plotz

let's take a stroll down memory lane: a look at picture books

2009-05-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Let’s take a stroll down Memory Lane and reflect on which picture books from our childhood made the strongest, most lasting impression. This should be enjoyable and worthwhile; some of you probably spend little time collecting these titles, making a tidy list, while others may instantly be able to recite every memorable title he/she read or listened to from age 3 on. . .

There is no book that compares to The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff, in my opinion. This classic, originally written in cursive handwriting, is the ultimate tale of loyalty, friendship, loss, pride, love and ownership. His mother, killed by a hunter, leaves Babar, the elephant an orphan; a lovely elderly woman takes him for her own, educating him, exposing him to culture. Babar loves the woman, but living in the big city is not the ideal life for Babar. Although the lovely lady gives Babar all he needs and wants, Babar returns to the forest where he is crowned “king of the elephants”. The story of Babar has it all: perfect illustrations, the world’s most beloved enduring pachyderm, romance (Babar weds his cousin Celeste) and simplicity wrapped up in the classic “fish out of water” tale. Maybe I have a soft spot for this most unique, detailed little tale because reading it marked the first time I had ever, at age 7, been able to read cursive writing or maybe it is my adore elephant-adoration, but this treasure always will rise to the top of my list.

Then we have quite another!: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Actually, there is no other book like this one! Max, our hero, wore his wolf suit & made mischief of one kind and another. His mother called him “wild thing” and sent him to his room without dinner. There in Max’s very room, a forest grows & grows until the ceiling hung with vines. . .do I have your attention yet? I must have a special affinity toward royalty because when Max sails away to where the wild things to become their king, I am enchanted. Those beasts with their inimitable style, gnash their terrible teeth and roar their terrible roars and Max eventually trains them with a magic trick. I have always so loved this book since the first time I read it; I adored it probably almost as much as my three children did! Where the Wild Things Are is one of those rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up. Disagree? Pick up a copy and join that wild rumpus!

King Bidgood’s In the Bathtub by Audrey Wood; illustrated by Don Wood is one of those wonderful picture books where the text is as lively and fun-filled as the illustrations. Again, the pull toward a royal subject must be what grabbed me with this zany, wild tale full of antics about a king who refuses to get out of his bathtub! This sumptuous book has a rich range of colors and tones which reflect the passing hours of the day. In this Caldecott Honor book, neither knight nor queen, duke nor courtier, can coax the king out of the tub, so he invites them into it! Only the court page has the sense to appeal to the scrub-a-dub king in this rollicking, gleefully illustrated tale.
And to Think that I Saw It on Mulberry Street, written and illustrated by the wonderful Dr. Seuss is, maybe, the most engaging rhyming tale ever. Originally titled A Story That No One Can Beat the manuscript was rejected by over 20 publishers, but was eventually published by Vanguard Press. We follow a little guy called Marco, who watches the sight and sounds of people and vehicles traveling along Mulberry Street. Marco dreams up an elaborate story to tell to his father at the end of his walk, but instead simply tells him what he actually saw. An elaborate tale that is just plain simple by the end, but what fun it is to travel with Marco’s imagination.
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish features that lovable literal-minded housekeeper who causes quite the ruckus in the household when she attempts to make sense of some instructions. This book is timeless; no one ever thinks Amelia Bedelia is silly-she just looks at life a bit differently! A. B. is simply irresistible – her varied trips through the minefield of the English language are literate & hilarious; A.B. finds nothing more pleasurable than helping people and doing exactly what she is told to do, but often this comes with some outstanding consequences!
Minerva Louise written and illustrated by Janet Stoeke is just possible the avian equivalent of Amelia Bedelia! Minerva Louise is a frisky, curious somewhat chicken-brained hen who explores the inside of the farm house with a certainty that would make Mr. Magoo proud. Minerva L. amuses preschoolers the same as she entertains and tickles older kids and adults. Undoubtedly a star, this classic hilarious-hen-hike will tickle all who make M.L’s acquaintance & Stoeke’s simple art and text make Minerva Louise a classic.
The Story of Ferdinand, written Munro Leaf & illustrated by Robert Lawson, is one of the bestselling children's books of all time. We’re introduced to a bull who prefers sitting under a cork tree & sniffing flowers over fighting. A sweet story, a study of nonviolent tranquility, this book’s bovine, Ferdinand, has become a hero to generations of children. Ferdinand, an individualist, forever true to himself, is mistakenly requested to fight in the bullring . . . but Ferdinand will not fight: instead he is pleased to smell the flowers in the women’s hair, oblivious to others’ demands. Pacifism & staying true to oneself–what could be wrong with this?-this classic with the most lovely, simple illustrations should be around forever.
Great Joy written by Newbery Medalist winner Kate DiCamillo & illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline is truly a modern classic. The WWII-era story begins as a child, looks out the window to see an organ grinder with his monkey, working in the cold this night just before Christmas. Frances is troubled by the man's plight. Saddened even more when she comes to realize he's homeless, one snowy night Frances stays awake past midnight and peeks outside. When she sees them on the sidewalk, huddled against the cold, she grows even more troubled. DiCamillo gives us a lesson in what it means to care for those less fortunate than ourselves, even when that person is a stranger. With all the makings of a modern classic, this winner by DiCamillo and Ibatoulline conveys a message for all.
Make Way for Ducklings written & illustrated by Robert McCloskey is a timeless classic that always seems fresh & lively. Published in 1941, this large picture book gives us the story of a pair of mallard ducks known as Mr. & Mrs. Mallard, who, after flying all over potential locations, decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon, in a park in the center of Boston’s Public Garden. Although the story concludes with a nice “happily-ever-after” the family adventures are many! A 1942 Caldecott winner, this lovely duck’s-eye-view of the city is one to cherish.
Last but not least is the timeless tale about what goes on in an old house in Paris, covered with vines. Madeline, published in 1939, written & illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans, depicts where Madeline lives 11 other girls. Under the boarding school care of the kind Miss Clavel, Madeline wakes up in the night with appendicitis. Our spunky heroine must be rushed to the hospital. After her operation, Madeline awakens to a "room with flowers" looking out a window from which she can watch the world, as she recovers and receives visits from her friends. Bemelmans invites us to experience Madeline's bravery and kindness, especially in the face of adversity in addition to some really lovely well-known Parisian settings. The rhyming couplets that greet us, as we meet Madeline and the bunch, are inviting and beguiling: it is easy to see that Madeline is nothing short of a masterpiece.
Although this is a sort of top-ten look at the world of picture books, let’s, by no means, think it is the be-all & end-all of looking and selecting our favorites~ please share yours with us on this blog. AND, let’s focus on children’s novels next time out. . .surely there are countless chapter books that become very special over the years. Some of these will be covered next blog-time!

Speaking of Edgar. . .

2008-08-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

We read many books over the course of our lifetimes. Some are so-so; some good; some very good; some incomparable. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is an incomparable novel. Words don't do justice to this amazing book. I read the book, somewhat impervious to most reviews - though, I must admit, when I caught Stephen King's glowing praise of this book, I did feel compelled to read the novel. His review was very intriguing. And so I hoisted the nearly 600 page book up and had a look. . .4-5 evenings later I had reached the final pages & feverishly raced, with trepidation, to the dramatic conclusion.

What a book! I have a collection of quite memorable books that I keep in my head (and my bookshelves), but I know that this debut novel by David Wroblewski has just nudged the other books over a bit. Ok, let's disassemble the basic structure of this really amazing book: it is a contemporary "retelling" on Hamlet; it is a family saga; a mystery; suspense; a look at the paranormal; ghost story; animal tale and historical fiction. Do all these parts work together? Yes!

Aside from all this we are presented with a protagonist who is a young boy, maybe 12, unable to speak. His family has a quite well-respected dog-breeding business out in the remote rural area in Wisconsin. Basically, that is about all there is to know. Honestly, though, there are not many books that a reader can read that seem to seep into his/her pores, taking over nearly every waking thought. EDGAR is such a book. Please read this one carefully-there are many important details. . .then, after you've read 20-30 pages, let's see if you can think of anything else, but this story & these characters in this wonderful discovery.

Feel free to let me know your take on this most unusual novel-I would love hearing from you! Links to two very interesting interviews with the author follow:

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/06/author_david_wroblewski_on_the.html

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/an_interview_with_david_wroblewski/C39/L39/

Another very good book out just this early summer is one attracting a good deal of buzz. It's a novel by first-time adult novelist (she has previously written books in a juvenile/young adult series, Beacon Street Girls, but this was under a pseudonym, Annie Bryant) Brunonia Barry and the title is The Lace Reader.

This is something of a gothic thriller, set in Salem, Massachusetts, focusing on a family of women who have the "gift" for predicting the future merely by studying a swatch of lace. However, at one point in her life, one of the younger family members, Sophya "Towner" Whitney vowed never to read lace again. Her restraint and resolve are tested, though, as she is called home following her beloved great-aunt Eva's mysterious disappearance. Barry combines the picture of a fractured family with the history of this particular community, including its witchcraft trials, religious cults, and quotidian seaport life making this real page-turner a most unusual and bewitching novel. Interestingly enough, the book was originally self-published but once William Morrow took a peek at this rich, rewarding read, it was auctioned for a staggering price and is now the book of summer 2008. What a success story this author has!

Let me know your thoughts on your summer (or any seasonal) reading! I look forard to comments, queries and suggestions.

I will see you at Corona Public library on your next visit to find a good book!

Lea un buen libro! Lisez un bon libre! Legga un buon libro! Leia um bom livro! Lesen sie ein gutes buch!

SO WHAT'S COOKIN' ?

2008-08-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

I know, I know---SUMMER=HOT! And really, the weather has been so warm, who would want to enter into their kitchen, but to retrieve a refreshing glass of iced tea or to scoop some tasty ice cream?!? Sometimes summer cherries, melons, plums, nectarines can call to us, but generally our trips to the kitchen are limited to the absolute "have-to visits" from June through September! Even though we seldom want to venture into our kitchens, cookbooks and books which focus on food are an entertaining and exciting way to plan for future kitchen ventures - why not take a tour with me while we travel in and out of some of the most lively food-associated books? We can plan our future culinary adventures while dreamily gazing at the lovely illustrations and/or the lively text. . .we can learn a great deal from these books so let's begin the adventure!

Without fail, the original version of Joy of Cooking by the Rombauers is the probably the most tried-and-true source for most of out culinary needs and interests. It is worth its weight in gold! Most recipes offered by the authors are terrific, not only because they are almost always fairly simple to prepare, but because there is often a bit of history attached to the recipe, in addition to offering several lovely sketches of the fruit, vegetables, herbs or other ingredients needed. Recently, though our summer temperatures were upwards of 95 degrees, I found myself (yes, in my kitchen!) preparing a lovely ratatouille from some of the most simple yet very colorful summer vegetables. I had searched for days through other cookbooks, but once again Joy of Cooking came through with a very condensed version of what I needed to do! This dish served over rice with goat cheese crumbles is a dazzling delight, even if I did need to enter the kitchen to prepare it!

We can't just plan the future meals we'll serve and share without developing an appreciation of our food origins. Therefore, let me introduce to you Heat : an amateur's adventures as kitchen slave, line cook, pasta-maker, and apprentice to a Dante-quoting butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford, a rollicking account that tells us all sorts of strange, wonderful facts that the author gleaned from his most unusual 15 month apprenticeship. Mere words cannot describe some of the adventures Buford shares, but this part memoir, part biography, part tutorial, with its deftly woven narratives, includes everything from high-end restaurant gossip to kitchen secrets to a tribute to the traditions of handmade food--Buford, the former editor of Granta and former fiction editor of The New Yorker, was a frustrated, splattering home cook forever anxious about serving his various cooking disasters until "graduating" from this apprenticeship — immerse yourself in this tome of food details - what a treat!

Thumbing through The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julie Rosso (food editor for Parade magazine) & Sheila Lukins is a grand way to acquire a few nifty food ideas. The Silver Palate Cookbook was first printed in 1979. Its authors, began a high-end delicatessen in New York in 1978, selling fresh foods, as well as providing a catering service for busy people who entertained frequently. The range of featured treats they offered expanded to include bottled fruits, chutneys and olive oils. Some of their noteworthy favorites might include chicken salad with red grapes, pecans and a roquefort dressing or oriental chicken salad. Their ideas for any kind of cold chicken are some of the best-ever and the chatty, winning style will definitely appeal to those of us who like our cookbooks informative - full of advice.

Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential is a must, if interested in learning the inside world of behind-the-scenes restaurant life. The author Bourdain covers chef's training, personalities, food prep, cooks' lifestyles, his own history and the art of running a successful restaurant. Presently the executive chef at Brassierie Les Halles in New York City, Bourdain describes the frenetic pace of the busy dinner hour & how to keep up in order to survive there. His chapter called "From Our Kitchen to Your Table" is a must ~ Bourdain warns us about the various “what not to do” when out to eat. For example, never order fish on Mondays, especially if it is a “Special”. This book is likely to amuse and, maybe, horrify the reader, but it is never boring - - -however, it may not be every reader's cup of tea.

Actually, it is really hard to go wrong with a Barefoot Contessa cookbook. My favorite is Barefoot Contessa at Home: Everyday Recipes You'll Make Over and Over Again by Ina Garten. Although I vow to stay away from cooking for most of the summer, her recipe for new or red potato salad is enough of a reason for me go back on my word! Additionally, her double chocolate layer cake is the best I have ever tasted. The book makes for a very entertaining read, as Garten's informal, friendly style strikes a chord with readers as she helps to educate us on entertaining with simple style, flair and a sense of fun - stylishly elegant, lovely home cooking!

So let's look forward to returning to our kitchens, but if you're feeling a bit reticent, please feel free to check out The Book of Jewish Food : an Odyssey from Samarkand to New York by Claudia Roden; Mollie Katzen's timeless Moosewood Cookbook; the incomparable Schott's food & drink miscellany -conceived, written, and designed by Ben Schott; Peter Mayle's wonderful books on Provence; Frances Mayes' Tuscany books; the ever-popular Michael Pollan's book, Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals; so unusual: The Devil's Larder by Jim Crace; Nora Ephron's witty & wise Heartburn; cute Eat Cake by Jeanne Ray; The Whole World Over - the joys of pastry, in fiction by Julia Glass plus any of Ruth Reichl's adventurous outings with good food. . . here's to some remarkable reading, relaxation and and repasts!

well-versed

2008-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

When we last visited I commented on a wonderful novel for kids called Reaching for the Sun, written by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. While this is a terrific book and one I am very pleased to mention to you, believe me, there are, indeed, many others that I feel are worth a look! I love to mention this type of book, for example, to grade school kids who may be challenged by ordinary prose novels, as these unrhymed verse novels are among the most accessible books mainly because they do not rely on standard puctuation or resemble a sea of text. Most are short, but so full of good writing. As I said, I like all kinds of books, but I what I love best are discovering new writers, new approaches, new ways of expressing similar feelings. . .I am hoping you'll also enjoy your "discoveries"-

First of all, Hearbeat by Sharon Creech is a powerful, but gentle look at changes. Twelve-year-old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant; her grandfather faces age challenges while her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant. This book, like the others I am mentioning here, is told in verse. Creech is a terrific writer ~ this is a bold brilliant map of the many moods adolescents experience.

Again, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson is a bittersweet, but gentle study of eleven-year-old Lonnie who writes about his life, after the death of his parents. He has been separated from his younger sister, is now living in a foster home, and finds his poetic voice at school. This novel's story is a tough one, quite an emotional read, but one that rewards the reader.

Crazy Man by Pamela Paige Porter is the as spare tale of life on the Saskatchewan prairie. the novel is rich in its yield of what matters – understanding, forgiveness, friendship and a faithful dog – Pamela Porter’s The Crazy Man is impossible to put down. Porter explores large issues such as prejudice, fear, and disability with grace and honesty. While there are shining moments of hope in this verse novel, it is also a remarkable yet empathetic look at the disabled-touching and meaningful-book that defies description.

Pieces of Georgia by Jennifer Bryant is a collection of journal entries written to the narrator's mother, a gifted artist recently passed away, quite suddenly. Thirteen-year-old Georgia McCoy reveals how her life changes after she receives an anonymous gift membership to a nearby art museum. Heartfelt, this is a healing tale; this richly textured novel layered with realistic characters is an emotional story and its satisfying ending will stay with the reader for a very long time.

My goal was to introduce you to five of these terrific novels, though, believe me, there are many more worthwhile, stunning examples of this type of novel. All these authors are very accomplished and talented. The last novel but definitely not the least, is my final choice: North of Everything by Craig Crist-Evans. A family who relocates from Florida to Vermont for the simpler life on a farm becomes closer to nature - this is a wonderful attempt to portray the changes one boy and his family experience - through the shifting seasons and in their own lives. A lovely, deeply sincere novel given to us by an enormously gifted writer who was a "Poet in the Schools for Colorado" 1992 to 1997 and taught an independent program entitled Global Awareness & the Writing Process in eight different school districts throughout Colorado. Finally, he served as a contributing editor for the Bloomsbury Review from 1990 until his untimely death in 2005.

Please enjoy one, some or, hopefully, all these novels-you will not be sorry. What you'll probably ask is "where can I find more?" Look to Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust; Maria Testa' Almost Forever; Lindsay Lee Johnson's Full Moon Soup and Susan Taylor Brown's Hugging the Rock & read, read and read some more. . . enjoy!

NOVELS TOLD IN POETRY FORM

2008-05-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

Though I tend to focus on adult fiction, I am always interested in any fiction that is accomplished and interesting. We all have our favorite genres, of course; I tend to especially enjoy short stories and novels. . .I read a great deal, both adults books, as well children's novels. Within the past several years I have become a serious fan, admirer of these short novels told in poetry form.

Most often these novels are found in the Juvenile section of the library, BUT this definitely should not repel readers: some of the best writing can be found in juvenile fiction! Let me share with you here some of my big favorites, beginning with a beautiful book I took on vacation and read while taking a cross-country flight - Reaching for the Sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. this is a short 181 page novel of a Josie, a seventh grade who happens to have cerebral palsy; she lives with her mother and grandmother in a small farmhouse - her rather staid existence is altered as she becomes acquainted with a new neighbor who helps to open her world. A bounty of lovely garden & growth imagery awaits the reader in this affecting, transforming story of interlinked free verse poetry. Interestingly, those who read this book & are not poetry lovers will not realize this is lovely story is all poetry. . .those who love poetry will admire, appreciate, and cherish this. Try it-you'll probably never forget this experience.

I will keep you posted on other novels told in poetry form in just a bit.

KEEPING IT short

2008-03-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

On the basis of what we last shared, I thought revisiting the short story might be not only enjoyable, but we could also share a few writers of this genre who are expecially good at their craft.

I was delighted to read author, Marianne Wiggins review of Our Story Begins by Tobias Wolff, an author I have long admired, in the (Easter) Sunday 3/23/08 LA Times Book Review section ---and what a review this was! She does what a reviewer aspires to do: she writes such a strong, positive review that the reader wants to fly out of the house and get to the library and/or bookstore as fast as possible.

She loves his writing, adores his subject choices and has a great appreciation of his many 30 years as an author. She refers to Wolf as a "master mason" and his language, very ordinary, is the kind that just pulls the reader in because it is the sort that people around us happen to use. Wiggins, Salman Rushdie's former wife, has a few short story collections ('92, '93?) of her own so I am looking into locating these. However, her review of Wolff's new short stories was particularly glowing: Wiggins points out that Wolff's mastery of the craft compares to Poe, Hemingway, J. D.Salinger and Raymond Carver.

Naturally, this review is a must-read, but I also began thinking...what other short story crafters should we discuss?

Waiting to hear of other short story writers recommendations you'd care to share here. I may have left two off the kings, J. D. Salinger and Raymond Carver from my list earlier this month; Ray Bradbury, Katherine Mansfield. additionally, swimming in my head are the names of Jack London, Paul Theroux, Bernard Malamud, David Bezmozgis -just a few others who spring to mind. Let's hear some of your favorites - love to learn about new and different writers...thanks.

Let's Praise the Short Story, Not Bury It!

2008-03-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

Well, I continue to hear that the short story is dead. Can this be true? I believe that readers often don't select short stories because they conjecture that they are too short, not complete and don't have much substance. To this I would say: wrong, wrong, wrong. Of course, this is my (strong) opinion, but I would say if we each go out and check out short story collections and anthologies, we can give new life to this suffering breed of fiction - take a walk on a (good) short story side and you will find that - for the most part - they are surprisingly well-constructed: very briskly paced, challenging yet compact and overall, clever compelling and concise.

I love good short stories so I would like to take this time to introduce or familiarize readers with twelve terrific short story authors including the following: Don Chaon; Amanda Davis; Anthony Doerr; Ryan Harty; Stephen King; Jhumpa Lahiri; Steven Millhauser; Lorrie Moore; Alice Munro (practically the QUEEN of this form); Julie Orringer; Annie Proulx and Eric Puchner.

Don Chaon's Among the Missing, a splendid collection of tales in which the past haunts the future- this collection is riveting, puzzling and filled with wonder; Amanda Davis, who tragically perished in a plane accident near age 30 in 2003, focuses on the lives of (chiefly) female characters in the dark, lyrical, ferocious yet playful studies of vulnerability in her amazing Circling the Drain.

Anthony Doerr's The Shell Collector is complex and powerful in its depiction of the natural world and how its beauty and power move our lives; Ryan Harty, who happens to be married to Julie Orringer, another writer highlighted here, wrote Bring Me Your Saddest Arizona: a stark, subtle unsettling look at the Southwest and its denizens' love and loss.

Stephen King's Night Shift and or Skeleton Crew underline his abilities to remain in tone and theme yet stay simple and to the point - plus not all King is horror!; Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies elegantly, meticulously depicts both East Indians and Indian Americans, who experience culture conflicts and a constant curiousity about the human condition...this April should bring Lahiri's new short story collection!

Steven Millhauser's new collection of short stories, Dangerous Laughter, is a strange and magnetic invitation to his uncanny world of magical realism-this collection and his The Knife Thrower are remarkable in their depiction of amazing other-wordly paradoxes : his finesse in conjuring up the strange, mesmerizing worlds he creates is extraordinarily brilliant and we can see the influence of Poe, Kafka, Borges and Faust; Lorrie Moore has written stories filled with the unsettled of America, in Birds of America and Self-Help - Moore uses her trademark humor and fuels each story with pathos and empathy.

Alice Munro is known as the finest living short story writer-her tales of Ontario, Canada involve characters who confront conflict while adhering to tradition, experiencing the inabiltiy to delay life moving forward as evidenced in The Runaway, Friends of My Youth and Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage ; the incredible Julie Orringer has offered her debut collection How to Breathe Underwater which is a terrific in-depth study of various aged characters desperately trying to sustain viable realtionships.

All of Annie Proulx's bleak but whimsical collections, such as Bad Dirt, Close Range, That Old Ace in the Hole reflect forgotten places at a pace closely aligned with quieter days. And, finally,Eric Puchner's debut collection of short stories, Music through the Floor, highlight a group of cultural misfits attempting to navigate mainstream America - strikingly original, fiercely funny, and quietly heartbreaking.

So . . . please offer your analyses, beliefs, feelings, ideas, impressions, inspirations, investigations, observances, opinions, theories, thoughts and views on what makes a good short story and who some of your favorite short story authors are. Looking forward to you sharing your ideas. Yearning to hear of your choice in yarns and yarn-spinners.

The Heist with a Hitch

2008-01-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

I know how much we all enjoy reading these simple, non-challenging novels that we have plenty of on our bookstore and library shelves. They are light and offer us a respite from our worries and troubles. While I have read and enjoyed many of these, I do think we deserve to be enlightened once in a while-you know, take the time to read a novel that just might shed some light on facts, ideas we seldom consider. Some of these novels may offer additonal invitations to us to question aspects of our beliefs and our spirituality. One such novel that practically called to me from the shelf, pleading "Please give me a try!" is the thoroughly enjoyable (though I do not claim it is an easy book to read) novel by Dara Horn's The World to Come. Wow. This is a book with a lot going for it! At the heart of the story is Ben, a depressed prodigy and recently divorced quiz show question writer. Attending a museum function, he comes in contact with a lovely Chagall painting that he nearly immediately steals. He also comes in contact with Erica, who seems wise to his thievery. Additonally, we have Sara, Ben's twin sister, a terrifically talented artist in her own right. At this point, you might say, this is enough for a livley novel, but, no, kind reader, that would be incorrect! We are invited to behold recent Chernobyl, Stalin's acts, Vietnam, a dandy introduction and acquaintance with Marc Chagall, a look into art and culture in nineteenth and twentieth century Russia, terrorism all woven into a wonderful tempting combo of fable-mystery-suspense-romance-historical fiction that questions and challenges the way we view the afterlife, as well as our lives on earth. At times frustrating, baffling and confounding, this novel is breathtaking. We are introduced to past, present and future in this intoxicating tale, breathtaking as it is amazing-do yourself a favor and please seek out this challenging novel.

2008-01-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well, now that we are in a new year, having read, read, read while we were relaxing over the restful holiday break, I am just wondering how many of you will have suggestions about what your favorite books into movies have been. . .now that Academy Award season is upon us I am naturally curious as to how many of our favorite books and - maybe, not so-favorite-books - have been transformed into delightful, charming, wonderful or at least good movies.

Let's see . . . I have not read "Atonement"- maybe many of you have read it? The film is a visually lovely film, boasting some interesting acting and plot turmoil. However, I can't really say much else, as I did not read this particular novel by Ian McEwan. I also have not read the Upton Sinclair short novel Oil on which the fill "There will be Blood" is loosely based. However, I did see the film, which is a very moving experience-a stunning movie with its very dramatic soundtrack, boasts some remarkable acting, probably unlike anything I have seen in recent years.

Let's look back even a more than a few years at another interesting movie: "The Girl with the Pearl Earring", which was also a very enjoyable book by Tracy Chevalier. What I enjoyed so much in both is that there isn't a great deal of action, in fact, there's very little. However, this works so well with the subject, as we're invited to glimpse, study, behold Vermeer's seventeenth-century life as he becomes acquainted with a servant girl he is interested in portraying on canvas. The movie, starring Colin Firth, Scarlet Johansson, Cillian Murphy is such a deliberate, slow-moving, perhaps even lugubrious, film but it's looks so splendid-the colors, the light, the atmosphere, the interactions between characters. I really enjoyed it.

More recently, I saw the film version of the novel, The Kite Runner. While I thought it included lovely acting by the young boys as well as and especially the actor portraying the main character's father, I was rather surprised at how the filmmakers toned-down many of the explosive, political elements of the film. I recall that the novel really gave the reader an understanding of the dangers of the Taliban, representing some of its leaders as violent megalomaniacs. Much less so with the film, or, at least these portions were not dwelled upon, nor were they nearly as violent as Khaled Housseni portrayed them in his novel. Overall, while the film "The Kite Runner" was enjoyable, it also seemed somewhat "safe".

I have not read Into the Wild, nor have I seen the film. I understand there is a wide array of diverse opinion on how the story is treated in the film "version" of the non-fiction book.

I can think of two film experiences that were leaps and bound better than the books each was based upon. These would be "Forrest Gump", a thoroughly engaging movie, but a more dismal, senseless book cannot be found; "Big Fish" was also a somewhat entertaining movie, but the book was so ludicrous, lumbering and lumpy that even at a short 208 pages it seemed interminable. Ideas for others that have disappointed or surprised you??

How about the Joanne Harris' book Chocolat? A perfectly lovely film, "Chocolat" starring Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp; one that can be seen repeatedly . . .

One pont to take into consideration: a novelist or writer has a seemingly infinite number of pages to write and we can spend hour upon hour with his/her creation. A filmmaker has a finite number of minutes to be used for his/her purpose and, therefore, some of our most favorite themes, threads, topics may be glossed over or omitted.

I am eager to find out what your choices will include! Let's hear from you. . .

You will get LOST in LOST

2007-12-20T17:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finally finished reading Daniel Mendelsohn's 528 page detective-adventure-memoir account Lost: The Search for Six of Six Million, written in September 2006. I have been reading this riveting narrative by this American award-winning book critic, contributing editor for Travel magazine, author and classics professor for the better part of two months. It is an incredible, deeply personal narrative of a man who had recalled hearing, lifelong, that six of his relatives were believed to have perished in the Holocaust. He had come upon a stack of old letters from an uncle, begging for help for himself, his wife and their four daughters at the onset of the early years of Nazi grip on their Polish village. Interestingly, as a boy, the author brought relatives to tears just by walking into a room because of his strong resemblance to this particular uncle. Mendelsohn's book is the coverage of his obsessive, extensive search of what really happened to this part of the family, as none of the relatives can say for certain.

He travels worldwide to unearth morsels of truth, to acquaint himself with those very few who may have known the family members and to interview other Holocaust survivors in an attempt to shed light on the mystery. His photographer brother, Matthew, accompanied the author on many of his travels, catching priceless shots of a increments of past world; on one trip, the author's sister and another brother accompanied them.

While the author may digress by including portions of the Bible's Genesis, relating memories of his youth combining this with travelogue and history then offering personal viewpoints about his academic & teaching background, Mendelsohn's unbelievably suspenseful, haunting, amazing trail of discoveries leading back & forth from the U.S. to Australia, Israel, Ukraine, Scandinavia several times, offering the reader a dim light on hope.

His effort to retrieve a forgotten world is ambitious, heroic and sprinkled with the most flabbergasting coincidences ever known. Lost offers a most horrible vision of hell, but Mendelsohn also reveals human nature, tenacious and empathic, in this emotional, provocative and profound journey that I would strongly recommend.

2007-11-28T16:46:00.000-08:00

Haven Kimmel's Novels

I have just begun reading Something Rising (Light and Swift) which is the second book in a sort of geographic trilogy, all focusing on fictional, small town rural Indiana and all filled with tough, eccentric residents. I can already tell that this novel will be rewarding, but it is somewhat slow to build. First and foremost, its heroine Cassie Claiborne, age 10, supports her family by hustling pool. Her family life is bleak and dismal; her family members are a neurotic crew, each believable and sympathetic.

This book bears little resemblance to Kimmel's The Solace of Leaving Early, but it does contain the same quiet charm. The Solace of Leaving Early is a heartbreaking/heartwarming tale of two individuals at odds with themselves and small-town life. Kimmel's characters in Solace are troubled individuals seeking solace, struggling with their problems, both large and small. Langston, the main character has walked out on her PHD oral exams, returning to her hometown, while Amos, the town minister is torn by a tragedy he was unable to prevent. Kimmel's wonderful gift for slowly revealing secrets is what helps this novel to be so enjoyable. There is a great deal to enjoy in this lovely novel that is told with empathy and

wit.

The third installment of the trilogy is The Used World, which also features Amos and is placed in rural Indiana, but, again, is a completely different story. I think we visited that novel on this blog a month or so ago.

2007-11-28T15:55:00.000-08:00

"BLOOM"-ING BOOKS

Now that I have completed all of the fiction that Amy Bloom has written, I am looking forward to what she will be writing in the future. She is a past National Book Award finalist for her earlier short story collection, Come to Me, which I beleive we've visited on this blog before.

I recently read Bloom's first novel, Love Invents Us, which chronicles Elizabeth Taube's, rather disturbing journey into adolescence, then adulthood, introducing along the way a collection of vividly drawn characters, who are each a vital part of this neurotic, but perceptive young girl's life. While not a heartwarming novel, it is captivating. Bloom's Elizabeth, lonely and neglected, is an intriguing heroine whose burgeoning self-discovery and identity questions is sympathetic and real . Bloom, who teaches creative writing at Yale, is a former pyschotherapist; readers will wonder how if many of Bloom's clientele appear in this work, as well as her two short story collections and her new novel, Away.

BLOWN AWAY BY AMY BLOOM'S AWAY

2007-10-10T20:02:00.000-07:00

Just wondering how many readers have had the chance to get their hands on Amy Bloom's wonderful new novel, Away.

I read it over the past 10 days and most certainly agree with the Publisher's Weekly reviewers who say it is "absolutely stunning". The novel is not long, a short 256 pages, but it is so packed with details, characters and amazing geographic settings that it is not only a thrilling page-turner, it also full of humor, suspense, desire, heartbreak, the danger of re-inventing one's self and, most importantly, love.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Amy Bloom and being present at her reading of this splendid novel. She entertained the small audience with a tale or two of her writing experiences and her new career, which involves writing tv screeplays for the Lifetime channel's State of Mind. Bloom read many passages from Away, most certainly whetting the appetite of those who had not yet tried this book. I feel this is one of the year's best books because of Bloom's description of Lillian's panoramic odyssey and the understanding of the heart.

In a nutshell, Away focuses one Lillian Leyb, an Russian immigrant to America, who has tragically lost her entire family and barely survived a pogram in her small village, circa mid-1920s. She makes a life for herself in NY, living with relatives and surviving as mistress to one man, a sort of decoy to another. Lillian knows she can get by and actaully makes the most of her existence, that is, until the one day a cousin, presumed dead, shows up, telling Lillian that Lillian's own small daughter is not dead, but alive and well. It is at this juncture that Away changes from a story of "getting by" to one of sheer survival, as Lillian travels from the east coast all the way to Alaska, in an attempt to leave the U.S. to reach Siberia and re-claim this child. What begins as a small tale of immigrant life develops into a study of human nature in some of the country's most remote regions. A special trick Bloom uses, a tiny bit of telegraphing what the characters' future holds by giving out small details as the story rolls forward, is an especially nice touch. This book is a extraordinary: striking, hypnotic and unforgettable. You'll certainly be swept away...

BEASTS OF NO NATION-Incendiary novel

2007-09-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

If you have not yet read Beasts of No Nation, maybe it is time to try. TRY is the key word here because this is not a book that is everyone's taste. In fact, this "pseudo-memoir" and the life that it reflects make for one harrowing read.

Written as a thesis at Harvard, Uzodinma Iweala offers this harrowing portrait of Agu, the preteen boy who becomes a guerilla soldier in a war-torn, unnamed West African nation, gives this anguished account while forced to serve in this batallion. He has seen his quiet preacher father killed before his eyes, his bible-reading mother and sister eveacuated by the U.N. and nowAgu relays this heartbreak, while fighting a war which he knows little about, attempting to stay alive in the mayhem and chaos surrounding him. Told in Pidgin English, Agu's haunting voice takes the reader into this descent into hell, this nightmare of violence. Once a scholarly boy, Agu is now in the throes of brutality and takes on the ways of his marauding fighters. conflicted yet fascinated by war, Agu comes to receive care at a shelter/ hospital. This totally different powerfully important novel is a dehumanizing coming-of-age tale.

any splendid thoughts?

2007-09-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I have finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I guess it is really difficult for a writer of a terrific, much-loved novel to turn around and WOW readers again. I am a fan of Kite Runner, so my expectations for the author's second novel may have been high, as Kite Runner was terrific. So, readers, such as this one probably approached this second novel with trepidation. Hosseini has aimed high with his second novel. I have to admit that I liked the idea of this novel more than I actually enjoyed the novel. I had problems with Hosseini's writing this time out. Mainly I felt that these characters were cardboard-y. He tells a gripping story, conveying 30 years of Afghan history; readers learn the endurance of the women facing enormous oppression. The unbelievably tragic story, filled with graphic violence, is definitely an eye-opener: the war-torn story that unfolds is of two women survive tremendous odds. at times Hosseini seemed heavy-handed and preachy; at times, he merely seemed rushed. Kite Runner is a subtle novel, with depth and style that rarely slowed down; though an interesting novel that offers a big slice of history, A Thousand Splendid Suns, unfortunately, feels a bit contrived and manipulative. Looking foorward to many thoughts about this novel...splendid or otherwise.

2007-09-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

plotz

Wednesday, September 12, 2007
thousand splendid thoughts?

Thoughts on A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I probably should wait until I am finished, but I am just wondering who has read this second novel by the author of The Kite Runner. I have read about 150 pages and while it is interesting and intriguing, I find that it is not as compelling as Hosseini's debut novel. Undoubtedly, he is a marvelous story-weaver, which is evident in this work; there is a good amount of heartbreak, a dramatic presentation of escalating danger and various violent turns yet I am finding the characters a bit one-dimensional. I am sure very soon I will find it difficult to put down, but so far my reaction is a bit tepid. Let's hear from you and your reactions to this highly acclaimed novel...looking forward to your thoughts.

Posted by ana anyogn at 5:46 PM 0 comments

Thursday, September 6, 2007
so interesting

As a sort of footnote to what I previously posted~for those of you interested in reading additional info. about author, Haven Kimmel, there is a most interesting interview with her on this lovely blog: Seven Impossible Interviews before Breakfast#9: The One. The Only. Haven Kimmel

Here you go: http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=522

ENJOY!

Posted by ana anyogn at 4:53 PM 0 comments

Wow!

2007-09-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

I often read "advance copies" of books soon to be published so that I can review them for various resources. Often this is a lot of fun, but, at times, there can be a time-crunch where I find myself looking for extra time to read these books. Recently, I became acquainted with Haven Kimmel's newest book, The Used Emporium, which is the final book in her sort of Indiana-based trilogy---the first books of the trilogy are Solace of Leaving Early followed by Something Rising (Light and Swift). I had never read Kimmel, but was aware of her two non-fiction works: A Girl Named Zippy and She Got up off the Couch.

This novel is incredible. A bit slow to begin, by the time I got to page 100, the many developments began to play out. Many characters here and some spirituality, many memories, sordid secrets and more than a twists and turns. Caution: read carefully. Readers who enjoy Billie Letts' novels are likely to appreciate Kimmel's new book. The book is surprising in many ways and as the characters seem like living, breathing individuals, I expect it will stay with me for some time.

Stay tuned for more book news. . .

short stories

2007-09-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting to read Away by Amy Bloom, but before trying it, I decided to sample a collection of short stories by this author. A Blind Man can See How Much I Love You is the title of this collection I brought home. Warning: don't begin reading this unless you are prepared to do nothing but read, read, read for several hours. Powerful stories that are difficult to put down. Each one is haunting in its own inimitable way. The focus of these stories cover the gamut from family illness, to familes reuniting to re-formed familes. Amazing. Highly recommended.

Welcome to "Plotz" - This is the place where we talk about books we're reading, books we want to read and book we've read...

2007-09-04T17:53:00.000-07:00