I read "Footnotes in Gaza" - a graphic journalistic book about a massacre of 111 Palestinians in 1956. Joe Sacco is a comic book war correspondent. It was quite wrenching and piqued my interest in the Palestine/Israeli conflict. I have been to Israel and learned about the history from their point but this incident was new to me. It's so desperately sad as a topic and brilliantly portrayed in graphic form. I may read his other works as well. I find the graphic novel is a good way to make a story fresh.
On a completely different note, I read "The Secrets to Happiness" by Sarah Dunn. I loved her previous novel "The Big Love" and lapped up this book as well. She enlarges the cast of characters - including a somewhat unlikeable guy named Leonard with drug issues - and it's mostly about Holly's relationship with the man that her friend Amanda had an affair with. Anyway, it was witty and enjoyable.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
food rules
I read "Food Rules" by Michael Pollan. It's a list of memorable standards for what to eat. I thought it was indispensible. Spend as much time eating your meal as you did cooking it. The whiter the bread, the sooner you're dead. Don't get your fuel from the same place your vehicle does.
"Homeport" by Nora Roberts is a romance novel I read in college and wanted to read again. It was very enjoyable - redhaired art historian falls in love with art thief and they have to find the killer... It's a Snickers for the brain.
"One Hundred Demons" by Lynda Barry is a comic about things she is ashamed of - I actually put it down because the first discussion was about fleas. Just distasteful.
"In The Town All Year Round" by Rotraut Berner is a utterly delightful picture book with colored pencil drawings of a happy, picturesque, busy town. People go to the park, to the train station, chase a dog, have a birthday party. It's totally adorable and I want to move into this friendly German town!
Currently I'm reading "Cutting for Stone" by Verghese. It's already amazingly good.
"Homeport" by Nora Roberts is a romance novel I read in college and wanted to read again. It was very enjoyable - redhaired art historian falls in love with art thief and they have to find the killer... It's a Snickers for the brain.
"One Hundred Demons" by Lynda Barry is a comic about things she is ashamed of - I actually put it down because the first discussion was about fleas. Just distasteful.
"In The Town All Year Round" by Rotraut Berner is a utterly delightful picture book with colored pencil drawings of a happy, picturesque, busy town. People go to the park, to the train station, chase a dog, have a birthday party. It's totally adorable and I want to move into this friendly German town!
Currently I'm reading "Cutting for Stone" by Verghese. It's already amazingly good.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
i can make a difference
Back from vacation where I was busy baby-wrangling and didn't read much.
"I Can Make A Difference" by Marian Wright Edelman is a fantastic children's book highlighting human values of respect, nonviolence, gratitude. Each principle is matched with different quotations, parables or poems. It's wonderfully inspiring and I want to give it to everyone I know.
"The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin follows her year-long project to follow advice and make herself happier. She used to be an attorney so she's very methodical and rigorous in her actions. I really liked the way she distilled concepts into Rules or Splendid Truths or Secrets of Adulthood. She covered lots of things I've observed - a touch of deprivation makes you appreciate things anew. Helping others makes you feel good.
Some of her insights I found helpful were "Be Gretchen" - or whoever you are. Accept youself - your limitations and your strengths. I am always awaiting to be transformed into a socially confident leader and maybe I'm never going to command a room in that way. I can accept this and be happy in who I am today.
She also writes about enjoying the anticipation, expressing happiness and savoring the memories. Milk each event for all it can offer and you'll be filled with joy. I love this - I am a huge fan of talking about favorite memories and sometimes other people aren't so willing to delve into the past with me. But it's a good reminder to do so anyway!
Anyway, I loved the book!
"I Can Make A Difference" by Marian Wright Edelman is a fantastic children's book highlighting human values of respect, nonviolence, gratitude. Each principle is matched with different quotations, parables or poems. It's wonderfully inspiring and I want to give it to everyone I know.
"The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin follows her year-long project to follow advice and make herself happier. She used to be an attorney so she's very methodical and rigorous in her actions. I really liked the way she distilled concepts into Rules or Splendid Truths or Secrets of Adulthood. She covered lots of things I've observed - a touch of deprivation makes you appreciate things anew. Helping others makes you feel good.
Some of her insights I found helpful were "Be Gretchen" - or whoever you are. Accept youself - your limitations and your strengths. I am always awaiting to be transformed into a socially confident leader and maybe I'm never going to command a room in that way. I can accept this and be happy in who I am today.
She also writes about enjoying the anticipation, expressing happiness and savoring the memories. Milk each event for all it can offer and you'll be filled with joy. I love this - I am a huge fan of talking about favorite memories and sometimes other people aren't so willing to delve into the past with me. But it's a good reminder to do so anyway!
Anyway, I loved the book!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
the girls
"The Girls" by Lori Lansens has a farfetched plot - the autobiography of a conjoined twin. But similar to Eugenides' "Middlesex," this esoteric premise takes us on an epic journey to the center of the human heart.
It is amazingly real and concrete about what it feels like to be conjoined, from the small daily details. The author does not make a single misstep, she creates a totally convincing world. That is remarkable in itself. But the reason you keep reading is way you fall in love with the characters, Rose and Ruby. It's a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and now I can't stop thinking about it.
Much weeping at the last pages:
"I have an urge to apologize for my mountain-climbing metaphors while begging patience for one more. Because, my friends, I can see the summit. It appears bitten, scalloped white against this azure sky. There are other people there too. And not all of them writers.
Everyone says, 'Don't look down,' but I did look down, at where I've been, how far I've come, how high I've climbed. Where I thought I made a single trail in the snow, I've made a thousand, blighted by debris, the bits of me I've left behind. And tools I didn't even know I had."
Also I read the Pride and Prejudice graphic novel adapted by Nancy Butler - which was a interesting way to tell the story, but of course not as rich as the actual novel. Still, it might be a fun way to introduce a kid to the story.
I read "American Widow" by Alissa Torres, a graphic novel by a 9/11 widow. It was very sad to go back to those tragic days in American history. She writes about the whole experience, including the struggles of dealing with Red Cross bureaucracy.
"Shelf Discovery" by Lizzie Skurnick was flat out fantastic! I felt like it was written FOR ME. It's a collection of essays revisiting books we read and loved as teenagers. Lois Duncan, Little House, Judy Blume, I could go on. I had read most of the books and LOVED her fond and pertinent analysis. So, so good. I have to get this book. It brought back my childhood! I flipped out when I saw her inclusion of "Caroline" by Willo Davis Roberts of the Sunfire series. OMG! I loved that book! I think I still have it boxed up.
I also really enjoyed "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a delightful book of random thoughts, lists and witty observations. No one can pass a parked limousine without remarking upon it. Or, when you are calling someone's name to get their attention and they don't notice you: "no matter who they are - a lawyer, a surgeon, a Latin scholar - they look like an idiot searching for you, craning their head like that, and you question their intelligence." Ha ha.
Also read "Sleepy Little Alphabet" by Judy Sierra to the little mister. Very cute.
It is amazingly real and concrete about what it feels like to be conjoined, from the small daily details. The author does not make a single misstep, she creates a totally convincing world. That is remarkable in itself. But the reason you keep reading is way you fall in love with the characters, Rose and Ruby. It's a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and now I can't stop thinking about it.
Much weeping at the last pages:
"I have an urge to apologize for my mountain-climbing metaphors while begging patience for one more. Because, my friends, I can see the summit. It appears bitten, scalloped white against this azure sky. There are other people there too. And not all of them writers.
Everyone says, 'Don't look down,' but I did look down, at where I've been, how far I've come, how high I've climbed. Where I thought I made a single trail in the snow, I've made a thousand, blighted by debris, the bits of me I've left behind. And tools I didn't even know I had."
Also I read the Pride and Prejudice graphic novel adapted by Nancy Butler - which was a interesting way to tell the story, but of course not as rich as the actual novel. Still, it might be a fun way to introduce a kid to the story.
I read "American Widow" by Alissa Torres, a graphic novel by a 9/11 widow. It was very sad to go back to those tragic days in American history. She writes about the whole experience, including the struggles of dealing with Red Cross bureaucracy.
"Shelf Discovery" by Lizzie Skurnick was flat out fantastic! I felt like it was written FOR ME. It's a collection of essays revisiting books we read and loved as teenagers. Lois Duncan, Little House, Judy Blume, I could go on. I had read most of the books and LOVED her fond and pertinent analysis. So, so good. I have to get this book. It brought back my childhood! I flipped out when I saw her inclusion of "Caroline" by Willo Davis Roberts of the Sunfire series. OMG! I loved that book! I think I still have it boxed up.
I also really enjoyed "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, a delightful book of random thoughts, lists and witty observations. No one can pass a parked limousine without remarking upon it. Or, when you are calling someone's name to get their attention and they don't notice you: "no matter who they are - a lawyer, a surgeon, a Latin scholar - they look like an idiot searching for you, craning their head like that, and you question their intelligence." Ha ha.
Also read "Sleepy Little Alphabet" by Judy Sierra to the little mister. Very cute.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
the philosophical baby
I heard an interview with author Alison Gopnik on NPR discussing "The Philosphical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life" and put it on my list. As a new mother, of course I am fascinated by the topic of how babies learn and what they are thinking.
She goes through various experiments to demonstrate that babies are moral, aware, and intelligent from the very beginning of life and then she takes another step to discuss the philosphical implications.
Yes - kids grow up so fast, but giving your kid a happy childhood is a valuable good that is worthwhile and long-lasting. Kids are learning a theory of love from their parents that will be with them always. Freud was wrong, it's not that kids want to have sex with their parents - it's that adults want mothering from the people they sleep with because that's how we first learn about caring. I love all these insights.
I was brought to tears by this:
"Imagine a novel in which a woman took in a stranger who was unable to walk or talk or even eat by himself. She fell completely in love with him at first sight, fed and clothed and washed him, gradually helped him become competent and independent, spent more than half her income on him, nursed him through sickness, and thought about him more than about anything else. After twenty years of this she helped him find a young wife and move far away. You couldn't bear the sappiness of it. But that, quite simply, is just about every mother's story."
Raising a child means being in touch with an overwhelming love, she argues, that is essential to our human nature.
I loved this book! It was fascinating. sweeping from psychological experiments to philosophers like Kant. At the same time, it affirmed the transcendence of parenting in a vivid and beautiful way.
I also read "Born Round" by Frank Bruni, about his tortured relationship with food that culminated in being the restaurant critic for The NY Times. I most enjoyed the description of life on the campaign as he was also the reporter for Bush's 2000 presidential run and the hardships of being the famed restaurant critic. I'm not too interested in weight gain/loss tales - perhaps because I relate too well!
I read "Between the Covers" by Ellen Heltzer and Margo Hammond and loved it! This is the book I was hoping "Bibiotherapy" would be and wasn't. Smart and relevant discussions and lists of recent books categorized by time periods in a woman's life. They listed many books I've already read so I figured we shared a similar taste. I'm looking forward to expanding my habits with new titles.
We enjoyed some fun picture books by Chris Van Dusen: "If I Built a Car," "The Circus Ship" and "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee". The artwork gleams and pops with frenetic energy in every scene and the rhymes bounce the story along.
I skimmed "Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera" by Ron Schick - mostly I looked at the pictures. It shows how his kitschy/classic drawings were based upon detailed photos he took beforehand.
I've also reread some books this week - the graphic novel "Fun Home" and the delightful "The Gastronomy of Marriage".
She goes through various experiments to demonstrate that babies are moral, aware, and intelligent from the very beginning of life and then she takes another step to discuss the philosphical implications.
Yes - kids grow up so fast, but giving your kid a happy childhood is a valuable good that is worthwhile and long-lasting. Kids are learning a theory of love from their parents that will be with them always. Freud was wrong, it's not that kids want to have sex with their parents - it's that adults want mothering from the people they sleep with because that's how we first learn about caring. I love all these insights.
I was brought to tears by this:
"Imagine a novel in which a woman took in a stranger who was unable to walk or talk or even eat by himself. She fell completely in love with him at first sight, fed and clothed and washed him, gradually helped him become competent and independent, spent more than half her income on him, nursed him through sickness, and thought about him more than about anything else. After twenty years of this she helped him find a young wife and move far away. You couldn't bear the sappiness of it. But that, quite simply, is just about every mother's story."
Raising a child means being in touch with an overwhelming love, she argues, that is essential to our human nature.
I loved this book! It was fascinating. sweeping from psychological experiments to philosophers like Kant. At the same time, it affirmed the transcendence of parenting in a vivid and beautiful way.
I also read "Born Round" by Frank Bruni, about his tortured relationship with food that culminated in being the restaurant critic for The NY Times. I most enjoyed the description of life on the campaign as he was also the reporter for Bush's 2000 presidential run and the hardships of being the famed restaurant critic. I'm not too interested in weight gain/loss tales - perhaps because I relate too well!
I read "Between the Covers" by Ellen Heltzer and Margo Hammond and loved it! This is the book I was hoping "Bibiotherapy" would be and wasn't. Smart and relevant discussions and lists of recent books categorized by time periods in a woman's life. They listed many books I've already read so I figured we shared a similar taste. I'm looking forward to expanding my habits with new titles.
We enjoyed some fun picture books by Chris Van Dusen: "If I Built a Car," "The Circus Ship" and "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee". The artwork gleams and pops with frenetic energy in every scene and the rhymes bounce the story along.
I skimmed "Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera" by Ron Schick - mostly I looked at the pictures. It shows how his kitschy/classic drawings were based upon detailed photos he took beforehand.
I've also reread some books this week - the graphic novel "Fun Home" and the delightful "The Gastronomy of Marriage".
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
the overnight socialite
"The Overnight Socialite" by Bridie Clark is a fun retelling of "My Fair Lady" - very silly and over the top. I enjoyed it - it's not realistic or well-developed at all. I keep wanting to call it "The Overnight Socialist" which would be an interesting novel as well.
"Happy All the Time" by Laurie Colwin is incredibly well-written with small, brilliant observations about happiness and marriage - but there is no plot. Nothing happens! I kept reading looking for the conflict and it felt like nothing was at stake. Two men fall in love with two women and get married. One woman likes distance more than her husband, the other has a prickly temperment. But that's it. It's hard to really care for characters stressing over such minute issues. I had to relax my expectations for plot and just enjoy her charming writing style.
I love Colwin's essays on food and reread them constantly. She has a cozy tone that makes you feel like she's your best friend.
"Happy All the Time" by Laurie Colwin is incredibly well-written with small, brilliant observations about happiness and marriage - but there is no plot. Nothing happens! I kept reading looking for the conflict and it felt like nothing was at stake. Two men fall in love with two women and get married. One woman likes distance more than her husband, the other has a prickly temperment. But that's it. It's hard to really care for characters stressing over such minute issues. I had to relax my expectations for plot and just enjoy her charming writing style.
I love Colwin's essays on food and reread them constantly. She has a cozy tone that makes you feel like she's your best friend.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
the ghost map
"The Ghost Map" by Steven Johnson is about the cholera epidemic in London in 1850s and Doctor John Snow who figured out how it was spread. It didn't grab my interest automatically, but it was actually quite thrilling and fascinating to follow his thought process step by step in an atmosphere of superstition and fear. He makes all kinds of interesting points about the development of cities and brain evolution.
One thing I recall is an argument that because Europeans in history drank alcohol (instead of water which could be tainted), their descendants can "hold their liquor" whereas Native Americans didn't have that history of exposure so they have a greater propensity for addiction. Reminds me of "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I love that kind of theory - explanations for WHY things are the way they are.
Also read "Burma" by Guy Delise about his year spent in Burma while his wife worked for Doctors Without Borders. He describes daily life in the sweltering country under military rule. It didn't wow me as much as "Pyongyang" did - but I enjoyed learning about power outages, whole cities of people addicted to heroin and the conditions of ruby and jade miners. He has a eye for the quirky - an old examination chair in a clinic, the Japanese fire engine.
Right now I'm read "Happy Families" by Laurie Colwin.
One thing I recall is an argument that because Europeans in history drank alcohol (instead of water which could be tainted), their descendants can "hold their liquor" whereas Native Americans didn't have that history of exposure so they have a greater propensity for addiction. Reminds me of "Guns, Germs and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I love that kind of theory - explanations for WHY things are the way they are.
Also read "Burma" by Guy Delise about his year spent in Burma while his wife worked for Doctors Without Borders. He describes daily life in the sweltering country under military rule. It didn't wow me as much as "Pyongyang" did - but I enjoyed learning about power outages, whole cities of people addicted to heroin and the conditions of ruby and jade miners. He has a eye for the quirky - an old examination chair in a clinic, the Japanese fire engine.
Right now I'm read "Happy Families" by Laurie Colwin.
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