The Awakening by Kate Chopin

I read this in college, but didn't remember much past the premise. Because it takes place around the same time and has the same theme as Loving Frank, I thought I might as well.

I do feel for the women of this time period. I appreciate efforts women, including Mamah Borthwick, made in order to further Women's rights, suffarage, etc...I just feel like the stories are too extreme.

I think that in my day, women are encouraged to have book clubs and Ladies Nights. It is expected that we get bored or feel underappreciated. I would hope that that gives us a form to stand on and to try hard to meet our needs. In both these books, I kind of left with the thought that you can't let your life get to this point. The point where your only option is complete abandon.

An interesting quote from Edna Pontellier: "I would give up my life for my children; but I wouldn't give up myself."

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

My Recommendation: I don't really recommend this book. It is very sad and has a very tragic ending.

What I did like: The story itself is very interesting. I don't know a lot about Frank Lloyd Wright, but the descriptions of his theories were very interesting. I would love to see more of his homes based on the great descriptions the author writes.
I respect Nancy Horan for her obviously extensive research, and her attempts to tell Mamah Borthwick's side of the story. She really did try hard to justify the affair. I also liked her writing style. I have a page full of quotes that I liked from the book. The story was well told, I just didn't care for the story.
What I didn't like: I had a hard time sympathizing with the main characters. I will admit that had Mamah and Frank found themselves in the same situation 100 years later, their story would be drastically different. She could have filed for divorce, probably been given custody of her kids, and maybe lived happily ever after.
BUT, I just don't buy the theory that you can't be a good mom if your life isn't fulfilling in every way. Mamah felt something important missing from her life, and I do understand that. I just don't agree with the drastic measures she felt she had to take to improve her situation. She had a nanny and a housekeeper, so why didn't she have the time to make herself happy? I know I'm being critical.
"The greatest measure of her love would be to leave them alone." Nope, I disagree.

I KNOW!

I've been thinking of what excuses to list here about why I haven't written anything lately. But the truth is that I just haven't gotten around to it. I haven't read much. I think I always kind of fall in a slump after reading a book like Twelve Little Cakes that I LOVED so much. I've tried to start 2 other books, but I think I'm not going to read them. Soon, friends. I do feel guilty for reading and enjoying everyone else's blogs without contributing anything to the Blog Universe. Thanks for not giving up on me. Here's to next week.

The Twelve Little Cakes

Recommendation: Yes, I would recommend this book. I think the stories are lovely and I like the way the author writes. I enjoyed reading them all, and I think you will too!


Overview: Dominika Dery is my age (according to the story, she was born 10 days after me), and was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia when it was under control of the Soviet Union. She lived with her parents and older sister in the township of Cernosice. This is a memoir written in 12 chapters, stories really.

Know that this doesn't cover her entire life, just the first few years. BUT, I read that she is working on 12 more stories that will cover a few more years of her life.


What I liked: First off, Dominika Dery has a positive outlook on her life as a child. Similiar to The Glass Castle, she is growing up in difficult circumstances, but she is happy. Her stories have sadness in them, but they aren't miserable. She writes these from her perspective as a small child, with all the wonder and optimism she had then.


I like the way she focuses on a few specific incidents, but expands them enough to give us a clear picture of what was going on. Also they segue well together, so it doesn't feel choppy. I like the way she refers back to things. For example, she explains about the little shops selling sausages and little cakes, then refers back to that a couple of times later.
I love the cute little cakes with meaningful titles for each chapter.

I always love a story with magic or religion or spirituality especially when it is natural and not over dramatic. So I loved her reference to her "little god." I loved that her mom dreamed of her before she was born.



Also what sets this apart from The Glass Castle is that Dominika has great parents! Her parents are described and developed well. And they are good moral people. I do think she becomes a little disenchanted with her father as she gets older. (I'm thinking like when he built the laboratory in their garage.) It will be interesting to see in her next collection if her opinion changes.



Communism as it was in Czechoslavakia in the 70's and 80's is talked about a lot in this book. It helps you get a feel for how her life was affected by it, but doesn't overwhelm you with a history lesson. Dery provides information in a way that is not overwhelming. It was interesting and sad to see the effects of a Communist elite, black listing and failed revolutions. I don't think I could pass any test on communism, but I do understand it a little bit better.

There were so many moments in this story when I thought thing were going to turn horrible, but they didn't. Which isn't to say her life was always happy, but I think Dominika chose to focus on happy and meaningful moment for her story.

I LOVED the little old ladies that were her friends. I loved the ballet dancer's response to her, and the way the other teachers were charmed by her. I loved that the priest was so nice to her.


What I didn't Like: Well, I don't have much. I will say that the story where she is in an isolation ward of a hospital was a very sad. I admit I had to kind of skim it because it was so sad. But that's just because I don't like sad stories, it was written well, and probably left out the worst parts!




Cool Quotes:
"By the mid-eighties, communism was like an old dragon that would occasionally crawl out from its cave and eat someone for dinner. As long as it wasn't you the dragon was eating, you could live with the sound of screams in the distance."
"This power was like fire. It was a good servant but a bad master."

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

Overview: Joan Didion is an accomplished writer, her talent for writing is obvious and makes this account very readable. This is a memoir of the year after her husband died.

What I loved: I took lots of notes while reading this book. I think Joan gets it right. She is not writing a self-help book, she does not attempt to make a big statement. She simply writes how it was and what she felt, and how she lived. I think it is realistic, and sadly I can relate to much of what she wrote. I kept thinking, "YES! That's exactly how it is." Because she is a writer, there are all kinds of great literary references. She copes with obstacles in her life by reading all she can about them. She researches and looks for answers, I love that. She has included just the right amount of quotes and information that you get a feel for what she is reading, without it distracting from her actual story. This book is sad, and honest, but she doesn't feel sorry for herself.

If I had read this two years ago, I think my response would be different, but I liked it so much I'm sure I would still have enjoyed it and recommended it.

Like I said, I took a lot of notes, but I'm not sure how to put them on. I think I'll have to update this later after I know what I think is good to share.

These is My Words by Nancy Turner

Recommendation: I do recommend this book. It is long, and it took me a few chapters to really get in to the story, but after awhile I couldn't put it down. It didn't get boring at any point. I really enjoyed reading it.



Overview: I don't read many pioneer/homesteading kind of books. This isn't my usual genre. It is not about LDS settlers. It is a fictional diary.

It is sad, lots of bad things happen. But it is not a boo hoo story.


What I liked: This is definetly a hard luck story. I guess all pioneer books are. I liked the main character, Sarah. (Colby might be irritated that she is good at everything and doesn't know why a man would love her.) The author does a great job using the diary format. I like that although horrible things happen, its not written overly sentimental. The lapse in dates and entries help you get a feel for her life. The entries are written, I think, realistically....of course no one really writes that much in their diary. I think you can really see Sarah's growth.


I loved the focus on reading and education. I loved the way children are valued in this story. The excitment each feels when they learn they are expecting. There were so many tender entries about Sarah's children and her love for them. I loved that for the most part the men are good. The main characters are moral and upright.


The romance is the best part. I liked Captain Elliot. I think it was cool how the author let his history unfold slowly. I loved when Sarah found the books and how they changed her life.



What I didn't like: I think some parts are just hard to believe. Maybe its because this was set over 200 years ago. But really, if your sister's husband is a creep you wouldn't tell her?

I just have such a hard time with the way things aren't talked about. Why didn't anyone express to her that they held Captain Elliot in high esteem when she was worried about him being a soldier and not proper? Also, I know Sarah is young and not schooled in the ways of romance, but I think she wouldn't be as clueless about peoples feelings and intentions if she was a real person. The way she interacted with the "old biddies" on the train was much more realistic.

I think the book is fairly predictable, you can figure out what is going to happen. BUT the way things happen and when they happen is more of a surprise. So it didn't really bother me.

I believe that the author did her reasearch, and I don't know much about the "territories" during this time, so I don't have historical issues. I just sometimes wonder if things really were that different.


Final Note: I don't know why I read this when Graham was out of town. As if I don't already have a hard time sleeping when I'm alone. I started getting the feeling that people would know I was alone and I had no way to protect myself and my kids from banditos. Really.

Apology

Take me back...apo-o-logy. I know, more self-indulgent lyrics....

I went to the libray today and picked up 5 juicy volumes. They actually had a marker on the hold shelf that said, "your books are on the bottom shelf." Fancy. I've been waiting, and enjoying the sunshine. Don't give up on me and check back soon, I'll be reading!

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Recommendation:
Yes, I would recommend this to everyone. I think girls as young as 7 or 8 would enjoy it. It was a little slow starting for me, but I did enjoy it. Princess Academy is a great story. I like the characters, the plot, the conflicts, all of it! I couldn't help thinking this would be an easy book to teach story elements from!

What I liked:
I loved the quarry speech. I loved the idea, I loved how it playes such an importance in Miri's life and the story. I like the description. I think the author did a great job of showing how each of the girls had something she was self-conscious or embarrassed about. The characters were sweet, and I think most girls would identify with someone.

I loved the importance of learning to read and how it changed all their lives.

I loved when the girls worked together: the "Diplomacy," and leaving in the first place.

What kind of bugged me:
I didn't like the harshness of Olana. I know it was important for the story, but those first few parts were difficult for me to read. I do think there were many predictable parts, but I think you take that instride when you read a children's novel!!

Final thoughts:
This is a sweet story! Well developed, good details. Its a super quick read, 314 pages, but written for children.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Quick Review since I've read it before.

Overview: This story is written from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy with autism. The author is neither austistic nor an expert, but writes a good story. The story is a murder mystery of a dog, and has lots of sad twists and turns. It is a sad story, but has a nice ending.

Warning: Several F-words. Not gratuitous, but I like to give you a heads up. The characters are British after all.

What I like: Of course I always like a happy ending. I like the main character. Its hard not too. Your heart breaks for him as he struggles through life. I felt like cheering when he did brave things! As the details of the story unfold, I have to admire the author for the interesting idea and perspective.

What I don't like: If you internalize too much, this can really be a downer of a book. Does that make sense? There were a few inconsistencies that seemed a little forced, but I'm not an autism expert either.

Recommendation: I'd recommend this to everyone. It's a different book, and it will give you some insight you might not already have. It's a quick read (especially the second time around!) Just be forwarned about the language.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Recommendation:
This is a good book. Yann Martel isn't my favorite writer. That being said, I do think he is very good. This story is multi-layered, creative and interesting. I think I was a bit disappointed overall because I was expecting something different.

WARNING: I am writing this assuming you have read this book. My review will spoil it if you haven't. I don't know how else to possibly respond. Sorry.

Overview: The title right off sparked my curiosity. The cover art I assumed was abstract, until of course I realized what the bulk of this novel was going to be. Everyone I talked to told me there were "two schools of thought" on the ending. Knowing this I was anxious to get to the end.

Dislikes: The pace of this novel bothered me. I assume that Martel consciously chose to draw out parts, and be very brief other times. But not at the times I would like. For example, Pi has been giving very detailed almost minute to minute accounts of his shipwreck, when all of a sudden on page 189 it says, "I survived 227 days." This transition irritated me. The same with the mysterious algae island. So much is explained and described, then all of a sudden he determines the algae is carnivorous and he leaves. The ultimate example is how the novel is kind of longish, then bam--at the end he presents us very briefly with an alternative. Is that fair?

The book claims to tell "a story that will make you believe in God." I was kind of waiting for the magical moment. It seemed that a great deal of time was spent showing how Pi believed in God and was very religious, and that he was a well trained swimmer. So I would have assumed that these two traits would save his life after the ship sank. I might have just missed the big picture, but I didn't think either of these things were mentioned much in the sea chapters.

Likes:

I like the beginning of the book the best. I enjoyed the authors description of Pi's childhood. Once I was used to the random insertions of italicized narrator chapters I like them too. Especially when he realizes Pi has a family, and he says, "This story has a happy ending."

I love that the boy Pi embraces three religions. I don't remember enough from my Philosophy class in highschool or my World Religions class in college to grasp the full meanings of his comparisons. But it was still great to read what he thought of as the strengths and beauties of these three religions and lifestyles. I loved each of his experiences discovering new truth.

I think most of the chapters of life at sea are well done. Pi continues to be a very clever character, building the raft, and before that realizing the need for it. I cheered with him when the solar stills worked! The descriptions were sometimes gross, but for the most part, tastefully handled.

I was so excited when he reached the island because I thought it was the miracle, and answer to his prayers. Then it got weird. I might not be looking at it close enough to understand the symbolism. Maybe the point is that our blessings may not be as good as they seem. I enjoyed Pi's return to strength, that he could eat until he was full, and the beautiful green. I thought the teeth in the tree were just creepy. The whole ending of this part was weird.
Best Quotes:

When he is on his bicycle and describes his experience, "I suddenly felt I was in heaven. The spot was in fact no different from when I had passed it not long before, but my way of seeing it had changed. The feeling, a paradoxical mix of pulsing energy and profound peace, was intense and blissful." It's much longer, but I love this part and I loved how he explained those moments where we are overwhelmed with a spiritual feeling in an ordinary setting.

"I just want to love God." Beautiful.

On a personal note: "To lose your father is to lose the one whose guidance and help you seek, who supports you like a tree trunk supports its branches."
My Final Conclusion:

I'm a fan of the first story. For me it was impossible not to believe with the amount of time I had invested in it at that point. I believe that Pi was extremely frusterated that his interrogators didn't believe him. I assume that they werent' the first disbelievers. He thought the animals were the believability problem. So he re-told his story without the animals. Now for the perspective change, I think he had come to identify with Richard Parker, so he told the story as if he were the monster at the bottom of the boat. Which is probably how he felt looking back on some of his more primitive behavior.

I also think that the frenchman part was an hallucination. This part seemed so unreal to me. That he lost his sight then regained it. I preferred the conversation when I thought he was talking to the tiger.

My thought is that if I read the book again (which I don't plan to do right now), I might change my mind. Any Robert Cormier fans out there? I read all his books I could get my hands on in junior high (thanks to Wendy's recommendations). Reading I am the Cheese again in college, gave me a whole new perspective. I seriously doubted that any of the bicycle journey was real. SO I think there is a chance my belief would change upon further readings.