Nickelini's Club Read in 2011

Nickelini's Big Reads of 2011

Jan: The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood (Jan 1 - 23)
Feb: Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens (Feb 1 - March 7)
Mar: We Were the Mulvaneys, Joyce Carol Oates (March 1 - March 17)
Apr: Elizabeth I: a Novel, Margaret George (Apr 1 - 25)
May: Bone China, Roma Tearne (May 1 - 22)
Jun: Island of the Day Before, Umberto Eco (abandoned at page 108)
Jul: One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (July 1 - 19)
Aug: Portrait in Sepia, Isabel Allende (Aug 20-24)
Sep: Possession, AS Byatt (Sep 1 - Oct 1)
Oct: Dracula, Bram Stoker (Oct 1-16)
Nov: Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy (Nov 1 - 22)
Dec: The Voyage Out, Virginia Woolf (Dec 1-19)

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December

75. A Passion for Narrative, Jack Hodgins
74. Black Dogs, Ian McEwan
73. City of Glass, Douglas Coupland
72. Places I Never Meant to Be, Judy Blume, ed.
71. The Voyage Out, Virginia Woolf
70. Henry James and Lamb House, National Trust
69. Virginia Woolf and Monk's House, National Trust
68. Fantastic Women; 18 tales of the surreal and the sublime from Tin House, Rob Spillman ed.

November

67. The Dark, John McGahern
66. Wintergirls, Laurie Halse Anderson
65. Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy
64. Unbearable Weight, Susan Bordo
63. The Virginia Woolf Writers' Workshop, Danell Jones
62. The Woman in Black, Susan Hill

October

61. Unbearable Lightness, Portia de Rossi
60. The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman
59. Brighton Rock, Graham Greene
58. Case of the Missing Deed, Ellen Schwartz
57. Female Chauvinist Pigs, Ariel Levy
56. Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson
55. Dracula, Bram Stoker
54. The Help, Kathryn Stockett
53. Possession, AS Byatt

September

52. What to Eat, Marion Nestle
51. This Will Kill You, Newquist & Maloof
50. The Swimmer, Roma Tearne
49. It's a Jungle Out There, Amanda Marcotte

August

48. The Testament of Jessie Lamb, Jane Rogers
47. The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart, Mathias Malzieu
46. Portrait in Sepia, Isabel Allende
45. The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon
44. How to Build, Maintain, and Use a Compost System, Kelly Smith
43. A Child Called "It," Dave Pelzer
42. Cannery Row, John Steinbeck

July

41. Please Look After Mom, Kyung-Sook Shin
40. Some Country Houses and Their Owners, James Lees-Milne
39. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
38. Packaging Girlhood, Sharon Lamb & Lyn Mikel Brown
37. Daisy Miller, Henry James
36. The Master, Colm Toibin
35. Party of One: the Loner's Manifesto, Anneli Rufus

June

34. On the Outside Looking Indian, Rupinder Gill
33. The Edible Woman, Margaret Atwood
32. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
31. Cinderella Ate My Daughter, Peggy Orenstein
30. Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk

May

29. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams
28. Funny Boy, Shyam Selvadurai
27. Bone China, Roma Tearne
26. Sultana's Dream, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain
25. Does My Head Look Big in This?, Randa Abdel-Fattah
24. Nomad, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
23. Helpless, Barbara Gowdy

April

22. The House of Doctor Dee, Peter Ackroyd
21. Elizabeth I: a Novel, Margaret George
20. Zero Gravity, Sharon English

March

19. Witness the Night, Kishwar Desai
18. The Evil Garden, Edward Gorey
17. The Door, Margaret Atwood
16. The Bishop's Man, Linden MacIntyre
15. Good Bones and Simple Murders, Margaret Atwood
14. Living, Loving, and Lying Awake at Night, Sindiwe Magona
13. We Were the Mulvaneys, Joyce Carol Oates
12. Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens
11. The Devil You Know, Jenn Farrell

February

10. February, Lisa Moore
9. My Stroke of Insight, Jill Bolte Taylor
8. Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty, Harvey Mackay

January

7. The Awakening, Kate Chopin
6. A Riot of Goldfish, Kanoko Okamoto
5. Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed My Life, Stephanie Staal
4. The Blind Assassin, Atwood
3. Lullabies for Little Criminals, Heather O'Neill
2. Last Night in Twisted River, John Irving
1. Mumu, Turgenev

I included the ticker because I delight in tracking my reading. I'm not reaching for any goal--I put in 85 because that's about my average and I had to put down something.

This year, I plan to read one "big*" book starting on the first of each month. It's possible I'll only read 12 books in 2011 (although I'm sure Lois will get me to squeeze in a few Belletrista books ;-)

*Big: my personal definition of "big" is any book that I own and want to read, but have avoided because it looks like it will take me a long time to get through. I naturally go toward books that are 150-250 pages long, so this is indeed a challenge for me. There is no page number that defines a "big" book--it all depends on the size of the page, the amount of white space and the density of the language. So this challenge could easily include some 300 page books. Who knows where it will lead, other than to some open space in my book shelves!

#2 - Great idea with the "big" books - what are you going to start today?

#3 - Later today I will be starting The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood. It's also and Orange book, and a 1001 book, so I'm covering all sorts of bases!

#4 - Oooh, a great book to kick off 2011 - my favourite Atwood!

If you like Margaret Atwood, I bet you'll like The Blind Assassin. I remember when I first started buying books and used to be so happy that a book was big, because I felt like I was getting more for my money. Plus, I really like the feeling of being immersed in a story, and big books allow you to do that. Talk about "big" books, I bought A Suitable Boy last week. Ouch! Now that I'm older, I don't like reading hardbounds or huge books like that, because they hurt my thumbs and wrists. I swear, I'm tempted to cut that book up into thirds! Anyway, it will be fun to see what "big book" you've chosen each month. I might steal that idea.

I know what you mean about the physical problems of reading big books! My wrists can't do it either!

Any thoughts on the other 'big' books you might pick up this year?

Actually, I have a list of about 40 from my TBR . . . obviously I'm not going to get to them all. On Feb 1 I'm definitely starting Nicholas Nickleby. Others that I'm likely to try include 100 Years of Solitude*, the Corrections, Dracula, Jude the Obscure, Book of Negroes, & Possession. I don't want to plan my whole year though because that takes all the fun out of life. So I'll take it a month at a time.

*as someone has pointed out, 100 Years is not a long book--however, because of the density/complexity of it, in my world it counts as a big book.

Hi Joyce! I've found you, and have starred you! I'm looking forward to following your reading here this year, especially since I'm considering the same sort of thing: getting the chunksters read!

>9 Nickelini:: I agree with your rationale for 100 Years of Solitude. I thought it was dense as well.

Joyce, I'm starting my first BIG book of the year this week, I hope. The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt. (Touchstones crap.)

Yes, 100 Years of Solitude is definitely a big book! I have only read it once, in high school decades ago, and it was so daunting then in terms of themes, language, etc. that I have never felt motivated to pick it up since! I do have an ARC of The Children's Book sitting in my office and staring at me reproachfully. Hmm.... (why no Touchstone for this book, when options include one for "Surprise Island" and "Lady Lollipop"?? Fume...)

100 Years of Solitude is one of those books that needs a lot of contemplation and time - magical realism and Sth American culture intertwined. I hope you like magical realism. I found it a challenge.

Hope you can stick to your resolutions, Joyce. I am determined to try and read more 'owned' books, and it was one reason that I stopped reading so many threads thru last year. My book-acquiring avarice was spiraling unchecked.

Anyway - I will watch your reads with controlled admiration.

Big books for me after over 500 pages, though I have come to really enjoy short novels and novellas. The average #pages thus far this year is 327...

>2 Nickelini: are you saying I should only have you read "short" books? :-)

Hi Joyce, I've been enjoying following your reading threads (as a lurker) ever since I discovered the talk aspect of LT.

I like your goal of reading fewer, longer books this year and hope to do something similar. I have had both One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera on my shelves for years now and remain quite daunted by them! Your classifying the former as a "big" book (actually, my copy has very small print, so does seem rather long) makes perfect sense and makes me feel better about having neglected it thus far! I hope to get round to reading at least one of them this year (though I'm not sure how I feel about magical realism).

I also plan to read The Corrections this year and look forward to seeing what you think of it.

Found you, Joyce. I look forward to your thoughts on Blind Assassin which I read last year.

Joyce, I'm responding to your comments on your previous thread about both Carey's book and listening to books on your iPod. I've found that I have to listen to things that are fairly light, because if I am listening to a book, I'm always doing something else. I'ved really enjoyed all of Carey's books, but he tends to have long sentences and complicated characters. You can't skim his books and really enjoy them, so maybe they're not the best for listening to, but isn't it frustrating how new technology seems to take a step backwards? I thought that about CD's and DVD's--you can only go back to the beginning of a song or scene.

Just found you (but I was sure I had already found you! Weird.) I think I've already told you that I loved The Blind Assassin but haven't read any other Atwoods. I have The Book of Negroes here too. I'm taking a similar approach with planning - not too much, because I know I'll get carried away and go off on tangents based on whatever I've just read.

Do you read one book at a time, or several?

#14 & 16 - Karen and Rebeki -- I love magic realism, so that won't be the problem with 100 Years of Solitude. I think what has scared me off is what I've heard about all the people with the same or similar names. That kind of thing sends me for a loop. I read Love in the Time of Cholera years ago and loved it, but it took me a long time to get through. Hence, this shorter book becomes a big book for me.

Karen - it's great to see you back! I missed you!

are you saying I should only have you read "short" books? :-)

Yes, please! Except not short books if they're really dense like Heart of Darkness--my edition is 67 pgs long but it may be the longest book I ever read. It got even longer the second time I read it.

(actually, my copy has very small print, so does seem rather long)

Yes, and that is why I find the number of pages almost useless in determining the length of a book. In my first post I listed the page size, amount of white space and density of language all as factors, but I forgot an important one--font size! Thanks for catching that.

Bonnie - I think what saved me with Olivier and Parrot in America was that because of the awkwardness of the iPod, I ended up relistening to parts of it. Also, the audiobook itself was very well done and there were distinct voices for different characters, which helped a lot. It was okay when I listened directly off iTunes, but once it was on the iPod it didn't work so well. Still, better to listen awkwardly to a novel when I garden than to not listen at all.

And welcome everyone! It's great to see so many interesting people show up to chat on my thread!

Joyce, it sounds like the reader was great! I'm actually going to try more books on my iPod as it may keep me walking (and gardening--good idea!) longer.

#19 - Do you read one book at a time, or several?

Oops, missed you the first time. I TRY to only read one book at a time, or one fiction and one non-fiction, but that doesn't often work. I have too many reading balls in the air.

1. Mumu, Ivan Turgenev

1854, Russian literature, Audiobook

Comments: Mumu is a empathic story that criticizes the social structure of feudal Russia of the 19th century. This subtle tale takes place on the estate of a selfish and thoughtless old widow who treats her serfs as animals and treats her animals worse. The Mumu of the title is a little dog who belongs to a Gerasim, a deaf-mute serf who works on the estate.

I have never read Turgenev before, and this story makes me interested to try more of him.

As for the audiobook, I found that the narrator had an oddly computerized sounding voice--it was as if I was listening to this on my GPS and I'd set the accent as Russian-British. However, within a few minutes of listening, the distraction disappeared and I didn't notice it anymore. However, I had to listen to the book in 20 minute periods, so each time I started I noticed this. This was a minor distraction.

Recommended for: people who are new to 19th Russian literature but want to give it a try. Also, people looking for short audiobooks.

NOT recommended for: people who get upset about sad animal stories. I'm not one of those people, but this story was more than a little troubling.

Why I Read This Now: It's an ER book from ages ago, but I only listen to one audiobook at a time, and I'd been listening to another one for months and months.

Rating: 4 stars.

Hi. I saw your list of planned reads in message #9 and realized I had loved all of them, except The Book of Negroes, which I am waiting to get from my library. So I would like to follow your journey as you read them and see what you think.

Like you, I usually try to read only one book at a time, although this year I am trying to read two or three and see how that works, since so many people seem to find that a good way to read.

Don't you just love the 19th century Russian writers!!

I read multiple books from blind impatience. Reading one book without opening up another means several days of monogamous dedicated reading - and what delights await us in that ever lengthening TBR pile, as well as all the temptations on LT. I admit it - I have no self-control and am a polygamous reader!

I'm just catching up here. I used to read more than 1 fiction and 1 non-fiction, but now I try to stick to 2.. but I have 3 on the go at the moment. So I'm just wildly inconsistent!

Joyce, I can recommend Sketches From a Hunter's Album by Turgenev. Short stories so you can read as much or as little as you want. And I love them.

Amanda - on to the wish list it goes! Thanks.

Just peekin' in...

Am with kiwidoc on the "blind impatience" argument in favor of reading (nay, devouring) multiple books at the same time.

2. Last Night in Twisted River, John Irving

2009

Why I Read This Now: It is my book club's selection for January.

Comments: Overall, I'd call this a rollicking good read. The story begins in a logging camp in New Hampshire in the 1950s, where an unfortunate incident causes a father and son to flee one night and become fugitives. The story winds through Boston, Vermont, Iowa, Colorado, and Toronto, and finally ends over 50 years later on an island in Lake Huron.

It took me a while to get into this one, but once I did, the 550+ pages flew by. Like the river in the title, the story takes many twists and turns and at times was redundant. Although I enjoyed it and it wasn't a difficult read, it certainly would have been better if Irving's editor had insisted on cutting at least 100 pages. Otherwise, I rather enjoyed the writing and all the quirky details (my favourite being that the protagonist's mother died in "a square dancing accident").

I've never read Irving before--he's one of those authors that so many people told me I had to read, but who never appealed to me. I've been told this is not a good book of his to start with, and I can see that. But it gave me a taste of his potential, and if this was one of his mediocre books, than his great books must be truly so. I predict that I will be pulling my copy of A Prayer for Own Meany out of the TBR hole sooner rather than later.

Rating: I almost gave it 4 stars, but because it was over-long, I'm settling on 3.5

Recommended for: Based on the reviews of this book, which are all over the map, I'm not sure who to recommend this to. I thought it was a fun read, so if you're looking for one of those, give it a try.

Hi. I think this might be my first post on your thread? Anyway, a friend gave me her copy of Last Night in Twisted River to read, and as I always read books loaned by friends, it's on the list for next but two. I didn't really want to read it, as I am probably the only person on earth who thought A Prayer for Owen Meany was really boring and predictable (although I loved The World According to Garp), and I had heard this was overly long, but your review has encouraged me to think I might just manage it, if it's a "rollicking good read". Nice review, anyway.

Thanks, JanetinLondon. Like you, I wouldn't have read this one unless someone put it in my hands, and I was motivated to get it read because I had a book club date. But I found when I sat down with it for an hour or so, I really enjoyed it. But yeah, it didn't need to be so long.

Like your review of Last Night in Twisted River, Joyce - I've been avoiding John Irving for ages, having overdosed on him years ago. I enjoyed everything I read (including Owen Meany) but really haven't been able to face any more; you might just have changed my mind (though I already know that those extra 100 pages will really bug me - why are so many books just that bit too long?)

death by square dancing?! --oh, I'm in

#39 - yes, it was the doe-si-doe.

3. Lullabies for Little Criminals, Heather O'Neill

I'll come back later with my comments (I have to think about what I want to say), but I have to say that I loved this book and it is sure to go down as one of my top reads for 2011. And it's only January 17! Not bad, eh?

I can't imagine anyone not loving A Prayer for Owen Meany. It's a book that I wouldn't have expected to enjoy nearly as much as I did.

#41 I'm keen to hear more.

I read a lot of John Irving after The World According to Garp came out. The last book of his that I read was The Cider House Rules and by then I was really fed up with his writing style and couldn't finish the book. Now I hate John Irving.

3. Lullabies for Little Criminals, Heather O'Neill

2006, audiobook

Rating: 5 stars!

Comments: I picked this audiobook without knowing anything at all about it, so it was all a surprise to me. Now, a few days later, I have no doubt that this tragicomic book will make my top 5 list for 2011. I listened to this audiobook, and then right out and bought a paper copy. I have ordered copies for a couple of people in my family who I think will also really like it. It’s that good.

The narrator of Lullabies for Little Criminals seems to be an adult retelling the events following her twelfth birthday. Her fifteen year old parents labeled her with the unfortunate name of Baby, which was meant to be ironic and she was told that it meant she was “cool and gorgeous.” Her mom died while she was a baby, and she had been raised by her childlike, dysfunctional heroin addicted father, Jules in a series of seedy hotels in Montreal. For the first part of the book, I found Baby’s voice utterly charming and rather funny. However, as the story progressed and Baby’s life spiralled out of control, I realized that this book was significantly more serious than I had originally expected. Baby’s voice, however, remained constant throughout—poetic, keenly observant, beautifully sad and vivid, both wry and winsome at the same time. Baby is smitten with low-lifes and bohemians, and this book is full of them—guidance from healthy adults is sorely missing.

O’Neill is shrewdly accurate in capturing the dialogue of this culture. The reader of this audiobook, Miriam McDonald, captured the tone perfectly. The author gives us a view of the gritty side of Montreal seen through the eyes of a twelve-year old, full of her innocence and imagination. Beyond that, the writing was a delight to both hear and read. I just didn’t want this book to end, which is unusual for me. Unfortunately for us, thus far Lullabies is O’Neill’s only novel.

Recommended for:While I widely recommend this book, it isn’t for every reader, despite winning the CBC Canada Reads competition in 2007. Readers who are highly sensitive to swearing will quickly be turned off. The bad language, however, is not gratuitous, but an accurate portrayal of the language of her world. Further, the book dives deep into the nasty side of life, including drug addictions and child prostitution. But unless you’re extremely squeamish about these topics, I urge you to give this book a try.

Lullabies for Little Criminals was nominated for the Orange Prize, Governor General's Award, IMPAC Dublin Literary award, and a whole slew of other prizes.

Why I Read This Now: needed an audiobook, this one was in Mnt TBR and an Orange book (it's Orange January).

#44 What a review! I've added the book to my Must Buy list.

I'll have to read that soon and get back to you.

Ah! Found you and starred your thread. I answered your question about Motorcycles and Sweetgrass back on my thread! :) I wonder why touchstones do not work for that book?

I agree- Lullabies for Little Criminals was amazing. I wonder what O'Neill is writing now?

I'm reading Lullabies for Little Criminals now, so thank you for the push. I'm enjoying it. O'Neill is very good at letting the reality of Baby's life show, while maintaining a bright and not at all depressing atmosphere.

Glad you're enjoying it!

>just peeking in

Lullabies for Little Criminals sounds excellent - on to the wishlist it goes!

Just saying hi!! I did a little review of Motorcycles and Sweetgrass here - http://www.librarything.com/work/book/69089373. It was totally fabulous!!! I love the way they portrayed the trickester - or Nanabush. I think you'd really enjoy it , Joyce,but as you say - your mileage may vary. It's one of my 6 fav's now, in my library of over 200 -that is how delighted I was with the book!! :)

Deb -- I'll keep my eyes open for that one. I was in Munro's in Victoria yesterday but forgot to look for it. They have such a fabulous CanLit section.

4. The Blind Assassin, Margaret Atwood

2000

Rating: 4/5 stars

Comments:

After an unavoidable distraction, I was able to return to The Blind Assassin. I finished it this morning. I love the nested stories (as someone wrote somewhere, the stories within the story are like a set of Russian dolls). I also liked how Atwood slowly revealed little details that twisted the story.

I just realized that this is my 11th Atwood book, and the final one from the original 1001 list. There are a couple I liked better, but this one was very, very good indeed.

Recommended for: I can see how this book isn't to everyone's tastes, but if you're looking for an interesting and meandering book to get lost in for a while, give this one a try.

Why I Read This Now: There were 6 Atwood books on the 2006 1001 list, and I've been reading one a year. This was the last. I read it this month for Orange January because it was also an Orange finalist. Of course!

Nikelini - you're review makes me want to read Lullabies for Criminals. re #55 : I think i've begun to lose the story of The Blind Assassin, but somehow still have a strong fondness for it. I think your "recommended for" is right on.

I read a lot of John Irving after The World According to Garp came out. The last book of his that I read was The Cider House Rules and by then I was really fed up with his writing style and couldn't finish the book. Now I hate John Irving.

You always make me laugh, Amanda! I plan to read the two Irvings on my TBR pile, which are Owen Meany and Widow for One Year and Cider House Rules intrigues me too. By that point it sounds like I may be sick of him, and I'll join you in your anti-Irving club. But for now I'll enjoy him.

Which Atwoods did you like more, Joyce? Just curious. The Blind Assassin is definitely one of my favourites but to my mind nothing beats Cat's Eye.

My favourites were The Robber Bride and Alias Grace, but I've liked everything by her that I've read so far. Surfacing was probably my least favourite, but I'd actually like to reread it to see if I like it better the second time.

Funny - Surfacing was the one I liked least too, and I just came across it as I was packing boxes before Christmas (house renovation, nightmare...) and wondered if I might think differently now. I'll let you know if I re-read it.

57: Irving is so hit-or-miss. I've been reading him for 20 years. It seems like I either love the book or I hate it, and I haven't read all of them. After avoiding him for awhile I read A Widow for One Year and loved it. Then I read Until I Find You and hated it. I guess there's no way to know for sure.

#57 Joyce, honestly, I hope you enjoy every minute of Irving! A lot of us here agree on a lot of books but there are always points of divergence.

I have to say I couldn't get through The World According to Garp when it first came out and have never tried Irving since. It seems I am missing something! If I were to try him again, lo these decades later, what would you recommend I start with?

That's a hard one, rebecca, (if you're talking to all of us). It seems that everyone has such divergent opinions not just on Irving but on particular books. I'm not crazy about Owen Meany, but lots of people are. imho, HNH is a good (and somewhat shocking) introduction and Widow is a more mature work.

I remember really liking Owen Meany, but I read it when it first came out, so hard to say if I'd feel the same way today. I think Cider House Rules is his best of what I've read. My experience is similar to citygirl's in #61--I think he's hit or miss, and I avoided him for years. I did read A Widow for One Year, and liked parts of it, but was so-so on parts, as well, and I don't think I've read anything more recent than that.

Just popping in to say hi! I have to say I loved A Prayer For Owen Meany as well as Cider House Rules some years ago. But a person can get overdosed on Irving, I agree! Right now I am reading Jar City . I'm enjoying it - but it is quite - very dark so far. I'm reading your thread correctly - you have yet to read The Book of Negroes? It is FABULOUS!!!! I am certain you will love it!!!

double post - sorry Joyce!:)

Thanks for the suggestions about Irving. I have so many other books I want to read, I may just continue to avoid him, but am glad to have some idea of what to try if I decide I want to.

Deb - Book of Negroes has been sitting in my TBR pile for a couple of years now, and although I've been very motivated to read it, I haven't been able to get to it. I hope this will be the year. My "problem" is that I have close to 500 books in my TBR pile, plus I get ER books and Belletrista books that take priority, and then there is my book club (which makes me put aside my good books to read kak like Water for Elephants), and until recently, I was a student with lots of assigned reading. Which all explains why the TBR pile grew into Mnt TBR. Too many books, too little time!

5. Reading Women: How the Great Books of Feminism Changed My Life, Stephanie Staal

2011, memoir, ER program

Comments: The author, Stephanie Staal, is a thirty-something New Yorker who has stepped off the career track to be a mother, wife and freelancer. When she suffers a crisis of meaning, she decides to return to the women’s studies department of her university and reread the feminist texts that she had first read as a young student. In both structure and concept, the book is highly reminiscent of David Denby’s Great Books: My Adventures with Homer, Rousseau, Woolf, and Other Indestructible Writers of the Western World, down to the detail that both authors attended Columbia University.

On the back cover, Reading Women is described as “part memoir, part literary adventure, part social observation,” and that interested me very much. My own university path only touched the feminist canon, so I thought this might be just a little compensation. However, by page 136 I realized that I had read a lot of memoir and very little literary adventure or social observation. Furthermore, I found Staal’s existential crisis rather mundane—although I could relate, I wasn’t particularly interested. Other than fourteen interesting pages on Kate Chopin’s The Awakening and Charlotte Gilman Perkins The Yellow Wallpaper, I wasn’t getting much out of this book. I was particularly disappointed by her comments on A Room of One’s Own, which is one of my favourites.

So at page 136 I was ready to quit. But I just couldn’t, and decided to skim through the rest. Well, I don’t know what happened, but suddenly the book got very interesting. The literary discussion became lively, and the social observation was sharp and insightful. The memoir sections even became interesting and relevant. I was enjoying myself, and the book was inspiring all sorts of ideas to bubble to the surface. I’m not sure if the second half of the book was truly superior to the first, or if it was the mood I was in, but in the end I was a fan. One day I will go back and read over those first 136 pages. And the book has inspired me to finally pull The Awakening from my bookshelf and read it soon.

Recommended for: women in their late 20s and 30s.

Rating: 3/5

Why I Read This Now: it was an ER book.

Oh Yellow Wallpaper - what a depressing short story - at least for me!!!

The ER book sounds interesting, I think. Great review!

Thanks fo knocking off a book on my wishlist: I was kind of disappointed that I didn't win it, but it doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy.

6. A Riot of Goldfish, Kanoko Okamoto

I will review this pre-WWII Japanese book for the next issue of Belletrista. Please look for my review there.

7. The Awakening, Kate Chopin

1899

Why I Read This Now: This has been patiently waiting for me at the top of Mnt TBR for at least a year, and I thought I could fit it in before I started my next big book on Feb 1.

Comments: There are reams and reams of commentary written about The Awakening available with a click of your mouse, so I shall spare you the story synopsis and instead dive right into my impressions. This was a book I expected to love, so I was a little surprised that initially I felt rather ambivalent toward it. However, about halfway through, around page 70, I found myself engrossed. I love the sultry atmosphere that Chopin evokes--it made me forget that it was a chilly January day outside.

I've heard that this is widely studied in high school and university, and think it would be great fun to write on--it's just brimming full of possibilities for literary analysis. Personally, if I were writing on it I would like to explore what Chopin is doing with all the various Others in the periphery of the story--all the quadroons and mulattoes and Griffes. To look at people that way is so foreign--she certainly lived in a different world than I do. Yet, the central issue of the story--gender expectations--is still highly pertinent today.

Browsing around some reader reviews on the internet, I am annoyed and disappointed by the virulence of the many negative reviews. Never mind that most of those readers a clearly making incorrect inferences--their chastisement and vilification of Edna seems wholly out of proportion to her faults. Two of the common criticisms are, one, that the book advocates free sex, and, two, that Edna is motivated by selfishness and that she should have just been a better person. I even saw one reader suggest that Edna and her husband should have just gone for marital counseling. Yeah, a lot of that available back in the 1890s. Sheesh. I think I read a different book than these readers.

I have noticed similarly harsh reactions to other books involving a mother who abandons her family (such as Anne Tyler's Ladder of Years). I'm missing something here when this topic spawns rabid anger with no thought to compassion or empathy. Which all just makes me think that if some readers are reacting thusly, the message in The Awakening is still highly relevant.

Rating: 4/5 stars, due to my "meh" reaction at the beginning. I suspect that had I studied this at university, it would have turned into a 5 star read.

Recommended for: not sure . . . definitely a must read for lovers of classics and anyone who wants to read the feminist canon.

Great comments about The Awakening. (I'm still laughing about the marital counseling suggestion.) If it still gets such vociferous attacks now, imagine the reaction in the late 1800's, huh? I was going to ask a bunch of questions, but the book is so small, I can just read it again. Thanks for reminding me about it; it would be a good one to read with a little book group I started with my best friend and her 2 daughters (ages 21 and 23).

A Prayer for Owen Meany was a book that I kept in my bathroom for months after I read it--I could open it just about anywhere and get a kick out of it.

Bonnie - well, if you don't feel like rereading The Awakening, just ask away! If you do read it with your book group, report back on your thread how it went.

>70 Nickelini: The book sounds interesting, but I'd probably be more interested in your comments on the books of the feminist canon. :-)

OK, a tiny bit of trivia related to the Cider House Rules movie: I lived in the building that they filmed for the orphanage.

The book sounds interesting, but I'd probably be more interested in your comments on the books of the feminist canon.

Yeah, I thought about you while I was reading it, Lois, and thought it was one you could definitely skip. Funny you had asked me how old the author was back before the book arrived, and then when I read it I found it was her 30-something view point that made me less interested (not to take anything away from a 30 yr old's experience--but I've been there. Don't need to revisit.) Anyway, if you're snowed in at a cabin and had to choose between this and a Danielle Steel novel, you would probably enjoy yourself. But don't seek it out.

OK, a tiny bit of trivia related to the Cider House Rules movie: I lived in the building that they filmed for the orphanage.

Way cool!!! Did you know that I'm fascinated with movie locations? I always sit through to the end of the credits just to see where things are filmed. I've been encouraged recently to explore career options as a location scout. I think that would be a perfect job for me if I lived in England and worked for the BBC. ("New historical drama starring Colin Firth? Yes, I can find the perfect location for that . . . ")

75 - Nice review. I'm going to read this this year.

8. Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty, Harvey Mackay

1997, Non-fiction

Comments: Someone raved that this was the only book on networking I ever needed to read. Lucky me, because I really dislike business non-fiction. At my age I pretty much know this stuff, but I guess it would be very helpful if it was new. There were some interesting bits. Some of it was dated and funny. Rolodex, anyone? Does anyone still use those?

Rating: I'm not going to rate this book because I really hate both self-help books and business books. Big yawn. But if you need the info, it's pretty good.

Recommended for: new graduates who are trying to start a career.

Why I Read This Now: Not sure--combination of it being recommended and then seeing it at the library, I suppose.

edited to try to get the touchstone to work.

Well, Joyce, I very much dislike self - help books . I think they are a big scam.

>81 Nickelini: Here is the mansion used in the movie; it's now a museum (not everyone gets to visit a place they used to live and have pay to get in!) http://www.gildedage.org/index.php I lived on the back side (the side the carriages pulled up to), in the left turret, third floor. We called it "Fokine" because the previous owners were the Fokine Ballet School.

>55 Nickelini:, just saying hi. I love your description of The Blind Assassin. I too love stories within stories.

9. My Stroke of Insight, Jill Bolte Taylor

2006, Memoir

Comments: Taylor was a 37 year old brain scientist working at Harvard when she suffered a stroke. She details what happened through her stroke and then her recovery. Absolutely fascinating stuff.

This book is very uneven, however. Between the fascinating parts were a lot that I found dull. The primer on the brain was repeat info from my psych 100 class, and her vast observations in the second half of the book were way too New Agey for me. A short book and a quick read, but it could have been even shorter.

Still, as someone who has a strong family history of strokes, and whose doctors all warn about stroke, I found this book very worthwhile indeed.

Recommened for: Highly recommended for anyone who has contact with stroke sufferers--from family members to doctors, but even the person who delivers meals at a hospital. Feel free to skim the boring new age stuff, but the parts on what someone in stroke recovery feels is vital information.

Why I Read This Now: my book club choice for February.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5. The good parts were a 5, the rest dragged it down.

Oops, never mind.

#85--Lois, was it a school or an apartment building or ? when you lived in it?

I've just bought the Stephanie Staal book about the great books of feminism -- I'm curious, because, like her, I took my ability to do whatever I was capable of doing for granted -- until I moved to Japan and was told, sometimes forcibly, what I couldn't or shouldn't do. (Including ask questions in a grad school seminar room!) So that's when I started reading Friedan, de Beauvoir and others, in the early 80s and when the backlash had started. In some ways, although I'm nearly 50, I'm exactly the kind of person who should go back and revisit those books in light of my life and the decisions I've made. I will say that women who think gender bias is nonexistent are either ext. lucky or a little obtuse. It may be v. subtle, but it certainly exists. But you experience it differently in your 40s than your 20s. Hence my interest...

Also interesting comments about Kate Chopin. Makes me wonder why people react to fictional characters as if they were real?? (as in, I didn't like him/her, so the book was bad...)

Interesting reviews.

Hey Joyce! After the success of The Blind Assassin, what is your "big book" for February?

Hi, Cait -- I'm deep into Nicholas Nickleby. I didn't have much time for reading the first week of the month, so hadn't gone far, but this weekend I've made some progress. It's way too long, but quite fun.

#87: I'm with you regarding Stroke of Insight. Was very interested in the describing of her stroke--I found that fascinating and informative. The "new agey" stuff I skipped over as well.

>89 arubabookwoman: It was an just old mansion being used as a dormitory for married couples. Down the street, The Mount, Wharton's 'small' mansion was in poor shape, and had not been renovated yet. Many of the other Berkshire 'cottages' were being used for various things by various people. The gymnasium where I was married (the first time) is now a large theater for Shakespeare and Company.

>93 Nickelini: hope you are enjoying Nicholas Nickleby!

#95 - >93 Nickelini: hope you are enjoying Nicholas Nickleby!

I am--it's definitely the funniest Dickens I've ever read. It's really long though, and I just prefer shorter books.

I really enjoyed Nicholas Nickelby back in my relative youth, but I know what you mean about it being long! Enjoy!! I'm still stuck on my Icelandic murder series!;) I am now on Arctic Chill, which is a fascinating mysery that also explores racial tension in Iceland. I really think that the covers of the books do not do them justice! One more to go - Hypothermia in the series! I also picked up the The Best Laid Plans yesterday.

10. February, Lisa Moore

Still thinking about what I want to say about this one, but I did want to mention that I loved it. My short description is "achingly beautiful." Four and a half stars.

February, Lisa Moore

2009

Rating: 4.5 stars

“And all that remains is the faces and the names/of the wives and the sons and the daughters.” (The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Gordon Lightfoot)

Lisa Moore’s February is a novel about a family—the wife, the son, and the daughters—of Cal, their husband and father, who perishes one stormy February night off the coast of Newfoundland. He is a fictional crew member on the real life Ocean Ranger, an oil rig that sank on Valentine’s Day 1982, killing all 84 men aboard. Helen is left to raise her three young children, and soon finds out that there is a fourth on the way.

Moore’s writing is astonishing in both her word play and the structure she chose for the book. All together, her take on the excruciating suffering of grief and loss was achingly beautiful. Sounds depressing and maudlin, doesn’t it? Some readers think so—the Quill & Quire even said the book was “tedious” and “overly sentimental.” Well, I didn’t find it depressing, sentimental or tedious—I found it haunting and stirring. There are several three-star “meh” reviews here at LT, and when I first started reading I thought I’d be in that crowd too. But by page twenty I had changed my mind and was loving it. Others have found it wonderful too—after all, it was nominated for last year’s Booker Prize.

Why I Read This Now: because it’s February, of course.

Recommended for: readers who appreciate gorgeous writing and don’t mind a contemplative novel that jumps back and forth through time.

cover:


I have mixed feelings about this cover. Once again, it's yet another of those shots where we only see part of a woman, and we don't see her face. What is up with that? However, if we're going to do one of these cut up faceless women covers, I think this is rather lovely. The black dress, earrings and barrette contrast nicely with her milky skin and beautiful strawberry blonde hair and the grey-blue ocean in background. She looks like a beautiful Newfoundland widow to me.

>99 Nickelini: I believe the reason we don't see the faces of women (or other people) in photographs on fiction covers is because if they showed the woman's face, they'd have to pay her a royalty for every copy sold (or at least pay more for the rights to the picture).

Hmmm. Interesting idea. I don't remember that detail from when I worked with getting model releases. Once the model signed off, that was it. And that doesn't explain when this is done with artwork rather than photos. But now I'm trying to remember an example where this was done with illustrations. Are the Phillipa Gregory covers photos or illustrations?

I love sad, contemplative novels, so February sounds good to me! I have to admit that I don't like photos of real people on a cover. It takes away from my vision of a character. I especially hate it when publishers put actors' faces on a book cover. I'm really glad we don't see her face. I think if we saw her face she would become 'that' woman who is feeling 'her' particular grief and loss. By not seeing her face, she becomes 'a' woman whom we all could become.

I especially hate it when publishers put actors' faces on a book cover. I'm really glad we don't see her face.

Yes! Movie tie-in covers. Hate, 'em, usually. (Although I don't mind my copy of The Hours with Steep, Kidman and Moore. And anything with Colin Firth would be okay as well. But other wise--I avoid them.

Interesting review Joyce. Shall watch out for that one.

Joyce! How you manage to read six books at a time is a wonder to me! I'm strictly a one books at a time person! I simply can't keep track of what is going on in more than one book at a time!;) You are amazing!If I start a second book - I am apt to let the other go to the wayside! I'm so weak that way! You know, as far as the woman on the cover of February not showing her face - well - my new book Bride of NewFrance is similiar in that they just show a vague sideways outline of her . Maybe it's so we can imagine whatever face that we want? I too hate movie cover tie in book covers! It's embarressing to buy them!;)

I would prefer to read only one book at a time (well, maybe two--one fiction and one non-fiction; well, make that three if I have a book on my iPod--have to listen to something while I garden). However, due to other demands on my reading time, I don't get that luxury. I guess I got used to it when I was at school where I constantly had to read multiple books. And now I have to read books for different writing assignments I've taken on. But I still mainly have only one novel going. It's just that right now it's Nicholas Nickleby, and I have to take breaks from it!

11. The Devil You Know, Jenn Farrell

2010, short stories

rating: 4.5 stars

Comments: When is the last time you finished a book and then immediately looked up the author's e-mail address and sent her a message? I have to admit, I've done that once before, but it's not a common occurrence around here. Well, I did just that after reading the last page of The Devil You Know (no touchstone available!).

This is a slim collection (126 p) of 9 short stories. In their review,The Georgia Straight called Farrell a "bad-ass version of Alice Munro" ( http://www.straight.com/article-339856/vancouver/devil-you-know-jenn-farrell), and I can see the comparison. While I appreciate Munro, I'm not actually a huge fan--I find her characters and situations rather unsavory. And Farrell has Munro beat on "unsavory"! Yet, I found her stories engrossing and compelling, and terrifically real. Lots of sex and drinking and ambiguous morality, which I often find quite boring in fiction, but Farrell just handles it so well. I don't want to say too much more, because I'll be writing about this book for an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com.

Why I Read This Now: for a future article in www.Belletrista.com

Recommended for: Recommended for readers who like their fiction gritty and real.

12. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Charles Dickens

1838

Rating: 4 stars

Comments: I'm not going to write a book report on what happens in the novel here--those are easily found online. I'll discipline myself here to just a few personal impressions. First, I have to clarify that this isn't the story about either the life or the adventures of someone named Nicholas Nickleby. I say that because the book only covers a few years, and further, Nicholas is just one of the many important characters in the novel, and not the most interesting character, either. Instead, it is a story about some poor people and some rich people connected to Nicholas.

Of the five books by Dickens that I've read, Nicholas Nickleby is probably the most fun and definitely the most humorous. Bleak House is still my favourite, but NN comes in a strong second.

Dickens' writing is often criticized for characters that lack nuance, mawkish sentimentality and overly convenient plot twists. All of that is true here. However, he's still a great writer, and a lot of fun. I really love Dickens' descriptions of places and settings--he truly is a master there. And I love his somewhat twisted humour . . . for example, the scene at the Kenwigs where the poor babysitter's hair catches fire was just hilarious (see what I mean by twisted?). " 'Oh you malicious little wretch!' cried Mrs Kenwigs" . . . "the little girl who had had the audacity to burn her hair off" . . . it just tickles me. And Mrs Nickleby was also a source of great tickles.

I found the book overly long--I can certainly see why the myth prevails that Dickens was paid by the word. However, this comment says more about me than the book. I just have so many books to read that I want to spread my attention around. The next time I read one of these long Dickens', I'm going to read it following the publication schedule of one installment a month.

Recommended for: readers who love long books, fans of Dickens.

Why I Read This Now:I read one novel by Dickens each year. Of the unread novels of his that I own, this one had been on my shelf the longest.

Congratulations on finishing Nicholas Nickleby! I must admit, I've never gotten very far with Dickens.

Tania-- I think there are 11 Dickens books on the 1001 list. Or are those 11 of the books that you aren't going to read?

#108
Congratulations on finishing Nicholas Nickleby. I have not read any Dickens for ages, but reading your comments makes me feel like I should read some again soon.

I don't think I can cope with the length of Nicholas Nickleby but The Devil You Know sounds good.

13. We Were the Mulvaneys, Joyce Carol Oates

1996

Comments: The Mulvaneys seem like a very nice--almost perfect, even--family. Until one night in 1976 when the teenage daughter Marianne is raped by a boy she knows. Where their family had once been a rocket shooting through the wonderfulness that was American life, this event caused their family to become the Space Ship Challenger, breaking them apart and sending them spiraling back to earth. (Okay, I've gone off on a tangent and corny metaphor here. The story is set on a farm and is not in anyway about the space program. Sorry to be confusing).

I was pleasantly surprised by what a compelling, readable book this was. . . . once I got past the first 20 pages or so, I found I just want to keep reading. I was disappointed whenever I had to put it down and always happy to pick it up again. The story was definitely interesting.

But I can't go away without voicing some problems I had with the novel.

First, as my friend Judy says, there is just too much "toing and froing, back and forthing". Too much filler--I think the book could have been trimmed down to 300-350 pages easily.

My next comment was the narrative voice. It's supposed to be the youngest child, Judd. He starts out with a strongly cheerful tone which sounds a tad insincere. Phrases like "boy-oh-boy!" I think Oates did this to show the forced cheerfulness of this family that really wasn't as happy as they appeared to be. Or whose happiness was a thin veneer. Anyway, I'm sure a lot of readers didn't give the book enough chance to figure that out, and instead just thought it was annoying and stopped reading. Further, it really doesn't sound like the voice of a young teenage male. And further, he describes the thought processes and mental states of other characters--how could he know that? No, the narrator really didn't work for me.

And although I admit the family was indeed likable, if they weren't a total cliche, they were certainly rolling all over that cliche line . . . the eldest son (Mike JUNIOR) is a star football player, the next son is a brainiac, the daughter is a beautiful virgin cheerleader honor roll student. They have a white cat named "Snowball" and a horse named "Prince" (original!!!). I could go on.

And then there's the weird anachronisms. It's the 70s and they have an alien-ish looking cat named "ET" (a movie that didn't come out until the 80s). And the outfit that Marianne wore to the prom doesn't sound like anything I ever saw when I was a teenager in the 70s. It sounded distinctly 1950s.

Finally, and this is a biggy--the behavior of the characters. . . Marianne's attitude after the rape (and for the rest of the book) was very odd, if not unbelievable, and certainly didn't make me like her particularly. And then one of the other character's reaction to the rape was rather difficult to believe considering his character earlier in the book, and it was also way out of line. (I won't give away the story, but if you've read the book you know who I mean). Actually, I didn't much like any of the characters. Still, it was an interesting book and an enjoyable read.

Recommended for: I wouldn't go out and buy this book, but if a free copy ends up in your lap, you could do worse.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Why I Read This Now: it was my Big Book for March, I decided on this one because Judy and I were both trying to move our copies off our shelves and thought there was no time like the present!

I have read almost all of Lisa Moore's book- I did love February.

Yes, February was beautiful and will go down as one of my favs for the year, I'm sure. I will look out for her other stuff.

14. Living, Loving, and Lying Awake at Night, Sindiwe Magona

Short stories published between 1991 & 2003

Comments: Magona is a fascinating South African woman who was born in a Xhosa village. She became a teacher, and then an interpreter at the UN, and finally a worked in the media department for a UN anti-apartheid radio programme.

This powerful collection of short stories show the struggles of African women in aparteid-South Africa, but the struggles, I think, speak to poor women everywhere. Highly recommended. Further comments in an upcoming issue of www.Belletrista.com

Rating: 4 stars

I don't think I'll read We Were the Mulvaneys (I can't stand JCO's droning, phlegmatic, pedantic RL voice--I know a terrible reason for not reading someone's book, but there it is), but got several good laughs from your review. :-)

Bonnie -- I think that's an excellent reason for not reading a book. And no worries, your life can be happy and full without the Mulvaneys!

Intriguing comments on the Sindiwe Magona book, Joyce. I may have to pull my copy off the shelf soon. Look forward to your review!

15. Good Bones and Simple Murders, Margaret Atwood

1983, 1992 & 1994

Rating: 4.5 stars

Comments: This delightful little collection is officially listed under Atwood's "short fiction," which is a title that applies only in the vaguest way. These small pieces escape easy categorization. Fiction, yes, but not really short stories, not really poetry, . . . not sure what they are. But they are highly entertaining, often wickedly funny, and very clever.

Unfortunately I borrowed this book from the library, and it is out of print. I will just have to hunt down a used copy because I need to read and reread this, and highlight and underline heavily.

Recommended for: readers who appreciate thoughtful, unique and witty writing. To get the full impact, I suggest reading it in small bits rather than all in one greedy gulp. Those who need a strong narrative arc or who don't like to think when they read should stay clear of this one.

Why I Read This Now: I saw it at the library and because I had never read Atwood's short fiction, I thought I'd give it a try. I had recently discovered how fabulous her poetry is, so thought this might be fabulous too. I thought right.

Getting caught up:

#99 - Oh, I loved February too - I wish it had won the Booker Prize. I'm eager to read more of Moore's work.

#107 - Well, this one goes on the TBR! Sounds great, and I look forward to your review in Belle.

#113 - I have We Were the Mulvaneys on my shelf, and will promptly move it down a few notches on the TBR. It's the only Oates I own, though, and I would like to give her a go...

#120 - Too bad this is out of print; I'll be hunting down a used copy as well. Murder in the Dark and The Tent are both really good collections, if you want to read more of Atwood's short fiction.

Great reading Joyce, as always!

I'm in the middle of February at the moment Joyce and loving it! I hope it stays this good - am about 100 pages in.

Interesting comments about the Mulvaneys. I have not read that particular Oates, probably because it came out just prior to the beginning of my Oates era (which I'm still in) and probably because it landed the Oprah Book Club label (since the pick was always secret, booksellers only knew the publisher and price. We would take that information, go to the appropriate fiction section and check out that publisher's new books which had an 'appropriate' theme. We got quite good at figuring them out before they were announced, which is a long-winded way to explain that the exercise took the desire to actually read the books away). If and when I do read the book, I'll remember your review and come back and find it.

Whoops, catching up here...

#110> Tania-- I think there are 11 Dickens books on the 1001 list. Or are those 11 of the books that you aren't going to read?

No, I'll certainly give them a go. But they may be low priority on my list. :)

Although I have been pondering picking up Great Expectations sometime sooner rather than later. I have a copy that's just gathering dust on the shelves...

I realize I'm behind here ...

Will finish February this evening. Love it. Thanks for review, Joyce. I think the woman is looking away from the cover because her grief is private, at least in that moment. She appears to be contemplating the sea; I expect that she, like many Newfoundlanders, has a love-hate relationship with the sea.

This book, with its raw but beautiful portrayal of grief and loss, makes me think of Where White Horses Gallop by Beatrice MacNeil, a Cape Bretoner. Quill and Quire writes, WWHG "takes you by the heart and gently pulls you along for the ride."

Back from holidays and catching up on my own thread . . .

I have We Were the Mulvaneys on my shelf, and will promptly move it down a few notches on the TBR. It's the only Oates I own, though, and I would like to give her a go...

Well, you could do worse. But from what I hear, it's not typical of her work. It was the only Oates I owned too (although I recently acquired another and more than interested in giving her another go).

Thanks for all your other comments, Cait. I hope I don't lead you astray!

#123 - Lois -- how interesting! I always wondered about that. Love the "insider scoop"!

#124 - Tania -- Great Expectations wasn't my favourite Dickens, but if you have it, not a bad place to start. It's good, but it's no Bleak House. Mind you, it's significantly shorter as well! I was going to suggest Christmas Carol because it's familiar and really short. Great Expectations is rather prevalent in literary culture though, so I think it's a must-read. What is it about Dickens that you don't like/think you don't like?

#122 - Cushla - I know you posted somewhere that you finished February and liked it and I will comment when I come across that post again. So glad you liked it. I can see that that book isn't for everyone.

16. The Bishop's Man, Linden MacIntyre

2009

Comments: Father Duncan MacAskill is the bishop's man of the title--his job is to do damage control by removing wayward priests from potentially scandalous situations. By the time we meet him at the beginning of the novel, the bishop needs him out of the way, so sends him to a parish near his childhood home of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Matters are complicated by the fact that MacAskill is fighting some demons of his own.

Apart from this book being well written and the winner of the 2009 Giller Prize, what's really interesting about it is that the author, Linden MacIntyre, is a journalist for the popular CBC TV show the fifth estate, and further, a few months after this book was published, a huge Catholic church-child porn scandal broke, concerning bishops and priests in exactly this corner of Canada. Is that not an author's dream? Anyway, The Bishop's Man is a work of fiction, and a fine one at that. It's a compelling read and the characters are very well-rounded. Every few pages the reader is rewarded with some astute insight or some masterful use of language.

Despite that, I did have a few quibbles with the book. The time line is all over the place, spiraling around different threads before pulling everything together at the end. A lot of authors do this, and I think it's often over used. There were too many times when I thought "meh" to the whole thing, or wondered where it was all going. Further, the conclusion of one of the main storylines didn't work for me--a solution came out of left-field, which I think is sort of cheating the reader.

Rating: When I finished I gave it a 3.5 stars, due to my quibbles above. Still, the more I reflect back on it, the more I'm liking it. My book club will meet on it in a couple of weeks and perhaps after more thought and discussion I will raise my rating to a 4.

Why I Read This Now: it's been on my to-read list since I heard about it back in 2009, but now was the time because it is my book club pick for April.

Recommended for: thoughtful readers.

17. The Door, Margaret Atwood

2007, poetry, audiobook (poems read by the author)

Comments: I bought this book & CD combo on a whim today when I was out of town. I listened to it during my hour long drive home.

I love Margaret Atwood's poetry, and hearing it in her own dry, droll voice was . . . interesting. Soothing, even. Except most of her words aren't all that soothing. Anyway, as always, she's delightful.

18. The Evil Garden, by Edward Gorey

1965, rereleased 2011

Comments: A short Gorey story told in rhyming couplets, complete with his crosshatch ink drawings of his typical Edwardian family. They are excited to tour an exotic garden for free, only to learn that free is not always good. My favourite was "a hissing swarm of hairy bugs / has got the baby and its rugs." Lovely green cover. A little edition to treasure.

What can I say? I'm a card-carrying member of the cult of Gorey. He's absolutely divine. The book arrived today, and already my sister-in-law, both daughters, and husband have read it. My SIL thought it was cool, Charlotte thought it was hilarious, Nina thought is was kinda disturbing (in a good way), but hubby didn't get it at all. He's not in the cult. His loss.

Why I Read This Now: ER book, arrived today. Five-minute read, if you take your time and look at all the pictures.

Recommended for: people who appreciate "vaguely ominous" situations happening to perfectly nice Edwardian families.

Hmm...I gave myself a challenge to read some poetry this month (yikes, only a few days to go!) so maybe Atwood would be a good author to try, since I've enjoyed every novel I've read by her.

I think I'd be too angry to finish The Bishop's Man if the author was at all sympathetic toward a person who had a role in allowing priests to continuing abusing people, especially children. My blood starts boiling just reading your review.

Oh, my . . . I wrote that wrong then! The author certainly wasn't in any way sympathetic to priests abusing people. I'll have to think about how to reword my comments because I've given you a completely misleading impression of the book.

No, I'm not talking about the priests, themselves. I'm talking about the priests and bishops who allowed those priests to go somewhere else instead of reporting them to the police? Wasn't that the job of The Bishop's Man?

Count me as part of the Edward Gorey Cult!!!! The books are so pricey for such a small thing -but I almost always have an Edward Gorey calendar hanging in the house... no one else seems to understand the humour of Edward Gorey but me - at my house at least.

Glad you " enjoyed" The Bishop's Man. I'm pretty sure I gave it 4 stars . As you say, it takes a lot of focus to get through the book - but the knowledge and insight one gains from the book makes the book worthwhile to read.

#129 - Pomegranate press...they sent me a beautiful Early Reviewer children's book illustrated by Gorey: Why We Have Day and Night. Nice catalogue too.

My favorite Gorey is The Beastly Baby. He had that immense talent to make the grotesque charming and humorous.

#135 - Alison, I'm looking that up!

Hey Joyce!!!! I see you are adding some Sarah Vowell books to your collection! That's a thought I have too - I saw her interviewed on John Stewart the other night. Sound like she writes some great books!

Hi, Deb -- they look a little US-centric for moi, but I might give them a try anyway. The latest one is about Hawaii, so it might be a good one to take along for our next trip (not that we have one planned, but at least I have my beach reading lined up. Ha ha). And now you know that I was watching Jon Stewart!

BTW--I wouldn't have pegged you as a Gorey cult member, but I'm delighted that you are! I'm definitely raising my kids as members even if hubby doesn't get it. Charlotte got her best friend sold on the Gashlycrumb Tinies and when the friend told her mom about it, the mom said "That is not a book!" I constantly stunned at how limited and without imagination so many people are. So sad.

By the way, I'm liking Ignatieff's tuition promise today! Woot! However, a vote for the Liberals in my district would be throwing away my vote. Not sure what to do.

I'd never heard of Gashlycrumb Tinies so went to go look at it. "Horrifically" funny!

I watch Jon Stewart too - when I get a chance! :) I've seen Sarah Vowell on his show a couple of times! Hey - as a kid, I read Mad Magazine and Cracked. I know good literature when I see it!!!It's very important to develop a sense of sarcasm, humour and a skewed way of looking at the world, in order that one may attempt to say sane!;)

127, 130, 131: Here's a related article that was on NPR today: How Priests Accused of Abuse Can Go Undetected

>126 Nickelini: Oates has a wide ranging talent, as her oeuvre reveals, so I'm not sure I could use the word 'typical' with regards to any of her work. I'm still exploring her.

>138 Nickelini: Sarah Vowell is considered to be not only a humorist, but also a social commentator, so yes, she is what you'd probably consider more US-centric, but I do think you could find some of her work less-so (Jon Stewart is US-centric too, you know:-). She is best experienced on audio, imo.

#126> Tania -- Great Expectations wasn't my favourite Dickens, but if you have it, not a bad place to start. It's good, but it's no Bleak House. Mind you, it's significantly shorter as well! I was going to suggest Christmas Carol because it's familiar and really short. Great Expectations is rather prevalent in literary culture though, so I think it's a must-read. What is it about Dickens that you don't like/think you don't like?

Phew! So many questions! :)

I'm not keen to read Bleak House at the moment, because the recent BBC production is still too familiar in my mind. (LOVED ScullyGillian Anderson as Lady Dedlock.) Although maybe that could be a good thing, reading it and knowing where it's going...

I have read A Christmas Carol. I just don't count that one as a "real" Dickens, because it's *short*.

Which leads me to my anti-Dickens bias: I think it's the length that kills my willingness to pick one up. I've only really tried one full length Dickens (The Old Curiosity Shop, because it contains the most famous Nell in literature, and I was curious to see how my Nell stacked up; mine is a lot less "nice" and a lot more stubborn, and - needless to say - I like her a lot more). Loved the minor characters, found the sentimentality a bit hard to deal with, ended up returning it to the library after 9 weeks, and about 1/3 read. Maybe I chose poorly, maybe Bleak House is a better option. Although I do also know an awful lot of the plot of Great Expectations too, since Don had to study it and in a fit of pique when a copy turned up at our house a year or two ago, gave me a blow-by-blow account of how awful it was. Yeesh.

I see Edward Gorey's books in the shops here, they do look delightfully wicked. Haven't bought any yet though, I do tend to baulk at the cost! (Why would Charlotte's friend's Mom think that they're not a book??)

>138 Nickelini: I agree with Lois that Sarah Vowell is best on audio. I'm currently reading her The Wordy Shipmates, about the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and there's a lot of both British and American history in it, so maybe more appealing outside of the U.S. than her other books. (Canada gets only scant mention so far.)

19. Witness the Night, Kishwar Desai

2010, Winner of the Costa First Novel Award

Comments: In current day India, the police have called in a social worker to talk to a 14 year old girl who is accused of brutally murdering 13 people in her extremely wealthy family. Of course the unconventional, whiskey-drinking, cigarette smoking social worker doesn't for a minute believe the girl committed the murders, and sets off to solve the crime. The novel delves into the horrors of gendercide, infanticide and misogyny of Indian culture.

I don't read murder mysteries, so I don't have much to compare it with, but I thought it was a good read. See more in my upcoming review for www.Belletrista.com

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Why I Read This Now: writing about it for Belletrista

Recommended for: people who like to mix their murder mysteries with social causes.

20. Zero Gravity, Sharon English

2007

Comments: This short story collection was nominated for the Giller Prize. Set in and around Vancouver, Ontarian (Ontarioite?) author English uses Vancouver itself as a character, with mixed results. As with any collection of short stories, some are better than others. And like most contemporary Canadian literature, there is an edge to most of these stories. However, reading this so closely to the Devil You Know, by Jenn Farrell, I couldn't help comparing them, and Farrell's book is by far my favourite. Farrell has been called "a bad-ass Alice Munro," but I'd say that English's style shows more of Munro's influence.

I have to say that this volume, which was published by Porcupine's Quill, has some of the nicest paper I've come across in a book in ages. Luxurious!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Why I Read This Now: was going to use it for an article I'm working on for www.Belletrista.com, but I'm not sure if it's going to work after all.

Recommended for: readers who enjoy Alice Munro, maybe.

Hi Joyce. Just thought I'd pop by your thread. I noticed that Bellestria - I'm probably spelling it incorrectly is featuring Female Scandanavian writers. I just finished My Soul to Take Yrsa Sigurðardóttir ,one of the authors mentioned in Bellestria. While I enjoyed it well enough, somehow it did not grab my interest as much as the male Scandanvian writers have. Perhaps it's because the other few authors wrote darker, more serious crime novels. I have to say that I found My Soul To Take just too... light? It's not a cozy mystery, but there is a lot of fluff. I like my mysteries to be more psychological in nature and darker too!:) But - Bellestria mentions other authors, which I will try. I've already got at least two other female Scandinavian crime writers in my TBR pile. However, I think I may turn to either The Woefield Poultry Collection by Susan Juby - a Canadian author, or else The Beggar's Garden by Michael Christie - its short stories about the downtown Eastside here in Vancouver.

Anyway, come visit my 75 thread someday!;) Even I have not been over there to update my latest book!;) There are so many people, it's difficult to keep up with everyone and also find time to read!

Sorry - both books that I mentioned, touchstones do not seem to working.

>145 Nickelini: Recommended for: people who like to mix their murder mysteries with social causes.

Uh oh, that would be me :)

opps!Wrong thread!:)

Just catching up on your interesting reviews!

21. Elizabeth I: a novel, Margaret George

2011, historical fiction

Comments: Whew! I feel like I've been reading this novel forever. Its 662 oversized pages took over my reading life this month.

In this novelized version of Elizabeth I, Margaret George looks at the later part of her life--the years of the Spanish Armadas (the famous one was just the beginning), the years after the deaths of her most trusted advisors, and the years when her life was entwined with the Earl of Essex. Her story is told in the first person by Elizabeth herself, and interspersed with sections by her cousin, Lettice Knollys. Lettice is a Tudor-era character previously unknown to me, but a very important person in Elizabeth's life as she was the wife of the queen's dear Robert Dudley and the mother of Robert Deveraux, Earl of Essex. Lettice is physically similar to Elizabeth, but contrasts sharply in her character. Compared to Elizabeth's virginal status, cousin Lettice is rather a cougar; not only is she thrice married, she also has affairs with several of her son's friends. Also woven into the story are the characters and writings of Will Shakespeare, Edmund Spencer, John Donne and Francis Bacon.

I have been recommending Margaret George's Tudor novels for years because they are entertaining reads that are well researched. Unlike every film treatment of the dynasty that I can remember, George doesn't change the known facts to "improve" the story. Instead she leaves the historical record intact and then weaves her fiction around it (a formula that should be followed by more authors of historical fiction). It is always a bonus to actually learn something while being entertained.

And now I finally understand who all the various men in Elizabeth's life were!

Recommended for: This is a must-read for any fan of the Tudors. Also recommended for those who love long books that they can sink themselves into.

Why I Read This Now: it was an ER book

Rating: 4 stars.

Just popped by to say hi!! I really loved Long Song and now am reading the 2004 Orange Prize winner by the same author, Small Island by Andrea Levy -and loving it too!

I had a pleasant surprise this am when amazon ca delivered Mennonites Can't Dance and Heads You Lose by Lisa Lutz. I was surprised that UPS delivered on Easter Monday. Should not be long til my order from the Book Depository arrives

Wow! That last book of your sounds like a real doorstopper! Glad you enjoyed it - since it was 662 pages! Most of my books seem to be around 400 pages - but oh my - 662 pages!!!! Great review!

Hi Nickelini
Good review of Elizabeth 1: a novel. It would definitely interest me now that I realise that it is based on factual history. Good historical fiction can really give the reader a glimpse into the past and this sound fascinating.

@151 Hi Joyce, great review of Elizabeth 1. To the list, to the list, to the ...

Catching up. Some interesting reads here, and interesting comments - particularly on We were the Mulvaneys, which I have at home. I started it a while ago and didn't get very far, largely for the reason you suggest (the voice of the young boy narrator didn't ring true). I plan to give it another go at some point, as I've enjoyed the other 2 books by Oates I've read.

22. The House of Doctor Dee, Peter Ackroyd

1993

Why I Read This Now: I just finished Elizabeth I: a novel and thought I'd like to stay in the time period. This book has been on Mnt. TBR for too long, so it was time, and it's also a 1001 book.

Rating: parts of this book were a 5, but others only a 1. In the end, I'll give it 3 stars.

Comments:

What I Loved: this is a story set in 1990s London about a man who inherits a house in Clerkenwell, London, from a father he didn't know very well. When he visits the house for the first time, it's immediately clear that mysterious things are afoot. He soon learns that the house belonged to Doctor Dee, a Elizabethan scientist and magician. The book switches back and forth between the modern day character and Doctor Dee in 16th c London. Things from one period show up in the other, and specific places are described in each period--showing our connections now with the past. Ackroyd describes the streets of London in wonderful detail. And finally, there's a ghostly creepiness in the book that I really liked.

What I Didn't Like: : When writing the Doctor Dee parts, Ackroyd used a more 16th century tone and word choice. I found my eyes glazing over quite often. I studied Doctor Dee briefly at uni, and that helped me understand what was going on, but if I hadn't, I'd have been totally lost. I found this bits mostly boring. Also, none of the characters are particularly sympathetic.

Recommended for: Not sure! I'm sure some readers would love this book--just not sure who.

not me, I'll pass. But interesting. Must look up Doctor Dee...

I've got a book by Ackroyd, Dan Lemo and the Limehouse Golem on my TBR pile but I've been reluctant to pick it up as I didn't enjoy his non-fiction that I've read.

This is my third Ackroyd and I have to say that so far I'm not too crazy about him! He certainly knows his way around London though.

23. Helpless, Barbara Gowdy

2007, audiobook

Rating: 4 stars

Comments: Celia is a hard-working single mother in Toronto, who experiences every parent's worst nightmare: one hot summer night, her daughter is kidnapped during a power black-out.

It didn't take long for this story to pull me in and want to keep listening. The fairly linear story is told by following the daughter Rachel, her mother, the abductor and the abductor's reluctant girlfriend. I think Gowdy did a particularly good job with the kidnapper--he was a layered and interesting character and although he was waaaaay creepy, he wasn't a one-dimensional evil villain. I particularly liked how he was fixated on antique vacuum cleaners.

This is my first Gowdy, and I will definitely look for her other books.

Recommended for: This is a great book for readers looking for a good, compelling read. Some of it is disturbing, and as a mother of two young girls at times I wasn't sure I wanted to continue listening. However, it never crosses over into horrific territory and I'm glad I stuck with it.

Why I Read This Now: Needed an audio book to listen to--this one wasn't long enough because now I have to go track down something else to listen to!

Sounds like a fascinating read, Joyce! Thanks for your comments! They are always helpful!

24. Nomad, Ayaan Hirsi Ali

2010

Comments: In this follow up to her earlier memoir, Infidel, Hirsi Ali gives a brief update on her life since moving to the US, and updates on her intellectual work fighting global injustice done in the name of tradition (both Islamic and tribal).

In the first section of the book, she examines various members of her highly dysfunctional family and their individual struggles. At first I wasn't particularly interested in these stories, until I saw how she was doing this to illustrate her main points. Each person was pushed, kicking and screaming, out of their extremely malfunctional society and toward a modern one, and each member, in his or her own way, failed miserably. As she goes on to expound on the problems of Islamic societies, she illustrates her points through her own experiences and those of her family.

Hirsi Ali is a remarkable human who is incredibly brave and brilliantly intelligent. She is gifted at presenting her argument calmly, clearly and with great eloquence. Although she is controversial and has a vast number of detractors, I've yet to see anyone take her on who doesn't walk away looking foolish. One of her main goals is to end needless suffering--how can you argue with that?

Recommended for: Anyone interested in the art of presenting an argument clearly and succinctly, whether you share her concerns or not. Also anyone who is interested in human rights, justice, women, and Islamic issues. If you haven't read Infidel yet, I'd recommend that one first, as it gives a fuller picture of her amazing life--Nomad is written for an audience who already knows her background.

Why I Read This Now: My book club is reading Infidel and since I've already read it, I thought I'd read this instead.

Rating: 4 stars

That's really interesting, I didn't realize she'd written a second book.

She's written three, actually. Her first book was The Caged Virgin. It was excellent.

I read Peter Ackroyd's biography of William Blake some years ago and it was a slog throughout, which surprised me as I was deeply fascinated by his subject.

Yeah, despite all the accolades, I hear a lot of personal opinions that say "meh" to him. I appreciate his enthusiasm, and I know he is very intelligent and all, and I can learn from him. But "meh".

Hi Joyce! Just popping by to say hi! The restaurant on Little Mountain that you mentioned was my DH and my first date together! :) Or rather, what we we planned! Would you believe that it was Jan 21 of 1982 - and it snowed quite a bit? Dave called me and asked - do think we should cancel due to the snow? I said no, so we drove up to Little Mountain, only to find the place closed due to the snow! Then Dave did doughnuts in snow in the parking lots at Little Mountains while I wondered about his intentions;) So - we drove to a Keg -and the power was out due to the snow! Here I was all dressed up, and Dave too. We ended up having dinner at Swiss Chalet!!! The only place that we could find that was open in Richmond. And the rest, as they say, is history!

Just a chuckle!

Don't read murder mysteries! Hmmmm I could guide you to a lot of fabby mysteries/ thrillers with a social conscience, the famous P.D. James who did not want to let on that she was a female writer. Oh Joyce - you are missing out on a big chunk of important literature if you don't read mysteries!!! Minette Walters, Ruth Rendell, Chevy Stevens with her BC debut mystery/ thriller novel that has hit the big time...I'll keep thinking for you!

Great story about your snow storm date!

It's not that I don't read murder mysteries--I used to read a lot of them, including pretty much all of Agatha Christie. But they don't cross my path very often, and with over 500 books on Mnt TBR, I'm not going to seek them out.

Nice review of Nomad, Joyce. I haven't read Infidel, but hopefully I'll get to it this summer or fall.

Thanks. I hope you find Infidel as fascinating as I did. It was a 5+ star read for me.

Infidel was a five-star read for me, too. Thanks for reminding me that I really need to get to Nomad one of these days.

I haven't read Infidel or Nomad but keep meaning to - thanks for reminding me!

25. Does My Head Look Big in This?, Randa Abdel-Fattah

2005, US translation 2007

Comments: In this critically acclaimed YA novel, 16 year old Australian-Palestinian-Muslim Amal decides to wear the hijab full-time. This is slightly complicated by the fact that she goes to a prestigious private school where she is the only Muslim.

Based on the funny title and the accolades this book has received, I really expected to like it. My first hint that I wouldn’t was when my 14 year old daughter read it and kept telling me how annoying the characters were. About a quarter of the way through its 360 pages, I realized that I was going to love hating it instead.

Besides deciding to become a visibly more observant Muslim by wearing the veil and praying at school, Amal is busy hanging with her friends, sorting out her feelings about boys, shopping, and studying. Among her Muslim group are her secular relatives who just want to be Australian, a blonde British convert to Islam, a misogynist spoiled brat, and the hardcore extremist robot who is incapable of independent thought. Amal’s parents are—of course—perfect. These wise, compassionate, affectionate and always calm professionals make Mike and Carol Brady look like child abusers. Her peer group is richly diverse: she has a Japanese friend, and a Jewish friend, a friend from a broken home, and a slightly chubby friend who’s only dialogue is about her weight and latest diet. And of course her nemesis is the stereotypical pretty-but-slutty blonde-rich-mean girl. She even befriends the grumpy old Greek Orthodox woman next door. The message in all of this is clearly, in spite of our differences, we are all the same.

To make sure you really get this point, almost every page is chock-full of cultural references. Amal watches Friends and Survivor, listens to Celine Dion and other Top 40 music, reads Cosmo and Teen Vogue, and wears Winnie the Pooh Ts, Adidas and Revlon. This all felt very forced. By page 20, I was yelling “I get it! She’s wearing a hijab, but really we’re all the same!”

The dialogue was especially painful. Sure, there were some cute and funny lines. But most of the conversations were contrived, with the speakers taking turns lecturing the others on Important Facts about My Culture. In between the stilted dialogue, the author crammed in as many lessons as she could. Not exactly subtle. Because of course, other than our favourite foods and some charming foreign expressions, we are all the same.

Whenever the author veered toward a sensitive and serious subject, she threw some white-wash over it and contrived a happy compromise. The whole thing made me want to burst out singing “Kumbaya,” followed by “We are the World,” and then a chorus of Bob Marley’s “Every little thing is gonna be alright.” Oh, please.

Some may think that as a forty-something English lit major, I’m being unfair. After all I’m clearly not the target audience. However, my 14 year old and I discussed this at great length, and her thoughts weren’t much different. And besides, I think a well-written YA or children’s book should appeal to any age group.

My last big complaint is one that was beyond the author’s control. Despite being written by an Australian, there were a lot of phrases and references that had a strong US flavour. The book didn’t feel Australian. Then near the end, Amal made a comment about it being 58 degrees. Obviously Fahrenheit. Busted! My edition of this book had been translated into USese. Because of course readers in the US are too dumb to handle Australian cultural references and Australian references are too meaningless to preserve. Wow, that’s just offensive to everyone.

Recommended for: I would recommend this to readers who don’t mind being preached at, readers who know nothing about Muslims, or conversely, Muslim teens who would like a book with a Muslim lead character.

Why I Read This Now: I thought the point of view would be interesting, and it was. I started this right after finishing Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Nomad, and in all the important ways, these books are opposites. Hirsi Ali would have had a field day ripping apart Abdel-Fattah’s cultural relativism.

Rating: one star.

Great review, Joyce!

Love, love, loved that review Joyce! I bet it was fun to write once you realized you were going to "love hating it." And translation?!! puh-leeze. I also like your juxtaposition with Hirsi Ali's latest.

Loved your review and am glad I have not made my coffee quite yet or it would have splurted out. It's exactly the kind of book I'd have bought too, but not now, especially if it has perfect parents in it! And eeeeeuuuuuccchhh to the translating into F.

Great review!

173 Great review, Joyce. Almost choked on "Kumbayah" followed by "We Are the World," and chorused with Bob Marley! I agree that well-written YA fiction should appeal to all age groups.

Great review, Joyce!

Congrats on the Hot Review, Joyce!

White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good, William Easterly

Comments: I abandoned this one at page 80, but I really tried to like it. Unfortunately it was just too much economics and not enough people for this reader. I'm going to keep it on my reference shelf for now because I think it might have some important info somewhere in there.

Why I Read This Now: I was looking for a compelling non-fiction book. This wasn't it (for now, anyway).

Too bad, Joyce! That was a book that I would have been interested in. However - I'll heed your advice.

Well, I'm sure my friend who is an economist would find it fascinating. Depends on the reader, I guess. It was one I should have taken out of the library.

I read two books on related subjects last year, Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa by Dambisa Moyo (a polemic, and heavy on finance) and Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty by Roger Thurow and Scott Kilman (more journalistic). Not sure if they're your kind of books, but I found it interesting to read them in sequence with their related ideas of so much (aid, food) leading to so little (development, freedom from hunger).

thanks Rebecca. Interesting how these all take the financial angle rather than the human angle. I guess I`m not the focus audience.

Enough actually focuses a lot on people, in that it takes a journalistic approach, but I'm not sure that there's enough (sorry) of a human angle for you..

post #107, book 11: The Devil You Know, by Jenn Farrell still no touchstone! Grrrr.

My extended review for this book is now up at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue11%20/features_3.php

and,

post #145, book 19: Witness the Night, by Kishwar Desai . . . you can find my review at: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue11%20/reviews_4.php

There is also a conversation about Annabel: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue11%20/features_7.php

Joyce - Enjoyed your belletrista reviews, especially of The Devil You Know.

Thanks! I had fun writing it . . . and I really had fun reading the book (twice). Actually, I probably liked it even better the second time.

Really a fascinating review of The Devil You Know, Joyce. It's still sounds a little err - wild for me -but you never know! Well done!! Though the Mennonites Don't Dance has a different focus on it's short stories -they too are told with unflinching honesty, and without any judgement. I rarely re read a book - but I could see myself re - reading Mennonite's Don't Dance.

Do you think touchstones don't work for our lesser know Canadian books?

The touchstones aren't working right now for anything that's new and obscure--Canadian or not. Apparently there's a big fix being worked on right now.

Great interview - review re Annabel. Though I found much of the book implausible - it did not really bother me -because after all - it's a novel. The way that Wayne's mother kind of disappeared from the novel seemed surprising to me -and the unilateral decision to create a boy out of Annabel / Wayne also seemed very suprising -but I just took the the novel as it was written. I thought that given that the time was 1968, hermaphrodite was the correct term to use then, and perhaps in a small place like Newfoundland in 1968, only so much was known, medically speaking. It's an interesting idea that the book is more about isolation than the struggle to be an born with a intersex challenge.

I strongly agree that the Canadian cover appeals to a much broader audience than would the American one. I wonder why they changed it? As one of your co interviewers noted - many of us would not feel comfortable reading Annabel with the American cover in public. I hope they had a focus group or something that choose that American cover...

Brilliantly written, Joyce, all of them.

Thanks!

Re: the cover--although the Canadian cover is beautiful, I don't think it has much to do with the book. Maybe the US-UK publisher didn't think it gave potential readers enough signals as to what the book was about. That's my guess, anyway.

26. Sultana's Dream and Selections from the Secluded Ones, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

1905, 1988

Comments: Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was an activist for women's education and against injustices against women in early 20th century India, particularly the area that is now Bangladesh. She was a Muslim woman who spoke out against purdah, the form of gender apartheid that separates women from society. The practice of purdah can range anywhere from wearing the veil all the way to complete seclusion in the inner parts of a house.

The story "The Sultana's Dream" is very short--only twelve pages. It shows a utopian society with women in the public space and men in purdah. The culture is very advanced because the women are highly educated and make all sorts of miraculous inventions to make their life comfortable.

In "Selections from the Secluded Ones," the author tells some individual cases of women suffering under purdah. The most horrific is probably the burqa-clad woman who fell on some train tracks. Her maid wouldn't allow any men to touch her, and was unable to help the woman herself. After waiting for a whole half-hour, the train left, smashing the woman who died 11 hours later.

Purdah is not just about separating women from men--it is also about separating the woman from non-family members. A woman living under extreme purdah is not supposed to be seen by anyone. Obviously it is not possible for everyone to do this--some people just have to provide for their families, so this extreme version was only practiced by the wealthy and it was a sign of social status to keep a family's women in purdah.

Another illustration of how extreme this practice could be is the author's experience with trying to bus girls to school. The bus was almost sealed, and the girls inside vomited and fainted in the dark heat. So some louvers were opened and curtains hung over the windows. Some of the parents pulled their daughters out of school rather than have them ride in the coffin on wheels. But her hands were tied because some "brothers-in-Islam" threatened the school--because the curtains moved in the breeze, the bus was deemed purdahless. Yikes!

The rest of the short book is made up of essays written in the 1980s about the life and work of Hossain, which was also fascinating. I'd like to see a film version of her life. There are also more case studies of women living under purdah.

Rating: 4.5 stars -- it would have been a five star book for me if there was one more essay updating on the developments of purdah since the essays were written. I suspect things may have become worse, but I don't know.

Why I Read This Now: After Does My Head Look Big in This I was looking for something about the veil that had a bit more substance to it.

Recommended for: a broad audience--it's a very short book and packs in a lot of valuable information and insight for anyone who is interested in the world.

Interesting book to choose, enjoyed your review.

>193 Nickelini: If I end up going to BEA, I'll ask the publisher about the cover. The cover is clearly meant to be provocative, and it is, but the only readers I imagine it could attract would be pedophiles... On the other hand, with the Canadian cover you might think you are going to have a moment with Robert Frost (that's a doe not a buck on the cover, right? We can tell by the antlers or lack thereof.:-)

btw, I know we are both interested in cultural studies, and I thought you might be interested in this radio program that was on my local NPR station. It discusses what reality television says about our culture. I only heard about half of it, but it was really interesting. I don't watch any so-called reality shows, but the dissecting was really interesting.

http://onpoint.wbur.org/2011/05/11/reality-tv-and-us

There is also a feature story in the latest "Threads" magazine about all the delicious fabric stores in Vancouver. That's another plus to a NW va-cay in the future:-)

>196 avaland: Just an added note on the radio program. There is a Victorianist who also compares reality television to the novel in Victorian times (not sure I buy it).

We have fabric stores in Vancouver? Really? I thought they all closed down. Back in the 80s I used to sew all my own clothes, and all the places I used to shop aren't there any more. But still come to Vancouver! Maybe by the time you come I'll have a house with a guest room and space to turn around, and you can stay with us if you want.

Off to check out the NPR link . . .

Gala Fabrics, 3135 Granville Street, parking behind the store. High end wools and silks, but "lots of bargains on unique and beautiful pieces of silk, linen, synthetics and fabrics made from sustainable fiber sources. Along with French laces, Italian woods, Chinese silks, and printed cottons...{also} carries eco-friendly fabrics like bamboo, hemp, seaweed, and organic cotton."
(this place is considered "inspirational")

Button Button
318 Homer St near Cordova (mezzanine level)
Sells only....BUTTONS!
(in the picture showing a variety of buttons, I see an 'open book' button)

Dressew Supply LTD
337 Hastings St W. (between Homer and Hamilton)
"It is one of the biggest and craziest fabric stores I've ever been to," says the author of the article.

Designer Fabric Liquidators (Atex Fabrics)
150 West Hastings (between Cambie and Abbott)
Not a pretty section of town but worth a visit. The store offers bolt ends from well-known designers and manufacturer sellouts at wholesale prices. Good quality apparel fabrics.

There's two more in East Vancouver and one in Richmond. 3 specialty fabrics stores in the area, one for leather, another for outdoor fabrics (i.e. canvas, Polartec...etc), and another for hard to find fabrics for outerwear and activewear.

Interesting!

Gala Fabrics - I haven't been there in 20 yrs, but it used to be very, very Asian (Chinese). Lots of shiny fabrics. But speaking of Asian, I know we have several fabric stores that sell only the fabrics and notions for making Indian saris. I've only driven by them, but that would be a cool place to go.

DressSew - never been a fan, probably because it's in a seedy area of town, but it's been there forever and yeah, they do have everything.

I think I used to shop at the designer liquidator place and yeah, it was pretty awesome. The button place sounds cool! The bottom three on your list are all very close to each other, and the first is a 10 min drive away. If you do come to Vancouver I can take you to any of those.

>200 Nickelini: that's very nice of you to offer. We have thought about taking the train across Canada, but I'm wondering if I might have to read through the oil fields of Alberta...

Fabricland in Richmond is quite sizeable -but don't take my word for it Joyce! I've been in there several times - but since I don't sew - I'm not to knowable about what a good selection of fabrics is. It's very mainstream. It's on Garden City in Richmond not too far from the Oak Street Bridge.

I nudge The Book of Negroes ;) I loved and could not put it down once I started reading it!

Um, avaland? Alberta is not actually an industrial wasteland. There's lots of prairie and then the Rockies. You might see an oil well or two, but it's an awfully big province, even east to west. It's more like a larger, wilder Montana than an environmental disaster.

It's been a long time since I've driven east of Calgary, but I remember it being rather nice, in a peaceful sort of way. If you want to see ugly oil country, go to Bakersfield California ;-)

And don't be reading any books between Calgary and Banff--it's one of the most gorgeous places I've seen anywhere.

>204 RidgewayGirl: I knew I could flush you out! (I haven't heard of any environmental disasters up there...). Admittedly, I snoozed through half of the cornfields in Iowa and Nebraska during a cross-country trip in the 1970s. Luckily, I wasn't driving.

27. Bone China, Roma Tearne

2009

Rating: 4 stars

Comments: Tearne's second novel, Bone China, is a family saga that follows three generations of the de Silvas through their slide from a position of prominence in pre-WWII Ceylon, then through the Sri Lankan civil war, and ending in current day London.

Ever since reading Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje a few years ago, Sri Lanka has been my favourite arm chair travel destination. Roma Tearne has become my favourite Sri Lankan author because she captures the exotic beauty of the island in exquisite detail. Her writing is absolutely lovely. This is the third novel by her that I've read, and once again she had me scurrying to the internet to plan my dream vacation to Sri Lanka.

When I started the book I recognized some familiar elements from her novels Mosquito and Brixton Beach, and I was afraid that she was just rehashing the same material. But once I got into the novel I was swept up in the story and found it wasn't repetitious at all. It does follow the family saga formula to some extent, but her characters are well-rounded and feel real.

Recommended for: readers who want to dive into a book with a straightforward storyline, interesting characters, and tons of atmosphere. I still think Mosquito is her best book, but this one is worth reading. It would make a good vacation read.

Why I Read This Now: I am preparing to write an article on Roma Tearne for www.Belletrista.com.

Nice review of Bone China, Joyce; I'll probably read it later this year, after I read Mosquito next month and The Swimmer, her latest novel, for Orange July.

ETA: I loved Brixton Beach.

Nickelini, Liked your review of Bone China; and like you I am a fan of Michael Ondaatje's Anils Ghost. I have been meaning to read something by Roma Tearne and following your post I will start with Mosquito.

I have been to Sri Lanka some time ago I admit, it is a beautiful Island. Some friends of mine have just come back from spending a month there and they really enjoyed their stay.

Goodness, Joyce! A vacation to Sri Lanka? Hmmm not sure how safe it would be! But a great review!!Oh - I think I've seen The Swimmer around - maybe I'll have to look into that.

I'm finally starting Room which will be my fourth book that I will have read for the Orange Shortlist. Just watch one of the two that I have not read win the Orange Prize! ;) You know how it goes....

#208 - Darryl - I hope you enjoy Mosquito. I thought it was lovely. I will join you in July because I plan to read The Swimmer then too. (Okay, with the changes to chat pages, the links to this book have disappeared. What's up with that?)

209 - I have been to Sri Lanka some time ago I admit, it is a beautiful Island. Some friends of mine have just come back from spending a month there and they really enjoyed their stay.

Sooooo jealous! It won't be for awhile, but I sure hope I too can get there one day.

210 - Goodness, Joyce! A vacation to Sri Lanka? Hmmm not sure how safe it would be!

Well, I wouldn't have gone there when the Canadian government had a travel advisory on the country, but right now they're giving it a shiny green light, so I'm good to go! I've been to Papua New Guinea and camped on a beach in Mexico and survived, so I'm not afraid. Sri Lanka is Eden--pristine beaches, tropical forests, exotic wildlife (peacocks, elephants, leopards), amazing food, rich culture and 2500 years of written history--how can I not go? Read Mosquito and spend a few minutes flipping through theses pages http://www.srilanka.travel/ and tell me that a little part of you wouldn't want to experience that!

I'm just not as brave as you, Joyce!;) Here is the travel info from Gov of Canada... actually they have " exercise a high degree of caution " in effect... http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=276000

You should have seen what that page used to look like! This is nothing, and it's the warning that Canada gives for pretty much all of Asia--Thailand, India, China, The Philippines, Vietnam. Big difference from how that page looked when checked at the end of the war. There are fabulous resorts in Sri Lanka, and my name is on a chaise longue at one of them.

You go girl!! You know me! I'm naturally extremely cautious -and I'm sure if you stick to the resort areas etc - it should be fine!

28. Funny Boy, Shyam Selvadurai

1994

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Comments: In a sentence, this is the story of a young boy growing up in Sri Lanka during the civil war and slowly realizing that he's gay. But it in the bigger picture, it's about anyone who is different and growing up in any traditional culture and family, and the confrontation with injustice. Beautifully and sensitively written. Although the author doesn't cover the Edenic qualities of Sri Lanka that I so love in novels by Michael Ondaatje and Roma Tearne, I still loved this book. Highly recommended.

Why I Read This Now: after my last Sri lankan book, I wasn't ready to leave.

Edited to add: Recommended for: readers who appreciate quality fiction.

Glad you enjoyed it, Joyce!! I can see that Sri Lanka is beckoning to you! :)

Thanks, Joyce; I've added Funny Boy to my wish list.

I think you'll like it, Darryl.

29. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

1979, Audiobook read by Stephen Fry

Why I Read This Now: The selection of available books to download from the library website is limited; I picked this one because it's supposed to be good and because it's on the 1001 Books list. It was just by chance that the 1001 group happened to be reading it this month too.

Rating: 4 stars

Comments: I remember years ago always seeing copies of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in bookstores, but I never paid much attention to it. I have almost no interest in any thing about space, except maybe PBS's Nova. I don't even understand Star Wars--not because it's complex, but because it bores me so much. I felt that ignoring The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was justified in my case. However, people who I find both brilliant and influential raved about it--so I considered reconsidering my position.

Fastforward to me turning on this audio book and being completely delighted. It was light! And funny! Any spacey stuff was discussed in a tongue-in-cheek manner. The main character was even English! It helped that Stephen Fry was a fabulous reader. At times I felt like I was listening to "Monty Python in Space," but that may have been because one of Stephen Fry's voices sounded like John Cleese. Not only was it great fun, but there were all sorts of cultural references that I recognized coming out of it, such as Babel-fish. Very cool, very fun. I'm not going to join the H2G2 cult, but I can see why people do.

Recommended for: those with a sense of humour.

Nickelini, you will be watching re-runs of Star-Trek next on the TV. Great review - I have always avoided the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy because of its popularity. I have not read the Steig Larrson trilogy for the same reasons, but my wife has just borrowed them - Hmmm perhaps it's time to reconsider.

God, I love that book. All of them, all 6 of them.

#221, 222 It is a great review of Hitchhiker's Guide; I also have avoided it, possibly for the same reasons as baswood. However, I did read the Stieg Larrson trilogy and it was page-turning full-on entertainment ... not usual fare for me, but I loved all three. Yes, time to reconsider : ).

Hi Joyce! Thanks for visiting my Orange thread. I have a question -why is Orange busy in January and July? I can see January, because that is the time that the long list is announced - and then if I'm not mistaken -the Orange Prize winner is announced June 5th? So - I would think the Orange threads would get busy after the shortlist is announced, rather than in July.

As for my plans to read more of the Orange books - yes I do have plans to do so. I have on your advice Half of a Yellow Sun from the Library -and Alias Grace tucked away somewhere..... Currently I'm just having a fun escapist read fling...;) I'm sure glad that I discovered the Orange Prize shortlist and earlier wins and short lists. Helen Dunmore's book - can't remember the title looks interesting , as does Bel Canto. Meantime , after my fun read - I have The Thousand Autumns of Jacob of Jacob de Zoet ready to go for a group read June the 15th. I've got a fabulous new book - non- fiction from the library that has also grabbed my interest - Esther -which is non- fiction account of a young woman in the 1600's - if memory serves. It's the biography of a young puritan girl in New England who is abducted by a first nations band - and treated well -and she ends up as a teen in New France - aka Quebec and become a Catholic Mother Superiour. You might recall who much I loved Bride of New France - so I look forward to reading that. They are all chunksters! :) Esther does not work yet with touchstone - I think I'm the only one on LT with it so far.

Hitchhiker's Guide is a book I've avoided for the same reasons as you did... Well - maybe I'll move it up a notch! Thanks for the great review.

Deb - the Orange January/July group was created by Jill after the Orange January and July reader challenges got out of hand :-) We were scattered all over LT and people were doing a lot of double-posting. I'm not sure which group read started first--probably January. The idea was to read an Orange prize winner or nominee, and she picked January because it's such a bleak wintry month for so many of us, and we all needed a shot of orange sunshine. That's how I remember it, anyway. It was such a success that nobody wanted to wait a whole year to do it again, so we met again for a sunshiny summer version. I never saw any connection to the longlist announcement or anything, but perhaps I'm just daft! There's more info at the top of the group's page too.

Totally agree with your recommendation of Funny Boy which I think is also a good insight into the sad history of Sinhala-Tamil relations in SL. Not sure from the above whether you are planning a dream vacation or a real one! - but there are definitely some very beautiful places to go - and, above all, fantastic food.

W-Star -- Well, because of the war I had never thought that I'd get to Sri Lanka, but now the Canadian government's travel advisory for the country is the same as the rest of Asia, so I am seriously planning to go. Not for a while though--I'd like this to be sort of a romantic vacation with my husband and stay at some of the really high end resorts for part of the time, so I don't really want to take the kids. Maybe I'll have saved up for it by the time the oldest is in university. The food sounds fantastic! I'm curious to try a stringhopper.

Glad you enjoyed Funny Boy. I read it a couple of years ago after it was recommended by another LTer (wandering star, I think) when I'd enjoyed Mosquito so much. I have The Swimmer too, and am planning to get to it soon.

Oh - stringhoppers! Best breakfast in the world. And so hard to find outside Sri Lanka. (Tummy rumbling, googling for airline fares).

30. Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk

1996

Comments: When the movie Fight Club came out, I didn't know it was based on a book and I didn't care. Judging from the title and trailer, I thought it was just a bunch of gratuitous violent nonsense. But over the years I kept seeing either the book or film on various university reading lists, and I thought "hmmm, maybe there's more to it than gratuitous violence after all." So about five years ago I watched the movie and was surprised by how much I liked it, and how it wasn't anything like what I expected.

I don't remember a lot of the details, but the book seemed pretty close to the film. I liked the dark humour and the differentness of it, I didn't like the testosterone-driven philosophy. I can see why this is a cult classic, and I can also see why some people hate it. I have a soft spot for nihilists, so I liked that part, but I have no time for anarchists, so I strongly disliked that aspect.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. LibraryThing confidently predicted that I wouldn't like this and I can see why. They were wrong though--it was too vile for me to really like it, but I thought it was an entertaining read.

Recommended for: readers who like dark humour and edgy material. Should be avoided by anyone who likes their fiction to be edifying and who is bothered by amoral characters.

Why I Read This Now: I had a very beaten-up copy, so it's been in my car for months for me to read while waiting for my kids. Now I can toss this falling-apart copy in the recycling bin.

I liked the first few Palahniuk novels that I read, but after a while they got really same-y.

I'm not in a hurry to read any more of him; however, if there was nothing else to read I wouldn't mind. I can see him getting really same-y (nice term!)

Fight Club was such a badly mis-marketed movie. I stayed far away from it when it was in the theaters, because the ads and previews made it look like a simple-minded, testosterone-soaked slug-fest. When some friends of mine insisted I had to sit down and watch it on DVD because, no, really, I'd love it, I thought they'd lost their minds. Imagine my surprise when I realized it was, in fact, a quirky, darkly humorous satire with some fun twists. Why didn't they say so in the first place?!

I never did read the book version, but I have read several of Palahniuk's other novels, and while I started out really enjoying him, after a few books it became pretty clear that he was becoming more interested in being edgy and shocking for the sake of being edgy and shocking and less interested in telling a story or actually having something to say, so I gave up.

Bragan - sounds like your experience was very similar to mine. You just articulated it better! :-)

31. Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture, by Peggy Orenstein

2011, non-fiction

Comments: This was an absolutely fascinating read. Orenstein looks at how predatory marketing influences ideas of gender in North American middle class girls. Just some of the topics she examines are the Disney Princess line ($4 Billion in product sold between 2000 & 2009), Barbie, Hannah Montana, and Twilight. The book is heavy on insightful observations and light on firm recommendations, but I thought she concluded well when she says all these various products are

"...a cog in the round-the-clock, all pervasive media machine aimed at our daughters--and at us--from womb to tomb; one that, again and again, presents femininity as performance,sexuality as performance, identity as performance, and each of those traits as available for a price. It tells girls that how you look is more important than how you feel. more than that, it tells them that how you look is how you feel, as well as who you are."

My daughters are 11 and 14, so we're beyond the princess stage, which they didn't have much use for anyway (and I'll take some of the credit for that). I think Orenstein could have been firmer in stating that adults can refuse to buy into this pink princess culture and be more active in redirecting their children's focus. But other wise, I really enjoyed exploring the princess industry along with her.

Recommended for: anyone who is interested in consumerism and marketing and their influence on culture, and especially their influence on girls. Those looking for a parenting book with lots of tips and pat solutions will probably be disappointed.

Why I Read This Now: it just looked too appealing to let sit on the shelf any longer. I admit that I am rather anti-Disney, so I was hoping that she'd really blast them (which she didn't).

Rating: 4 stars

Excellent review of Cinderella Ate My Daughter. It sounds like a fascinating read! You also got me interested in Roma Tearne.

I've just finished a couple of books - Excellent Women which I wrote a review about - and it came from the Book Depository:)

I've also just finished Coventry by Helen Humphreys . I have not written a review about it yet -but I think it will be a 4 star read. And - she's a Canadian author too.

I was really fortunate that neither of my two sons was hit much by consumerism. Maybe boys are more immune to it - and not targetted as much . But neither cared about fashion labels for clothes, both gave up Nintendo by the age of 15 or so- and neither plays computer games - or seems interested in the fashion du jour.

Mr Bear has missed most of consumerism, EXCEPT Lego. He's a huge fan of the little bricks (and, by extension, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc, but he doesn't want to buy stuff for that, just Lego).

Miss Boo has realised that as a girl, she "should" (according to her schoolmates) be interested in Princesses, et al. But, apart from an adoration of pink, she's really happy playing with Lego (they were having space battles with self-designed space ships yesterday) and playing soccer.

Her schoolmates are much more focused on Disney Princesses, Barbies, Justin Bieber, etc. It all just goes over Miss Boo's head.

Thanks for the heads up, Nickelini! I'll keep my eyes open for Cinderella Ate My Daughter. Such a great title, too!

I think the whole culture marketed toward young girls is a lot more insidious than what is pushed at the boys, so if you can help her avoid it through Lego and soccer, all the power to you! Cinderella Ate My Daughter sounds like an excellent book for you to track down. It's a quick read, too.

32. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

2008

Comments: I loved the strong, intelligent, resourceful protagonist in this story. She was very likable and fun to root for. I also thought the author did a great job of creating a well-thought out dystopian world.

However, there was something about this book that stopped me from loving it as most readers do. At first I thought it was its grimness, but that's not quite it. Maybe I just need a break from dystopian books. Dunno, but whatever it was, right up to the end I kept finding myself checking the page number to see how much more I had to get through.

Why I Read This Now: my book club selection for this month. I don't think I would have kept reading otherwise. I'm surprised that I didn't like this more--I bought it for my daughter a few years ago and told her she'd love it (which she did). When my book club selected this, I was happy to read it. But I would have preferred to read something else. I can't imagine I'll read the sequels. However, I'm excited to see the movie when it comes out!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: if you go by LT ratings, most readers loved this book, so don't listen to me.

I was just reading some of the LT reviews of The Hunger Games and Aleahmarie says "I couldn't really move past the fact that children were butchering each other". This was exactly one of my problems with the book.

Great review of Cinderella Ate My Daughter. It's an interesting subject. I was pretty tom-boyish so I guess I missed most of that. My sister was into girly things - more ballet and dolphins than any particular product - and is interestingly more the tom-boy now. It's been weird for me to see it starting with my neices and husband's godchild. Disturbingly it seems to get pushed much younger - the godchild's favorite show was High School Musical when she was around 5. Seems young to me, but I don't have kids so it's a little harder to tell.

We raised our daughter as gender-neutrally as possible, in a country where Disney is not a big thing, but as soon as she turned threeshe went all girly on us, even choosing a particularly Pepto-Bismol shade of pink for the walls of her room. We went with it and she was over it by six. I may have to read the book as I really don't think its that big a deal.

Lady Chatterly's Lover, DH Lawrence

1928

Comments: I originally read this book in the 1980s, but I thought I'd reread it since it was my book club selection for this month. I hadn't liked it when I read it back then, but I thought it might have improved when viewed through my new English lit major eyes.

The problem I had with the book the first time around was that I found it boring. This was supposed to be such a scandalous, racy book, but after reading Judith Kranz, Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, and my favourite--The Users by Joyce Haber--Lady Chatterly's Lover was pretty tame stuff. And I couldn't wrap my head around the character's world view.

This time I read to page 100 (out of 317). I could have read farther, but honestly, I have so many other books that I really want to read that reading this seems like a waste of time. Yeah, I can appreciate it a bit better, and some of the writing is nice. But other parts are just annoying, and on the whole it's still pretty boring. But I will go on--one day--to read other DH Lawrence (I read a short story of his in uni that I quite liked, so I know he has some potential).

I didn't mind Lady Chatterley's Lover, but I didn't finish it either. (I knew it was going to end badly and I didn't have the energy for that, so I just stopped at a nice happy chapter.) I'd been warned it was nothing scandalous (to our modern minds!) going into it anyhow, so that wasn't a disappointment. I'll try another Lawrence one day.

I am a rabid and vocal Lawrence hater (I can't stand any of his works. None. And I've read all the biggies). You may find all of his novels annoying and boring and a waste of time. I think these adjectives are perfect for describing D.H.

Too bad about The Hunger Games; I can see your point about having a problem with children butchering each other. I'm looking forward to the movie too!

246 - you're too funny!

Island of the Day Before, Umberto Eco

1995

Comments: I abandoned this book at page 108. It wasn't bad, and had it been 250 pages I would have been quite happy to read it. However, it's over 500 pages, and life is just too short. I liked the premise of a man being stuck on boat just offshore of an Edenic island, and there were some very cool bits, but there were just too many pages where my eyes glazed over and I just didn't care. If I didn't have so many other unread books waiting for me, I would have stuck with it. So, if you have time and nothing else to read, you could do worse.

And I just loved, loved, loved the gorgeous blue cover.

Thanks for the great reviews! It sounds as though I may have to read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy after all. So many books, so little time! I will also have to check out Cinderella ate my Daughter. I admit not putting at least some of the impetus on the parents would also irk me more than a little.

Joyce - I'm behind, only on post #236, but wanted to ask you to consider posting your review of Cinderella Ate My Daughter. It's now on my wishlist.

Dchaikin - I'm not sure what you mean . . . do you want me to copy my review on the book's review page? No problem, but can I ask why?

Hm... this has been on my tbr forever, but while I loved both The Name of the Rose and Foucault's Pendulum "something"(?) has always kept me from reading this one and Baudolino which is also sitting on my shelf. I just feel I will like them less.

And Lady Chatterly's Lover has been on hold for almost 20 years now, because I found it terribly boring on my first try and I had problems with the language/ dialect. The latter problem should be resolved by now, so one of these days I'll give it a second chance.

#251 - Yes, that's what I meant. The reason is because I like the review and the excerpt; and I see it as important. I think it would be a review of value to someone who stumbled onto the work page and was curious.

253 - oh, well, in that case, thank you! It's always nice to say something important :-)

252 - I've had both the Island of the Day Before and Baudolino sitting around forever. Maybe I'll try the second one next year, but I totally know what you mean.

Eco's just that way, though. I've read The Name of the Rose and I loved Foucault's Pendulum both times I read it, but he's hard to get started on. I think it's looking at that giant doorstop of a novel that I know will contain huge parts I won't understand, and other parts I'll struggle with and that trumps the parts where I grasp the references and glimpse what's he's trying to do and how exciting that is. Also, I tend to forget how funny he can be.

Maybe I need to bring Baudolino with me on vacation, and not too many other books.

33. The Edible Woman, Margaret Atwood

1969

Comments: According to the blurb on the back cover, this novel is about a woman who “suddenly finds herself identifying with the things being consumed . . .” and who, in reaction, finds herself unable to eat an ever increasing number of foods. I am interested in the handling of eating disorders in literature, even if handled symbolically, as it is here. However, it took until page 175 for this storyline to show up. So the story I found was different from the story I expected. I found it to be a snapshot of the late 1960s—not the Beatles-hippies-Woodstock 60’s, but the vinyl boots-beehive hair-Dean Martin 60s. I chuckled when they put on screw-on earrings. In some ways it seemed like a relic of the past, although much of it was still relevant. I particularly enjoyed chapter 22, in which the main character, Marian, goes to a dinner party hosted by three graduate students. It could have stood as a hilarious short story on its own.

This is Atwood’s debut novel, written when she was in her 20s. It’s not of the high quality of her later novels such as the Robber Bride, Alias Grace or the Blind Assassin, but it’s still pretty good. It’s also one of those books you could reread and see things you didn’t see the first time.

Recommended for: fans of the divine Margaret Atwood, readers interested in 1960s culture.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Why I Read This Now: I started this on holidays--it fit into my travel bag nicely.

Screw-on earrings?

Instead of clip-ons (which often pinched painfully). These ones tightened with little screws that you'd twist and get the tension just right. I remember my mom had some.

edited to add: because I think in the 1960s, only harlots and Italians had pierced ears. If my mom was still alive I'd phone and verify that, but it seemed from my view point as a child, pierced ears were considered . . . edgy and certainly not something a lady would do. When I came home and said my Italian friend's mom had pierced ears, my mom told me that that was okay because it's what "they" did.

259 - Ah, I was unaware of those. I have a pair of pierced-ear earrings that the backs screw on, and that's what I had imagined originally.

43. On the Outside Looking Indian: How My Second Childhood Saved My Life, Rupinder Gill

2011

Comments: This is the memoir of a 30-something woman who takes a year out of her life to catch up on all the things she missed while growing up as the child of Indian Immigrants in Toronto. Things such as learning to swim, having sleep overs, and visiting Disney. Although it was a light read, she still had some meaningful things to say . . . and on that note, I'm not going to say too much because I'm going to review it for a future issue of Belletrista.

44. Party of One: the Loner's Manifesto, by Anneli Rufus

2003, non-fiction

Rating 1 out of 5 stars

Comments: On LibraryThing, 45 people have rated this book 5 stars and only two have rated it 1 star; on Amazon.ca, it's 31 five stars and five 1 stars. Obviously this book speaks to some people--I just wasn't one of them.

I've long been comfortable with being introverted--all that means is that I need regular quiet time on my own in order to recharge my batteries (as opposed to extroverts who recharge by socializing). While I don't like the limelight (despite being born under the sign of Leo--so much for the credibility of the Zodiac), I'm not shy and get along with anyone I want to get along with. I do find it excruciating to be around people who only discuss trivial things, so I limit my exposure to such people. I don't feel the least bit unhappy with being this way.

Party of One, however, is written by a very unhappy woman who assumes that anyone else with these tendencies is also unhappy. I can't remember when I last read such a bitter, defensive book. I disliked her tone from the first page of the introduction, and it never improved. I'm still not sure why I made myself finish this one.

Even by readers who didn't love the book, Rufus is often lauded for her elegant writing. I couldn't disagree more. As I read along and realized the book wasn't going to improve, I started analyzing her writing. Looking at the way she constructed her sentences and paragraphs, I could see why I was unhappy. It wasn't just what she said or didn't say, it was also the way she said it. One example: In chapter 10 "Jesus, Mary, and Jennifer Lopez (Religion)", Rufus surveys loners in various world religions. When she gets to Hinduism, it takes her well into the fifth paragraph before she used the word "Hindu." Now, yes, I could figure out what she was talking about, but isn't a writer supposed to state the topic, um, like right up front? Oh, and by the way, this very long chapter had nothing to do with Jennifer Lopez. I have no idea why she was mentioned in the title.

There WAS one chapter I actually liked--chapter 12 "The L-word," which was about crime. An interesting look at how famous criminals (Mark David Chapman, the Uni-Bomber, Timothy McVae, etc and so on) were not loners at all. She theorizes how the label makes people feel safe. Definitely interesting and thought-provoking.

Why I Read This Now: I started reading this back in February, I believe, and it was just so blah that I didn't stick with it. Can no longer remember why I picked it up in the first place (although I think the topic of introversion and personality is one that I'm always interested in).

Recommended for: going by all the rave reviews, I think a lot of people would like this. It may be good for outgoing types who don't "get" introverts. I would think that the subject audience would have enough self-awareness to be comfortable with themselves and have no need for the book. But perhaps I just don't understand.

As someone pretty darned far over on the introvert end of the social spectrum myself, I have to more or less agree with you about Party of One. I didn't dislike it as much as you did -- apparently I gave it a three star "eh, it was sort of okay" rating -- but I did find it disappointing and occasionally problematical. She may have had some relevant and valid things to say, but she kept making these blanket (and often quite defensive and self-aggrandizing) statements about what all loners are like that just aren't universally true and certainly were not true of me. I'm still waiting for a book on the topic that captures my own experience.

#262 Hmm, I will definitely pass on Party of One. Sounds arrogant and presumptuous - but then I am also an introvert, and a Leo (hehe), and perfectly content with being so.

Always nice to know there are books I can just ignore ...

I have it, probably because of one of those people who rated it five stars. I even know where it is, so I thought I might read it sooner rather than later. Now I'm wondering whether it might be later rather than sooner. Thank you for the warning.

Robert

Yes, I will pass on the Party of One as well. Thanks for the warning!

36. The Master, Colm Toibin

2004

Rating: 4 stars

Comments: I enjoyed this fictionalized biography of Henry James immensely. Although the author focuses on James's life during the last five years of the 19th century, the book meanders back in time through his earlier years.

The James family and the people they knew were a fascinating group, so Toibin had a lot of great material to work with. It's interesting to see how James used them and their experiences in his novels. I particularly liked Lady Wolseley, who is character right out of Jane Austen. I also loved the whole section about the drunken servants.

But my favourite part was when his brother criticizes his writing: "Harry, I find I have to read innumerable sentences you now write twice over to see what they could possibly mean." You too, huh! If the eminent William James has trouble unpacking Henry James's sentences, how do I have any hope? No wonder my editions of The Ambassadors and Wings of the Dove are collecting dust. (One day I'll have the time and courage to tackle them).

edited to say: I've now added James's home, Lamb House, to my list of must-see sites for my next trip to England.

Recommended for: Well, obviously fans of Henry James, but also anyone who is interested in life amongst the educated and wealthy in 19th century.

Why I Read This Now: I've owned it for a few years and it's really been calling to me since I started reading more Henry James. Also, it's on the 1001 books list and it was nominated for the Booker Prize.

The first short story in The Empty Family is about a woman at a dinner party attended by Henry James. It certainly made me think that The Master would be a great deal more enjoyable to read than I had anticipated. I, too, have owned a copy for a few years now, and really should read it soon. Thanks for the push.

I've had a copy of The Master for a couple years now, too, plus I'm a huge Henry James fan, so I should just read it already. Your review pushed it to the top of the TBR - thanks!

I loved The Master, but had never read any Henry James before. It inspired me to read A Portrait of a Lady, which I also loved.

#271 - what made you pick up The Master if you weren't already a Henry James fan? (and I too loved Portrait of a Lady).

I just bought The Master a few weeks ago, not because I like Henry James (I've never read him), but because I like Toibin. I'm going to try to read it this summer.

>271 lauralkeet:: I had to go back through my records to answer your question! The Master is on the 1001 list and when I read it last year I was taking part in a '1001' reading challenge. But there must have been something that made this book stand out from others on the list, and I vaguely remember someone on LT enjoying it, and they were quite a fan of Toibin as well.

Ah, yes, Toibin--the author. That would be a good reason, wouldn't it! Cait - you must read some Henry James! He's quite wonderful.

37. Daisy Miller, Henry James

1878

Rating: 5 stars -- I can see why this book is studied in English lit classes.

Why I Read This Now: I couldn't just walk away from The Master without reading some James, and Daisy Miller was the perfect dessert.

Comments: I can see why this novella is one of James's biggest hits--it's short, but packs a punch. An early work, it's very accessible and free from the notorious impenetrable Jamesian prose. And the symbolism is fun and not abstruse. I think this is one of those books that makes a good reread, because interpretations can change ...is Winterbourne a reliable narrator? What is his agenda? ....and so on ..... and because it's short, it's an easy reread.

Recommended for: if you haven't read Henry James, and want to, this is a perfect introduction. A must-read for anyone who likes 19th century literature.

I'd like to read that one someday.

You should--and it shouldn't be too big a deal to fit it in sometime. It's only 64 pages.

I downloaded Daisy Miller to my Kindle this morning, it's time to read some Henry James again!

>278 Nickelini:: oh my, I had no idea! I just bought it for my Kindle (free!), and will download it next time I connect. When will I read it? That's another question entirely but it's good to know it's a short one.

>280 lauralkeet: I'll also read the free version on my Kindle. Thanks, Joyce!

After your review I had put it on my wishlist for the old-fashioned version, but apparently I must go get the free version for my kindle on my ipad.

What everybody else said...

OK, I'm downloading Daisy Miller for my Kindle as well - I'll give James a go!

Joyce, I hope you don't mind my doing a drive-by on your thread to thank you (I'm not sure that's actually the proper word for what I feel, but it'll do) for adding so substantially to my wishlist with your reviews!

It's worth noting that there are two versions of Daisy Miller - the original and the 1909 revised edition. Both are available online but the former is generally regarded as the better version - more immediate, less Jamesian. (There is also his theatre adaptation complete with different ending).

286 - Yes! I read the Penguin Classics edition, which was the original. The editor, David Lodge, discusses this in great length. My review was definitely for the earlier one--I read parts of James's "improved" edition and found it unnecessarily dense. Also, the Penguin edition had a fabulous introduction (almost as long as the novella itself).

Is this book commonly studied in US schools?

>287 Nickelini:: Is this book commonly studied in US schools? Not if our local public school is any indication.

>287 Nickelini: - and David Lodge released a novel about Henry James, Author, Author the same year as Toibin. He then wrote another book, The Year of Henry James, that includes a long essay on that subject - there was a third writer whose novel about James was rejected because of Toibin and Lodge - incidentally this book also includes his Penguin introduction to Daisy Miller.

Jargoneer - interesting! I didn't know that. And I feel sorry for that third writer :-(

Off to look up David Lodge books ....

Way back in post 116 I mentioned that I read Living, Loving, and Lying Awake at Night for Belletrista. The review is now up at: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue12/anth_10.php

I reviewed Nomad back at post 162 and expanded it at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue12/reviews_6.php

Hubby is a big David Lodge fan, will have to ask him if he has read Author, Author. I should also note that JCO wrote a story about Henry James in her Wild Nights!:Stories About the Last Days of Poe, Dickinson, Twain, James, and Hemingway. These are wild stories, a bit tongue in cheek. She has the elderly James offering to volunteer at a local hospital during WWI. It's clear he's not up for such a messy job. He becomes obsessed with one of the soldiers there, falls in love with him. Pretty funny to picture an emotionally out of control Henry James:-) I'd have to dig the volume out again, but it seems it was written in his style (but don't take my word on that yet).

>292 avaland: - perhaps you could also ask him if he's come across this story (I remember reading it years ago in Asimovs but can't remember the writer or title) - Henry and William James track down Robert Ford in order to avenge the death of Jesse James.

#292 - Lois - so funny you mentioned that book--I saw it later that day at the library (couldn't take it out though as it was in a town where I don't have borrowing rights). I wouldn't have noticed it had you not pointed it out. Going to add that one to the wish list.

>292 avaland: Will check!
>292 avaland:, 294 She does like to play with our cultural icons and myths.

Hi Joyce! You've got me so intrigued with Roma Tearne that I ordered Mosquito from the Book Depository. I can't believe that my library does not carry anything by Roma Tearne. I'm looking forward to getting it -and Brixton Beach sounds interesting too. I'll order that maybe a little later - my TBR pile is rather large!;)

Deb - you can always get them through interlibrary loan--I know my library has some (if not all) of her books. Although actually buying the book helps support the author, so that's good too. I've also seen her books at Chapters and Coles, but of course they're not there the day you want to buy them, are they! Hope you like Mosquito--so far that one has been a hit with everyone I've given it to.

Thanks for the reviews, especially that of The Edible Woman as it is buried in my TBR pile right now (thoroughly... the pile is officially out of hand!). I actually have a few pairs of screw on earrings that were my grandmothers :)
On the Outside Looking Indian also sounds like a great book, I think I may have to add that one to my wishlist :)

Thought I'd let you know that I'm about 70 pages into Lullabies for Criminals. It's my second Orange July read. Wonderful read so far!!

38. Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes, Sharon Lamb & Lyn Mikel Brown

2006, non-fiction

Rating: 4.5 stars

Comments:

From the preface: "we've been told our world empowers girls by offering them anyting they want, including infinite sights and endless ports of call. In reality, it's a world designed by media and marketing executives that targets children as consumers, channels girls' desires, and entices them into predictable types: 'pretty pink dolls,' 'cute little shoppers,' and 'hott teens'."

Packaging Girlhood covers the influences on girls from roughly ages 3 through 17. The chapters cover shopping (the products available and how they are marketed), TV and film, music, books and extra-curricular activities. The final chapter gives sample conversations for parents when discussing culture with their daughters.

Although I was familiar with a lot of the authors' concerns, and they did repeat themselves quite a bit, I found this to be an extremely interesting and inspiring read. I think what made this book different from others that I've read on this topic is that there was always a psychological POV involved (including what it is about these products that appeals to the girls, but also the psychology of the marketers and of parents). I especially enjoyed the chapter on books, and the literary critique from a psychological approach.

I borrowed this book from the library, but I am ordering my own copy to keep as a reference.

Why I Read This Now: After reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter last month, the topic of predatory marketing and media influence was still heavy on my mind, so when I learned about this book, I just had to read it. Sharon Lamb is a clinical psychologist and Lyn Mikel Brown is a professor of education and human development; in writing this book they did extensive research and conducted hundreds of hours of interviews. While both books cover the same topic and share the same concerns, they are actually two very different books.

Recommended for: obviously the parents of girls, but also anyone who works with girls, and anyone interested in cultural studies or consumerism. The authors have also written Packaging Boyhood: Saving Our Sons from Superheroes, Slackers, and Other Media Stereotypes.

Marketing from the cradle to the grave, even on the covers of the books we read. Interesting review of Packaging Girlhood. Enjoying your thread

Good stuff Joyce...well, sad but I mean i'm glad to find out about the book.

My wife and I had weird discovery lately - we can find a ton of books on young boys (under about 7), but found very few books on young girls. There are tons of books on tween and teenage girls.

302 - Daniel -- interesting! I know I read several good books on parenting girls back in the late 90s. Can't remember the titles now, but two good ones I have in my library are Everyday Ways to Raise Smart, Strong, Confident Girls by Barbara Littman, and See Jane Win by Sylvia Rim. Haven't read them since my now-14.5 year old was small, so I'm not sure how they hold up.

Those are good recommendations regardless, but...it doesn't sound like they cover 7-yr-olds much. :( They're both on my wishlist now.

Excellent review, Joyce. I'll let my close friends who have young girls know about this book.

39. One Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia Marquez

1967

Comments: I liked this book but didn't love it. My favourite thing was the magical realism; my least favourite was the paragraphs that went on for pages.

Why I Read This Now: it's been on my TBR pile for years and it was time to get it out.

Recommended to: readers who liked Midnight's Children, by Salman Rushdie because I found the books similar in so many ways. Also, because it's on all the lists of best books of the 20th century, I recommended to people who want to read off those lists.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I agree with you about the similarity to Midnight's Children. And One Hundred Years of Solitude was the book that taught me I don't care so much for magical realism !

40. Some Country Houses and Their Owners, James Lees-Milne

One of the Penguin English Journeys series, 2009

Comments: I had a wonderful time reading this book. At only 133 pages, one could easily read it in an hour or so. But I took much longer because I had to look up each property on the internet and then mark it in my giant UK road atlas, just in case I'm in the neighbourhood sometime (don't want to miss anything!). Looking up the properties was highly rewarding, because I saw that most (although not all) of these "houses" were not what you and I call houses. Unless of course your house is situated on thousands of acres and has hundreds of rooms.

There are three sections to the book: the introduction by Michael Bloch, and then Part One: Houses Now Owned by the National Trust, and Part Two: Houses Which Escaped the National Trust. In the intro, he explains how the National Trust is a private charity and has never been part of the government. Silly me--I had it confused with English Heritage, which is part of the government and owns properties such as Stonehenge. Anyway, when the National Trust "was founded in the 1890s, its main object was to acquire land in order to preserve and give public access to gems of the English landscape which were under threat from the expansion of suburbia. However, by the 1930s it recognized that equally in need of preservation were the many beautiful country houses . . . Thanks to a long agricultural depression, the deaths of heirs in the First World War, and the vastly increased taxation of incomes and estates, most of their traditional owners, if they had not already abandoned them, looked as if they would be unable to continue living in them for much longer." James Lees-Milne's job was to visit these properties and arrange for their transfer to the National Trust. Entries are listed in alphabetical order by property name (which is handy for easy reference) and are made up of Lees-Milne's diary entries from his visits.

These diary entries are interesting, enlightening and often quite wry (especially if you find eccentric British aristocrats funny, as I do). Sometimes the entries are sad. Whatever the mood, he has a sharp eye for observing character and a gift for assessing the properties and their contents. It's also a bit of an elegy for a lost way of life and class of people (some people would say this loss is the world's gain, but we won't go there now).

Rating: 5 stars, when combined with looking up pictures on the internet. A picture book comprising this text and pictures of the houses and their owners would be fabulous. If I ever become a book publisher . . .

Recommended for: This is a must read for all Anglophiles, and a fun quick read for anyone planning on visiting an English country estate or two. Also great for anyone interested in English history.

Why I Read This Now: This was one of a handful of Penguin English Journeys that I rec'd from the Book Depository yesterday, and I just couldn't resist it.

Sounds like a lovely book and interesting book, Joyce! What else did you get from The Book Depository, if I may ask? I got Mosquito by Roma Tearne, as I think that I mentioned to you, as well as A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore. A Spell of Winter was the first Orange winner, so I am keen to read it. First though, I have Where White Horses Gallop to read next. Lit Chick here on LTR has been very keen on it for quite a while - so I've got it out of the library and ready to go next.

Deb - I ordered a bunch of books from the Penguin English Journeys series ( http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/pubsetpages/englishjourneys/index.html). I now have nine. I probably won't collect the whole set of twenty, but there area few more I have my eye on.

I also collect Penguin Classics editions of Henry James and they had a few for sale at a very good price, so I bought Washington Square (which I've already read), The Aspern Papers, and The Bostonians.

And just for fun, I also bought It's a Jungle Out There: the Feminist Survival Guide to Politically Inhospitable Environments, by Amanda Marcotte. So far Nina's taken over that one and I haven't had much of a chance to get to it! It's a good fit for her though--she goes to a Catholic school, and she likes to challenge her teachers whenever she encounters sexism (that sounds harsher than the reality--her teachers tell me they love both her spirit and her intelligent questions).

I took a course on English Country Houses in London a number of years ago- the book in#308 sounds like one that I should find!

41. Please Look After Mom, Kyung-sook Shin (translated from Korean)

2011

Comments: This novel sold over a million copies in South Korea before being translated into 19 languages. It is the story about a family grappling with the disappearance of their elderly mother.

Readers have widely praised this book, however, I can't join them as I quite disliked it! I found it didactic and manipulative. I will be writing a review for the next issue of www.Belletrista.com, and I promise to be fair, but honest.

I can't wait to read your review in Belletrista, Joyce. I have that book sitting on my TBR shelf -and I've had all sorts of other books that have grabbed me , so I 've been waiting to here what you had to say about Please Look After Mom. I too have understood that the book has been widely praised but I've yet to read it. Thanks to you - I can safely nudge it back for now!

I've looked at Please Look after Mom in bookstores, but haven't felt sufficiently interested to buy it. Now I'm glad I haven't!

Just catching up. I especially enjoyed your review of Packaging Girlhood and am going to keep my eyes open for a copy!

BCTea - I got my copy from the library, so you should be able to get it too, at least through interlibrary loan (they do all over BC).

42. Cannery Row, John Steinbeck

1945

Rating: 5 stars

Comments: I read Steinbeck in grade 9 (Of Mice and Men) and in my early 20s (East of Eden), and I remember liking him, but with so many wonderful books out there, reading more of his work wasn't a priority. But then all of a sudden I was going to California, and I always like to read something set in the place I'm visiting, so he popped back on to my reading list. I had heard that Cannery Row isn't as depressing as some of his other texts, so I thought it might a good one. Never mind that mid-20th century American writers who focus on the great unwashed hold little appeal to me--I couldn't find anything else that said "California" in quite the right way.

From the beginning I loved this . . . . It's a simple story set in the fringes of a small town where no one has heard that the Great Depression is over. The characters are misfits, drop outs and a few working people just trying to get by. The story centers around their attempt to throw a party, but there are all sorts of things going on. The story was interesting enough, but I was just in awe of Steinbeck's craft. He's so elegant and human, all at the same time (if that makes any sense at all). And it's full of rich, loamy humour. It's a rare treat to find a book that is both literary and funny. This book was just a wonderful delight. Sure to go down in my top 5 of 2011.

Recommended for: Everyone. I say that because I have almost zero interest in reading mid-20th century American writers who focus on the great unwashed, so if I loved it, it must really be fabulous.

Why I Read This Now: Although I didn't get to Cannery Row, Monterey or even Salinas, I did get within 50 miles, so that's close enough to make this pertinent.

Black Dahlia, James Ellroy

1987

Why I Read This Now:, or why I tried to read this now . . . it was the novel I took along for the Los Angeles section of my California vacation. It's set there, and is a 1001 list book that's on my bookcase.

Comments: Chucked it (literally, right onto my brother's bookshelf) at page 17. I could have made myself read it, and I probably would have appreciated or even liked it at some level. But life is just too short. Testosterone-fueled boxing cops just hold no interest for me whatsoever. I don't like to abandon books I paid money for, or 1001 books, and this one was both, but there are just too many wonderful books calling my name. This one didn't come home with me.

43. A Child Called "It", Dave Pelzer

1995

Why I Read This Now: I'm kinda of embarrassed to admit I even read this book. But it was on the bookcase in the guest room at my brother's house in California, and one night I picked it up and didn't put it down until I finished it (an hour and a half later). And it is set in California, so it fit my theme ...

Comments: This is the memoir written by a survivor of horrific child abuse (apparently his case was one of the 10 worst in California history or something. I don't have the book to confirm the exact ranking, and they didn't say exactly who deemed it such). His whole family was pretty nasty, but his mother in particular controlled the sadistic situation. All sorts of terrible events are described in great detail.

It's not that I don't believe that he was abused (I had to Google this after I finished, and there is some question. And no website pointed to anything official that said his was the "Xth worst case ever uncovered in California."). I do think he most probably was. However. There are huge gaps in the story, and lots of questions. Why was the mother normal and loving to him in his early years? Why did she single him out from the others? Pelzer gives no insight to any motivations, or possible motivations, of his parents. Something felt off or wrong about this. Perhaps it was all the graphic detail with no underlying analysis or commentary. It felt like a cliched, cheap, voyeuristic read.

Recommended for: I guess for anyone who'd really, really interested in child abuse. However, I think there is probably a library's worth of better material available.

Rating: 2 stars (I'd give it one, but it held my interest, so I'll be generous with two).

Added Cannery Row to my wish list/mount tar. Can't believe I haven't read it yet, but thanks to you I will. The other two I will leave off... Glad you had a great trip.

Great review of Cannery Row, which I've added to my wish list. I'll pass on A Child Called "It", though.

Thanks for wonderful review of Cannery Row, Joyce. It's definitely one I'll read. I like Steinbeck. I reread East of Eden a couple of years ago and found it so much richer than my first-time read - one of the benefits of aging is my increased appreciation of fine literature : ).

I read A Child Called It years ago, when I also read a lot of Oprah Book Club books (was this one? possibly). I've become much more discerning since ...

I have a couple short Steinbecks on my shelves that I think I'll read next month: Tortilla Flat and The Pearl. I'll have to get to Cannery Row one of these days.

Looking forward to what you think of Tortilla Flat and The Pearl. Make sure you post your comments, please!

Will do!

44. How to Build, Maintain and Use a Compost System, Kelly Smith

2011, non-fiction

Recommended for: If you think you want to start composting, but feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, this book is for you. This book is also for you if you already compost, but you’re wondering if you’re doing it right, or if there is anything else you should be doing.

Comments: I fall into the second group—I grew up in a household where we composted, and I’ve always composted since I’ve had my own house. But I’m a rather lazy composter, and for the most part I just dump my fruit and vegetable scraps and yard waste into the bins. Every year or so I dig out what I’ve made, and I have to admit I find it rather mesmerizing to dig through the pile. With Kelly Smith’s help, I’ve learned why some of my composting techniques didn’t work so well and others turned out great. And I now know that I have to give the pile a big stir every now and again. I also really enjoyed the information on worms.

Lots of clear information, step-by-step guides for those starting out, and an extensive trouble-shooting section. The book has both a very helpful table of contents and an index. This would make a great housewarming gift for a first-time home buyer.

Why I Read This Now: the author is an internet friend and asked me to read and review her book.

Rating: 4 stars

James Ellroy is pretty much unreadable. He's so fascinated with his own ability to produce testosterone that there's no room for the writing. He did write a fascinating non-fiction account of his search for who his mother was and what happened to her (she was murdered and he suspects a serial killer). It had a raw and uncomfortable honesty about it.

#327 - Ridgeway . . . .Yes - just because these people talk doesn't mean I have to listen!

45. The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon

1965

Comments: Woman goes on a quest and gets sidetracked by bizarre male characters and strange situations. That's about it.

People seem to either loathe this book, or love it. I can see both sides, so I put myself right in the middle. It reminded me a lot of Bend Sinister by Nabokov, a book that I thought was pretentious drivel the first time I read it but changed my mind and loved the second time. Pynchon makes references to Nabokov in The Crying of Lot 49, so there is clearly a connection between the two.

Other than its general weirdness, I think a lot of readers hate this book because there are too many esoteric and obscure cultural references. I didn't worry about that too much and just let the art wash over me. I thought the spoofs that I did understand were pretty clever and fun, so I liked that.

I'm happy the book was short (161 pages). I know Pynchon's other books are huge, and I won't be bringing them into the house. I can say I've read him and move on to other authors.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: people who like seriously strange books.

Why I Read This Now: it was a 1001 book from my TBR that is set in California (so I took it along on my vacation).

Yes, The Crying of Lot 49 was strange. Very strange. But it's stuck with me quite a bit (although a lot of what stuck is just puzzlement ;).

I hated it.

I read The Crying of Lot 49 more than 40 years ago, as a teenager. I remember nothing about it, but I do know I read more Pynchon after that, but maybe more because it was supposed to be cool than because I liked it!

I have a copy on my TBR. I'll keep it in mind for when I'm in the mood for something odd.

I hated it too.

326 - Ooh, anything about rooftop composting. I'm trying to convince my husband to let me get a bin for our terrace.

#335 - Yep, even indoor composting!

Hi Joyce! Yes, I know what you mean about too many books and too little time. For some reason, Barbara Pym caught my eye, and I simply had to read one of her books! You know how that is. I try to cull my TBR list every now and then. I figure if I've not gotten around to reading a book on my TBR list after a year -I must not be that interested in reading it...It's a challenge, I know!

Composting. Good for you!

46. Portrait in Sepia, Isabel Allende

2001

Comments: a solid novel of historical fiction, set in late-19th century San Francisco and Chile. A family saga with interesting characters and some lovely descriptions of the Chilean countryside--Allende always gets me dreaming of traveling to South America. For readers who shy away from Allende because her masterpiece House of the Spirits is considered magic realism, relax--despite the plethora of misapplied tags here at LT, there is zero magic realism in this novel.

Why I Read This Now: it was my big book for August. Although it's not lengthy, my hardcover was physically heavy and I'd avoided picking it up for years. Allende also writes in very long chunks (no chapters, two-page paragraphs), which makes a book feel very long.

Recommended for: lovers of historical fiction.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I try to cull my TBR list every now and then. I figure if I've not gotten around to reading a book on my TBR list after a year -I must not be that interested in reading it..

Yikes! I could never do that--I have almost 600 books waiting in my TBR. Sometimes I enjoy just the fact that I own them. Every year I make myself pull out a few of the older ones and read them, and I've found some absolute gems that way. Books that I thought "I'll read this and then finally get it out of my house," and then I read it and think "I love this book and will keep it forever!" And no, I'm not a hoarder--I get rid of more than half the books I read. But I'd never just give away my TBR pile! I've had too much fun tending it (it's like a garden).

I look at my TBR less like shoes or sports equipment and more like a wine cellar. And like you, I've often pulled out a book picked up years ago and discovered something wonderful. While I admire your relentless will-power and tidy shelves, vancouverdeb, I know that I like having a variety of books around me. Also, I would forever be buying new copies of the books I'd gotten rid of the year before.

Gosh yes, the number of times I've kicked myself for weeding a book out of Mt TBR and into the charity box only to want to read it a year or two later!! Shocking. And very, very annoying.

Rule number One: never throw out a book before reading it.

Actually I am more of a hoarder than anything else. Discipline and tidy shelves- not at my place!:)

But I do go through my wishlist and TBR lists here on LT and cull them. I physically cull my books about twice a year. Everyone, you are correct - sometimes I have to purchase a book a second time... and sometimes I simply lose them in the jumble of my shelves.

Anyway, Joyce, I just stopped by to say hi and let you know I'm enjoying by Booker ShortList read. I don't plan to read them all by any means, but currently I am readingPigeon English and I have to say that at a certain level I am very much reminded of Lullabies for Little Criminals which you recommended and I so enjoyed. Pigeon English is a bit of heartbreaker for me.

I'm not particularly interested in the Booker nominees this year, but Pigeon English does sound like something I might like. I'll keep it in mind . . .

47. The Boy With the Cuckoo-Clock Heart, Mathias Malzieu

2009, translated from the French



This is one of my favourite book covers this year.

Comments: I was charmed by this little steampunk* fairytale. There is some really beautiful writing, and also many original metaphors. The boy of the title has the said cuckoo-clock heart because he was born on the coldest day ever and his heart froze. To keep him alive, the mid-wife mad scientist fashioned him a heart from a cuckoo-clock.

What didn't work so well for me was the story itself. The book follows a trope that I find too annoyingly common in European films and novels. It's the one where the male protagonist falls life-changingly in love with a female that he observes, but doesn't actually know. The rest of the story is about the male trying to capture the female. Little to nothing is revealed about the female except the external charms that have attacked the male character. I don't watch a lot of foreign language films, but I've seen this cliche in too many of them not to roll my eyes at the thought of it. (Other than this storyline flaw, the rest of the book is not sexist. There are several important female characters who do things other than look pretty and serve men).

The author is a French pop star, and also made a song and video for the book. It looks like he was influenced by Tim Burton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IuQRrPYzIw&list=FLWd7UeV-rb5aAUSlHJADNJA&amp...

*steampunk - a quasi-Victorian world with anachronistic details, especially around technology.

Recommended for: people who like adult fairy tales and fans of steampunk fiction. Someone on the review page pointed out that this was very similar to Edward Scissorhands and although I don't quite agree, I do see some similarities.

Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

48. The Testament of Jessie Lamb, Jane Rogers

2011

Comments: Really, rather than read my review, I suggest you go to the work's page and read the one written by Avaland. She said everything I want to say, but says it better.

If you're still here, I'll add:

Set in England in the near future, the major change in the world is that everyone is now living with a MDS (Maternal Death Syndrome). This disease, which is a result of bio-terrorism, is harmless to its hosts unless they are female and pregnant. In that case, the victim and baby suffer a horrific death. And hence, the future of all humans on the planet is in jeopardy.

Enter our hero, Jessie Lamb. Jessie is a teenage girl who wants to get involved with making the world a better place, but doesn't quite know how to go about it. And I'll leave the rest of the story up to you to discover what it is she does . . .

I found this a compelling read. Had I had the luxury, I would have read it in one sitting. I have to say that I preferred the build up of the story to the resolution. Once I figured out Jessie's plan, I wasn't as invested in the book. Part of that is because I disagreed with her choices. The ambiguity of her motivation, however, is very interesting.

When I started reading the Testament of Jessie Lamb, I thought it seemed like something Margaret Atwood would come up with, and then someone mentioned that it reminded them of Never Let Me Go. So a bit of a combination of the two. Though the world Jane Rogers creates is probably simplistic in a scientific sense, in a literary one it's complete and feels authentic. Outside of the author's control but adding to the authenticity for me, were all the scenes of English youth rioting (although the ones in this book at least had a reason).

Recommended for: I think this could appeal to a broad audience.

Why I Read This Now: I received this as a gift a few months ago, and because I am a little tired of dystopian fiction, I put it aside. However, because it made the Booker Prize long list, I thought it would be fun to read it before the short list announcement. Glad I did, because it was an enjoyable read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

I've been meaning to find a copy of The Testament of Jessie Lamb, it does sound interesting! Reminding me a bit of Children of Men, in that no children are being born (but with less death).

btw, love the "mid-wife mad scientist" from #47. That cracked me up. :)

Nice review of The Testament of Jessie Lamb, Joyce. I bought it this week, and will get to it later this month.

Great review of The Testament of Jessie Lamb.It's one I don't expect to read anytime soon - so I'm glad you could give me a good idea of what it is about. I'm so excited... I won my first ER book , Remembering the Music, Forgetting the Words: Travels with Mom in the Land of Dementia by Kate Whouley. It looks like a great fit for me with the books that I enjoy. I'm been quite excited about it. Thanks again for inviting me here!

49. It's a Jungle Out There: the Feminist Survival Guide to Politically Inhospitable Environments, Amanda Marcotte

2007

Comments: Not being a teen or twenty-something woman living in the United States, I am not the target audience for this book. I guess all of my criticisms of the book come out of that.

Overall, the book was a fun look at all the nonsense spewed out toward those who believe in the radical idea that women are people. Some of Marcotte's ideas were sound, many of them quite humorous, but she often tended toward the sarcastic and in your face approach. As someone who has always tended to be rather sarcastic myself, I have learned as I mature that it's not the best approach for winning people over to your point of view. I was hoping for a little more nuanced approach. I was also most interested in combating the more subtle forms of sexism--the "women have already achieved equality," the "I've never suffered from sexism," the "I'm not a feminist because you can't stick a label on me" crowd.

Still, between some over-the-top comments, and areas that don't influence my world (I don't exactly have to contend with purity balls or the Quiverfull movement), there are some real gems. Although I don't agree with everything Marcotte espouses, there is a lot of good information in this very readable book.

This was one of my favourite bits, maybe because I've longed to do something similar for years. It's under the chapter "Pranks to Pull on Anti-choicers" :
Get dressed in a suit or some other business wear and show up at an abortion clinic protest with a clipboard. Explain to people that you're from the Children's Bureau and you're here to sign all the volunteers up to adopt babies. Make it very clear that since there's already a waiting list for healthy white infants, they're going on the other adoption waiting list, for babies who aren't so easily snatched up by adoptive parents. Be chirpy about it: "the good news is that you won't have to wait for your new baby like the people on the other waiting list!" If people decline to sign, act genuinely confused. "But the Bureau told me you were here to convince women not to have abortions. What other reason would you have for getting into someone else's private business, if not because you want the babies?" If they continue to decline, pull out another clipboard and start filling our a receipt. "Well, we do have a backup plan for the care and feeding of the babies you insist should be born but don't want to raise yourself. How much should I put you down for? Before college tuition, raising one child for eighteen years will probably come in at $250,000. We'll also need to pay the mother for her time and pay the state for handling the baby, so tack on another $50,000. Will that be check or charge?" Aaahh.

Why I Read This Now: I recently read an excellent essay by the author and was interested in what else she had to say.

Recommended for: the target audience---teen and twenty somethings living in the US. Others can get something out of it too, though.

edited to add: the intent of this book is to help young women stand up for themselves, rather than to open anyone's eyes to their possible latent feminism.

Rating: if I were in the intended audience I'd rate this book higher, but for me it was a 3.5 star read.

50. The Swimmer, Roma Tearne

2010

Comments: I can't get too far in describing this book without getting into spoiler territory, so all I'm going to say is that it's about a 43 year old English woman who lives a fairly isolated life in Suffolk, a young Sri Lankan refugee, the refugee's mother and some racist Brits. There is a great deal of sadness and tragedy in the book, but the ending is somewhat hopeful.

This is the fourth Roma Tearne book I've read, and the author's latest. I can see her evolution as a writer. This book is quite different from her others, in most part because it focuses on English characters and England rather than Sri Lankans and Sri Lanka. She did some interesting things in the novel, and as always, uses beautiful poetic language and original imagery.

However, I didn't like this one as much as her earlier books. Parts of the story were a little unbelievable, and the grief and anger suffered by some of the characters was overblown (not that it was unjustified, it's just that she belabored the point). Also, the novel was told in three character's points of view, and I found the transition between these characters to be overly abrupt. I can see why she used this technique, but I think it needed work to make it less jarring.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Why I Read This Now: because Tearne is one of my favourite contemporary writers.

Recommended for: This was a decent, readable story--enough so that it was nominated for the Orange Prize. If you haven't read Tearne yet, I suggest you start with Mosquito, which is still my favourite of hers.

Nice review of The Swimmer, Joyce. As you know, I didn't like it, especially in comparison to Brixton Beach, the novel she wrote just before this one. I'll probably read Mosquito and/or Bone China later this year.

I love the idea of a book chapter devoted to Pranks to Pull on Anti-choicers. :)

Every now and again I check in on Amanda Marcotte's blog, which I usually find entertaining (not always). I've been meaning to read her book - great review! Now I know what I'm getting into.

>347 Nickelini: Glad you finally got to Jessie Lamb. Astute comments as always. I'd love to hear what your oldest daughter would have to say about it. I thought it a very good read, not the kind of story that the Booker awards for, so I didn't hold out much hope there. You might like her Mr. Wroe's Virgins - creepy religion is involved! (book is better than the movie, of course).

>348 wookiebender: Yes, I thought of The Children of Men also.

post #312 - Please Look After Mom. My review has now been published at Belletrista: http://www.belletrista.com/2011/Issue%2013/reviews_15.php

I don't think it's any secret that I disliked this book. I tried to write a kind and thoughtful review, rather than the scathing treatment I would have given it for the LT audience ;--)

51. This Will Kill You: A Guide to the Ways in Which We Go, HP Newquist & Rich Maloof

2009, non-fiction

Comments: This book has been sitting around my house all summer, and all four of us pick it up and read an entry when we're in the mood. We've all enjoyed it very much, and it's led to all sorts of interesting discussions.

The book is structured in 76 alphabetical entries on ways we can die, from "Alligators" to "Working in a Coal Mine." Each entry covers a couple of paragraphs on "How it Kills," then "Known by Science as," (for example, a bullet wound is "deadly force; projective wounding"), "Medical Cause of Death," (using the bullet wound example again, "depends on where the bullet hits, but blood loss, brain death, cardiac arrest and organ failure are all potential candidates"), "Time to Kill," "Highest Risk" (for bullet wounds, "gang members, drug dealers, soldiers, hunters"), "Lethality," "Kills per Annum," "Historic Death Toll," "Notable Victims," "Horror Factor," and finally, "Grim Facts" (some interesting bits of trivia).

The entries range from major killers (cancer, small pox, natural disasters) to killers with a historic death toll of one (polonium poisoning). Written for a non-medical audience, the entries are highly readable and entertaining. For example, I really liked this comment under "Drug Overdose at a Rock Show": "The quintessential rock overdose goes to quintessential bad-ass Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols . . . He overdosed that night and woke up dead. For an anti-establishment icon, it was a pretty well-established way to go." I guess a book on death that wasn't written with a sense of humour would just be depressing.

I also liked this bit from the afterword, which was written by a mortician: "I've found that it is extremely unlikely that you will die before the age of twenty-five if you don't have a tattoo. I first noticed a correlation between tattoos and young death many years ago, even before tattoos became wildly popular. Whenever someone young died, I would ask my staff if the person had a tattoo. Initially, the answer was always "yes." Over time, however, the answer to the question became "of course"." I may have to post that on Facebook.

Why I Read This Now: I came across it while waiting for my daughters at a bookstore back in June. In my warped way, I thought it sounded too fun to pass up.

Recommended for: people who think this sounds interesting. Not recommended for those who think all things related to dying are grim and serious and think I'm a bad person for finding this entertaining; people without a sense of humour; and definitely not for the squeamish. Also not for sticklers for complete scientific and medical accuracy. It's not that I think the info is wrong, but that I can see that it's far from complete. But this is not an academic work, it's entertainment.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Edited to say: this book would make a great gift for any eleven-year old boys on your Christmas list (or girls, if they're anything like my daughters).

I have a tattoo and I am also older than twenty-five. I'm a medical miracle, I am.

#357> I read between the lines of your review. :) Suffice it to say, I won't be adding it to my wishlist.

Although I may be adding This Will Kill You, sounds brilliant.

Ridgeway - It's not that I don't think you're a miracle, but I don't think that's what he's saying. Either way, you're a miracle in my books. ;-)

Great review of This Will Kill You, Joyce; I look forward to reading it.

I dunno, Darryl . . . the doctor part of you might think it's very silly.

359 - Ridgeway girl - so you are a medical miracle!! I know of another! A good friend of mine decided he wanted to get a tattoo at the age of 15, but he- not his parents- decided that he wanted to wait until he was 30, and if he still wanted one, he would get one. So - he got his tattoo at the age of 30! That's real discipline on his part!! He's now in his late 40's and still happy with it. It's quite a neutral pattern on his upper arm.

Joyce - I have Please Look After Mom on my living room table shelf. It's been there for several months now. I'll read your article a little later, but thanks for unguilting me from reading the book! ;)

Deb - I suggest that you donate Please Look After Mom to your local Korean community centre so that they can enjoy reveling in extreme guilt about how awful they are to their mothers. You know how Jewish and Italian mothers are famous for making their kids feel guilty? This book told me that in Korea, the mother is so good at it that she can make the kids and husband conjure up that guilt all their own. I told my Italian husband about it and he was very impressed and awed.

That said, lots of people liked this book and it's rated quite high here at LT, so maybe it was just me. But when I read comments like "it made me phone my mom," I was pretty annoyed. Really? You've never thought of your mom in anyway, ever, and now this book makes you realize what a jerk you've been? Okay, don't ask me what I think of you.

That's just my take. It would be boring if we all thought the same. Maybe you won't be so incensed by its message.

I totally want to read This Will Kill You now. Thanks! And I would have loved this as an 11 year old girl. I bet this factoid doesn't surprise you in the least.

#364 - Deb, but your friend was over 25, so he doesn't disprove the mortician's truism.

#368 - Jen, I think this book is very "you". :-)

Oh! I read that passage more closely. Yes, he was over 25. I just thought that it was interesting that he determined that he wanted a tattoo, but decided to wait another 15 or so years to be sure it's what he really wanted. I think that's really unusual - to wait that long. He rides a motorcycle too.

BTW- I have a few comments on The Cats' Table by Ondaatje on my thread. Bottom line - I'm in the middle - it's fine so far, but nothing special . However - I'm still only half way through. Interesting, leisurely read. No particular insight or anything so far.I've not read his memoirs - but this certainly appears to be a memoir to me...

That's quite commendable of your friend, isn't it! I see my niece getting these bizarre tattoos and I wonder how she'll think of them in 5, 10, 50 years.

His earlier "memoir" Running in the Family was very short on memoir and long on fiction, so it's interesting that he's flipped the tables for this novel.

Had a fabulous weekend on Salt Spring Island (pictures on FaceBook). The B&B was fabulous. We mostly just hung out--walks on secluded beaches & forests, farmers' market, and lots of good food. There's a great little bookshop in the village, and I bought these gorgeous used copies of Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse. When I found them I gasped and ooohed and awwed, and the bookshop owner said it was so nice to see someone appreciate a book for its physical beauty. Although I already have multiple copies of each, I couldn't decide between the two and had to bring them both home.

Love all the purple! I wouldn't be able to choose either. And who could split such a beautiful pair of books up? I think you made the right choice.

(Unlike most of my friends, I remain tattoo free. I like the look - depending on the tattoo, of course - I just can't justify the cost. I'd rather spend that money on books.)

Ohh gorgeous photo, Joyce!!

As for tattoo's I've not gotten any, nor would I want one. I really only know that one friend with the tatto. The only other person that I know fairly well with a tattoo is the now nearly 27 year old son of good friends of mine. Though the family are all Christian's his parents were less than thrilled that their son decided to spend about $1000 for a huge elaborate tattoo of a cross on his back. Apparently it takes up his whole back. He had it done when he was 19 or 20. A year or so ago he married a girl of the Jewish faith, and he tells his parents that he regards himself of no particular faith. I guess he probably regrets that tattoo.

As for Ondaatje, , I read in some interview given by Ondaatje that he remembers nothing of the time when he was aboard the ship, or he says possibly he blocked the episode out. But I do find it odd that the young narrator is named Michael, he took the very same trip as Michael did etc. But at the end of the book he says all is fiction. So -who knows?

The only other person that I know fairly well with a tattoo is the now nearly 27 year old son of good friends of mine. Though the family are all Christian's his parents were less than thrilled that their son decided to spend about $1000 for a huge elaborate tattoo of a cross on his back. Apparently it takes up his whole back

Hey, we may have seen him at Crescent Beach a few weeks ago. We were wondering exactly how religious he really was ;-)

Love all the purple! I wouldn't be able to choose either. And who could split such a beautiful pair of books up? I think you made the right choice.

Yes! I wonder if there were originally others in the set. I'd love a complete set of purple hardcover Woolfs.

Well, you may have seen my friend's son. He actually lives on the UBC campus where he is taking an engineering degree after a somewhat misspent youth. ;) While he is finally happily married I think, he had his first child from a previous relationship when he was about 20 or 21. Now that he married , the young couple has had a second child . They seem to have it together though.

BTW- I was at the library today and I picked up Anil's Ghost . While I don't think I'm going to read it right now - it does look like it could be an interesting read - so I'll keep it mind for next year.. Hard to believe we getting towards the end of September.

52. What to Eat, Marion Nestle

Non-fiction, 2006

Comments: Because Nestle is a highly acclaimed nutritionist who teaches at NYU, many confused people approach her looking for advice on what to eat. To answer those questions, she did zillions of hours of research and spoke with zillions of people in the food industry, and she discovered that what she really wanted was to understand how food marketing affects health.

This very long book covers most of what you will find on your supermarket shelves. What to eat is really quite simple: read labels, avoid processed foods, salt and sugars, eat lower fat alternatives and the freshest food possible. Or as she simply says, "eat less, move more, eat lots of fruits and vegetables." I already well knew that, and so for me some of this book was not new information. But there was still a lot that was very interesting, much of it related to how the food industry makes it difficult to do the right thing for your body.

Some parts that were particularly interesting were the chapters on milk (an amazingly powerful and united industry with very skillful lobbyists and marketing campaigns), fish, food safety (the industry tries to put the onus on the consumer rather than fixing dangerous problems themselves), the stunning amount of sugar in things, and the theme repeated throughout: "that the way food is situated in today's society discourages healthful food choices, and that food company marketing strategies have much to do with the social environment of food choice."

Nestle is not just knowledgeable about her topic, she is also realistic about food. She doesn't expect the reader to be perfect and this book won't make you feel guilty for eating a bag of chips.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: do you have an annoying family member or coworker who jumps on the latest nutritional claim from every new food product? This book is great at debunking those nutritional fallacies that are more about increasing sales than increasing health. It's also a great resource for someone who hasn't paid much attention to food choices and suddenly realizes that now is the time. Finally, it's a great read for anyone who cares about marketing, consumerism and corporate manipulation.

Why I Read This Now: I recently made some changes to my family's way of eating and so my attention has been turned in that direction.

Great review of What to Eat although the author has an unfortunate surname in Nestle (any relation to the chocolate giants I wonder). Certainly eating less is more and many of us could take heed from that.

I hear that she's NOT related to the evil Chocolatiers who pushed baby formula in developing nations . . . someone also told me that her name is pronounced "nessle" as in getting cozy ("the children were nestled all snug in their beds.") But I agree--a somewhat unfortunate surname, or amusing, anyway.

53. Possession, by AS Byatt

1990, Booker Prize winner

Comments: I'm not going to give a book description or plot summary, because I think I'm the last person on LT to read Possession. It's been high on my TBR for years, and I finally fit it in. As an English major, I expected to absolutely love this book.

In the end though, I have mixed feelings about it. I think a lot of that was the timing--a bunch of academics competing over some century-old letters just seemed a bit frivolous for the mood I've been in.

What I didn't like: I had been warned that this book takes some people one-, two-, or even three-hundred pages to get into. I didn't think I'd be one of them, but I was. I was actually doing okay but then I hit chapter 10--forty-eight pages of mid-nineteenth century letters, written in italics with lots of lots of em-dashes (on one page, chosen at random, I counted 41). This made for some extremely tedious reading, and I wanted to poke my eyes out. Overall, I found the whole thing excessively wordy, and at times very show-offy and pretentious. At one point a "gentlemanly civil servant" criticizes that "they do go on so, don't you think, those Victorian poets, they took themselves so horribly seriously." My sentiments exactly. It all made me a little cranky.

What I did like: In the end, I did come away with a mostly favourable impression of the book. I love the layers of complexity. There was outstandingly beautiful imagery. The short postscript set in 1868 was pure genius. And I just loved the symbolism of all the bathrooms. I'd love to write a paper on the bathrooms in Possession.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Based on what I've said here, I know it sounds like I didn't like it all that much--I really did. I just have some reservations. I expect I'll reread this one day, and I hope that I'm not in such a grumpy mood and I won't see it as dealing with trivial things, but instead it will be grand and fabulous and important.

Recommended for: lovers of intricate, recondite, hermetic writings; lovers of literary mysteries; lovers of Victorian poetry. Also people who want to read all the Booker Prize winners.

Joyce, I had very similar feelings about Possession! It came so highly recommended here on LT and I expected to love it. But I found the letters very rough going and the whole thing a bit pretentious. And yet, like you, I rated it 4 stars!

I've glanced at a couple of books by A.S Byatt - but so far none have really called my name!. By the sounds of it, maybe that's for the best. Great review!

Despite not being as over-the-moon in love with Possession as I expected to be, I'm still looking forward to reading more by AS Byatt. I'm especially excited to read The Children's Book because it's set in my favourite era (Edwardian).

Today I have 606 books in my To Read collection (yes, that means all of those are physically in my house). I'm currently going between two: The Help, by Kathryn STOCKETT and Dracula, by Bram STOKER. Filed right beside each other in alphabetical order. Importance of this? none whatsoever. But it seems like a strange random occurrence. Perhaps it's time to buy a lottery ticket.

edited to fix my one-handed typing errorS.

Bran Stocker? Are you typing on an iphone, or a device with autocorrect? ;-)

How's The Help? I'm supposed to read it this month for my real-life book group, and I'm not super enthused.

Bran Stocker? Are you typing on an iphone, or a device with autocorrect? ;-)

If I was typing on my iPad it would have been worse, believe it or not. No, that was one-handed typing (inc caps key) whilst having a conversation! Multitasking is not my strength. Bram Stoker. Oops.

The Help, at page 80-something, is better than I expected, although I can see that there is a big reveal coming up of something I figured out a while ago and it made me groan and put down the book last night (I went and read Dracula instead).

Good thing Fab isn't interested in reading your thread... Just checked out my library. I supposedly have 483 books in my house that I haven't read - and I have been purging. Every time I purge, I find out that a number of the physical books were not in my LT library - scares me to think how many there really are.

Here is one to add to your wish list - Elizabeth and Hazel. Nicely written look at the big day in Little Rock.

>385 jfetting:, 386 Bran Stocker is the vampire who works the cereal aisle in the grocery store.

>384 Nickelini:, 387 Don't be frightened, think of the choices you have provided for yourself! Think of how you have surrounded yourself with other worlds, other dreams... Consider it sort of a comfort food (and less calories than, say, shepherd's pie or meatloaf).

#388 - Lois - both your comments were very funny! You must drop by more often. Next time I'll even feed you.

387, 388 -- there are all sorts of advantages to having lots of books around the house. ... my niece, who's graduating from high school this year, sent me a FB message yesterday asking if I knew a certain short story. I didn't and hadn't heard of the author, but Googled it and found out that the story was in a book I own. So I read it and gave her some ideas. What are the chances I'd have that one particular story? High, actually, because I own so many books!

#390 - LIKE!

54. The Help, Kathryn Stockett

2009

Why I Read This Now: it is my book club's choice for October.

Comments: I have mixed feelings about this book. When I started it, I wasn't opposed to reading it, but I didn't expect much beyond a typical book club book: stereotypical, topical, and saccharine-with-a-splash-of-vinegar.

I was pleasantly surprised when, right from the beginning, I enjoyed it as much as I did. It's a compelling, page-turning read. I cared about the characters, and what happened. I cheered when things went well, and certainly got very angry at the nasty Miss Hilly. Sure, the characters were pretty stereotypical--the black maids were all kind and wise, or spunky and Mammy-like, and the white women were all easily recognized types of one sort or another. Still, it was a great reading experience.

As a literary work, however, it falls short for me. On one hand, it's great to see a book this entertaining that deals with racism; however, there was something shallow and artificial feeling about it. I've never been to Mississippi, and the Jacksonville of 1963 she describes sounds like a foreign country to me. I'm not one to say whether or not it's accurate, but it felt packaged--sort of like the town in the movie Pleasantville--I found it almost dystopian feeling (the haves lording over the have-nots; social critique, capricious rules), except of course dystopians are dark and hopeless and this novel is bright and hopeful. It felt to me like a neat little time capsule that readers can look at and tisk, "my goodness, wasn't that culture unenlightened and ignorant, I'm so glad we're not like that. I certainly feel good now." Hmmmm, really?

For a more "real" feeling look at domestic workers, and one that isn't quite to rosy, I recommend the critically acclaimed Living, Loving and Lying Awake at Night, by South African writer and activist Sindiwe Magona.

I'm also annoyed that Stockett jammed out on telling the whole story about Constantine. Her story is in there, but the author wasn't brave enough to tell it, and I think it's pretty clear that Skeeter never figured it out. That was a major disappointment.

So in the end, The Help was pretty much what I expected: a potato chip read. Lots of fun at the time, but in the end, not very satisfying.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Despite its faults, I was going to give it 4 stars, but I think the author should have wrapped it up around page 350--it went on too long with too much repetition.

Recommended for: like I said, this is a compelling read. If you're stuck with nothing but best sellers to choose from, this would probably one of your better bets. It's a good story, and one that deserves telling.

Also, I just wanted to add that I found this interesting: http://www.abwh.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2:open-...

The Association of Black Women Historians was not too pleased with the book or movie.

Great review of The Help Joyce. I read it when it first came out, and I must say that while I certainly don't regard it as a piece of literature, I had no idea that such racial problems existed in the Southern US in the 60's . I too wondered about the accuracy of the story, but my mom, not at American - but old enough to know what was happening at that time said that she found the story all too real and had known of cousins of hers in the US that had lived with black women that raised them. That was quite a revelation to me.

Anyway, don't make the mistake I did - don't go see the movie!!!!Although I enjoyed the book - the movie was so saccharine and very BORING!!!!

Interesting read from the Black Women Historians - thanks for that link!

Bran Stocker! Well, it sounds healthy at least! ;)

I too wondered about the accuracy of the story,

Hmm, not sure if we're on the same page here . . . my problems with the accuracy wasn't that I didn't know about it, but instead that I think the story glosses over what was really going on. From what I've heard, it was actually much worse. And having recently read Living, Loving, Lying Awake at Night, I could read between the lines and see a more accurate picture.

The difference between the two books, and what makes one literature and the other a best seller, is that The Help is a feel good book (for most), and Living, Loving, Lying Awake at Night makes one uncomfortable. I had a uni prof who said "if you just love something (music, painting, books, etc.), then it's entertainment. If it makes you uncomfortable, it's art." I use this yardstick and find it to be true. The Help was entertainment. However, if it brings up conversations and raises awareness that wouldn't have otherwise happened, then that's a good thing. So, in our world, I transfer that to .... maybe someone in Vancouver with a Filipino nanny will read The Help and not be such a biotch to her going forward. And if that can happen, then even entertainment can be more than entertainment.

Well, I'm not sure what to say. My mom told me she was unable to read The Help because it rang to true for her - and I found it to be a easy interesting read. My mom is very sensitive with her readsthough.

I would disagree with your prof. It may be one sort of yardstick to use, but I read the Book of Negroes and very much enjoyed it as a read it , yet I think most would regard it as literature, though it's still early days.

One of my brother's is an English Lit Major and he thoroughly enjoys books like War and Peace and virtually every classic that I can think of. For him, classics serve as his entertainment reading -so I think it's difficult to generalize.

Here is a link from Wiki, such as it is, about defining literary fiction vs say - popular fiction. I would argue as wiki does, that it is challenging to define what exactly constitutes literary fiction. I think it's very subjective.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_fiction

An example that comes to mind is Charles Dickens. In his time, he wrote serialized fiction for newspapers, and yet I think nowadays we think that he wrote literary fiction . I read many of Dickens books in my twenties purely from an enjoyment point of view - though I'm sure I picked up some information on life in England during that time period.

I would disagree with your prof. It may be one sort of yardstick to use,

Rather than my prof being wrong, I think it's that I'm not explaining it well. I know exactly what she meant, but unfortunately not how to explain it very well. And it's not an either/or -- as with anything you learn in an English lit class, it's nuanced. Sorry I confused you.

Great review of The Help! That is on book I have been putting off adding to mount TBR, and may do so for a while yet since the mountain is large enough as it is :P

Also, wonderful Woolf books!! Those almost look like they could be Folio society books. Just gorgeous! Purple is my favourite colour, so very jealous :)

I think I may have to read This Will Kill You now, an interesting sounding book. Have you heard of Armageddon Science? That is a newish book out along the same lines that you may find interesting :)

I'll be on the lookout for that one!

And I must find out more about this Folio Society ... I don't quite understand it, but their books are gorgeous.

Joyce, thanks for popping by my thread. Yes, I'd like to read Peace Shall Destroy Many. I'm puzzled to as to why Rudy Wiebe was let go as editor from the Mennonite Herald for writing that book.

I picked up Gillespie and I by Jane Harris yesterday. 550 pages! But I had looked at - and then I read the review on Bellestria - I'm not sure who reviewed it - maybe Cariola / aka Deborah - what I really go by too - and that convinced me that it I had to run back and purchase it. Right now Chapters is having a 20 % off sale - all regularly priced books - plus I've got my Chapter's Card, so that's another 10 % off. Just thought I'd let you know , should you want to pop into your local Chapters .

Deb - I like to call Peace Shall Destroy Many "Farmers and Philosophers" instead.

Oh, and thanks for telling me about the Chapter's sale. However, I will be working at the book sale at my daughter's school this weekend, and I always come home with a carton of books (usually around 50). If you're in the Bby/New West area this weekend, come shop.

I'm currently reading A Vet's Daughter by Barbara Comyns. It's the second book I've read by her - the other one being Our Spoons Came from Woolworths. She has the most unique voice that is hard to describe. They are second hand Virago Classics that I managed to find on the net. I recommend them both -but I know you have many TBR's in your pile!

Best of luck at your book sale! I'll bet you get plenty of great books!

I have become a big fan of Barbara Comyns, having started with Who Was Changed and Who Was Dead, which remains my favorite. I also loved The Vet's Daughter and Our Spoons Came from Woolworths, as well as the others I've read, The Skin Chairs, The Juniper Tree, and the largely autobiographical Sisters by a River.

Best of luck at your book sale! I'll bet you get plenty of great books!

I already have about 20 books put aside! Who would have thought I needed more books? I've picked up some really fabulous finds at this sale in the past. In fact, right now I'm reading a copy of Dracula that I got there years ago.

It surprises me how many great books I picked up at this sale that weren't on my radar yet, such as Lullabies for Little Criminals and The Accidental. It's also been a great place to pick up things that are on my wishlist but I haven't come across yet. It's always fun to see what I'll find.

Can't wait to see what you get - will you put a list up for us?

Definitely!

Back from the book sale. The price was $20 a big cardboard box, and I just grabbed things that looked interesting without too much studying. I will go through them more carefully and pull out ones I don't want and pass them on to charity. I got over 50 books, including some books. Here are some:

Wanting, Richard Flanagan
Moby Dick, Herman Melville (a nice edition with a very funky whale on the cover)
The Lieutenant, Kate Grenville
The Forgery of Venus, Michael Gruber
Home, Marilynne Robinson
Dreaming Again: Thirty-five New Stories Celebrating the Wild Side of Australian Ficiton, Jack Dann, ed.
The Day the Falls Stood Still, Cathy Marie Buchanan
Manhood for Amateurs, Michael Chabon
Beyond Black, Hilary Mantel
Miss Garnet's Angel, Salley Vickers
Beautiful Boys, Francesca Lia Block
Sacred Games, Vikram chandra
Snobs, Julian Fellowes

And a bunch of bits and pieces.

Nice haul: I loved both Beyond Black and Sacred Games.

55. Dracula, Bram Stoker

1897

Comments Dracula was a fun, enjoyable read. Sure, the book has numerous flaws, but the masterful creepiness made up for it.

What I Loved:
The thing I loved the most was the Gothic atmosphere, especially Dracula’s castle. The scene where Jonathan observes the Count climbing down the wall is a virtuoso stroke. Learning about the history of that area of Europe was also very interesting (my Barnes and Noble edition had some helpful notes). I’ve now added the Carpathian mountains to my future travel plans. (Check out the pictures of the town nearest Dracula’s castle:Sibiu, Romania )

I also really liked the layers of opposing forces: Victorian propriety vs moral laxity, East vs West, Science and Victorian reason vs foreign superstition, nurturing vs cannibalizing, chastity vs slutness, liberation vs repression, etc.

And the book was a perfect snapshot of its time--the way Stoker used current technology and layers of cultural details made it decidedly 1897--not earlier, and not later.

What I Didn’t Like:
The beginning section of the book was highly readable and engaging; however, once the story moves from Transylvania to England, it bogs down. There are too many almost identical characters—in particular, Quincey Morris the Texan added absolutely nothing to the story, and Dr Seward and Arthur should have been combined in one person. We hear a lot about how these characters are very moral, brave, upright, upstanding, virtuous, yada, yada, yada. Enough already. If there is a Platonic form for the late 19th century Englishman, these guys think they’re it. Bunch of annoying do-gooders is what they are.

Economy of language is not a Victorian characteristic. Those Victorians liked masses of stuff: they cluttered their rooms with excessive ornamentation and overstuffed furniture, and the exterior of their homes are a crazy puzzle of dressy swirls, patterns and shapes; likewise, their clothing. This love of MORE is further reflected in their language—they like to use lots of words—“leave ‘em wanting more” is not a Victorian motto.

And yes, the book is horrifically sexist, and the female characters are types, either “mere bundles of virtue” or “soulless vixens.” Dracula shows all the prejudices and fears of its time, and many will find their cultural assumptions abhorrent. But I won’t judge past novels by the social standards of today.

In conclusion, I like reading classics for fun. Luxuriating in a 19th century classic is a guilty pleasure. But if you don’t like rambling Victorian prose and their disturbing world view, then nothing I say here is going to convince you that Dracula is a fun read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I think I've now read all the major 19th century "horror" classics, and it's interesting to compare them. I see now that Frankenstein, which was the earliest, seems so much older than Dracula, whereas before I read them, I thought they were of the same era. I didn't much like Frankenstein, mostly because the monster's speech was so far-fetched. Couldn't get past that. And I didn't much like Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde because I thought the writing was boring (although I studied it at uni and had some great classes on it). I did like Turn of the Screw, but it's a difficult read and not as fun as Dracula. So in the category, for me, Dracula was the winner.

Recommended for: everyone. Go give it a try. If it's not for you, don't finish it.

A fine haul. Enjoy them.

Good review of Dracula. It's an awful long time since I read it, and so after reading your review I might have another go at it. Excellent advice you give about reading 19th century classics.

Economy of language is not a Victorian characteristic.

No, it's one of my main issues with Victorian literature. :) Nice review! I rather liked Dracula, although it's been a while since I read it...

it's one of my main issues with Victorian literature.

Mine too. I love Victorian lit, but I do get frustrated when they go on and on and don't really say anything.

>389 Nickelini: Well, I would love to visit more often but life is getting in the way these days. Sigh. I just looked at my own thread and discovered it has been 3 weeks since I have updated it! Yoiks!

Speaking of pies (we were speaking of pies, weren't we?), I got a new Pie cookbook and in it there is a recipe for "funeral pies", apparently a pie traditionally served after Mennonite and Amish funerals. True? It's basically a raisin pie, as best I can tell (that has got to be the smallest touchstone I have ever made!).

Guess you haven't read G or C? I wouldn't recommend either, actually. Let's have some pie!

Hmmm, raisin pie at funerals...doesn't ring any bells. Funny how food is supposed to bind cultures together, but when I read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, I found there weren't very many foods that I shared with the author. My Mennonite culture isn't all that similar to the Amish-style Mennonites (we were big city people, after all), so I guess it's something that that group does.

Good haul! I love book sales! Raisin pie as a tradition at funerals (or after, I should say) makes so much sense. It's dark and rich. You would always have raisins, no matter the time of year. I can totally see it. And does it make me sound weird to say I love the name--Funeral Pie?

it's one of my main issues with Victorian literature.

Along with the tendency to veer off to deliver a sermon or two. I've found that I enjoy it when I don't expect forward momentum, but can just relax and go with it. Sort of like riding an inner tube on the lazy river. Fabulous if that's what you want, but frustrating if you're longing for the log flume ride.

#422 - Alison -- what an excellent way to describe 19th century lit! I love it. That's exactly what I meant when I said "Luxuriating in a 19th century classic is a guilty pleasure." It's like sitting in front of the fire with a pot of tea and a good book when the bathroom needs cleaning and the sink is full of dirty dishes.

>419 lauralkeet: No, but come to think of it, I have read Updike's S.

>420 Nickelini: I am sorry you aren't familiar with funeral pie. Neither was I. Not sure I'd care much for a raisin pie.

I've had raisin pie from a restaurant before and it's pretty good, as pies go. I'm not much of a pie eater--I've never found the fat and calories worth it. If I'm going to sin in the dessert department, I'll stick to chocolate.

>425 Nickelini: blasphemy! pie comes in chocolate also (chocolate cream, chocolate walnut, innkeeper pie...need I go on?)

That's true. I just never think about pie.

I recently had a slice of chocolate pecan pie. At least 10,000 calories, but worth every single one of them.

Hi, Joyce! Just got caught up. Just for the record, you are not the last person on LT to read Possession.

I see you got a Salley Vickers book in your recent haul. I'd never heard of her before I read Instances of the No. 3 (touchstone not working) and I was kind of surprised how much I liked it. It reminded me of the only Fay Weldon book I've read, She May Not Leave. She is a fine writer.

And, FWIW, I am black woman from the South and I lurved The Help, book and movie. The performances were incredible. All of them. Ron Howard's daughter plays Hilly and I don't know if she had to do take after take, or if she nailed her scenes early, but watching her go from tense to barely controlled rage in about 5 seconds was worth the price of the ticket. I kinda think the ABLW was way too harsh. Maybe it's because I already have the context, but I don't think the story misleads anyone into thinking that black maids are all mammy figures. And, come on, I know for a fact that southern people of all races and economic classes don't always speak the Queen's English. I know people today who speak the way the maids spoke in the book and the film. I think the story is about humanity and I found it quite believable.

Sorry for soapboxing, but I just had to.

56. Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson

1959

Comments: The plot in one sentence: Three young adults meet at a notorious haunted house to help an academic study supernatural activity.

I looked forward to this so-called horror classic because I expected it would be creepy and suspenseful without monsters or gore, and in that department it delivered. It sort of reminded me of Henry James's classic Turn of the Screw, in that it was set in an old isolated house, and had an unreliable narrator and the ghostly happenings were ambiguous. However, I really didn't find it very scary at all. The dialogue was bizarre--even in 1959, I don't think anyone ever talked that way. My Penguins Classic edition had a good 22 page academic introduction that I did find interesting.

Rating: I liked it, but didn't love it. 3.5 stars.

Why I Read This Now: part of my spooky theme read for October.

Recommended for: readers who like unreliable narrators, people who like their horror without blood or violence.

57. Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture, by Ariel Levy

2005, non-fiction

Comments: The book opens with a quotation from Edith Wharton in 1915: “What a woman was criticized for doing yesterday she is ridiculed for not doing today,” and I think it sums up Levy’s thesis perfectly. She asks why a “tawdry, tarty, cartoonlike version of female sexuality” has become ubiquitous? Why do some people think that “raunchy” and “liberated” are synonyms? In examining our culture, she finds situation after situation where women claim their sleazy behaviour and efforts to look like a sex symbol are “enlightened” and “liberating.” In reality, it seems to be all about performance and not about pleasure, and not progressive at all.

As she says in her conclusion, “this is not a book about the sex industry; it is a book about what we have decided the sex industry means.” Levy does a great job of presenting the problem; unfortunately, she ends at describing the problem doesn’t offer anything in way of a solution or suggestions to counter this movement. This gave the book a somewhat depressing tone--as if we are stuck in a porn culture with no way out.

Why I Read This Now: This has been on my wish list since it was published to much acclaim back in 2005, but I finally hunted it down at the library last week after my 15 year old daughter came home from school with some disturbing comments. If you have teenagers in North America, this is the crap they are dealing with—a popular way to “gain acclaim socially,” to use Levy’s term, girls are expected to be “hot” and play up their sexuality—usually without having a clue what they are actually doing or saying (despite their porn education).

Recommended for: parents of teens and preteens, anyone interested in cultural studies.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars--great book, but it didn't always flow, and the absence of solutions disappointed me.

58. The Case of the Missing Deed (Teaspoon Detectives), Ellen Schwartz

2011, children's

Why I Read This Now: ER program book

Comments: Five cousins meet on a fictional Gulf Island (between Vancouver and Victoria) to solve their grandfather's mystery and defeat the evil mining company in the process. This is the sort of book that I would have gobbled up when I was ten. The environmental concerns and handy use of electronics places this story firmly in the 21st century, however, the story arc reads like the classic children's mysteries that I read 35 years ago, complete with the Scooby Doo ending (which, of course, is: "and I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for you meddling kids!").

Recommended for: Although adults will find many things in this story completely implausible, it should be a hit with children who like mysteries.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

59. Brighton Rock, Graham Greene

1938, audiobook

Comments: in short, this was an intellectual suspense-thriller set in the grimy world of lower class interwar Britain. Pinkie, the 17 year old psychopath gang member, is one of the most disturbing characters I've met this year.

Despite it's extremely dated slang and equally dated social attitudes, the book stands the test of time. The reader of the audio book, Richard Brown, used that English accent that you hear in old movies (but don't actually hear many people use any more), and it added to the period feel of the book. He was especially entertaining when he read the dialogue for Pinkie's wide-eyed innocent girlfriend Rose. I'm going to miss "hearing" her.

Rating: 4 stars. This is my first Greene and I will definitely read more of him in the future.

Recommended for: people who like their suspense layered and nuanced and appreciate strong writing.

Why I Read This Now: I needed an audio book, and as I've said before, the choice at my library is slim these days. But this was a find, so I'm not complaining.

60. The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman

2008

Why I Read This Now: Read it for my spooky October read. The last book for my theme wasn't spooky enough, and I remembered that Coraline was one of the creepiest books I've read, so I thought Neil Gaiman might just deliver again.

Comments: Well, he didn't really. The first 2 or 3 pages are creepy, but that's about it. Still, it was a pretty good story overall. Other than the chapter "The Witch's Headstone," (which I'd read previously in a Gaiman short story collection), the first half of the book was pretty boring. However, things took off in the second half and it was quite a fun read and definitely fit with my Halloween-inspired theme.

One of the things that I really like about Gaiman is that even when he's writing for kids, as in this book and Coraline, his books don't have that "written for kids" feel. I think adults can get just as much enjoyment out of them.

Rating: another 3.5 star read

Recommended for: hmmm, with over 9,000 copies on LT (and an average of 4 stars), and a Newbery Medal, I don't think I have to recommend this book--people have already found it.

edited to add: I bought my copy in Oxford, England (Blackwell's Books rocks!) and it has fabulous illustrations by Chris Riddell. I think the North American edition has different illustrations.

61. Unbearable Lightness: a Story of Loss and Gain, Portia de Rossi

2010, memoir

Comments: I don't read celebrity biographies because I expect to find them boring and poorly written. I was interested in this one, however, because Portia had battled anorexia and bulimia. So I must say that I'm delighted that this far exceeded my expectations. In fact, this was so well written that I suspect someone expecting a straightforward celebrity bio won't like this book, with its nuance and non-linear time line. Probably disappointing to those readers is that she neither fawns over nor trashes other celebrities. Nor does she discuss the other anorexics that she worked with on Ally McBeal.

De Rossi goes deep into her thoughts during her anorexia and bulimia, which was a result of her feeling like a fraud in Hollywood. First, because she felt fat and ugly, and more importantly because she was gay.

Recommended for: This is a must-read for anyone interested in the mind of someone with eating disorders (including constant dieting), or interested in coming out of the closet stories. It's also a must-read for anyone who thinks that celebrities have a charmed, perfect life.

Why I Read This Now: I've actually been trying to get to it ever since it was published last year.

Rating 4 out of 5 stars.

That celeb bio actually sounds really good - I'm adding it to the TBR pile.

>431 Nickelini: - Interesting comments on Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture, Joyce. I think I might track this down. I chaperoned our Halloween Dance the other night, and the costumes most of the girls wore were horrifying. Playboy bunnies, sexy Alice in Wonderland characters, trashy forms of various occupations - it seemed as though no matter what the costume, the general trend was "less fabric is better". It is hard for our male admin team to address this problem, and unfortunately our female admin couldn't make the dance, and so nothing was done. Kids who come drunk get sent home automatically, but girls who come half-naked face zero consequences. On the one hand, this is a bigger problem than we can deal with - go into a costume shop, and every costume is design to be sexy; it is a societal trend, and difficult to fight. On the other hand, we aren't teaching our students to respect themselves. In Ontario, teachers are supposed to act in the place of parents (according to our education act), but how can we do this when actual parents let their daughters dress like this?

Sorry for the rant - I've been tossing this issue around in my head for a few days now, and I can't seem to find a way to deal with it.

Cait - I hear you! It was an incident at Nina's school that prompted me to hunt down that book. Also, I'm looking forward to a change in fashion with hem lengths--they're so extremely short and look bad on almost everyone, and the ones who look good in them still look like they're wearing a top and forgot their jeans.

437, 438 - Cait - Female Chauvinist Pigs is definitely worth reading, but for your problem I'd actually recommend Packaging Girlhood, and then just reading the chapters pertaining to teens. That author, who is a developmental psychologist, offers solutions.

62. The Woman in Black, Susan Hill

1983

Why I Read This Now: it was the last of my spooky October reads (even though, due to Halloween festivities, I didn't get to finish it until November 1st)

Comments: Finally! A truly spooky and creepy book. Fourth try is the charm. This one had what I was looking for . . . fog, an old desolate house, and unexplainable, unsettling happenings. And set in England. I liked that the narrator tried to be logical and reasonable. I liked how Hill wrote it with an ambiguous time period--it sounds almost Victorian, although details sneak in that make it more likely interwar. Even now that I know the story, I look forward to rereading this in the future. I'm also looking forward to the upcoming film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lReemWmO5o (this movie actually looks rather different from the book, but it does appear to have captured the chilling atmosphere)

I have three more books by the author in Mnt TBR and will pull them out sooner rather than later.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Recommended for: unless you really don't like creepy books, give it a try.

>440 Nickelini: - there was a very good television adaptation of The Woman in Black but it is almost impossible to see as the studio that bought the rights won't let it be shown or released due to their new version.

>440 Nickelini:,441: There's a new version being released in January. I know this because my daughter is a HUGE Daniel Radcliffe fan and he stars in it. More on IMDB.

Nina is a huge Daniel Radcliffe fan too, so we've been waiting for what seems like a really long time! I can't believe it's not out until next year--I've been watching the trailer for months. It does look pretty good though, don't you think? (if you haven't seen it, click on my link in #440).

I'll have to be on the lookout for that earlier one, although I'm not sure how much luck I'll have in the immediate future.

And then I can always go to London and see the play. Apparently it's been running forever.

>443 Nickelini:: OK, I'm a dolt. I totally missed your reference to the film in #440. I read the first part of your comments and saw your rating and then said to myself, "ooh, and there's a film coming out!" without realizing you'd said the same thing. One of those days!

I've seen the play, shown in a small, steep London theatre. It was very effective, despite (or maybe because of) a minimal approach to the staging.

I didn't know there was a film version coming out. I'll have to watch for it.

Hey, Laura--no problem! I've been there.

Alison -- okay, onto the to-do list for our next trip to London then! Thx.

Hi Joyce! I put a few links to historical info re The Virgin Cure on my thread, in case you are interested.

It seems that right now there are two spooky books that have both been very popular - The Woman in Black by Susan Hill , and The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. They both sound so similar in view of the titles! Great review re The Woman in Black . I've read a a few other books by Susan Hill, but not that one. I ended up ordering a second hand copy of The Woman in White as that was the first book that caught my fancy.Still waiting on that one!

I have the Woman in White stuffed in my TBR somewhere--it's a left over from my Victorian lit class (prof recommended it, but I haven't found the time yet. One day!). It's MUCH longer than The Woman in Black, and I wanted to make sure I read the later before the movie came out.

63. The Virginia Woolf Writers' Workshop: Seven Lessons to Inspire Great Writing, Danell Jones

2007, non-fiction

Comments: I bought this book when it was published, although I was very skeptical. Was this just some cheap, tawdry attempt to sell cack by using Virginia Woolf's name? But the gorgeous purple cover seduced me, and I was helpless to its sirens' call. Well, it turns out to be a clever, fun little book written by a recognized Woolf scholar.

Jones pulled Woolf's comments about writing from her vast writings (her diaries, essays, and letters) and organized them into seven make-believe classes. Each chapter in the Virginia Woolf Writers' Workshop is structured as a night school community college creative writing class, with Woolf teaching her theories, and faux students asking real questions. At the back of the book, all of Woolf's comments are cited so you can research further if you desire.

The part I liked best though were all of the "Sparks" sections of exercises for writers. Not only are the suggestions good, but Jones also uses an example from Woolf's writing to demonstrate the exercise.

Rating: 4 stars

Recommended for: This is a find for a select audience: Writers (both beginner and advanced) who are looking for some coaching, and who are somewhat familiar with Woolf's work. Also, a hobbyist studying Woolf's writing who doesn't want to get into some uber-serious academic text.

Why I Read This Now: it's been at the top of Mnt TBR since 2007, and hey, it's very short. Just read the damn book already.

Joyce, I quite enjoyed The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. It has a lot of literary allusions, is witty and fun , and even features a strong female protagonist. It's fun reading. Like you, for some reason I have looked at book and never been interested. In need of some possible fun escapist reading, I picked it up and finally read it. I very much enjoyed it, and I plan to eventually read the others in the series.

For now, I am reading John A: The Man Who Made Us by Richard Gwyn. It's part one of a biography of John A. McDonald and quite a chunkster at 550 + pages. But it's really quite readable, and at last I feel like I'm learning more Canadian history.

Glad to see that you enjoyed your last read!

64. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body, Tenth Anniversary Edition, Susan Bordo

1993 & 2003

Rating 4 stars

Comments: From Publisher's Weekly: "Bordo argues that anorexia nervosa and bulimia are logical, if extreme, manifestations of anxieties and fantasies fostered by a culture that worships the slender, fit body as a symbol of "virile" mastery over bodily desires. In her diagnosis, hysteria, anorexia and agoraphobia "develop out of the practice of femininity itself"; the female is defined by society as a passive, primitive object, while the male is seen as an active, conscious, striving subject. This philosophy professor at Le Moyne College in New York views women's addiction to plastic surgery, and both men's and women's body fetishism, in terms of a consumerist culture that attempts to deny inevitable bodily decay and death. Elsewhere in these brilliant, scholarly yet accessible essays, she analyzes images of men and women in advertisements, interprets the current abortion debate as an assault on the personhood of women and charts pop star Madonna's metamorphosis from voluptuous rebel to slender, taut, muscular icon."

back to me: This book was a challenging, but satisfying read. Lots of "ah-ha" moments, but then also a few too many moments refering to Foucault, Derrida and Lacan. But what did I expect from a scholarly text?

Why I Read This Now: Bordo covers many topics that are interesting to me.

Recommened for: readers interested in media and cultural studies, and eating disorders. Although the book was accessable, I don't recommend it for readers who are unfamiliar with the language of scholarly criticism.

I'm curious, Joyce. I've read that anorexia may be somewhat genetic and therefore inheritable. Does the book that you read touch on the theory at all?

Not at all. In fact, she made a very logical case for it being cultural.

Jude the Obscure, Thomas Hardy

1895

Comments: Okay, well, yes, I’m reading along and enjoying Jude’s tour of all my favourite towns in England, and it’s all fine. Sometimes I wanted to jump into the novel and give a few of the characters a good strong shake. That Sue Brideshead in particular is a real piece of work. Anyway, sort of ho hum, and then right around page 366, BAM! I did not see that coming. Look at me now, all bruised and scarred. I was reading it before I went to bed, and I did not sleep well last night, let me tell you. Those of you who have read the novel will know exactly what I’m talking about, others will just have to read it and find out.

I can certainly see why this book caused an uproar in 1895. It’s way more threatening than Dracula, which was another book that caused a ruckus at the same time.

Recommended for: a must-read for English lit lovers. It also gives a very interesting snap shot the social world of late 19th century England.

Why I Read This Now: a 1001 book, a depressing book for my “Bleak November” theme, and my monthly big book.

Rating: 4 stars.