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August 20
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Naomi
gave
 
to:
Life of Pi (Mass Market Paperback)
by Yann Martel
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in August, 2008
Naomi said:
"A book of extremes. It's about losing EVERYTHING that is important to you ALL AT THE SAME TIME, and SIMULTANEOUSLY facing insurmountable obstacles. Death by sharks versus death by tiger. Death by the elements versus death by starvation. Survival by t...more
A book of extremes. It's about losing EVERYTHING that is important to you ALL AT THE SAME TIME, and SIMULTANEOUSLY facing insurmountable obstacles. Death by sharks versus death by tiger. Death by the elements versus death by starvation. Survival by the sheer will to live. By paying attention to what your parents were trying to teach you.
This book shows that FAITH is a MUST if you expect to make it. That HARD WORK is our best friend in the direst of moments. That we can only rely on ourselves in this world so we'd better figure out HOW TO DO THAT.
Did I love it? I don't know. I was very much connected to Pi Patel, the story's protagonist. I had a very strong will to read the entire book to see if he would survive, even though I knew he would, as he was the one telling the story. But as I had no idea HOW he was possibly going to go about living in his poor of poorest states, I plowed through the pages to find out. And find out I did.
Sometimes I felt like the writer was trying to make me feel like I should be appreciative for my lot in life, as it could get worse. I could be shipwrecked, stuck on a tiny lifeboat with a 450-pound Bengal tiger, with no one searching for me, no one even knowing about me. When I thought that was what Yann Martel, Life of Pi's author, was trying to make me feel, I was slightly resentful. What does HE know about my lot in life? How does he know it's better than this?
Plainly, because just about anything has to be better than the situation Pi Patel found himself in.
Ultimately, I think I would recommend this book to others because it has some good lessons in it, because it's a beautiful testament to how powerful fiction can truly be. Well done, Yann Martel, well done. If I ever write a book half as good as yours, I will feel very accomplished....less
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August 10
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Naomi
gave
to:
She's Come Undone (Mass Market Paperback)
by Wally Lamb
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended to Naomi by:
Oprah
recommended for: people who find humor in situations that are not humorous, people who hate happy-go-lucky stories
read in August, 2008
Naomi said:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
8/5/08: Update: So far I hate this book. It's quite readable, which means it's well written. But the main character, Dolores Price, keeps doing things that make me want to shake her until she has some sense in her, and jump up and down and scream at her that she is acting like an idiot, and what the hell is she feeling so sorry for herself when she could be doing positive things with her life? But then I'd be an idiot, because I'd be jumping up and down and screaming at a fictional character from a book.
And yet, I keep reading. Because I keep hoping for some redeeming value, something to make this worth my time. Because her endless barrage of flaws and terrible choices are part of what makes her character so human, and I have had some low moments in my life, too, OK? But seriously, the biggest reason that I am still reading this book is that I might just be a glutton for punishment.
I know that back when I read this book the first time I liked Wally Lamb's writing so much I also read I Know This Much is True. Another really long, really well written, really depressing book. Because it's real life? I don't know. Lamb is either insane or a genius, and sometimes that line is blurry.
8/10/08: Well, this book had *some* redeeming value, and it is extremely well written. Probably part of the reason why I feel so uncomfortable and angry with the main character is because what she does is so human and I am guilty of some self-defeatist activities and choices in my life too. The end proves that you can choose to be a product of your upbringing or you can eventually grow up and create yourself based on your own terms. It's also a great testament to how people need people. It's how we are programmed....less
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July 30
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Naomi
marked as to-read:
When You Are Engulfed in Flames (Hardcover)
by David Sedaris
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Naomi
marked as to-read:
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (Paperback)
by David Sedaris
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Naomi
marked as to-read:
Naked (Paperback)
by David Sedaris
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Naomi said:
"I read Me Talk Pretty One Day and as a result I want to read everything written by Sedaris. He is a genius.
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Naomi
took the never-ending book quiz.
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July 28
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Naomi
gave
to:
Unmarried to Each Other: The Essential Guide to Living Together as an Unmarried Couple (Paperback)
by Dorian Solot
bookshelves:
currently-reading,
on-my-bookshelf
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: humans and/or anyone who has a family of some kind (which is essentially everyone)
Naomi said:
"7/11/08: So far I have learned that my boyfriend and I are Escapist Cohabitors and Situational Cohabitors. While neither of these may be "ideal," I have also learned (perhaps from reading this book, more realistically from living it) that f...more
7/11/08: So far I have learned that my boyfriend and I are Escapist Cohabitors and Situational Cohabitors. While neither of these may be "ideal," I have also learned (perhaps from reading this book, more realistically from living it) that few people have "ideal" lives. We are creating our own family life and what works best for us, which is in my mind what matters most on this subject.
I love the title of this book. It was a gift from my friend Anya a few years ago and I just now have finally picked it up. It is really well written/holds my attention and it has a lot of good information in it. I'm looking forward to the chapter on what we should call each other.
Why is there such a societal "need" for people to get married? I don't know why it is SUCH A BIG DEAL. Why can't we leave well enough alone when we know in our hearts that we are already married to each other in the ways that matter.
I have also learned that I am an "unmarried stepparent" which I like. I already think of myself as a stepparent to Mike's kids, in that I'm an adult role model in their lives and therefore responsible for how my behavior affects them.
7/27/08 - I just read an interesting excerpt and interviews revolving around why people don't get married (whether it's "yet" or "ever"), and it has resulted in me not sure about this engagement thing my boyfriend/fiance/partner/main guy in my life and I have going on. I can see myself falling into "typical wife roles" and being unable to fill them properly feel that my marriage is failing, thus dooming my marriage to actually fail. We have our reasons for not yet getting married, and I do feel like the only reason we are getting so much pressure to get married from "well-meaning" family members is because we are living together. In my book, that is not a good enough reason to get married! The relationship is completely between my partner and me, and whether or not we get married, only the two of us have to deal with our relationship! So how is it fair for family members to pressure us? It's not.
A quote I read that I really love (and is presented as a joke, but still) is "the number one cause of divorce is marriage." Very good point!
I shall continue to read.
7/28/08 - UPDATE: I am in love with this book. Unmarried love. But committed, nonetheless. Not only is it incredibly readable, quite a page-turner, which for me rarely happens with nonfiction (though it does happen, and I am getting better as I press on reading what I feel will be worthwhile books); but it is also exceptionally informative (with sources and everything! not just someone's fluffy opinion), and has already taught me so many new things I didn't previously consider that could be really attractive alternatives to marriage for my partner and me.
Also, currently I have decided to refer to him as my "sambro," which is Swedish for "partner I live with" (specifically, sam means partner, and bo means to live with, awesome, right?).
My absolute favorite part so far, that made me laugh out loud and almost call my sister to read it to her (a successful unmarried herself who deserves much props for knowing what is truly important in life and in her relationship) is the following:
(This is what to say in response to the old adage that "He won't buy the cow if you give away the milk for free.")
"Point out that humans are not cattle. 'Mom, I'm not a cow,' ought to suffice." (from page 78)
Another helpful gem in regards to "How to Respond to Living in Sin Arguments":
"Help others to respect your decision."
If that doesn't work, "Agree to disagree."
"Live the kind of 'family values' that matter."
"Create your own family...an 'intentional family.'"
"Find a supportive faith community." (If you want religion to be a part of your life and being unmarried is the best option for you, there are plenty of faith-based communities that will be supportive of your choices.)
Oh, also, as I have continued to read, I have discovered that I don't have to worry so much about "traditional wife/husband roles" if my partner and I establish habits that work well for us now, they can easily carry over into a marriage, if and when a marriage becomes a part of our lives.
Also, we should have had a party when we moved in together. They do that in Canada - have newlycohabits celebrations. Pretty awesome, huh? Well, we can still do that, maybe when we move into a house later in the year/early next year. We'll have a housewarming/newlycohabits party.
Seriously, read this book. I highly recommend it....less
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July 27
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Naomi
gave
to:
House of Sand and Fog (Paperback)
by Andre Dubus III
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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read in July, 2008
Naomi said:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
This book is a true tragedy in the Shakespearean sense. The author introduces you to each character, successfully causes you to care for and respect each of them, makes you want all of them to reach a nice resolution because you like all of them (even though you fear there is no nice resolution and wonder at how the author is going to wrap this up nicely), and then ends it in a truly tragic twist of fate (because it is arguably more realistic than a happy-go-lucky ending).
It's a book where one seemingly innocent act has a domino effect and as the actions of people continue to domino, they find themselves in situations they never thought they would be in, with crazy regrets for how they could have/should have/would have better handled things. It's a true testament to how our actions do indeed affect and touch other people's lives, and we must never forget that.
The most disturbing part of this was how I felt I could relate to one of the main characters so much, even though she was doing things I hope I never do.
Still, in spite of my poor review, this is book worth reading, I believe....less
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July 30
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Naomi
added:
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players (Paperback)
by Stefan Fatsis
bookshelves:
didnt-finish,
on-my-bookshelf
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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recommended for: word nerds, Scrabble players, people who like to read play-by-play accounts of tournaments
read in July, 2008, has a copy to sell/swap
Naomi said:
"7/8/08: Well, I quit this book to read another, more entertaining one - my ever favorite format, The Novel. But now I have finished the other and so I'm back to this book. Because I'm not a quitter! And the "characters" are starting to grow...more
7/8/08: Well, I quit this book to read another, more entertaining one - my ever favorite format, The Novel. But now I have finished the other and so I'm back to this book. Because I'm not a quitter! And the "characters" are starting to grow on me (they are actually profiles of real, live people, not fictitious characters). Also, I now desperately want to own a Scrabble dictionary and/or play Scrabble in the park with eccentric people. So, even though I don't think this is an improvement of my character, I press on.
7/11/08: When I can't get my partner to play Scrabble with me, which is basically all the time, I play my own brand of Scrabble, which he calls "Scrabbletaire." It's on my little travel Scrabble set, which has plastic tiles that snap into the board and zips shut (a perfect board to take up to the park in search of someone to play with me, as an aside), so I can leave it and come back to it over the course of a few days. The object in my little world of "Scrabbletaire" is to use up all the tiles, something I haven't yet accomplished. I'm always left with one tile. But I press on.
7/30/08: I think I must be honest with myself, and in that vein I am admitting to myself that I have given up on this book (for now!).
OK, I may never be honest with myself when it comes to reading books. I don't give up! But I take breaks. I am, officially, on a break from this book. An indefinite break.
(That's not to say it's not well written, because it is.)...less
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July 08
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Naomi
marked as to-read:
For One More Day (Hardcover)
by Mitch Albom
bookshelves:
to-read
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my rating:
Added to my books!
add my review
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Hello, there. Thought you dropped off the end of the cyber-world. Hope your photojournalism is going well. This silly website seems like fun. I will soon regale y'all with accounts of my readin'.
