Old School

Old School by Tobias Wolff

I love to write. Although I have not published a novel, I still consider myself a writer. I am at my happiest when I am reading or writing.

My love for the written word led to my love of this book. Wolff writes a detailed, descriptive narrative. The main character is a nameless boy, attending a prep school in the 1960's. This boy is an outsider, trying to blend into this surroundings. He wants to be a writer and to get there he has to truly know himself. Literature is the center of his world.

The theme of this book is gripping. Anyone with a love for literature should read this. I found insight into my own feelings through the struggles of this character.

Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Another blast from the past.

This book is a personal nightmare of mine. Based in the future it portrays a society that outlaws reading, Bradbury paints a scary picture of what could someday become reality. What happens when people are happy to drift through life, only having trivial knowledge?

I see people like this every day! Non-thinkers, who believe that ignorance truly is bliss. Instead of reading the book, they want to watch the movie. Instead of taking a stance on difficult issues, they want to pretend the issue doesn't exist. Instead of pursuing education and excellence, they are satisfied with mediocrity.

Intellect is not always appreciated, and this book shows what can happen in a world of non-thinkers. Scary stuff!!

CEO of Me

CEO of Me: Creating a Life That Works in the Flexible Job Age by Ellen Kossek

I admit that, at times, I struggle with work/life balance. If you are in the same boat, this is a good read. It contains some great advice and helpful scenarios. One of my favorite sayings is, "If you don't have a plan, you are part of someone else's plan." This book helps me remember that I have my own plans and I am in total control of those plans!

Damaged

Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child by Cathy Glass

This is the story of an 8-year old little girl who is stuck in the foster care system. With my intense feelings about abused children, this was a difficult read.

Jodie is violent and hard to love. By the time she comes to live with Cathy Glass she has already been through several other foster families. Both her Mother and Father, along with several others, were all sexually abusing Jodie. Years of constant abuse made this little girl into someone who was unable to trust and unsure of how to act in normal circumstances.

Cathy tells her story is a straight forward, honest way. She does not minimize the difficulties in taking care of a damaged child, but instead gives hope that there are people who devote their lives to helping children in these situations.

The only thing that bothered me about this, is that I felt Jodie should be the one telling her story, if and when she is able to do so. I wasn't sure it was Glass's place to recount the horrors of Jodie's childhood. On the flip side, I admire Glass for giving this little girl a life, and also spreading the word about children in need of good foster parents.

A recommend for those that are involved with abused children, or for people who love children.

Then Came You

Then Came You by Lisa Kleypas

Another endearing novel by Lisa Kleypas. Her romances are intensely character driven. I have yet to read a Kleypas book that I didn't appreciate.

Add this one to your list if you love emotional romances....

Last Night at Chauteau Marmont

Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger

If you are looking for a light read, check this one out! It is witty, funny and cute.

Half Broke Horses

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Walls authored her own life story in "The Glass Castle." In "Half Broke Horses" she tells the story of her Grandmother Lily's life. Reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie," but for adults, this novel paints a moving picture of an outspoken woman surviving life's tragedies.

I recommend this to those who enjoy memoirs.

Half the Sky

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof

Passionately written, a plea to take notice of oppression of women and girls around the world. Kristof, writing with Sheryl WuDunn, takes the reader from Africa and Asia and introduces women who struggle to survive. From sex slaves, to lack of health care, to harrowing discrimination.

This book made me both sad and angry. It helped to reignite my goals of helping others. Yes, I'm just one person, but I can do small things that make a big difference in so many lives.

I am so thankful to be born into a country where, as a woman, I am free to be what I want to be. Putting myself in the place of the women in these stories is painful. But I also see the goodness of the human spirit, in both the writers, and in the women who survive these atrocities and still hang onto hope.

 

 

Toward the Setting Sun

Toward the Setting Sun: John Ross, the Cherokees and the Trail of Tears by Brian Hicks

I appreciate true American history. The story of what happened to our Native American ancestors maintains a low profile in most history books. What children learn in school is shallow and often inaccurate. It is a period that can be learned from, but is often ignored. Hicks tells the tragedy of the Cherokee people in a detailed, rich manner. The sad history of this proud people is given the respect it deserves.

Throughout the book you can see how the Cherokees tried to adapt to the changes happening around them, but sometimes adapting is not enough. Everything was stripped from these people.

Could something like this happen again in America? It happens every day in different areas of the world. And the way some people believe that their morals and ideals are superior to others is what creates a tragedy like this. Something to think about with the current political climate.

Moving, educational and insightful.

Lost Voices from the Titanic

Lost Voices from the Titanic by Nick Barratt

So moving. As a child I had a vivid dream about being on the Titanic. I still remember the dream in great detail. The dream created strong feelings for me about the victims and survivors. Since, I have been in awe of this tragedy.

I appreciate this book, as Barratt gives first account descriptions from the survivors. Putting myself in the position of the survivors, as I read their tales...that is what a good book allows you to do.

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell

This is Julie Powell's story of how she turned a blogging project into a writing career. She gives herself a challenge to complete 524 recipes by Julia Child in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and blog about them--in just one year.The book is okay.I liked how Julie grows throughout the memoir, but, honesty I was bored through a lot of the book.

Whitney, My Love

Whitney, My Love—Judith McNaught

Judith McNaught is one of my favorite romantic authors. This was not one of my favorite McNaught books, although I liked it. The main problem was that it is simply too long. And also quite unbelievable. One misunderstanding that could not be cleared up by a two minute conversation is okay, but not several. It is still worth reading, if you are a McNaught fan.

Lead Me On

Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl

Any other Victoria Dahl fans out there. This is one I really enjoyed. The “good girl" and the “bad boy.” A theme I always like. This one is pretty hot!

Maybe This Time

Maybe this Time by Jennifer Crusie

Another romantic comedy by Crusie. In this book, Andie is ready to marry her fiance and forget her ex-husband. But then the ex asks her for a favor and she is unable to resist. North (the ex) asks her to help with two children he inherited. The kids are surly and also convinced the house they are living in is haunted.  Andie continues to resist her feeling for North, as she grows closer to the children. But this new family may just be meant to be. Adorable!

Kiss an Angel

Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Amazon Description:
“How did pretty, flighty Daisy Devreaux find herself in this fix? She can either go to jail or marry the mystery man her father has chosen for her. Alex Markov, however, has no intention of playing the loving bridegroom to a spoiled little featherhead with champagne tastes. As humorless as he is deadly handsome, he drags the irrepressible Daisy away from her uptown life and sets out to tame her.
Except it won't be as easy as he thinks. This man without a soul has met a woman who's nothing but heart. Will vows spoken in haste shatter . . . or offer the promise of love everlasting?”

My thoughts:
Another emotional novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The plot starts out seeming rather ridiculous, however I soon found myself pulled into the characters. I ended up absolutely loving it, as I do all Phillips novels.

Running the Books

Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian by Avi Steinberg

In this memoir, Steinberg tells the story of how he found his place in the world. There was a depth to his story that I really appreciate. Steinberg is expected to be a certain person, but instead he chooses to find himself and follow his own path.

Really liked this one.

The Memory Palace

The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok

A Mother with Schizophrenia struggles to have a relationship and her daughters. Children cannot understand mental illness and the girls in this book grow up scared and unsure. When they reach adulthood, they cut off all contact with their mother, but are brought back to her side, years later, as she dies.

The language is beautiful, the relationship between a mother and daughter, beautiful. Not an easy read, but enjoyable.

UnPlanned

UnPlanned by Abby Johnson

Description from Amazon:

"Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in an actual abortion procedure for the first time, walked down the street to join the Coalition for Life. Unplanned is a heart-stopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby's story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies."

My Thoughts:

It is hard to write a review centered on such an explosive subject. I want to state, up front, that this is not an issue that I am going to divulge my personal beliefs about. I tend to be "in the gray" on this one, and I won't dwell on that here.

As for the book, I like to read things from both sides of hot button issues. This particular book comes from the anti-abortion point of view and was highly recommended.

My feeling on this book are hard to define But, for the most part, negative.

1. The beginning of the book is very emotional. The description Johnson gives of an abortion brought me to tears. If I had left myself with that initial perspective, I may have had more respect for the author. However, as I am prone to do, I did some thinking and some researching. The scenario she gives at the beginning is simply not supported by fact as something that  actually happened. Johnson wants the reader to believe that she works at Planned Parenthood for 8 years (in an admin role) and then, out of the blue, a doctor asks her to assist on a medical procedure that she has never assisted on before. Even though there is a qualified nurse in the room assisting. Crazily enough (sarcasm intended), no records support this. She lost credibility with me after that.

2. I found Abby Johnson to be quite self-centered, sanctimonious and disingenuous. In the beginning she complains that her church was not supportive of her working at Planned Parenthood. Then later in the book she complains that another church wasn't comfortable with her taking such an active stance on pro-life. This mentality screams out for attention and validation from others. In both circumstances she seems unsure of standing on her own beliefs. This impression only deepened after reading her blog after finishing the book.

3. This quote from the book really got me, she says: "I admit, I'm not much of a follower. Never have been. I like to lead." This was the worst quote. No doubt about it, she is a follower. Throughout the book she continuously whines about what others think about her and repeatedly claims to be a victim. She expects the reader to believe that Planned Parenthood tricked her, for 8 years, into believing they were helping women. She makes it seem like there is a grand plot to seduce her into working for them, against her own will. This simply makes her seem naive and honestly, unintelligent. She does a complete flip to the other side; going from "being fine" with abortion to fighting against even a choice for women. Flipping, literally over a few weeks, from one view to the polar opposite. I found this to be strange and disturbing, like there are not valid concerns on both sides of the issue.

4. I might have respected her opinion more if she had come to the conclusion that abortion is wrong after having 2 abortions of her own (which she states in the book didn't affect her emotionally). Or if it hadn't taken her eight years to decide she believed the total opposite. The way she tries to place the blame on Planned Parenthood is just not something I can respect. They are upfront about what they do. She was not a victim. In fact, she had not one, but two abortions and wants to now take the right to choose away from everyone else. I found this to be hypocritical in the extreme.  She is one of the people that says "so many people would want that baby!" The only people that should say that are people who have adopted/fostered children. I can't respect someone who wants to end abortion but doesn't want people to use birth control or who want to end abortion, but stop caring about what happens to the child as soon as it's born.

Overall, I clearly didn't like this book. I didn't like the tone of it, or the implied judgment. I would rather have read a book on someone's personal feelings and why they came to have an anti-abortion view. I didn't feel that this book was fair or accurate. I felt like Johnson was only pushing an agenda and I wasn't buying it.  

Baby Proof

Baby Proof by Emily Giffin—

Description from Amazon:

“A novel that explores the question: Is there ever a deal-breaker when it comes to true love? Claudia Parr has everything going for her. A successful editor at a publishing house in Manhattan, she's also a devoted sister, aunt, and friend. Yet she's never wanted to become a mother--which she discovers is a major hurdle to marriage, something she desperately wants. Then she meets her soul mate Ben who, miraculously, feels the same way about parenthood. The two fall in love and marry, committed to one another and their life of adventure and discovery. All's well until one of them has a change of heart. Someone wants a baby after all.This is the witty, heartfelt story about what happens to the perfect couple when they suddenly want different things and there is no compromise. It's about deciding what is most important in life and wagering everything to get it. And most of all, it's about the things we will--and won't--do for love.”

My thoughts: I don’t have a lot to say about this book. I thought it would be emotionally engaging, but instead I found it to be quite bland. Claudia is not a very likable character. In fact, she was so shallow it was hard to care what happened to her. Ben was marginally interesting but I lost interest well before the end.

The Fates Will Find Their Way

The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard

I was disappointed in this one. The story is vague and seemingly without a plot. I barely made it through.

Any differing opinions?

Villette

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Who doesn’t love a book by one of the Bronte sisters? This is one of my favorites. Angry, witty and honest, this is an amazing example of feminist literature. Lucy Snow is in the role of a 19^th century woman, repressed and irrelevant to society. Bronte writes of her adventures in life. This book is reported to be somewhat autobiographical.  I wonder how I would have felt in these shoes. It had to be so frustrating to be a woman during this time in history.

A beautifully crafted story with a complex character. Not to be missed!

Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

This is a strange book. What if you only had one day to live? What would you do in that day? What if you could change fate and save your own life? This book asks those questions through the life of a teenage girl. She lives the last day of her life seven days in a row. In reliving the same day she is given the opportunity to appreciate her blessings, find value in her life and a reason for her death.

I was torn between really liking this book and being annoyed by it. A great concept, not sure how well that concept comes across. Honestly, it’s pretty depressing.

Back Roads

Back Roads by Susan Crandall

Any Susan Crandall fans out there? This is Crandall’s first book. In my opinion, it is not the best one, but I did like it. It is a sweet romance. I like Crandall's writing style.

Ape House

Ape House by Sara Gruen

This book follows a woman who has pledged her life to the study and care of chimpanzees. She runs a lab, teaching chimpanzees how to communicate with humans. How far will she go to protect those animals? How strong can a human/animal bond be?

As an animal lover, I enjoyed the theme of this book. I wasn’t crazy about Gruen’s execution, but thought it was a decent read. I wish she had stuck more to the relationship between the humans/chimps, instead of veering off in several directions, sometimes directions that didn't make much sense.

However, this definitely had me thinking about how animals are used and abused in our society.

Manhunting

Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie

So far, I have read several books by Crusie and have enjoyed each one. This one is just adorable. Kate is a successful woman with a plan. After numerous failed engagements, she believes she knows just the type of man she needs. Enter Jake…the country cowboy she meets on a trip to an exclusive resort, while hunting for a husband. Jake is not in the plan…but Kate comes away with a new plan and gets to know herself in the process.

Crusie is talented at writing the perfect blend of romance and comedy.

Don't Cry

Don’t Cry by Beverly Barton

This is a good read for the thriller enthusiast. And, as a bonus, there is a small bit of romance built in :)

A serial killer is on the loose, as bodies turn up with long-dead baby skeletons in their arms. Relationships are built and relationships fall apart.

I enjoyed the twists in this one and plan to read more by Barton.