Lift

Author: Kelly Corrigan

Boring. But at least it was short so I didn't waste too much time.

Cutting for Stone

Author: Abraham Verghese

Again, I've let so much time pass before posting my reads so this is the only one I'm actually going to say anything about.

This book was suggested to me by my dad's physician. I then suggested it for book club since I was going to read it anyway. It was a pretty unanimously enjoyed read. I thought this book was an absolutely incredible story - so well-written.

Read it. For real. Read it.

The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers

Author: Thomas Mullen

I'm afraid this review may be a little biased. For book club several months ago we read Tom's first book, The Last Town on Earth. Then, the very week after our little group discussed it, we had a new member join - Tom's wife.

I'll admit that I've been pretty star-struck by the nearness of celebrity even though they seem like the most normal down to earth people. Ok, she does - I haven't met him. But I felt that I urgently needed to read his second book because what excuse could I have for not?

I was fairly distracted in the beginning of the book thinking about how I almost knew him and was trying to compare it to his first book, even though they are miles apart as far as story. But eventually the hysteria in my brain calmed down enough for me to actually enjoy the book.

Afterwards I was still trying to resolve which one I liked better, perhaps thinking at some point if I ever met him maybe he would ask. I don't know - it doesn't seem likely (the asking, not the meeting, well maybe both) that he would be that self-centered as to want to talk about his books or assume anyone else did. Either way I'm sure the diplomatic reply of liking them both the same would seem like I didn't read either so the jury's still out.

Truthfully, though, the book was good. The ending left a little room for interpretation which I enjoyed. It's nice to still be thinking of a book for a few days or a week after you've closed the cover.

Freedom

Author: Jonathan Franzen

In 2001 I read The Corrections, which introduced Franzen to most literate people. It was one of those books that I remember really loving but right now couldn't tell you a thing about it.

After nine years he's finally published another novel, Freedom. He came to Decatur as the keynote speaking for the Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day weekend. My fabulous friend, Marilyn, hooked me up with a ticket to see him speak and he read from his book to us.

This was a new experience for me - I don't recall ever going to hear an author read his work before. In a way it was nice, later on when I read the book, to know how intended certain characters to speak, their inflection, and cadence.

After the reading I stood in this incredibly enormous line to get him to sign my copy of Freedom, which thankfully I didn't purchase for my iPad the day before as I had been contemplating. The line took so long because everyone wanted to have their moment of conversation with him. I almost gave up twice. But I was determined not to say a word to him when I finally reached the table so as not to earn the scorn of the hundred or so people behind me still waiting. I know I'm not important to him so I don't need him to pretend for me.

A clever little trick they do is write your name on a sticky note and put it on the page he's going to sign so he doesn't spell your name wrong. I thought this was brilliant because no one spells my name right after I say it. Finally at the table, he opened my book, looked at my sticky note, and said, "To Gina?" To which I of course responded with the correct pronunciation of my name. Normally people at this point apologize and get on with their business. But Mr. Franzen just stared at me for a beat, like I was the one who was wrong.

Eventually he came out of his trance and apologized, to which I said that it was okay, nobody ever got it right. Then he signed my book and I was on my way. So, I guess I had a few more words with him than I was intending.

Partway into his book I realized the reason for his perplexed and staring pause creating our awkward moment: Jenna is in Freedom. I wonder if he thinks now he should have spelled it my way.

Long anecdote for the shortest of reviews: READ IT. You won't be sorry.

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Author: Stephanie Meyer

This is a novella from a single character's perspective who is briefly touched on in the Eclipse novel. For the most part it was childishly entertaining but the last 30 pages or so brought forth some interesting revelations. I either wasn't paying attention when I read Eclipse or it was so long ago that some details have evaporated from my brain.

Either way, the finish was good and it was altogether a pretty small investment of my time.

The Pillars of the Earth

Author: Ken Follett

Epic. Architecturally fascinating. Masterfully assembled.

I have resisted this book for quite some time. It's really long and so popular that I immediately shrugged it off. I sometimes have difficulty reading things I feel I must. Nonetheless, I read this, not quite at my usual pace, but with a constant hunger.

My immediate interest was in the architecture but I quickly realized how truly perfectly this novel was sewn together. It was a puzzle of enormous proportions and I kept thinking how brilliant Follett was to set up each part of the story hundreds of pages before, without the slightest hint of his intention. Even seemingly insignificant roles would float to the surface much later and make my stomach lurch in anticipation and dread.

But my admiration for him goes further.

Follett took an actual event in history (the sinking of the White Ship) and created a fictional history around this single event. The ability to weave such an epic tale, while maintaining some sense of historical accuracy, is astounding to me. Think of the massive amount of research he must have done to get it right.

The other thing I am impressed with is the power of Oprah. Follett wrote this book in 1989. Twenty-one years ago. In 2007 it was selected for Oprah's book club and I suspect it has enjoyed vastly more success since then than when it was originally published. Her influence is terrifying.

Normally I'm drawn to certain books because I become emotionally invested in the characters but not so much this time. Don't get me wrong - of course I was interested in them and wanted to follow their paths, but as I continued to read I was more impressed by the blueprint of the story and Follett's ability to build it flawlessly. I don't think I can recall another book where the structural integrity of the novel is so absolutely unwaveringly solid. No detail was overlooked and every sentence has a distinct purpose. Completely efficient in its enormity. Brilliant.

Mansfield Park

Author: Jane Austen

I sincerely struggled through the first half of the story but as soon as we were past all the formalities of character development the story was so civilized. I wish I lived in Mansfield Park. Loved it. I'm not sure if I loved it more than Pride & Prejudice but I think there's no doubt that Austen has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

Pandora

Author: Anne Rice

A little bit of brain candy sprinkled in the literature is a good thing. And sometimes, the candy ends up being more than you would have hoped for.

Anne Rice proves again that she is a great storyteller - not just about vampires and witches - but in the way she weaves history into her adventures. Not to spoil anything, but I don't even think Pandora becomes a vampire until two-thirds of the way through the book. This book is so clearly not about being a vampire.

The story centers around Lydia (later to become Pandora) and her life in ancient Rome. I felt like I was watching the prematurely aborted masterpiece Rome that was on HBO. The history of the worship of Isis got a little old but was necessary I suppose.

If you like Anne Rice, this was a very pleasant return to her magical storytelling skills that have been adrift since the early days of Louis and Lestat.

The Caliph's House

Author: Tahir Shah

Book Club Selection

Written in the spirit of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun, this tale of adventure and cultural adaptation was set in Casablanca.

I absolutely loved this book, perhaps even more than either of the two in whose footsteps it traces. For me it was the absolute stark contrasts in culture from his London upbringing that proved most entertaining.

Definitely recommended.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Author: Lewis Carroll

Believe it or not I have never read this story. This was the first book I read on my new iPad, which is totally the bomb by the way. But it's strange to read a story for the first time and already know everything that happens from other book/movie references and pop culture.

Spy

Author: Ted Bell

Waste of my time. Sorry, Dad.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Author: Stieg Larsson

A brilliant finale to one of the best trilogies I've ever read. I am so sad my time with Blomkvist and Lisbeth is over.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Author: Thomas Hardy

I am so far behind on my book posts so these are all going to be short...

I don't know why but I've been into classic books lately. Maybe because they are mostly about times so far past that it's like walking through another world.

I recently read an article asking the question if "classic" books were written today would they still be considered "classics." I don't know the answer to that but I thought it was interesting.

I really enjoyed this story despite all the formalities and strange awkward behavior but I guess that's just how it was back then.

The Great Gatsby

Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald

No, I never read this high school, although I'm sure I was supposed to. This book is referenced a few times in The Tender Bar so I decided it must be necessary for me to read it now.

I loved it, but I've been into the classic stuff these days anyway. There's something about how uncomplicated and simple that period of time seemed to me, at least in the context of this story. People did what they wanted without much forethought of the consequences. Carefree. Seemingly jobless yet with an endless supply of money. Nothing to do but socialize and play tennis.

Perhaps I'm just envious.

The Girl Who Played with Fire

Author: Stieg Larsson

Where the first book seemed to take about a week and a half to wrap up, the last page of this one snuck right up and slapped me in the face. Shockingly abrupt. So abrupt that when I had about two pages left I actually thought I must be physically missing some pages. I was cursing the airport in Amsterdam for selling me a bunk copy.

Wrong. Cliffhanger.

And also opposite of its predecessor, this story took off from the first page without all the getting to know you pleasantries. It's a great story with lots of new details about the main character and very well executed on the plot front. It's still hard for me to keep track of all the Swedish names and decide up front who's important to remember and who's not and I definitely don't care about the routes through Sweden which each character takes. But those are minor complaints for a pretty good payoff.

The last book in the series comes out in May so I suspect it will make my summer reading list. I'm quite sad Mr. Larsson is dead - it would have been great to see more stories about Lisbeth Salander and I think it would have been nice for him to know how popular his books have become - he never had a chance to enjoy his international success.

The Last Town on Earth

Author: Thomas Mullen

This is one of the best selections we've read for book club. Maybe even better than The Help. Our brave new member, Sarah, made this suggestion after reading an article in Atlanta Magazine about the author, who apparently now resides here.

A small northwestern logging town decides to quarantine itself at the onset of the 1918 flu epidemic. Despite a vigilant effort to contain itself and keep insiders out, the flu gets in, among other things.

The characters were so well developed and the crippling descriptions of the flu were truly terrific. Despite being used to tie a pretty bow around the ending, I felt like the focus on the unions and labor issues were a tired attempt to impart an historical and social significance that the story didn't really need to be successful.

In the end, though, it was a good book with some good moral considerations and well written.

The Forge of God

Author: Greg Bear

At the beach this summer I passed on to my Dad The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I tried and tried and tried to convince him it was worth reading. He ignored me every time. But when someone else told him he had to read it he did. Hmm. Nonetheless, he loved it, like I said he would.

The Forge of God was his payback to me. I'm sure he gave me this book some time last year and I just stacked it away with all the rest of the science fiction I didn't have time for. Last weekend he made me promise to read it before anything else since he had finally fulfilled his end of the bargain (what bargain?). In a drunken stupor I agreed (huh?).

One week later I'm glad I read it. Not as good as his Darwin's Radio but still totally worth reading. I loved that there's no super human to come save the day when the Earth is about to be exploded by alien invaders. I love how the world ends each time for each character (or not). I love to see how they react, where they go, who they think about it. To me, the feelings and reactions were as realistic as you could expect them to be.

The Tender Bar

Author: JR Moehringer

Passed on to me by my Dad, this was a great read. Because I'm too lazy to write my own review you can read his here.

the strain

Author: Guillermo del Toro and someone else

I like reading about vampires. I'll admit it. Anne Rice created the vampire world for me (and probably most of the vampire-reading population) so in my head she represents the truest of the vampire lore. Everything else I read is compared to the world of Louis and Lestat.

Other vampire worlds that have only minor modifications to hers don't bother me as long as the core set of values remains the same and most of the same rules apply.

The Strain is like the vampire alternate universe and I don't buy it. As far as vampires go this book stinks. Being a vampire is the result of a "worm" that multiplies and circulates in the body (i.e the strain), vampires can't cross bodies of water unless assisted by a human, and they don't even bite you with teeth! They have a stinger that shoots 6 feet out of their mouth to suck your blood. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Guillermo, I love your warped brain but this is absurd. You've messed with a genre that has been messed with too much already. If you called them zombies it would have been more appropriate. You can call them what you want, but if I'm going to read the next two books in the trilogy they're not going to be vampires to me.

That being said, this book was way more entertaining than the two bombs we tried to read for book club: Tropic of Cancer (beyond torture) and the Diary of Anais Nin (beyond boring).