Book List 2008: January - May
Yes, it's almost halfway through the year and I'm just now posting what I've been reading. So sue me. :D Maybe I'll even get up the oomph to write a real post after this one.
1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: A classic, and one it's amazing I never read, considering my voracious reading as a child and while working in the Children's Room at the library. Regardless, this is a beautiful story. Maybe it's trite or unrealistic to enjoy the idea of a time when society had structure, there were expectations of proper behavior for children, and kids played outside instead of parked in front of the TV. So then I'm trite. Big deal. Love this; it'll be a read-aloud if we ever do have kids. 5 stars.
2. Persuasion by Jane Austen: Yep, another one it's funny I hadn't read before. I love Austen's work, and am savoring each one individually so that it's a long time before I reach the end. I still have at least one more to go. :o] This might be my favorite of her novels, though pretty different from the others. I think I could identify a little more with the very practical heroine. 5 stars.
3. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald: a re-read, and a pleasure from beginning to end. Some of the same feelings as re: the Burnett book above. I love that MacDonald's stories have a plot and still try to teach children to value real-life, practical morality at the same time. I wish I could've known him in real life. 5 stars. (I really don't give stars out like candy this way!)
4. The Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett: a recommended read from
dondlion, and a fun one. This was a collection of detective short stories/novellas, all featuring the same nameless first-person narrator, the Op. Hammett wrote in the 1920's, The Maltese Falcon being one of his more well-known works. He basically single-handedly changed mystery/detective stories into an acceptable genre of real literature. Although I'm not as into them as I once was, I went through a mystery phase years ago - Agatha Christie, etc. and it's crazy to think that this other guy I'd never really heard of played such a big part in popularizing the detective story. 4 stars.
5. An American Childhood by Annie Dillard: I'm officially in love with Annie Dillard. No, really. Her prose. Her stories. My friend Anna said "It's like she gets inside your head and tells you the stories that are there." That's how this book feels from beginning to end. Even though her childhood was more contemporary with my parents' era than my own, there are some things about being a kid that are universal, and she nails them cold. Love love LOVE. 5 stars.
6. The Red Tent by Anita Diamont: a re-imagining of the story of Dinah, using the (scant) biblical account as a jumping-off point. I wasn't sure I would like this, but a couple of friends just raved about it. It was very good, an interesting female take on a story that generally is told from a male perspective. Let's be honest, a few of the facts didn't match the Bible (of course I checked), but the parts where the author filled in the blanks were enjoyable and thought-provoking. 3 1/2 stars.
7. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: I cried several times just in the first chapter, but overall this book was a great blend of touching and hilarious. It's a story about a guy who ends up joining a circus in the early 20th century. Life was so different then, in so many ways! The author really did her homework, and it shows. A well-told story with a healthy dose of "historicity." 4 stars.
8. The Gathering by Anne Enright: the first book club selection that we all came together and were like, "Did you get it? I didn't get it." It's a story of a contemporary Irish woman whose brother has recently died. The whole book is really a jumble of memories and stories she's made up in her head, and it's tough to tell the difference. There were some poignant sections, but on the whole it was an uncomfortable, vague read. 2.5 stars.
9. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: See #2 above. 5 stars.
10. Your Backyard Herb Garden by Miranda Smith: OK, so it's partly a manual, but the whole first part of the book is instructional, and I read it all. Before our landlords began ravaging the courtyard of our tiny place, I was dreaming of planting lots of beautiful and delicious things (probably more than we have space for, but no matter). Since the occupation, this dream has been deferred, but I'm armed with knowledge. Expect to see more gardening books here after the landlords flee the country (hoo-rah!). 3 stars.
11. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama: I read this way back in April before he cinched the nomination, but I figured it was only a matter of time. While I may not agree with him on the value of human life, I thought it would be good to know what else he might be likely to dish up if (when) he gets elected. Reading this felt like an extended conversation with a used car salesman. I never felt like I could completely let my guard down, because really? He's trying to sell me something. Not that he doesn't make a few really good points in the book about government and the dignity of (non-fetal) human beings (he does). But really? He's going to tax us up and down the wazoo. Buckle up, friends. I'm glad I read it, so I can at least discuss him intelligently with (the scads of) people who are more passionate about him than I, but that's about it. 3 stars.
12. Getting Things Done by David Allen: ever since
banzai started reading this book on our honeymoon and turned into a productivity machine, I've been hankering to get my own piece of the productivity pie. So here it is. The guy's a little bit over the edge, but the system is really just a different way to approach all the "stuff" that presents itself, and I'm a fan. There's a lot that I still need to implement and/or tweak about my personal system, but I'm learning. Baby steps. 4 stars.
The reading kindof stalled out after April/May. I've picked up and put down about 3 other books, and am in the middle of a couple right now (what is my deal?). So stay tuned - maybe I'll post another list before the end of 2008!
previous lists
1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: A classic, and one it's amazing I never read, considering my voracious reading as a child and while working in the Children's Room at the library. Regardless, this is a beautiful story. Maybe it's trite or unrealistic to enjoy the idea of a time when society had structure, there were expectations of proper behavior for children, and kids played outside instead of parked in front of the TV. So then I'm trite. Big deal. Love this; it'll be a read-aloud if we ever do have kids. 5 stars.
2. Persuasion by Jane Austen: Yep, another one it's funny I hadn't read before. I love Austen's work, and am savoring each one individually so that it's a long time before I reach the end. I still have at least one more to go. :o] This might be my favorite of her novels, though pretty different from the others. I think I could identify a little more with the very practical heroine. 5 stars.
3. The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald: a re-read, and a pleasure from beginning to end. Some of the same feelings as re: the Burnett book above. I love that MacDonald's stories have a plot and still try to teach children to value real-life, practical morality at the same time. I wish I could've known him in real life. 5 stars. (I really don't give stars out like candy this way!)
4. The Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett: a recommended read from
dondlion, and a fun one. This was a collection of detective short stories/novellas, all featuring the same nameless first-person narrator, the Op. Hammett wrote in the 1920's, The Maltese Falcon being one of his more well-known works. He basically single-handedly changed mystery/detective stories into an acceptable genre of real literature. Although I'm not as into them as I once was, I went through a mystery phase years ago - Agatha Christie, etc. and it's crazy to think that this other guy I'd never really heard of played such a big part in popularizing the detective story. 4 stars.
5. An American Childhood by Annie Dillard: I'm officially in love with Annie Dillard. No, really. Her prose. Her stories. My friend Anna said "It's like she gets inside your head and tells you the stories that are there." That's how this book feels from beginning to end. Even though her childhood was more contemporary with my parents' era than my own, there are some things about being a kid that are universal, and she nails them cold. Love love LOVE. 5 stars.
6. The Red Tent by Anita Diamont: a re-imagining of the story of Dinah, using the (scant) biblical account as a jumping-off point. I wasn't sure I would like this, but a couple of friends just raved about it. It was very good, an interesting female take on a story that generally is told from a male perspective. Let's be honest, a few of the facts didn't match the Bible (of course I checked), but the parts where the author filled in the blanks were enjoyable and thought-provoking. 3 1/2 stars.
7. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: I cried several times just in the first chapter, but overall this book was a great blend of touching and hilarious. It's a story about a guy who ends up joining a circus in the early 20th century. Life was so different then, in so many ways! The author really did her homework, and it shows. A well-told story with a healthy dose of "historicity." 4 stars.
8. The Gathering by Anne Enright: the first book club selection that we all came together and were like, "Did you get it? I didn't get it." It's a story of a contemporary Irish woman whose brother has recently died. The whole book is really a jumble of memories and stories she's made up in her head, and it's tough to tell the difference. There were some poignant sections, but on the whole it was an uncomfortable, vague read. 2.5 stars.
9. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen: See #2 above. 5 stars.
10. Your Backyard Herb Garden by Miranda Smith: OK, so it's partly a manual, but the whole first part of the book is instructional, and I read it all. Before our landlords began ravaging the courtyard of our tiny place, I was dreaming of planting lots of beautiful and delicious things (probably more than we have space for, but no matter). Since the occupation, this dream has been deferred, but I'm armed with knowledge. Expect to see more gardening books here after the landlords flee the country (hoo-rah!). 3 stars.
11. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama: I read this way back in April before he cinched the nomination, but I figured it was only a matter of time. While I may not agree with him on the value of human life, I thought it would be good to know what else he might be likely to dish up if (when) he gets elected. Reading this felt like an extended conversation with a used car salesman. I never felt like I could completely let my guard down, because really? He's trying to sell me something. Not that he doesn't make a few really good points in the book about government and the dignity of (non-fetal) human beings (he does). But really? He's going to tax us up and down the wazoo. Buckle up, friends. I'm glad I read it, so I can at least discuss him intelligently with (the scads of) people who are more passionate about him than I, but that's about it. 3 stars.
12. Getting Things Done by David Allen: ever since
banzai started reading this book on our honeymoon and turned into a productivity machine, I've been hankering to get my own piece of the productivity pie. So here it is. The guy's a little bit over the edge, but the system is really just a different way to approach all the "stuff" that presents itself, and I'm a fan. There's a lot that I still need to implement and/or tweak about my personal system, but I'm learning. Baby steps. 4 stars.
The reading kindof stalled out after April/May. I've picked up and put down about 3 other books, and am in the middle of a couple right now (what is my deal?). So stay tuned - maybe I'll post another list before the end of 2008!
previous lists