Room, by Emma Donoghue

I've been on the waiting list for this book for quite some time...but it arrived just before my vacation and proved to be worth the wait! I read it in two days and had a hard time putting it down. The setting is what makes this book so intriguing. (In fact, I plan to use it as an example of setting in my literature course this spring.) A woman was kidnapped years ago, and has been held captive in "Room" for several years. While in captivity, she gave birth to her son, Jack, who has never known any other home, and therefore does not even realize they are being held captive, but rather sees "Room" as his home (due in great part to his mother's amazing love and creativity as she creates games, activities, and even "Phys Ed" exercises in order to nurture her son and normalize his life). The book is written from Jack's perspective.

Plan to be touched if you choose to read this book. I know I was.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling

Ah, Harry Potter, I am hooked on you. In Year 3 of Harry's schooling at Hogwarts, he finds himself wrapped up in yet another adventure that has the potential to end in death. This time, a convict has escaped from the wizards' prison, Azkaban (a prison no one breaks out of, ever), and the convict is heading for Hogwarts, supposedly to kill Harry. Meanwhile, there is a new (and wonderful) teacher at the school, Professor Lupin, who has a secret, while Hermione has a secret of her own. Oh, and Professor Trelawney won't stop predicting Harry's death. But, as many loose ends as there are, the many subplots all come to a completely satisfying end before the book is through.

This was my favorite book in the series thus far...on to Year 4 I go!

Blood, Bones, & Butter, by Gabrielle Hamilton

I had high expectations of this book, and I was not disappointed. I say this is a combination of The Glass Castle (in that Hamilton is strikingly honest when it comes to her childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, "warts and all" as I heard her say in a TV interview) and Julie & Julia (in its sumptuous descriptions of everything culinary). Hamilton has received rave reviews for her first book, a book that I feel is more well-written than any other food memoir I have read, a testament to Hamilton's graduate education in writing. In fact, I was so inspired by her mouth-watering descriptions that I hurriedly planned out a "food critic" assignment for my incoming seniors as a gateway to descriptive writing toward the beginning of the school year. Beware, parents, your students may soon be writing all about the dinners you prepare! 

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, by Amy Chua

And audio book #2 is...

I loved listening to Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother as I drove back and forth between errands in these past couple of weeks. I realized that, for me, it's important that the author herself reads her book. When professional "readers" perform the reading, you automatically miss out on the nuances that can only be fully honored by the writer, the person that was there, either literally (non-fiction) or in her mind (fiction). So I was glad Amy Chua read her own story, the autobiography of her family's life and her children's upbringing. 

As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, Chua spends much of her time describing the difference between Chinese and Western parenting. I found this intriguing. Through the way she chose to raise her own two daughters (mostly the Chinese way), it quickly becomes obvious why success is so often found in Chinese families (particularly think: musicians, academics). Chua admits time and again that she probably pushed too hard at times (her girls had to practice their instruments several hours per day, were not allowed to go to sleepovers or "play dates," and were often blatantly criticized to their faces when Chua felt they were being disobedient, disrespectful, or just plain not good enough). At the same time, though, both Chua and her daughters feel it was advantageous to do things the Chinese way, to push so hard instead of succumbing to the Western ideals of raising children with high self-esteems. 

Chua's book has earned a great deal of criticism in American book reviews. At times I understood this: I found myself angry at the way she sometimes spoke to her daughters, telling them they were a disgrace, that they weren't good enough, or that one was not measuring up to the other. But I also recognized a devotion to excellence that many Western parents do seem to lack as they focus instead on raising kids that simply feel good about themselves. (From a teacher's standpoint, I see this approach backfiring every day.) There must be some sort of balance between the two: high standards without the harsh criticism. And I have to admire the boldness with which Chua told her story, knowing criticism would quickly follow the publication of her honest account of Chinese parenting. 

This was entertaining and thought-provoking: all in all, the perfect audio book. 

Sworn to Silence, by Linda Castillo

Sworn to Silence is an Amish thriller (seems like an oxymoron, no?). In it, police chief Kate Burkholder (once Amish herself) fights to solve a series of violent murders. Unfortunately, secrets from her own past are getting in the way of her investigation and causing the townspeople to doubt her abilities, so she must fight for her job (and eventually her life) at the same time.

That's all I'll say.

I really enjoyed it, though I have to warn you: it's rather explicit in its descriptions of the crime scenes at times.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we really are, far more than our abilities."

- excerpt from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Oh, Harry Potter, you've done it again (as we say in our house). I am officially unable to stop reading the Harry Potter series. (Warning to hubby: next the movies will begin to clog our Netflix queue!) 

In Year 2, Harry Potter is warned by the Malfoys' house elf not to return to Hogwarts, for someone is out to kill him (but really, what's new? He's Harry Potter!). Of course, Harry does not heed this warning, and returns to Hogwarts, as it is still such a vast improvement over staying at "home" with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. 

This year, the Chamber of Secrets has been opened for the second time in history. It is said that only the descendant of  Slytherin himself has this ability, and rumors begin to circulate among Harry's classmates that Harry is Slytherin's evil descendant. But don't you worry, there's a nice tidy ending, as always, and Harry remains alive to see book 3. (I can say that since I'm ten years behind the rest of the world in reading this series, right?) 

In other news, I'm looking for a poster of the above quote to put in my classroom...

Incendiary, by Chris Cleave

This novel (by the same author that wrote Little Bee, which I loved) was rather riveting. I have never read a book quite like this. It is written from the perspective of a female narrator who has lost her husband and son to a terrorist bombing organized by Osama bin Laden, and she is writing the entire account directly to "Osama," as she casually calls him. She writes without censorship (and often without punctuation), her goal being to force Osama to get to know the boy and man he killed. She believes that if he had known them, he wouldn't have killed this crowd of bystanders at a soccer game. 

Although a bit of the beginning talks about the narrator's life before the bombing, more of the book revolves around what life was like for her afterward, including the relationship she has developed with another man and, oddly enough, with his girlfriend as well. The ending was rather far-fetched for me...just a little bit crazy...but overall, I was glad to have read Incendiary. 

Inconceivable: A Woman's Triumph over Despair and Statistics, by Julia Indichova

Yes, well, I know there have been a few of these books lately that are clearly specialized to a certain kind of audience...but I'm trying to space them out, anyway, so it's not all I think about (too late) or all I read. This book was thought-provoking. I liked how the author told her story, and that she cautioned against putting 100% trust in doctors and diagnoses, but I also think she'd admit that she sometimes veered a bit far in the opposite direction. She had a "I'll try anything" sort of philosophy, and so I laughed when I read about some of the things she tried (like seeing two "specialists," one of which told her to just keep communication open between her and her husband, and voila!, while the other had her stand up straight as they asked her body which herbs would be best for her - what??). I laughed not because I thought it was funny as much as because I understand being that desperate - desperate enough to try absolutely anything - though I wish I did not. It was one of the easier books on this topic to get through, and yes, of course at the end the author became pregnant, despite the odds. These kinds of books have to have fairy tale endings. 

About Alice, by Calvin Trillin

About Alice was another small (78 page) read, and it was so sweet. This is a biographical account that Calvin Trillin writes about his deceased wife, Alice. Trillin paints a beautiful portrait of the woman he loves, idiocyncracies and all, honoring her memory through his words. 

What Now? by Ann Patchett

One of the best things about this book? Its size! I read it cover to cover in less than an hour (not only is it 97 pages, but several of those pages contain full-size pictures, and the print is quite large throughout)! 

Ann Patchett originally wrote this manuscript as a graduation speech for Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. It was so highly lauded, however, that it turned into a published book that applies to people in all walks of life (especially to those who feel a bit directionless). 

Patchett discusses some of the more important things in life (learning to listen and be a follower, among others) in a humorous way, sharing stories from her own life to make her points. It's worth a quick read!

The Shack, by William P. Young

And...my first-ever audio book post! 

I was reading Stephen King's On Writing last month, and he mentioned how many books he generally reads a year, stating that six or seven of those books every year were audio books. I tend to struggle with paying attention to talk radio in the car, as my mind does its best wandering while I'm driving (I know: watch out!), but when I read this, I thought, of course! Why not squeeze a little more "reading" into the day this way! 

The catch for me was that I needed somewhat "fluffy" books for the car, books that wouldn't take too much concentration. First, I bought Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson. I'm still plugging away at it, but I was a bit disheartened to hear that it's not a completely true story, even though it was marketed as non-fiction. I'm also having a hard time getting into it by just listening to the story. So the last time I was at the public library, I picked up The Shack, thinking this was a book I should probably read at some point since it made such a splash when it was first published (I'm a few years behind). 

It was ok. It's the (fictional) story of Mac, whose young daughter is kidnapped and killed by a serial killer, and it follows his journey back to healing. When Mac receives a letter in his mailbox asking him to meet the letter-writer at "the shack" (where his daughter was killed), signed "Papa" (Mac's wife's name for God), he grudgingly goes to the shack. Here, his life is transformed, as he literally meets God/Jesus/the Holy Spirit (each very interestingly portrayed) and is walked through the basics of his faith. 

I did get some good things out of the conversations God had with Mac, and there were some thought-provoking discussions pertaining to the deep pain in this world and why God doesn't prevent it, but I also think it's important for people reading this book to understand that while some of the contents of the book may be theologically accurate, most of it is still based on a fictional story, as the author admits himself. 

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Six more book reviews coming your way, starting with the second book my friend A and I chose for our classics book club (because it's due back at the library tomorrow)!

The Great Gatsby is another of those books I felt I should have read long ago. It's referred to frequently in pop culture, and many people claim it's their favorite book. Admittedly, it fell a bit short of my favorites list, but that may be partially because I was under the impression that it had a happy ending. And it doesn't. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this short classic, though. It's a love story gone wrong. There are two primary couples, tangled up in affairs, a couple of onlookers, and of course Gatsby, who has been head over heels in love with Daisy Buchanan (now married to Tom) for years. Gatsby's love is a picture of devotion (he has several opportunities to save his own name by implicating Daisy, but he protects her instead) and, possibly, obsession (he moved to an estate across the bay from Daisy's home so he could keep an eye out for her). 

In the back of the book, I read the publisher's notes, and found them extremely interesting as well, as they explained the cover art (I have always wondered what the cover "meant") and gave insights into Fitzgerald's own somewhat tragic life and how this book came to be. 

The Great Gatsby is short enough that I would recommend it as a "must read" for those who enjoy classics, but it still doesn't make my Top 10 classics list, if that means anything to you. 

The Tiger's Wife, by Tea Obreht

I'm not quite sure how to review this novel. At the end I still felt confused; the plot seemed evasive or maybe even non-existent. Or maybe I just missed it, because for whatever reason, it was easy for me to zone out a bit while reading this book. 

But it was written so incredibly beautifully. 

And by a 25 year old. 

So it was a wonderful read even though I didn't focus well enough to pick up on what exactly was going on half the time. Mostly, it was a conglomeration of stories from the narrator's grandfather's life, so maybe there wasn't one major plot that I was meant to pick up on at all. Either way, I'm glad to have read it...and if you choose to read it yourself, you might want to read it away from beautiful weather and other distractions so you can digest more of it than I did. Just a thought. 

Tattoos on the Heart, by Gregory Boyle

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion has intrigued me over these last few months because of a) its cover, b) its title, c) its description, and d) its review by Anne Lamott on the front cover. I wasn't disappointed. Although the writing style bothered me a bit at first (Boyle constantly jumps from the past to the present tense even though all of the stories he shares take place in the past tense), I was drawn in by the content. Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries (it was worth reading this just to see the word "homie" used so many times by a Jesuit priest). This organization strives to pull gang members in Los Angeles off the streets by providing jobs for them and communicating to them that they matter and have just as much worth as anyone else. Boyle's book is an important one, filled with inspirational (as well as heartbreaking) stories of the men and women he has helped through his ministry.

See below for a short video featuring Boyle and former gang members he has helped):



 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling

Ok, it would be silly to post an actual review of each book in this series, right? Because I am probably one of the last readers (especially of the English teacher variety) to read these books. I read this first book a few years back, but left it at that, ignoring the rest of the series. After teaching several students this past year who were somewhat obsessed with Ms. Rowling and her Harry Potter, I finally decided I needed to start from the beginning and make my way through until the very end this time. It is my duty as an English teacher and my duty as someone who is always looking for ways to better connect with my students.

So here's the quick review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone describes Harry's unfortunate childhood living with his aunt and uncle, the discovery that he is a wizard, and his first year at Hogwart's Academy as Harry and his friends get into all kinds of trouble while also doing some pretty fantastic things in their quest to preserve good over evil. The End. 

(I'm hooked.) 

About What Was Lost, by Jessica Berger Gross (editor)

This was one of the most thorough collections of miscarriage memoirs I have read thus far. I am including it on this blog primarily for my own reading record, knowing no one will read this book that doesn't have to. It's not happy, it's not reassuring. But for someone who has experienced miscarriage or stillbirth, it is comforting in its sense of community. Its many contributors silently scream, "you are not alone!" as you read every possible variety of stories. There are stories of parents that have lost one baby and stories of parents that have lost several; there are parents that experienced infertility, and those that did not even want to get pregnant, did, and then felt crushing grief when their baby's life was extinguished; there are parents that went on to have more children, parents that chose to adopt, and parents that decided they would no longer pursue a family. Some accounts were more difficult to read than others, and some mirrored what I experienced and how I felt more than others, but I am glad I read each one.

Safe in the Arms of God, by John MacArthur

I have never doubted where our son is right now, born too early for this earth, but even so, I found comfort in this book, which looks for biblical answers to some of the toughest questions surrounding infant death. The questions explored within these pages include: where is my child? what can we say with certainty to those with empty arms? how does God regard children? what if my child is not among the elect? will I see my child again? what is my child's life like in Heaven? why did my child have to die? and how shall we minister to those who are grieving? A book like this isn't fun to read, per se, but it is reassuring to a parent who has lost a baby or young child. 

The Hard Way, by Lee Child

This was one of the more engaging books in the Reacher series. This time, Reacher becomes involved in a case where a man claims his wife and daughter have been kidnapped (and he really seems to mean it, despite convincing evidence that he staged the kidnapping of his first wife years earlier). As Reacher begins to investigate the case, however, he discovers some more-than-unsettling facts about his "employer's" history. A lovely little plot twist wraps it all up in the end, leaving the reader more than satisfied.