Readings of 2004
Readings of 2003
My Best-Reads List
January, 2004
Chocolat
Joanne Harris
I got this for Christmas from a co-worker. I don't think I would have ever picked up this book, seeing that I'm not big into books based on cheesy love movies. I had already seen the movie a long time ago when it came out, yet somehow enjoyed the book anyways. In print, it didn't seem so lovey-dovey and fluffy. It was more a story about building a family and community. Chocolat centers around a woman who is always on the road with her daughter. They stop in a quiet village in France to open a chocolate shop. During their stay many things unfold, including the arrival of gypsies, the death of a dog, and the downfall of a man of the cloth. Lots of good moments of chocolate making too. I suggest keeping sweets close by. In summary, this book is entertaining, but not a phenomenal read. It was an easy enough page-turner to make it worth it, but it won't have you reeling with poetic wonder or deep introspection. I give it a 6.
Cannery Row
John Steinbeck
This is one of my father's favorite books. It gave me a fit of giggles. A story set on Cannery Row, a street full of prostitutes, bums, a beloved animal scientist, and a Chinese grocer. The characters are so believable and alive. A nice short read at under 150 pages. Began and finished this book on flight from Seattle back to SF. After reading Cannery Row, I felt as if I learned a bit about the history and everyday life in turn-of-the-century California. It's great when you can soak up history without even knowing it's happening. I highly suggest this book, the characters will warm your heart and keep you company for many years. (P.S. I have become a big Steinbeck fan. Promises of many more Steinbeck reviews to come). I give it an 8.5.
East of Eden
John Steinbeck
I appreciate John Steinbeck for his ability to write both heavy and light hearted novels. East of Eden is a 600 page multi-generational story about a family growing up in America. Like most of Steinbeck's work, the bulk of it takes place around the bay area in the turn of the century. You meet whores, heroes, saints, and sinners. Everyone you come across in the story has depth. Some folks you wish were in your life to give you advice. Others you are crossing your heart in happiness that they only fiction. This is not a barrel of laughs (though some do slip in). There are many heart-breaking moments, but the pain is worth it. Like Cannery Row, I felt that I learned a lot about what life was like in Salinas, California during the early part of the 1900's. This book is a true classic. I put it on a must read list. Go borrow a copy!! I give it a perfect 10.
February, 2004
On The Road
Jack Kerouac
Amid all the map cap travel tales... I was bored. I really did try to give it a good go. It took me over a month to read this book. I just never wanted to pick it back up. It's a travel/hitchhiking story about Sal Paradise and his pals. They constantly are drinking, jazz clubbing, trying to get laid, and looking for the next place on the road map. All of this, and the story still didn't seem to go anywhere. I would have been a good short story, the characters were entertaining enough to merit 50 pages. I had to just realize the story would never grow on me. Even though this is a classic, I wouldn't recommend it. I am just not a Kerouac fan. Glad I got that figured out. I give it a 4.
Women Who Eat: A New Generation On The Glory Of Food
Edited by Leslie Miller
I love to eat. Anyone who knows me, knows this. My friend Kimberly, a fellow chowhound, loaned me this book to gnaw on while she was in Spain. A collection of stories all written by women about food. Contributors include Amanda Hesser, Michelle Tea, Elizabeth Nunez and more. The thing I like about compilations, is when you get a story you don't like, you just go to the next one. I did that a couple of times. On the other hand, I heartily enjoyed several stories. You don't have to go out and buy this book for all your female food lovers, but it if happens to be lying around, for heaven's sake, pick it up and read for awhile. You might find something tasty. I give it a 6.5.
Back to Bookworm Options
March, 2004
Bone In The Throat
Anthony Bourdain
If the author sounds familiar, he should. This is the third book by him that I have read, though it is the first fictitious one. Imagine a foodie/chef writing a story about the mafia and the CIA and you'll get a perfect picture of what this was like to read. It's a story of a sting operation to catch main mafia players, which is set up in a fancy restaurant. Nobody who works there knows except the "owner", who is really just a pawn to the investigators. Lots of cussing, violence and food keep the story moving. It was entertaining, but definitely not a prizewinner. I have to admit that I was reading outside of my usual genres. I am not a mystery or spy reader, but seeing as this had the foodie twist, I went for it. If you don't care much about the workings of a restaurant or a bunch of men killing each other, then don't bother. If you like either of these things and you got some free time, go ahead and give it a read. I score it a 5.5.
Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides
Everyone is reading Middlesex , and I didn't want to be left out, so I went to get myself a copy. Wow, the reading public was right. This is a refreshingly new storyline that grabs you hard and won't let you go until you've finished the last page. A story about a boy who was born a hermaphrodite and raised as a girl until he was 14. Not only are some of his trials and tribulations explored, but also that of the generations before him. The first several hundred pages aren't even about him, but rather about his grandparents and parents growing up. By the time you get around to hearing his story, you feel like you're part of the family. The details about life ring true and the characters are perfectly tangible. Middlesex has deservingly won the Pulitzer Prize. So what are you waiting for? Join the masses and read it already. I give it a 10. (If/when I revise my Top 10 list, it would be added.)
Bel Canto
Ann Patchett
I feel so lucky to have read two great books back to back. Sometimes I get in a dull book rut, but this time I lucked out and the opposite was true. This book rocks!! Bel Canto starts off moving very slowly through time, with local terrorist group taking a presidential dinner party hostage. They are in search of capturing the President (who is home watching soap operas). Instead they decided to keep captive the guests of the party, which includes an American opera singer, a few Japanese businessmen, a multi-linguist and many more folks. There is a constant tension pressing on your heart, how is this hostage situation going to end? Who is going to get shot, the terrorists, the hostages, or no one? You fall in love with the characters as the each get to know each other in this unusual situation. The lines of hostage and guard become blurred, allegiances are formed, friends made, and truth discovered. A truly great read. I give it a 9.5.
Back to Bookworm Options
April, 2004
When The Elephants Dance
Tess Uriza Holthe
An intense graphic story of the Japanese occupation of Philippine Islands. Hiding in a cellar with no food and barely a scrap of hope, folktales of love and survival are told. Wisdom and strength come through in these tales, which are a brief reprieve from the rest of the book. So many atrocities are committed in wartime, none of which are spared in these pages. This book was inspired by author, Tess Holthe's father's first hand account of the life in the Philippines in late WW II. Effectively written, When The Elephants Dance is a poignant way to learn a piece of history through tales of fiction, that are just shy of true. I give it a 7.
Carmelo
Sandra Cisneros
I loved Sandra Cisneros' House on Mango Street , which led me to grab a copy of Carmelo as soon as I had some extra reading time. I am a sucker for multi-generational stories that lead you into the heart of a family. This book shows the struggle of a family that straddles the Mexican-American border. Cisneros always paints beautiful and poignant pictures with her words. She writes novels like they're poetry, without getting to abstract. A teenage girl who finds a way to unravel stories out of each of her family members safely guides the reader through her story. Through her discovery of her family, we get to know them. I found this a touching read that made me think of my family. I give it an 8.5
Back to Bookworm Options
May, 2004
The Patron Saint of Liars
Ann Patchett
A story about a woman who loves nothing more in the world than driving. She never lets herself get close to anyone. Even those that know her the best, barely know her at all. The story takes place in a home for unwed mothers. She goes there for the obvious reason, but discovers something entirely unique during her stay. I've said it before, I am a sucker for multi generational or multiple perspective stories. You have three different points of view, taking you deeper in with each narrator. I look forward to Ann Patchett's next book. She is an excellent writer. I give it a 9.
Back to Bookworm Options
June, 2004
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
David Sedaris
I was lucky enough to have a sweetie that embraces my bookwormness. When I arrived home the other day, David Sedaris' new book was waiting for me. Now that's true love. Like all of his other books, this one is a quick read filled with insanity and neurosis. My favorite stories were the ones involving his brother Paul, who proclaims himself "The Rooster". I was holding my aching sides reading about his dirty-mouthed brother recount the joys of fatherhood. I had a confession to make, as much as I enjoyed this book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did Naked . That said, I still think it is a great light summer read, good for giggling on a beach towel. I give it an 8.
Back to Bookworm Options
July, 2004
Perfume
Patrick Suskind
I've got a little book exchange thing going with some folks at work, which is how I got Perfume . Get ready for a disturbing story about a scentless orphan who has a highly sensitive sense of smell. The tale unravels in 18th century Paris, following the sordid details of Grenouilles' life and iron will to live and create the perfect perfume. It gets gross sometimes, so be ready for it. A tale of murder, abuse, perfume, obsession, and survival. As much as it was difficult to read because of it's repulsing details, it was a refreshingly unique story. I give it a 6.5.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
This isn't the first time I've said it, John Steinbeck is awesome. His stories are full of loveable anti-heroes. Like the sister book to Cannery Row, this story is centered around the life of Monterey's drunk men and loose women. Originally written in 1937, Tortilla Flat is just as relevant and enjoyable today as always. I was thoroughly entertained by rational of drunkards with their love a brawl, fever for more booze, and half-hearted search for love. It's a story both touching and humorous. I give it an 8.
I Praise My Destroyer
Diane Ackerman
Sometimes great things just land in your life unexpectedly. I found this book in my work mailbox the other day, with no note attached. I've read some other books by Ackerman, which I really enjoyed, so I was pleased to receive this anonymous gift. Diane Ackerman has a love of the natural world, with the language to express it eloquently. This book is a collection of poems, mostly nature oriented in theme. One of my favorites is about dying I praise life's bright catastrophes// and all the ceremonies of grief.// I praise our real estate-- a shadow and a grave.// I praise my destroyer,// and will continue praising// until hours run like mercury// through my fingers, hope flares a final time// in the last throes of innocence,// and all the coins of sense are spent.// I was completely absorbed in her poems, unable to put the book down until I finished it in one sitting. I hadn't known that she was poet, having only read her non-fiction, and now she is one of my favorite poets. If you like Mary Oliver and Pablo Neruda you'll enjoy Diane Ackerman. I give it a perfect 10.
Dry
Augusten Burroughs
My family is full of addicts...drug addicts and alcoholics make up our family tree. Somehow I've escaped the fate myself. I am so ridiculously goody-goody, it's embarrassing. Reading Dry was an enlightening experience. Burroughs memoir from his addict days in New York City, drops you right into the crazed life of an alcoholic trying to find his sobriety. He tells his story in his typical humorous style. The stories of the rehab centers had me nearly gagging in laughter. The person in my family who recommended this book to me has been in rehab more times than I've got fingers. He said it is a dead-on depiction of what goes on behind those closed doors. This is a great read for anyone who has either been in rehab or has a loved one who has. It was a great way to educate myself on the difficulties of trying to stay sober in a world of temptation and pitfalls. At least I am a slightly more hip goody-goody now. I give it a 7.5.
Back to Bookworm Options
August, 2004
Truth and Beauty: A Friendship
Ann Patchett
I'm a big Ann Patchett fan. During my most recent trip to Arcata, I saw this book and immediately had to buy it. I was thinking of the last two books of hers when I began to read Truth and Beauty . This was a mistake. There's a big difference in fiction and memoir. This touching story of friendship taught me a lot about the life of Ann Patchett and her best friend Lucy. I began to enjoy the other books that I've read of hers more because I now knew what circumstances they were written in. All this said, I feel like if I wasn't already a fan of Ann's, I wouldn't have enjoyed the book very much. I found it a bit slow, though quite touching at times. I give it a 5.
Empire Falls
Richard Russo
Here's a book to make you laugh at life. It takes place in the too small town dead-end town of Empire Falls. Our hero is a man who tried to escape to college in another state, but whose cirumstances made him return. I really felt for him, tring to be a good dad, and generally just a good person. His ex-wife keeps telling him how unbelivably dull he is, and his boss keeps sabatoging his running of her restaurant. I like that this book wasn't all just laughs or drama, but had a well balanced mix of both. Some good twists and turn in the plot kept me on me on my toes. I give it an 8.
The Time Traveler's Wife
Audrey Niffenegger
Every once in awhile a book is written about something seemily cliche, but pulls it off with originality. I had brought a bunch of books with me to Mexico, seeing that reading is my favorite vaction passtime. I had most of my books already, so Erica gave me this book, which she had just finished reading. I could tell she highly recomended it by the tears she shed on the beach while finishing the last chapter. The title pretty much gives away what the story is about: A relationship between a man who time travels and his wife who doesn't. The trick to this story is that he only can go back to the past, where he meets his wife at all different ages in her life. Each chapter begins by telling you the year and how old each of them is. I was totally sucked into this book, having the vaction luxery of being able to read it non-stop for two days, until it was finished. A sweet story of love and challanges. I give it an 8.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor Hugo
I tried.... I really really tried. I just couldn't get into this book. I felt it was my duty to read it. I mean hell it's a classic, it's got to be good. This just wasn't true for me. Hugo goes off on these tangents of intense detail of building structure or court relations that I didn't like. After reading 30 pages about the architecture of Notre Dame, I gave up. If this is your thing, please read it. I just didn't float my boat at all. I give it a 3.
Back to Bookworm Options
September, 2004
The Cider House Rules
John Irving
Starting a long book (600 pages) can be a bit daunting at times. I finally made myself pick up this book, which my ex-roomate Scotty had recomended years ago. True to his word, this book was great. A story of sacrifice and internal struggle, that goes to the core of the human experience. The Cider House Rules follows an orpahn from birth to midlife. I was impressed with the ture moral delima of abortion which comes up time and again. Never have I seen both side so subtely yet poignantly debate through the lives of two of the stories main characters. This book is both entertaining and thought provoking. I give it an 8.5.
Back to Bookworm Options
October, 2004
Morning in the Burned House
Margaret Atwood
This is the second time in the last couple of months that I've read an author writing outside their unusual genre. Morning in the Burned House is a collection of new poems. I liked a lot of her poems, but reading them consecutively was difficult. Death, disease, and sadness are central to much of this collection. Honestly I got a little over half way through the book, then had to put it down for something lighter. I suggest reading it over the period of a couple of months. I give it a 5.
Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates
Tom Robbins
I was not wild about this book at all. I am serious Tom Robbins fan, but I just didn't feel this book. My dad has said the same thing. We've both tried to read several of his recent works, and just couldn't get into 'em. I was wondering if I've outgrown his analogies and tangents, or if the constant sexual undertones of his stories are getting dull. Either way, I did manage to finish the whole book. There were some truly funny moments and great sentences that had me cracking up, but overall, I just wasn't as good as other books. I think of it like this: if this was the first book I ever read of his, I never would have become a fan. I give it a 4.5
The Pearl
John Steinbeck
I hadn't read this story since 9th grade, and having a bit of nostalgia, I gave it another read. The story is about a poor fishing family that finds a priceless pearl. The pearl changes their lives forever. It was every bit depressing as I remembered. A short 80-page story of poverty and deception that had my heart aching in pain. I give it a 7.
The Red Pony
John Steinbeck
Another short Steinbeck story full of struggle and growth. A coming of age tale of a young boy and his pony. Lots of subtle symbolism and picturesque farm living. As always, the characters are written perfectly. They are so real, you feel you know them like your neighbors. I give it an 8.
One Hundred Demons
Lynda Barry
Full of humor and great drawings, Lynda Barry tells partly true, partly imagined tales of the demons of life. She illustrates seventeen demon filled stories, on topics like the election, being girlie, coolness, and having an overactive sense of smell. Lots of laughing moments, balanced with just enough sad poignant ones. I give it a 7.
November, 2004
Diary
Chuck Palahniuk
My dad loves to give me books, which is how I got this one. If you want to read a disturbing story of betrayal, greed, and art, then this is for you. I found Diary haunting, but I kept going back to read more. The thing I like about Palahniuk is his originality. I never feel like I'm stuck reading the same formulaic crap. For example, a main character who pins antique broaches through his shirt and his nipple. He knows when he's found his wife, when he finds the woman who will take the broach from him and pin it on her own shirt, blood and all. I don't want to give away to many of the details, but this is representative of the rest of the story. I give it a 7.5.
Say Uncle
Kay Ryan
A couple of months ago I read an article on a local poet who one a very prestigious poetry award. I was intrigued by the photo of Kay Ryan sitting in her house in Marin, surrounded by old black and white photos and vintage typewriters. I went to a poetry reading and interview with her put on by City Arts and Lectures. As I guessed, I really liked her poetry. I bought two of her books that night, one of which was Say Uncle . Her poems are short, like a couple of haikus glued together. She says she writes short poetry because of "a short attention span." She says that the way she writes is to melt all the materials in her brain at once, "like those cyclotrons in which they get atomic matter really hot and get it to do weird things.² I give it a 9. Click hereto check out her stuff.
Orlando
Virginia Woolf
My friend Erin and I started a club called Curds and Words three months ago. We sit around and eat 4 new fancy cheeses, while discussing that monthıs book of choice. This was the first book that Erin picked. I've always wanted to read Orlando , seeing that it is such a literary classic. After all the hype it's received, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. It was "amusing", as Erin said and I'll give it that. After reading some essays and criticisms, my appreciation grew. Written in 1928, this story tests the boundaries of gender and identity, during a period when such notions weren't popular or accepted in literature. I think that that was the strong point of the story. Some nice details, but I just wasn't dazzled. If I wasn't bound to finish it, cause of my dedication to Curds and Words, I think I would have stopped half way through. I give it a 5.5.
The Columnist
Jeffrey Frank
David Sedaris did a reading to a sold out audience at Zellerbach Hall and I was one of the lucky listeners. I think Sedaris is swell, and therefore look forward to reading something he recommends. One shouldn't so blindly follow their idols. I bought this book on his suggestion. The premise is quite good: a mock memoir of a conservative journalist. The idea was so good, that the book seemed a sure thing. I was board. It never was entertaining enough, or funny enough, or smart enough, or really much of anything. It wasn't horrible, it just didn't do anything for me. I found that I was forcing myself to read it just because I felt that it's got to be great if such a great writer recommended it. I gave up at page 95. David Sedaris may be a great writer, but I we seem to have different tastes in books. Oh well. I give it a 3.
December, 2004
Moy Sand and Gravel
Paul Muldoon
I am on a poetry reading kick. This is the poet that was reading with Kay Ryan when I went to see her last month. I ended up liking his stuff too. I bought a couple of books, which I will be enjoying over the next few months. Paul teaches poetry at Princeton and Oxford. This is his most recent book, from his repertoire of ten poetry collections. I sometimes got a little lost in his poems, but I still found them quite delightful. I am lacking in description right now, so I'll quote book critic Peter Davidson who says that this collection, "simmers with the play of observation and sensuous detail, of motion upon custom, of Irish and English languages and landscapes, of meter and rhyme." I give it a 6.5.
The Secret Life of Bees
Sue Monk Kidd
I just adore my local librarian! When I brought this book up to the checkout counter, she let out a laugh of delight. She said she just loved this book, and knew that I would too. She was right! Erin picked this book out for Curds and Words, and boy am I thankful she did. I knew from page ten that the book was my cup of tea. I read it in two days, hardly able to put it down. It's a story about family, forgiveness, and challenging oneself to change despite the difficulty. The narrator is motherless teenage girl growing up in the recently desegregated south. I can't really say much more than that without giving something away. I think this story is worth all the hype it's been given. Yup, you should read it too. I give it a 9.
Elephant Rocks
Kay Ryan
This is the second book of poems I've read from Kay Ryan. It was everybit as good as the first. More short poems that pack a punch. I give it a 9. (See November for more background on Kay Ryan)
The Body Artist
Don DeLillo
I didn't really get this book. I was confused, but went along for the ride. The story is a quick 125 pages that can be read in a couple of hours. The theme is isolation, which was made apparent. I sympathized with the main character who is involved in a series of unsatisfying conversations that leave her feeling more alone than if she truly was. It was more surreally philosophical than literal. Read it if your in the mood. I give it a 5.
Written on the Body
Jeanette Winterson
I reread this book after having first discovered it 13 years ago. I loved it just as much now as I did then. This is a beautiful love story, filled with thought provoking lines like, " Why is the measure of love, loss?" This sentence used to fill my days with mindful contemplation. Several times I found myself exclaiming, "how true!". At one point Winterson breaks down love into all the components of the body: the skeleton, the senses, the cells, tissue, and cavities. Her writing is so beautiful and fluid that it transported me. This is not a fluffy story of love, but rather a story of struggle, sacrifice, and irony. If you read it, email me your interpretation of the last few pages. I give it 9.5
Back to Bookworm Options
GO HOME
Write Me: burntstargirl@hotmail.com