Still formulating my reaction to this important book. Part of it fired me up and made me feel like rededicating myself to my career; part of it made m...moreStill formulating my reaction to this important book. Part of it fired me up and made me feel like rededicating myself to my career; part of it made me feel like I'd missed the boat years ago - that I'd never leaned in in the first place. I think I feel a blog post coming on...(less)
A terrific distillation of Pollan's In Defense of Food and the perfect antidote to the barrage of nutrition and diet books that promise quick fixes an...moreA terrific distillation of Pollan's In Defense of Food and the perfect antidote to the barrage of nutrition and diet books that promise quick fixes and easy answers. I love Pollan's writing style and, especially, his invented terms like "edible foodlike substance." A super quick read and very much worth the small investment of time.(less)
What a beautiful book, and one that treats the issue of climate change with gravitas, sensitivity, and a keen ear for the ways in which environmental...moreWhat a beautiful book, and one that treats the issue of climate change with gravitas, sensitivity, and a keen ear for the ways in which environmental activism too often becomes a matter of conflict between the haves and the have-nots. I connected deeply with the protagonist, Dellarobia, a mother of two young children who rediscovers and then reinvents herself when a colony of migrating monarch butterflies alight in the woods above her family's Appalachian sheep farm and found even her curmudgeonly mother-in-law to be richly drawn and ultimately sympathetic. A couple of the less fully fleshed-out characters began to grate after awhile (Dellarobia's best friend, Dovey, in particular) and the ending left me scratching my head, but overall I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I would expect from one of my favorite authors.(less)
I fear that for me this book fell victim to "over-recommendation syndrome." Given the rapturous reviews of my friends and the number of them who pushe...moreI fear that for me this book fell victim to "over-recommendation syndrome." Given the rapturous reviews of my friends and the number of them who pushed it on me, I expected to swoon. Instead, I plodded and then later appreciated. A fascinating story, but I didn't get pulled in until the build-up to WWII came to Vienna. (less)
There are some terrific passages here. Díaz clearly has an ear for vernacular (he brought me right back to my years teaching in Washington Heights) an...moreThere are some terrific passages here. Díaz clearly has an ear for vernacular (he brought me right back to my years teaching in Washington Heights) and a knack for pacing. But, much as I did while reading Oscar Wao, I emerged from reading the book underwhelmed and wondering what I was missing. I think my main issue with this short story collection is Díaz's unidimensional presentation of women. The female characters in his stories are all acted upon, rather than actors themselves - and the men doing the acting aren't so thrilling themselves. I recognize that Díaz has a unique and valuable voice. I wish he'd use it to explore more aspects of the women in his writing.(less)
I struggled with how to rate this book. On the one hand, Boo offers us an unflinching look at life in a Mumbai slum. Her impeccable reporting and lyri...moreI struggled with how to rate this book. On the one hand, Boo offers us an unflinching look at life in a Mumbai slum. Her impeccable reporting and lyrical writing allow a reader to understand how economic globalization, governmental corruption, and the struggle for survival interplay in the lives of the people of Annawadi.
In the end, though, I am not convinced by Boo's suggestion in her author's note that "hope is not a fiction." Indeed, it seemed as though the only people in the book who "made it" in any way did so through trickery and by depriving others of opportunity (even Manju, ultimately). I emerge from reading the book feeling nothing but anger and despair for, especially, Abdul and Sunil. For them, hope feels not just fictional, but foolhardy. (less)
Another chapter in the life and times of Thomas Cromwell. A much more concentrated book than Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies centers on the months lead...moreAnother chapter in the life and times of Thomas Cromwell. A much more concentrated book than Wolf Hall, Bring Up the Bodies centers on the months leading up to the execution of Anne Boleyn. Cromwell remains alternately mysterious and knowable in this very worthy sequel - one of the most complex, fully realized characters I've ever encountered. I can't wait to read the third. (less)
Although I did love her memoir of early motherhood, I'm not generally a fan of Louise Erdrich's writing. This novel was an exception, however. The nar...moreAlthough I did love her memoir of early motherhood, I'm not generally a fan of Louise Erdrich's writing. This novel was an exception, however. The narrator - a 13 year old Ojibwe boy who takes matters into his own hands after his mother is attacked and jurisdictional issues prevent her from getting justice - has a voice that's fresh, original, and honest and Erdrich peppers her story with enough humor and larger-than-life characters to keep the devastating events at its center from becoming too oppressive. It's not hard for me to understand why this powerful coming-of-age story won the National Book Award.(less)
I've always liked and appreciated Quindlen's voice so I was not surprised to find much of resonance in this collection of essays. My favorite was "Pus...moreI've always liked and appreciated Quindlen's voice so I was not surprised to find much of resonance in this collection of essays. My favorite was "Push" about the lost phenomenon of the good enough mother. I also enjoyed Quindlen's observations about writing as a mother and learning how her career changed and developed as her kids did. (less)
Helpful strategies for integrating Eastern and Western approaches to stress reduction and relief from anxiety and depression. I look forward to trying...moreHelpful strategies for integrating Eastern and Western approaches to stress reduction and relief from anxiety and depression. I look forward to trying several of Dr. Weil's suggestions. (less)
What a remarkable book. Hilary Mantel gives depth and dimension to the cast of the Tudor court. Thomas Cromwell emerges as one of the most complex cha...moreWhat a remarkable book. Hilary Mantel gives depth and dimension to the cast of the Tudor court. Thomas Cromwell emerges as one of the most complex characters I've ever encountered: a devoted family man, a skillful courtier, a fixer.
I suppose my fascination with this period of history may have predisposed me to enjoying this book, even as the cast of characters numbered into the hundreds. But it was Mantel's original voice and facility with dialogue that sold me. I can't wait to read the next installment in the trilogy. (less)
Some very interesting insights into how we form - and can change - habits. Well researched and well reported. Personally, I found the 1st and 3rd sect...more
Some very interesting insights into how we form - and can change - habits. Well researched and well reported. Personally, I found the 1st and 3rd sections (on personal habits and community mores) more resonant than the 2nd (on the habits of businesses). (less)
I didn't like Great House as much as The History of Love. The books share a non-linear structure, but I was neither as taken by the characters in Grea...moreI didn't like Great House as much as The History of Love. The books share a non-linear structure, but I was neither as taken by the characters in Great House nor as satisfied by its ending. Still, Krauss is a beautiful writer and there were several passages that sang. (less)
In Teach Your Children Well, Madeline Levine offers thoughtful advice for raising happier kids and healthier school cultures. Here's my full review: h...moreIn Teach Your Children Well, Madeline Levine offers thoughtful advice for raising happier kids and healthier school cultures. Here's my full review: http://mothereseblog.com/2012/09/10/t...(less)
I loved this. In its scope and concern with social issues, Sea of Poppies reminded me of some of Dickens's greatest novels. I can't wait to read the s...more
I loved this. In its scope and concern with social issues, Sea of Poppies reminded me of some of Dickens's greatest novels. I can't wait to read the second book in the trilogy. (less)
This book opened my eyes to aspects of my own personality that I had long been confused or troubled by. As an introvert and high self-monitor, I came...moreThis book opened my eyes to aspects of my own personality that I had long been confused or troubled by. As an introvert and high self-monitor, I came to understand the ways that I've learned to pass in our Extrovert Ideal society - and the ways that that passing has cost me. (less)
In addition to being an insightful account of Emily Rapp's coming of age as an amputee, Poster Child is also an eloquent reflection on growing up, fam...more
In addition to being an insightful account of Emily Rapp's coming of age as an amputee, Poster Child is also an eloquent reflection on growing up, family, and the endless quest to balance fitting in with finding yourself. (less)
A powerful, haunting memoir. In stark but moving prose, Strauss tells the story of a traffic accident that disrupted his "normal" suburban Long Island...moreA powerful, haunting memoir. In stark but moving prose, Strauss tells the story of a traffic accident that disrupted his "normal" suburban Long Island adolescence. Despite the sadness of his story, Strauss crafts a narrative that testifies to the resilience of the human spirit and forces readers to reflect on the ephemeral nature of ordinary days.(less)
Hillenbrand's biography of Olympic runner and World War II Japanese POW Louis Zamperini is meticulously researched and beautifully written. I was rive...moreHillenbrand's biography of Olympic runner and World War II Japanese POW Louis Zamperini is meticulously researched and beautifully written. I was riveted by her account of Zamperini's participation in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, his survival at sea on a bullet-riddled raft, and his indomitable spirit in the face of dehumanization.(less)
Though I may not be the target audience for this author's exploration of his life as he approaches 60, I came away from the experience of reading this...moreThough I may not be the target audience for this author's exploration of his life as he approaches 60, I came away from the experience of reading this memoir with many new insights on life, love, loss, and risk-taking. (less)
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