Cally Lily Ponder's mother, M'dear, runs the Crowning Glory Beauty Porch- a glassed in section of their front porch, and the family dance lesson business the Swing-n-Sway. They live in La Luna, Louisiana a tiny town filled with love and the excellent characters that grow in the south. Southern fiction has the bestest characters! Well, okay, Evanovich's Trenton New Jersians from the One for the Money series are pretty bestest too.
Having tweaked my lumbar spine a bit, I'm spending more time reading right now, and this one went down in the afternoon with about 3 tall glasses of lemon water. I needed extra water due to tear-induced dehydration, but I wasn't much for refilling my own glass, so snagged a kid periodically to do so instead. That's right. I cried. Now this isn't always a ringing endorsement for me when deciding what book to read, or what film to see. For instance, Angela's Ashes made me cry. So does The Diary of Anne Frank. But these also leave me feeling hollow, and a bit depressed. Not so with Calla Lily. I cried, yes, but I didn't feel bad. And that, is an art. Calla Lily falls in love, gets her heart broken, moves to the big city: N.O. falls in love again, gets her heart broken, moves back to La Luna and finds love again. Happy Ending. Yeah! Too bad a few key folks had to die along the way- thus the tears. Rebecca Wells' Ya Ya Sisterhood was one of my favorite books in the 1990's. I entertained the career option of buying a large convertible and becoming an alcoholic but didn't see how it would pan out. On the other hand, I was not a fan of Little Alters Everywhere. So, I was unsure if I was ready to dip again into the booze infused prose of Wells. I was ready. On the other hand, the one without the scotch, neat, I'm not ready to hand this one to the kiddies. When they're 30. Or 40 and they've tweaked their back thus prostrate.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Hunting Warbirds; the obsessive quest for the lost aircraft of WWII by Carl Hoffman
Unexpectedly interesting! I don't think much about WWII. Perhaps is scares me in a way, as I'm not sure our current American population has it in them to pull off another trick like that. Can we buckle down and get going when the going gets tough? Not sure. Not sure.
But this is a story about aviation ingenuity and the admirers of such. After the war was declared over, the thousands of planes built in such a short time here in the US- mostly by housewives, were considered junk. And treated as such, they quickly disappeared in junk yards, smelters and sunk in the drink. Very few survived intact, and by the time collectors started to care, those few survivors were very valuable. The rare warbird in the backyard already snatched up and in a museum or private collection left seekers of the planes looking for hidden treasure. This book covered the story of the existing warbirds, but then tells us the stories of recovering crashed beauties. Much of the book details the recovery attempt of the Kee Bird, a B29 bomber that crashed in Greenland, nearly perfectly preserved. Greenland isn't green. It is harsh and mercurial and inhospitable. And the men that devoted themselves to bringing her back faced more than they had bargained for; lying on the tundra with some bent props, a shiny fuselage, clean paint and mostly functioning, the Kee Bird looked like she could just take right off....
There are a few vulgar words. Men living by themselves for weeks on the tundra don't necessarily filter. But, this is a book that might open new windows of interest for the reader. Aviation Ingenuity. American Determination. Good book.
But this is a story about aviation ingenuity and the admirers of such. After the war was declared over, the thousands of planes built in such a short time here in the US- mostly by housewives, were considered junk. And treated as such, they quickly disappeared in junk yards, smelters and sunk in the drink. Very few survived intact, and by the time collectors started to care, those few survivors were very valuable. The rare warbird in the backyard already snatched up and in a museum or private collection left seekers of the planes looking for hidden treasure. This book covered the story of the existing warbirds, but then tells us the stories of recovering crashed beauties. Much of the book details the recovery attempt of the Kee Bird, a B29 bomber that crashed in Greenland, nearly perfectly preserved. Greenland isn't green. It is harsh and mercurial and inhospitable. And the men that devoted themselves to bringing her back faced more than they had bargained for; lying on the tundra with some bent props, a shiny fuselage, clean paint and mostly functioning, the Kee Bird looked like she could just take right off....
There are a few vulgar words. Men living by themselves for weeks on the tundra don't necessarily filter. But, this is a book that might open new windows of interest for the reader. Aviation Ingenuity. American Determination. Good book.
Look me in the eye; my life with Asberger's by John Elder Robison
The cover alone is reason enough to read this book. The image of the boy with the squinched up face in a red checked collar buttoned shirt is a volume of its own.
Asberger's syndrome is like "Autism lite". Recognized relatively recently, it is part of the spectrum of Autism- a condition seemingly more and more common in our lives today. John Elder Robison writes of his life with straightforward, brave truth. And his life is remarkably interesting. His parents are dysfunctional- to the point of straight-jacketed insanity at times- and his undiagnosed Asberger's makes understanding social interaction very difficult for young John Elder. But, he discovers electronics and with Asbergian focus makes a niche for himself in the world, creating sound systems for Pink Floyd and exploding guitars for Kiss. He tries corporate life for a time and eventually settles into his own business of repairing Rolls Royces. All the while taking us through the ups and downs of living a life as an oddball. In one of his later chapters he explains the thought process of marrying his second wife "Unit Two". Unit One being the elder sister and Unit Three the younger sister. I laughed aloud for this one, and decided Unit Two might be Saintly One.
Although he didn't participate in the drug/booze/sex culture around him, he did travel with rock bands for several years, and this culture is described. There is some foul language in the book as well. For these reasons, not a great book for the kids. Too bad, as I think this generation will be encountering Autistic conditions far more often than my own. Empathy stems from knowlege and this book gives you a lot to think about.
Asberger's syndrome is like "Autism lite". Recognized relatively recently, it is part of the spectrum of Autism- a condition seemingly more and more common in our lives today. John Elder Robison writes of his life with straightforward, brave truth. And his life is remarkably interesting. His parents are dysfunctional- to the point of straight-jacketed insanity at times- and his undiagnosed Asberger's makes understanding social interaction very difficult for young John Elder. But, he discovers electronics and with Asbergian focus makes a niche for himself in the world, creating sound systems for Pink Floyd and exploding guitars for Kiss. He tries corporate life for a time and eventually settles into his own business of repairing Rolls Royces. All the while taking us through the ups and downs of living a life as an oddball. In one of his later chapters he explains the thought process of marrying his second wife "Unit Two". Unit One being the elder sister and Unit Three the younger sister. I laughed aloud for this one, and decided Unit Two might be Saintly One.
Although he didn't participate in the drug/booze/sex culture around him, he did travel with rock bands for several years, and this culture is described. There is some foul language in the book as well. For these reasons, not a great book for the kids. Too bad, as I think this generation will be encountering Autistic conditions far more often than my own. Empathy stems from knowlege and this book gives you a lot to think about.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Set in the time of the Blitz, just before the United States threw our hat into the arena of WWII and before the horrors of Nazism became known. When we relied on the wireless and the telegraph to bring us our news. When a censor with a button in front of him had the power to blank out any air time, at his discretion. When to speak to someone who wasn't in the same room, you either had to go find them, or write them a letter. Al Gore hadn't "discovered" the internet, there wasn't any texting, or cell phones, or even a portable tape recorder, and the operator and the postmaster had hands that guided telephone calls and letters where they were intended to go. People touching. The Postmistress leads us into this time of uncertain reception and human connection, weaving together the lives of the characters through distance like frail threads of a spider's web. No one escapes the web, and several get tangled irretrivably.
Frankie Bard, the tough girl reporter, in Europe to tell it straight. Will Fitch, the young doctor with a chip on his shoulder, just married to Emma, whose identity is through the existence of her husband. Iris- the Postmistress herself, an old maid falling in love with Harry Vale, kind and flawed. It is a captivating book in its realness, and frustrating as to our ignorance given hindsight. And, although it is a good, quality adult read, its realness envelops the notion of casual, nameless sex or perhaps even "stress relief coupling". So, another I'll not recommend for my own kids, nor yours.
Frankie Bard, the tough girl reporter, in Europe to tell it straight. Will Fitch, the young doctor with a chip on his shoulder, just married to Emma, whose identity is through the existence of her husband. Iris- the Postmistress herself, an old maid falling in love with Harry Vale, kind and flawed. It is a captivating book in its realness, and frustrating as to our ignorance given hindsight. And, although it is a good, quality adult read, its realness envelops the notion of casual, nameless sex or perhaps even "stress relief coupling". So, another I'll not recommend for my own kids, nor yours.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Blue Adept by Piers Anthony
I continue to be interested in this older fantasy series- for the second time around. I read the series as a teen, and remembered it! I reviewed the first book, Split Infinity earlier in this blog, and deemed it not completely suited to the young reader. Still, I enjoyed it enough that I looked forward to rereading this second installment. Our hero, is learning his abilities of magic, slaying dragons and winning the love of women in two different worlds, all while following his own moral code. The bad guy turns out to be not a guy at all, and there is perhaps a bigger bad guy that we haven't yet met.
Again, the moral code followed by the hero, Stile, is likely not the same one we want our children to adopt, and there are a lot of naked people here, often doing what naked people tend to do, nakedly. "Naked" being a favored word of the author, also "desmesnes" and "oath". I guess I put this series in a more acceptable category than the very good, if occasionally disturbing and frustrating Confessor series by Terry Goodkind, but not as appropriate as the excellent and engaging Eragon series by Christopher Paolini- boy, I really should review that one!
Again, the moral code followed by the hero, Stile, is likely not the same one we want our children to adopt, and there are a lot of naked people here, often doing what naked people tend to do, nakedly. "Naked" being a favored word of the author, also "desmesnes" and "oath". I guess I put this series in a more acceptable category than the very good, if occasionally disturbing and frustrating Confessor series by Terry Goodkind, but not as appropriate as the excellent and engaging Eragon series by Christopher Paolini- boy, I really should review that one!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Dante's Daughter by Kimberley Burton Heuston
Have you ever read Dante's Inferno? Me neither, but I've heard of it. Remarkable as it was written in the 14th century. Evidently by a guy named Dante. Italian guy. Unfortunately, reading Dante's Daughter didn't get me any closer to knowing about Dante's Inferno, although I gather that Inferno was the first selection in a three part poem.
Not really a history book, but an easy, undemanding story of a girl in 14th century Italy (and France)who happens to have a famous father,although not necessarily famous in a good way. I liked this book and as compared to the young adult selections that are mainly about gossipy boy crazed "modern" girls, it is a huge step above. And, not often do we contemplate the life of a teen in Italy of 1310. There are bits and pieces of romance, a few kisses and a "happily ever after" type ending, but it is not a guide to catching a man- despite the narrow choices of a post-Crusade era woman.
I would have liked at least part of the most famous poem to be recorded in the back of the book. I think I would prefer the story had been told by Dante himself, but as no one alive knows the real story, I guess getting a young adult reader to broaden horizons is best done from the voice of another young adult. And, the reference of "Dante's Inferno" will have a bit more meaning to the person who has read this book. Maybe, even, spark enough interest for them to pick up a translated copy of Dante's work? Sign me up!
Not really a history book, but an easy, undemanding story of a girl in 14th century Italy (and France)who happens to have a famous father,although not necessarily famous in a good way. I liked this book and as compared to the young adult selections that are mainly about gossipy boy crazed "modern" girls, it is a huge step above. And, not often do we contemplate the life of a teen in Italy of 1310. There are bits and pieces of romance, a few kisses and a "happily ever after" type ending, but it is not a guide to catching a man- despite the narrow choices of a post-Crusade era woman.
I would have liked at least part of the most famous poem to be recorded in the back of the book. I think I would prefer the story had been told by Dante himself, but as no one alive knows the real story, I guess getting a young adult reader to broaden horizons is best done from the voice of another young adult. And, the reference of "Dante's Inferno" will have a bit more meaning to the person who has read this book. Maybe, even, spark enough interest for them to pick up a translated copy of Dante's work? Sign me up!
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Wow. Great book. Really. I had no idea what this book was about, but selected it in my continuing search for New York Times Best Sellers my children can read, without permanent mental damage. SCORE!
Set in early 1960's Mississippi and told from the point of view of two black maids and one white single woman in her 20's. Circumstance brings them together to write a secret book, nonfiction, of what it is like to work for a white family. You care about the characters, you fear for their safety and hurt for their pain. You cheer for their resilience and small triumphs and you are disappointed by their failures.
This is fiction, but written by someone who lived the process of being raised by a black woman in their own white home. Given early civil rights Mississippi, there is some violence, some drinking,and a few swear words. But a teen reader will find themselves educated more about drinking, violence and swearing by listening to 15 minutes of pop music, and educated by this book about love, power, and the deep southern roots of racial inequality. If you're library folks, get yourself on The List for The Help. Immediately.
Set in early 1960's Mississippi and told from the point of view of two black maids and one white single woman in her 20's. Circumstance brings them together to write a secret book, nonfiction, of what it is like to work for a white family. You care about the characters, you fear for their safety and hurt for their pain. You cheer for their resilience and small triumphs and you are disappointed by their failures.
This is fiction, but written by someone who lived the process of being raised by a black woman in their own white home. Given early civil rights Mississippi, there is some violence, some drinking,and a few swear words. But a teen reader will find themselves educated more about drinking, violence and swearing by listening to 15 minutes of pop music, and educated by this book about love, power, and the deep southern roots of racial inequality. If you're library folks, get yourself on The List for The Help. Immediately.
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Truly evil creature, bumbling hero. Mice. Couldn't get into this book! Maybe the basics in black and white are satisfyingly simple for the young. I found it distasteful. You are set up to only hate the evil rat, and I'm not a big fan of hate, and I don't think it gives kids enough credit for understanding the subtleties of life. For instance, in Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, Peter is not all good. He's capricious and spoiled and stubbornly selfish. Captain Hook is a nemesis, but he has boyish insecurities and a great fear of the crocodile. Neither is all good nor all bad. Perhaps Peter Pan is a bad comparison, as this book is not in the same vein, but I hope it serves. There are no redeeming or empathetic qualities attributed to the evil rat/king/pirate etc. and I just didn't care to waste any time wondering if he would invade the Redwall Abbey, kill the peaceful mice there and enslave the population. I'm pretty sure the uncoordinated, young dreamer mouse would man up, get a pair of flip flops that fit better and do in the bad guy at the end of the book. Books that make me not even see the chapter breaks are worth it; the page turners. Reading Redwall, I mostly just hoped it would get better. Abandon all hope ye who enter there.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
This book is a little bit twisted, strange, and inexplicable at times, but Aimee Bender's mellifluous prose is enough of a reason to read this book. Each paragraph is like a perfect bite of casserole, texture, flavors and satisfaction on your fork. I found myself re-reading sentences, just to enjoy them again.
The main character is a young girl, who finds at age nearly-nine, that she can suddenly taste the base feelings of the creator of the food, in fact, the exact location of the ingredients and the emotion of all who have touched the ingredients that go into a food. The experience is no pleasure and she finds herself unable to properly understand, or explain how this changes her life. The family dynamics were always a little off, but she tastes too much neediness and solitude in the lovingly crafted meals of her mother, or the hasty, hollow nothingness snacks of her brother. And strives to find meals made in factories, or meals made by someone with uncomplicated sadness.
In the book, the mother has an affair that the girl discovers because she can taste the thrill and the guilt in the pot roast. She does some kissing in high school and there is a sentence about losing virginity in the college years, but sex is not a main theme here. There are one or two common profane words, but the majestic, simple, feast of the prose is worth hazarding for the older child. My 15 year old read the first few chapters aloud in the car on the way to the library, and we laughed and mused and enjoyed together. Because of its popularity, I had to take it back, but she was hooked and wants to get herself on the request list.
The main character is a young girl, who finds at age nearly-nine, that she can suddenly taste the base feelings of the creator of the food, in fact, the exact location of the ingredients and the emotion of all who have touched the ingredients that go into a food. The experience is no pleasure and she finds herself unable to properly understand, or explain how this changes her life. The family dynamics were always a little off, but she tastes too much neediness and solitude in the lovingly crafted meals of her mother, or the hasty, hollow nothingness snacks of her brother. And strives to find meals made in factories, or meals made by someone with uncomplicated sadness.
In the book, the mother has an affair that the girl discovers because she can taste the thrill and the guilt in the pot roast. She does some kissing in high school and there is a sentence about losing virginity in the college years, but sex is not a main theme here. There are one or two common profane words, but the majestic, simple, feast of the prose is worth hazarding for the older child. My 15 year old read the first few chapters aloud in the car on the way to the library, and we laughed and mused and enjoyed together. Because of its popularity, I had to take it back, but she was hooked and wants to get herself on the request list.
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