After I had QT this spring a friend of mine gave me a Chapters gift card as a baby gift thinking I needed some gifts too. LOVE THIS FRIEND! So off to Chapters I headed and it was wonderful. I had a hard time picking books. But one on my list of was The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. I had heard great things and I knew it was food fiction, something I had enjoyed in the past but had gotten a little sick of from reading too much of it.
I had also tried to read this book before but at first glance it was reading like a young adult attempt at food fiction chick lit and I was not enjoying the first few pages and gave up- twice. While I've enjoyed a lot of food fiction, none come close to my love for the first one I ever read -Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel which came out in 1989, long before the food lit craze. Granted, I didn't read it till 2002, but even that was before everyone was writing about the mystical powers of food.
Despite having attempted twice I still kept hearing things about this book and the library's wait list was still rather extensive. So bought it I did and I am so glad that I did. This book is so unique compared to others in its genre that I would have wanted to own it anyway. Upon finishing it I felt like it was potentially a view into some of the other children who could have potentially attended Dr. Xavier's school in X-men. I am still not even sure that this falls into the genre of food lit/chic lit and not sci-fi! It feels like chic lit, tastes like chic lit, but by the end it's very much science fictional. And for that, it's completely refreshing. And for that reason I liked it. But it was so stereotypical of food lit/chic lit at times that I'm still not sure I actually liked it. And for that reason, I liked it. Bizarre, hey?
Things I liked about the book...the twist from typical food lit. The lightness and easiness to read. The touching moments between father and daughter. The shape of the protagonist's character. The revelation about the father and the understanding that this leads to- for the children and of the father himself. I like how the mother is front and centre for much of the book and Dad is in the background but it is he who holds the real beauty and magic and how all of that gives you a real sense of how Rose, the protagonist, was feeling compared to her brother.
What I didn't like about the book-you didn't realize that the protagonist understands what is happening to Joe (her brother) until Rose reveals it but the book is told in first person through Rose. One of the first rules of writing in first person is that you have to reveal everything to gain the trust of the reader and make the narrative believable. Because the protagonist doesn't reveal all you feel like the author and the narrator kept a secret from you, you lose the trust and as a result the believability. This was my biggest issue.
Also, I still do not understand the relationship between the whole family and the grandmother. Nor do I understand why the character was included at all, never mind an eccentric one at that.
Lastly, lemon cake with chocolate icing, really?? Could've done much better. Who puts chocolate frosting on lemon cake, geez.
All in all I am glad I read it, and may have to read it again to see if I can catch clues about the ending throughout the book now that I know what happens. I really did like the magical elements in this book. It was much different from other "super powers" in food fiction and yet it had the satisfaction of your same old favorite recipe.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
More Moore
So back at the end of 2010 I gave a list of my favorite 2010 reads and my discovery of Christopher Moore. Well, I picked up Fluke this time. And this was the good Moore that I came to love. I had listened to some of his newer stuff on audio and was saddened by his lack of hidden wisdom within the book. But Fluke again reveals Christopher Moore at his best- a crudely humourous book that still makes you feel like you learned something in the end. This time we follow researchers in the study of cetaceans (aka whales, dolphins, marine mammals) all while experiencing whales that wave with their penises and a Rastafarian white boy.
In general, here is what I like about Christopher Moore. He can be crude and foul but he's funny and very smart. Usually crude humor is just that and I don't find it funny at all but when you mix it with religion Shakespeare and now whale science you have my attention. Only Moore can make me envious of the catch phrase "fuckery most foul" and he designs these fabulous characters that always surprise you. His plot lines are usually limited to a basic quest whose mystery is always a little magical but I think that sticking to that has allowed him to do what he does best which is character design and giving us an easy read that makes us laugh and gives us something new. Or at least that is when he is at his best. Other works like bite me have disappointed in a big way but Biff, Fool and now Fluke have made it on my list as some of my favorite humor literature.
Fluke is about studying the Humpback whales song and is set in Hawaii which lends itself naturally to great story lines and characters. There are nods to culture mythology, the Beatles, and Douglas Adams. Mixed in with truthful knowledge about the work being done with whales and Rastafarian lingo. He is still his crude self with way too much talk of whale penises including the description of a three some with two male whales and a research boat that will have any woman switching teams but it's that bizarre mixture that makes me love good Moore. Bonus is the protagonist is Canadian and did his undergrad at the U of S, but the worst part of this book is he spelled Saskatchewan wrong every. single. time. And since every other locale was spelled correctly I can't imagine why it would've been an intentional error.
So if you need a light summer read that is still worth your time and you can handle the humor I highly recommend it. I think I'll be picking up more of his in the future.
In general, here is what I like about Christopher Moore. He can be crude and foul but he's funny and very smart. Usually crude humor is just that and I don't find it funny at all but when you mix it with religion Shakespeare and now whale science you have my attention. Only Moore can make me envious of the catch phrase "fuckery most foul" and he designs these fabulous characters that always surprise you. His plot lines are usually limited to a basic quest whose mystery is always a little magical but I think that sticking to that has allowed him to do what he does best which is character design and giving us an easy read that makes us laugh and gives us something new. Or at least that is when he is at his best. Other works like bite me have disappointed in a big way but Biff, Fool and now Fluke have made it on my list as some of my favorite humor literature.
Fluke is about studying the Humpback whales song and is set in Hawaii which lends itself naturally to great story lines and characters. There are nods to culture mythology, the Beatles, and Douglas Adams. Mixed in with truthful knowledge about the work being done with whales and Rastafarian lingo. He is still his crude self with way too much talk of whale penises including the description of a three some with two male whales and a research boat that will have any woman switching teams but it's that bizarre mixture that makes me love good Moore. Bonus is the protagonist is Canadian and did his undergrad at the U of S, but the worst part of this book is he spelled Saskatchewan wrong every. single. time. And since every other locale was spelled correctly I can't imagine why it would've been an intentional error.
So if you need a light summer read that is still worth your time and you can handle the humor I highly recommend it. I think I'll be picking up more of his in the future.
Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued
Well, to get me back into the swing of things I went back to my old crutch- Jane Austen spin offs. I love strong willed women and period literature. Always have, always will. I love the formality, the characters, and the social context that the story takes place in. I also like to reflect on the social context that the writer was in when they were writing the piece. I find it fascinating that I can get so lost in a romantic love story while building my vocabulary of little used English words. Ahh, the joys of reading right there.
Anyway, because of my love of these types of books the spin offs are a lot of fun. Fan fiction comes in several forms- the amateurish stuff that you will find a la Harry Potter. The nod to the original but I've done it my own way type such as Bridget Jones' Diary, The Jane Austen Book Club, and movies 10 Things I Hate About You, and Clueless, etc and it can also be a sequel to the originals, a continuation. The later, for me, is the hardest to believe and read because it is so hard to create authentic replicas of characters and context. You have to be precise to the language, the context, the characters and the author. It is the later that Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued falls into. The edition of this book, by Emma Tennant, I picked up from the library feels like a little pocket book I may have picked up from some long ago period as well. Small and fitting nicely in one hand held open I began feeling transported to the time period the second I picked it up. The cover art helps too with tranquil little drawing that I might find done by Miss Georgiana Darcy.
This is one of the best Austen spin offs I have come across, and from my readings online, it is generally felt that way by many. The characterization is so true to Austen's works that I really enjoyed it-mostly. The language is a little less authentic but I was OK with that as it allowed me to read faster and made it easier to sink into the plot. I loved how true to Mrs. Bennet and to Elizabeth that Ms. Tennant was. The author wrote like Elizabeth was thinking- fast and frantic. At times this was very effective. You felt the urgency, the chaos and irrationality that can sometime be Elizabeth's character. However, at times, it almost made it difficult to follow the storyline. There was one large fault that Tennant had in writing Elizabeth and it almost ruined the book for me. It dealt with the communication between Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is rescued from actually having to communicate with her husband and yet all is well in the end. This doesn't match up with the strong willed character. She has stood up for herself and has spoke her mind many times before to Darcy in the book and the original P & P, so to not confront him, if eventually, was disheartening. She sort of does, but she is not 100|% forthcoming, which I don't believe is her character. So Jane saves her. This ruined the whole book for me as in P & P its her ability to speak out and stand up for herself even within her social contexts that makes me love Austen's works, and the Elizabeth Bennett (Darcy) character.
I also don't like how her mother's engagement was played out. I expected it to play a larger role and the falling out to have played out, not just be summarized. Or the big "to do" made over Wickham staying under the Pemberley roof so they make other arrangements only for them all to stay under one roof.
There are many moments I enjoyed, having less to do with Elizabeth and more to do with Jane, Mary and the other sisters but I can't give away the whole books. On the whole though it did feel quite authentic and was a fun read!
Anyway, because of my love of these types of books the spin offs are a lot of fun. Fan fiction comes in several forms- the amateurish stuff that you will find a la Harry Potter. The nod to the original but I've done it my own way type such as Bridget Jones' Diary, The Jane Austen Book Club, and movies 10 Things I Hate About You, and Clueless, etc and it can also be a sequel to the originals, a continuation. The later, for me, is the hardest to believe and read because it is so hard to create authentic replicas of characters and context. You have to be precise to the language, the context, the characters and the author. It is the later that Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued falls into. The edition of this book, by Emma Tennant, I picked up from the library feels like a little pocket book I may have picked up from some long ago period as well. Small and fitting nicely in one hand held open I began feeling transported to the time period the second I picked it up. The cover art helps too with tranquil little drawing that I might find done by Miss Georgiana Darcy.
This is one of the best Austen spin offs I have come across, and from my readings online, it is generally felt that way by many. The characterization is so true to Austen's works that I really enjoyed it-mostly. The language is a little less authentic but I was OK with that as it allowed me to read faster and made it easier to sink into the plot. I loved how true to Mrs. Bennet and to Elizabeth that Ms. Tennant was. The author wrote like Elizabeth was thinking- fast and frantic. At times this was very effective. You felt the urgency, the chaos and irrationality that can sometime be Elizabeth's character. However, at times, it almost made it difficult to follow the storyline. There was one large fault that Tennant had in writing Elizabeth and it almost ruined the book for me. It dealt with the communication between Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is rescued from actually having to communicate with her husband and yet all is well in the end. This doesn't match up with the strong willed character. She has stood up for herself and has spoke her mind many times before to Darcy in the book and the original P & P, so to not confront him, if eventually, was disheartening. She sort of does, but she is not 100|% forthcoming, which I don't believe is her character. So Jane saves her. This ruined the whole book for me as in P & P its her ability to speak out and stand up for herself even within her social contexts that makes me love Austen's works, and the Elizabeth Bennett (Darcy) character.
I also don't like how her mother's engagement was played out. I expected it to play a larger role and the falling out to have played out, not just be summarized. Or the big "to do" made over Wickham staying under the Pemberley roof so they make other arrangements only for them all to stay under one roof.
There are many moments I enjoyed, having less to do with Elizabeth and more to do with Jane, Mary and the other sisters but I can't give away the whole books. On the whole though it did feel quite authentic and was a fun read!
Inspired
So I have a family member who is a teacher. An elementary school teacher at that. And she hates reading. I was flabbergasted at this proclamation. How can you be a teacher and not like to read. I've always secretly held it against them. How can you inspire a generation of readers and increase literacy in our world if you yourself don't enjoy the task. Its like expecting a couch potato to produce a star athlete for a child.
Then, unexpectedly, I received a phone call from this family member. They wanted to know if I had a couple of books because they needed them for their book club. PARDON?! You're in a book club!? Yes, and they love it! HAZZAH!!!!! I was so impressed. I have yet to ask what inspired the decision to take up a book club and I plan on asking soon. However, they are reading and they are loving it. Just goes to show you that it is never too late to take up a new hobby, increase your literacy levels or to simply fall in love with books.
But all of this led me to feel a little hypocritical. I, lover of all books, who has bought many books since moving back to Regina, hadn't read a full book since....well, the last time I really posted on this blog actually-so January. So, for me, it feels like forever. So I got rid of our extended cable package. Decided I no longer needed to nap every time QT does. And tada! My house is cleaner and I've read several books in the last couple of weeks! yay me!
So thank you dear family member for showing me its never to late and there is always time to read! And that means I have four reviews, and growing, of books to post! :)
Then, unexpectedly, I received a phone call from this family member. They wanted to know if I had a couple of books because they needed them for their book club. PARDON?! You're in a book club!? Yes, and they love it! HAZZAH!!!!! I was so impressed. I have yet to ask what inspired the decision to take up a book club and I plan on asking soon. However, they are reading and they are loving it. Just goes to show you that it is never too late to take up a new hobby, increase your literacy levels or to simply fall in love with books.
But all of this led me to feel a little hypocritical. I, lover of all books, who has bought many books since moving back to Regina, hadn't read a full book since....well, the last time I really posted on this blog actually-so January. So, for me, it feels like forever. So I got rid of our extended cable package. Decided I no longer needed to nap every time QT does. And tada! My house is cleaner and I've read several books in the last couple of weeks! yay me!
So thank you dear family member for showing me its never to late and there is always time to read! And that means I have four reviews, and growing, of books to post! :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Failing at blogging,..
So I have kept a list of things to write about. But then I got pregnant, and we were moving again- back to Regina. and I wasn't going to spend 9+ months complaining or complimenting prenatal, perinatal,postpartum and parenting books, though trust me, I could. WHAT CRAP is out there is astounding. And it is only now that my sweet daughter is 2 months old that I'm starting to read again. I still want this blog. I still want to make it work one day. I have lots of great recommendations and links for my friends. But alas, I am failing at blogging. So I am going to give it a few more months and see how the reading and schedules go and I may relaunch. Or maybe I'll restart as an online book club since I can't seem to find one because my evenings are busy but my days are looong and drawn out right now. Hmmmm.... I am reading How to Survive in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu if anyone wants to join me! :)
In the meantime... keep fit and have fun??? lol nope. see. I'm so uncreative lately I can't even come up with my own "see you later"... how abouts just keep on reading anything and everything.
In the meantime... keep fit and have fun??? lol nope. see. I'm so uncreative lately I can't even come up with my own "see you later"... how abouts just keep on reading anything and everything.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
So occasionally I like a good science fiction novel. Particularly when the reviews come in as being the Douglas Adams of our generation (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fame). Now I had put two books on hold at the same time. One was a non-fiction book that Brad was interested in and the other was such a book as described above. So when Packing for Mars came in I mistook is for a funny sci-fi book that I had ordered, when in fact it was the book for Brad- and am I ever happy to have made this mistake.
I got about 10 pages in and thought, gee this doesn’t read like a novel. I looked at its call number and behold! It’s non-fiction! So having been already hooked by a hilarious intro involving monkeys and sex, I decided to make a go of it. And I will forever love Mary Roach as a result. First, she’s a woman. Second, her books are all science based. Third- they are absolutely hilarious and informative all at once.
This specific book is her newest and latest and is about science exploration. B O R I N G in my world. Never would I pick up a book where the prime location of most of its content takes place in a NASA lab or space shuttle. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But this book was insightful, didn’t make many assumptions of its audience in the way of knowledge or vocabulary, and informed me that sex in space is a very serious topic!
Nearing the end there are a couple of chapters I breezed over because they did get a little “sciencey” on me, but when Brad was home on weekends we fought over who got to read it until I was done. In fact, I never read the last chapter because he took it to Regina and returned it in Regina and I never got it back! Hrmph!
Anyway, so if you’re looking for something a little different I highly recommend Ms. Roach. I have also read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and found it just as funny and informative. Who knew!
I know this review doesn’t go into the specifics of the book but I can’t do it justice explaining what this book is about. If I told you it covered the intricacies of relationships on the international space station, covered the history of launching monkeys into space,and science experiments on gravitational pull, I would worry it will start to sound boring. But know that there is dead bodies, sex and alcohol, as well as swearing and university student shenanigans throughout the book- and its all true! So just go read it, and trust me. Its funny. Even my hubby gives it 2 thumbs up.
I got about 10 pages in and thought, gee this doesn’t read like a novel. I looked at its call number and behold! It’s non-fiction! So having been already hooked by a hilarious intro involving monkeys and sex, I decided to make a go of it. And I will forever love Mary Roach as a result. First, she’s a woman. Second, her books are all science based. Third- they are absolutely hilarious and informative all at once.
This specific book is her newest and latest and is about science exploration. B O R I N G in my world. Never would I pick up a book where the prime location of most of its content takes place in a NASA lab or space shuttle. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But this book was insightful, didn’t make many assumptions of its audience in the way of knowledge or vocabulary, and informed me that sex in space is a very serious topic!
Nearing the end there are a couple of chapters I breezed over because they did get a little “sciencey” on me, but when Brad was home on weekends we fought over who got to read it until I was done. In fact, I never read the last chapter because he took it to Regina and returned it in Regina and I never got it back! Hrmph!
Anyway, so if you’re looking for something a little different I highly recommend Ms. Roach. I have also read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and found it just as funny and informative. Who knew!
I know this review doesn’t go into the specifics of the book but I can’t do it justice explaining what this book is about. If I told you it covered the intricacies of relationships on the international space station, covered the history of launching monkeys into space,and science experiments on gravitational pull, I would worry it will start to sound boring. But know that there is dead bodies, sex and alcohol, as well as swearing and university student shenanigans throughout the book- and its all true! So just go read it, and trust me. Its funny. Even my hubby gives it 2 thumbs up.
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
So 2. 5 months ago I said I had to books to give you reviews on and was excited to do so. And then....what happened? I can't actually say. I can't even remember what books those are! But tonight, I have one for you. Largely because it is a book that may or may not be done at the Library book club once I'm gone and moved on, and it was on my to read list anyway. It was a fun book, and here is my review.
And for the record I hope that this will get better once I am no longer trying to work full time, take care of the dogs, sell a house and be pregnant. I am hoping that I can settle back in to some semblance of a normal reading schedule in the somewhat near future. But that could also be my naiveness as a new first time mom too. Who knows.
OH! I just remembered one of the books from 2.5 months ago...And I shall review it. I will work on it immediately following this post. It was another non fiction and I loves it. My husband loved it. I almost gave it to my brother for Christmas. Anyway-that one is by Mary Roach. I love her.
Now, back to Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
At first I was sorely disappointed. If I’m going to read non fiction I want to feel educated, like I understand something new for reading it. Hence, I expected this book to give me an insight into the Mennonite culture…and I’m still not sure I really got that. I got sarcasm. I got humorous stories. I got a world that is full of contradiction and different viewpoints-not unlike my own (which was refreshing in its presentation). Sure there were some culture specifics-terms that are never explained, unique foods and hymns. But I didn’t come away feeling I knew anything more about the Mennonite culture and faith, nor really about the author, something essential to me in a book calling itself a memoir.
But Chapter 10 kind of saved the book for me. What she does examine is religion and this is a great chapter where she changes her voice and brings you into the discussion. She challenges you to consider things, as she did. She shares anecdotes that finally feel meaningful. That I enjoyed. And even as the rest of the book proceeds there is a new “coming together” of most of the rest of the book.
The sarcastic appendix was of little help to anyone wanting serious answers though.
The book is self depreciating, humourous and read like chick lit. Not a waste of my time but something I am still up in the air about actually recommending. I think if someone who traditionally enjoyed Sophia Kinsella and ilk but wanted something different, I would suggest this. It would be a great book club book for a club who likes mostly lighter reads but wants something different and doesn’t mind approaching the topic of religion. I still stand by that I was expecting I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby with a slight sense of humor and got Sophia Kinsella with a touch of culture.
Now to go review the stuff from 2 months ago!
And for the record I hope that this will get better once I am no longer trying to work full time, take care of the dogs, sell a house and be pregnant. I am hoping that I can settle back in to some semblance of a normal reading schedule in the somewhat near future. But that could also be my naiveness as a new first time mom too. Who knows.
OH! I just remembered one of the books from 2.5 months ago...And I shall review it. I will work on it immediately following this post. It was another non fiction and I loves it. My husband loved it. I almost gave it to my brother for Christmas. Anyway-that one is by Mary Roach. I love her.
Now, back to Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
At first I was sorely disappointed. If I’m going to read non fiction I want to feel educated, like I understand something new for reading it. Hence, I expected this book to give me an insight into the Mennonite culture…and I’m still not sure I really got that. I got sarcasm. I got humorous stories. I got a world that is full of contradiction and different viewpoints-not unlike my own (which was refreshing in its presentation). Sure there were some culture specifics-terms that are never explained, unique foods and hymns. But I didn’t come away feeling I knew anything more about the Mennonite culture and faith, nor really about the author, something essential to me in a book calling itself a memoir.
But Chapter 10 kind of saved the book for me. What she does examine is religion and this is a great chapter where she changes her voice and brings you into the discussion. She challenges you to consider things, as she did. She shares anecdotes that finally feel meaningful. That I enjoyed. And even as the rest of the book proceeds there is a new “coming together” of most of the rest of the book.
The sarcastic appendix was of little help to anyone wanting serious answers though.
The book is self depreciating, humourous and read like chick lit. Not a waste of my time but something I am still up in the air about actually recommending. I think if someone who traditionally enjoyed Sophia Kinsella and ilk but wanted something different, I would suggest this. It would be a great book club book for a club who likes mostly lighter reads but wants something different and doesn’t mind approaching the topic of religion. I still stand by that I was expecting I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby with a slight sense of humor and got Sophia Kinsella with a touch of culture.
Now to go review the stuff from 2 months ago!
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