruin it for you, but what I really enjoyed about this book was it's really unique plot twist. It starts out as the story of the 12 dancing princesses, and ends with a nice little Beauty and the Beast plot, tailored perfectly for a sequel (which I sincerely hope is in the works, because otherwise, I'll be a bit disappointed). I've read quite a few 12 dancing princesses stories, and Jessica Day George, for example, creates sequels that use the characters from her version to incorporate other fairy tales, but I think this one is unique in how it transitions from one to the other in the same story line, with the same characters. And, I feel a certain kinship with the author--we have a few things in common.

Currently, I am reading a book called The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, by Francis Collins. I was reading it while waiting for the bus the other day, and a girl who was also waiting commented on how much she had enjoyed it. I admit that sometimes, the science takes a minute for me to figure out, but I too am enjoying it. I find myself wanting to have a discussion with the author about the things I believe and how they tie in with his science, but I'm content to carry it on in my head. I'm only about halfway through, but it is very enlightening, and it fits.

So that is what I've been up to in terms of literary pursuits lately. And now, as I close, I leave you with a delightful little quote from Carpe Jugulum, by Terry Pratchett:

"She sang in harmony. Not, of course, with her reflection in the glass, because that kind of heroine will sooner or later end up singing a duet with Mr. Bluebird and other forest creatures and then there's nothing for it but a flamethrower."

Ciao!

Where's the book I want?!

This week, I've been trying to find a book to suit my mood, and I still haven't come across it. I just want something real, with some humor and some sadness, but not too much drama. I need a book about a single 30-something who is trying to figure out how to be an adult. But not the media version of a 30-something person. Nothing too contrived, nothing over the top, nothing with a serious moral or anything. A character who has some good moral standards, and isn't extreme in any obnoxious way. Just a normal person trying to figure out life. I want a book about someone like me, only better. (My life is too dramatic at the moment). Is there anything like that?

Filler

This week, everyone seemed to ask me what I was reading, and I found myself wishing I had something more substantial to tell them. I was reading Maskerade, by Terry Pratchett. Which, I enjoyed immensely. I do enjoy Terry Pratchett. And when I say that his books are filler, I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that they are reliable literature that I'm sure to enjoy. I actually picked it up because I was having a hard time making progress in the book I was reading. Anyway, it is good to have books you can fall back on when nothing is calling your name. I've also been falling back on Wodehouse, which is a new fun fall back. Agatha Christie is a fallback for me, too. And re-reading favorites is always a good option.

Anyway, I'm enjoying what I am reading, but I feel like there is something I'm craving--like a food craving, only with literature--and I can't figure out what it is. Nothing is striking my fancy. I just need to browse or figure out what it is. Hopefully I'll have more success at that than I've had with figuring out what I'm craving food-wise. I'll let you know. 

"Have you read" and other odds and ends

This week, my Google reader had a BBC story on the 100 books teachers recommend, which linked to this article that gives the actual 100 books: 100 Favourite Books (yeah, it's British). I will copy the list at the bottom, with my commentary, and you can read it if you want.

I know last week, I mentioned that article, about guns and Swiss gun culture. It's an article I really do want to discuss, but I don't want this to get so long that I lose your attention. But, if you'll notice, it is also a BBC article. So, yes, I'm going to confess: I prefer to get my news from the UK. I follow the BBC in Google Reader, and if I ever subscribe to a magazine, it's going to be The Economist. Why do I like British news so much? 1) They have a much better global perspective. They give worldwide coverage with a global perspective, if you know what I mean. 2) their coverage of American events is unbiased by political partyism, so even their American news is, in many ways, better, because you don't have to cut through the rhetoric. Just my opinions, though.

What all that has to do with reading, I don't know. Maybe, "expand your horizons" and "It's important to read a variety of materials, not just literature." But, I did read some literature, too. I've been enjoying P.G. Wodehouse of late. Today, I finished listening to Jeeves and the Mating Season, and I'm just going to say, delightful. My siblings and I used to play a game called "Doctor, Doctor," where one person would be the doctor and leave the room. The rest of us joined hands in a circle and tangled ourselves up as much as possible (step over linked hands, crawl underneath). Then we called "Doctor, doctor, we need help!" and the doctor had to come untangle us without anyone ever letting go of anyone else's hand. The goal was to have us in the original circle, holding hands. That basically describes the plot of this book. Read it and enjoy.

So, now, if you aren't interested in my opinionated commentary, you may depart and get on with your life. But, you are welcome to see the list of 100 and what I have to say, if you like.

TEACHERS’ TOP 100 BOOKS

1. Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen

The first time I tried to read it, I got bored and quit. Picked it up later, and was so glad I did. It is excellent, and I particularly enjoy that it's not (at least to me) promoting one gender over another. In the end, they both make mistakes, and both are good enough to admit it. 

2. To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee

Love love LOVE this book! Atticus Finch is my hero. 

3. Harry Potter (series) J.K. Rowling

I take great pride in the fact that I started these before the big fanatic frenzy broke loose. I do enjoy these books. They are really fun reading. I don't rate the characters on the level of Atticus Finch--in some ways, they are flawed, but I still love the books.

4. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte

Haven't read it

5. Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte

I read it in high school, and haven't picked it up since. But I should probably read it again.

6. Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell

Haven't read it, but it's on my list

7. The Lord of the Rings (series) J.R.R. Tolkien

LOVE this trilogy. In my opinion, in terms of character, it is way better than Harry Potter. It is an incredible piece of literature.

8. The Book Thief Markus Zusak

I really like this book--I find the narrator to be an interesting and fascinating choice.

9. The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien

Love it--excellent use of language, terrific plot, super fun.

10. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

I've read it twice, and I want to read it again. I still remember the fake books.

11. The Kite Runner Khaled Hosseini

Haven't read it

12. The Hunger Games (series) Suzanne Collins

Took me a while to break down and read it--it seemed so gory. But, I really enjoyed the series, even the third book. 

13. The Time Traveller’s Wife Audrey Niffenegger

Haven't read it, but I'm intrigued

14. The Chronicles of Narnia (series) C.S. Lewis

Excellent series, definitely one that deserves to be on the list

15. Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck

Haven't read it, but I feel like I should read some Steinbeck (I've never read anything by him).

16. Birdsong Sebastian Faulks

Haven't read it--is it incriminating to say I've never even heard of it?

17. His Dark Materials (series) Philip Pullman

Haven't read it. I did read his series about Sally whoever, his mystery series. I really enjoyed those books, and maybe at some point I'll read this series.

18. The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Lots of fun. Just so you know, it's a picture book series, but I really enjoy these books. Also, if you are a Whovian, in season 5, "The Hungry Earth."

19. The Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger

Haven't read it

20. Life of Pi Yann Martel

Haven't read it, but I want to. 

21. Tess of the d’Urbervilles Thomas Hardy

Read it, and it was super depressing. I don't even remember the plot details, I just know that it was one of those endings where everyone ends up miserable.

22. Rebecca Daphne du Maurier

I really liked this one. I seem to recall that I felt like I shouldn't like it, or like the lead male, but I did. 

23. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mark Haddon

Haven't read it

24. Lord of the Flies William Golding

Read it, in high school, it is kind of gory. Has parallels to The Hunger Games. 

25. Matilda Roald Dahl

Read it, it's a good one. 

26. Catch-22 Joseph Heller

Haven't read it. I started it, but got halfway through and was tired of all the trash in it.

27. Millennium (series) Stieg Larsson

Haven't read it

28. Animal Farm George Orwell

Read it, I recall enjoying it, but it's been a while. It's one to read.

29. The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood

Read it, and I wrote about it I think. It's one that I liked, but I don't know that I'll read it again, and I'd be cautious who I recommend it to.

30. Persuasion Jane Austen

Another really good one. 

31. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Haven't read it. I started it, because every Spanish major should read it right? But, again--there was so much garbage in it (or else I really didn't understand my Spanish, but the dictionary was really expanding my do-not-use vocab) I tossed it. 

32. Kensuke’s Kingdom Michael Morpurgo

Haven't read it

33. Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian

I really liked this book. It takes place during WWII, but is less about WWII and more about abuse and love.

34. The Grapes of Wrath John Steinbeck

Haven't read it

35. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl

I've read it. Not my favorite, but it is a classic and a good read.

36. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas John Boyne

Haven't read it. I watched the movie, and I don't know--if the book is like the movie, it is too tragic to read.

37. Little Women Louisa May Alcott

Classic. I do feel like it is very much fiction for females. Not because it's soap opera-ish. It is just one of those art-imitating-life stories.

38. One Day David Nicholls

Haven't read it (never heard of it!)

39. We Need to Talk About Kevin Lionel Shriver

Haven't read it, or even heard of it

40. The Twits Roald Dahl

Read it, not sure I'd put it on a must read list, but it's been a while, and so who knows.

41. Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel

Haven't read it or heard of it

42. A Thousand Splendid Suns Khaled Hosseini

Read it, and it was interesting, but in terms of gaining an understanding of what it's like to be a woman in the middle east, I'd recommend The Bookseller of Kabul. 

43. The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame

Haven't read it

44. Frankenstein Mary Shelley

Haven't read it

45. Great Expectations Charles Dickens

Haven't read it

46. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin Louis de Bernieres

Haven't read it

47. George’s Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl

I read it, but I really don't remember it. It was one that I read decades ago (not many decades ago, but still).

48. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Douglas Adams

Really enjoyed this book. Whimsy, that's all I can say. 

49. Room Emma Donoghue

Haven't read it, or heard of it

50. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy

Haven't read it

51. Atonement Ian McEwan

Haven't read it.

52. Emma Jane Austen

One of my favorite Jane Austen books. Maybe my favorite. I don't really keep track.

53. Middlemarch George Eliot

Haven't read it

54. The Shadow of the Wind Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Haven't read it

55. The Color Purple Alice Walker

Haven't read it

56. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle

I have read it, and even had to read it from the Chinese version. I gained a better appreciation of it when I translated from the Chinese version.

57. Brave New World Aldous Huxley

I enjoyed this book, unexpectedly.

58. Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen

My least favorite Jane Austen book. Marianne drives me CRAZY.

59. The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

Haven't read it

60. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll

Haven't read it

61. Charlotte’s Web E.B. White

I've read it. Can't say it's my favorite book, but I'm also not 8, so it probably shouldn't be.

62. Dracula Bram Stoker

Haven't read it

63. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

Haven't read it, I don't think.

64. A Prayer for Owen Meany John Irving

Haven't read it

65. The Secret History Donna Tartt

Haven't read it

66. The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This is one of those books that I wonder if I really got the story at all. I like it, but it's one I need to keep reading it over and over.

67. Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevsky

Haven't read it

68. The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver

Haven't read it

69. Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy

Haven't read it. Haven't been too interested in Hardy since Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

70. Skellig David Almond

Haven't read it

71. The Woman in White Wilkie Collins

Haven't read it

72. Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell

Haven't read it

73. Game of Thrones (series) George R.R. Martin

Haven't read it. Probably won't. I think he's basically trying to sex up fantasy, and I don't really need that in my life. 

74. David Copperfield Charles Dickens

Haven't read it

75. Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro

Haven't read it

76. Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak

Read it, own it in Spanish.

77. Twilight (series) Stephenie Meyer

Haven't read it. I will NEVER read it. On principle.

78. Beloved Toni Morrison

Haven't read it

79. The Help Kathryn Stockett

I really liked this book. The pie story was a bit disgusting, but the book was fantastic. A really interesting perspective.

80. Sherlock Holmes (series) Arthur Conan Doyle

Haven't read it. Somehow, Sherlock Holmes has never been my thing. I love the new series, though. 

81. Half of a Yellow Sun Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Haven't read it

82. Moneyball Michael Lewis

Haven't read it

83. My Family and Other Animals Gerald Durrell

Haven't read it. I started it, but was having a hard time getting into it. Not because it wasn't good, it just wasn't reeling me in.

84. Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden

Haven't read it

85. On the Road Jack Kerouac

Haven't read it

86. Cloud Atlas David Mitchell

Haven't read it. Started it, then got into the George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm book. Cloud Atlas wasn't drawing me in. It was so slow. I may pick it up again eventually, but it's not on the top ten list.

87. Wild Swans Jung Chang

Haven't read it

88. Anne of Green Gables L.M. Montgomery

This is a good book. It isn't my favorite LM Montgomery book, and it isn't even my favorite Anne Shirley book. But, you have to read it to get the rest. (Just learn what parts of the poetic prose you can skim).

89. Les Miserables Victor Hugo

Haven't read it, but I really need to.

90. Room on the Broom Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Haven't read it

91. Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo

Haven't read it

92. Noughts and Crosses Malorie Blackman

Haven't read it

93. Cider with Rosie Laurie Lee

Haven't read it

94. Danny the Champion of the World Roald Dahl

Read this one, during my Roald Dahl reading kick, years ago. If memory serves, this was one of my favorites from Dahl.

95. Down and Out in Paris and London George Orwell

Haven't read it

96. The Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton

Haven't read it

97. The Witches Roald Dahl

One of his creepier books. Good, but a little unnerving.

98. The God of Small Things Arundhati Roy

Haven't read it

99. Holes Louis Sachar

Terrific book. It's so cool how everything fits together at the end.

100. The Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde.

Haven't read it. I should at some point, just haven't yet.

Family Feud

This week, I finished reading George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to War, by Miranda Carter. (This is the book that was the one that had all appearance of being utterly dull). It was amazing. Book review over.

Alright, fine. I'll go a bit more in depth. I'm not going to go into the details of WWI and history and such, but I do want to give the impressions this book left, that you don't get if you just read the tragically uninsightful history books of K-12. So, if you don't know much about the world at the time, you are going to have to do some background reading.

What really stood out was how dysfunctional the royalty of Europe was during the mid-1800's to the time of WWI. This book is less a look at the historical facts and more a look at the mentalities, the motivations that drove George, Nicholas, Wilhelm, Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, and others. Honestly, if anyone needed Dr. Phil, or Nanny 911, it was the royal family, which was pretty much everyone royal at the time, because they literally were a family. Imagine that family reunion!!! And, based on this book, the family reunions of these guys could trump just about any family reunion you've ever been to. And they make an excellent example of why politics should NOT be discussed at family get-togethers. Really, though, it was fascinating to read about these people as a family first, and government leaders second. And to see how their family relationships impacted politics and affected the entire world.

Another thing that stood out to me was how utterly pointless WWI was. Honestly, it was just someone really anxious to blow things up and shoot guns and prove that they were king of the mountain. There was no other reason for it. It wasn't about anything other than egos. It was about empire, and being the biggest world power. Which, sadly, in some ways hasn't changed much.

As I read, I found it much more difficult to sympathize with Wilhelm, but as I reflect, he probably deserves the most pity. Socially inept, all he wanted was acceptance and respect, but everything he did resulted in exactly the opposite. And yet, because of his lack of social graces, it's very hard to sympathize with him. As things progress, I felt more frustration with Nicholas, as well, and yet, pity, also. He was a good man placed in the wrong place. But the story of Russia before the revolution that overthrew Nicholas gave a lot of insight into the history of Russia after Nicholas, and even up to the present day.

In the end, all you get is a sense of tragedy. There are so many what-ifs. Of course, none of those have guarantees, and there were so many factors at play, but still. Had even one of the many major decisions been made differently, the world could have followed a completely different course.

Anyway, it really was a terrific book, and despite how huge it looked, was far less daunting than it appeared.

Now, a little bonus today, if you would like to call it that. I read an article this week that really gave some excellent perspective to the gun issue. I have read several articles that have reframed the discussion for me. I decided that I would share this one: Living with guns the Swiss way. I think this brings up a lot of relevant points for reading informational literature, which may be the topic next time. But, I hope the article is as insightful for you as it was for me.

Timing

There is a book I have been trying to get into for about a week now, and I have not made any progress. It is a book that sounded interesting, it's become widely known and I've heard other people say it was good, they made a movie out of it--there is absolutely no reason why I should be having such a hard time getting interested. I've made it 10 or 15 pages in, and I can't even say I dislike it, because what I've read isn't bad. It's just not grabbing me. And I don't feel inclined to read it.

On the other hand, there's another book I picked up today and took with me to the gym. And I read a few pages, and didn't want to put it down. It's a history book. It's big. It's a random book I stumbled across in some bizarre 'related item' search on the internet, a book that no one has ever heard of. I checked it out from the library and thought, 'I'm never going to get through all this." It shouts boring. (Well, to most people. It does have a cool history angle that I enjoy, but still). But I'm really enjoying it. And it just makes me laugh.

Pagewise, the two books are actually about the same, if you go by page numbers. But in the first 15 pages of the history book, there was more character, more plot, more action, and more interest than in the other. And I'm sure the other one gets better. It's just not the right time for it.

It's like the first time I tried to read Pride and Prejudice. I got about 50 pages in, and quit. It was so boring!  It was exactly the kind of book I'd have expected to enjoy, but it just wasn't clicking. Fortunately, I picked it up a few years later and finished it, and it is really a terrific book, well-deserving of its reputation. It just wasn't the right time the first time around.

So, we'll see how things go. I'll stick with the history, and maybe when I'm done, I'll be ready for the other. And if not, I'll give it a year or two. Who knows? Maybe in time I'll come to love it.

Quotes

I was reading The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There, by Catherynne M. Valente, and I stumbled across a quote that I really liked:

"September expected that destinies, which is how she thought of professions, simply landed upon one like a crown, and ever after no one questioned or fretted over it, being sure of one's own use in the world. it was only that somehow her crown had not yet appeared. She did hope it would hurry up."

I don't know if that is how destinies work, but I sure wish that I knew. Maybe then I could get mine to come along. And lest you worry that this is a spoiler for the whole book, well, it isn't. But you should read the book. The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking, "How did the author come up with this? It is so original and clever!"

And I hope that Ms. (Mrs.?) Valente doesn't mind that I used a quote from her book.

Waiting

My sister recommended Wait: The Art and Science of Delay, by Frank Partnoy, to me. She said it was really good and so I was slightly tempted to buy it when the library didn't have a copy readily available, but then I figured that I would heed the title and wait. But, I finally did get my hands on a copy, and finished it this last week.

I really enjoyed the book. There was a lot of good insight shared and some good research and Partnoy applied his concepts to a wide variety of scenarios that can have practical implications. For example, slow and steady in investing is a wise approach.

One of the chapters I found really interesting was the one on apologies. I thought his point about waiting to apologize to allow the victim time to air their grievances was a good one, but I think he didn't highlight the benefits to the apologizer. In some circumstances, an apology right away can seem insincere because the offender hasn't really had time to realize why they seven owe an apology. In some situations, an immediate apology might signify remorse at getting caught rather than remorse for actions. I also think it was unfortunate that many of his examples were politicians apologizing, because many of those accounts seemed to be more about image than real remorse. But, that might be a bit judgmental on my part.

I also thought the chapter about hourly versus salaried positions was really interesting. I have definitely found myself calculating how many hours something would cost me. It was interesting to see how that can affect us. And there was a great chapter on procrastination and making it work for you. (Which may not have been the best thing to tell an inveterate procrastinator. Or maybe a terrific thing to tell me, if I actually apply it).

Don't think, though, that this is a book about patience. It is really a book about timing and utilizing all the time available, instead of rushing things. Which is really different from patience, in my ever-so-expert experience (ha ha). It is definitely worth reading.

Summary vs. Review

I am going to take this moment to mock. Because it just needs to be done.

A while ago, I put Cloud Atlas (by David Mitchell) on hold at my library. They'd been talking about the movie at work, and someone said the book was good, so I figured I'd check it out. It finally came in this week, and since my current transportation situation is a bit complicated, I wanted to see if it was worth bus ride to pick it up. So, I went to the library's catalog record and looked for the summary, to see if it really did sound worth reading. This is what I got:

"Now a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, and Hugh Grant, and directed by Lana and Andy Wachowski and Tom Tykwer A postmodern visionary who is also a master of styles of genres, David Mitchell combines flat-out adventure, a Nabokovian lore of puzzles, a keen eye for character, and a taste for mind-bending philosophical and scientific speculation in the tradition of Umberto Eco and Philip K. Dick. The result is brilliantly original fiction that reveals how disparate people connect, how their fates intertwine, and how their souls drift across time like clouds across the sky." Cloud Atlas summary, aadl.org. 

This is not a summary. This is a collection of reviews. Reading this, I had NO idea what the book was about.  And I don't care who is in the movie--I'm looking at the book, which (shocking) doesn't have any movie stars in it. 

So, then I went to the world's favorite site, Wikipedia. There is a reason people use Wikipedia, as I am going to show you. 

"Cloud Atlas consists of six nested stories that take the reader from the remote South Pacific in the nineteenth century to a distant, post-apocalyptic future. Each tale is revealed to be a story that is read (or observed) by the main character in the next. The first five stories are interrupted at a key moment. After the sixth story, the other five stories are returned to and closed, in reverse chronological order, and each ends with the main character reading or observing the chronologically previous work in the chain. Eventually, readers end where they started, with Adam Ewing in the nineteenth century South Pacific." Cloud Atlas, wikipedia.org.

Now, I realize that Wikipedia goes on and gives a lot more info, probably with spoilers. But at least I can get an idea of the book from their entry. And, yes, it was enough to intrigue me. (Maybe not enough to get me to the library, but the book IS on my to-read list.)

Admittedly, book summaries are not a major issue. They aren't even a major issue for me. Don't make my list of pet peeves at all (which doesn't really exist, because I'd rather not waste my time creating lists of things that bother me). But, a good summary is pretty helpful in filtering through all of the possible literature out there. Mostly, though, this was just one of those things that made me laugh, and was mockable in a harmless sort of way, so I thought I'd share.

In my spare time

So, this week is a "what am I reading" week, or what I've been reading, or what I'll be reading soon.

I just finished The Wide-Awake Princess, by E.D. Baker. This is the author that, based on the book jacket, wrote the book that inspired Disney's The Frog Princess. Anyway, I really like the plot twist on this story, which is a version of Sleeping Beauty. I did feel like it was really weird to have this young woman (teenager, it seems) talking about being interested in a man, especially in a youth book, but I don't know how else you would say it. And, I am an adult, while the book was written for children, say 9-12, so I can't really judge. I don't remember if something like that would stand out to a young reader.

Now I am reading Keeping the Castle, by Patrice Kindl. I'm only on chapter 5, but so far, it really is just what the reviews claim it is, a cross between I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith and Jane Austen (take your pick). I'm enjoying it.

I'm also in the midst of The Phone Book, by Ammon Shea. It's random, and it sounds absolutely tedious, but it is really quite interesting. Shea's writing style is entertaining and not heavy at all. Lots of little bits of trivia and random stories.

Up on the docket is Wait: The Art and Science of Delay by Frank Partnoy. This was recommended by my sister, and I haven't started it yet, but I'm excited about it.

So, those are a few things I'm reading at present. I've been listening to a few others, some Agatha Christie and more Thursday Next novels. So, staying busy on the reading front.

Me gusta leer

One of the perks of being bilingual is that it opens up new avenues for reading material. I imagine that if you can read English, you are going to be pretty well off in the way of things to read, but it never hurts to expand your options. And reading in a second language has some advantages. 

For starters, it's a great way to pick up vocabulary, especially those idiomatic phrases. Depending on the kind of book you are reading, you can get a lot of slang and conversation. You will definitely come across new words. So, it's going to help your second language skills. (But don't forget to listen, too! You need to hear and speak as much as read and write. I find that hearing and reading--taking in the language--are much easier than producing it, i.e. speaking and writing. You have to work at all areas.)

Second, there are a lot of insights that you get when reading a book in another language. I tend to read books that I have already read in English. The advantage is that I know the plot, I know the characters, so I can focus more on the language. If I were more diligent about it, I could probably improve to the point that I don't need to have the plot already outlined, but could absorb everything. In the meantime, it's good practice to maintain and improve. Anyway, when I focus on the language, things take on new meanings or become clearer than they were in English. There are words that other languages have that express a certain nuance that the English phrasing lacks, or expresses more clumsily perhaps. I love those little nuances.

Reading a book in another language is also a great way to understand the world. Literature is a huge part of any culture, as far as I know; not only in the writing style, but in the topics written about. There is definitely a different feel between literature written in my native language and literature written in my second language by native speakers of that language. The literature of a people really reflects a lot of their identity, the things that matter, their history, their values. And not just non-fiction. Fictional works show a lot about how people think and feel and see the world around them. 

So, there is a lot of value to being a bi- or multilingual reader. It really does broaden your horizons, and I also firmly believe it has added value for society as a whole. And if you can, you should try it sometime. 

Living History

I think there is a most unfortunate perception of history being nothing more than names, dates, and places. It is a real tragedy that history is seen as so dull and irrelevant, because a better understanding of history could really change the world. (Which may be illustrated better in a paragraph or two, so hold that thought). I've mentioned a few books before that I think really do history the justice it deserves: there's this one about King George VI, and this one, or this one, which admittedly is fiction. Or history in the eyes of Ford, or one that I apparently haven't mentioned, but should have, called Lies My Teacher Told Me, by James Loewen. Well, I read another book this last week that did a great job of giving history life.

Along the lines of the Ford book, Between You and Me: A Memoir, by Mike Wallace (of 60 Minutes fame) and Gary Paul Gates gives a look at history through the eyes of people who made it. Now, to clarify. It's not a book about history. It's a book that tells about a man's experiences interacting with people who are big names in history of all kinds (entertainment history, political and international history, etc.). Wallace basically reminisces on his impressions and interactions with the people he interviewed. He tells about how his work and life intertwined, although don't expect this to be a "life of Mike Wallace" experience. You'll learn a bit about him, but this is a memoir, not an autobiography. For me, it was fascinating to read his impressions of the times he lived in.

Now, back to the whole understanding history thing. One of the most fascinating accounts to me was his account of interviewing the Shah of Iran, and the Ayatollah. I think this amazed me because he was able to trace the effects of the overthrow of the Shah in a way that no one talks about, but should. That revolution sparked events that eventually connect to 9/11 in remarkable ways. I wasn't born when the revolution started, but the events that stemmed from that (which may have happened even if the Shah hadn't been overthrown--who knows) have definitely shaped the history of my life. And it is fascinating to read this story being told by someone who was there at the beginning and had the perspective to recognize the full extent of the story.

Alright, enough of my diatribing. This is a really great book and has something for everyone. Wallace interviewed stars, artists, politicians, generals, criminals, and more, and this book is full of great stories, and as a reporter, he tells them as stories, so it's very readable. So, have fun reading.

Where's MY crayon?

Lately, my nephew has taken a great liking the the Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Being the one who usually ends up reading them to him (somehow his mom can always finagle reading the latest library books), I can see why. There are three particular things I love about these books. And, by these books, let me specify. The ones I have been reading for the past couple of weeks are:

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold's Fairy Tale

Harold's Trip to the Sky

Harold's Circus

So, what is so great about these books? First, the art. I read these books and I absolutely love the simplicity. We're talking two colors, simple drawings, nothing fancy. And I love it because it is the kind of art a child would draw, and because it makes me feel like I could draw too. (Of course, if I were to try, it wouldn't go quite like my mind envisioned it, but still--it does make me feel like I could be an artist). 

Second, the stories are terrific. The plot is all about drawing things with a crayon and the adventures you can have doing so. Such a simple concept but so delightful. And again, it is so very much what a child would do. Maybe not with crayons, but with blocks or boxes or other toys. Children have a knack for taking simple, simple things and imagining great adventures with them. 

Thirds, the vocabulary. This stands out to me because Johnson isn't trying to dumb it down at all. My nephew is three and I know he doesn't understand what each and every one of those words means, but it doesn't matter. He enjoys those stories, and they are fun for me to read because they aren't dumbed down. This gives me hope for my own writing, because I love a clever turn of phrase and I always worry that I'm using words that are too big for my intended audience (which is generally younger kids). Seeing that vocab isn't a hangup for a young kid enjoying these books makes me think that my own writing could be published someday. 

So, there you have it. Three great reasons to love Harold and his wonderful purple crayon. Although, if it were my nephew with a crayon, he'd choose green. 

On the docket

Well, it's the time of year when everyone is planning for the next 12 months and I've been looking over my list of things to read trying to pick out which ones are highest on my to-read list. Of course, this is all relative because in about 5 minutes, I'll stumble across some new intriguing book that I'm just dying to read even though I've never heard of it before and so my whole list will get rearranged. That being said, here are some of the books I'm eyeballing for the 2013 Reading List:

Princess of the Silver Woods, Jessica Day George
Wednesdays in the Tower, Jessica Day George
Travels with Charley or some other Steinbeck book, just to give him a try
Dark Lord: The Early Years, Jamie Thomson
84 Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff (I just watched the movie, it was really enjoyable)
The Once and Future King, TH White
The End of Your Life Book Club, Will Schwalbe
Wait: The Art and Science of Delay, Frank Partnoy
George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, by Miranda Carter

I also want to read some more books by Aline, Countess of Romanones. I plan to finish the Thursday Next books by Jasper Fforde, and I imagine there will be some Terry Pratchett in the mix. I also want to read The Hobbit in Spanish, which would technically be El Hobbit.  So, there are some good things on the horizon and there is a lot of reading to do in the coming months. Always good to keep busy!