The Drop Edge of Yonder- Rudolph Wurlitzer

I don't know what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but it most definitely wasn't this - a story of the domestication of the Wild West through the eyes of a full-on outlaw/ mountain man. It's a story that I practically never think about, or elect to read about, so I was surprised to find it on my list. Despite this, I have to say, I was entertained by all the hijinks and adventures. Although occasionally the description was lacking, the book read like a movie script. It was interesting to see the seedy underside of the gold rush, focusing the corruption through an already corrupt lens that laments the disappearance of the frontier. Characters were very-well established and ran the gamut of personality types - the corrupt lawman, the outlaw whose decision to get out of the lifestyle doesn't stick, the mysterious foreign temptress, etc. With a bit of a mystical element woven in, it highlighted all types of life on the Wild West and how they merge together, without playing on any blatant stereotypes.

3 bookworms

All about Lulu- Jonathan Evison

This book reminded me A LOT of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, which is one of my all time favourite books. Instead of having a very insecure female going through horrific growing pains, All About Lulu chronicles the life of a male protagonist who also struggles through puberty and early adulthood entirely due to his crippling love for his stepsister. I was surprised about the plot twist in the last chapters, and it actually made me go back and read a few passages to clarify certain scenes. At times, I did get annoyed with the main character - his whiny, woe-is-me attitude grated my nerves. Personally, I found his brothers and dad much more fascinating and great comedic relief. The dad is a body builder, “Big Bill” that competes among the likes of Governor Ah-nold and eats too much meat. The twin brothers are hilarious, and I’m sad that as the years went by, they became less and less visible in the story. The first-person narration provides the reader with dry humor, the dripping with sarcasm voice of the protagonist, which made me smile a few times at the witty comments.

3 Bookworms.

Shining City- Seth Greenland

What a fun book! Two brothers' lives - one a family man that becomes an aging victim of outsourcing and the recession and the other a pimp that dies right from the get go - merge in the crazy Hadron Collider that is modern day LA with spectacularly amusing results. A dry-cleaner serves as a front of the business which the "good" brother and family pick-up with such aplomb and noble intentions to improve the lifes of their girls. The line between morally right and morally questionable blurs to the point that it is nonexistent as the book, through humor and wit, explains just how far a man will go to take care of his family. A  cast that includes a weed-smoking grandma with glaucoma, bodyguards with entrepreneurial aspirations, a villainous rival pimp and a d-bag of a boss all makes for amusing shenanigans that will have you cheering for the underdog.

4 bookworms.

Holding Pattern- Jeffery Renard Allen

Holding Pattern is actually a collection of short stories, and I have to say the rating I'm giving is a bit harsh. I got through about 3 stories before I gave up on it. It just wasn't for me. While I understand the artistic literary form of blurring the plot and making things intentionally muddled, I can only appreciate it when it is done well. Which I don't think it was done here, I'm sorry to say. Naming the characters mostly the same name and then providing a disclaimer in the beginning of the text that they are all unrelated struck me as laziness rather than an innovative modern lit tactic.  Perhaps it would have all tied together in some profound way in the end.  I just wasn't attached enough to care to find out. Read at your own risk.

1/2 bookworm. 

The Gathering- Anne Enright

This is a serious book. It is not a romantic comedy, it is not chick lit, it is not some thrilling action adventure mystery. It is a book about serious, internal human struggles and triumphs. I rarely read books like these because I turn to books for entertainment and to learn about something I will never experience (like gay strip clubs in DC). However, I could not put this book down. Will I re-read it over and over again? No. But I was fascinated by how tightly wound up the family members and how cracks split open when they convened for their brother's funeral. Family dysfunction affects everyone involved in wildly different ways, and this is shown in abundant clarity here. By weaving in three generations of stories and half-truths, a picture emerges of a family clan that cannot move on from a few seminal events. This is the second book I have read by an Irish author, and I've come to the conclusion that I simply need to read more Irish literature.

3 1/2 bookworms

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson

What has not already been written about this book and series? I can only add to the accolades. It is a full-on page turner with an entire range of characters and stories to immerse yourself in and cheer for (or root against). I have to admit, I figured out the big reveal well before it was announced. That didn't bother me though; I kept devouring the pages as fast as I could to get another morsel of story. Disturbing, appealing, different - this book is all those things and personally, I can't wait to get my hands on the second installment.

5 bookworms

Twenties Girl- Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is the author of the fantastic and wildly popular Shopaholic series, and I expected more of the same from Twenties Girl. Which, in a way, I received. And pleasantly, I was surprised - a modern day ghost story with a plot twist that I just did not expect. This book really stood out from the rest of this fluffy, girl always gets the guy genre; like I mentioned, the plot twist (for me, at least) came out of nowhere and I always appreciate a  book that can throw me for a loop.  The writing, of course, was fantastic; light-hearted and effortless,yet every word drove the story forward, described the exact swish of the beads on a flapper dress or conveyed a sense of urgency. Despite the outlandish premise, I was able to relate with some of the characters - I loved that the protagonist put herself in some ridiculous situations, but fully acknowledged how silly her actions were. If you're looking for a fantastic vacation read, here it is!

4 1/2 bookworms.

The Host- Stephenie Meyer

Damn you Stephenie Meyer for writing such addicting novels! I read this massive book over one weekend; I honestly could not put it down. It was a creative story, with plenty of mini-climaxes, surprise plot twists and character changes. Mrs. Meyer writes stories; things that just fascinate and let your imagination run wild. The only reason that this isn't 5 stars is because I'm too devoted to the Twilight series to put this on the same level. If you are not vehemently opposed to Twilight and/ or the author, you must read this book!

4 1/2 bookworms

Glamorous Disasters- Eliot Schrafer

This book is standard summer fluff fare and part of the "exposing the life of the rich and priviledged through the eyes of the staff" genre that exploded onto the literary scene some years ago. I typically enjoy this genre - I find it amusing and kind of fascinating. Unfortunately, I couldn't truly love this one. I felt that story lines were not fleshed out, and while some of the story lines were fully resolved, others were dropped like an unattractive boyfriend. The characters were typical NYC Upper East Side stereotypes, but that is not through any fault of the author's. Maybe my ambivalence twards this book stems from the super-specific subject matter  - SATs and SAT prep - and there just isn't much innovative material there to sustain a full novel.

2 1/2 bookworms.

Assisted Loving- Bob Morris

Assisted Loving was a charming non-fiction story of a middle-aged son coming to terms with his widower father gamely jumping back into the dating pool. Mr. Morris (senior)steals the book and ambles away on a replaced hip every opportunity he gets, firmly becoming the life of the book with his bridge playing, just-wants-to-be-loved ways. My major complaint with the book is that the author spends too much time addressing his own emotional hangups surrounding his dad and his insecurities about his father dating and not enough time focusing on his father's hilarious dating adventures. The best parts were the moments about the women Mr. Morris (senior) meets, his efforts to play the field and the sincere, quiet moments where the author shows his subject's insecurities and hurt feelings when things just don't work out. And as a bonus, the author of Cancer Vixen (along with her husband and family) make a small cameo!

3 1/2 bookworms.

4% Famous- Deborah Schnoeneman

I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while, particularly because it exposed the appalling underbelly of the glamorous NYC high life that I used to covet when I was younger. It makes me sad to say I was thoroughly disappointed. The story felt like it was slapped together, pulling in too many story lines that don't really come to fruition. There were so many characters that I couldn't possibly care about: I couldn't even be bothered to remember their names and who they are. Additionally, they were simply all the bad New Yorker stereotypes with no depth - jaded, prone to complaining, constantly shifting low morals - and I didn't find a redeeming quality in them. Don't bother. There are plenty of other fascinating New York based stories with better story lines, characters and writing.

1 1/2 bookworms.

Personal Days- Ed Park

This was a fantastic read - I was pleasantly surprised and did not expect the final random plot twist. Be warned: you will appreciate this book significantly more if you work in a traditional office in corporate America. I not-so-recently started working in such an office, and this book made me smile in that it highlighted all the ridiculousness of processes and inter-office relationships. All the workers have their own quirks, and the author just nailed what office culture is really about. Yet in addition to all of this lighthearted mockery, the book is about office life in the recession and during a merger. The reader gets a clear sense of the fear and desperation that the characters feel with the loss of job security. I highly suggest reading this book!

4 1/2 bookworms.

Gone with the Windsors- Laurie Graham

Fictional accounts about real life events are always amusing.  In Gone with the Windsors, readers are privy to the diary of Maybell, the best friend of Wally Warfield (the reason why Prince Edward abdicated the throne prior to World War II).  Maybell and her diary are fiction- the drama and royal disaster that unfolds are most definitely not.  I always appreciate it when a book makes me do research about its characters, and the Wally-Edward fiasco is compelling.  Maybell is fantastically dense and out of touch with reality; she is disappointed when a fashionable man doesn't marry her (turns out he's gay), she calls her little sister stupid due to her inability to speak correctly (turns out she's deaf), ands he talksabout how much she enjoy's Hitler and Mussolini's company and that they are both nice men.  Plus, there was a small cameo with characters from another book- It Seemed Important at the Time, by Gloria Vanderbilt- another surprise.  And who doesn't like reading that the current Queen of England was a serious and precocious little girl?  Without giving away too much, the book imagines a frivolous, pre-war rich life of the royal families and their hanger-ons.

3 1/2 bookworms.

All I could Bare: My Life in the Strip clubs of Gay Washington DC- Craig Seymour

I have weird tastes sometimes, and i'm fascinated by things that explain situations I will never experience- hence my intense love for The Deadliest Catch and the reason I wanted to learn about gay strip clubs in DC.  I was surprised that I coud find something to relate to - the forced gentrification of their neighborhood.  I've lived in New York City since 2000, and I remember going to large, underground, out of control superclubs that were in warehouses and on the most deserted streets of Manhattan.  Ten years later, that type of scne has all but disappeared and the warehouses have been chopped up into trendy boutiques and cookie cutter lounges.  Clearly, I miss the good ol' days.  Anyways, I realled liked this full disclosure memoir.  I appreciated that he talked about the different types of strippers, focused on the strain on his personal relationships, and highlighted the bizarre friendships between strippers and clients.  I was really surprised with how quickly and easily 'the line' was crossed by the writer; I kept thinking "he's not going through with this, he can't go through with this!" and he totally would.  I also liked that the lifestyle was not glamourized, even though it was very clear that Seymour initially thought that the whole subculture was fabulous and would help him become a local celebrity.  Overall, a fascinating read!

3 1/2 bookworms.

The Catastrophist- Lawrence Douglas Kingsley

I really need to stop reading books about men having existential mid-life crises because I just cannot sympathize.  I truly cannot, especially when a sudden shift in personality results in harming (physically or emotionally) their family.  Which is why I found this book difficult to swallow.  The protagonist is an up and coming professor whose slide into chaos begins when his wife announces that she's pregnant.  From there, various professional events take him back and forth from the US to Europe where he just makes poor decision after poor decision.  And his reasoning is awful too- for someone so smart, he explains away thoroughly bone-headed choices with pitifully weak reason.  At times, I was convinced he wasn't thinking at all (which makes him the same as the protagonist from Bergdorf Blondes). The book is actually fantastically written, with great descriptions of everything from scenery to the protagonist's emotional collapse.

2 bookworms- This review sounds like I hated the book and I did labor through it, but the writing was amazing enough that I think you should check out this book if you don't mind the topic.

Bergdorf Blondes- Plum Sykes

When this book first came out, all hell broke loose, despite the fact that the chick-lit phenomenon had already established itself.  The story- blonde, beautiful, and rich girls in New York City determined to have the best  clothes and the perfect boyfriend- quickly becoming the very definition of this new genre. Yet this is hardly a new story.  A case can be made that Breakfast at Tiffany's, Valley of the Dolls, and Gone with the Wind (among others) all influence Bergdorf Blondes.  So why is this book so refreshingly funny?  I would argue it's the protagonis, who charmingly refers to herself as moi.  She is ditsy and flippant and a thousand other synonyms that indicate she's not the brightest crayon in the Crayola box and the best part is that she is blissfully unaware of this.  She's wealthy and beautify and many things we mere mortals envy,but at the same time, she is just a total mess  that humanizes her and actually makes you like her.  You can't help but root for her  to pull through when she tries to commit suicide by swallowing a few Advils or when she is in a particularly awful relationship with a particularly awful man.  Her entire world is inhabited with people like her: friends use a book club to host a dinner party, her other wants her to marry up, and charity galas are never about the charity.  At the same time, I kept thinking, "this girl is an idiot.  How can anyone ever possibly think this is a good idea?" Sadly, I know people like this in real life, so I can't even claim it's a plot device.  All in all, Bergdorf Blondes is a fun read with a warm and fuzzy happy ending- perfect for a lazy weekend in spring under the sun!

4 bookworms

An amusing anecdote

* So I do not want to get into the habit of writing personal stories on here, nor do I expect to.  But this was too amusing to not mention here. 

Yesterday I was on the subway and I looked down to see what the woman sitting in front of me was reading.  Imagine how happy I was to see a familiar hardback paper cover:  A Prisoner of Birth by Jeffrey Archer!  I really liked that book, so I was happy to see someone else reading it.  As I tried to figure out what section she was reading (yes, I am a nosy person on the subway), I noticed some discrepancies.  Primarily, her book had graphs and pictures.  There are no pictures in A Prisoner of Birth.  And then I looked closer at the text that she was actually reading... and saw one heading.

The benefits of Kegel's.

Needless to say, she was most definitely not reading the book that I thought she was reading.  Good thing I investigated before I told her something like "That book is fantastic!" and then tried talking plot points with her...

The Summer of Naked Swim Parties- Jessica Anya Blau

Being a teenager is tough.  Being a teenager in the 60's and 70's  with hippy dippy parents is even tougher.  When I finished reading this book, my immediate reaction was "Man, I am so glad I didn't have her life.  There is no way I would be so well adjusted!"  Viewed through the eyes of the youngest daughter, it is interesting to see her shed some of her innocence and come into her own.  I say some of her innocence because while she begins to realize some things about her pot-smoking, nude-loving parents, she remains surprisingly innocent and ignorant about the implications of her sexual promiscuity.  Teenage sex is a surprisingly blase topic here- while the narrator is occasionally shocked by her parents' friends sexual freedom, she views her own sexual awakening as completely par for the course.  There are a few major plot points that drive the story forward, helping our protagonist grow and discover that at the end of the day, it's her parents and sister that will always be there for her.  I didn't love the book, but if you like stories of character awakening and teen coming of age stories, well then this is perfect for you!

3 bookworms- I'm realizing that this review seems like the book is all about sex but with a heart of gold.  It's not- more happens, but it is your typical of a coming-of-age stuff.  I just didn't feel like spoiling anything or analyzing a writing ruse that is so...used and reviewed

A Prisoner of Birth- Jeffrey Archer

I initially  delayed reading this book because it's approximately 500 pages and I thought it would take forever and a day to read.  I finished it in 3 days.  Yes, it's that good!  I'm not spoiling anything by telling you it is very similar to The Count of Monte Cristo, which is one of my all time favourites.  I'm also not spoiling anything by telling you that there is a brief splash of The DaVinci Code in there too- just  enough to add even more excitement and tension to the already breakneck pace.  The book starts off like bullet train with the defining event and just keeps on going.  The book is entirely plot driven; all text is focused on continuously moving the story forward.  Please do not read this book thinking it will be loaded with imagery, metaphors, or a higher meaning because you will not find it here.  The cast of characters is extensive; however, everyone serves a purpose in the overarching story.  Overall, this is a highly satisfying book.  A must-read when you have some free time!

5 bookworms!

Housekeeping (How very Martha Stewart of me)

I've realized I'm really bad at this whole writing posts thing. But somehow, with barely any promotion on my part, people are finding this blog. Which makes me more motivated to write more ramblings!

I'm also realizing that as I write more posts, I need to provide some sort of method of organization so y'all can read older reviews (as one does). Therefore, I'm going to go through and hyperlink the book titles in the Bookworm Project List on the right for easy review searching. Finally, I'm going to tag posts based on their rating. Right after I figure out how to do it.

All this should make searching this blog a tad bit easier! Happy reading :)

The thirteenth tale- Diane Setterfield

As the book cover states (and I'm paraphrasing here), this is a book for book readers. You can't help but appreciate the art of storytelling in this books,as it is done so well here. The story within the story were eventually connected, and both are equally interesting and I couldn't wait to find out what happens. I felt like at times certain aspects of the story were a bit reminiscent of Brideshead Revisited and there was a fantastic plot twist that I was just not expecting. If the book wasn't so massive, I probably would have re-read it with the twist in mind to see how my understanding of the story changed. This is an incredibly satisfying book with traditional storytelling elements. I don't even want to review it more, expect to tell you to just go and read it!


5 bookworms!

The Soul Thief- Charles Baxter

I didn't like this book- too abstract, too all over the place, and way too ambitious without any follow through. Was the protagonist crazy, or was he merely a victim of his dark horse doppelganger? I don't know. Was there a point to following the characters until the middle of their lives? I don't know. Again, I want a resolution - an unfinished story, while making the reader think about possible endings and is very abstract and all - leaves me in the lurch. Perhaps I would be more amenable to an unfinished ending if I cared about the plot but sadly, I didn't. There was nothing exceptionally original about the story and the 'villain' was more annoying than he was evil. Don't bother- there are many more books with better abstract ambitions!


1 bookworm.

Lush Life- Richard Price

There is a concept called the "The CSI Effect" - due to the incredible success of the crime-solving tv show genre, the public at large expects that real life crimes can be solved quickly and with irrefutable evidence that has been conveniently left behind by the criminal. Forensic labs have shiny, new, expensive equipment; cops work on once case at a time; cases are solved within the week. Thank goodness for Lush Life, which shows the reader the exact opposite. There is cop bureaucracy, shoddy evidence collection, and unlikely culprits. The book is about a random act of violence, the ensuing police investigation, and the psychological and emotional fallout of everyone involved. Yet the real star of the book is the neighborhood where this all happens: the Lower East Side in Manhattan. The LES is an interesting intersection of cultures (which I won't go into here) that results in an atmosphere on the verge of conflict. The book develops the neighborhood into a character in the story - it plays that large of a role. When it's all said and done, this is a great read. I thoroughly appreciated a crime procedural that wasn't an airplane book or wrapped up in a pretty CSI bow.


4 bookworms.

Lucky Girls- Nell Freudenberger

I don't have much to say about this collection of short stories except that I didn't really like it. Well, that's not exactly true. I just couldn't get myself to care about the book. It would be easy to blame the short story format, but I typically like short stories. I've come to realize that I like a resolution to the stories I read. If I've invested time to read and start to care about the characters, I want to know how things will end up- I want to know what happens! Don't keep me hanging by cutting the story in the middle. To me, it's like taking my plate of food away mid-meal. I was still working on it and I haven't tasted all the different parts of my meal. I think that this is my fundamental problem with Lucky Girls- the story would abruptly end, without telling me how the conflict ended. Some people might like this, but just not me. Additionally, I could not force myself to about the characters- there was nothing there that made me want to keep reading, I just did because I really hate not finishing books.

1 1/2 bookworms- who knows? Maybe someone out there will like the writing style.

The Amnesiac- Sam taylor

Ok so I read this entire book, hoping it would yield a promising reveal to the entire mystery. And… I didn’t get it. Yes, there was a big reveal, but it was HARDLY satisfactory! I would even go so far to say it almost felt as a copout, and just made the ending completely creepy and the entire story confusing. Who knows? Maybe someone who is more into philosophy and the whole “Who am I” debate would enjoy this more, but that’s just not me. I did find two aspects of the story interesting, however; the mystery surrounding the house and all of its secrets, and the Victorian novel that is transcribed throughout the book. The former (the house mystery) could have been a great book on its own if it had been fleshed out and there was a stronger villain because the way this ended was fantastic. The Victorian novel was interesting too, and (intentionally) mirrored the back story also going on in the book. So yes, that’s right, there are 3 (well 4, depending on how you look at it) timelines unfolding concurrently. All with the same protagonist at the center and not always the clearest indication of which timeframe you’re in. Bizarre, and not exactly in a good way… and I usually like things a bit bizarre.

1 bookworm.

An Absolute Scandal- Penny Vincenzi

This is a doozy of a book. Like a doozy that takes forever to read. Like a doozy that has a list of characters (with descriptions!) in the beginning that I constantly referred to. But it was good- good meaning that you easily can surround yourself with the characters and you really get to know them. Not all of the characters have extensive arcs or even satisfactory resolutions, but for the main 20 or so, you really get to know them. The plot is interesting, even if a little tough to swallow- big bank plummets there is some Madoff-ing, rich people suffer, wha wha wha. What makes the plot a little tough to swallow is that it’s really hard to care about rich people falling from grace when they got into this whole predicament in the 1st place because they were greedy. Despite this, I did sympathize with the widow who was forced to move in with her awful in-laws or the woman stuck in a loveless marriage for her children, among others. And it was nice to read a novel that so thoroughly immerses the reader into its world, sparing no detail. Plus, I tend to avoid books about finance and the current economic climate (even though the book happens in the late 80’s early 90’s, it’s still very relevant today) so I found the financial undercurrent refreshing.

3 ½ bookworms.

Man Camp- Adrienne Brodeur

I try to hide my chick- lit fascination. I'm not nearly as obsessed as some friends, but I don't have the total distaste that other friends do either. At times, particularly after reading an excessively mushy gushy one, I'm disappointed with myself that I willingly chose to read said dreck rather than something serious, like The Economist (not like I ever read The Economist. I'm just sayin'...) Happily, man camp was not dreck! Yes, there is the standard happily ever after ending, but what makes this one so great is because it so clearly describes dating in nyc. The author does a great job summing up the basic types of single men in the city and how they so different men in
other parts of the country. It's almost like a mini social commentary! Hilariously, I've had some of the experiences described and it's comforting to know that I'm not the only one dealing with the crazies. Plus, FirstDate and Man Camp? Brilliant.

4 ½ bookworms.

Hardboiled & Hard Luck- Banana Yoshimoto

I haven't read much literature from Japan, but I find that there is always a very unique and clear voice. This book is no different. They are 2 small vignettes of love, loss, and recovery that showcase Japanese tradition and culture. Both stories focus on women who come across as being very much alone, despite being loved by families and significant others. What I really liked was that everything about these stories made it abundantly clear that these take place in Japan and nowhere else. The 1st story in particular, hardboiled, had so much description in so few words that I could easily picture the smooth black stones that haunt the protagonist. Overall, a great quick read.

3 ½ bookworms.

Margarettown- Gabrielle Zevin

What a small book to present such a premise. And what a chick- lit way to present a sci-fi-ey topic! I read this a few months ago (during my no posting phase), and strangely, I don't remember the ending. However! I do remember not wanting to re-read the book. Concept-wise, it's great: a house and town all devoted to one person and the various stages of her life all wrapped up in a love story/ chick lit bow. I like the idea of a woman becoming a new person in every stage of her life, yet still being haunted by the past versions. I don't know why I didn't completely love the book- it may have been the writing, the pansy boyfriend, or something else. Overall, I'm glad I read it; I just don't want to do it again.

3 bookworms- only because it's not standard chick lit fare and I doubt guys will like this, despite its faux chick lit status.

Cancer Vixen- Marisa Acocella Marchetto

If I was a doctor, I would recommend this for my patients. If I was a professor, I would make my students read it. If I was a friend to someone (and I really hope this never happens) with cancer or who knows someone with cancer, I would recommend this book. Actually, I would require them all to read it. I should require all of you to read it. That’s how great this book is. A comic book version of a woman’s story battling and recovering from breast cancer- it’s a genius concept. It explained the questions, the fears, the hope, the silly demands, the strength needed… It’s brutally honest, comprehensive, and best of all, it doesn’t lose it’s heart and humor. GO READ THIS BOOK!

5 bookworms!!

The Ghost in Love- Jonathan Carroll

I’m starting to notice a trend in some books as I delve deeper into my reading list. The books start out with a fascinating premise, continue with a strong storyline, and then somewhere in the 7th inning stretch they just completely fail to bring the story on home and lose me in the process. The Ghost in Love sadly follows the same path- interesting plot setup, characters you can get into, then BAM! Around halfway through the book certain things happen that I just can’t agree with. The novel itself requires a brief suspension of reality, but by the time you’re hurtling towards the climax, it feels like the author remembered symbolism and existentialism and plot points from A Wrinkle in Time. This book could have been great (it coulda been a contendah, even), except for the entire second half of the book- he tries to mend discrepancies in character development with bizarre story exposition that comes out of nowhere.

2 bookworms- which makes me sad because I really liked the beginning!

Suzie Zeus gets organized- Maggie Robbins

I have been meaning to read this little nugget of a poetry book for years, and finally (!) I can check it off my list. It's actually a book of poems, all centered around and telling the story of Suzy Zeus, a girl living and just trying to make it in New York City. The poems are witty, have a nice flow, and I love random metaphors and similes. The story of love, loss, love for a gay man, and rebirth is something that any city girl can relate to. I did have a problem, though, with a few of the plot points- finding religion? Ok. But throwing in a stint at a mental hospital? A little much. I would have looooved it if the story was slightly more run of the mill nyc. I know, i know- who wants a book to be run of the mill? Don't we typically want twists, turns, and surprises? Normally, yes. But I really wanted to relate to this book, to be able to buy it and read the poetry and feel like they were written about me. Alas, no such luck.

3 1/2 stars. It was going for 5, and then those silly plot twists made it fall right on back down.

It seemed important at the time- Gloria Vanderbilt

A fantastic little romance memoir with cameos by Marlon Brando, Frank Sintra, and surprisingly, Roald Dahl. It’s throroughly refreshing to see a woman believe so completely in love and finding it time and time again, especially after so many false starts. What’s even more refreshing is to see such a woman willingly admit to protecting her innermost heart and emotions to save herself dramatic heartache. Not to mention she was extremely successful at a number of projects, and Anderson Cooper’s mother. Short, sweet, and a fantastic departure from standard chick lit while still getting your romance in.

4 bookworms.

Iodine- Haven Kimmel

Seriously, I need to stop reading books about changelings. It’s becoming too frequent to be a novelty anymore. While that’s not really the main point of the book, it still bothered me. Mostly because- like most things in this book- it was brought up, partially examined, and then pushed to the wayside like a used tissue. Alien abduction, epilepsy, a repressed memory that was brought up in the last 2 pages (what!?), characters that you think are important; all of it just partially left to the side. What’s sad is that the plot of this book could have had actual promise. The follow through just failed miserably. The modernist writing and the dream journal was an interesting writing tactic and normally I would be all about it. But it was all just too haphazard for me.

1 ½ bookworms.

The Witches of Eastwick- John Updike

There are some 300 page books that feel like they are 20 pages, and then there are 300 page books that feel like they are 1,000 pages. I felt the length of this one. I have been looking forward to reading The Witches for years as I have heard and read nothing but great things about this book. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high. Don’t get me wrong- I think it is a very good book and deserves all of its praise, but for some reason I kept thinking “is it not over yet? Why is it taking forever to get through?” I think everyone should read it (particularly women), as it is a landmark book and is really bold considering when it was first published (1984). I am glad I read it- and I’m sure if I read this in college I would have had created a great paper about some topic or another- but I don’t know how frequently I’ll be returning to re-read it.

3 ½ bookworms

The Lace Leader- Brunonia Barry

FANTASTIC. I totally loved the witchy history, the protagonist, and the confusing plot with the Christian fanatics (again!). It was thrilling and exciting and I kept saying “one ore chapter, and then I’ll stop.” And you have to love a lead character that openly admits to being crazy and a liar. The plot twist at the end came out of nowhere and TOTALLY threw me for a loop. So much so that I was contemplating re-reading the entire book with this new information in mind to see if I would interpret the book differently but the sections I read and the parts I thought about just made my head hurt at the improbability of it all. I cannot wait until I can read the sequel and hopefully gain some resolution to this whole story and I can figure out what really happened to the characters and what is simply a lie.

5 bookworms!

The Changeling- Joy Williams

Confession- I didn’t write the review for this book right away, and now I don’t remember much about it. I remember the main character (Pearl) her slide into insanity and alcoholism, and the murderous little children running around the island with their precocious attitudes. The problem with this book is that I am now blending it with The Lace Reader, another book about an island inhabited by one family chock full of wacky adults and wackier kids. I remember thinking it was “a thinking book” (as in it is chock full of symbolism and the whole goal is to read in-between the lines), but it must not have made that big of an impression on me if I don’t remember it all that much, right?

2 bookworms

Persepolis- Marjahe Satrapi

Confession- I didn’t actually read this book. I mean, I started to read it once while at my cousin’s house, and I was all about the idea of a comic book as a mode to deal with an extremely intense subject matter. And then I saw the movie, and since that is essentially the book set into motion and with a soundtrack, I don’t feel the need to continue reading the book. The little bit I did read (about 1/3) was incredibly powerful and I kept uttering “wow” throughout the movie. This definitely makes you think, and appreciate the freedom we have to wear our punk jackets and to listen to whomever we please. Well done, Ms. Satrapi.

4 bookworms

Slumberland- Paul Beatty

I hate not finishing books. I really do. I could have figured out the plot twist, not care for the characters at all, or just be thoroughly bored, and I will still read to the bitter end looking for a redeeming quality to whatever I don’t like. But I could just. Not. Finish. This. Book. Mr. Beatty is considered to be one of the greatest new writers of this generation, and I was excited to be reading about a DJ traveling to Germany in search of the perfect beat. But it actually hurt to read this book. There were about 300 too many side-notes (or side-thoughts?) that confused and muddled what could have been a clean, sharp story about a man and his search for great music. I was SO disappointed that I didn’t get like this book.

½ bookworm. Oh yes, I thought it was that bad.

Tokyo Cancelled- Rana Dasgupta

I’ll just come out with it- Tokyo Cancelled is a great book. Like a really great book. It is basically an updated version of The Canterbury Tales, and the stories inside are all unique fascinating and multi-layered with just a touch of whimsy. I don’t even want to write more, so I don’t run the risk of spoiling it for you. Just go and read it!

4 ½ bookworms- more like 4 ¾ bookworms!

Testimony- Anita Shreve

I am an Anita Shreve fan. I read The Pilot’s Wife and thought “wow. This woman can write some great real- life dramas.” Which is why it pains me to say that I found Testimony to be lacking. The plot is something I would find interesting: a sex scandal involving students at a New England private school and the ensuing fallout. As an alumna of a New England private school, I find anything discussing prep school life fascinating. Even the way it was written was interesting! Each chapter was from the viewpoint or followed an individual caught up in the scandal- parents, students, etc. and at times the individual’s voices really did come through. But the follow through was completely lacking. Certain characters deserved much more attention than they actually received (Sienna, for example), and there were characters brought up that could have been potentially fascinating or bring a different spin on the subject that were simply ignored. And the headmaster’s chapters were surprisingly boring, considering how much page space he was given. Perhaps this book was rushed to print, or Ms. Shreve did not devote much time to this manuscript. Shame.

2 ½ bookworms

The Dirty Secrets Club- Meg Gardiner

This is seriously an airport book- even the library had it in paperback! Not much to say; as far as these types of books go, it was enjoyable and was a fun way to spend some time. Yet still true to form for this genre- serial killer on the loose, cop/ psychiatrist/ protagonist with messed up background trying to break the case, said killer attacks said protagonist, and help comes in the form of an attractive member from the opposite sex and they end up together at the end. Nothing new, but still enjoyable.

2 bookworms. It’s hard to judge airport books. They are interesting and a good read, but in the end, they are actually pretty forgettable.

Brideshead Revisited- Evelyn Waugh

I was truly looking forward to reading this book. I had seen the previews for the movie a while back and refused to watch it until I had read the book. It is definitely an interesting read, and I could see book being a very successful book club candidate as there is much to debate about the sexuality of a NUMBER of the characters and the role religion (or lack thereof) plays in a number of the characters. It is very much a period piece, and a fascinating look into that history and time. I was a bit surprised by how the book progressed and how it ended- and this isn’t because of some tawdry plot twist- I think I was just expecting the book to turn out differently. The descriptions and writing practically beg to be transformed to the big screen- I’ll have to make it a point now to watch both the movie version and the ‘80’s tv version (with Laurence Olivier!).

2 ½ bookworms. Not exactly recommended, but not exactly ambivalent about it either.