Candid Culture

in 2012

2012-01-02T15:04:00.001-05:00

In 2011 I really wanted to read 52 books (I include audiobooks) and I fell short. I read 48 books, but that's 7 more books than I read in 2010 so I improved. And in 2011 I achieved a long time goal of joining a book club, so that's also good. In 2012 again I make it my goal to finish 52 books (I've already finished 1). I've got audiobooks, a few great books joined my library as holiday gifts, I now own a Kindle and I'm in a book club ... that's totally a recipe for success, yes? I still have a demanding job and I've signed up to take 2 Continuing Ed classes, but I've recommitted (mentally) to this blog and reviewing all the books I read, plus I've started a blog about cover art - maybe that will help? We'll see how things go when I'm in the middle of the season, 2 classes and prepping to announce next season. Hmm.

What are your reading goals for 2012? Or goals in general?

--KER

Jasper Fforde and the Thursday Next series

2012-01-02T14:55:00.000-05:00

I've written about Jasper Fforde's work before. I find that while I love and admire the imaginative worlds he creates and the clever stories within, his endings feel rushed, convoluted and yet, too neatly tied together. And yet, I've read all his books. Why? He's just too damn clever. The Thursday Next books suppose an alternate version of our reality in which reading is VERY popular and as such, requires Literary Detectives. Additionally, his protagonist is able to jump in and out of fiction, allowing her to discover Jurisfiction, the policing agency of the fictional world along with the Council of Genres and so on and so forth. Is your head spinning? The later books in the series get very heady and the reader must pay strict attention as Fforde introduces two versions of the written Thursday, meaning fictional accounts have been written in Thursday's reality about her adventures (novels which exist in our reality). Fforde also includes an extensive time travel plot involving the ChronoGuard. In case you can't guess, my favorite parts of his books take place inside fiction. I could do without the rest, but it's a package deal and the map of fiction at the beginning of Fforde's sixth in the series is a bibliophile's wet dream. I'm not kidding. Women's fiction and Racy Novel engaged in a severe border war? Of course. Cliffs of Notes, the Abridged Bridge, the Ungenred Zone and an island of Books Only Students Read. Convoluted plots forgiven!

If you are a big fiction nerd, read the Thursday Next series. I suggest not reading all the books at once. I find it more fun to be reminded and surprised by all the fictional in-jokes with each new book in the series. It's delightful fun and you'll feel smart while reading for getting all the jokes.

--KER

Review: Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera

2012-01-02T11:23:00.000-05:00

The Phantom of the Opera: a story fraught with expectations that precede it I honestly had no idea what to expect. I picked up the audiobook a few weeks ago from the library thinking it was high time I learned about the story and that I was in the mood to listen to an audiobook at the gym. While I've always been a theatre geek, I somehow never saw a stage or film adaptation of the Leroux's famous novel. Over the years I've seen plenty of posters and heard snatches of Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical to have vague notions of the story, but as I listened to audiobook I didn't know much more beyond a few iconic images - the mask, a giant chandelier falling, a beautiful young woman, etc.

Leroux's story opens with the owners of the Paris Opera House and their dealings with the Phantom as they turn over ownership of the opera house to new management before delving into Christine Daae's mysterious relationship to the Phantom. Told in true Gothic style, Leroux sets the scene for superstition and amateur detectives. Maybe I've watched too many episodes of Law & Order (ok, I definitely have), but our crime solving and willingness to accept the existence of a ghost has changed in the last century, therefore some of the characters' reactions stupefied me. Accepting that a Phantom haunts an opera house, demands a salary (for what services rendered?) and usurps valuable seats in the opera house during every performance? Unacceptable. But, Leroux's story is set in 1880s Paris, so I set aside my grievances. Leroux has truly mastered gothic storytelling - his novel is at once horrifying and somewhat romantic. I take issue with the romantic side. I find Erik to be a creep. I cannot accept him as romantic. He's a wounded soul (yes), but he knows his actions are wrong, which is why he goes to such lengths to hide himself, his past and his present actions. He stalked a young woman, kidnapped her, threatened her and forced her to marry him. He has a torture chamber in his home. Really? That's romantic? He died of a broken heart? Give me a break. He displays all the classic signs of an abuser - verbally, physically and mentally assaulting his victim and then profusely apologizing to never do it again. Ugh.

So, I don't think Erik is romantic. His character fails to appeal to my personal sensibilities and by the end of the novel, I was fed up, however, I recognize that Leroux captured the romantic feel of his time. Part of my frustration may be from Henry Butler's reading (narrator of the audiobook) as he drew out the repetitive nature of certain sections, like when the Persian and Raoul are trapped in the flooding torture chamber I was actually rolling my eyes. I get it. They are trapped. They might drown, but I know they don't because this is all from the Persian's written account, which means he survived to write down the story ... get on with it! I just, ugh. I can't over how much I disliked the Phantom and his motivation - his love for Christine and desire for a wife. I know, I know, gothic = some element of death, but ew. He's described as corpse-like and she as a real living bride. It squicked me out.

I was much more interested in how he penetrated every room, corridor and mind in the opera house and more importantly - why? What deformity did he have at birth? For the most part those questions are answered in the epilogue. Leroux uses the epilogue to neatly describe Erik's troubled past, plot his tracks to the opera house and explain away his deep desire to be like everyone else ... by kidnapping a woman and demanding she become his wife. Yeah, that's normal.

Here's the thing: the novel starts off with a promising premise - the narrator is investigating the truth of the myth about the Phantom of the Opera using police reports, eye witness accounts and exploration of the opera house. I enjoyed the stories the ballet dancers told and even how the phantom swindled money from the managers of the opera house. Scaring the dancers is a bit creepy, but blackmailing the management, which reprehensible, is clever. If the story had stayed in that realm and unveiled the past and the tricks of the Phantom, that would have satisfied me. The focus on Christine, Raoul and Erik's love triangle frustrated me to no end. The love triangle diverted the story so much that when the managers receive their money back, they simply wash their hands of the Phantom and don't worry about him any more. Thanks for neatly tying up those loose ends devoid of any curious minds.

By the end of the novel I was bored. I never got caught up in the atmosphere of the novel. I just wanted to know how it ended and I didn't even care if Christine lived or if the Phantom let her go. I didn't find the characters compelling or care about their development of which there was little. The Phantom changes somewhat at the end by releasing Christine and we never see Christine or Raoul after their horrifying hours in the Phantom's home. From what I've read of the musical, the story is altered and some other reviews of the novel assert the musical and the movie are better. Having seen neither, I can neither agree nor disagree, however, I find it hard to believe that I will enjoy an iteration of a story that many accept as romantic in which a man kidnaps a woman and demands she become his wife. Not cool.

--KER

Tiffany Baker's The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

2011-12-30T12:05:00.000-05:00

Truly Plaice, simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary, narrates Baker's debut novel. Truly suffers from a thyroid disorder, causing her rapid weight gain throughout her life - childhood included. Compared to her beautiful and delicate sister in a small town circa 1950, Truly quickly becomes an outcast. Add to her physical woes the fact that her mother died while giving birth to her - she appears to be a source of grief for her family. Her well-intentioned, but undereducated father is ill-equipped to raise two young girls on his own. Truly spends much of her childhood ridiculed for her appearance, sheltered and a misfit. Baker's novel travels through Truly's life, reflecting on her relationship with her sister, her pseudo-family and the world. Told in omniscient first person, which troubled some reviewers, Truly knows details of events without explanation. This technique didn't bother me. I listened to this audiobook at work one week and I found the lyrical language, elements of mysticism and Truly's indignation at the mistreatment of misfits enjoyable. In her adult life, Truly discovers long held secrets in her small town, regarding alternative medicine, clashing strongly with her doctor brother-in-law and his long time medical family.

Truly is an empathetic narrator: she is concerned for the well-being of her family and understands all too well the impatience of the world with those who do not conform. The narrative felt like a southern novel, with its emphasis on family ties and heritage, the small town traditions and gossip and Truly's father's resistance to medicine. The novel is actually set in the northeast, which I repeatedly forgot while listening to the book. This story had a bit of everyday suspense - what happened to Truly's sister, what secrets did her brother-in-law and lifelong friend share, will Truly find happiness, will her nephew be ok without his mother, what is the magic of the quilt Truly finds? And these questions are answered, some rather predictably others with a bit of a twist and while the novel wraps up a bit too neatly for my taste, I enjoyed Truly's story and being along for the ride.

--KER

Review: Veronica Roth's Divergent

2011-12-29T12:43:00.001-05:00

I'll admit I read this book very quickly - in less than 24 hours. A couple of friends recommended it, comparing its plot and addictive quality to The Hunger Games. I'm inclined to agree.

Divergent is another work in the canon of dystopian societies where the protagonist finds a way to break free - from Huxley's Brave New World to Lowry's The Giver to the more recent The Hunger Games and I am sure scores of others - dystopia in not a new topic, but it never fails to fascinate. The human race, in an effort to curb war, unhappiness, poverty and whatever else ailed it before the new regime, creates distinct groups of people. In Roth's Divergent, there are five factions: Dauntless (valuing bravery and courage), Abnegation (valuing selflessness), Candor (valuing honesty), Amnity (valuing peace) and Erudite (valuing intelligence and the pursuit of knowledge). As it usually the case in these novels, the new system initially brings the semblance of peace, prosperity and order, until discontent settles. Corruption, pursuit of power, pride, confusion - all the reasons for creating a system of order - all the reasons humans fight rise to the surface.

Roth's protagonist, Beatrice discovers she is divergent, meaning she can think for herself and displays traits of multiple factions; all dangerous qualities. She leaves her family's faction (Abnegation) and joins a dangerous breed (Dauntless), all at a time when her society is on the cusp of a revolution. Not quite as complex as The Hunger Games trilogy, the story is just as fascinating and addictive to the reader. I worried about Beatrice the way we (the audience) always worry about the ONE (thanks, Matrix trilogy). I think we strive to find our better society and when we realize it doesn't work, we want a savior (hey there latent Christianity, good to see you). Our culture loves the idea of one person who can fix our problems and even better when it's a young woman! Naturally there is a B-plot with a love interest for Beatrice, but it's rather unobtrusive on her character development and it's unrealistic to desire a young adult novel, featuring young adults who are not experiencing puberty. Perhaps it would have been more interesting if the featured relationship were not male/female, but Roth does explore Beatrice's inexperience with sexuality and her fear of what a relationship means. Points for that.

The plainness of the Abnegation faction reminded me of The Giver and the strongly distinct factions reminded me of The Hunger Games. Roth fits nicely into the canon without distinguishing herself as revolutionary. I tore through this book because Roth knows how to build suspense - what is really going on with the Dauntless initiation, why does it seem like there is some larger plan at work and most importantly, what is the danger of being divergent? All these questions are answered while Roth does tee up room for a sequel: the revolution begins as the book ends. At its heart, this is book about a young woman finding her way in her world and figuring out who she truly is and I believe we need more books with a young female protagonist.

--KER

Book Review: Dotter of Her Father's Eyes

2011-12-23T12:02:00.000-05:00

Though I haven’t read a single page written by James Joyce, I have always been fascinated by him and his life. It is for this reason that when I saw a graphic novel was coming out about Joyce and the relationship with his daughter, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. I was not disappointed. In fact, I intend on buying more copies to give out to friends and family because I think this graphic novel has an audience wider that Joyce fans or graphic novel readers.

This graphic novel actually tells two stories; that of Mary Talbot and that of Lucia Joyce. Mary, the author of the graphic novel, had a tumultuous and at times an abusive upbringing. Her father was one of the leading Joycean scholars who suffered from depressive bouts and violent outbursts. Interwoven with Mary’s story is that of Lucia Joyce who has a similar relationship to her own father as Mary had to hers. For those who do not know about Lucia’s history, she was a free spirit who was misunderstood by her parents and therefore suffered a tortuous life.

There are striking similarities between Lucia and Mary who both came of age during pivotal times in history; Mary during the 1950s and 1960s right on the cusp of women’s liberation, and Lucia during the 1930s which socially mirrored that of the 1960s with changing roles for women. Yet both women are hindered by their parents’ own failed dreams and subsequent anger which kept them from encouraging their daughters. Instead, they wished to see them cloistered in a traditional setting despite the societal changes that were taken place. Both of their fathers struggled intellectually and this was played out in their troubled relationships with their daughters; forever changing their daughters’ lives.

The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and adds greatly to the story. Lucia’s story is told in illustrations that are defined but blend into each other as memories typically do. This was an interesting technique and very effective for her story. Mary’s story is told in sepia while Joyce’s story is told in shades of blue. This technique works perfectly as sepia brings to mind old photographs while shades of blue conjures up melancholy feelings which fits each story. There are images of “today” which are in full color and have very defined panels. This only adds to the feeling of remembrance in the other sections.

At under 100 pages, this graphic novel accomplishes a great deal in very little space. There is not a wasted word or image. This is quite possibly the best graphic novel I have read all year. If you know anything about me, you know that Seth is my favorite graphic novelist...well now he has some serious competition as this book rivals my love for Seth’s work. I am buying a copy for every woman, literature-lover, and historian in my life (which is basically everyone in my life...). Though I have seen this labeled as a children’s book in various places, it is far from it. It is more mild than other graphic novels but it certainly deals with issues of abuse and mental illness which is for a more advanced audience. I really think that this graphic novel will appeal to graphic novel readers and non-readers alike. The book is very approachable and the story flows easily without any jarring transitions that could throw off those who are not typically readers of graphic novels.

-DLP

Graphic Novel Review: Bloody Benders

2011-12-01T15:39:00.000-05:00

I know that I said the Axeman of New Orleans was the best in the series, but I lied! Bloody Benders is by far the best. The illustrations are far more complex and intriguing. The story kept me hooked and strapped to my seat. In all due honesty, I had never heard of the Bloody Benders so some of my excitement could have come from being introduced to the legend. Still, this adaptation of the legend is very intriguing and perfectly fits the mysterious story.

In case you're like me and don't know the story, I'll rely it here. In 1870, John Bender Jr. and John Bender Sr. staked their claim in Kansas along the Osage Trail. Within a year, they have built a house, a grocery store and have sent for their family. The parents speak very little english and count on their beautiful daughter, Kate, to help them survive. The family dabbles in spiritualism and holds seances that have the potential to become violent. Yet, it isn’t until dead bodies start appearing in nearby towns that the Benders become #1 on the suspect list. That is if only the authorities can find them.

I absolutely love the graphics in this book; they're stark and eerie. Though they're in black and white, Geary is able to solicit great emotion and depth. The illustrations are simple, but they're far from being dull or drab. The clean lines and use of black and white (even without any gray) work well with the subject matter and atmosphere of the empty and vulnerable prairie.

This one is a bit different because from the rest of the series because the murders are clearly known. Instead, the mystery is where the Bender’s fled to and if they will ever be found. Still, like the other issues in the series, it is like watching an episode of unsolved mysteries with a little bit of a history lesson.

-DLP

J. Edgar Hoover: A Graphic Biography

2011-11-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

I love graphic novels. I think that they’re a fantastic medium to explore a multitude of topics. Sadly, besides memoirs, there are very few nonfiction graphic novels (I am aware of the contradiction in that statement). So when I stumbled upon Rick Geary’s graphic biographies, I felt like the graphic novel deities had granted my wish. Sadly, I don’t think that this series is all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, I would stick to his series on Victorian era murders.

I am not going to rely the entire biography of J. Edgar Hoover here. If you’re interested in his life, go see the new movie or Google it. Instead, this review is going to focus on this specific biography. Like Geary’s work in his other series, his graphics are used to illustrate the very dry text that he supplies. In fact, the book reads more like a timeline than an enthralling biography. At just about 100 pages, there really isn’t enough room to really delve into the conflicting aspects of Hoover’s character.

Personally, I had never read anything about Hoover so I was hoping to learn a great deal from this book. Unfortunately, the facts came at me rapid fire and I had difficulty remembering them once I closed the book. That being said, I think that people who are familiar with his life may enjoy this book as a refresher. The graphics are typical Geary but they somehow lose their charm in this book. Of course this is not a comment on all of his graphic biographies (though I took a stab at the issue on Trotsky and couldn’t get through it). For me, I’m going to stick with his previous series instead!

-DLP

Classics Illustrated: A Cultural History

2011-11-29T20:26:00.000-05:00

I understand that the original “Classics Illustrated” was published far before I was born but I can say that I got to them as soon as I was able. I love literature. In fact, I have made a life and career out of it. Additionally, I love graphic novels. So clearly I would cheer with happiness upon discovering that the two had mated and created “Classics Illustrated”. The series includes great pieces of literature from “Moby Dick” and “The Iliad” to “Wurthering Heights” and “Great Expectations”. There truly is something for everyone. But this review is not about “Classics Illustrated”, kind of. It’s actually about a nonfiction book that was recently published about the founding and rise of the famous series.

This book can easily be described as a cultural history book chronicling the founding and development of “Classics Illustrated”. Many chapters focus on individual authors who wrote/illustrated for the series and how their unique perspective molded the comics. The book is objective in that is examines each artists’ strengths, weaknesses, and techniques. To prove his point, the author includes a multitude of black and white images of covers and panels from the original comics. Don’t worry, there are plenty of colored plates as well that really bring the comics to life. It is these colorful plates that bring the comics to life and truly show the trend from cartoon, to realism, to abstraction. The author also describes the five spin-off series including nonfiction comics that were brought about by Roberta Strauss Feuerlicht in the 1960s. The spin-off series were geared towards young adult readers and were published with the purpose to educate as well as entertain. Such titles included “The Ugly Duckling,” “Cinderella”, and “The Pied Piper.”

Clearly, this cultural history is quite thorough. William Jones, the author is an avid reader and collector of “Classics Illustrated” which makes him the perfect person to pen this book. His adoration for the series is contagious and this publication is obviously a labor of love. For those who have read and enjoyed the series, this is a MUST read. For a casual reader, this is probably not for you as Jones often dwells on ancillary details that would bore anyone not enthralled with “Classics Illustrated”.

-DLP

Let's Talk about 'The Hunger Games'

2011-11-29T10:38:00.000-05:00

I came late to The Hunger Games frenzy. I'd heard about it a bit from colleagues, read a few references online in random contexts and wrongly assumed that it was something that I just missed in school, like how I've never read Lord of Flies (I'm sorry! My class skipped that in favor of several selections from Oprah's book club.) When two of my colleagues with whom I shared an office were reading it and anxiously trying to out read each other while also discussing the upcoming film I knew it was time to get on the bandwagon. I then realized the trilogy was written very recently, is not yet taught in schools, and extremely addicting.

I decided to grab the audiobooks from the library and I listened to them constantly. I was hooked instantly. Not only did I take them with me to the gym, but I listened to them on my commute, when I was alone at the office and while making dinner! I think audiobooks provide a very different experience than reading, which I've written about before. I've read a bit about how other readers react to The Hunger Games and what is universally true is that they felt the urge to read it all quickly to find out WHAT. HAPPENS. NEXT. It's a weird premise to explain, not unlike the Harry Potter books. Also not unlike the Harry Potter books, these are consumed quickly. But taking a step back, The Hunger Games trilogy deals with some very fascinating issues such as governmental control, race, a caste system, independence, and power to name a few. There's a love story thrown in, but I didn't think it mattered much. Sure, the film adaptations could focus heavily on the love triangle, but as this fellow points out, that's not what makes the books SO COMPELLING to read. The author, Suzanne Collins, explained that part of her inspiration came from footage of war coverage juxtaposed with reality tv when she flipped through the channels on her television.

Here's what I like about both The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter books, not that I necessarily think about them together, is that they can be enjoyed as a fast-moving story, full of suspense and extraordinary situations, while at the same time exploring interesting topics on a deeper level. I really respect that in a novel. As someone who works long hours, I really appreciate books that grab my interest instantly and that's what The Hunger Games did. Tana French's books do that too.

What about the upcoming film adaptation? I'll probably go see it with the aforementioned colleagues who've also read the books. Why not? I don't revere the books the way I have with other novels, so there is no harm. I think because I listened to them all in quick succession I didn't visualize the stories fully or get caught up in specific characters. I was just focusing on hearing the story while walking home from work. It's almost like when I watch the Twilight movies, except I didn't read those books because they sound horrible. I like being a part of some cultural phenomenons around me. Except for the tomfoolery around the Titanic film over ten years ago, but that's a story for another day.

--KER

The Lover's Dictionary

2011-11-28T08:29:00.000-05:00

David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary is an original new novel with a new twist on love and relationships. Using the format of dictionary definitions; word, part of speech and definition, The Lover's Dictionary offers vignettes and sentiments as perspectives on relationships. The reader gets glimpses into a few different couples and their circumstances. Occasionally elements of one 'definition' will be repeated in a different way in connection with a different word, providing a familiar frame, but a vastly changed outcome. In some instances, the reader can thread together a number of words to illustrate the life of one relationship. As a whole, each piece offers a way of viewing our relationships, partners and lovers. Very enjoyable, quick read that can be returned to over and over.

--KER

Why 'Footloose' is most fun you'll have at the movies all year

2011-11-27T22:07:00.000-05:00

Let's be real here, if you don't enjoy movies ironically or never got a kick out of the antics of the MST3K guys, then you may not agree with me. But let's say you love rifftrax AND you grew up on the Footloose soundtrack, then I think you need to race to the closest movie theatre and watch the remake of Footloose. To borrow from another dance movie that's been remade, you'll have the time of your life!

A little background: long before I saw the Kevin Bacon classic or even knew the name Kevin Bacon, I knew the musical stylings of Kenny Loggins & Co. from the Footloose soundtrack. My mom used to play it while getting us to help her clean the house. I knew all the words to all the songs and I thought 'Almost Paradise' was the most romantic song ever. [If you are interested, I also knew all the words to several Rod Stewart songs and my brother and I had a full lip sync/dance number to Stevie Wonder's 'I Just Called to Say I love You' -- from the RECORD.] Ahem, when I finally did see Footloose, which I did not realize was a movie until I was at least ten, I remember watching the opening sequence with my brother and feverishly dancing along, so excited that all my favorite songs were on the big screen! Of course I loved the original; I already loved the music, what more did I need!?!

Given my history, I was poised to love/hate Footloose remake. I saw the trailers and everytime one came on I'd think "that looks like Footloose, except it looks too ridiculous." Turns out, I was right. But it was AWESOME. No really, I loved the movie! It was funny on purpose and not on purpose with the terrible scriptwriting. The rifftrack practically writes itself. The poor actor/dancers are better dancers than actors, which is nice, but make all the talking parts delightfully funny. While the framing of the story could have been better updated to reflect present day concerns a bit more, I can let that go. It's Footloose -- a movie premise based on the idea that an entire town would ban dancing due to a teenage drunk driving accident. Overall the dancing was good and most of the updated soundtrack added to the tone. I didn't enjoy the selection for Ren's 'angry dance' scene and I wished there'd been more riffs on the original.

Setting all faults aside; this is how updated remakes should be. The original movie is not lofty and neither is the remake. This film knows what it is: fluff. The remake maintains all the fun of the original while putting on a fresh coat of paint and changing up a few of the details. Plus, parts of it were so ridiculous I laughed so hard I cried. I don't think that's happened at the movies since I went to see High School Musical 3. So go! Have fun! Laugh with your friends until your sides hurt and then go out for ice cream and re-cast all your favorite '80s movies.

--KER

Ghost Rider: only watch it with Rifftrax

2011-11-27T10:07:00.000-05:00

I did not grow up reading comic books or following super heroes. They are not particularly interesting to me, but watching Ghost Rider (not to be confused with the children's show Ghostwriter) with the rifftrack was perfect! Those MST3K guys had 'Nicholas Cage' join them. And if you love Nicholas Cage for all his receding hair is worth, this rifftrax combo is for you. As a bonus, Sam 'grizzled' Elliot is also in the movie AND Nick Cage's head catches on fire (spoiler alert: he doesn't die, sorry to disappoint).

Just had to share how much fun this movie is with the rifftrack!

--KER

Anya's Ghost

2011-11-23T10:35:00.000-05:00

I love ghost stories. I love stories of haunted houses, spooky encounters, and ghostly meetings. When I saw a book with “ghost” in the title, I requested it from the library without even reading a single review. Because of this, I had no expectations and this graphic novel certainly exceeded any that I did have.

Anya is the epitome of misunderstood; her mother wants to fatten her up with traditional Russian cuisine, her best and only friend makes fun of her crushes, and school is far from being a cake walk. One day, while on her way to school, she falls into a well where she meets a friendly ghost. Emily, the ghost, has been trapped in the well for 90 years and can’t wait to escape with Anya. The two become fast friends until Emily’s guidance takes a nasty turn. Anya must uncover Emily’s past before Anya’s future is jeopardized.

This graphic novel has very few flaws. The illustrations are in grays, blacks, purples, and whites which become progressively oppressive as the story becomes darker. Anya is a very relate-able character as she is your typical fish out of water teen. I think teen readers will sympathize with Anya and when Emily starts to improve Anya’s life, readers may even be envious that they don’t have a ghostly pal. However, a dark twist occurs that causes Anya to give thanks for her typical teenage life. Thus causing the reader to do the same. I found the investigations into Emily’s past to be the most interesting aspect of the graphic novel. Overall, this graphic novel teaches a good lesson while remaining interesting and a bit eerie.

-DLP

Renoir: Luncheon of the Boating Party

2011-11-21T23:14:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I was never very interested in paintings or art that wasn't performed. Oh sure, I find paintings and artwork interesting when I am at a museum, but as an interest to pursue on my own time? Not so much. My book club selection Susan Vreeland's Luncheon of the Boating Party as our next read and for those of you with a bit more knowledge of fine art than I will instantly recognize this as a reference to the Renoir painting. Naturally I did not and having missed the meeting when this book was picked, I blithely picked up a copy at the library not knowing what I was getting into. This happens to me all the time with book club.

The description: "Instantly recognizable, Auguste Renoir’s masterpiece depicts a gathering of his real friends enjoying a summer Sunday on a café terrace along the Seine near Paris. A wealthy painter, an art collector, an Italian journalist, a war hero, a celebrated actress, and Renoir’s future wife, among others, share this moment of la vie moderne, a time when social constraints were loosening and Paris was healing after the Franco-Prussian War. Parisians were bursting with a desire for pleasure and a yearning to create something extraordinary out of life. Renoir shared these urges and took on this most challenging project at a time of personal crises in art and love, all the while facing issues of loyalty and the diverging styles that were tearing apart the Impressionist group. Narrated by Renoir and seven of the models and using settings in Paris and on the Seine, Vreeland illuminates the gusto, hedonism, and art of the era. With a gorgeous palette of vibrant, captivating characters, she paints their lives, loves, losses, and triumphs in a brilliant portrait of her own."

This novel did pique my interest in Impressionism, the painters who formed the theory and Renoir (sort of), but it didn't do much more than that. I spent some time googling Renoir and Degas. And then a bit of time looking up Salvador Dali because for some reason I kept picturing 'The Persistence of Memory' whenever I read Degas name. Stop looking at me like that. I already told you Art and Art History were not my thing.

To me this novel read like a supplement to a unit in a high school class. Granted we never spent much time on the Franco-Prussian War and the state of Paris after the war, but if we did I imagine my syllabus might include this novel to provide a flavor of the culture. What I mean is, Susan Vreeland isn't doing anything particularly interesting as a literary author, nor is she providing a compelling new take on the artistic process. In fact, the artistic process here falls flat. Renoir feels inspired to paint. He does. He has some angst as all true artists do. He loves women. Blah, blah. So what? What are you telling me that is new? Nothing. Except that I didn't know much about Impressionism before I read this book and I don't really know much more about it now. And that's the big problem, Vreeland leaves most of the politicis, in-fighting and backstabbing off the table. It's not an intricate study of la vie moderne as it claims to be. It's a methodical account of the time during which Renoir painted 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' and it's sort of told from the perspective of the other models, but I kept forgetting that was a technique until a rare chapter started that didn't sound like we were following around Renoir. Snooze.

I was grateful for the replications of the painting so that I could follow along as figures were added and that made it like a fun puzzle. But I got the same satisfaction from reading about the painting on Wikipedia.

I can't tell you what to read that might do this particular genre/topic better, but if you have recommendations, please tell me. I like having my horizons broadened through literature, this just didn't really do it.

--KER

The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans

2011-11-21T20:46:00.002-05:00

I really enjoy the 20th Century Murder Series, even though I have only read three. They have a way of condensing the materials surrounding an unsolved murder and making them accessible to the general public. Yet, the illustrations and many times the stories are very similar. It is for this reason that I read them sparingly. When I saw that they had published a piece on the ax murderer of New Orleans, I just had to get my hands on it.

The graphic novel begins with a brief history of New Orleans which helps to give context to the murders. Additionally, it works as an abbreviated history lesson that is both informative and interesting. In 1918, Joseph and Catherine Maggio were murdered in their bed. The murders were similar to those committed seven years prior when an Italian couple who owned a grocery store were murdered in their beds. In both of the crimes, the houses were broken into by dislodging a panel of wood in the front door and the victims were killed by axes. When similar crimes continue to erupt in New Orleans, the entire city is put on alert and the question is asked “who is the axe murderer and when will he stop?”

I felt that the illustrations in this installment were actually better than those in other graphic novels in the series. The graphics seemed more intricate and interesting. Unlike most graphic novels, the illustrations aren’t exactly needed because the text tells the entire story. Yet, the text is quite dry and almost seems as if it is taken directly from court transcripts. Therefore, the graphics make the novel much more enticing to readers. I would certainly recommend this graphic novel and might even tell readers to start with this one when reading the series.

-DLP

The Arctic Marauder

2011-11-20T11:19:00.000-05:00

Let me preface by saying that the illustrations in this graphic novel are by far some of the best pieces of artwork that I have ever seen! When artwork this good is placed next to text, the story pales in comparison. Such is the case with this graphic novel.

A ship is sailing peacefully in the arctic when a crewman spots another ship perched atop an iceberg. The captain from the first ship sends a dinghy out to the stranded ship in hopes of saving the passengers or at least discovering how the ship got there. When they arrive, they find that all of the crewman on the stranded ship have frozen at their posts. The men turn around in time to see their own ship explode before their eyes. Their future seems beyond bleak and the perched ship sends them on a mysterious journey.

In many ways, the story is classic Steampunk. The graphic novel is in an oversized format which perfectly fits the larger than life tale. The drawings are absolutely beautiful and far outshines the writing, which is also lovely. I truly wanted to love this graphic novel and while I adored the drawings, I did not fall in love with the overall package. Therefore, I have to give it three stars as I found the story confusing and secondary to the illustrations.

-DLP

Hades: Lord of the Dead

2011-11-16T21:43:00.002-05:00

I love mythology. From the first time my parents read to me stories of Zeus, Aphrodite, and Hera...I was completely hooked. So whenever I see a new book out on any of my Mount Olympus friends, I just have to own it. If there is anything I love more than mythology, it’s the stories of Hades; he is by far my favorite male god. When I came upon this graphic novel about Hades, I just knew I had to read it. While it wasn’t what I was expecting, I did enjoy it and think that it will appeal to many young adult readers.

When spunky, smart, and sassy Kore is taken hostage by Hades, she is irritated and a little nervous. While her mother, Demeter, becomes frantic looking for Kore, Kore discovers that the underworld may not be so bad. In fact, she comes to love Hades and his dark world. But when her mother comes to retrieve her, Kore has a big decision to make one that will change her forever.

The beginning of the story is told in the second person “you” and is almost presented as driving directions for the underworld. The author leads the reader through the river Styx and through the various layers of the underworld all the while pointing out important people and other myths that exist in the dark world. The illustrations of this place are dark in mostly blues, blacks, and purples. The mood is eerie and at times unsettling. The reader is then treated to an overview of Mount Olympus, certain gods who will be featured in the story, and an introduction to the rift between the Mount Olympus gods and those of the underworld. This is very helpful to readers who are new to mythology, need some brushing up or were never taught of the gods.

I believe that the intended audience is young adults specifically middle schoolers. The language isn’t juvenile but it certainly isn’t adult. Additionally, the entire story reads like a storyboard for a movie possibly even a Disney movie. By writing it in such a way, I think that author is trying to make the myths appeal to a younger audience. For young boys, they will find the women in the novel attractive and humorous. For the young girls, they will relate to the relationship between Demeter and Kore. In addition, they may see themselves in Kore as she much more of a contemporary girl who voices her opinions and isn’t scared of authority. All of these aspects make the traditional story have a much more modern feel. While I wasn’t ecstatic about this, anything that can get youngins interested in mythology is fantastic to me!

Overall, I have to give this graphic novel three stars. I thought that the author tried to cover a bit too much ground in only 80 pages. While it was interesting to see the myth have some new life breathed into it I believe it is a good supplement to the original though not a substitute. The discussion questions at the end are great and include some fantastic talking points that I think will be very helpful to teachers. I would absolutely buy this for my niece in middle school, but as a graphic novel for adults...I think it falls a bit flat.

-DLP

Spoon River for the Stage

2011-11-15T17:17:00.000-05:00

I am a huge lover of Spoon River Anthology! It is by far one of my favorite books. So when I heard that it had been turned into a play, I was a bit suspicious but also curious. I was pleasantly surprised. Though nothing can compete with the original!

Basically, this play picks up where the play “Our Town” left off. For those who have not read “Spoon River Anthology”, it takes place in a town cemetery in which every inhabitant of the cemetery gets a chance to speak about their life and death. These soliloquies are compact and are typically about ten lines of free verse poems. Many of the poems are connected with others as the majority of the inhabitants of the cemetery are related to others. Due to this, each verse gives a clearer picture of the town’s residents as well as the town itself.

In regards to the play, each poem is read by its subject which include adulterers, bastards, widows, town drunks, murderers, and a whole gang of colorful residents. Similar to “Our Town”, there is minimal stage direction which places the focus of the play on the story’s strong and emotional content (where it belongs). That being said, there are few interactions between characters but those that do occur are pivotal. The poems in the play are only a selection from the original book but they are still very moving and just as dark and depressing as the original book. Despite the serious tales, there are a few glimmers of hope.

-DLP

Unraveling Anne

2011-11-11T15:41:00.000-05:00

Today seems to be the era of the memoir and while I adore reading, I do not also adore memoirs. However, I am always willing to be proven wrong and recently...I have been proven wrong many many times! I was on a memoir high when I decided to take a stab at this one. The synopsis that the published released sounded very appealing to me because it sounded a great deal like mine and my mother’s life with some of our relatives. I found a great deal of closure in this memoir for myself and even lent the book to other members of my family. Unfortunately, for the average memoir-reader, I don’t know that this book would be that appealing.

To say that the author Laurel Saville had a tumultuous relationship with her mother, Anne, is to say that the Crusades were unpleasant. Laurel begins her mother’s story by telling of Anne was found murdered in possibly sexually assaulted in an abandoned building in West Hollywood. Upon hearing this news, Laurel decides to shelf the matter as dealing with her and her mother’s past will only hurt Laurel. When Laurel’s father becomes ill, she finally decides that it is time to come to terms with her mother’s death and her life. Laurel decides to research her mother’s murder and in doing so pulls the curtain back on her own damaged childhood. She writes about the long line of destructive and abusive men that tramped through her mother’s life; the fluctuating emotions that her mother had when drinking (and she was always drinking); and her inevitable decision to move to the other side of the country in hopes of releasing herself from her mother’s grasp. Anne’s erratic behavior, narcissistic nature, and inability to raise her children led to fractured family in which Anne was always the child and expected to be taken care of by either her grandparents or children.

While it is difficult to read such a story, it is even more arduous to have any kind of compassion of sympathy for Anne. Yet, Laurel is not the kind to be victimized or vilify her mother. Instead, she presents the facts and makes sure that the reader understands that they are presented from her point of view. Additionally, she presents the memoir in an anti-chronology. Instead of starting with her birth or her mother’s upraising, she begins with her mother’s death. She then jumps around in time between her childhood, her adulthood, Anne’s childhood, and Laurel’s adolescence. For some readers, this may be distracting and difficult to understand. However, I thought that is matched the memoir perfectly. She presents her stories as memories which are no sequential. It might make it harder for the reader, but it’s more true to life and memory.

While I was pretty entranced by the memoir, I cannot fully endorse it. The reason being that I don’t know how many people will really enjoy. As I previously stated, I could relate to the story and therefore found it merits. For those who have not had a fractured family such as Laurel’s, you may find the memoir self-indulgent or even tedious. Additionally, this is not a memoir specifically about Anne so if you are looking for a story about the dark side of Hollywood as seen through the eyes of a 1960s model...this is not the book for you. This is just as much Laurel’s memoir as it is her mother’s. Personally, I think that the book could benefit from some photographs. Many of the descriptions of Anne focus on her great beauty and eventual disintegration, similar to Dorian Gray. Unfortunately, there aren’t any photographs to back this up. I was able to find some online, but it’s a bit of a hassle when they easily could have been printed in the book. Lastly, while the writing was beautiful and I found the story to have worth, it seemed more like a personal project that had somehow been published. I am sure it was a catharsis for Laurel but I don’t know how well it will play out with larger audiences. I do believe it has a future, I am just unsure what or where that is.

-DLP

The Reservoir

2011-11-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

Let me get this out in the open first: I love southern literature, I love southern writers, and I can’t get enough of books set in the South. So when I heard John Milliken Thompson speak, I knew that I had to be first in line for his novel. I read it the first time when it had just come out and I have to say that I felt a bit bogged down. There seemed to be a lot of characters and descriptions that I could have done without. Two days ago, I picked it up again because it was the only book in my car and I needed something to read. I have to say that my second reading was nothing like my first!! I found the novel to be incredibly compelling, the descriptions placed me right in the action, and the characters were fantastic.

When a young woman is found floating dead in the reservoir, the officials in the sleepy town assume that it is a suicide. Upon closer examination, they find that not only was it a homicide but the young woman was pregnant! The little town goes wild as nearly every resident tramps through the local almshouse to see the body of this mysterious woman.The novel then cuts to Tommie, the murderer, who is the beloved son in his family. As a college-educated, soon to be lawyer, he far surpasses his brother, William, who is kind and gentle but far from scholastic. The story continues to bounce between Tommie, William, and various towns members as the tension builds and Tommie is brought back to the sleepy town where he possibly committed unforgivable acts.

Some have described this novel as a mystery but I believe that to be a misnomer. It’s no more a mystery than “To Kill a Mockingbird” is. Some have described it as a courtroom drama. I also believe this to be false as it is no more a courtroom drama than “Midwives” is. It is, however, an enthralling piece of historical fiction about the post Civil War years. Even more important, it is a story about family, kinship, and community. Tommie’s guilt or innocence is not the driving force of the story. Instead, it is his relationship with his brother, his aunt, and himself that truly make the novel. The fact that the novel was based on an actual case is fascinating but not surprising as Thompson’s descriptions feel so real and almost tangible. In many ways, I reminded me a great deal of “Midwives” in which the driving force of the novel isn’t the character’s guilt or innocence but the overall concept of guilt and innocence and the many ways in which a person can be put on trial.

-DLP

A Classic Makes a Return Appearance: The Tunnel

2011-11-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

I am extremely disappointed that this is the first I have come across Ernesto Sabato because he is FANTASTIC! He has been compared to Gogol, Camus, Mann, and Greene and he certainly deserves that place amongst the greats. For the first time in almost 30 years, “The Tunnel” is being reprinted and it would behoove you to pick up a copy. I’m only thinking out for you on this one!

Though it was written in 1948, the story couldn’t be more contemporary. The narrator, Juan Pablo Castel, is a successful artist who falls for a woman he sees at one of his exhibits. His adoration for her quickly becomes obsession and eventually paranoia which could put his love and life at risk.

The story is exceptional. It is dark, eerie, and has a very heavy atmosphere. Basically, it’s everything that I look for in a book. The language is sublime and not a single word is wasted. Still, the most amazing aspect of the book is the narration. At first, it seems very straight-forward in which Castel speaks directly to the reader about his past infractions. However, it quickly becomes clear that Castel is not a reliable narrator and his paranoia has made him delusional. Therefore, the novel changes from being about a heinous act and becomes a psychological drama that spirals further and further into Castel’s own psychosis. It is beautiful!

-DLP

Lincoln, Inc.: Selling the Sixteenth President in Contemporary America

2011-11-08T16:25:00.001-05:00

Because of Lincoln’s assassination, he has been heralded as a hero and anyone who disagrees is viewed as anti-American. Lincoln is the American Dream personified and because of that, he is idealized in all mediums from TV, movies, biographies, novels, t-shirts, and bobble heads to just name a few. This idolization is similar to that of Che Guevara. however, it’s to an even greater extent with Lincoln because he died almost 150 years ago and yet teachers still teach their students to act like him.

The author also hypothesizes that maybe how we view Lincoln is actually how we want to be viewed. He was born in the rags of lower class Kentucky and made it to the riches of being president. He brought people together during trying times, played peacemaker, and reunited a torn country. Clearly, we have turned him into a character with Mary Todd Lincoln acting as the antagonist. As the times change, historians and scholars have “dug up” new information on Lincoln such as his possible issues with depression and closeted homosexuality. The author explains that perhaps we’re fascinated with these new aspects about Lincoln’s character because we’re dealing with these issues today. However, we are doing an injustice to Lincoln by using him as the poster child for America and the American Dream. Due to this, we have never had a truthful portrait of the 16th president and maybe we never will.

The author’s views and opinions are fascinating and possibly groundbreaking. Shee has certainly made me a believer in her thesis. Her evidence is overwhelming and at times the reader wants to hit his/her head for not seeing something so obvious on their own. For the first half of the book, I was completely hooked. However, it eventually became a bit redundant and I felt as if I was progressively being hit over the head. Each chapter focuses on a different way that we “sell” Lincoln which is interesting and insightful but also overwhelming. For sociologists, anthropologists, and history buffs, this book is for you! For Lincoln-lovers, it is essential reading even if it might piss you off.

-DLP

The Summer of '39

2011-11-07T18:51:00.000-05:00

Wow. That’s all I can say. I finished this novel about two weeks ago and it’s taken this long for me to put my words on the page. This novel is fantastic in the way that only good literature can be; it’s dark, depressing, exquisitely written and filled with compelling characters. My only disappointment is that it took me this long to read it!

Nancy is part of an old Boston brahman family where she has been ignored and abused by her family. When her brother dies during WWI, Nancy’s life becomes exponentially worse. Her only solace comes when she visits her aunt and uncle in Falmouth, Massachusetts. Sadly, when these visits end, Nancy’s mother sends her to NYC. Once there, she meets Chance. Chance is the epitome of bohemian Greenwich Village (he runs his own publishing company from the printing press in his apartment). But when the couple becomes entranced by philosophical poet Isabel March, there are violent and destructive repercussions for the whole family.

I have to say that when I finished the novel I was even more depressed than at the conclusion of “The Bell Jar”. I had so many complex feelings that it has taken me two weeks to sort through them. While I found the story to be incredibly disturbing, it truly is great literature. The writing is just about flawless, the characters are deep, and the language is beautiful. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book! But if you’re depressed by the end...don’t say I didn’t warn you.

-DLP

Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea

2011-11-05T22:01:00.000-04:00

This book is the complete package; sorrowful, humorous, inspiring, dark and filled with love. I believe that this is Morgan Rogers’ first novel and it couldn’t be better. She has already been compared to Fannie Flagg and Elizabeth Stroud but I will go out on a limb and say that she is better!

Florine Gilham is an only child living in a coastal village in Maine during the 1960s. She has a motley crew of friends who also grew up on “The Point” with whom she gets into trouble, falls into love, and leans on in times of need. When Florine’s mother goes missing, Florine’s entire world is thrown upside down. Florine and her father disagree about the grieving process which further alienates her from what is left of her family. She moves in with her paternal grandmother where she finds the love and acceptance that she craves. Sadly, her relationship with loss and grief is not done with Florine or her family.

When trying to explain this novel to others, I describe it as “The Wonder Years” meets “Stand By Me”. It captures all of the hope, security, and love of the 1950s and 1960s while always hinting at the changing times and future hardships. The setting of coastal Maine is perfect as Rogers compares the simple lives of the year-round residents with the glamorous lifestyle of the seasonal visitors. In doing so, she investigates issues of class, familial relationships, and the meaning of home. Her characters are wonderfully dynamic while remaining real. At times you disagree with their stances, dislike their attitudes, and become angry with their choices. Yet, you can’t help but love them. When you come to the last page, I’m certain you’ll be as sad as I was to have to say goodbye to the characters and The Point. You’ll want to re-read it all over again...

-DLP

Everything We Ever Wanted

2011-11-03T12:05:00.000-04:00

In the past five months, I have read four books about high school scandals. There must be something in the air that has turned so many people’s attention to these events. Of course bullying is in the forefront of everyone’s mind these days and I think that many of these books do justice to such a complicated topic. Unfortunately, there are other novels that fall short and do not add anything to this canon of literature. Sadly, Sara Shepard’s “Everything We Ever Wanted” is one of these works.

The story is told from various viewpoints within the Bates-McAllister family. First, is the matriarch of the family, Sylvie Bates-McAllister whose family established a private prep school in Pennsylvania. Two months after her husband dies, Sylvie receives a phone call from the headmaster of the school informing her that her son has been involved in a hazing situation. Sylvie’s son, Scott, is the school’s wrestling coach and was in fact adopted by the Bates-McAllister’s when he was young. Due to this, he has never felt like he fit in with the rich and famous with whom he was raised. Sylvie’s other son, Charles, is devastated that once again his adopted brother has dragged the family name through the mud. Watching all of this unfold is Charles’ new wife who has strived most of her life to become a Bates-McAllister and still is made to feel on the outs. The family must attempt to come together during this time and face their past demons in order to save their name, the school, and their family.

Clearly, there is a lot going on in this novel. I would like to say that it is handled well...but it’s not. There are far too may issues for a book that is under 300 pages and with characters that lack any development. The plot is horrifically predictable which would not be such an issue if the characters were more realistic and grew during the novel. The relationships portrayed are very thin and therefore hinder the novel from progressing or being meaningful. Though one can easily see where the book is leading you, there are many questions left unanswered. However, this is not like other pieces of literature where you mull over the ending and discuss with friends what really happened. Instead, this is as if you’re doing a crossword puzzle and someone forgot the clue for 39 across...you can still figure out the answer but it’s annoying and you lose interest. Personally, I will not be recommending this to any friend, book group, or family member. I give it two stars because I believe Shepard could make this into a decent young adult book, but there’s nothing here that hasn’t already been done...and done better.

-DLP

I Used to Know That: Geography

2011-11-02T13:19:00.000-04:00

Even though I hold a major in History, I haven’t taken a geography class since the 6th grade. Clearly, I had a lot to learn...or remember. This book single-handedly brought me up to date and gave me some great factoids to throw around.

Though this book is thin, it packs in some great information. The authors note that geography actually includes aspects of history, sociology, anthropology, archaeology, geology, etc. In an effort to prove this, they describe important historical events such as the dust bowl and some current events such as the recent tsunami. Of course there are some dry parts, but the “geo gems” really spice up the material and certainly made me turn to Google a couple of times to find out more. There was plenty that I remembered from those old geography lessons but I am sure that every reader will discover something new. I am not sure what reading level this book is geared to, but I am certain that readers of all ages will enjoy this book.

-DLP

Chills and cheap thrills: The Wedding Gift

2011-11-01T14:58:00.000-04:00

If there is ever a time to read this book, it is now! A haunted house, cursed family legacy, and generations of secrets make this novel the perfect read for Halloween. Of course it is not fine literature, and at times it seemed a bit sluggish but overall it’s a book meant for this season.

Narrator, Leeann Worthier, is the prettiest girl in town even if she isn’t from the most prestigious family. As a senior in high school, she spends her time cheering and hanging out with friends. That is until she meets George Willets who is the son of the wealthiest man in town. Once George sets his eyes on Leeann, there is no getting away from him. When Leeann announces that she’s pregnant, George defies his parents and marries her. Together, they move into the notorious Willets Mansion where George’s uncle, aunt, and cousins were murdered years ago. Leeann is hesitant to move in because her brother died at the mansion when she was younger. Still, she doesn’t want to turn down her chance of living on a giant estate. Unfortunately for Leeann, the rumors about the mansion being haunted are true and it’s not long before she becomes the victim.

This novel certainly gives its fair share of chills. The atmosphere is eerie, the setting is perfectly gothic, and the characters are straight out of a horror movie. Still, it has its weaknesses; the characters are thin and Leeann is oftentimes annoying, the plot is formulaic, and the relationships are a bit contrived. It is by no means Poe or Lovecraft, but there were certainly times where I had chills and had trouble falling to sleep. Overall, this is the prefect read for the perfect season.

-DLP

Sh*t My Dad Says

2011-10-30T20:30:00.000-04:00

When I was driving across the country this summer, I tried to find audiobooks that would make me laugh and keep me awake. I took a chance on this book because I had heard some of Halpern’s one liners and they made me giggle. After reading the back, it didn’t sound like there was much to this book but I hoped that at least it would keep a smile on my face. Fortunately, Halpern far surpassed my expectations!

As I am sure everyone knows by now, the book is based on Halpern’s tweets regarding his father. He reached over a million followers on Twitter and decided to take his cyper writing to the published page. In addition to his father’s quips, Justin also tells about how he found himself living in his parents’ house at the age of 28. Though Justin’s father is gruff, he clearly has great love for his son.

What is so refreshing about this memoir is that it’s not your typical memoir. Recently, memoirs have been very “in” but typically focus on drug addicted, alcoholic, quasi-celebrities who turn their lives around and make good. Halpern’s is a breath of fresh air!

-DLP

Red Garden

2011-10-29T12:35:00.000-04:00

Alice Hoffman and I have a bit of a hot and cold relationship. I absolutely adored her novel “The Blackbird House” and hold it as one of my favorite books. However, I find some of her other works to be less than fantastic. Still, I stand in line whenever one of her books comes out so I can get my hands on a copy. That’s why I pre-ordered “The Red Garden” and when I heard that it was similar to “The Blackbird House” I counted down the days until its release. I have to say that I was letdown a bit as it was not as good as “The Blackbird House” but it certainly surpassed some of her other works.

The town of Blackwell is located in western Massachusetts tucked into the Berkshire mountains. The novel follows the history of the town from its first inhabitants in 1750 until the present. The reader watches as the female founder struggles against the brutal weather to establish a homestead. You see years later how her descendants fought in the Civil War, WWII, and eventually in Vietnam. Many of the families from the original settlement are still in town over two hundred years later and have now intermarried with other founding families. Of course there are new people who come into the town and older members pass on, but the structure of the sleepy township has stood the test of time.

If you’re looking for a novel with several main characters, a firm plot, and a definitive ending…then you should pass on this. However, if you’re a fan of “Our Town” or novels about community…then you just have a new favorite read. Similar to “The Blackbird House”, which follows one house over two hundred years, “The Red Garden” details the growth of a town and its development. Throughout the years the reader meets Johnny Appleseed, experiences the death of a young girl, connects with gypsies along a riverbank, feels the sadness of outcasts, the courage of strong women, and the resilience of a community and way of life.

What puts this novel behind my favorite work of hers, are some of the individual stories. While most of them were fascinating, it seemed that many (too many in my opinion) centered around a strong woman who finds love in an unsuspected place and triumphs over her ghosts and the narrow-minded town. As a strong woman, of course I enjoy reading stories about woman like myself, yet it got a bit overdone when this is the plot of almost every story. Additionally, I thought that the novel was supposed to show the development of the community but stories that focused on the uppity and cliquey residents of Blackwell seemed to prove that the town didn’t actually change of time. This was disappointing for it was like reading an entire book and finding that the main character was exactly the same at the conclusion as s/he was in the beginning. Would I recommend this book, yes, but not as much as her previous novel.

-DLP

Book Review: Nobodies Album

2011-10-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

I love to buy books but oftentimes I finish a novel and no longer feel the need to keep it on my shelf. There are only so many books that I want to reread and all of the others get passed along. “Nobodies Album” isn’t going anywhere! It is staking great realty on my shelves. While I can’t say it’s fantastic or a classic representative of the time, I can say that it’s narrative style is beyond intriguing. The storyline seems hackneyed at points and thrown together at others, but it’s integration into the novel as a whole is fascinating. You owe it to yourself to read this book, even if you don’t like it...it’s worth a reading.

Olivia Frost is a successful writer living in an affluent Boston suburb. For her most recent book, she has decided to rewrite all of the endings from her previous novels. While her editor is less than thrilled with this idea, Olivia believes that her reinterpretation of her body of work will be interesting to her readers and therapeutic for herself. While delivering the manuscript to her editor, she hears on the news that her rockstar son has been accused of murdering his own girlfriend. Olivia is sent into shock and decides to head out to San Francisco to try to help her estranged son during this tough time.

The novel alternates between Olivia’s present relationship with her son and the endings that she has changed in her novels. Between each traditional chapter, is a “final chapter” of each of her novels. These excerpts are like short stories and fantastic in their own right but are also very telling about the characters in the larger novel. In the hands of another author, this narrative style could have ruined the entire book. Fortunately, you are in very skilled hands and the quirky style only adds to the beauty of the novel. Do yourself a favor, pick up this book. And when you’re done...grab another by her.

-DLP

Ghosts of Nantucket: 'Tis the Season to be Scary

2011-10-27T17:23:00.000-04:00

October is my favorite month. I love apple picking, the chill in the air...oh, and scary stories!! I am always on the hunt for a good spooky tale but too often I get stuck with gory books or stories that fall flat. When I saw this book at my local library, I thought that I would take a shot (even if the book is older than I am!). I am SO glad that I picked up this book because it was the perfect combination of scary, eerie, and chilling. Better yet, there are no dead bodies or bloody corpses.

The author has compiled a beautiful collection of stories that was born out of an oral history project. Perhaps this is the reason why the different tales come together so well, because she is not writing for the sheer scream factor. Additionally, she allows the people to speak for themselves without ever making them sound crazy or delusional. Due to this, the book is spine-chilling and perfect for the season!!

-DLP

Book Review: Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

2011-10-23T17:41:00.000-04:00

There is little I can add to the cacophony of reviews that are already out there. Still, I have to gush about how wonderful this book is. I am typically a fiction reader but often dip into nonfiction as long as it proves to be interesting and insightful. This seemed like it would be right up my alley, but I shied away from it because there seemed to be so much hype surrounding it. I dislike hype, on principal and try to stay away from most bestseller lists. Actually, I picked this book by default because the audiobook was in my partner’s car. Halfway through the first disc, I was completely enthralled. I even crossed state lines to go to a bookstore and buy a paperback copy so I could read it 24/7. After I finished it, I wanted to so back and read it all over again!

Unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard about this book. Still, I’ll give you a brief overview just in case you’ve been trapped in a time capsule. Henrietta Lacks was an African-American woman who lived in Maryland when she felt a hard ball on her cervix. Having no health insurance and little money, she went to Johns Hopkins where they removed her tumor and took some of her cells for future testing. However, the doctors did this without anyone’s knowledge or approval. Though Henrietta eventually died from this cancer, her cells became the first immortal cells. Since her death, they’ve been used in thousands of experiments in numerous field. Though people have made millions on Henrietta’s cells, her family saw none of the money and still has no health insurance.

What makes this book so fantastic is that the author takes a holistic approach to her writing. She doesn’t simply focus on the science of the cells but spends an equal amount of time on Henrietta’s family and their history. This adds an emotional edge that left me crying at times, which a book strictly on cells would never do (unless I was crying with boredom). The most exceptional aspect of the book is how well researched it is. Clearly, Henrietta’s family has been misrepresented since the 1950s. Fortunately, the author took years to get to know the family, understand their plight, and write objectively. I could ramble on for pages and pages but I will end by saying this: “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is by far one of the best books I have read in my entire life (and I read a lot).

-DLP

Book Review: The Funny Thing Is

2011-10-22T18:24:00.000-04:00

...that this book isn’t funny. I love Ellen (who doesn’t?!). I think that she’s funny, insightful, and incredibly wise. While I enjoy watching her show, I also loved her before she became the dancing, housewife heartthrob. It is for this reason that I picked up her book. More specifically, I got a copy of her audiobook so that I could listen to her read her book to me. I thought it would be like a private stand-up show with Ellen in my car. Sadly, it missed the most important ingredient...laughter.
In this book, Ellen has compiled a bunch of random musing that are neither funny nor insightful. For example, she tells of a brunch she has with various entertainment figured ranging from Eminem to Paula Abdul. I thought that there might be some chuckles, but mostly I was left feeling like “huh?”. I suppose I should have known better because the entire introduction was about how she didn’t want to write a book and how hard it was. If it was written by anyone else, I would have thought that they did if for the money.

Sometimes, I feel as if Ellen is holding back some of her humor because she is thought of as being “G” or “PG” rated. This was one of the reasons I picked up her book because I thought that she would write some “PG-13” or maybe possibly some “R” rated humor. Sadly, this was as funny and racy as a TV show on Nick Jr. I don’t like crude or overtly sexual humor, but I was hoping for at least some social commentary. Last month, her new book came out and I have to say that it looks very similar to this oldie. Sadly, I would have to tell you to pass on this one.

-DLP

Book Review: Official Book Club Selection

2011-10-21T13:57:00.000-04:00

Let me say it upfront, I am very “meh” about Kathy Griffin. Most times I find her to be annoying and think that her schticks are obnoxious bordering on rude. Still, she can get a chuckle out of me even if I don’t want her to. I basically got this book because of my partner who is a bit more of a Kathy fan than I am. However, once we started listening to it together, I just couldn’t stop! As far as celebrity tell-all, humor memoirs, go...this is the best of the bunch!!

You know Kathy, she’s the annoying red head who did too much plastic surgery, stormed out of the Emmy’s, and brought Bristol Palin’s baby daddy to a red carpet event. She can be annoying times ten but what this memoir shows is the softer side of Griffin; the woman who took two gay men who were kicked out of the military because of DADT to a red carpet event. However, this is not a sappy memoir where you find out that the wicked witch of the west has a heart. No. This is a truthful history of Kathy that is narrated by herself and she does what few people (especially celebrities) do...she writes about her flaws.

She brings the reader back to her younger years when she worked various jobs, none of which were on comedy, and took years to barely get noticed. She describes her rise to almost fame and the people who helped her get there. But she also talks about her closest friend who committed suicide, her severely troubled brother, and her ill fated marriage. She lays bare the truth about her plastic surgery, speaks of her regrets, and makes the reader chuckle while feeling her pain. This memoir is incredibly well down in the way that few memoirs are these days. Equal parts humor and heart-wrenching, Griffin does not disappoint. Even if you’re not a fan, try this book...it may change the way you think.

-DLP

Book Review: Domestic Violets

2011-10-20T20:46:00.000-04:00

When I finished this book, I realized that I had been waiting for it for over five years without even knowing. Norman is able to create the perfect recipe that includes laughs, tears, heartache, and forgiveness. I rarely say this, but this novel has it all! Therefore, I recommend it to all.

Tom is tired of his work as a copywriter and can see his marriage slipping away from him but he is helpless to do anything. When his father wins the Pulitzer Prize, Tom’s problems grow exponentially. Curtis Violet is the ultimate author; his works are taught in universities across the country and his reputation as a writer is only dwarfed by his reputation as a philanderer and heavy drinker. When Curtis decides to move in with Tom, Tom is confronted with his own inadequacies as a writer and husband. Yet the economy is on the brink and the crash might finally push Tom to chase after his dreams…or it could push him off of a rooftop.

This may be Norman’s first novel, but he is an expert when it comes to sarcasm and dark humor. Reviewers have compared him to Jonathon Tropper but Norman’s skill far surpasses that of Tropper’s. I typically enjoy dark stories with tragic characters and harsh endings. In between such heavy reading, I like to grab a book that will make me chuckle but doesn’t need me to bring much to the table. “Domestic Violets” is able to be this book while also having great depth, insight into characters and society, and weaving a beautiful family story into a witty office satire. I have no problem recommending this book to both men and women, which is nearly impossible to find! It is timely in subject matter but I believe will still be powerful in years to come. In many ways, it reminds me of the great Christopher Buckley and his classic “Thank You For Smoking”. This is a must read not just for 2011 but for this entire generation. Do yourself a favor, read it now before the rest of the country beats you too it.

-DLP

Book Review: The Lantern

2011-10-10T16:22:00.002-04:00

When I heard that there was a book coming out that was comparable to “Rebecca” I just knew that I had to get my hands on it! I knew I was bias going into it but I still am not sure if I was for or against the book. Certainly, it has some of the gothic appeal and charm of the great classics but it does fall short. Of course, this did not come as a surprise to me as it is hard to top the best in gothic literature. Still, this novel is not without its merits and if you’re hankering for some good old fashioned gothic but have re-read the classics too many times...then this is your book!

Eve is caught off guard when she falls for Dom, a man that she meets in a maze near Lake Geneva. The couple have a whirlwind romance which eventually leaves them on the doorstep of Les Genevriers, a slightly dilapidated estate with great atmosphere and a troubled history. Eve falls in love with the property but as she becomes more and more involved with its history, Dom becomes more distant and moody. Eve knows that Dom was married before but he refuses to share any information with her regarding that part of his life. Of course this pushes Eve to snoop into his past, even if it means placing her relationship with Dom in danger.

Alternating with chapters by Eve, are those written by Benedicte who was a previous owner of Les Genevriers. Benedicte, now elderly, is looking back on her troubled life plagued by the ghosts of her blind sister and violent brother. While the reader is able to see where Benedicte’s story is going, she is blind to its own development. For some readers, this was annoying and they felt that the mystery was predicable. However, I didn’t view this book as a mystery. Instead I thought it to be an atmosphere piece. While I knew more about Benedicte’s past than she did, it made me hurt for her and yearn to hear her side of the story.

Some readers were let down by this book and thought it not equal to “Rebecca”, lacking in mystery, and overall predictable. I agree with each of these assessments. However, I do not believe that these were in any way detrimental to the story. This novel is a stand alone that, while boasting similarities to the great gothic classics, holds its own story and purpose. Additionally, this book is not written as a mystery or thriller any more than “Jane Eyre” or “Wurthering Heights” was. The intrigue is used to develop the atmosphere, not the “who-done-it”. The predictably of the plot is to each their own. I had figured out elements of the ending within the first hundred pages though my true joy in reading it was knowing more than the characters and yet still watching it unfold. Overall, this is a good read. It’s not great, but it certainly kept me occupied for a few days and left me feeling satisfied with the story.

-DLP

Book Review: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

2011-09-26T17:54:00.000-04:00

I think we all know by now that I am a big Chelsea Handler fan. Her book “Are You There Vodka, It’s Me Chelsea” helped me through a tornado. So of course I had high hopes for this book as well. While it was no “Are You There Vodka”, I don’t think it disappointed. It was certainly a step up from “My Horizontal Life” and worlds better than “Lies That Chelsea Told Me”.

This book seems to focus more on her relationship with her boyfriend and boss, Ted. He is the perfect victim for Chelsea because he loves her and is incredibly gullible. This puts her in the ideal position to pull all of her usual antics like telling him that she accidentally killed their friends’ dog or trying to convince him to get a pet dolphin. Of course by now she knows that she is rich and famous and so some of the stories aren’t exactly accessible to us average folk. Still, she’s retained her wit. I think the best parts are the emails between herself and members of her family. For this alone I would pay $18!

-DLP

Book Review: Fiction Ruined My Family

2011-08-23T17:26:00.000-04:00

Let me just say it, I hate memoirs. I really truly do. I have read enough stories about how someone painted themselves green for a year and journaled about it, I have worked my way through stories about abusive families and drunken childhoods, I have found no interest in true tales of cooking one’s way through divorce. Overall, I am not the memoir type. It is for this reason that I have NO idea why I requested to read this book. When it arrived on my doorstep I took one look at it and thought “damn. another whiny memoir about a sucky childhood”. But let me say this: I WAS SO WRONG! Sure Jeanne Darst had an alcoholic mother, a distant father, and distraught siblings but her spin on her personal history is perfection. There is no whining, no complaining, and some actual levity. I haven’t laughed this much since “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea” (and we all know how much I loved that book). My only complaint is that no one told me this was funny, so I was the most shocked when I started hysterically laughing on the subway. All I could do was lift up the book to my fellow passengers as a gesture of apology and endorsement.

Jeanne Darst is moved from her loving household with her parents, siblings, and grandmother in St. Louis, Missouri to the bustling city of New York. Everyone is unsure if this midwest family can make the transition to the city that never sleeps. Fotunately, or unfortunately, they fit right in. Darst’s father is a starving novelist who has never actually written a published book but has great ambitions and knows that his break is just around the corner. Darst’s mother is an alcoholic raised with an in-house horse trainer only to be shackled to four kids and a dreamer husband in her adulthood. To say that she is resentful is a grave understatement. Jeanne chronicles her father’s revolving door of jobs, her mother’s attempt at the workforce and the inevitable disintegration of their familial relationships. While the goal of most parents is to inspire their children to follow their dreams, Jeanne’s family history pushes her away from her ambitions of being a writer. In order to find herself, she must first follow in the footsteps of her parents and recover from their wrongdoings.

I know this sounds heavy...and it is. BUT it is also hilarious! Darst has a fantastic wit, an excellent handle on sarcasm, and an eye for the ridiculous. She clearly loves her family but she sees its flaws and isn’t afraid to reveal them to the world. Additionally, she is open about herself and her character flaws. In this way, she reminds me a great deal of Chelsea Handler who is able to poke fun at the one she loves but also at herself. However, unlike Handler, Darst is introspective and understands the reasoning behind her actions. I want to give this five stars, but I felt that it did lag towards the end and regress into some navel-gazing. Still, I think just about everyone would benefit from reading this book!

-DLP

Book Review: Those Across the River

2011-08-22T16:11:00.000-04:00

I’m not usually a horror reader but every now and then I like to indulge in the macabre and spine chilling. So when I read about Those Across the River, I knew that I had to read it! Patricia Briggs describes it at a combination of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Dean Koontz. Now if that isn’t enough of an endorsement...then I don’t know what is. In addition, the book is set in the South which (as I am sure all of you know) is one of my favorite settings. The language is beautiful and evokes memories of classic gothic literature. The first 275 pages were fantastic! Things got a little weird after that but I didn’t stop enjoying the read until page 300. Of course I finished the book but was disappointed in the ending. Sadly, an ending can taint the whole book. While this was not entirely the case, I don’t think I will reread it.

Frank Nichols and his wife Eudora move into Frank’s family house in Whitbrow, Georgia. They had been ostracized by their colleagues in Chicago and are excited to get away from Eudora’s ex-husband and start anew. Frank is plagued by his tragic experiences in World War I and hopes that Whitbrow will distract him from his overwhelming feelings of guilt. Luckily, the plantation owned by Frank’s ancestors is just across the river and waiting to be explored. Frank decides to write a book about his great uncle who owned the plantation and ruled it with an iron fist. When the people of Whitbrow hear of Frank’s intentions, they recoil in fear. For they know that it is not just the ruins of the plantation that remain across the river.

Though this book isn’t scary, per se, it very very eerie in the best possible way. The characters aren’t always likable, which makes them real and easy to relate to. The town is a character in itself and develops from a lazy quaint village into a war zone. The transformation of Frank and Eudora is fantastic. Buehlman originally crafts them as happy “newlyweds” who are enthralled with their love for each other and their sarcastic wit. The changes to their character are subtle but beautifully crafted. There is great emotion in this novel which makes it not your typical horror novel. However, I did find the ending lacking and was disappointed because the rest of the book was so powerful. Still, I would recommend this to any lover of the horror genre, sci-fi, or just a good story.

Book Review: Cape Cod Noir

2011-08-21T15:19:00.000-04:00

This summer I am spending three months on the West coast...far away from my eastern roots. Though I haven’t been really homesick, when I saw “Cape Cod Noir” on a bookshelf I knew that I had to have it! Reading the stories chilled my spine while taking me back to the many summers I spent on the Cape. I think this is definitely a great book for those familiar with this locale though it might be lacking for outsiders.

As you may know, this collection is just one in the “noir” series which collects short stories in different cities around the country. Because the stories are noir, they are often eerie, have some violence, and might give you the chills. I have read other books in this series including “Mexico City Noir” and “New Orleans Noir” both of which I was unable to get into. While some of the stories were well written, I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters in any of the stories. I finally realized that I think my lack of connection with the locales made it hard for me to enjoy the stories.

It is for this reason that when I cracked the spine on the Cape Cod edition, I felt like I had come home. There is a map in the front of the book that shows where each story takes place so that people can orient themselves. This specific edition is broken into thee parts: Out of Season, Summer People, and End of the Line. Obviously, the first section contains stories about residents who are there year round and those in the area from September to May. The Summer People tells of just that, tales that take place during the summer usually involving vacationers. Some of the stories are written very well and have unique narratives. Such is the case with the story “Nineteen Snapshots of Dennisport” which is told in nineteen paragraphs that describe photographs that are not included. With each description, the tale gets creepier and creepier and the narrator begins to realize that her father may be in grave trouble. My favorite in this section is “Second Chance” which is about a school of boys on the Penikese Island. This school actually exists and the author of this story must have done some fantastic research because the descriptions match perfectly with the actual place. This school is for boys who are very troubled and are given one last chance. Stranded on the island away from electricity and modern conveniences, these boys live as if they are in the 1800s. But violence and fear are timeless and certainly find their way to the island in this tale. Part two has a great story called “Bad Night in Hyannisport” which is narrated by a dead man in the tradition of “Sunset Boulevard”. Sadly, I felt that the third section lagged and didn’t contain as many great stories as the first two parts.

While there were certainly some great stories in this collection, I felt that it got a bit redundant towards the final pages. These are not are par on the noir classics of the 1950s but they should not go unnoticed. I believe that some of the authors who contributed are so great that I look forward to reading their other works. Overall, even for a lover of Cape Cod, I would borrow it from the library instead of opening my wallet.

-DLP

Book Review: Saving Sea Turtles

2011-08-19T21:38:00.000-04:00

My partner LOVES sea turtles. Seriously! We always have to visit the turtles in pet shops and go to every aquarium to find which one has the best sea turtle exhibit. When Sea World San Diego opened it’s Turtle Reef, we were there on one of the first days. So when I heard that a book was coming out about sea turtles, I knew I had to have it. I wanted to boost my knowledge of this interesting animal that had one my partner’s heart. I have to say, that after reading this book, I am a bigger fan of turtles. I no longer mind being dragged miles out of my way to see a movie on turtles and I will happily spend a weekend in North Carolina to see their hatchings. If nothing else, this book made me appreciate turtles all the more!

Author James Spotila has an excellent resume when it comes to turtles. Not only has be previously published on the topic, but he is regarded as being one of the “world’s leading sea turtle researchers and conservationists”. It is clear that his heart belongs to this shelled beauty. Upon reading his credentials, I was a bit nervous that this book would be too scholastic and over my head. This could not have been further from the truth. For those of us who do not know much about the history of poaching and the extinction of sea turtles, Spotila starts off his book by explaining where we stand today in regards to sea turtles. He tells of how global warming, poachers and developers are wiping out these 110 millions year old species. In order to help the reader understand how impressive sea turtles are, he then describes the growth of a sea turtle from the time they are in an egg to their eventual swim in the sea. He highlights the contemporary difficulties that sea turtles face today like being caught in fishing nets or being scared from the sands by bright house lights on the beach. Additionally, he recognizes the people who kill sea turtles for food, spot, or just by negligence. Of course he draws attention to the positive aspects of the contemporary sea turtle. The country of Costa Rica has taken great strides to protect these beauties and with the establishment of the Great Turtle Race, sea turtles are getting international coverage. In under 225 pages, Spotila gives the down and dirty on the history of these animals, their current state and their (hopefully) optimistic future.

I certainly learned a great deal from this book and can say that I truly appreciate this species as well as those who help to save it. However, I was a bit disappointed that Spotila didn’t give more case studies. The byline for the book reads “extraordinary stories from the battle against extinction”; it is for this reason that I thought he would include stories by himself and others about their trials and tribulations in this field. While there were a couple brief examples, it only made up about a quarter of the book. Though I am happy I can now explain how turtle eggs breath under the sand, I would have liked some more “stories” and a little less science. Still, for the turtle aficionado, this is a must.

-DLP

Book Review: The Legacy

2011-08-17T13:44:00.000-04:00

I love stories about long kept family secrets and family trees with branches that seem to sprout from nowhere. Of course these kinds of novels are a dime a dozen, but I still take my chances that soon I’ll stumble upon the next “Rebecca” or “The Sound and the Fury”. It is for this reason that I picked up a copy of Katherine Webb’s “The Legacy”. While it is not the next “Rebecca”, it certainly has enough intrigue to keep readers interested for over 300 pages.

Webb begins by telling two stories. One is set between 1902 and 1905 and focuses on a young woman named Caroline who comes from money and society. When she meets a dashing young man at a party in NYC, she is instantly swept off her feet. The fact that he lives out west on a ranch, does not phase her in the least. That is until she is brought to the wild west to live and keep house. It is here that she lessons some of life’s hardest lessons. The second story takes place on a grand estate in modern day England where two sisters are brought together to go through their grandmother’s belongings after her death. They have not been to the mansion in years, since their cousin disappeared from the grounds and was never found. When they come upon a neighbor from their childhood, they must face the demons that have plagued them for decades. Both women hope that their time at the family estate will bring them solace and direction to their lives.

The characters are well developed, with the exception of Erica, and intriguing. I definitely felt drawn into the story and cared about their situation. The storyline that centered around Caroline was extremely interesting and reminded me a great deal of “Gap Creek” or some of Willa Cather’s works. I was less interested in the modern day characters though I still found them compelling at times. Perhaps it is the fact that I have read many of novels in this genre, but I could definitely see the big reveal coming and became frustrated when the characters kept circling around it. The biggest disappointment was Erica (one of the two sisters) who I thought to be childish, immature, and at times very dense. Still, as a first novel I think that Webb did a great job and I look forward to her future pieces.

-DLP

Book Review: Wickett's Remedy

2011-08-16T13:19:00.000-04:00

I am all for books with funky narrators and interesting narrative styles. Though I’m still unsure about postmodernism, I love novels that push the limits on our expectations for genre. When I picked up “Wickett’s Remedy”, I thought that I was just in for an interesting story on the Spanish influenza. Oh boy, how wrong I was! What I wound up with was a great novel about South Boston during WWI, but written in a style that includes voices from those who had already past. Additionally, the author uses a bit of a scrapbook technique that includes letters, newsletters, and newspaper clippings. All of these forms are beautifully woven into the story in a way that gives it many dimensions and a great story.

Lydia is an Irish girl from South Boston who yearns to live and work on Washington Avenue. While all of her neighbors are going about their lives in Southie, Lydia lands a job working at a famous department store on her dream street. It is there that she meets her future husband who is studying to be a doctor. However, he abandons that path when he and Lydia marry and instead decides to produce a remedy tonic. When the Spanish Influenza strikes, Lydia’s (along with the rest of the country’s) life is completely turned upside down. Her story is interspersed with newsletters regarding the world famous QD soda. These stories are masterfully braided together to reveal the full extent of Lydia’s life and losses.

To say I couldn’t put this book down is a grave understatement. This novel had come to my attention a couple of times before I finally picked it up. Even once I did, I was a bit startled by the fact that there is the complete text in the center of the page with a couple of lines of subscript in the margins of each page. It took a bit of time to figure out how to handle this but it soon became natural to read the standard text and then glance over at the marginal notes. The notes are written in the first person plural and seem to be from the viewpoint of those who have passed on. Typically, they are used as a way for secondary characters to voice how they viewed a certain situation. This is incredibly interesting because it shows the shortcomings of the overall narrator while calling into question our personal memories and their accuracy. Each chapter is constructed a bit like a scrapbook. The majority of the pages focus on the overall plot with the marginal notes supplementing it. Towards the end of each chapter, the author throws in some news clippings, letters, and various kinds of dialog. It’s a little bit of a game to try to figure out what it all means but as it comes together it’s clear that the whole book is a beautiful tapestry of narrative techniques.

As a history buff, I was extremely impressed by the amount of meticulous research the author performed. Most historical fiction focuses on a historical event but than manipulates it to fit the author’s characters and views. This is not true of “Wickett’s Remedy”. The history is not only accurate but vital to the characters and the story. The plot is not merely dropped into a certain time period but instead is about that time and the people in it. This adds a realness to the characters that is often lacking in fiction. Overall, I think that this is a fantastic book both for its story and its technique. I have no qualms recommending it to book groups, friends, family, enemies, and strangers.

-DLP

Book Reivew: Brandwashed

2011-08-15T13:31:00.000-04:00

For years, I have tried to find a book that made me gasp as many times as Freaknomics did. I remember thinking about that book years after I read it...I’m still thinking about it now. I tried Super Freakanomics and other books that people thought were comparable but none of them made me gasp and do a triple take. None of them until “Brandwashing”. This book does for marketing and advertising what Freaknomics did for economics and Fast Food Nation did for food. It made my brain hurt in a way far surpassing the brain freeze of milkshakes and Slurpees. In fact, it has taken me over a week to even sit down to write this review because I have been too busy telling all of my friends to pre-order their copies!

Author Martin Lindstorm is a veteran advertising agents with clients that range from McDonald’s to Microsoft. It say that Lindstorm knows that ins-and-outs of marketing is to say that Steve Jobs can use a computer. Here he takes us behind the scenes to show the reader how companies use MRIs to figure out the areas in the brain that they want their marketing to hit. He tells of how advertising can affect use before we are even born; how smells that our mothers experienced when pregnant with us can condition us to buy certain detergents and eat certain foods. He explains why panic and fear sells more than happiness and peace. Lindstrom gives credence to the idea that people can be addicted to their smartphones and lip balm. Tactics of using nostalgia to buy a certain brand of soda or candy bar are explored. What does Justin Bieber and the British royal family have in common? They’re both brands that dictate our tastes and purchases. In his final chapter, Lindstrom carries through with an experiment like that in the movie “Jones” in which he has a family peddle certain items to their friends in an effort to see how keeping up with the Jones’ really works. Spoiler: it works!

I could go on for pages and pages about this book but at about 275 pages, this book can stand for itself. It reads like a thriller that you won’t be able to put down. Sadly, the horrors that are inflicted in the “story” are on us...the consumers. Just in case the reader doesn’t believe his theories, he backs them up with copious case studies. Once I finished this book, I immediately ran out and bought his other book (which I now know is a marketing ploy). I know people will be talking about this book for years to come. I know I will!

-DLP

Book Review: The Unconquered

2011-08-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

After finishing this book, I tried to read other reviews in hopes of finding some kindred spirits but found none. So I read the book again (which was really tough) and came to the same conclusion...this is a 512 page book that could easily be whittled down to a seven page article. Which is why I was not surprised to find out that before the book’s publication, it actually was an article in National Geographic. I am a huge fan of nonfiction that chronicles trips into the Amazon. When “The Lost City of Z” came out, I was the first in line to get my copy; I devoured “Turn Right at Macchu Picchu” in two sittings. It is for this reason that I was so disappointed to find this book filled with egotistical musings and, by comparison, very little information on the actual Arrow People.

Writer Scott Wallace, was asked by National Geographic to follow the Indian activist Sydney Possuelo on his mission to find out information on the Arrow People. This community is made up of about 4,000 Indians who have remained “unconquered” despite the settling of Europeans and development over the past centuries. With the constant war on the environment that we seem to be waging, there is a risk that these Arrow People will be found by man and their environment will be destroyed. In an effort to save them and their way of life, Possuelo sets out to get as close as possible without contacting the tribe. He hopes to use the information that he gleans from this adventure to protect these indigenous people. Wallace goes along for the ride chronicling Possuelo and his 75+ team members. He fights the mud, bugs, boats, hunger, and his own physical and emotional strength for over three months. Thus making this one of his hardest, yet most rewarding assignments.

While Wallace clearly set out to write a tell-all that would help raise awareness of the Arrow People’s threatened situation, what he has actually done is chronicle his own plights. Within the first five pages, he has already bombarded the reader with his personal problems and great successes that would make him perfect for this assignment. This irked me from the start. I picked up this book to learn about the Arrow People and not about Wallace’s family troubles and great writing skills. Though he clearly respects Possuelo, Wallace spends a decent amount of time complaining about Possuelo’s “dictator-like” way of running the expedition. I felt that Possuelo’s zeal was inspiring and not nearly as annoying as Wallace. Additionally, Wallace is a whiner. Obviously, the Amazon is threatening and is home to many dangerous animals and insects. However, I felt as if Wallace spends too much time complaining about these circumstances and not enough time discussing the actual Arrow People. He seems to want a big pat on the back for enduring this charitable mission. While I believe that he deserves some kudos, I hoped that he would focus less on himself and more on “the Amazon’s last uncontacted tribe”.

-DLP

Book Review: Best American Short Stories 2011

2011-08-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

I usually don’t pick up this anthology because it can be so hit or miss that I would rather not spend the money. This year I saw that Geraldine Brooks was the editor and I knew that I had to grab it. While I don’t always love her novels, I think that she’s a fantastic writer and I hoped that she had excellent taste. Unfortunately, this anthology was still hit or miss and more often than not it missed. I thought that the introduction by Brooks was mildly offensive and many of the stories had interesting narratives but lacked any interest or uniqueness.

With that said, there are certainly some stories that everyone needs to read! The first being “Ceiling” (it also happens to be the first in the collection) which depicts a man who has chosen to become a member of the elite class in Lagos even though it meant giving up his true love and happiness. “A Bridge Under Water” made me smile even though it described the failings of a new marriage and the role of religion in our society and relationships. Elizabeth McCracken’s “Property” is a heartbreaking story about a man who loses his wife and relocates to Maine where he rents out a dilapidated house with a pesky landlord who isn’t quite who he thinks she is.

The two best stories are those that don’t exactly fit into a genre and might easily have been overlooked before their inclusion in this anthology. Steven Millhauser’s “Phantoms” reads a lot like a report or dissertation written about ghosts in a small town and their affect on the town’s citizens. Complete with case studies, explanations and analysis, this “story” is fantastic not only because of its narrative style but also because of the writing. Caitlin Horrocks’ “The Sleep” is by far one of the best short stories I have read in a long time. She tells of a town that is so poor it decides to hibernate during the winter. Of course this attracts a great amount of attention from outsiders and the media who admonish, and at times berate, the residents. It becomes far more than just a story about sleeping.

Clearly, there are some gems in this collection that should be savored. However, the majority of stories left a lot to be desired. Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this book was the foreword by the series editor and the introduction by Brooks. Both pieces focused on the do’s and don’t’s of writing. While I think this advice may be helpful to some, I didn’t feel like this collection was the place for it. Additionally, I am always leery of authors giving out writing advice as there are many kinds of “good” writing and one shoe does not fit all. That said, while I would recommend certain stories in this collection, I would not recommend this book to others.

-DLP

Book Review: The Best American Comics 2011

2011-08-11T22:08:00.000-04:00

I have to be honest that I'm not a great lover of comic anthologies. While I can read excerpts from novels or long essays, I have a hard time getting absorbed into a sample of a comic that is only a few panels long. At the same time, I love graphic novels. Last year I devoured about 15 if not more...I lost track. However, this year I have been lacking in the graphic novel department. It is for this reason that I thought reading this collection would point me towards some of the best comics from this year. While I thought the anthology was a mixed bag, I certainly found some favorites that I need to read before the year is out.

Being that this collection is called "The BEST American Comics", I thought that I would make superlatives of my own in this review.

- Most heartbreaking is Joe Sacoo's two part series on the Israeli killings of Palestinians in 1956. Just when the content seems too much to handle, Sacco throws in an interesting twist in which he questions people's memory and the validity of their remembrances.

-Most heartwarming is Eric Orner's "Weekends Abroad" which is a beautiful story about a Hebrew school drop out who finds himself working in Israel for two years without knowing Hebrew. The characters are endearing and I know I will be looking to this author for his other works.

-Most stunning illustrations goes to "Flower Mecha" by Angie Wang. The story is basically about a superwoman who can defeat pollen from interfering with her picnics and outdoor plans. Though it seems a bit thin, the graphics are gorgeous and her use of color is beautiful. It reminded me a great deal of the graphic novel "Skim".

- Most bizarre comic is "Queen" by Michael Deforge which depicts a woman (I think...?) made out of brightly colored mucus. There is no text and while I sometimes like that technique, I don't think it suited this comic because I had not idea what was going on. The female mucus dresses herself up for makeshift lipstick, a tube top, and plenty of cleavage. It might be a commentary on beauty and society...but I didn't get it.

-Most humorous goes to "The Ultimate Graphic Novel (in six panels)" which is just what its title states. These six panels are the cliff notes to almost every graphic novel: boy meets girl, there's a way, boy has daddy issues, boy is misunderstood by his family, boy fights in war in which there are casualties, boy never gets the girl but they remain friends. It pokes fun at graphic novels in a very endearing way and makes for the perfect conclusion to the collection as every comic in the collection falls into one of the 6 categories described.

-Best story is John Pham's comic about his classmates from high school. The illustrations are beautiful and he uses a very unique arrangement that I found to benefit both his graphics and his story. Though it is short, it is tender, funny, and heartbreaking.

-Best overall comic is "Little House in the Big City" which is downright fantastic!! The illustrations are like political cartoons. The author basically tells the story of the different buildings in NYC from the 1920s to the height of suburbia and how the differing/changing buildings changed the entire city. She also discusses Jane Jacobs and the problems with urban renewal. There is certainly a history lesson in this story, but you would never know it because it is so good!

With Alison Bechdel as the featured editor and writer of the introduction, you know that you're in good hands. While there are a certain amount of duds, I would definitely spring of a copy because there are some comics in here that should not be missed!!

-DLP

Book Review: Evelyn Evelyn

2011-08-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

This graphic novel is exceptional! It is dark with some really dark humor, which is right up my alley. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and like something I have never seen before in a graphic novel. The story is sad but beautiful. It’s certainly not for the faint of heart but those who have a macabre side will relish this kind of story.

The story follows a pair of twins who are inseparable, literally. They are conjoined twins that share “three legs, two arms, two hearts, three lungs and a single liver”. Their mother was in so much pain during childbirth that she was brought to the nearest doctor who was not actually a doctor at all. When the twins were born, the “doctor” saw that they were joined and grabbed a a chainsaw to cut them. In mid swing, the doctor was shot by the local sheriff and died immediately. Unfortunately, the chainsaw flew out of his hand and killed the twins’ father. And so begins the twins’ journey through various homes ranging from a chicken farm to a whore house to the circus. Sadly, they are never accepted and are forever met with anger, fear, and violence. Still, they always have each other and their dream that they will one day find their way.

I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. The story is certainly sad but this should not deter readers because there is beauty in the tale. The art is absolutely fantastic and riveting. The author also makes from interesting and at times humorous comments on today’s society and pop culture. It is for this reason that the novel has some levity and I did not come away from it feeling depressed. I will certainly reread it over and over again and drop not so subtle hints to my friends that they must get themselves a copy!!

-DLP

Book Review: I Love You Beth Cooper

2011-08-06T16:10:00.000-04:00

I picked up this book at a Border’s liquidation sale. I have seen it on various bookshelves and DVD racks for a couple of years now and thought that I should take a stab at it. I usually don’t like fictional humor or chick lit, but I know I need to try new things. I have to say that though it wasn’t my kind of book, I wasn’t disappointed and I did enjoy reading it.

Denis Cooverman isn’t exactly a nerd, but he is far from being part of the popular crowd. During his graduation speech, he decides to tell members of the student body how he actually feels about them. The crowd is aghast when he calls out one of his classmates as being a snob and tells everyone that his best friend is gay. Yet the greatest shocker is when he declares his love for the popular Beth Cooper. When he finally speaks to her after the ceremony, he asks her to come to his house that night for a party. Of course, Denis has never thrown a party before and when Beth and her two friends arrive it is only Denis and his supposedly gay best friend in attendance. Yet that doesn’t stop the drama from blasting through his front door in the form of Beth’s military boyfriend. As Beth’s BF chases the whole gang around town, Beth and Denis begin to form a bond that could be just what Denis was looking for.

My favorite part of the novel were the illustrations that opened each chapter showing Denis and his downward spiral throughout the night. There were definitely times when I chuckled at the circumstances that the group found themselves in. I thought that the antics between Denis and his best friend were really cute. Most of all, I enjoyed the ending because I thought it was tender but real. Overall, I wasn’t that impressed but I did have a good time which was worth the $8.

-DLP

Book Review: Calli

2011-08-06T00:47:00.000-04:00

Every now and then I love to lose myself in a good young adult novel. I feel like it keeps me in tune to what teens are worrying about these days and it also brings me back to those high school years. While most everyone disliked high school, it is fun to read about other people’s fictional struggles. It is for this reason that I picked up a copy of Calli. I enjoyed the read even if it was a bit boring and stilted at times.

Calli is a high school student who has a perfect life, from the outside. She has a fun best friend, an adoring boyfriend, and parents who think that she’s the greatest daughter. However, her life is far from ideal. In reality, her parents are lesbians one of whom suffers from lupus; her adoring boyfriend just made out with her foster sister in front of the whole school; and her best friend couldn’t care less about any of the problems in Calli’s life. Calli tries her hardest to keep peace in her house, but one night her emotions get the best of her and she acts out in a way that has startling repercussions.

I did enjoy Calli’s character. I found her to be very real. Perhaps that is the reason I was a bit bored by the story because Calli was TOO real. Most readers pick up books to experience a life that they don’t have. This is especially true of young adult readers. While many may pick up books in which they identify with the characters, we still hope that those in the novel make decisions that maybe we are not bold enough to make in our nonfiction world. I felt that Calli was a bit too predictable. Even in her outbursts, she was kind of restrained and repentant. Furthermore, I did think that she had a bit of a charmed life for a typical teenager. The most interesting aspect of the story was Calli’s relationship with her parent, Liz. While this was a substantial part of the book, I still found myself putting the book down more often than I would have liked. I think that there is an audience for this book, I’m just not it.

-DLP

Book Review: An Elegy for Amelia Johnson

2011-08-05T14:19:00.000-04:00

It is no surprise to anyone here that I love graphic novels. Whenever a new one comes out, I can’t wait to devour it. Of course I try to be discerning about what I read, but when it comes to graphic novels...I gobble them all up! I picked up An Elegy for Amelia Johnson, basically, because it was on the shelf. I typically don’t like road trip stories but I thought I would take a chance on it because the illustrations looked interesting and it looked like it covered a lot of ground in under 125 pages. This novel met my expectations but, sadly, did not succeed them.

Amelia Johnson is ding of cancer when she contacts her two best friends, Henry and Jillian. Henry and Jillian have never met before but they’re about to get to know each other really well as Amelia sends them on a cross-country journey together. Henry has known Amelia almost all of his life but fell out of touch with her when she moved to New York City to go to college. This is when she befriended Jillian who was her roommate at Columbia University. The two women forged a bond that took them through some tumultuous times. However, they both emerged relatively unscathed. It is Amelia’s deathbed request that these two friends travel together across the country delivering DVDs on which Amelia has recorded her last words. Once on the road, Henry and Jillian realize that Amelia may have had ulterior motives when she chose them both to do this task. They also start to question if either of them ever knew Amelia.

This graphic novel has lofty goals. Any plot that involves deathbed requests AND a cross-country journey is striving a bit too hard to be sentimental and philosophical. I felt that the storyline was highly unrealistic and all of the characters were unlikeable. The emotional scavenger hunt to deliver Amelia’s last words did move the characters around but it didn’t help their development. It was clear from the synopsis on the back of the book what would happen in the end but even I was surprised by the amount of melodrama and cliches that were used. Overall, I think the illustrations were nice even if the story was weak. I think the author has room to grow and I look forward to reading his future works...but I may borrow them from the library instead of buying them.

-DLP

Book Review: Maine

2011-07-31T22:38:00.000-04:00

Many of you may remember by review of the author's first novel "Commencement". While I didn't give it that great of a review, I did mention that I was looking forward to reading her books in the future as I thought she had some potential as a writer. It is for this reason that I jumped at the chance to her new novel "Maine". This is certainly very different from her first novel and I love it!

The novel follows four women in the Kelleher family during a monumental summer at their beach house in Maine. Alice, the matriarch, is a strong willed and loose tongued woman who feels little affection for her family. She finds it difficult to relate to her children and grandchildren despite the fact that they are her blood. Her sections flash back and forth between the current summer at her house in Maine and an event from her past that still plagues her with guilt after over 60 years. Kathleen, Alice's daughter, is the misfit in the family. She is a recovering divorce with two children and a worm farm in California that she runs with her boyfriend. Her and Alice have always butted heads which was only exacerbated with Kathleen's father died. However, a momentous event causes Kathleen to uproot herself from her peaceful life in California and come east one last time to face her demons...and her mother. Anne-Marie, Alice's daughter-in-law, is the character everyone loves to hate. She was a stay at home mom who is a stickler for proper manners and etiquette. Though she was from the wrong side of the tracks, she has abandoned most of her past in hopes of becoming an upper-class socialite. Her only problem is her dysfunctional children and distant husband. Maggie, Kathleen's daughter, has always looked for love in all of the wrong places. Unfortunately, this last place left her pregnant and alone. She goes to Maine in an effort to get back to herself and plan her next move. When these four women are forced to share a house (or two), fights erupt, skeletons are unleashed from closets, and their love of family is tested.

I know this sounds like a lot of material, but Sullivan pulls it off without ever confusing the reader. Each character has her own dynamic and personality which is a feat when writing a novel that is constructed of all female narrators. Interestingly, none of the characters are likeable but I was still hooked on their every word. Perhaps the reason is that every family has an Alice, Kathleen, and Anne-Marie. The dynamics between the four women was fascinating and completely real. I would have enjoyed some insight from the men in the family, but I think that's another book as this one is all about the Kelleher matriarchy. Some reviewers were annoyed that the book didn't have more to do with Maine and wasn't really a beach read. Both of these statements are true. If you're looking for chick lit complete with a quirky main character and prince charming, this is absolutely not your book. If you're looking for a book that drops the names of various town and restaurants in Maine so if you have been to Maine you can feel like you're "in the know"...this is not it! This is a reasonably dark family drama that just happens to be set on the beach. Unfortunately, I could not give this book five stars because some of the Kathleen sections were a bit cliched or clunky. I felt that all of the other women were well developed and unique. However, I felt like I had met Kathleen before in many novels and Lifetime movies. Still, it didn't hurt my opinion of the novel which I will certainly be recommending.

-DLP

Book Review: Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me

2011-07-30T15:39:00.000-04:00

While it is not exactly an enormous feat to read all of Chelsea's books, I feel as if I have come to know her over the years through her essays and memoirs. When this book came out, I was a bit leery. Though it's about Chelsea (who is almost always funny), it wasn't written by her and therefore I was suspect. Still, I had read all of her previous books and was in a serious Handler drought so I decided to take a chance. I was disappointed. While I chuckled a few times and smiled every couple of chapters, it lacked the side-splitting milk-coming-out-of-your-nose kind of laughter.

Basically this book is a collection of essays written by Chelsea's family, friends, and writers about the pranks that Chelsea has pulled on them ranging from attempting to ruin a co-workers honeymoon to trying to get her brother to sleep with one of her staff. Some of the essays are funny but it's really hit or miss. Interestingly, I found the sections written by her comedic writers to be the least funny and those written by her family made me giggle. Still, I think these essays made her come off as sounding mean and ungrateful. While I have a suspicion that this isn't true, it did taint my view of her a little bit.

For fans of Chelsea, I think you might find some interest in this book. But I will spend my time re-reading "Are you there vodka" instead.

-DLP

Book Review: Lucille

2011-07-29T23:57:00.000-04:00

I picked up this book recently because many of the reviews I read compared it to "Blankets". While I didn't adore "Blankets", it had a certain appeal to me that I still haven't been able to put my finger on. I thought that maybe this book would have that same appeal. Unfortunately, I felt that it had all of the negative aspects of "Blankets" and none of the positives. I know I shouldn't compare it to another work, but even on its own I found it lacking.

The graphic novel follows Lucille who is a troubled anorexic teen with few friends. She struggles with her relationship with her mother and often feels alone in the world. Her only confidante is an older woman in the geriatric unit of the hospital. At first, it seems that she is just your average conflicted adolescent. However, it becomes clear that she is suffering from numerous issues that are rooted in her unhappiness for herself. The second main character in the graphic novel is Arthur who is also a troubled youth. We first meet him when he is trying to convince one of his peers to sell his soul to Satan in exchange for a date with a girl and good grades. It is soon revealed to the reader that Arthur is dysfunctional because of his father's alcoholism and rage. Though Arthur loves his father, he is pained by his father's violent actions. Of course Arthur and Lucille meet and they are able to find in each other the love and acceptance that no one has shown them. That is until they journey out on their own and realize that the grown-up world may be even less forgiving than their adolescent world.

While I think the story was interesting, I feel like plots centered around misunderstood teenagers is a bit hackneyed. We have all seen it before in graphic novels, movies, TV, and literature. While I am always looking for people to put a new pin on it, "Lucille" does not do that. Additionally, I felt like the characters were beyond depressing. I love dark stories and crave unhappy characters in my novels. Yet, this went even a bit too far for me! I typically love simplistic graphics when reading a serious novel. Unfortunately, these illustrations seemed to make the story even more drab and depressing. Granted, the final page states that it is the end of part 1; therefore, one can assume that there will be multiple parts to this story. I hope that the future parts are a bit more developed than this installment and that the author turns away from the cliched plot of the poor outcast kids finding each other. Still, if there is a part two...I doubt I will pick it up.

-DLP

Book Review: Alice in Wonderland

2011-07-17T22:14:00.000-04:00

Though I know this is a classic, I sadly have never read it until now. As an English major and voracious reader, I feel a bit guilty about this confession. Yet, I think that reason why I held off was because I was waiting for this specific edition. With it’s dark and slightly eerie illustrations, it certainly evokes the unsettling atmosphere that I think Lewis Carrol was aiming for. This is not the Disney version with bright colors and funny animals. Instead, this is a twisted dream that is far from comfortable but not exactly nightmarish.

For those of you who live under a rock, Alice is a young girl who accidentally falls dow a rabbit hole one day while in her garden at home. While falling, she sees a white rabbit with a pocket watch and begins to wonder what kind of place she has found herself in. She eventually hits the ground and must find a way to pass through a tiny door in a room with no other exits. Once she opens the door, she is faced with a myriad of complex situations from a caterpillar that smokes a hookah to a mouse that lives in a teapot. The deeper and goes into this surreal world the more she wonders if she will ever find a way home.

Being that this is my first reading of the novel, I found the characters to be a lot more sinister than I had expected. I had watched many films of the story and they all seemed bright and wholesome though odd. However, this tale is far more darker than Disney portrayed it to be. It is for this reason that I have to endorse this edition which has beautiful intricate pictures with vibrant colors but also a sinister twist that I think Lewis Carrol would appreciate.

-DLP

Book Review: Sleepaway

2011-07-16T19:06:00.000-04:00

It’s summer and while I am too old for summer camp, there is nothing stopping me from reading about it. It is for this reason that I picked up “Sleepaway”. Though I never attended a sleep-away camp, I knew that it would make me nostalgic for summer vacations. In that regard, it hit the spot!!

As the cover shows, this collection includes numerous famous authors as well as some unknowns. The selections range from fiction, to memoir, to graphic/comics. In that aspect, the book is very well-rounded. There are eerie stories such as Margaret Atwood’s “Death by Landscape” in which two best friends attend summer camp but only one returns. There are humorous tales like Mark Oppenheimer’s remembrances of spending summer at a nudist camp only to spend the following summer at a leftist camp. If you’re looking for a story to pull at your heartstrings, Kevin Canty’s “Flipper” and Josh Lambert’s “The Brief Summer of Amir and Ariella” will do just that. “The Performance of Drowning” and “Apple Pie” had me completely captivated and I could easily have read a full novel based on both stories.

Of course, there were some duds in the collection. But these were very few and far between. I wold definitely recommend this as a summer read that fits perfectly into your beach bag.

-DLP

Book Review: Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

2011-07-12T20:51:00.000-04:00

Before driving cross country, I made a list of audiobooks that I thought would be good to listen to in the car. The only problem is that my partner and I almost never agree on literature. It is for this reason, that I chose books that leaned more towards humor and/or memoir. This is not my favorite genre, but I was willing to endure it for a couple of days. First on my list, was “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea”. My partner is a pretty big Chelsea Handler fan so I thought I would surprise her with this audiobook. What I didn’t expect was that I would love it too! Her stories are even more hilarious than I thought and the fact that she reads the book herself just adds another fantastic layer.

Though Chelsea tells the reader many of her memories, this is far from a memoir. To say that she “tackles” issues such as sibling rivalry, incarceration, and parental discourse...is a bit of an overstatement. Her essays aren’t really about her reflection on certain events in her life as much as they are her witty assessments of situations. At the same time, they are incredibly compelling. While going cross country, we drove straight through a tornado warning and laughed the whole time because we were so caught up in Chelsea’s family antics.

Some critics have harped on her for being frivolous and offensive. While I can understand where they are coming from, I think they’re missing the point of this book. She is not writing as a way to overcome past hardships and search for herself. Instead, she is writing to be funny and most times she succeeds. Her insights and attitudes are those that anyone would have when vacationing with an annoying parent or complaining about a friend’s boyfriend.

Overall, her book is fun and funny. I will certainly pick up another of her books.

-DLP

Book Review: Liar's Kiss

2011-07-09T00:11:00.000-04:00

Liar’s Kiss is everything you could want from a graphic novel noir. It is classic, edgy, and is filled with intrigue. I took a chance on it because I love graphic novels and I figure that even if it is bad, at least I can be amused by the illustrations. I wasn’t let down AT ALL by this novel. From the first page, I was hooked.

The plot is like that of any film noir. A private investigator, Nick, is having an affair with his client’s wife Abbey. One night, Nick gets a call from Abbey saying that her husband has been killed...and she’s the main suspect! She hires Nick to find her an alibi that will not place her at the scene of the crime. This assignment gets Nick into a bit more trouble than he had bargained for. Consequently, he finds himself facing demons from his past and putting his fate in the hands of another.

I thought this was superb. It is written in the traditional black and white “comic book” style. Where it could come off as being cliche, it actually sets the perfect tone and atmosphere for the story. When reading the book, you feel as if you’re watching an old fashioned noir. Including, the classic noir twist.

If I had to voice any complaints, it would be that the story is a little thin and the dialog is a bit stilted. Yet, I can’t really get update about it because most noir is thin on the plot and big on the intrigue. Still, as a first book I think he did a great job. I look forward to his future works.

-DLP

Book Review: The Influencing Machine

2011-07-02T20:36:00.000-04:00

In today's society, people are inundated with media coverage. We can have it delivered to us on our cell phones and computers 24/7. From there, we can text it to each other or tweet it to the world. It bombards us to the point that we reminisce about the "good old days" when an unbiased well-written paper was thrown on our doorstep once a week. In "The Influencing Machine", Brooke Gladstone reminds us that there were no good old days. The media has been dysfunctional and in our face since the Maya (and possibly even before then).

In this graphic novel, Gladstone guides the reader through the history of the media from ancient times of tablets and stone carvings to contemporary times of texting and tweeting. In doing so, she makes the reader question what media is; if it's hurting us more than helping us; and what will become of our culture if the media continues in this way.

The book is written like you're being taught by your favorite high school teacher. At first you complain "history class again" but you soon find yourself completely engrossed. The illustrations are dead on! They are part political cartoon and part art. At times, the graphics rely the story even better than the text. There is certainly a liberal slant to the writing but it doesn't comprise the thesis of Gladstone's argument. She is even able to acknowledge and admit the flaws that exist in journalism.

Though the book was engaging, far more so than a textbook on the subject, at times I felt like a student waiting for the bell to ring so I could be dismissed. I think that it is a fantastic book from those interested in political science, journalism or communication. For laypeople, it feels a bit too rushed on the history and yet sluggish at the same time. I completely understand her thesis that "we get the media we deserve" and I think that it is an incredibly poignant statement. However, at times I felt like she was beating me over the head with it. Still, I would certainly recommend this graphic novel!

-DLP

Book Review: Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors

2011-07-02T00:47:00.000-04:00

“Secrets, Monsters, and Magic Mirrors” accurately advertises itself as five fairy tales in one graphic novel. In this installment, the reader will find Rapunzel, Thumbelina, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Beauty and the Beast, and the Princess and the Pea. Be forewarned, these are the (semi) original versions of the fairy tales and not the watered down Disney adaptations that people are so fond of. Personally, I love these oldies just the way that they are. The illustrations are beautiful while a little eerie, just like the tone of a good fairy tale. It is a slim volume of under 200 but little is left out of these stories. Personally, I think it is a great collection.

Each of the stories is illustrated by a different author and therefore has a bit of a different tone. This ensures that the reader never gets bored and there is something for everyone here. With stories as tried and true as these, it is hard to find new and interesting adaptations. While these are traditional tellings, the illustrations are very different from any previous collections I have seen. Even though each story is crafted by a different artist, the design remains similar and therefore unifies the collection.

What is special about this edition, is that following each story there is a one page history of the story and/or its author. For example, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is thought to be based on the real life of Margaret von Waldeck. There are other fascinating tidbits on each of these stories that will make you question if you really know your fairy tales.

Personally, I was a bit disappointed by the illustrations for “Snow White” as it looked computer generated and not as inventive as the other stories in the collection. Still, I would recommend this to lovers of fairy tales and graphic novels alike. I will certainly be picking up the other books in the series.

-DLP

Book Review: This Beautiful Life

2011-07-01T18:22:00.000-04:00

My favorite kinds of books are those that focus on a family during a trying time that stresses their family dynamics. While it seems simplistic, this is a lot harder than it appears. Many authors find themselves stuck in a story with no way out and rely on cliches or unrealistic endings. True authors place their characters in emotional crisis and watch them work their way out. This is the tactic that Helen Schulman takes in her new novel "This Beautiful Life".

Lizzie is a happy housewife of two children living in New York City in 2003. She holds a PhD in art history and yearns to return her family to Ithaca, New York where they lived before coming to NYC. However, her husband Richard was offered a job that he simply could not refuse which cause the family to be uprooted. They seem to be living an idyllic life until her son, Jake, is caught in the middle of a sex scandal. Suddenly all of their lives are turned upside down as Lizzie begins to question her role as an effective parent and stay at home mom. Richard takes on the notion that he must do anything to save his family, while Jake is guilt-ridden and confused. Together, they try to overcome this event and continue on as a family. Unfortunately, some situations put even the most stable family at risk.

This plot has certainly be done before, most recently by Anita Shreve in her novel "Testimony". It is for this reason that I wanted to read Schulman's book as I was interested in her take on such a traumatic event. I have to say that in just about 200 pages, she outdoes on previous novels written on the topic. Her characters are dynamic, every changing, and real. The setting is the perfect backdrop for such an event and the constant yearning that the characters have to return to their previous life in upstate New York is almost palatable. The dichotomy between the two "kinds" of New York is extremely interesting and well developed in the novel.

Though the book is physically slim, it packs in quite a punch. Ever family member is given time to be heard and understood by the reader. The third person narrative gives the audience a front row view of the story while allowing the reader to remain objective. It is clear that Schulman constructed the novel this way to prove that there is no winner in situations such as this. Overall, this is a fantastic read that I recommend to all. It shows the lows that people can hit without even knowing and the repercussions that can ripple for decades.

-DLP

*This novel comes out in August, so pre-order yours NOW!

Book Review: The Return of the Dapper Men

2011-06-30T12:41:00.000-04:00

It is quite difficult to write a "children's" book that also appeals to adults. Being that the adults are the ones who will be stuck reading it over and over and over again, authors need to make their stories appealing to both audiences. Striking this balance can be anywhere from hard to impossible. However, the solution seems to be "The Return of the Dapper Men" which will have kid and grown up fans alike.

The plot is simple, as is typical of children's books, but it is philosophical so adults can get something out of it as well. The story takes place in Anorev where only children and robots live. The clock has stopped ticking and therefore time has ceased. No one remembers the past but instead lives in the present or "now". That is until one day when a boy and a robot journey to find "time" and bring the past back to Anorev.

The real interesting aspect of the story is the relationship between the boy and the female robot. Though they are not the same, they understand each other and are the only characters in Anorev who still pose questions and want to remember the past. Their characters work on many levels as they prove to children that people can be friends despite their differences and that thinking and being unique can change the world.

Children will love this story because it is written almost like a grandfather telling a bedtime story. The pictures are gorgeous and intricate so there is more than enough to look at. Younger readers can take the story at face value that there was a world where time didn't exist. Older readers will understand that the plot is actually symbolic. While adults, will appreciate the philosophical touches. This book makes readers from 4-104 think and question!

In regards to the illustrations and graphics, the book is perfect! The pictures are vibrant and suit all ages. Even the words in the story seem to mesh with the artwork making one full artistic piece instead your typical "picture book" experience.

The only issue I had with the book is that it lost me around the middle of the story when some fantastical events took place that I didn't exactly understand. I felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole. Fortunately, it picked me back up and I believe that the author added some strange aspects in order to keep the reader on their toes. Additionally, it challenges adult readers as "The Return of the Dapper Men" is certainly not your mother's picture book.

-DLP

Book Review -- Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America

2011-06-30T00:51:00.001-04:00

It is very hard to write a book about Nintendo for various reasons. Firstly, the company is still powerful today; continuing to crank out fantastic games and be on the cutting edge of gaming. Secondly, it was a trailblazer in the early 1980s and people of that generation (like myself) think of it fondly. In fact, we may even think of Mario as one of our childhood friends. Lastly, it is a company that was built on fun and entertainment with little to no scandals. It is because of this that a book written about Nintendo and Super Mario must tread lightly in order to not offend the company in its current state, not offend the children (now adults) who grew up loving Mario and hating Bowser, and to make the story compelling enough to be readable. Jeff Ryan makes a concerted effort it fill all of these requirements though at times he falls short.

First and foremost, I have to out myself as an adult who adored all things Mario when I was a child. Because of this, I may be bias when it comes to literature on the topic. For the first two parts of the book, I thought that Ryan did an excellent job. He told the reader about the founding of Nintendo in the 1800s as a card company and the struggles that they faced to the point that they almost began marketing Popeye ramen noodles. Fortunately, the president of the company hired his son-in-law to help Nintendo get off its feet and hopefully thrive…one day. I believe we all know the rest of the story from here: first an arcade game was created followed by a console that could be played at home. The consoles sold like hot cakes and decades later we now have the Wii, of course with many other products in between.

Ryan makes the company’s history enthralling to the point that I was unable to put the book down. However, as he began to write about Nintendo’s more recent projects the story became boring and dull. Towards the last two parts, it seemed as if the author was just giving a plot summary of each game produced by Nintendo. Of course he mentioned the other gaming systems at the time and the competition between those and Nintendo, but even that didn’t spice up the book. Being that many of Nintendo’s games are updated versions of past games, the book becomes a bit repetitive (to no fault of the author).

Additionally, Ryan's writing style did get on my nerves from time to time. His excessive use of clichés, metaphors, and similes made me feel at times like I was reading an SAT prep book. Some of his statements were humorous while others attempted to draw connections between things that held no common significance. Also, he seems to be in awe of Nintendo and therefore believes that Nintendo (and Mario) will always win out over other gaming systems.
Overall, this is a good book for Mario lovers but doesn’t have much depth. It lacks interviews with employees or even users. There is some critical thinking on the author’s part which makes me feel as if I am reading a dissertation instead of a published piece of nonfiction. If it does nothing else, it will make you want to brush the dust off of your old console and make that little plumber save the princess.

-DLP

*This book goes on sale at the beginning of August so be sure to pre-order your company.

Book Review: American on Purpose

2011-06-27T02:41:00.000-04:00

This was on my list of books to read while driving cross country as it was advertised as a comedy and I absolutely love Craig Ferguson. I figured that it would keep me occupied for hours sitting in a car. I was right! I really enjoyed this book because it was funny but also included his personal story which made it touching. Unlike some of the comedy books that are currently out, (though I do love them) this addresses some heavy topics in a humorous way without making light of them.

Ferguson starts the book with his reflections on the 2008 White House Correspondents Dinner. It is clear from this introduction that he has made it big in America despite the fact that he wasn't a citizen until recently. He then takes the reader back to Scotland where he was born and raised and mostly disliked by his peers. Growing up, he suffered through the local school system but found solace in a trip to NYC. He promised himself that he would return to America someday. Before that happened, Ferguson had a horrific descent into alcohol and drug use. It was during this time that he married his first wife and got his first divorce. After dragging himself back from this dark period in his life, he excelled and even surpassed his expectations for himself. Of course he suffered through a couple more marriages and divorces as well as some dead end jobs before he landed his position on CBS and his wife Meg. It is a contemporary twist on the American Dream/Rags to Riches story.

Though he uses humor in his writing, he is quite serious about the mistakes that he has made. I continued to laugh at his descriptions of debauchery in which he was involved but he was sure to explain that this was one of the worst parts of his life. His insights into Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and just Americans in general is right on. Sometimes it takes an outsider to truly see someone's quirks. In this case, it is a whole nation's quirks. Ferguson does an excellent job of poking fun without making fun. I laughed throughout the book but was emotionally touched which is unique for comedies.

-DLP

Book Review: My Horizontal Life

2011-06-27T00:36:00.000-04:00

First, I have to say that I read "Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea" before reading this book and absolutely loved the former. I picked this book up because I had so enjoyed her other ones. While I liked this collection of stories, I did not find it as compelling as her other books and certainly not as funny. Still, there are several stories in this collection that may be laugh out loud in public.

In this book, Chelsea has collected a bunch of stories about her various one night stands. It begins with a story about catching her parents having sex and continues, relatively chronologically, through her various sexual experiences. She tells of the time she had sex with a "midget/nugget"; an experience with her gynecologist that was not what she had expected; her findings on ChocolateSingles.com; and what to do if you find that your underpants have skid marks.

While not all of these are funny, there are certainly some laugh out loud moments. As is typical with Handler, she can oftentimes be offensive and politically incorrect. I found her cast of friends to be the most interesting and humorous part of the stories. Her interactions with, and perceptions of, her friends were fantastic. Still, the good did not outweigh the gross and there were certain times where I wanted to skip ahead for fear of becoming queasy.

Overall, I have to say that this is her weakest piece. While I enjoyed it, to a point, I have to endorse "Are You There Vodka..." over this piece.

-DLP

Book Review: Conquistadora

2011-06-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

I took a chance on this book because it sounded like something in which I might be interested. I love Caribbean history and jump at the chance to read any fiction about that are or written by someone from that area. This was a double win for me! When it arrived on my doorstep, I could barely get it out of the box fast enough. For the first hundred pages, I was in awe and refused to sleep if it meant putting this book down. As I got to about page 200, I began to lose interest. Once 250 rolled around, I found myself falling asleep and by page 350 I had no motivation to pick it up. However, I did finish it and thought that the overall novel was so-so.

This epic follows the life of Ana from her years as an only child living in her parents' loveless house to her education at a convent where she first fell in love. Throughout her childhood, she was inspired by stories of her conquistador ancestor. When she marries, she convinces her husband to move to Puerto Rico and live out her dreams of being a conquistadora. Of course, things do not go as planned and what started off as an idyllic notion becomes a devastating reality. Despite the losses she must endure, she never loses sight of her dream to be a conquistadora.

As I previously stated, the first 150 pages were simply divine! Author Esmeralda Santiago gave fantastic insight into the upbringing of Ana and her emotional background. Her relationship with her best friend Elena is incredibly compelling as is her marriage to her husband. Yet, things get muddled about halfway through the novel as Santiago gives pages and pages of background information on extremely minor characters. While at times this could be helpful, it detracts from the overall plot and makes the novel sluggish. Additionally, she used certain plot contrivances over and over ago. Therefore, events that were supposed to be incredibly moving or shocking ended up being neither. By the end of the novel, I felt no connection to any of the characters. There was little or no character development yet some people in the novel would act completely out of character with no explanation or corresponding development.

Another issue that I had with the novel, was that many important lines or phrases were written in Spanish without any translation. I have read many books that contain phrases from other languages where the author typically gives the reader a hint as to what the phrase meant, for those who don't speak the language. Unfortunately, Santiago did not help the reader in this way. Instead, I looked up some of the words online which became tiresome and interrupted the flow of reading. When I stopped translating the sentences, I felt that I missed important dialogue. However, I think if you have a background in Spanish you won't face these difficulties.

Though I feel as if the cons outweigh the pros in regards to this book, I still think that there are some pros. I felt that the history that was presented was done so very well. Some historical fiction can get bogged down in the history or, on the flip side, not give enough information to the reader. Santiago did not have this problem. She introduced Puerto Rican history, as well as that of the Caribbean, without slowing down the story. Additionally, you didn't need to have any background in the subject matter in order to understand the novel. I also think that there is hope for this novel, though not in its current state. She has some great characters, a compelling plot, and a clear ability to write. Unfortunately, this novel dragged on for about 200 pages too long. If it were trimmed down and tightened up, I think it would be a fine novel!

-DLP

Book Review: the Ninth Wife

2011-06-13T02:29:00.000-04:00

Folklorist single female meets serial husband...I thought this was a recipe for novel perfection. The characters sounded quirky and the plot was enchanting. However, the novel that arrived on my doorstep was very different than the one described to me. While it was "The Ninth Wife", the characters were dull and superficial, and the plot was sluggish at its best times and absurd at its worst. This wasn't anything like the reviews I had read. Still, I plodded through in hopes of finding that novel I had been promised. Alas, it was no where to be found.

The plot of the novel is centered around 35 year old Bess who is beginning to feel like love has passed her by. At her birthday party, she meets an Irish musician and they fall head over heels for each other. Yet, he has a secret...he has been married eight times before. While she knows she loves him, she begins to question how he could have had so many past wives. So she sets out, with an odd array of characters, to find his previous wives and get the real scoop on her boyfriend.

The story alternates between chapters focused on Bess and those written by her boyfriend, Rory. I actually found Rory's chapters to be the most interesting and well written. Sadly, they were interspersed with Bess-centric chapters which were slow, superficial, and (in my opinion) annoying. Bess' grandparents were also intriguing characters who I felt had a lot of potential, yet they were overshadowed by Bess' desire to find love. Not all is lost in this novel. Stolls clearly has some great ideas and has crafted some fantastic characters. Sadly, they do not get to shine because Bess takes center-stage. It is for this reason that I probably will not recommend this book but I anxiously await Stolls next novel as I believe she has great potential and has some fantastic ideas.

-DLP

Let's recap

2011-06-05T20:44:00.001-04:00

My fellow romper passed along some recent reads and I tore through both Pledged and Midwives. I must admit, my opinion differs slightly regarding both of these books. Like DLP mentioned, I too hoped Pledged would truly provide the secret life of a sorority girl. I love sordid details - who doesn't? I found it to be an interesting mix of Greek (a delightful guilty pleasure tv show) and journalistic research. I found Robbins to be a highly sympathetic author, truly curious about discovering the motivations of these women - why did they feel so compelled to join a sorority? I understand the urge to belong in college. It is hard to find one's place on campus; regardless of size. While perhaps not as sordid as I had hoped or filled with new revelations about Greek Life, I think Pledged is a reliable read, providing all sides of the sorority story. Did I wish the individual girls' stories were a little bit more like the tv show Greek? Yes. However, I enjoyed the narrative devices Robbins employed, right down to the use of AIM away messages as a precursor to each section. I found this book to be a perfect blend of fact, slight fiction and intrigue. At its heart, this book is an exploration of how women come of age in their collegiate years.

Setting Pledged aside, I turned to Midwives. And again, like my fellow romper, I tend to shy away from reading books with the Oprah's book club stamp. There is something about books that 'catch on' through popular culture that make me feel wary; like I'm wasting my English Literature degree and that I should be reading 'real' novels instead (read: difficult, the classics). But let's face it, I'm already 'wasting' my English Lit degree - I'm an arts administrator and not only that, but I work in marketing and I don't write the copy; I design the ads. And while I genuinely believe that I learned time management and analytical skills that serve me well in the workplace, I also genuinely believe that I could have learned these skills working towards any degree in a subject about which I loved. Additionally, I love contemporary novels. I'm a 1950s to present gal. There are works dating prior to 1950 that have captured my attention, but these days when I choose a book to read, chances are, it was written after 1950. I digress.

Midwives. I agree with DLP's conclusion that the narrative voice was engaging and the parallels she found with To Kill a Mockingbird. However, I cannot truly place this book on the same plane as To Kill a Mockingbird, which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest novels every written. The primary difference is that Midwives did not speak to my humanity in the same way. Still, Midwives is a solid read in my book and worth the time.

--KER

Book Review: Midwives

2011-05-16T00:31:00.000-04:00

Usually, I am a bit leery for Oprah's Book Club books. I cannot tell you why, but I typically try to stay away from them. Even though numerous people told me that this book is exceptional, I still refrained. However, when I heard the author speak at a function recently I was so taken away with his poise, insight, and humor that I picked up a copy. I was astounded by the story and ashamed that it took me this long! This book is beautiful in every way possible and I firmly believe that someday my children will be reading it in their English Literature classes as an example of "modern literature during the 1990s".

Connie Danforth is a typical teenaged girl with a best friend, a boyfriend, and a close knit family. Yet, there is one thing about Connie that is not typical...her mother is on trial for murder. Sybil Danforth, Connie's mother, is a midwife and has delivered hundreds of babies before the fateful night when one of her patients died during childbirth. While the community of local midwives rally around Sybil and her family, the rest of their quaint town turns against the Danforth's. When Sybil is brought to trial for manslaughter, she finds herself not only defending herself but also midwifery.

The aspect that truly makes this novel is Connie's voice which is completely spot on. The author moves back and forth in time between Connie as a teenager during the trial to her life as an adult living with the trial's repercussions. Some readers have found this confusing, but I think it shows how expertly Bohjalian is able to write not only in a female voice but in an adolescent female voice as well as an adult female voice. It is an enormous feat and he conquers it! Though the plot may appear simple, the characters are incredibly complex and at times shocking. In many ways, it reminded me of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD which one could say has a very basic plot in which a man is put on trial for a crime that he didn't commit. However, this is not a John Grisham novel in which the satisfaction of the book is in finding out "who dun it" or who is going to be punished. MIDWIVES is much more like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in that the true action is the development of the characters and their community; the trial is just a catalyst for that development.

I can continue to rave about this novel but it won't do any good until you read it for yourself. Savor it because there are few books out there like this one.

-DLP

Book Review: Pledged

2011-05-13T13:05:00.000-04:00

Though I went to a college that had an active Greek Life, I am not a sorority sister nor do I have a single friend who was in a sorority. However, there is nothing in this book that I didn't already know. I believe that most people (especially those who attend college where there is Greek Life), know by now the pros and cons of sororities and fraternities. We have all heard the news reports of hazing gone wrong and sorority parties where excessive drinking takes place. While this is not the case on all campuses, I think most people have heard of at least one college or university where this is true. That is why, when I picked up this book, I was hoping for the "secret life of sororities" as the title states. I was hoping to see another side, either scandalous or not, that your typical American had no been privy to. Letdown. Perhaps the reason this book fell flat for me, is because it was written over seven years ago. Maybe at that time, this information was not as well known. If that was the case, then I think the author did a good job of uncovering some interesting stories within certain sororities. Unfortunately, it has not stood the test of time as most college students know these stories already before even setting foot on campus.

This is a work of nonfiction that follows four girls who are in sororities at an anonymous university in Texas. They don't exactly fit into their sororities for various reasons including being homesick, in a relationship with someone who is not in Greek Life, or lack of finances. Due to their identities as outsiders within their own sororities, these girls seem to have a love-hate relationship with their houses. Robbins follows them as they drink to excess, sleep around, wear revealing clothes, ditch class, and do drugs. Their status on campus is forever tied to their sorority house and within the house, to their specific cliques. For those who try to rebel against the system, their experience will probably not be pleasant.
At first, I was absorbed into the story but it soon became clear that there was nothing new in this book. Additionally, the way the women acted isn't specific to sororities but to humankind in general. The antics that they pulled are often done in certain dorms and organizations that are not affiliated with Greek Life. Robbins seem to be extremely troubled by the amount of dating around the girls did as well as the strict hierarchy that was within each sorority. Again, this isn't anything that can't be witnessed at a high school lunch room. For those of you who have lived under a rock, this might be a good book to read. But for those who attended high school and remember what peer pressure and cliques are like...this is a snoozer.

Book Review: The Heart Specialist

2011-05-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

I think I have been searching for this book for years without ever knowing it. This past winter, I went on a Canadian Lit binge and read as much as I could get my hands on, so when I saw that this novel was going to be published in the US I jumped on it! I devoured this book while trying my best to savor every sentence. When I read the last page, I was sad to see the book end but also so pleased that I had finally found a book worthy of a five star rating. If I have one thing to say to you, it is this...stop reading this review right now and pick up this book!!

For those of you who are not taking my advice and want a little more information, this novel is set at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th when women in Montreal (and around the world) were still shunned from the academic and medical world. Agnes White is not a typical woman of her day. At an early age, she becomes enthralled with dissections and mammal organs. She thinks that her passion comes from her father who left her family when she was five. Not long after her sister was born, her mother died leaving Agnes and her sister in the care of their grandmother. Their grandmother was the epitome of proper and therefore had no use for Agnes’ gory obsessions. However, Agnes savior came in the form of a governess who pushed Agnes to get an education and live her dreams of becoming a woman of medicine. While this was a hard road for Agnes, it was easier at times than coming to grips with her father’s tragic past and her sister’s troubled future.

Inspired by the life of Dr. Maude Abbott, Claire Holden Rothman develops the character of Agnes in a way that endears the reader while keeping her realistic. At times, I found Agnes to be unlikeable and even aloof. Still, I felt invested in her life and challenges. She is certainly a hero but she is not without her faults and it is for that reason that I adored her even when I didn’t understand her. Rothman’s character development in nothing short of beautiful and her language is inspiring. So stop looking, because this is the complete package! Now go read it already!!

-DLP

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

2011-05-10T17:13:00.000-04:00

I am always fascinated when authors work different medias in their work. As a fan of graphic novels, I am always pleased to find an author who is not afraid to integrate visual material into his or her storytelling. Even more impressive, are those are able to do so without crossing over into another genre. I believe that Ransom Riggs does just that. The brings in photographs and uses them to help tell his story without making it a graphic novel or art book. Instead, the images supplement his story and add a dimension that is both enchanting and at times frightening. Some may say that a great author should be able to tell without showing, however, some of the photographs that Riggs shows the reader are so peculiar that it would be nearly impossible to adequately describe them. By adding in this medium, Riggs walks a fine line between making a unique novel and tripping over into being gimmicky. Fortunately, Riggs spends most of his time on the former side of the line. Still, the novel is not without its faults. Though as a first novel, I am quite impressed!
The story begins with a 16 year old boy named Jacob who is an outsider in his town, school, and his own family. The only person with whom he feels a connection is his grandfather who weaves magnificent stories about an orphanage on an island that was home to children with bizarre talents. When Jacob was younger, he relished his grandfather’s fairy tales but teenaged cynicism stopped him from believing. When Jacob finds his grandfather brutality murdered in his own backyard, Jacob begins to wonder if the stories he was told as a child not actually be true. He travels to the island to find the orphanage in hopes to gaining some insight into his grandfather’s life and death. What he finds there is amazing, frightening, and leads Jacob to more questions than answers as he realizes not only are these legends true…but the peculiar children might still exist.

It should be known, that there are definitely elements of science fiction or the supernatural in this novel. So if your mind does not wander to the odd and possible fantastic, this is definitely not the book for you. I love that the novel is peppered with photographs of these children which helps the reader visualize some of their talents. However, at times it felt like the story was just a connect the dots linking up the various interested images. I found the first few chapters to be breathtaking and Riggs insight into Jacob’s troubled mind after the death of his grandfather was touching and real. Yet, Jacob climbed deeper and deeper into the island’s past, I felt myself losing interest. I thought that his relationships were superficial and therefore I questioned some of the decisions that he made. If this novel is geared towards young adults, I think that it will do well. But for adult readers, I think it leaves a bit to be desired. That said, I look forward to Riggs’ development as an author as I think he has some incredibly interesting and perhaps groundbreaking ideas.

-DLP

Book Review: The Revenge of the Radioactive Lady

2011-05-08T14:53:00.000-04:00

Though I always love quirky books, I tend to shy away from them. That is what happened to me with this book at first. I kept seeing it on bookshelves and library carts and while I was attracted to the cover I never picked it up. By the seventh time I saw it, I felt that the book was following me and that I had to read it. I am so glad that I did because it is the perfect combination of quirky characters, compassionate story, and deep drama. I found myself laughing out loud on one page only to turn the page and be crying. It was a roller coaster of emotion without any gimmicks or cliches.

At first, it seems that the story centers around Marylou Ahearn, an older lady who moved to Florida to get revenge on a doctor who ruined her life decades before. She rents out her house and buys another under the name Nancy Acher where she stalks Dr. Wilson. Of course Dr. Wilson has aged since she saw him last and he is now suffering from some memory loss and living with his family. Wilson’s family is the epitome of quirky which includes his work-aholic brother-in-law, his burnt out daughter, his gorgeous granddaughter who suffers from Asperger’s, his genius grandson who also suffers from Asperger’s, and his silent and forgotten granddaughter who suffers from lack of her parents’ attention. Such a family is not what Nancy had bargained for and so she decides to destroy the family as Wilson had destroyed her own. Yet as she gets closer to each family member, she begins to wonder if she had been wrong all along.

The chapters of the novel alternate between each main character. While this technique can come off as annoying or disjointed when used by other authors, Elizabeth Stuckey-French is a master at her craft. Each character was completely unique and just as bit enchanting as each of the others. I found myself rocketing through the novel, unable to put it down. My only complaint was the ending. I felt that the final chapter or so when from being quirky to completely unrealistic and slightly mind-boggling. However, it did not ruin the rest of the story that I completely recommend!

-DLP

Book Review: Witches of East End

2011-05-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

I was HUGELY excited when I read the synopsis of this book. With mythology, science fiction, witches, gothic writing, and some romance, I thought that it was right up my alley! It seemed like the perfect antidote for those forced to read Twilight against their will (like myself). The first thing I thought of when I read the back of the book was "this is going to be a modern day The Witches of Eastwick"! I was so wrong. The mythology, gothic writing, and even science fiction were thin while the romance was straight from a steamy harlequin novel.

The novel revolves around sisters Freya and Ingrid and their mother Joanna who live in a small town on Long Island. They are all witches but were forced to give up their powers centuries ago. When Freya falls in love with the handsome millionaire of the town, her heightened emotions set fire to a bunch of flowers. When her sister, Ingrid sees this witchery she feels that she can no longer deny her powers either. She begins treating lonely hearts and fulfilling unrequited love during her lunch break at the library. Inspired by her daughters, Joanna brushes up her magic by entertaining a little boy that brings back sad memories from her past. When violent events begin to occur in the small town, the residents start to turn against the family of witches.

I have to say that I devoured the first hundred pages or so without even coming up for air. I was completely enthralled. However, after about page 137 I started to lose interest as the story began to become more and more bizarre. As a frequent reader of science fiction, even I found the plot far-fetched. The characters went from being intriguing with a great deal of potential to two dimensional character sketches. The epilogue made it clear that this novel is meant to be the introduction to a series which made me excuse some of its flaws. Still, I can't deny that it got to a point where I just wanted it to be over. For fans of the Blue Blood Series, this seems to be a hit but for those who are not, I would said to proceed with caution.

-DLP

Book Review: We Have Always Lived in the Castle

2011-05-08T14:27:00.000-04:00

As a fan of Shirley Jackson, I think I might be a bit biased. Still, I think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. This is gothic storytelling perfection! Don’t be mislead by its low page count because this novel packs quite a punch!!

Living in almost complete isolation outside of a small town is the Blackwood family. Though they have lived in the same town for generations, they are now shunned because of a tragic event years ago. Mary Katherine, or Merricat, lives with her troubled sister Constance and their slightly delusional uncle Julian. When Merricat makes her journey into town, it becomes clear that she is the only family member willing to show her face outside of the house. The three relatives live in a well-developed rhythm that limits their interactions with others and therefore limits their need to talk about the tragic event from years past. When a long lost cousin appears at their house, it throws the whole family for a loop as they must confront their demons before it is too late.

Jackson has never been light on the action or intrigue and this book is no exception. The family relationship is incredibly interesting and well developed. Though it took me two tries to get into the novel, I think it is only because Merricat’s character is so brilliantly created that I did not figure out she was an unreliable narrator until my second attempt. If you’re looking for mystery...here it is! If you’re looking for drama...here it is! If you’re looking for a quick and enthralling read...here it is! Here is the complete package. Go read it!

-DLP

Book Review: Turtle Valley

2011-04-19T21:49:00.000-04:00

After reading Robert Morgan's Gap Creek, I went on a hunt of other works of literature that had similar characters who are realistic, hard, and genuine. Yet, it was not until I stumbled upon this novel that I found Morgan's match. Gail Anderson-Dargatz is a beautiful writer who knows how to balance plot and character. What emerges is a fantastic story about love, hardship, redemption, family, and the power of one's own character.

When Kat returns to her hometown of Turtle Valley, it is under the duress of impending fire. Yet it is clear that the fire is not the greatest hurdle Kat will have to combat. Upon her return, she is faced with her unresolved feelings towards her ex-lover. Accompanying her on this return to Turtle Valley is her invalid husband and overly emotional son. To add to her stress, she must pack up her parents' house and move them to another location while the fire rages. Additionally, her mother is suffering from memory loss and her father is on his death bed. Kat must deal with her past and present while the fire rages and threatens her future.

While Kat is contemplating the choices available to her, she stumbles upon her grandmother's papers. In these papers, Kat finds that her grandmother once battled with the same internal demons as she is. This second storyline can be confusing at times and I found myself wishing to go back to Kat's plot, however, it all came together beautifully. Clearly this book is character driven, so if you are not interested in personal growth and development then this novel may not be for you. However, if you like psychological books that challenge your emotions then this is right up your alley! It is a strong novel written by a strong author about strong characters meant for a strong reader.

-DLP

Book Review: Prep

2011-04-19T21:48:00.000-04:00

I started this novel with very high hopes as it was recommended to me by one of my best friends who has a very similar taste in literature as me. I listened to the audiobook and was so entranced that I borrowed the hardcover from the library to read when I wasn't listening. I devoured the book, rushing to what I expected would be a fabulous conclusion. No such luck...Nothing really happened in the whole book which made me think that the ending would have a wonderful twist or resolution, yet it seemed to just fizzle.

The plot of this book centers around Lee's experience at a prep school in Massachusetts. The majority of the students at the school are affluent and Lee finds it difficult to assimilate once there. The novel follows Lee as she makes friends, develops crushes, ends friendships, and goes through the ups and downs of teenage life. There are certainly passages that are heartbreaking as Lee struggles with herself, her friends, and her family while trying to find a balance in her life between who she wants to be and who others expect her to be.

If Curtis wanted to capture the "typical boarding school experience", I think that she did a pretty decent job but it read too much like a boring diary than an insightful look into a young woman's growth during her teenage years. As a former faculty member at a boarding school, I thought that this novel would be filled with the exciting and sometimes outlandish things that happen at prep schools. However, I had no such luck. I am a bit surprised as to why this novel received so much attention when it was first released as it only really scrapes the very surface of adolescent troubles. I feel that YA novels such as "Speak" or classics like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" are far more poignant than this book.

-DLP

Book Review: The Incident Report

2011-04-19T21:47:00.000-04:00

When I first finished this book, I was speechless (which is rare for me). I stumbled upon this novel while in a bookstore in Canada and thought that the premise was interesting so I bought a copy. I had no idea how impressive such a slim book could be. I rarely keep books after I finish reading them, however, this book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf for future re-readings and re-re-readings.

Author Mariam Baillie tells the story of Miriam, a public librarian in the city of Toronto. Miriam tells her personal and work story through about 140 "incident reports" in which she records her interactions with patrons. Some of the incidents are humorous while others are disturbing or heart-warming. As the novel progresses, Miriam begins recording certain "incidents" in her personal life and the reader gets a glimpse into Miriam as a person.

Miriam's reports are fragmented, which is symbolic of human interactions in today's cities. Despite the situation, every entry is beautifully written and poetic. A reader could easily fly through this novel in a matter of hours but a true lover of literature will want to savor each of these "reports" and look forward to a second and third read

-DLP

Book Review: Bottle Rocket Hearts

2011-04-19T21:45:00.002-04:00

Do not be fooled by this slender novel because Whittall packs in quite a punch! Set against the backdrop of Montreal's 1995 referendum, Whittall brings the reader into a world where rebellion is the norm and assimilation is not a guarantee. It is here that the reader meets Eve who is young and naive in this changing city. She wants more than anything to move out of her parents' house and start a life of her own. When she meets Della, Eve thinks that she has found the answer to her prayers. Della is older, experienced, and wild. While Eve learns a great deal from Della's antics, she learns even more from herself and her reactions to life with Della. In a roundabout way, she is finally able to accept herself and gain confidence in her decisions.

The turmoil of the 1990s in Montreal is a fantastic setting for this novel in which all of the main characters are in emotional flux. Whittall's writing is refreshing and a delight to read. Her characters have great depth and even those who are antagonizing someone find a way to win your heart. Overall, this is well-worth a read and a re-read.

-DLP

Book Review: Lost and Found

2011-04-19T21:44:00.002-04:00

Sensational doesn't even begin to describe Shaun Tan's "Lost and Found". This book is actually a collection of three stories that Tan has previously published to great acclaim including: The Red Tree, The Lost Thing, and The Rabbits. These three stories are quite diverse so a reader can easily find at least one story that strikes his or her fancy. This book has been listed as a children's book as well as a graphic novel. Typically it is a huge feat to create a book that is of interest to both children and adults, but Tan does it!! Children will enjoy the intricate illustrations while adults will love the Gothic undertones and brilliant drawings. I haven't seen this kind of artistry in a long time...if ever.

The Red Tree can be described as the adult version of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day". The illustrations are the best in the collection (in my opinions). The story is simple yet profound.

The Lost Thing is about a boy who finds a thing that is lost on the beach and tries to find it a home. I did not enjoy this tale as much as the others. Still, I though that the drawings were fantastic. It is also proof that within the three stories in this collection, there is definitely something for everyone.

The Rabbits is a story about rabbits that begin to come from all over to inhabit a land that is already populated. The rabbits inflict great pain on the natives and leave the land worse off. The story is symbolic of the treatment of Native Americans when the Europeans arrived in North America. The illustrations are not my favorite for they are a bit too Dali-esque for her. In fact, I find them to be a bit scary. Still, there are certainly readers out there who will fall in love with the pictures.
Overall, this is a fantastic collection. One for children and graphic novel-lovers alike.

-DLP

Book Review: Birth of Venus

2011-04-19T21:43:00.000-04:00

In 1999, "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" was published and the critics went wild! The idea that an entire novel could be written about an artist's muse was spectacular to many. Though little actually happened in the novel, it became a sensation and was even made into a movie. Four years later, "The Birth of Venus" was published and told a very similar story, one that would be retold again and again between then and now.

The Birth of Venus tells the story of Alessandra who is the second daughter in a Florentine family. She dreams of painting and living a life that is against society's norms. When her family befriends a painter, Alessandra feels like she has found what she has always been looking for; a fellow artist. Unfortunately, her parents wed her off to a man who holds many secrets that could endanger both of their lives and perhaps that of her family.

Like "Girl With the Pearl Earring" and later "Loving Frank", this novel is about an artist's muse who is not your traditional woman of the time. Though this novel was fast-paced and certainly more interesting than others of this genre, I still was not thrilled. I found the characters to be one dimensional and the story to be a bit stale. But for those who want to get lost in an easy read, this is your book!

-DLP

Book Review: The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove

2011-04-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

I heard about this book through a podcast and downloaded the sample onto my Kindle. The second I read the first paragraph I rushed to the library to check it out! At just under 300 pages, this novel flies by. I read it over one weekend and could have read it within one day if I didn't have prior commitments. However, when it ended, I felt a bit let down like I had expected more of the characters and writing. Still, it is worth a read if you're looking for something to get lost in for a bit.

Susan Gregg Gilmore tells the story of Bezellia Grove who was born into a wealthy family that is at the top of high society. People covet the Groves but within the confines of their mansion, they are an incredibly unhappy family that consists of a workaholic father, an alcoholic mother, an emotionally stunted little sister, and Bezellia. Bezellia is a typical girl growing up in the south in the 1960s. Her family was one of the founding families of the town in which they live and her life is comprised of social gatherings that her mother believes are mandatory for a young woman of society. Bezellia goes along with her mother's whims even though she doubts either of her parents love her as much as the African American nanny and groundskeeper who have taken care of Bezellia since she was born. When Bezellia falls in love with the groundskeeper's son, her life is thrown off kilter. She must then decide whether to stand up for herself, her love, and her future or bow to the southern societal norms that are engrained in her family and herself.

Though I found parts of this novel to be predictable, I was still surprised by some of Bezellia's choices and felt right there with her the whole time. It certainly was a fun read if not a challenging one. I would recommend it to anyone interested in southern literature or a good novel in which you can get lost!

-DLP

Book Review: Heart-Shaped Box

2011-04-19T21:40:00.002-04:00

I am not usually a horror reader but every now and then I get a hankering for a good spine-chilling tale. My go-to author is Stephen King or H.P Lovecraft, but change is not always bad. It is for this reason that I branched out and chose Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box. I know that he is Stephen King's son and therefore was hoping that the apple did not fall far from the tree. My hopes came true as this novel is fantastic and certainly better than some of King's own novels. As a writer, Joe Hill can absolutely stand on his own!
Has-been rockstar Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre but when he buys a haunted suit he has no idea what he has gotten himself into! It just so happens that the suit is haunted by his ex-girlfriend's stepfather who is out of vengeance. Judas and his goth girlfriend (Georgia) decide to flee in hopes of out-running the ghost and therefore their own deaths. While on this road trip, Judas and Georgia begin to learn more about each other in a way that is not typical for horror novels making this book heart-warming and spine-tingling.
Hill's writing is wonderful. It is creepy in all the right parts but also endearing when discussing Judas and Georgia's relationship. This novel reminded me a great deal of Stephen King's "The Shining" in that the true horror of the tale is within the personal relationships and not reliant upon blood and violence. I suggest that horror readers and non-horror readers alike should take a chance on this novel. I doubt that many will be disappointed.

-DLP

Book Review: Missing Something

2011-04-19T21:39:00.000-04:00

More often than not, I read books that are heavy and depressing. Typically, they are filled with troubled characters with troubled pasts and (inevitably) troubled and depressing futures. "Something Missing" is the exact opposite and because of that it is a very welcomed breath of fresh air!

Matthew Dicks tells the story of a "friendly" thief, Martin, who calls those he steals from his "clients". He is a conscientious thief in that he only takes items that he knows the owner will not miss including potatoes, dish soap and the occasional diamond earring. To ensure that these items won't be missed, Martin reads his clients diaries, bank statements, and documents on their computers. In doing so, he becomes emotionally attached to his clients. Therefore, when he believes a client is in danger, he puts his career and life on the line to help.
If there could ever be a noble thief, Martin is the man! His meticulous attention to detail while in his client's houses is astounding. I loved reading about how he acquired clients and the reasoning behind his choosing certain households. As Martin develops emotionally, it is heart-warming to see him reach outside of his bubble. This is the perfect read because it is quirky, fun, and light without being shallow or insipid. I urge all of you to find this book and take a chance...I doubt that you will be disappointed.

-DLP

Book Review: Suddenly in the Depths of the Forest

2011-04-19T21:05:00.000-04:00

I truly enjoyed this book. At a lean 120+ pages, Amos Oz crams in a fantastic tale about a village that has lost of all its animals to the Mountain Demon. The older residents of the village remember animals from the childhood, but their children have never seen a live animal. One day, two children from the village think that they see a fish. They are astonished by their finding and decide to venture into the forest in hopes of finding the other animals that were taken from them years before.

This is a simple tale but it is Oz's descriptions that make it such a treat. It is targeted to grades 4-7 and while I think these children will understand the story, there are multiple layers that they may not comprehend until they are older. Therefore, making the novel a perfect book for children and young adults to grow with. Parents will also enjoy the beautiful tale and find great meaning in a world where animals no longer roam.
I did not give the novel five stars because it was slow at times and I can imagine that children and young adults may lose patience with the long descriptions. It makes for a wonderful tone and atmosphere, but there are certainly pages that go on for a while without much action. This book is perfect for teaching children about cruelty, bullying, and the importance of the world around us. However, don't look for it to be packed with action or humor.

-DLP

Book Review: Beyond Rain of Gold

2011-04-19T21:01:00.000-04:00

There is no denying that Victor Villasenor is a fantastic writer. He has two Pulitzer Prize nominations to prove it! That is why I was thrilled when his new book came out this year. The synopsis stated that it would discuss spirituality as well as Villasenor's (always interesting) family, two topics that he has explored before and excelled at portraying. Unfortunately, this does not live up to his other works...not even close!

The majority of the book focuses on Villasenor's difficulty in getting "Rain of Gold" published as nonfiction instead of fiction, as the publisher had wanted. The first part focuses on his father and the differing opinions that people had of his father. While Villasenor saw him as a smart but sometimes brutal man, his friends viewed him as a saint or king. It is not until Villasenor is contacted by his father from the other side to offer help and guidance that Villasenor begins to believe his father may have been a saint.

Perhaps, Villasenor meant this work to stand as a tribute to his father. However, it does not do so as the majority of the book is taken up with Villasenor's complaints about the publishing of "Rain of Gold" and the personal struggles that he had to endure in order to ensure it was published the way he wanted. It is only when his father helps Villasenor with said publishing that he believes in the power of the other side and the kindness of his father. The last 100 pages or so did focus a bit more on spirituality, but I had already slugged through over 200 pages and was no longer interested in Villasenor's spiritual awakening.

For avid fans of Villasenor's work, this may be a book for your collection. Unfortunately, it did not strike my fancy.

-DLP

Book Review: Butch is a Noun

2011-02-14T19:59:00.000-05:00

I got this book for my partner for Christmas this year and after she flew through it in a day, I thought that I would pick it up. Typically, I am not a fan of essays. I find them dull and many times narcissistic. Bergman's book did the exact opposite!

Each of the essays focuses on a different aspect of butches beginning with "what/who" butches are, which she is unable to define. Hir writing ranges from reflections on the special friendships that butches have with each other to the complexities of using genered bathrooms and just about everything in between. Of course this means that there are some essays on sex, but they are far from graphic. While some reviewers think that this book is for butches and "those who love them", I would say that this collection is a must read for everyone in today's society for it touches on the larger issue of identity and its constructs. At times funny, but always insightful, Bergman educates the reader in a way that feels like we are not being educated. Perhaps this is because Bergman is a professional lecturer on the topic and has excelled at teaching important gender issues to everyone from college students to convicts.

Overall, this is an incredibly important read and one that people should not shy away from.

-DLP

Book Review: Larry's Party

2011-02-14T19:50:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, I got "The Stone Diaries" from my fellow romper because she knows me too well and knows that I have an unhealthy obsession with Canadian fiction. I started to read a little about the novel and some reviews suggested starting with another one of her works before plunging into her Pulizter Prize winner. I took this to heart, so at a local book sale I snagged a copy of "Larry's Party" and devoured it on my trip to Quebec City.

Larry's Party is rather nontraditional in its narrative. Each "chapter" is a snapshot of a certain year in Larry's life starting in 1977. The chapters are chronological but work almost independently of each other so parts of Larry's backstory are reiterated. While at first this may seem like it would bore the reader, it actually has the opposite affect. With each chapter, Shields re-situates the reader and focuses in on a certain issue of Larry's that year. The chapters are short but powerful.

The plot is simple. Larry is an average fellow who works at a flower shop when he gets his girlfriend pregnant and decides to marry her. For their honeymoon, Larry's parents pay for the couple to go to England. While there, Larry falls in love with hedge mazes and upon his return the decides to build one in his backyard. This love takes him across the country and around the world.

The writing is simple but beautiful as is the story. The reader can tell that Shields loves Larry and while she does not force the reader to feel the same, we end up rooting for him anyway. This is not a book in which there are large events or catastrophes. To the contrary, Shields presents small moments throughout a man's life. At times I felt that the story became bland, but it always picked up. The chapters are short so if one year of his life seems to lag, there are only a couple pages before the next. It certainly is a wonderful read and the perfect introduction to Shield's writing.

-DLP

Book Review: Abstinence Teacher

2011-02-14T18:23:00.000-05:00

My partner received this book for Christmas a couple of years ago, and it has been in the back of my mind ever since. However, it was not until a couple of weeks ago that I took it off the shelf. I was told that it was a good read though not great, which deterred me from reading it. While I agree with this assessment, I am glad that I read it.

The story is about a health teacher, Ruth, who is asked by a student why someone would perform oral sex. The teacher answers the question from an anatomical perspective and concludes by saying "because some people like it". It is these five words that send her career and life into a tailspin. Almost the entire community revolts, led by the local tabernacle church. Ruth is told that she is no longer allowed to teach sex education but instead is only allowed to teach abstinence to her students. In the same town, a middle-aged man, Tim, chooses to be born again by becoming involved in the tabernacle. However, he finds himself questioning some of the tabernacle's teachings and at odds with members of the church. As a way to bond with his daughter, Tim becomes the local girls' soccer coach. After a great win, Tim encourages his players to pray with him. Ruth, whose daughter is on the team, is enraged and the two butt heads which leads to startling consequences.

I have to say that there are aspects of this book that I simply loved. For example, Perrotta does not start the book until after Ruth is forced to teach abstinence in her class. Due to this, the entire controversy over her statement regarding oral sex is told as it is in the past. I thought that this tactic would make the novel sluggish as the reader already knows the outcome. However, it produced the opposite effect. I was enthralled with the resolution of the event more than with the actual revolt itself. Additionally, Tim's transformation from being a lively rebel to a broken do-gooder is also done off stage. When the reader meets Tim, he is already a member of the church and while his flashbacks give glimpses of his life before a church member it is not the focus of the novel.

My two gripes with this book are the ending and the descriptions of the peripheral characters. I found the secondary characters to be stereotypical and one-sided. Additionally, I found the conclusion of the novel to be contrived. Still, I think it is worth a reading.

-DLP

Book Review: On Writing

2011-02-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

It is no secret that I love Stephen King (or Uncle Stevie as he calls himself). While I have not read all of his works, I find his personal writings to be humorous and his insights into pop culture to be fascinating. It is for this reason that I snatched up a copy of On Writing. While I am not entirely interested in being an author, I certainly am intrigued by the process and thought that being guided through the process by King would be interesting. I was not disappointed.

While King's book does focus on the writing process, most of this book is filled with his personal recommendations on what has worked for him. This is not meant as a slight, for King is very upfront about his lack of expertise in writing a "writing manual". It is for this reason that the book is so effective. I found myself following his recommendations in my everyday writing. The examples that he uses are humorous while also able to prove his points.

Additionally, he begins this book with what feels like a memoir. In the first third of the book, King describes aspects of his childhood and adulthood that led him to becoming a writer. He does not shy away from his drug and alcohol addiction and in doing so he makes himself appear human. King does not ask the reader for sympathy or compassion. Instead, he uses his personal history as a way to prove that writers are not entirely pure and often take a winding road before coming upon their first book. As a fan of King, I was glad to read a bit about his personal life and upbringing. Of course it is nothing that isn't already on Wikipedia or has been spread across the news. Still, hearing his story in his own voice is beyond delightful.

Basically what a reader has here are two books: a memoir and a writing manual. King excels in writing both and I encourage readers to take a chance of this hybrid book. I doubt it will disappoint.

-DLP

Now on DVD: Catfish

2011-02-14T17:49:00.000-05:00

When this film arrived on my doorstep, I dropped everything I was doing and popped it into the player. I had read all of the hype about the releasing of this "Facebook documentary" at the same time as the "Facebook movie". I was drawn in by the hushed way that people spoke about the documentary and the fact that no one was willing to give a full plot detail. It is for this reason that I watched the movie hungrily waiting to be blow away. I was disappointed...greatly!

This film follows a young artist who becomes interested in the artwork of an 8 year old girl, Abby, who lives in Michigan. As he becomes more and more entranced with her work, he starts a relationship with the rest of Abby's family. Eventually, he begins to date Abby's half-sister Meghan though they have never met and their only interactions have been through Facebook or on the phone. When he gets a chance to travel to the west coast, he decides to drop in on the family. As the date of the trip approaches, he begins to think that maybe he has been duped. He starts wondering if there even is an Abby and if Meghan actually exists. This revelation leads him to the family's doorstep where he is faced with the truth.

All of the hype surrounding this film made me think that there would be an intriguing twist that changes the viewer's preconceptions. However, I found no such revelation. Instead, I found the film to be another cautionary tale about Facebook and online dating. There was nothing new here that hasn't been covered on the Evening News or been the subject of a Lifetime movie. Additionally, there has been an outcry that the film is a hoax. I don't know if there is any truth in this statement; what I know IS true is that this film had a terrific ad campaign for a far from terrific movie.

-DLP

Now on DVD: Exit Through the Gift Shop

2011-02-14T17:31:00.000-05:00

I took a chance on this documentary because both Entertainment Weekly and Netflix recommended it though there was little explanation as to what it is about besides that everyone should see it. After viewing this documentary twice I have to agree, everyone must see this film!

I will try to explain what it is about without giving too much of its intrigue away. Basically, the film starts as a documentary of street art in LA in recent years and the man who filmed it: Thierry Guetta. To say that Guetta is an avid amateur videographer, is a gross understatement. Guetta filmed every waking minute of his life, so when he became interested in street art...her filmed every second of that! Through his obsession, he was able to meet famous street artists including Space Invader, Shepard Fairey and eventually Banksy (the director of Exit Through the Gift Shop). Banksy takes Guetta under his wing and shows Guetta the secret ways of the street artist. Eventually, Guetta is asked what he is doing with all of the film he takes to which he responds that he is making a documentary on street art. It is when Guetta must actually make a documentary that Exit Through the Gift Shop takes an interesting path (I won't spoil it for you here).

There are so many intriguing aspects about this film but I think the most interesting is the current controversy that this entire documentary is just another one of Banksy's pranks. A prank that got him an Oscar nomination...I am not sure if I believe this is not but you don't need to choose a side in order to enjoy this thrilling documentary. It is beautiful in its presentation of street art and its artists. Additionally, it makes the viewer continue to think long after the movie has been taken out of the DVD player.

-DLP

Book Review: The Professor's House

2011-01-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

I am an undying Willa Cather fan. Her collection of stories was the first e-book that I bought on my Kindle (at least this electronic version will not lose it's cover or binding like my other Cather books that I may have loved a bit too hard). Of course, every writer has their slips and that's what I think The Professor's House is. Even though it is listed in the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die, I don't think it even holds a candle to O! Pioneers or My Antonia. Still, it has some redeeming qualities that a Cather enthusiast will surely enjoy.

The short novel is divided into three sections the first of which focuses on the professor's family. It is clear that the professor feels at odds with most of his family for while he values education and knowledge, his wife and one of his daughters are materialistic. When they plan to move into a newly built house, the family does not understand the professor's reluctance to leave their old house behind. The second section focuses on the professor's former student, Tom Outland. In fact, the whole section is written by Outland and describes his life and connection to the ancient civilizations in America's southwest. The final section gives greater insight into the professor and his admiration for his late student, Outland.

As one can see, this novel is character driven as opposed to plot driven. However, the characters are not that interesting and seem a bit convoluted. Therefore, the story becomes bogged down. Cather clearly wants to send a message about the dangers of materialism. However, these characters do not seem to be the best vehicle for this message. Additionally, the fragmented storyline is a bit confusing which distracts from Cather's theme.

Overall, this is not one of Cather's finest but Cather fans will certain see its redeeming qualities and perhaps a different side of Cather herself.

-DLP

Dramatic Review: Frankie and Johnny In the Clair de Lune

2011-01-17T23:46:00.000-05:00

Last month, I went to the New Rep in Watertown to see Frankie and Johnny. I had heard the song before and knew that it was a movie, but I have never seen the play. The venue was small and intimate as under 200 of us were seated in the black box. Overall, the production was well done. The two leads were excellent in their parts, though it might have helped that they were actually married. However, I cannot say that I enjoyed myself. This was not the fault of the specific production that I saw but of the play in general.

All of the action in this piece takes place in Frankie's apartment. The play opens with the couple having sex. It is clear from the beginning that they know each other though not very well. The audience soon learns that they met at the diner where both work. Frankie is a waitress while Johnny is the cook. Johnny is idealistic, looking for true love, and has set his sights on Frankie. Frankie is jaded/grouchy, suspicious and will have none of Johnny's romantic advances. This creates 71 pages of back and forth between the two. The repartee is humorous at its best and laborious at its worst. The two characters are grotesque stereotypes in which Johnny's idealism actually becomes creepy to the point that I questioned it the play was going to reveal that he was an escaped patient from a mental institution. Frankie's abrasiveness is further exaggerated as she huff and puffs around the apartment threatening to leave or kick him out. As they go back and forth, they start to open up to each other and see the potential for happiness within themselves and with each other.

Don't get me wrong, I love Terrence McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion! is one of my favorite plays) but this is just uncharacteristically weak. The dialogue feels stilted and unrealistic, the symbolism barrels in on anvils, and the ending is childishly foolish. Overall, McNally is a classic playwright who deserves great respect and praise. Unfortunately, this is far from his finest work and is worth skipping over on your way to his other pieces.

-DLP

Book Review: Too Much Happiness

2011-01-17T21:06:00.000-05:00

To continue with my reading of Canadian literature, I decided to read Alice Munro's Booker Prize winning collection of short stories. Usually, it takes a lot for me to take a chance on short stories. I typically find them to be either too short (and I want a novel-length more) or too long (and I wonder why it bothered being a story at all). However, Munro is a master! She gives the reader just enough to keep you intrigued and unable to put the book down. Yet, each story feels complete and you can walk away from the collection feeling satisified.

I enjoyed this collection a great deal because the stories dealt with some heavy issues that I think most short story writers shy away from. In this book, Munro tackles issues of spousal abuse, child abuse, adultery, and long-kept secrets. Many of the stories do not have a traditional "happy ending" and most of the characters are far from being heroes (or even likable). Somehow this does not seem to be a problem for I couldn't put the book down from the second I opened its cover. Perhaps the reason is because Munro's work isn't really about the plot or storyline of the story but instead about the characters and the emotions that the illicit in the reader. With each story Munro triggers a different emotion or question to ponder from how to forgive, to what is degradation, to what is the difference between hatred and fear. Though the characters faded with time, these questions still run through my mind.

Due to these topics, this is not a book for a dabbler or one who is hunting for a good beach read. This is catered towards those who want their literature to challenge them, disturb them, and above all make them think. If you are one of those kinds of readers, you will not be disappointed.

-DLP

Book Review: I Am America (And So Can You)

2011-01-17T16:42:00.000-05:00

I have to first own up and say that I love John Stewart and Stephen Colbert. I am not a die hard fan, but I respect both of them and find myself laughing whenever I catch their shows. That's why when Colbert's book came out I did not flock to the store to get it. Instead, I waited for it to go on clearance and picked up the audiobook read by Colbert himself. After reading it, I honestly want to send him a check for the full price because this book is well worth it!

In his book, Colbert basically reiterates the same positions that he holds on his show regarding politics, family, and overall American life. His one liners are quick and incredibly memorable. There are also little interludes titled "Stephen Colbert Speaks for Me" in which various guests write in on how Stephen expresses exactly how they are feeling. These "guests" range from an old cat lady, to a cow and even God himself. These are always witty and on the audiobook they are read by various actors/actresses.

At first, I feared that I would tire of listening to Colbert for over 3 hours but I was horribly wrong. Even after finishing, I wanted to go back and listen to it all over again. It was like listening to a 3 hour stand-up routine. Of course, this book is not for everyone. It is meant to be humorous and therefore should not be taken too seriously. But if you want a treat and feel like some laughs, then certainly take a chance on this!

-DLP

Now on DVD: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog

2011-01-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

Almost three years ago, brothers Zack and Joss Whedon decided to make a musical web series during the writers' strike. What they produced was this phenomenal cult sensation in which Neil Patrick Harris plays a good-hearted bad guy who desperately wants to become a super villain in order to get his crush's attention. His efforts are thwarted when Captain Hammer makes an appearance.

What I found most brilliant is that this grassroots web series it superior in almost every way to hundreds of fully funded network shows. The songs are too catchy for the viewer's own good, the singing is great, and the acting is nearly flawless. Additionally, the Whedon's have perfected the formula for tragicomedies.

It is also astounding that in less than 6 months the web series made back its costs of production. Now that the whole series is on DVD, it is certain to make an even bigger bang! The DVD even has a musical commentary (the songs from the original series and the commentary are available on iTunes). So if you're behind the times, like me, pick up this DVD because you have no idea what you're missing.

-DLP

Book Review: Water for Elephants

2011-01-11T00:47:00.000-05:00

As I have stated before, one of my MANY quirks is that I must read a book before I watch the movie. When I read in Entertainment Weekly the Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattison would be starring in the film adaptation of Water for Elephants, I knew that I had to pick it up. I rarely pay full price for a book. However, this one had such rave reviews that I couldn’t help myself. Still, it sat on my bookcase until this week when I promised to read it before the opening of the movie. Honestly, I was greatly disappointed.

Sara Gruen tells the story of Jacob Jankowski who is so distraught after his parents’ deaths that he runs away with the circus. He leaves between his education at Cornell University and his future as a veterinarian. Fortunately, his study of veterinary medicine helps him land a job as the circus’ vet. While touring with the circus he meets a number of characters from a red haired midget clown, to an old circus worker who is struck with “jake walk” (a condition brought on by drinking tainted whiskey). Jacob soon discovers that life on the road is beyond trying. When an elephant is brought on as part of the show, Jacob finds himself torn between his job as a compassionate vet and the rules of the circus. This causes Jacob to bump heads with his boss, August, who is beyond temperamental and at times masochistic. To complicate matters, Jacob is in love with the lead actress of the show, Malena, who just happens to be August’s wife.

While the subject matter of the circus would seem to be incredibly interesting, this novel was boring from start to finish. The entire plot was cliched, the relationships were shallow, and the characters were without depth. From the first chapter, I knew the exact path that the novel was going to take. Every time I thought to put the book down, I convinced myself to give it one more chance. It was after all a bestseller, therefore, I thought it would get better. It never did. If anything, it got worse as every cliche was reinforced. The only twist came at the very end and was so absurd I had to re-read the last few pages three times over to make sure that I read it correctly. A book is only as good as its character development but in this novel there is no development. Though Jacob attempts to mature, he can’t seem to figure out what his priorities are. Incidentally, neither can Gruen for she has Jacob bemoan his conflicting emotions between his love for Marlena and his feelings towards animal abuse. Fortunately for Jacob, the animals take their fate into their own hands which relieves Jacob of having to develop. I hope, for the box office’s sake, that the movie fails to resemble the book. Either way, I will not be the first in line at the theater.

-DLP

Now on DVD: Charlie St. Cloud

2011-01-11T00:11:00.000-05:00

I have to start by saying that I give Zac Efron props for trying to break out of his High School Musical/Teenage Heartthrob stereotype. He is certainly trying to differentiate himself from his past characters and for that I give him a great deal of credit. It is difficult for a teen sensation to break out from the mold he has made for himself, especially if that childhood mold was as lucrative as Efron’s. Sadly, I don’t think Charlie St. Cloud was the role to break Efron free from his teen bop status. The plot is weak, the writing is cliched, and the storyline is beyond convoluted. It seems that this movie was made to show Efron’s acting chops but instead it comes off as a Hallmark version of The Sixth Sense.

Charlie is a sailing champ who is devoted to his younger brother, Sam, and their single mom. While the two brothers are close, Charlie has just graduated and wants to spend time with his friends. One night, while their mom is out, Charlie is put in charge of watching Sam. The two get into a bad car accident in which Sam is killed. Charlie is unable to forgive himself. He defers going to Standford and spends five years working as a landscaper/caretaker of the local cemetery. Every evening he meets Sam’s ghost in the forest to plan catch. Charlie’s pattern is disrupted when he meets a female sailor with whom he falls in love. Suddenly he must choose whether to live in the past with the ghost of his brother or try to forge a life for himself in the present.

Though this movie touches on deep issues of life after death, grief, and regret, it does little more than tap on these issues. As a Massachusetts resident, it was hard for me to believe that this movie actually took place in Quincy when in fact it looked a great deal like the California coast. Yet my greatest disappointment was how forgettable this film is. I only watched it a couple of days ago and my memory of it is already hazy. I always look for movies and books that leave a lasting impression and make me continue to think about the characters for days or even weeks. This is not so with Charlie St. Cloud. Though I wanted to like this movie and cheer for Efron’s development as an actor, I found myself disappointed.

-DLP