//one book meme//

Just finished The Host and will post about that this weekend.  For now, winding down and grabbed this meme from Eva over in Striped Armchair. 

One book you’re currently reading:  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

One book that changed your life: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury 

One book you’d want on a deserted island: Norton Anthology of Literature 

One book you’ve read more than once: Does Beowulf count?

One book you’ve never been able to finish: Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

One book that made you laugh: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney 

One book that made you cry: Watership Down by Richard Adams 

One book you keep rereading: The Great Gatsby by F. S. Fitzgerald  

One book you’ve been meaning to read: The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky 

One book you believe everyone should read: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 

Finally, Grab the nearest book. Open it to page 56. Find the fifth sentence "The twining voices sounded petulant" (The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman)

If anyone wants to play along, feel free!

Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream by Jennifer Ackermann

Title: Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream

Author: Jennifer Ackerman

Country: US (2007)

Pages: 194 (253 including all the end notes!)

Genre: Non Fiction - Science

Challenges:

Grade: ****

I read a review of this book right before the winter holiday and immediately put it on my TBR list. Science, specifically A&P and neuroscience, is a big interest to me. (Neuroscience is a relatively new interest, acquired mid-master degree). Ackerman, a woman who had been intrigued with the human body for years, finally decided to research it intensely and write a book revealing the "in's and out's" of your body in a 24 hour period. From the moment your body wakes until the end of the day when the body finally finds sleep Ackerman tells the body's story.

Overall, it was very enjoyable. The book was under 200 pages and the chapters were easily labeled, first by their major heading (Morning, Midday, Afternoon, Evening, Night) and then sub-headings under each (for example, under morning: arousal, making sense, wit). This allowed for perfect bookmarking spots, which was a very good thing for me. I find that if I read material rich with studies, facts, and statistics, I have to set the material aside for x-amount of time to process all of the new information. The only downside that I had with this novel is shared with a review in The New York Times - there were aspects when Ackermann incorporated personal stories or digressed on topics that only loosely tied in with the current theme. Also, there were areas that disappointed me because I was intrigued and yet the information seemed rushed. Still, I learned a lot of fun and intriguing facts, such as:

• "the brain's performance in the first half hour after waking is worse than it is if you've been up for twenty-four hours" (5)
• evidence that you really can't/shouldn't attempt to multi-task (29) Although, this is interesting to me because I remember reading a study last year some time that states the up and coming generations can multi-task due to the reprogramming (evolution?) of their brain based on their high-input environment.
  
• we are the "sharpest two and a half to four hours" after waking (36) I guess I always knew that from my own experience, it's just been proven now!
• the grumble of a hungry tummy is called a borborygmus.(45) isn't that just too much fun?!
• "in one slow kiss, partners swap more than five million bacteria" (57) unromantically ewww!
• they did some crazy experiments to prove whether cold weather actually causes colds - everything from sticking one group of subjects in a large freezer and another group in a room set at 60 degrees in their underwear, then expose them to the cold virus to see who would get it...putting the rhinovirus directly in the noses of prisoners and then exposing them to extreme cold (146-47)
• the doctor who promoted the training of interns to include working exhausting hours at hospitals and even encouraging them to live there in order to observe a wide variety of patients was actually addicted to cocaine

Overall, this would be a great book for anyone to read.

Curse of the Bane by Joseph Delaney

Title: Curse of the Bane (The Last Apprentice Series)

Author: Joseph Delaney

Country: US/UK (in UK it is published under the Wardstone Series) (2007)

Pages: 496

Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy

Challenges: YA Challenge

Grade - ****

I'm not usually someone who falls in love with a series.  I generally enjoy reading a book and having a conclusion in sight rather than anticipating a hidden ending.  The Last Apprentice series, however, caught me hook, line, and sinker.  I mean, seriously, check out the deliciously dark cover of the second book!

The series revolves around Thomas Ward who is a seventh son of a seventh son. This unique trait puts him in the hands of John Gregory, the present day Spook that Tom's Mam wants him to study under.  A spook is a very scary, lonely job, for a spook must travel through out the county trapping bogarts, witches, and in book #2, the most evil entity of them all - the bane!  

Although this book is described as young adult, it is not for the weak or faint.  Delaney goes in detail with imaginative gore and ghoulish tales.  For example, in book #1, we find out that Old Gregory's previous apprentice lost his life trapping a bogart - while sealing the crypt, the bogart latched on and sucked the blood out of the poor young man's hand until death.  

In Curse of the Bane, Thomas and Old Gregory find themselves in Priestown to attend Old Gregory's brother's funeral and deal with unfinished business.  While there the Quisitor (a very horrid man who accuses men and women to be witches and warlocks) has captured a group of villagers, including Alice - Tom's dear friend who happens to be a real witch.  The Quisitor anticipates holding a quick trial where he is the judge and the punishment is burning at the stake.  The burning forces the villagers to call out to God therefore cleansing their soul.  Tom wants to help and in fact has to once his master, Gregory, becomes a victim as well.  

Evilness lurks through out this novel and even though it is a bit "lengthy" for some suspicious young readers, the font is large enough that the pages don't seem to be intimidating.  There's mischief and suspense as well as hope and friendship.  Curse of the Bane left me looking forward to picking up the third in the series.   

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Title: Stargirl

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Country: US (2000)

Pages: 183

Genre: Young Adult - Realistic Fiction

Challenges: YA Challenge 

Rating: *****

Jerry Spinelli is a very prolific Y.A. novelist.  The masses seem to adore him; however, for me, he's always been hit or miss.  (For example, I was not impressed with Maniac Magee, and only moderately enjoyed Eggs).  Stargirl, for some reason, seemed different to me.  I already sensed that I would enjoy it.  (Perhaps it is the cover?  It always makes me smile).  Nonetheless, even though my curiosity was piqued I would put it on the back burner time and time again.  In fact, it took a book talk from one of my students that put Stargirl on the forefront once again.

One single student spoke about how this novel dramatically changed her life.  She brought in her worn copy, with pages falling out from the binding, as proof of her love.  She animatedly spoke of this incredible character that she felt represented her in many ways, giggling and laughing over anecdotal stories involving Stargirl.  She spoke of this high school girl as though she was a a dear friend - someone that she went to the mall with or chatted with on the phone.  I have never experienced a book talk as forthcoming as this student's!  And evidently, neither had my students because during the Q&A time, another raised their hand and asked if they could borrow it!

So this week, during our DEAR time, I pulled Stargirl off of my shelf and began reading.  And I read and read.  I couldn't put the story down.  So what makes Stargirl so intoxicating of a character?  She embodies that part of Self that reminds us that it's okay to be ourselves, to be a bit quirky, and to give of ourselves.

The story is told by Leo, a tenth grader at Mica Area High School.  He's an average Joe who works in the film production area of the school with his best friend, Kevin.  He's pretty genuine and relatable.  Leo describes his high school as being rather formulaic.  Everyone dresses similar, thinks similar, likes the same activities, music and movie.  Their daily lives are fairly set and it's as if the kids are on cruise control.  Until Stargirl comes into the picture.

Stargirl is everything their not.  She's crafty, kooky, amazing, and has no guards put up.  She floats to school in crazy clothes: flowing long dresses with ruffles, overalls, bright stripes.  Stargirl wears no make-up (gasp!). During lunch, she's comfortable sitting by herself, eating her sandwich with her pet rat, and when finished, singing while playing her ukulele.  Stargirl serenades birthday tunes to students and cheers them on when they are caught doing something good (throwing a piece of trash into the garbage for example).

Her motto is to cheer for everyone.  She leaves little presents on the desk of her homeroom class, attends funerals of those that she doesn't know, and leaves cards on the front doorstep of strangers.  The school doesn't know what to make of her, but eventually, they become enamored.  Including Leo.   

The high school, and even the town, all seem to become a better place with Stargirl in it.  Until her oddities become a bit too much, and the students of Mica High are made uncomfortable one too many times by her altruism.  Stargirl eventually looses her shine and the students begin to give her and Leo the silent treatment.  

The novel questions adolescent acceptance, the struggle between fitting in or being yourself, and what role we wish to play in our larger community.  Stargirl poses the question: why can't we cheer for everyone?  And she's right.   She's the voice of our long lost community of caring for a neighbors. 

The cool thing about Stargirl is it really appears as though this book has become an entity of itself - there are Stargirl Socieites! and information on how you can begin your own!  There's talk of a movie even.  

I'm looking forward to reading Love Stargirl which is suppose to tell the story through her perspective.  

Fat Girls and Lawn Chairs

Title: Fat Girls and Lawn Chairs

Author: Cheryl Peck

Country: US (2002)

Pages: 246

Genre: Memoir (?)

Challenges: TBR Cover

Rating: *

Okay to preface this post, I'm not really quite sure why Fat Girls was on my TBR list.  I don't know about you, but I have an enormous ongoing list (set up in an Excel spreadsheet, so if I'm in the mood to read Literature I can scan those selections rather than general Fiction, or Young Adult, or even Non!)  So, anyway, I'm at the library with a couple of titles from the list and I pick up this one.  I barely glance at the back, because you know, I've already at some point thought about it - it had in the past for some reason grabbed my attention.  I also knew that I had not followed through yet with reading any non fiction.  The cover, which is of a orange cat with a purple wig, bright lime green glasses, flower necklace and (wait for it...) its tongue sticking out seemed to be appealing in the "Oh well, I'll start my non-fiction off with a cheesy collection of personal anecdotes.  It might be enough to ease me in."

So I began reading it.  And it was awful.  The book is sectioned off into about 25 or 30 anecdotes with titles such as "Of Cats and Men" or "Tales from the Duck Side".  ( I should point out that there are titles that are quite simple such as "Disobedience"). 

The stories within are quite trite: my least favorite is "Staring at the Light" which takes on the voice of her cat Babycakes and his dislike of momma staring at this bright light emanating from a source that he can't figure out.  His final antic to grab momma's attention from the warm heater is hacking in a way that appears to be emergency level, only to calm down once the attention is back on him.

So why did I continue reading this book?  Because it seemed as if everyone in amazon world ruled it a "heck ya" this book is hysterical.  I began asking myself "what's your problem; *obviously* you're missing something."  So I trudged on.  

Intermixed within the short anecdotes were a small collection of poems.  In some ways the poetry was the only redeeming quality.  Initially I thought of them as an annoyance, but the further that I read and the clearer the voice became, the more I appreciated them. They spoke beautiful emotion.  The final one coming to mind as the most poignant.  Peck shares her emotions of her mother's cancer eating away at her body. 

So that's about that.  I trudged through with very little reward.  I am however using this book toward completing the TBR challenge.  One of the categories is "Cover" - a cover that you find to be the most amazing, or the most hideous.  I can't decide how I feel about this cover.  It is both hideous and yet, quite funny looking.  It is definitely an attention grabber and a conversation beginner.  

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (3) by Jeff Kinney

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid- The Last Straw

Author: Jeff Kinney

Country: US (2009)

Pages: 224

Genre: YA Fiction

Challenges: YA Book Challenge

Rating: ****

If you don't have children, or don't teach, then you might not be aware of what a huge impact the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books have had on reluctant readers.  Author Jeff Kinney really changed how kids who "hate books" perceive them.

The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are journal entries of a young lad named Greg.(In Book 1, Greg pointed out to his mother that diaries are for girls, boys write in journals. Unfortunately for him, though, his mom bought a book that had "diary" written on the cover and the rest, as they say, is history.)  Greg's middle school life is filled with attempts to become cool through humor, being bullied by his older brother Roderick, dealing with a geeky best friend, Rowly (who still asks if "greg wants to come over and play"), and now, in Book 3, a father who wants Greg to become more athletic.

Doesn't dad realize that Greg is a wimp?  

Author Jeff Kinney is known for managing the kid's website Funbrain which is where you might have first glimpsed Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  In an article announcing the release of Book 3 (today!), Kinney comes across as down-to-earth and reveling in his fame.  

It's an easy breezy read - I read it in under an hour. It's just so much fun! It has the essence of what a no-brainer sitcom does after a stressful day.  But more importantly, it opens the doors to readers who detest reading.  Check out all of the book talks on youtube by tweens!

Being Written by William Conescu

Title: Being Written

Author: William Conescu

Country: United States (2008)

Pages: 196

Genre: Fiction

Challenges:

Rating: *****

I stumbled upon this gem of a book through reading a review in, I think, Bookmarks. I was instantly drawn to the premise: the "main character" is actually a minor character who knows that he is a character and is trying to get the author's attention. What?!

Seriously. The little book did not disappoint.

Daniel is a bit peculiar compared to most people because he realizes that he's not just a person, but a character to be used at the author's whim. How does he know this? Well, he can hear the scratching of the author's pencil of course! Which is the creative carrot that entices you in.

Daniel, having a drink,hears the scratching over in the direction of this attractive woman sitting a the bar. He's fed up. Daniel no longer wishes to be a minor character, merely filling in the background scenes, he wants his own part. In fact, if he's going to be honest with himself and the author - he wants his own novel. Daniel has no other choice but to approach the woman who the author is writing about, forcing the author himself to acknowledge Daniel's presence.

Thus begins Daniel's role in the lives of friends Delia, Graham, Jon, and Monty. Just because the novel is about them, does not mean that Daniel cannot maneuver himself into a stellar role. Under the guise of a writer himself, Daniel conveniently shows up in the friends' lives over and over again, until he finally establishes himself. Question is, is it the part that he's always wanted?

I think I loved this book because I've always been fascinated with the concept of reality and perception. In college I read a play, "Six Character's In Search of an Author" by Pirandello. It's an absurdist play, in which a group of characters show up to a dress rehearsal looking for an author to finish their story. One of the many speculations from this play is that we are all characters, existing in separate realities all dependent on the performances of those surrounding us. Which ultimately poses the question which self is more real? Or are all merely illusions?

I'll have to re-read the play again. The above ramblings are relied upon from a memory ten years ago. (Although I do recall after turning in my analysis of the piece to my professor I put an asterisk at the bottom questioning the realness of the paper, or some such postscript that I felt was pretentiously clever at the time). Luckily, I just found Six Characters is on Project Gutenburg. Looks like I might have to re-read this one!

Regardless, Being Written is a quick read. I highly recommend!

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

Title: Tara Road

Author: Maeve Binchy

Country: Ireland (1998)

Pages: 648

Genre: Fiction

Challenge: TBR Free

Rating: **

I agreed to read Tara Road simply because the binding of the novel looked worn. I thought to myself, "how terrible of a book could it be if others had loved it with marked creases." As soon as I picked it up, part of me began regretting the decision. I could not find any redeeming qualities.

The novel begins with Ria, a young Irish girl talking to her sister about love and relationships. This, I imagine is used as a backdrop to illustrate the naivete of Ria (short for Maria) in the land of love. Within a couple of pages we are joining Ria as a young adult, befriending another young Irish woman (Rosemary) and meeting the love of her life, Danny. Ria and Danny quickly marry, find a grande home, and begin having children. Their lives are intermingled with family members, co-workers, and neighbors all living on or closely to Tara Road (hence the title). This continues on for nearly (or more?) 250 pages. The conversations are painful; in fact, it was unbelievable for me to believe that they were taking place in the 1980's-1990's. Historically, I understood that Ireland's culture is vastly different than America's (i.e. divorce being introduced and accepted at the turn of the century), but the dialogue amongst the Irish characters seemed outdated.

The novel only becomes slightly more interesting after Danny leaves Ria for a pregnant younger woman which results in Ria embarking on a journey across seas as she swaps houses with an American, Marilyn. Marilyn's story joins the Ria drama as she begins to acquaint herself with the members of Tara Road and we discover why she ran away from her life in the States. Unfortunately, right when my interest is slightly captivated, it dwindles again. For another hundred pages I silently shudder at Ria's petulant behavior over her life's outcome. The feminist in me seriously wants to slap her and ask, "Are you serious?".

So why did I give it a 3 star rating? Because in spite of the characters appearing rather flat, the character tree branching so far out that I had to stop many times to recount who the person was in the story, the unrealistic dialogue (from the American even!), and the frustration at how many parts of the story meandered, I found myself carry about their lives. Caring enough that I lost a few hours of sleep on a work night to finish.

Would I recommend this book to someone? I don't think so. (Although I am sure that it has been heavily read as I realize it's part of the Oprah Book Club). Somewhere between a legacy and a soap opera lies the wasteland...*shrug* or Tara Road.

//reading resolutions 2009//

Finally Friday!  I'm ready for a relaxing weekend where I can prop my feet up and get some reading done.  That of course is what I'm ready for - my to do list says something different.  But priorities, priorities, right?!  So inspired by Book Barrage's post, I've brainstormed my own reading resolutions.  

1. Last year I think that I barely read four non fiction books.  That's got to change.  I'm note quite sure when I began to put aside that genre; it just happened.  I know that I am missing out.  Still, because I believe in taking baby steps I think I'll set my goal to be a 5 to 1 ratio for 2009.  I already have two checked out from my library.  Now let's just get my butt in gear, set aside the fiction for a bit, and read them!

2. I'd love to be able to read every day, and if I included keeping up with blogs, the short stories that we discuss in my class, essays that I grade over the weekend...well, then I could probably achieve that.  But reading for *me* is completely different.  Curling up with a book, crinkling the pages, making notes or underlining sentences or marking paragraphs is my therapy.  So I guess, resolution #two is that I promise myself to take time out for me-reading at least five days a week.

3.  After looking over my reading from last year, I never really stepped too far out of the standardized novel.  Knowing this, I've decided to incorporate more short story collections this year.  

4. Lastly, I am not a reader of fantasy/sci-fi. I never willingly pick up a book in this genre (I don't really include the HP or Twilight series here).  In college, while earning my Lit degree, I purposefully took a Science Fiction course because I knew I would never read anything on my own unless an assessment was being held over my head. It's silly really. Also, in this time I decided that there were two reasons why I had no affinity toward this genre (1) I found that the names were often too difficult to pronounce in my head, and therefore, I'd become less likely to form an attachment. , and (2) I'm a more character driven reader by choice and from what I did read, science fiction tended to be more plot driven. I also realized while in that class, that I didn't really care for Heinlein, but really dug Gibson.  Oh yeah and I guess the only author that makes the exception with my anti fantasy/sci fi genre is PK Dick.  But, I ramble(!)  I resolve to read at least 3 - this is huge, people- books from this genre.  

Well there you have it. Between the challenges, my new resolutions, and just what looks good as the year progresses, I think I'll be staying busy!

Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Title: Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

Country: United States (1999)

Pages:224

Genre: Fiction

Challenges: Dangerously Read

Rating: *****

Have you ever finished a book only to immediately want to re-read it again and again? That's exactly how I felt after reading the final sentence in The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I vaguely remember this being a hit when it was published, although I just purchased my copy before the new year. It was a quick read, with so much depth and character that I feel this will be a treasure I can read again and again always finding something new.

The novel is nothing more than a compilation of letters that the protagonist, Charlie writes. The letters are to an unnamed friend. Charlie reveals his innermost thoughts, baring all emotions unabashedly. He is the wallflower, "You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand." (37) experiencing his sophmore year in high school. He is mentored through remarkable texts that his teacher gives him through out the year (To Kill a Mockingbird, The Stranger, Naked Lunch!), befriends a group of seniors where he falls in love for the first time, has a girlfriend (but not one and the same!), loses friends, and finds out how deep his own secrets lie within.

Perks of Being a Wallflower is filled with all of these wonderful quotes and gems of knowledge: "Charlie, we accept the love we think we deserve." (24). that I only wish I had read this during high school. In many ways I saw myself in this struggling, emotional, and idealistic character. His intentions are all warmly spirited, but his inability to fully express what his needs are allows for the drama that brings about growing pains.

I cried. I laughed. I cheered. Perks of Being a Wallflower has immediately jumped up there with my favorites.

[side note: I went seeking out other thinks that Chbosky has written and it doesn't look like I am in much luck. The closest that I gather is he edited a collection of stories. He did, however, write the screen adaptation to Rent, which I adored!]

The Lucky Bones by Alice Sebold

Title: The Lovely Bones

Author: Alice Sebold

Country: United States (2002)

Pages:328

Genre: Fiction

Challenge: Dangerously Read

Rating: ***

I returned yesterday from my brief trip to nature, back into the 'real world' and feeling nicely unwound and refreshed. As mentioned in the previous post, I have finished two books thus far (both on my Dangerously Read Challenge).

I picked up Lovely Bones right at the start of January 1st. This has been on my TBR list for-ever! I've read so many great reviews out in the blogosphere that I knew I was just going to adore it. I mean, how often do we get to hear the voice of a murdered fourteen year old spying on her friends, family, and assailant? Trust me when I say I really wanted to rave about this book. But I can't. It's not as though there was anything terrible or disappointing about The Lovely Bones. The narrator, 14 year old Susie Salmon ("like the fish") is both an endearing and believable voice. (I especially thought the description of Susie leaving her tortured body was painted perfectly). She struggles with being in Heaven and separating herself from her human life. I felt author Alice Sebold also did an excellent job portraying what the death of a child does to the family left over. Grief is handled distinctly different for each individuals involved. Jack, the father, internalizes the sorrow and holds on tightly to his relationships with his other two children. Alternatively, Abigail, the mother, tries to desensitize herself from the anguish and pushes herself away mentally, emotionally, and eventually physically from the family.

So why did I only feel slightly warm toward this novel? I think that it is merely just a case of having read so many positive comments about The Lovely Bones that it was near impossible to meet my expectations. I would still recommend this book, and from an educator's point of view, it opens the door for many literary elements to be taught. I just was not emotionally captivated as I expected. On a slightly relevant note, Alice Sebold is also the author of Lucky - her memoir in which she shares her account of being raped in college and having heard a police officer exclaim that she was lucky to be alive. I have this on my bookshelf and will read it in due time. Also, evidently The Lucky Bones is becoming a a film which should be released in December 2009. I'll be curious how the director sets up Heaven and how Susie's voice is handled (usually voiceovers are unbearable, in my opinion).