The Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer
~ Great series of 4 books which many of my friends also devoured and they are definitely on my re-read list.
The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver
~ I found this book amazing and absolutely needed to share it with someone so I asked my friend Amanda to read it and we still need to talk about it.
Queen of the Road: The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of its Own by Doreen Orion
~ Great book, great stories, great recipes...but even greater is how amazing the queenly author is. She really connects with her fans and I've enjoyed that quite a lot.
The Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison
~ Though this series of nine books is for young adults I hysterically laughed out loud multiple times (ask Josh :)) while reading each book and would love to own them so I can re-read them again and again. The titles alone made me laugh outloud and inspired me to read them.
Peculiar Treasures and On a Whim by Robin Jones Gunn
~ As always, I love anything and everything written by this author and I particularly love that she has continued on my favorite characters through this Katie Weldon series. Looking forward to more over the next few years.
My Life in France by Julia Child
~ This was an amazing book which told me so much more about Julia Child's life than I had ever realized. She had a very full life with so many adventures and neat experiences. I loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes autobiographies or books about food culture.
All the President's Pastries by Roland Mesnier
~ This was a really fascinating book about the former pastry chef at the White House for over 20 years. Great pictures, neat stories and several recipes are included.
The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
~ Though this was fiction, it really read like a non-fiction story. I found it fascinating and very enjoyable to read. Beautiful descriptions and a neat love story too.
Around the World in 80 Dinners by Bill Jamison
~ Intriguing idea for an anniversary trip by the author and his wife. Though sometimes slow, I liked how descriptive they were about the foods and travel and quite enjoyed the book.
Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account by Miklos Nyiszli
~ Not a fun book to read, but important and a different perspective from many books written about the Holocaust as the author was a prisoner whose medical skills saved him from death, though at what cost?
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
~ This was a very large book, but it never felt tiresome to read. Intriguing story and interesting characters made for a great novel which I enjoyed reading and discussing with Aunt Annette.
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
~ Interesting non-fiction about a family's decision to eat locally and organically for one year growing most of the food themselves or obtaining it from a short distance from their farm. It really made the idea of growing vegetables sound good and I specifically enjoyed the short essays written by their teenage daughter which included recipes.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
My favorites for 2008
Here is my list of my favorite books that I read in 2008 (just a few more than the target number of 10). What are yours?
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer
The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family: Duong Van Mai Elliott
Queenof the Road : The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of its Own by Doreen Orion
The Glass Castle: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls
Jacob's Ladder: A Story of Virginia During the War by Donald McCaig
China, Inc: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, by Ted C. Fishman
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Darcy's Story by Janet Aylmer
Catfish and Mandala: A Two Wheeled Voyage through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
Roar of the Heavens: Surviving Hurricane Camille, Stefan Bechtel
Cross Creek, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Dragonfly in Amber, Diana Gabaldon.
Empire Falls by Richard Russo
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Shaffer
The Sacred Willow: Four Generations in the Life of a Vietnamese Family: Duong Van Mai Elliott
Queenof the Road : The True Tale of 47 States, 22,000 miles, 200 Shoes, 2 Cats, 1 Poodle, a Husband, and a Bus with a Will of its Own by Doreen Orion
The Glass Castle: A Memoir, by Jeannette Walls
Jacob's Ladder: A Story of Virginia During the War by Donald McCaig
China, Inc: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World, by Ted C. Fishman
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Darcy's Story by Janet Aylmer
Catfish and Mandala: A Two Wheeled Voyage through the Landscape and Memory of Vietnam by Andrew X. Pham
Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
Roar of the Heavens: Surviving Hurricane Camille, Stefan Bechtel
Cross Creek, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Dragonfly in Amber, Diana Gabaldon.
Empire Falls by Richard Russo
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The next book is...
...The Wedding Officer: a novel of culinary seduction by Anthony Capella.
I figured we could take a break for the rest of this month though and start reading again in January. Does that work for both of you? I know I have some other books I'd like to read over my Christmas break just for myself. It's been fun reading together and sharing our thoughts and opinions. I'm glad we decided to do this. Love you! *hugs*
I figured we could take a break for the rest of this month though and start reading again in January. Does that work for both of you? I know I have some other books I'd like to read over my Christmas break just for myself. It's been fun reading together and sharing our thoughts and opinions. I'm glad we decided to do this. Love you! *hugs*
The Eyre Affair - from Keri's perspective
I have to agree with Aunt Annette that this was not my favorite book. It was confusing to say the least, especially since I had never read Jane Eyre and didn't know much about British history. However, it did inspire me to do some research into the Crimean war and to ask my student workers about the actual ending of Jane Eyre which helped clear some things up for me.
My feeling is that the book, and specifically Thursday's father's character, was trying to say that someone had gone into the past to change the future for their own gain. Though it was never said directly, I felt that most likely it was Goliath who had done so specifically so that they could control. Certain things mentioned made this seem true - like the long-lasting Crimean War (which actually ended much more quickly in reality) which was heavily dependent on Goliath for weapons and security.
I also liked the idea of the bookworms and the ability to enter works of literature, but as they discovered it could be used in harmful ways like killing a main character or trapping someone from reality in fiction. I did enjoy the idea of taking a vacation into a novel like the Japanese woman did for her clients. I would love the opportunity to step into Gone with the Wind or Wuthering Heights. :)
I found much of the novel confusing because it was somewhat similar to reality, but completely different in other ways. Like Aunt Annette, I had a hard time believing that in a world where they could time travel, carry somewhat sophisticated weapons, and clone animals that they would be flying in airships and so obsessed with Shakespeare, Bacon, etc.
As for the love connection it didn't bother me too much even though so much time had passed. I believe it is entirely possible to still have a connection and love after all that time...especially when there was a deep friendship and some tragedy in their past. I wanted Landen and Thursday to get back together and was happy that she did not end up with her partner Bowden.
Some interesting quotes:
"...the bedside drawer. It was full. Apart from the Gideon's Bible there were the teachings of Buddha and an English copy of the Koran. There was also a GSD volume of prayer and a Wesleyian pamphlet, two amulets from the Society for Christian Awareness, the thoughts of St. Zvlkx and the now mandatory Complete Works of William Shakespeare."
"(Wordsworth speaking) 'Everything that I once was is now here; my life is contained in my works. A life in volumes of words; it is poetic."
"Goodness is weakness, pleasantness is poisonous, serenity is mediocrity and kindness is for losers. The best reason for committing loathsome and detestable acts - and let's face it, I am considered something of an expert in this field - is purely for their own sake. Monetary gain is all very well, but it dilutes the taste of wickedness to a lower level that is obtainable by almost anyone with an overdeveloped sense of avarice. True and baseless evil is as rare as the purest good -"
"Forgive and forget is all very well, but no one was going to forgive and forget my brother. Anton's name was mud and that was solely down to Landen."
"...we all make mistakes at some time in our lives, some more than others. It is only when the cost is counted in human lives that people really take notice. If Anton had been a baker and forgotten the yeast, nothing would have been made of it, but he would have f...ed up just the same."
"The first casualty of war is always truth. Landen was trying to redress that. Don't think that he didn't agonize long and hard over it - it would have been easier to lie and clear Ant's name. But a small lie always breeds a bigger one. The military can ill afford more than it has already. Landen knew that and so too, I think, did our Anton."
"It was the dismay that I would always feel the same rather than the dismay over the unpleasant ending to the evening which upset me most."
My feeling is that the book, and specifically Thursday's father's character, was trying to say that someone had gone into the past to change the future for their own gain. Though it was never said directly, I felt that most likely it was Goliath who had done so specifically so that they could control. Certain things mentioned made this seem true - like the long-lasting Crimean War (which actually ended much more quickly in reality) which was heavily dependent on Goliath for weapons and security.
I also liked the idea of the bookworms and the ability to enter works of literature, but as they discovered it could be used in harmful ways like killing a main character or trapping someone from reality in fiction. I did enjoy the idea of taking a vacation into a novel like the Japanese woman did for her clients. I would love the opportunity to step into Gone with the Wind or Wuthering Heights. :)
I found much of the novel confusing because it was somewhat similar to reality, but completely different in other ways. Like Aunt Annette, I had a hard time believing that in a world where they could time travel, carry somewhat sophisticated weapons, and clone animals that they would be flying in airships and so obsessed with Shakespeare, Bacon, etc.
As for the love connection it didn't bother me too much even though so much time had passed. I believe it is entirely possible to still have a connection and love after all that time...especially when there was a deep friendship and some tragedy in their past. I wanted Landen and Thursday to get back together and was happy that she did not end up with her partner Bowden.
Some interesting quotes:
"...the bedside drawer. It was full. Apart from the Gideon's Bible there were the teachings of Buddha and an English copy of the Koran. There was also a GSD volume of prayer and a Wesleyian pamphlet, two amulets from the Society for Christian Awareness, the thoughts of St. Zvlkx and the now mandatory Complete Works of William Shakespeare."
"(Wordsworth speaking) 'Everything that I once was is now here; my life is contained in my works. A life in volumes of words; it is poetic."
"Goodness is weakness, pleasantness is poisonous, serenity is mediocrity and kindness is for losers. The best reason for committing loathsome and detestable acts - and let's face it, I am considered something of an expert in this field - is purely for their own sake. Monetary gain is all very well, but it dilutes the taste of wickedness to a lower level that is obtainable by almost anyone with an overdeveloped sense of avarice. True and baseless evil is as rare as the purest good -"
"Forgive and forget is all very well, but no one was going to forgive and forget my brother. Anton's name was mud and that was solely down to Landen."
"...we all make mistakes at some time in our lives, some more than others. It is only when the cost is counted in human lives that people really take notice. If Anton had been a baker and forgotten the yeast, nothing would have been made of it, but he would have f...ed up just the same."
"The first casualty of war is always truth. Landen was trying to redress that. Don't think that he didn't agonize long and hard over it - it would have been easier to lie and clear Ant's name. But a small lie always breeds a bigger one. The military can ill afford more than it has already. Landen knew that and so too, I think, did our Anton."
"It was the dismay that I would always feel the same rather than the dismay over the unpleasant ending to the evening which upset me most."
The Eyre Affair - by Kelly
Well, I have to agree that the book was rather confusing with the alternate universe - wars going on, etc. But I came to a completely different conclusion! I loved it! I like weird stuff like this, and I have to admit I really like how much shorter and lighter it was than books we've read before. One thing I'd not noticed, but my dad caught when I had him read it, was that there'd been a German occupation of England in this universe before they dealt with Hitler. Scary to contemplate! I think, too, that the reason they kept using the airships was just because people liked them - though I think the author was just trying for an oddity, the balance between new technology and old technology.
I really loved all the literary references - the WillSpeak machines, the Richard III play (sounds like fun! Wish I could attend!), Baconians, etc. I just like the idea of a world where literature is such a big part of life. I have never read Martin Chuzzlewit, so all that went entirely over my head, and, like Aunt Annette mentioned, if you hadn't read Jane Eyre (or at least seen the movie), a lot of that would go over peoples' heads too.
I loved all the inventions that her uncle came up with and the bookworms were fascinating. Wouldn't it be fun to jump into a favorite book!? Not to mess with the storyline, but it see it happen? Like the Japanese lady taking people there on tours... too cool.
Overall, I realize it's no great work of literature and has nothing really meaningful to take to heart, but I loved it and plan to buy all the sequels. One quote I really liked -
"...when my mind was young and the barrier between reality and make-believe had not yet hardened into the shell that cocoons us in adult life. The barrier was soft, pliable and, for a moment, thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of a good storytelling voice, I made the short journey - and returned."
I love the idea of a mind being young that accepts so many things as real - fairies, monsters and Santa Claus. And I especially like the idea that, if your mind is young, you can transport yourself into books you love - imagination and all that. :o)
I really loved all the literary references - the WillSpeak machines, the Richard III play (sounds like fun! Wish I could attend!), Baconians, etc. I just like the idea of a world where literature is such a big part of life. I have never read Martin Chuzzlewit, so all that went entirely over my head, and, like Aunt Annette mentioned, if you hadn't read Jane Eyre (or at least seen the movie), a lot of that would go over peoples' heads too.
I loved all the inventions that her uncle came up with and the bookworms were fascinating. Wouldn't it be fun to jump into a favorite book!? Not to mess with the storyline, but it see it happen? Like the Japanese lady taking people there on tours... too cool.
Overall, I realize it's no great work of literature and has nothing really meaningful to take to heart, but I loved it and plan to buy all the sequels. One quote I really liked -
"...when my mind was young and the barrier between reality and make-believe had not yet hardened into the shell that cocoons us in adult life. The barrier was soft, pliable and, for a moment, thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of a good storytelling voice, I made the short journey - and returned."
I love the idea of a mind being young that accepts so many things as real - fairies, monsters and Santa Claus. And I especially like the idea that, if your mind is young, you can transport yourself into books you love - imagination and all that. :o)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Eyre Affair - from Annette
I wanted to like this book. I liked its literary bias. There were humorous moments and some clever concepts. But basically I really didn't like it. Partly this would be because I don't like science fiction, only occasionally tolerate time travel books, and have only a passing interest in alternative universe concepts. This of course was all that and then some...but I don't think done very well. It seemed cluttered and the pacing seem to hiccup between slow and fast.
I was confused for a long time as to what timeframe the book was in. Once I finally figured out that it was taking place in England somewhere in the 1990s or so...I realized that we were dealing with a completely different concept of what is going on in the world and what has gone on...essentially almost a parallel universe . Very little made sense to me.
I couldn't figure out how in a world where they can time travel and clone dodos and other extinct animals why people are using slow moving dirrigibles to fly around England. If the world was so advanced then why are they still fighting a fairly conventional war in the Crimea.
And why in heavens name are they still fighting over the crimea. And why is Russia still a monarchy. whatever has been going on assumes no soviet union, no rise of communisn? Why? And why would we still be fighting over the crimean peninsula...in today's world it is of no value.
all these things really spoiled the book for me. I think if she had placed the story somewhere in the future and hadn't distorted previous known history that I might have liked the book. I did like the dodos, plock, plock. Although, once was enough.
The whole bookworm idea...was kind of cute...and provided an interesting concept (to be able to enter a book)...this was oddly the part of the book that worked best for me. The whole way she "influences" the content of Jane Eyre. Although if the reader had never read Jane Eyre...much of the cleverness of this bit would be lost.
And I didn't buy the romance with the old boyfriend. Its been 10 years...there is a lot of water under the bridge...and then pow...they are back together to tidy up the end of the book. hmmm.
At least it was short!
I was confused for a long time as to what timeframe the book was in. Once I finally figured out that it was taking place in England somewhere in the 1990s or so...I realized that we were dealing with a completely different concept of what is going on in the world and what has gone on...essentially almost a parallel universe . Very little made sense to me.
I couldn't figure out how in a world where they can time travel and clone dodos and other extinct animals why people are using slow moving dirrigibles to fly around England. If the world was so advanced then why are they still fighting a fairly conventional war in the Crimea.
And why in heavens name are they still fighting over the crimea. And why is Russia still a monarchy. whatever has been going on assumes no soviet union, no rise of communisn? Why? And why would we still be fighting over the crimean peninsula...in today's world it is of no value.
all these things really spoiled the book for me. I think if she had placed the story somewhere in the future and hadn't distorted previous known history that I might have liked the book. I did like the dodos, plock, plock. Although, once was enough.
The whole bookworm idea...was kind of cute...and provided an interesting concept (to be able to enter a book)...this was oddly the part of the book that worked best for me. The whole way she "influences" the content of Jane Eyre. Although if the reader had never read Jane Eyre...much of the cleverness of this bit would be lost.
And I didn't buy the romance with the old boyfriend. Its been 10 years...there is a lot of water under the bridge...and then pow...they are back together to tidy up the end of the book. hmmm.
At least it was short!
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