I want to start at the end with this one. Sometimes books end leaving you wondering what happens to the characters. Sometimes you get everything tied up in a nice little package. This book uses a new way of doing the latter. In a serious of articles you get to a glimpse of where the people you get to know on the pages of Modern Lovers land.
In college Elizabeth, Zoe, Andrew, and Lydia meet and form a band. Lydia strikes out on her own and has a big hit with a song written for the band by Elizabeth and then she becomes a member of the sad 27 club.
Years later Elizabeth is married to Andrew and they have a son, Harry. A few houses away Zoe lives with her wife Jane and their daughter Ruby.
In the summer between Ruby's high school graduation and Harry's senior year they get involved. The backdrop for the budding romance is the drama in their parent's marriages.
How much of what you do as teenager, as a child really, should you still be blamed for or hold on to and hold against others? How much of who you were should you still be? What if you never found your footing? All of these are the questions that face the adults in this story while their almost adult children face the uncertainty of becoming adults.
A witty and well drawn story of life, love, and growing up.
(Finished June 30, 2016)
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
At the end of the lane is a duck pond...or is it? There is a man who used to be a boy who fought monsters....or was he? There is a family of women who are old and young but ageless and they have always been there, just been there since before time...or is there?
Gaiman, as usual, spins a tale filled with creepy, well written, adventurous, mystery all while presenting food for thought. How much can one mind hold? How much can one person do alone and how much more can a person do with the help of others? What is the value of sacrifice? Isn't it interesting that people can experience the same event together and yet tell the tale in such a way that makes you wonder if they were at the same event?
A quick read that is not truly predictable but yet feels like a place you may have been before. As I have found before with The Graveyard Book and with his writing for one of my all time favorite TC programs, Doctor Who, Gaiman proves himself a master story teller.
(Finished June 28, 2016)
Gaiman, as usual, spins a tale filled with creepy, well written, adventurous, mystery all while presenting food for thought. How much can one mind hold? How much can one person do alone and how much more can a person do with the help of others? What is the value of sacrifice? Isn't it interesting that people can experience the same event together and yet tell the tale in such a way that makes you wonder if they were at the same event?
A quick read that is not truly predictable but yet feels like a place you may have been before. As I have found before with The Graveyard Book and with his writing for one of my all time favorite TC programs, Doctor Who, Gaiman proves himself a master story teller.
(Finished June 28, 2016)
Friday, June 24, 2016
Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
I grabbed this book because I just graduated from Mount Holyoke College and for the first time in quite awhile I am not heading back to school and so even though I am almost 45 it is time to adult. That and the title struck me as funny and so while sitting in Barnes & Noble I gave a quick read to the first few pages and I liked the snarky writing style of Brown.
I didn't sit and read this all the way through, but rather it made a great bathroom read. Oh, what, like you don't read in the bathroom, or play on your phone?
The target audience for this advice column in book form is probably mid to late 20's but even for someone in their 30's, 40's, or beyond there are tidbits you might not have known or maybe forgot. For example basics of car maintenance or writing thank you notes.
Some of the sections I skimmed because they truly didn't apply to me, like the steps about the right and wrong way to "hook up". But for the most part there is snark and humor enough to make even the steps that don't apply worth the read.
Great gift for a college grad or for yourself, or an adult friend who needs help adulting.
(Finished June 24, 2016)
I didn't sit and read this all the way through, but rather it made a great bathroom read. Oh, what, like you don't read in the bathroom, or play on your phone?
The target audience for this advice column in book form is probably mid to late 20's but even for someone in their 30's, 40's, or beyond there are tidbits you might not have known or maybe forgot. For example basics of car maintenance or writing thank you notes.
Some of the sections I skimmed because they truly didn't apply to me, like the steps about the right and wrong way to "hook up". But for the most part there is snark and humor enough to make even the steps that don't apply worth the read.
Great gift for a college grad or for yourself, or an adult friend who needs help adulting.
(Finished June 24, 2016)
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Wonder (Wonder #1) by R.J. Palacio
This is one both Joshua and I read. You can see his review here.
My first reaction upon finishing was wow!!
Wonder is about a boy named August (Auggie to those close to him)who was born with some malformations of the face and head. He is has been homeschooled until now and for 5th grade he goes to school and he isn't the only one changed by the experience.
Palacio tells the story from a few different points of view and she does it well. Auggie's story will make you think and you will cry, cheer, be angry, and you will laugh.
Auggie goes to school, makes friends, deals with reactions of people being scared or disgusted by his looks, he is smart, funny, loves Star Wars, has joys and heartbreaks, he is, on the inside, just like most 11 year olds, he just looks different.
I was so glad we both read this because we had some great conversations about what it is like to be different, how that makes you feel apart and lonely sometimes, how it feels when people are unkind. We talked about being a good friend, about kindness, and the sadness that comes with having some kind of something that makes you not typical, for Joshua is his Autism and Tourettes.
This was a heartwarming, wonderful story. Read this. Don't let the fact that it is a "children's book" stop you. And if you have a child in your life in the 8+ age range share it with them.
(Finished June 23, 2016)
My first reaction upon finishing was wow!!
Wonder is about a boy named August (Auggie to those close to him)who was born with some malformations of the face and head. He is has been homeschooled until now and for 5th grade he goes to school and he isn't the only one changed by the experience.
Palacio tells the story from a few different points of view and she does it well. Auggie's story will make you think and you will cry, cheer, be angry, and you will laugh.
Auggie goes to school, makes friends, deals with reactions of people being scared or disgusted by his looks, he is smart, funny, loves Star Wars, has joys and heartbreaks, he is, on the inside, just like most 11 year olds, he just looks different.
I was so glad we both read this because we had some great conversations about what it is like to be different, how that makes you feel apart and lonely sometimes, how it feels when people are unkind. We talked about being a good friend, about kindness, and the sadness that comes with having some kind of something that makes you not typical, for Joshua is his Autism and Tourettes.
This was a heartwarming, wonderful story. Read this. Don't let the fact that it is a "children's book" stop you. And if you have a child in your life in the 8+ age range share it with them.
(Finished June 23, 2016)
The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War by Stephen Kinzer
Why is the story of two men, two brothers, born in the late 1800's and serving in government in the first half of the 20th century important? It is important because what they did in their years of service has set the table for the world we live in today. A clear piece of evidence is dropped into the story right at the start, on page 11, when Kinder tells us that their grandfather John Watson Foster, Secretary of State for Benjamin Harrison, was the first American Secretary of State to take part in the overthrowing of a government but not the last. Many years later John Foster would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather as Secretary of State involved in the overthrowing of a government.
At times this reads like a novel, there are covert operations to overthrow governments, mind control experiments with drugs like LSD, and enhanced interrogation in secret locations, except they are all true and some continued well after the Dulles brothers left the State Department and CSI.
The history, some of which the details didn't come to light until decades after the fact, isn't told to crucify the Dulles brothers, though it some cases their part in some of the ongoing foreign policy problems we still face is undeniable, it is told to teach a lesson that we are all capable of being them. We are all at risk for becoming blinded by our own ideas, preconceived perceptions, and surrounding ourselves only with people who echo our thoughts rather than challenge us to think more open mindedly and objectively.
(Finished June 23, 2016)
At times this reads like a novel, there are covert operations to overthrow governments, mind control experiments with drugs like LSD, and enhanced interrogation in secret locations, except they are all true and some continued well after the Dulles brothers left the State Department and CSI.
The history, some of which the details didn't come to light until decades after the fact, isn't told to crucify the Dulles brothers, though it some cases their part in some of the ongoing foreign policy problems we still face is undeniable, it is told to teach a lesson that we are all capable of being them. We are all at risk for becoming blinded by our own ideas, preconceived perceptions, and surrounding ourselves only with people who echo our thoughts rather than challenge us to think more open mindedly and objectively.
(Finished June 23, 2016)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (written by Joshua)
August Pullman is a kid born with genetic problems. He was born with a face deformity. He was home schooled for his whole life, until he is sent to Beecher Prep. He is forced to fit in with kids who had a normal childhood. He struggles to make friends. Even the "nice" and popular kids see him as a "freak". He doesn't know if he can stay here with people who only judge him. We see the perspectives of several characters and learn everyones perspective on the world they live in. It's up to August to make and keep friends at this mainstream, crowded school.
It was a heartwarming story about being different and learning to live with those differences. It is a spectacular book with an amazing message. It is a great book for anyone born with disabilities or disorders. It teaches anyone that personality and looks are not the same thing.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
The City of Mirrors (The Passage #3) by Justin Cronin
I loved the first two so have eagerly awaited the conclusion to The Passage trilogy and I wasn't disappointed.
When we last say Peter, Amy, and the other survivors they were in a fight with The Twelve and left wondering who survived. That is where we pick up here in the conclusion. Covering a thousand years and a battle with the Zero Cronin is ambitious in his final piece of the puzzle. Lucky for us my fellow readers it works.
This is more than a vampire story. It is about the struggle for humans to survive and keep from becoming extinct. It is a story about what it means to human and what it takes to form a society and help it running. There is the killing and fear you would expect of a vampire tale but that is just background. What shines here is the exploration of what drives us.
We know that the virus that spread through and almost left humanity extinct was the fault of one man. The exploration of revenge and the inability to let go of past hurts lies at the heart of this part of the story. The ripple effect of these long held grievances is the catalyst that leads to the rebuilding and restarting of the human species. And as with many a good story the power of love is discovered.
It took me much longer than I would have liked to finish this but it had nothing to do with the hefty 590+ page count but was instead the number of commitments on my time and how tired they left me.
(finished June 15, 2016)
When we last say Peter, Amy, and the other survivors they were in a fight with The Twelve and left wondering who survived. That is where we pick up here in the conclusion. Covering a thousand years and a battle with the Zero Cronin is ambitious in his final piece of the puzzle. Lucky for us my fellow readers it works.
This is more than a vampire story. It is about the struggle for humans to survive and keep from becoming extinct. It is a story about what it means to human and what it takes to form a society and help it running. There is the killing and fear you would expect of a vampire tale but that is just background. What shines here is the exploration of what drives us.
We know that the virus that spread through and almost left humanity extinct was the fault of one man. The exploration of revenge and the inability to let go of past hurts lies at the heart of this part of the story. The ripple effect of these long held grievances is the catalyst that leads to the rebuilding and restarting of the human species. And as with many a good story the power of love is discovered.
It took me much longer than I would have liked to finish this but it had nothing to do with the hefty 590+ page count but was instead the number of commitments on my time and how tired they left me.
(finished June 15, 2016)
Doll Bones by Holly Black (written by Joshua)
Doll Bones is a creepy book written by Holly Black. It follows Zach, Alice, and Poppy and the quest to bury a doll made from REAL bones. Zach's father throws away the toys that held the 3 friends together. Poppy claims that the bones in the doll belong to a ghost named Eleanor. They go on an adventure to bury the bones. They learn a lot about growing up and friendship on the way.
Is this the horrifying truth, or is Poppy trying to plat one last time?
This was an amazing book and I highly recommend this book. If it was a movie it would be rated PG so if your kid is young you might want to wait or read it with them. It is a creepy good read for anyone who likes a good ghost story.
Is this the horrifying truth, or is Poppy trying to plat one last time?
This was an amazing book and I highly recommend this book. If it was a movie it would be rated PG so if your kid is young you might want to wait or read it with them. It is a creepy good read for anyone who likes a good ghost story.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage by Barney Frank
I love Barney Frank. I love his gruff and accented voice. I think he is adorable when he talks about Jim (his husband). And most of all I love his sarcastic way, he is the best at snark!!!!!
And yes, I agree with most, the majority, of his politics.
And I love politics.
Frank is part memoir part political back story. If you expect memoirs to have a ton of warm fuzzier then you might be disappointed, there is a lot of wonk in this book. But Barney's history as a gay young person in the 50's and 60's plays a huge part in his idea of what an equatable society looks like. His struggle with how to follow his sense of right and wrong and fight for LGB (later LGBT) rights even as he struggles with how to come out himself is sad and inspiring. He has a passion for righting income inequality and looking out for the most vulnerable among us. But he isn't soft and cuddly, he is brisk and sarcastic.
I love the wonk stuff and the personal touches and as I said I love Barney so I enjoyed the look at the evolution of LGBT rights, the formation of the Dodd-Frank finance reform, the ending of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and marriage equality.
(Finished June 3, 2016)
And yes, I agree with most, the majority, of his politics.
And I love politics.
Frank is part memoir part political back story. If you expect memoirs to have a ton of warm fuzzier then you might be disappointed, there is a lot of wonk in this book. But Barney's history as a gay young person in the 50's and 60's plays a huge part in his idea of what an equatable society looks like. His struggle with how to follow his sense of right and wrong and fight for LGB (later LGBT) rights even as he struggles with how to come out himself is sad and inspiring. He has a passion for righting income inequality and looking out for the most vulnerable among us. But he isn't soft and cuddly, he is brisk and sarcastic.
I love the wonk stuff and the personal touches and as I said I love Barney so I enjoyed the look at the evolution of LGBT rights, the formation of the Dodd-Frank finance reform, the ending of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and marriage equality.
(Finished June 3, 2016)
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