The Bear Went Over the Mountain vs. The Bear Went Over the Mountain

I've been on this quest to expand my son's book collection.  I've found a few really awesome sights to buy used children's books for great prices (and the proceeds generally go to good causes).  My latest purchase was what I thought was the John Prater Children's Classic.

Much to my surprise, I ended up with the story of a bear who found a briefcase under a tree and decided to throw himself into the financial world of the early 90s. 



Needless to say, I don't think my 19 month old will enjoy it that much.  I'll probably keep it around in case I need to change things up.  Who knows, Kotwinkle may be my next favorite author. 

Peace.  

Top Ten Tuesdays 1/31/12

This week for Top Ten Tuesday's, book club picks populate the list.  This will be hard for me.  I've never participated in a book club before the Huffington Post started theirs, and I'm not sure that I have the hang of it yet.  Since I'm basically clueless, here is my list of books that I have found myself reading and REALLY wishing I had someone to talk to about them.

1. Lolita - Vladimir Nabakov I'm just going to admit it.  This is one of my all-time favorite novels.  I struggle with telling people this because those who haven't read it, or haven't paid attention while reading, assume I'm some sicko who sympathizes with a pedophile like Humbert.  The truth is, there I times during the novel  that I do sympathize with him, which is a true testament to the genius of Nabokov's writing.  It would be nice to find a group of people to have an intelligent conversation about it. 
2. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski The chapters spoken from a dog's perspective are some of the most interesting and beautifully written that I've ever experienced.
3. Black Girl/White Girl - Joyce Carol Oates This is only the second list I've done, but this is already the second time this book has appeared.  This is one that has stayed with me since I read it nearly 2 years ago.  You spend the entire novel knowing something awful is going to happen and feeling like you know exactly what that awful thing is, and then you are knocked off your feet when you actually get there.  Great writing, and a good opportunity to explore how our individual feelings and ideas shape our expectations of a story line.
4. Siddartha - Hermann Hesse I don't practice any particular religion, and I consider myself non-secular but spiritual. I love Siddartha and with my little knowledge of different religions and ideas throughout the world, found it comforting to think that almost anyone could find a tie into the book.  It would have been great to hear some of these from other people.  
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn -Tom Sawyer One of my favorite classroom experiences in college was a three week long discussion of this book. 
6. Naked - David Sedaris I have read everything I can find of David Sedaris' and I have laughed nonstop through every piece.  Laughter is better when shared.  I can imagine a book club sitting around trading David Sedaris stories like old college friends would.  As hilarious as they are, I've also always wondered if anyone else felt the pain hiding behind the comedy. 
7.  Mans Search for Meaning - Viktor Frankl Novels born out of time in concentration camps are obviously heavy.  This one unusually so.  I was assigned this book in a college psychology class and was so hyped to explore it through that lens.  Unfortunately, it was a summer class and everybody couldn't have cared less, so I was sorely disappointed with the discussion.  It would be an amazing one to re explore with a group.
8. 8.     The Lace Reader - Brunonia Barry Sometimes a novel calls for so much speculation that it's maddening to try to get through it without someone else's ideas or predictions.  This was one of them .  I found completely missed with mark with this one, which is fine, but it would have been fun to see who could get the closest.
9. My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult So this one is way off base of what I would usually read, but the underlying legal story drew me in.  I am a guardian ad litem; meaning I regularly represent children in Court proceedings involving other family members.  It would have been amazing to read this with a group of GALs to contrast the ethics of the representation.  To decide where you draw the line between doing what your child-client wants and what is best.  Ok, enough legal talk for the day. 
10. Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury I remember reading this in the 8th grades, on my own volition I might add, and making a million notes in the margin and realizing at the end that I was way above the ridiculousness I was set to endure through highschool (don't we all go through that faze?).  All weirdness aside, I think reading this book was one of the first times I longed for a book club.  The imagery of books burning branded in me the need to keep reading and the need to talk about it.  

It's only my second list, but it's the first one I got through completely!  I'd love to hear thoughts and opinions.

Peace 

The Tiger's Wife: Part Three

I realize it has been absolutely no time since I posted regarding the second part of this book, but I hit my stride and could not put the book down. (Needless to say, I'm extremely tired today.) 

The Tiger's Wife is completed and I feel confused, and left wanting more, but still completely happy with the book.  Again, the sections that kept me up all night were the stories.  The deathless man and the deaf-mute girl make the entire novel worth reading.  I was so releived to find that the end of the book found Natalia giving into the stories and exploring thier truths instead of finding out that the entire book was standing on the crazy tales of an old man.  While the stories are what I loved about the Tiger's Wife, they are also what has left me so confused.  What was actually going on with the deaf-mute girl and the tiger?  Was he really so tame from his time at the Citadel that he developed a relationship with a human? Was Natalia's grandfather able to track down the deathless man to repay his debt?  What is going on with that dog that everyone is painting?

The thread that I was finally able to find that pulled Natalia's grandfather's story together is one that will stay with me.  Guilt.  A man that has to carry the guilt of what he's done as a boy.  To live life trying to make up for the fact that you killed another human being.  Even worse, to live life knowing that it was all for naught.  I still don't understand why they apothecary had to kill the tiger's wife, but I do know it was horrible for him to make the boy do it for him.  It was heartbreacking to think that she died thinking her one true human friend had killed her. 

There is one thread to the story that I cannot understand that is gnawing at my brain.  The deathless man-Luka connection.  I can't see the significance of it other than one of those small-world type coincidences.

I thought it was very bold of the author to leave so many quetions unanswered. I wonder if I read the book again at some point, knowing what I know now, if I would find answers, or at least be able to decide what I think about everything. 

I would recommend it.  I'm not sure that I'm a fan of the Huffington Post's book club format, but they did make a good first choice.

Peace

The Tiger's Wife: Part Two

I'm enjoying this book more and more as I get deeper into the stories.  I still feel like I'm missing something.  Like there is a thread holding all of these people and events together, but I can't find it to grab onto.  It either lies in the history of war that the characters always talk about, but rarely expand upon, or some event that is yet to reveal itself.  When it comes to history, I am admittedly ignorant and know very little about the Balkan war; so I don't know what this war means for the people. 

Again, the most enjoyable part of this second part have been the stories/tales/fables that have been shared.  The deathless man returns, but I don't find him nearly as gentle as I previously did.  In this section he is harsh and matter-of-fact.  His philosophy on the impact of knowing when you will die seem to fly in the face of what is commonly believed.  The deathless man believes that instead of causing panic, knowledge of impending death brings peace.  In a strange way, I like the idea of the sick and weak giving up on a hopeless battles and finding calm in their last moments. 

The stories of Darvisa the Bear and Luka created the perfect opportunity for comparison.  Luka has no interest in women as a boy and this disinterest turns to hate when he forced to take a bride as a man.  Darvisa's love for women begins with his sister.  His respect and love for women later extends to his work in the various villages and his desire to protect women leads to him taking on the undesired task of hunting and killing the tiger.  The tiger's wife finds both men in her life, and finds that both only intend to bring her pain and suffering. 

If anything, I am very grateful that this novel has opened my eyes to the world of "magical realism".  As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have never read Kipling or Marquez.  Now I can stop fearing their work and actually start reading it.

Peace

Saturday

After letting it sit on my shelf for years, I recently dusted off and read Saturday by Ian McEwan.  This was my first time reading any of McEwan's work, and he's definitely a writer I will return to.  Saturday follows one man, over through the course of a day, in a post 9/11 London.  McEwan's ability to develop a character is amazing.  Henry Perowne is a successful neurosurgeon with a wife and two grown children.  His day begins as he witnesses a plan catch fire in the air through his bedroom window, and goes from there.  Through the course of the novel you learn of Perowne's intense love for and closeness with his children, without ever having to step away from the overall story.  McEwan is even able to make his relationships with secondary characters (i.e. his father-in-law and the stranger) crystal clear without ever veering off course.

The plot here was secondary to the character himself and the environment and backdrop.  It's difficult to find a novel in the post 9/11 genre that's plot has very little to do with 9/11 or terrorism.  McEwan does that.  The events are used to further develop Perowne and his view of the world without interrupting the trip McEwan is taking you on through his day. 

Much of the narrative consists of Perowne contrasting his privileged life with the lives and circumstances of others.  It's almost as if he cannot reconcile his good fortune with the terror, protests, and upheaval that surround him.  A sudden and unexpected event throws him, and his family, into this world quickly and unexpectedly. Throughout the day, every step has a consequence effecting the eventual outcome of Perowne's plans.  Every move brings him closer to experiencing the emotions that he spends the majority of the day trying to understand in others. 

For me, much of this novel was about self-awareness.  Perowne is a man who has worked hard for everything he has.  He is and should be happy with his life, but he is not content dwelling in this happiness and never seeking understanding.  Instead, he is often looking inward, trying to explain his happiness.  Unlike many characters whose creators attempt to explain their characters joy out of guilt or insecurity, Perowne is confident in his happiness, and is only seeking to better himself by understanding how he and it fit into the world. 

I have yet to determine a rating system for my reviews, but Saturday is a must read for anyone who enjoys learning about the characters themselves as much as (or more than) the plot.

Peace

1001 Books You Must Read

Smooth Criminals Challenge

Instead of working this morning I've been blog hopping, and came across a new challenge I have to try: The Smooth Criminals reading challenge hosted by Dead End Follies.  I've been reading Ben's blog for over a year now and he totally intimidates me, but it will be good for me to check out a genre I know absolutely nothing about.  I'm going to have to do research to even figure out what some of the categories are.  I haven't made any picks yet, but I'll update when I do. 

Peace

Tournament of Books Announced

It's that time of year again.  The Morning News has announced the contestants for 2012 Tournament of Books.  I have made an insanely expensive book order and will begin my bracket ASAP.  Stay tuned for my picks and updates.  I would love to hear from others who plan on joining me! Maybe even a little friendly competition.

Peace