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.

Night Train to Lisbon- Pascal Mercier

AMAZING. Definitely planning on going out and buying this book. It was precisely the right book to read at precisely the right time in my life. I enjoyed the philosophy (although at times I felt there was too much), the little sprinkling of history involved, and the central mystery/love story in the middle. Not to mention that I enjoyed the way the story was told and unfolded. Fantastic all the way through.

5 bookworms. Absolutely, positively one of the best books I’ve read yet.

Drama City- George Pelecanos

Not what I expected. Not too into the story or the subject matter. Typical airport drama reading- it was meant to suck me in from the beginning and never let me go, but I couldn’t get into it. I was actually disappointed that I wasn’t more into it, as I head great things about this author. I did appreciate, however, the shout out to the Greek nation with some throwaway characters.

1 ½ bookworms

The Abstinence Teacher- Tom Perotta

I have mixed feelings about this one. The subject matter was definitely different than the other books I have read recently- the story revolves around a sex-education teacher and basically a converted super- Christian (I guess like the Evangelists) and what happens in their small town. There was a plot, and it flowed somewhat ok, but there was too much hopping back in forth between the present and the character’s backstory that was just a bit too choppy for me. Plus, I got real bored real quick with a lot of the anguish and inner battles the Christian character dealt with, in addition to a the pages devoted discussing this particular brand of Christianity. It didn’t exactly read like a pamphlet promoting the religion, but it wasn’t what I signed up for either. All in all, I’m ambivalent about it. I’m not upset that I spent time reading the book, but I did wish at times that I could read faster to just move things along.

2 Bookworms