Usually I just make note of the titles, but since I am doing this whole blog thing, I may as well make small notes about each book, as I see fit. That way, I have a more comprehensive and thorough list at the end of the year. Also, such notes just might spark some discussion among visitors to this blog.
Here is my list for 2011:
The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
This book was randomly selected from my mother's bookshelf in the very beginning of January. It is a coming-of-age novel depicting a complicated mother and daughter relationship. Evelyn, the protagonist, is unaware of her father's identity, and this proves to be problematic in the small Kansas town she calls home. She and her mother are on welfare, and frequently live off of the charity of others, particularly men who find Evelyn's mother attractive. Evelyn is trapped in the middle of many complicated issues such as the battle between religion and science, and the throes of love within an adolescent love triangle. The novel ultimately reveals the unpredictability of life, the importance of self-reliance, and the hope implicit in the pursuit of education.The beginning of this book sucked me in, especially in the exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. As Evelyn gets older, though, I began to relate to her less and less, and actually found her rather annoying. While her mother is liberal, and a free spirit, Evelyn is high strung and conservative. When Evelyn begins to stray from her mother and tarry more toward religion and science, the content became much less fresh and alive. On the one hand, though, Evelyn's character is certainly unique. She is morally fastidious, is very responsible, and is socially uptight. While others may find such characteristics appealing, I personally was turned off. Just reading it stressed me out! This was an entertaining read, but not my type. It was also not particularly memorable.
The Odd Sea by Frederick Reiken
This was another selection from my mother's bookshelf. This short work is set in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and explores the inexplicable disappearance of a child, and how that disappearance affects the remaining family members. The novel also touches on issues such as sexuality, art, and depression. Parallels to The Odyssey are also drawn, which is always fun for we English nerds.The novel is very strong in its presentation of a harrowing topic. It is never cloying or overly sentimental, but instead handles the issue with genuineness and poise. All of the members of the family are affected in their own unique way, and the portrayal of the various forms of grief are poignant and resonant.
The rustic setting was also a strength within this novel. Each of the characters relates to the setting in a different way, relying on it in their time of grief. The setting seems to teem with life in and of itself, and serves as a perfect backdrop for such an authentic cast of characters.
A good read, rather masculine in nature.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguru
This novel was selected through the book club here at Franklin Pierce, entitled Four Fingers Book Club. It is a very unique story, chronicling the lives of students at Hailsham boarding school. This is no ordinary boarding school, and the students themselves are far from ordinary. I don't want to give it away, but the students are not actual humans, but are clones of humans who were created in order to harvest organs. The novel looks into the implications of cloning, especially the emotional impact upon the clones themselves.The novel is very well written and is very unique in plot. It has an air of Britishyness to it, which is simultaneously endearing and a trifle distracting. I would recommend this one because of its thematic implications, and because of the riveting plot. I am excited to hear what comes up in the book club discussion.
Under the Dome by Stephen King
This book is so good. It's a doozy of a read, typical of King, but is so engrossing and captivating, it doesn't take long to finish at all. In fact, you may not leave your bedroom once you get into it. I have read a bunch of Stephen King's books, but I think I like this one the best.
The story follows a small town in Maine (big surprise) which is inexplicably cut off from the rest of the world by a mysterious transparent dome. The dome does not allow for any solid objects to pass the town line, and also significantly affects ventilation and weather patterns. Most horrifyingly, though, it affects the members of the town. The town is under the reign of a wretched, corrupt man and his pliable, pathetic cronies. It is up to a veteran of war and his humble friends (including a cast of precocious young teens) to try to gain control of the town and put a stop to the tyranny, and to figure out how to get rid of the dome. This novel probes fascinating issues such as the production of a meth lab, the danger of hypocrisy in mainstream religion, senseless maiming and raping of innocent victims, the power of journalism, the dangers of a polluted atmosphere, the combined futility and devastation of technology, and the sordid state of the human condition. It is absolutely fantastic and multi-layered--you must read this!The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Columbine by Dave Cullen
Everybody remembers Columbine. They remember the carnage, the crowds of bleeding, mourning teenagers, the bodies splayed out on the sidewalk. Before reading this book, I felt I was well-educated about the goings-on of April 20, 1999. I felt I understood what happened, and even thought I knew why. Like many people, I thought Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were two geeky high school kids who were part of the "trench coat mafia," and who had been subjected to endless bullying within the halls of Columbine High. I thought that the years of torment had led them to snap and take out their rage against bullies and jocks in a fit of frenzied revenge. I was very incorrect.
Dave Cullen's book, based on ten years of research, debunks countless rumors regarding the tragedy, and probes into the minds of the killers themselves. Through an engrossing melding of fact and literary technique, he presents a story so heart-wrenching and vivid, it is impossible to put the book down. From cover to cover, I trusted Cullen indefinitely, and was swept up in a story even more astounding than that which was presented in the media. The devastation encroached upon Columbine High School was minimal compared to that which the killers imagined; this attack was meant to be much more than a school shooting. Read this book, and you will begin to understand how the travesty was orchestrated, who the killers really were, what happened to the victims, and most importantly, why the hell it happened in the first place.Dave Cullen has an awesome website, so check it out:
http://www.davecullen.com/index.htm
Also, my Intro to Creative Nonfiction class is conducting a Skype interview with Dave Cullen this coming Monday, so more posts are sure to follow.
UPDATE:
Dave Cullen is such a cool guy! We skyped with him in class today, and got to ask him questions and stuff. He is funny, candid, informative, and inspiring. . He told us a lot about the writing process, the research process, and the aftermath of publishing the book. I was intrigued to find out that the book had started in a very different direction, omitting many of the survivors' stories, and featuring Cullen more prominently. It had also been at least twice the length originally, which is pretty astounding. Anyways, the quality of the conversation was exquisite, and I was bubbling with excitement about it all day. My only qualm was that the conversation could not have lasted longer, especially since I was not able to ask my question. But Dave Cullen is the man, and his book is sick nasty.
King Lear by Billy Shakespeare
All Souls by Michael Patrick MacDonald
This memoir focuses on a hilarious, heart-wrenching family from South Boston (Southie), a largely Irish community wracked with poverty, violence, and self-defeating loyalty. Southie is the best place on earth, or so its inhabitants claim. The MacDonald family agrees wholeheartedly with that adage until the violence, drug abuse, and crime rampant on the streets claim the lives of their own family members. This book addresses such historical topics as the Southie busing protests, and the role of Whitey Bulger's Irish mob in South Boston's corruption. MacDonald writes with honesty and clarity, taking on the injustices of his beloved neighborhood. His story is tragic, but instilled with moments of hilarity, and with an underlying vision of hope.Hamlet by William Shakespeare
I am currently working on a paper about Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, and her role in Hamlet Senior's murder. It's pretty fascinating stuff. Perhaps I will post it.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
This is my favorite book ever written in the whole wide world. It's really hard for me to write a simplified synopsis. I read this novel every year, and have done so since high school. Each time that I read it, I find something new and utterly brilliant to take away from it; I find a new insight into my own life with each perusal. Holden Caulfield is a hilarious, disenchanted, depressed, lonely, angry, rebellious, tortured young man, hovering on the cusp of adulthood. He tells his story in a refreshing, authentic voice; it is as if he is talking right to you. And his story is truly wonderful.
An isolated figure of sincerity and purity, Holden wanders the streets of New York, growing more depressed by the minute by nearly every person he encounters. His tale is a poignant snapshot of adolescence, of the rocky transition from childhood to adulthood, when imagination and innocence are traded in for responsibilities and obligations, and when perspective shifts from the make believe to the real world. And the real world he sees around him is far from the ideal; filled with taxi cabs and buses, New York is far removed from any rustic setting, and is teeming with "phonies," despicable people ruled by arrogance and corruption.
As a teenager, it was easy for me to relate to the hatred and loneliness latent in Holden's story. As an adult, I now see the real beauty in this novel. Holden shows us that no one is ever really alone, no matter how much they might isolate themselves from the rest of the world. And as despicable as the human condition may seem, there are plenty of other disillusioned individuals who have documented their own experiences, their own observations of humanity, and who have gone through just as much pain on the path to growing older. I now know the accompaniment that a good book can truly serve. With Holden's help, I understand that it's okay to grow up--difficult, and heartbreaking at times--but okay. And so I skirt the rim of some enormous cliff, looking into the expanse that is the rest of my life. I may fall, I may soar; I can't be sure. But I know that, no matter my fate, there will always be the catcher in the rye.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Ohh, Sylvia Plath, that poor deranged soul. I read this book this year for my 20th Century American Lit class, and found it very rewarding, particularly as we covered this book directly after reading Catcher in the Rye. Those two books complement each other quite well, providing insight into the tortures of the coming of age experience, from both the male and female perspectives. Plath's novel lacks the soul-melting resonance that Salinger delivers, and falls slightly short of the mark, in my opinion. It does, though, provide a startling and enthralling look into the mind of a young woman as she spirals into the depths of insanity, and is crafted with powerful poetic imagery and language. Ms. Plath can spin herself a fine simile, I'll tell you that. The main character of this novel, Esther Greenwood, is believable and relatable--she is tall and unremarkable looking, with a voracious appetite and a wealth of intelligence. She excells within the classroom and scores scholarship after scholarship. Eventually, though, the real world beckons, and Esther sees the futility of her pursuits, particularly when there are no more scholarships or prizes to be won. It is then that the bell jar descends, and the narrative takes on the warped, helplessly chaotic undertones of insanity. From electroshock therapy disasters to suicide attempts, this novel aptly portrays an otherwise distant concept--losing grip with reality. A necessary read for all young people, women in particular, The Bell Jar is a profound foray into the depths of the mind, leaving the reader twisted and tangled themselves.
In Cold Blood by Truman CapoteIn all honesty, I found this book to be surprisingly unremarkable. Centering on the gruesome murders of a close-knit, morally upright family from smalltown USA, this book peruses not only the details of the crime, but also the mindsets and stories of the killers. Unfortunately, I found the crime itself to be rather stale and uninteresting, especially in comparison to the Columbine massacre that I have been obsessing about for, like, ever. The family is completely impeccable--they are church-going, law-abiding citizens, and the children are almost too good to be true. The only interesting character is the mother, who is sometimes bed-ridden with crippling anxieties and psychological difficulties. As a lover of flawed characters, I found this book to be disappointing. Even the killers are relatively boring. I did not feel connected to them, did not empathize with them, did not even particularly want to understand them.
That is not to say that this is not a great book, because it is. It is an integral contribution to the creative nonficton genre, and is extremely well-written and researched. Unfortunately, it was just not my cup of tea. Check it out for yourselves; you might glean far more from it than did I.
Tartuffe by Moliere
I liked this kooky little play. An old classic comedy, this French neoclassical play delves into some hot topics, such as religious hypocrisy and the ongoing argument of empirical observation vs. theory. It is genuinely charming and witty, and features a host of lovable, endearing characters. The ending was a little contrived for me, but considering the extent to which this work was edited and censored, I am willing to throw ol' Moliere a bone. He had to make a living, after all.
Candide by Voltaire
Ahh Candide. This fast-paced, action packed gem is loaded with philosophical ponderances and life lessons. It is thought-provoking and interesting and exciting to read. It follows the character of Candide as he travels all over the world, attempting to understand why things are the way they are, and to figure what is important for a satisfying life. Included in this masterful little nugget are executions and earthquakes and wars and red sheep and sex and raping and pillaging a'plenty. Read this one, you'll learn a lot, and will be riveted throughout. That's how it went for me, anyhow. Stiff by Mary Roach
What a fascinating, one-of-a-kind book! This brave book details the various uses of human cadavers--in the present, and in the past. It is hilarious, thought-provoking, and a little bit disturbing in the best kind of way. The amount of research that went into it is rather impressive, and I learned loads from reading it. You won't believe some of this stuff until you read it for yourself. Roach's style of narration is witty and captivating, and the material covered is genuinely interesting. At the core of the book, though, is a very important issue: that is, the importance of the use of human cadavers for scientific research. After reading it, Roach had me convinced to donate my body to science, no matter what strange scientific procedures might befall my parts. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Hmm, what to say about this one. This is an Oprah book, and you can kinda tell while you're reading it. It details the life of Janie, a strong-willed black woman, and tells of her experiences with various marriages and what not. This is undoubtedly a well-written novel, but its subject matter didn't really appeal to me that much. I tend not to like books that are too obviously "go woman-ish," and find their subject matter a bit contrived and tiresome (Kate Chopin's The Awakening, for example). I did enjoy the pacing and the writing style of this particular novel, though. Hurston utilizes truly beautiful descriptions in this work, and the words and images feel like they melt in your mouth. And while the novel starts out at a normal pace, the excitement dramatically increases toward the end of the novel as the climax approaches. It makes for an invigorating read, and becomes a real page-turner.Going after Cacciato by Tim O'Brien
I love Tim O'Brien, and I love 'Nam books, so I was pretty pumped to crack this bad boy open. I was not disappointed, but I was perhaps a bit confused. Allow me to explain, hopefully without giving too much away. This novel is structured in a unique way, the plot depending largely upon the narrator's imagination. Therefore, for much of the novel, the reader is unsure whether the novel's goings-ons are intended to be taken seriously, or are merely glimpses into the imaginings of a terrified, emotionally-unstable soldier. This provides an interesting effect, and works successfully as a frame for the novel. The narrator, Paul Berlin (and what an awesome name for a protagonist, I think!) is incredibly endearing throughout the work--I fell a bit in love with him. All of his adventures, whether imagined or not, are exciting and interesting. All in all, Tim O'Brien succeeded here, I think, in portraying the timeless concept of war in an original, perhaps even ground-breaking way. I definitely want to read this one again. Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich
It is difficult for me to provide a fair synopsis of this novel because I had an extremely difficult time trudging through it. Which is not to say that it isn't a great work! Unfortunately, I was slated to read this work at the very end of the semester, and I was so burnt out by that point, I could hardly even write my name at the top of a sheet of paper, let alone read an entire, confusing, convoluted book about Native Americans and incessant rape. Love Medicine is crafted in an interesting way, as it is comprised of the reflections of various Chippewa living on a reservation. As you read, you find out how the individuals are connected, and how their relationships with one another have shaped the reservation and stuff. My gosh, I wish I could have had a little more effort to spare while reading this one, because it takes an astute, clear mind and a fair amount of patience to make the connections and understand how this whole thing comes together. Instead, I just sorta stared at the words and felt resentful that I couldn't just sit and mindlessly watch Spongebob instead. Anyhow, I intend to perhaps read this one again someday, and I have a feeling that I will find it to be a powerful, well-crafted novel. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
The positive aspects of the series as a whole hold true in this novel--Rowling's ability to convey very serious and relevant themes within an understandable and unpreachy context, for example, remains intact. Concepts such as discrimination, prejudice, and treatment of others based on hierarchical ranking are roundly criticized, while concepts such as bravery, loyalty, trust, friendship, the support and unlikely success of the underdog, and, of course, love, are glorified. This novel is a bit of a departure from the rest of the series, though, as the bulk of it takes place outside of Hogwarts' walls, apart from the rest of the wizarding community. While I did miss the usual joys of the Hogwarts setting--the suits of armor, the secret passageways, the ghosts, Peeves, the classes, the detentions, the trips to Hagrid's hut...(I could go on and on...)--the departure from Hogwarts was very necessary to the development of both character and plot, and turned out to be rather enjoyable to read.
Hallows has a distinctly nostalgic feel to it, which I really enjoyed. Unlike the earlier novels, which attempted to provide synopses of their predecessors in order to remind readers of the plot line, Rowling here trusts that her readers are devout enough to be familiar with the plot. She takes this a step further by inserting wistful moments of hindsight and nostalgia, which are relevant for character, writer, and reader alike. Through these subtle moments of reminiscence, all three parties are reminded of earlier, much-loved moments in the series, helping to unite the series, and also to provide closure. Rowling does walk a fine line, though, and sometimes skirts over that line into the sticky territory of sentimentality. The ending chapter, I feel, comes across as a bit corny, but that is understandable, really.
All in all, Rowling here continues to astound, bringing an end to a truly spell-binding series. That is not to say that Harry Potter has had his last word, though, because with each rereading of the series, the reader stumbles upon some previously unnoticed morsel of magic hidden within the pages. It is a series with which the world will never tire, and which will be revisited time and time again for countless generations to come.
The Book of Lost Things by John ConnollyI enjoyed this book, especially since it is entirely different from anything else I have recently read. It was recommended to me and loaned to me by my dear friend Caitlin Carroll (and I really need to return it...). The Book of Lost Things is a modern twist on classic fairy tales, but is not exactly intended for children. In fact, I don't think it would be advisable for children at all. It is rather violent at times, and can be gruesome, gory, and pretty much terrifying (like all good fairy tales, really). Still, the book uses timeless story lines in an all-new way, and makes them more applicable to our modern times, and is a very entertaining read. If you are into fairy tales and enjoy getting that heebiejeebie feeling, this book is a good one for you.
Fletch by Gregory McDonald
Fletch!! What an awesome character, and what a great read. My pal Joey recommended this one to me, and I really really enjoyed it. Now, to start off, Fletch is a bit of a departure from the books I usually read since it is so obviously masculine in nature. Its protagonist, Irwin Fletcher (but everyone calls him Fletch) is a suave, smooth-talking, lady-killer who doesn't take shit from anybody, including his two alimony-hungry ex-wives. At the outset of the novel, we find Fletch on a beach, fraternizing with the local wastrels. You see, Fletch is an undercover investigative journalist researching the drug scene on the beach in the most effective way--by immersion within the drug scene itself. During his investigation, though, Fletch is confronted by a successful businessman from the area who asks, politely as you please, if Fletch would murder him. The plot shoots forward from there, as Fletch attempts to uncover the mysterious nature of the businessman's requests, and to unlock the curious case of the drugs on the beach. The book is fast-paced, cutting edge, and hilarious, and has so many twists and turns, it'll leave you breathless. I highly recommend this, to boys especially, as an enthralling summer read. As a side note, there is a movie adaptation of this book starring Chevy Chase, and though they take some liberties with the plot, Chevy Chase fills the role of Fletch very well. The movie is rather hilarious and preserves the integrity of the original work overall. Also, McDonald wrote a bajillion sequels, all of which you and I should check out.Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Very entertaining book with a heart-wrenching, important story to tell. Julia Armond, the narrator, is an American-born journalist who has lived in France for 25-odd years, and who is married to an unfaithful, arrogant, fartfaced French guy named Bertrand. During her research for a story on the 1942 roundups of Jewish people in Paris (instigated and facilitated by French police), Julia becomes enamored by the tragic event, and her whole life changes as a result. Running parallel to Julia's narrative is the story of Sarah, a young Jewish girl who is part of the 1942 round up. As both stories unfold, secrets are revealed and understanding is gained. This is a great summer read, and portrays some very valuable messages. On the whole, though, I considered this book to be plot-based and a bit airy. But that is the English major snob coming out in me. Odds are, any reader will enjoy this book, though it is geared mostly toward women. Also, there is a Sarah's Key movie coming out soon, so that's something to keep in mind.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
Bigger isn't always better: the extended edition of King's The Stand is proof positive of that cliched adage, at least in my opinion. Now I ordindarily love Stephen King--one need only look at my earlier review of Under the Dome for proof--but I was left rather disappointed by this one. First, to synopsize the novel: it follows a diverse cast of characters--there's a musician, a newly pregnant young woman, a simpleton from east Texas, a deaf mute, an overweight, conceited teenage writer, etc. etc.--before and after the apocolypse. The apocolypse itself is pretty cool, that much I will attest to. When the governmentally created and regulated "superflu" gets out of its test tube and into society, an uncurable epidemic sweeps America (and beyond, though the novel focuses on the American remifications in particular). Most Americans succumb to the disease, though an unlikely cast of survivors are left to contend with a post-apocolyptic America. Pretty cool idea, right? Right. But then, King starts in on a whole new plot--and a good one on its own, certainly--featuring an old woman (representing the good), and a dark man with weathered cowboy boots (representing the bad). Survivors across America follow images and beckonings in their dreams, gravitating toward either the powerful yet terrifying dark man, who has set up shop in Las Vegas, or toward the peaceful, century-old black woman who leads her followers to Boulder, Co. So now, not only do we have a plague-ravaged country, but a battle royale between good and evil, God and the Devil. Still pretty cool, right?My displeasure with this novel goes beyond its length and looseness of plot, however. Something that really, and I mean really, turned me off from this novel, was King's perception and portrayal of women. The female characters here represent sex, sex, and more sex. King cannot have two people of the opposite sex alone in a room together without the woman suggesting something sexual, or without the man groping her breasts. Women are coquettish and sly, and are seen as weak and sexually-driven. Even the strong female characters are highly sexualized, and are seen as markedly less reasonable or logical than the male characters. The old woman is the only one who is not sexualized, but that is because she is over 100 years old and is very very saggy.
Anyways, that's how I felt about this novel, though I hope others have had better experiences with it. I would like to read the abridged version, though, because I feel that the strong points will be of greater emphasis--such as the allegorical aspects and the glimpses into human nature--and the drab, boring character development and sexualized poppycock will fall by the wayside.
Ulysses by James Joyce
The Winshaw Legacy or What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Journey of the Fifth Horse by Ronald Ribman
Small Island by Andrea Levy
