23 - Animal Farm, by George Orwell, 95 Pages, Penguin Books, 1945
WHY I PICKED IT: It was a book club book in 2003, but I hadn't read it... and intended to. Then my friend Jafo mentioned it, and reminded me that I wanted to read it.
ELAPSED TIME: 2 days.
RATING: Good.
An allegory of Communist Russia, the animals overthrow the humans and seek to build their own utopia... but that is slowly eroded by the Pigs (who are smarter than the other animals) until you can't tell the difference between the Communists and the Capitalists. The failure of the USSR was because it put too much power in the hands of too few people. That Orwell could see that in 1945 is fantastic. That being said, I couldn't get into the story of the animals on the farm... The whole time I was reading it, I knew I was reading a political message when what I would have wanted is a story (Ayn Rand's capitalist manifestos do a much better job of conveying a political perspective through a story - even if I wholeheartedly disagree with the perspective she espoused).
This blog is a simple review of every book that I read... For all books I’ll tell you why I picked it, how long it took me to read it, and give it a rating (burn it, not good, meh, good, very good, and required reading). I ask (encourage?) all readers of my blog to post their thoughts of any of the books in my comments :). Thanks!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
2011-22 - What Now, by Ann Patchett
22 - What Now, by Ann Patchett, 97 pages, Harper Collins, 2008
WHY I PICKED IT: The last of Ann Patchett's books. I've read everything else
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: Good
This book was based on her convocation address at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence. Ann's trademark style is noticeable throughout, and she does a good job of sharing the path that took her to where she is. I was underwhelmed by her extolling the virtues on being a follower; although it's true that most people will not be the team captain, class president, general, or CEO, I think people need to be taught to lead within their own space and to challenge the status quo.
Conversely, I really liked some of her messages:
a) The lesson that we learn as a child, to not talk to strangers, is one that puts barriers in place between adults... and we need to try to overcome those.
b) Wisdom comes in chips rather than in blocks, so gather up the chips and build up the blocks throughout your life.
c) Stillness, silence, and studied concentration are valuable and eroded by iPods, cell phones and the internet.
d) Make some plans, and change them.
e) Identify your heart's purest desire and don't change that for anything.
Ultimately, this book is just a feel good, light-on-the-brain diversion from reading that entertains me, challenges me, and exposes me to new thoughts.
WHY I PICKED IT: The last of Ann Patchett's books. I've read everything else
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: Good
This book was based on her convocation address at her alma mater, Sarah Lawrence. Ann's trademark style is noticeable throughout, and she does a good job of sharing the path that took her to where she is. I was underwhelmed by her extolling the virtues on being a follower; although it's true that most people will not be the team captain, class president, general, or CEO, I think people need to be taught to lead within their own space and to challenge the status quo.
Conversely, I really liked some of her messages:
a) The lesson that we learn as a child, to not talk to strangers, is one that puts barriers in place between adults... and we need to try to overcome those.
b) Wisdom comes in chips rather than in blocks, so gather up the chips and build up the blocks throughout your life.
c) Stillness, silence, and studied concentration are valuable and eroded by iPods, cell phones and the internet.
d) Make some plans, and change them.
e) Identify your heart's purest desire and don't change that for anything.
Ultimately, this book is just a feel good, light-on-the-brain diversion from reading that entertains me, challenges me, and exposes me to new thoughts.
2011-XX - Chronicles Volume One, by Bob Dylan
XX - Chronicles Volume One, by Bob Dylan, 293 pages, Simon and Schuster, 2003
WHY I PICKED IT: I like Bob Dylan and Nick Hornby recommended it
ELAPSED TIME: 8 days.
RATING: Meh.
8 days in, and I only got through 145 pages. What I realized is that although I like Dylan, this autobiography is an odd collection of anecdotes that doesn't really delve into the roots of his music. When he listed people who went to the parties he attended in NYC, and I didn't recognize any of the names... that should have been a sign to quit. Instead, I struggled through another 100 pages before quitting on this book.
WHY I PICKED IT: I like Bob Dylan and Nick Hornby recommended it
ELAPSED TIME: 8 days.
RATING: Meh.
8 days in, and I only got through 145 pages. What I realized is that although I like Dylan, this autobiography is an odd collection of anecdotes that doesn't really delve into the roots of his music. When he listed people who went to the parties he attended in NYC, and I didn't recognize any of the names... that should have been a sign to quit. Instead, I struggled through another 100 pages before quitting on this book.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
2011-21 - It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini
21 - It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini, 444 pages, Hyperion,2006
WHY I PICKED IT: I watched the movie, and was interested in the premise, so thought I'd try the book.
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: Meh
This is the story of Craig - who works hard to get into a prestigious school in NYC, and then has a nervous breakdown when he realizes that he's not happy there. This is a kid who got overly stressed with 93s; as if those were failing grades. He ultimately checks himself into a mental hospital on a 5-day hold for a suicide watch... and the story goes from there.
It's nice when the movie follows the book - and the one based on this book certainly did. That being said, the movie has Zach Galifianakis with warmth and depth and comedic timing. Vizzini wrote depth into his characters, not just the leads but most of the other residents of the hospital and his friends, but for some reason it didn't come together. The warmth that came through the characters in the movie, was missing here. That being said, the plot was slightly more realistic here than in the movie.
All in all, ... meh. I would not recommend this book and will likely not remember it.
WHY I PICKED IT: I watched the movie, and was interested in the premise, so thought I'd try the book.
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: Meh
This is the story of Craig - who works hard to get into a prestigious school in NYC, and then has a nervous breakdown when he realizes that he's not happy there. This is a kid who got overly stressed with 93s; as if those were failing grades. He ultimately checks himself into a mental hospital on a 5-day hold for a suicide watch... and the story goes from there.
It's nice when the movie follows the book - and the one based on this book certainly did. That being said, the movie has Zach Galifianakis with warmth and depth and comedic timing. Vizzini wrote depth into his characters, not just the leads but most of the other residents of the hospital and his friends, but for some reason it didn't come together. The warmth that came through the characters in the movie, was missing here. That being said, the plot was slightly more realistic here than in the movie.
All in all, ... meh. I would not recommend this book and will likely not remember it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
2011-20 - True Notebooks, by Mark Salzman
20 - True Notebooks, by Mark Salzman, 326 pages, Random House Vintage Books, 2003
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: REQUIRED READING
In what is the first truly fantastic book I've read this year, Salzman writes how he came to teach a class at L.A.'s Central Juvenile Hall, and about his experiences in that class. The writing of the students (which he readily shares) is real and engaging. The true mastery is how he describes these violent offenders (most of whom are murderers) and shows us how society failed them, and continues to fail them; that some of these kids have a lot of anger within, and blame the system... and how their peers call them out on it, and remind them that they did something horrific. I think Salzman is able to keep going back, even as he sees the system failing and his students are being tried as adults is because he keeps his objective simple: to encourage their writing as a teacher, and to be their friend. In both of these, he is successful.
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: <1 Day
RATING: REQUIRED READING
In what is the first truly fantastic book I've read this year, Salzman writes how he came to teach a class at L.A.'s Central Juvenile Hall, and about his experiences in that class. The writing of the students (which he readily shares) is real and engaging. The true mastery is how he describes these violent offenders (most of whom are murderers) and shows us how society failed them, and continues to fail them; that some of these kids have a lot of anger within, and blame the system... and how their peers call them out on it, and remind them that they did something horrific. I think Salzman is able to keep going back, even as he sees the system failing and his students are being tried as adults is because he keeps his objective simple: to encourage their writing as a teacher, and to be their friend. In both of these, he is successful.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
2011-19 - How To Breathe Underwater, by Julie Orringer
19 - How To Breathe Underwater, by Julie Orringer, 222 pages, Random House Vintage Books, 2003
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: 1 Day
RATING: Good
This collection of 9 short stories was difficult to read. Stories of kids being bullied, and how (typically fail to) they handle it. Hornby, in his book The Polysyllabic Spree, writes how sometimes great books aren't appreciated because he isn't always a great reader... and I wonder if that happened here. This book is well written, with characters who are flawed but who you want to root for - in success and in failure.
Orringer forgets one thing in her short stories - that when reading fiction, most people want to be offered some semblance of hope. In most of the stories, this is lacking. The biggest exception is The Isabel Fish, Maddy learns how to scuba dive to mend her family after a terrible accident. That this story, or What We Save aren't the final story of the book is indicative of this point... leaving us with somber thoughts rather than feeling satisfied with what these stories offered.
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: 1 Day
RATING: Good
This collection of 9 short stories was difficult to read. Stories of kids being bullied, and how (typically fail to) they handle it. Hornby, in his book The Polysyllabic Spree, writes how sometimes great books aren't appreciated because he isn't always a great reader... and I wonder if that happened here. This book is well written, with characters who are flawed but who you want to root for - in success and in failure.
Orringer forgets one thing in her short stories - that when reading fiction, most people want to be offered some semblance of hope. In most of the stories, this is lacking. The biggest exception is The Isabel Fish, Maddy learns how to scuba dive to mend her family after a terrible accident. That this story, or What We Save aren't the final story of the book is indicative of this point... leaving us with somber thoughts rather than feeling satisfied with what these stories offered.
Friday, March 11, 2011
2011-18 - George & Sam, by Charlotte Moore
18 - George & Sam, by Charlotte Moore, 289 pages, St. Martin's Griffin, 2004
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: 5 Days
RATING: Very Good
Nick Hornby writes, in his introduction to this book,"the non-fiction best-seller lists frequently prove that we all want to know more about everything, even if we didn't know that we wanted to know - we're just waiting for the right person to come along and tell us about it. Moore's book about her sons, two of whom are autistic, fits that category.
In this book she addresses their history, the different therapies that she's tried, and exposes us to her life... all while teaching us about this frequently mis-diagnosed condition. I really appreciated thaat she ended her book by telling us how we should interact with anybody that we know in such a situation, and by sharing the good that she experiences as a parent. She has certainly achieved a level of zen that keeps her sane. She never tells what happened to her husband, but does mention in passing that he didn't have as straightforward a path to acceptance and we do know that they are no longer together...
I would recommend this if you want to learn a bit more about the condition.
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Nick Hornby
ELAPSED TIME: 5 Days
RATING: Very Good
Nick Hornby writes, in his introduction to this book,"the non-fiction best-seller lists frequently prove that we all want to know more about everything, even if we didn't know that we wanted to know - we're just waiting for the right person to come along and tell us about it. Moore's book about her sons, two of whom are autistic, fits that category.
In this book she addresses their history, the different therapies that she's tried, and exposes us to her life... all while teaching us about this frequently mis-diagnosed condition. I really appreciated thaat she ended her book by telling us how we should interact with anybody that we know in such a situation, and by sharing the good that she experiences as a parent. She has certainly achieved a level of zen that keeps her sane. She never tells what happened to her husband, but does mention in passing that he didn't have as straightforward a path to acceptance and we do know that they are no longer together...
I would recommend this if you want to learn a bit more about the condition.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
2011-17 - Fighting Ruben Wolfe, by Markus Zusak
17 - Fighting Ruben Wolfe, by Markus Zusak, 179 pages, Omnibus Books, 2000
WHY I PICKED IT: I really enjoy the writing of Markus Zuask
ELAPSED TIME: <1 day
RATING: Good
This is a very quick read (it's targeted to young teens), but it's really engaging. Zusak's voice as a writer sucks you into the mind of Cam Wolfe, the youngest in a struggling family in Sydney, who joins an underground boxing league with his brother. There are a lot of thoughts in this book, but ultimately it's about getting up when you're knocked down (taking the physical lesson and extending it into the metaphoric), and the bonds of brotherhood.
WHY I PICKED IT: I really enjoy the writing of Markus Zuask
ELAPSED TIME: <1 day
RATING: Good
This is a very quick read (it's targeted to young teens), but it's really engaging. Zusak's voice as a writer sucks you into the mind of Cam Wolfe, the youngest in a struggling family in Sydney, who joins an underground boxing league with his brother. There are a lot of thoughts in this book, but ultimately it's about getting up when you're knocked down (taking the physical lesson and extending it into the metaphoric), and the bonds of brotherhood.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
2011-16 - The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, by Heidi W. Durrow
16 - The Girl Who Fell From The Sky, by Heidi W. Durrow, 264 pages, Algonquin Books, 2010
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Gregg Easterbrook (ESPN Sportswriter)
ELAPSED TIME: 5 days
RATING: Very Good
This is a sad story... of a daughter of an American Serviceman and Danish mother, who is living with her paternal grandmother after a tragedy takes her siblings and mother, and her father disappears. It's about her learning about what it is to be considered black rather than the combination of her parents, and about moving on from a tragedy because it's the only thing that you can do.
Although it is a very good story, with important ideas being raised, I'm not sure I appreciate Durrow's voice as an author.
WHY I PICKED IT: Recommended by Gregg Easterbrook (ESPN Sportswriter)
ELAPSED TIME: 5 days
RATING: Very Good
This is a sad story... of a daughter of an American Serviceman and Danish mother, who is living with her paternal grandmother after a tragedy takes her siblings and mother, and her father disappears. It's about her learning about what it is to be considered black rather than the combination of her parents, and about moving on from a tragedy because it's the only thing that you can do.
Although it is a very good story, with important ideas being raised, I'm not sure I appreciate Durrow's voice as an author.
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