The City of Dreaming Books

Title: The City of Dreaming Books
Author: Walter Moers
Pub: 2004 in Germany; 2008 in the States
Pages: 456
Genre: Fantasy, Books about Books

"Where shadows dim with shadows mate in caverns deep and dark, where old books dream of bygone days when they were wood and bark, where diamonds from coal are born and no birds ever sing, the region is the dread domain ruled by the Shadow King."

This book was a complete impulse buy. I read the back and loved the idea of it. I mean sheesh, the books are ALIVE and the setting is a world created where books are the one and only important thing in life. You are a reader, a writer, or a publisher. A book seller or illustrator. There's dangerous books in the catacombs of this city too. They attack. They are real mean, yo.

Optimus Yarnspinner (haha, everytime I say Optimus in my head I immediately go retro to my 80's love and want to end it with Prime)...but I digress. Optimus (for short) has just lost his mentor and godfather. The last gift given was an unpublished manuscript. Optimus reads it and is blown away with how beautiful it is written, in fact, he claims it is the best piece of literature that he has ever read. Unfortunately, the manuscript is written anonymously. Optimus decides his mission is to leave his home and seek out the writer. He must go to Bookholm - the City of Dreaming Books.

This is where Optimus's life goes haywire. People are after him because of the manuscript. And people that he thinks he can trust, he can't. Which is how he ends up in the catacombs. And lurking amongst the terrifying books is the Shadow King, determined to kill all who enter his turf.

I really really REALLY want everyone of you to turn off your computer and run to your bookstore and purchase this book. It was that good.

The names are clever too. He anagrams famous writers. I don't want to give any away to see if you can figure them out. Or better thought, maybe I'll have a contest listing a few of my favorites. *scratching head* and *looking around* at my book loot.

This is also apart of a series (evidently). I think that the rest are published in the states but I don't get the sense that you have to read them in order. I didn't after all, and never felt lost in this book.

Oh and gosh, there are so many wonderful little tidbit quotes. My book is tagged EVERYWHERE. Here are a couple of my favorite passages or one-liners:

"There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written or badly written, that's all." (237)

"There's a place in the universe where all great artistic concepts accumulate, bouncing off each other and generating new ones," he said, more quietly now, "Its creative density must be immense. An invisible planet with seas of music, rivers of pure inspiration and volcanoes that spew out ideas with brainstorms flickering in the sky around them. That's the Orm, a field of force that dispenses its energy in abundance. But not to everyone. Only the elect can receive its emanations." (240)

"Simply go on climbing. it's like writing a novel. Everything's quite straightforward at first - the early chapters go with a tremendous swing, but sooner or later you begin to tire. You look back and see you're only halfway through. You look ahead and see you still have as much again to write. If you lose heart at the stage, you've had it. It's easy enough to start something. Finishing it is the hard part." (418)

Touch Magic

Title: Touch Magic - Fantasy, Faerie, Foklore in Literature of Childhood
Author: Jane Yolen
Pub Date: 2007
Pages: 128
Genre: Literary Analysis, Fairy Tale, Non Fiction

"So the fantasy book, like the fairy tale, may not be Life Actual but it is Life In Truth." (55)

Touch Magic is a collection of essays written by the brilliant and prolific children's author, Jane Yolen. Each essay shares her expertise of the fantasy genre. She engulfs her readers in rich knowledge and I found myself devouring this book. It was checked out from the library (woe is me, as my copy would have been marked and highlighted) so I spent countless hours copy quotes verbatum in my lil' moleskine.

Some things that stood out:

1. I loved that Yolen speaks profusely about the use of fairy tales in psychology. When I studied for my therapy degree I immediately grew an affinity for Jung. To this day, I wish I could devote my life studying him and his works (I lack patience as my mind is always wondering in different directions and funds, haha). The focus on the archetypes and myths in our culture rings a bell of Truism that seems impossible to argue with. Yolen points out that "the great archetypal stories provide a framework or model and individual's belief system." One of my goals was the develop a list of reading material where clients could find themselves within the work. A form of externalization if you will.

2. Fairy tales have a living and breathing dichotomy. They allow for black and white in our graying world. Through them we are able to find a conscious form of ideals and morals. Plus, fairy tales allows us to see the cultural implications of the time period. I adore this, because it ties us all together and yet separates us as well. I think of Jung's idea of the Collective. Fairy tales speak of humanity's ideals of right and wrong, but read in the time period they were written in, we see further implications.

3. Argh. Surely I grew a bit more frustrated at Disney and their alterations of some of the best loved fairy tales. Cinderella, the first Disney fairy tale re-write/production is one of the most infuriating seeing as in the tales cross culture put "Cinderella" (she had a different name depending on the country the tale came from of course) as a strong level headed woman, not the weak one that lacks self-reliance. Arguably, this reenforces the above argument that the tales show a glimmer of the times as well considering when Disney wrote and produced Cinderella in the 50's the woman's role was to be quite subservient to men, insomuch as the women stayed home and relied on the men to take care of the worldly issues. Yolen on the subject: "The Disney studios made a fortune, grossing $4.247 million in the first release alone. It set a new pattern for Cinderella: a helpless, hopeless, pitiable, useless heorine who has to be saved time and time again by talking mice and birds because she is 'off in a world of dreams'." (36)

4. She ends the collection of essays encouraging us to read the fairy tales more in depth (this is from the essay entitled "Killing the Other"). Some fairy tales are set up where the Other in the village is often persecuted for no other reason than being different or being the "Other". If Puss in Boots were exchanged with the roles of Jew, Nazi or black, white the story would take on a emotionally volatile response because we are taught that sort of persecution is wrong. What Yolen does though that is admirable - or I should say what she doesn't do that is admirable - is tell the mass public to stop reading these tales. She never encourages censorship, and actually makes an effort to point out how that is not the solution. What's her solution then? Wait for it. I know that it's a tough one. Are you ready? Talk about it! Yup. Read the fairy tales with your kids and talk about the roles in the story, whether it's right or wrong, go deeper than what you would normally do. Learn your own values and what's important. I just wanna know if she's looking for a new bestie.

List of books that I want to read because of this book:

• Thirteen Clocks by James Thurber
• The Last Unicorn by Peter Beale
• The Lands of Laughs by Johnathan Carroll
• Fairy Tales and the Art of Subversion by Jack Zipes
• Girl Who Loved the Wind by Jane Yolen
• The Dyer's Hand by WH Audent
• Dreamweaver by Jane Yolen
• The Uses of Enchantment by Dr. Bruno Bttelheim
• Perelandra by CS Lewis
• The Ones who Walk away from Omelas by Ursula La Guinn

The Polysyllabic Spree

Title: The Polysyllabic Spree
Author: Nick Hornby
Pub Date: 2004
Pages: 140
Genre: Books about Books, Non Fiction
Challenges: Bibliophilic Book Challenge

Nick Hornby. Books about books. 'Nuff said right?

S'okay, this is a collection of the monthly columns that Mr. Hornby wrote for the Believer magazine. There are actually three books to the collection. This is the first in the collection (I also have the last, just need to get my hands on the middle!)

The thing that stood out the most while reading PolySpree is how enjoyable his writing is. I've read some of his fiction and have enjoyed it but have to admit was a wee bit weary reading his bookish thoughts. After making an initial perusal of the books he chose to write about I didn't think that I'd have much in common with his literary tastes. And true. For the most part, the books he chose I probably wouldn't have, but damn if he doesn't make them interesting when sharing them. Further, his writing is so comfortable, even if I wasn't terribly interested in the book itself, I was interested in his thoughts on the subject. That, in my opinion, is a brilliant writer!

I thought I'd do this review a bit different. Below are comments that he shared in the book and I've commented back.

NH: "Poetry books work more like books of reference: They go up on the shelves straight away (as opposed to onto the bedside table), to be taken down and dipped into every now and again." (19)

ME: Nick, I couldn't agree with you more. I will go even further, however, and say that my biggest downfall is I leave them on the bookshelf. Don't they look so pretty there?

NH: "I don't reread books very often; I'm too conscious of both my ignorance and my mortality." (25)

Me: Man, did you nail it again. There are so many books out there that I really want to read but I feel...guilt? Maybe even the verge of panic attacks? There are nearly 200 unread books sitting on my bookshelf and another 200 on my "Wish I Could Run Out and Buy" list. I know I'm naturally an anxiety driven kinda gal, and in most cases said anxiety works to my benefit. I realize with my reading, I should probably take more of an eastern zen approach.

NH: "A couple of months ago, I became depressed by the realization that I'd forgotten pretty much everything I've ever read. I have, however, bounced back: I am now cheered by the realization that if I've forgotten everything I've ever read then I can read some of my favorite books again, as if for the first time!" (43)

Me: I spoke about how I cannot remember a lot of my book reads a while back; in fact, that was the impetus of my blogging. I do like that you've managed to turn the lemons into lemonade. It almost justifies me being able to read books again. Thanks Nick!

The Reader

Title: The Reader
Author: Bernhard Schlink
Pub Date: 1995
Pages: 218
Genre: Fiction, Literary, Historical, WW2

Summary

Set in post WW2 Germany, Sophomore Michael Berg meets the alluring Hanna one afternoon after getting sick. A chance meeting that turned into a relationship that would last a lifetime.

It's in this first part of the book that lays the foundation of Michael's emotional pull with Hanna. He is mesmerized by her beauty and sexuality, giving himself completely to this older woman. She pushes and pulls him, always on the cusp of wanting more and giving more. Until one day, she packs up and leaves.

Life is just not the same for Michael. It's as though Hanna has spoiled him from other women. He grows up and begins studying law. Now, in the second part of the book, Michael meets Hanna once more. Only this time she is on trial for murder after having been identified as a guard in a concentration camp.

In the last part of the book, Michael's strained relationship leads him to a very hollow existence. He maintains contact with Hanna, but is distant, and unemotional.

My Thoughts (possible spoilers?)

The Reader is such a beautiful philosophical novel. Hanna, although an adult from the moment that we meet her, hides her child-like vulnerability. It's only toward the end of her life, after she's damaged it already, can she admit to her cracks.

And Michael, really, how infuriating can he be at times. I get the inability to come to terms with loving someone who did monstrous acts. I also get understanding why they did those acts, feeling a mixture of love, hate, and pity, and not being able to sort those emotions out, falling back into behavior that your comfortable with (in this case, reading the books onto the tape recorder). But it was the moment when he meets Hanna, the elder Hanna, and she is not the Hanna that he has in his mind, and his inability to look at her then. That's not about what Hanna did, who she is, or what she stands for. No. That's about him being ruined by the tale he had wove, the image of Hanna, maybe? Did the ending justify his behavior? Did her ending justify her behavior?

And of course the book was so much more than that. There's the unnerving feeling that I am suppose to despise Hanna for what she did, the crimes she committed, and yet I equally feel sorrow for her. And enough feelings toward her that I feel bitter toward Michael's reaction.

*sigh* Then, even while being frustrated and tormented by Michael's behavior and choices, I have another layer of emotion that understands his motives and find them valid. After all, the poor young man was only fifteen when he embarked on this love affair with a thirty-something lady.

Oh, and the reading of the novels. Am I the only one that finds that almost more intimate than the lovemaking itself?

"Again, Hanna became absorbed in the unfolding of the book. But it was different this time; she withheld her own opinions; she didn't make Natasha, Andrei, and Pierre part of her world, as she had Luise and Emilia, bu entered their world the way one sets out on a long and dazzling journey, or enters a castle which one is allowed to visit, even stay in until one feels at home, but without ever really shedding one's inhibitions. All the things I had read to her before were already familiar to me. War and Peace was new for me, too. We took the long journey together."

I really have so much more to process. I feel as though my mind keeps making jumps to the next thought without thoroughly exploring the first thought. I quite like that freedom. I'd rather not outline my reactions to The Reader because reading it often felt primal to me. My reactions to the book were solely emotional.

Yay, Nay, Eh? Yay. Most. Definitely. This definite falls in the short list of books I'd like to re-read.

I haven't seen the film adaption yet. Does it do the book justice? What were your thoughts/emotions toward Hanna and Michael?

The Jane Austen Book Club

Title: The Jane Austen Book Club
Author: Karen joy Fowler
Pub Date: May 2005
Pages: 288
Genre: Fiction, Realistic

Brief Summary

Six Individuals. Six Months. Six Jane Austen books.

Jane Austen brings all walks of life together, and The Jane Austen Book Club illustrates just that. While exploring the characters and plots in all six of Ms. Austen's books, we get to explore the characters within the book club. (I suppose this book is a bit meta, huh?)

Jocelyn - the ring leader of the book club, independent and proud, but a romantic at heart or she wouldn't enjoy matchmaking like she does.

Bernadette - the eldest, logging in at 67 years. She might ramble a bit but the stories she could tell if you listened!

Sylvie - Jocelyn's bestie from eleven who might not be enjoying the Austen of romance since she's having marital difficulties.

Allegra - Sylvie's daughter, an adrenaline junkie whose risk-taking adventures tends to get her new girlfriends.

Prudie - high school French teacher, who sometimes goes overboard and speaks French regardless of the group finding that frustrating. Her life looks perfect, too bad she's struggling with Momma issues.

Grigg - the only male in the group. Poor sucker already has that strike against him. But then he admits to never having read an Austen novel.

My Thoughts.

As many followers know, I read my first Jane Austen book, Pride and Prejudice, this year. Instantly, I understood the attraction. Obviously it made sense then to sign up for the Austen challenge. I picked up the Jane Austen Book Club because I didn't know which Austen book to choose next. I figured this would illuminate the intricacies of each novel through the eyes of the book readers. The concept seemed awfully cool to me. Then, as an added bonus, I expected to be pulled into each of the book members world. As I said earlier, pretty meta.

Unfortunately, the book didn't really live up to my expectations.

The Good

• I liked the concept of each character getting a chapter that aligned with an Austen book as well as their own story, who they were and how that defines them presently.
  
  
• I really liked Jocelyn's character. Maybe not so much her present interaction with the members, but definitely her story.
  
  
• Oh, and Prudie's is perhaps the most interesting. Even though her husband absolutely adores her, there is a part of herself that she can't let go of because of her mother's inconsistencies. Prudie's story was definitely the most thorough.
  
  
• It was a pretty quick read.

The Bad

• Ummm, I'm not quite sure how to politely say this, but although I thought the concept was pretty cool, the writing oftentimes felt rather detached. I wanted the characters to be more three-dimensional than they were. For example,
  
  
• Grigg's story? Please. So he was the only boy in a house filled with overbearing sisters. I didn't really feel that type of relationship even when interacting with the his sisters.
  
  
• Show not tell. Unfortunately, overall, I didn't feel like the author really did that. We were told about each character rather matter of factly. LIke Grigg and his sisters. I never felt that sort of attachment.
  
  
• In fact, I was hardly attached to any of the characters.
  
  
• And, finally, reading the Jane Austen Book Club did no assist me whatsoever in deciding upon my next Austen book. I read the author's assistance pages that briefed the ignorant reader, like myself, on each novel, but still found the character's dialogue over the stories confusing.

Yay, Nay, Eh? I'm going with Eh on this one. I feel that it might be more enjoyable if I had read more than one Austen book ? In the very least, I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt and not completely oust it.

Your thoughts? Have you read it and reviewed it?

And just for the fun of it: