Glad I wasn't born in Victorian times....

This book had been on my To Be Read list for a while. Something about it intrigued me, but still I kept putting off actually reading it. Too many other books that piqued my interest more, I guess. This book is only about 136 pages long, but it really packs a wallop. It's about a girl, born to a British family, in India. After a terrible tragedy, the family returns to their native land. The girl and her sister are raised in a very restrictive Victorian home. Esme, a rather free spirit, struggles against the constraints that her family places upon her and eventually pays a terrible price or it. My biggest complaint with the book is the speed and frequency in which the authors changes perspective from one character to another. It made me feel crazy. I was always wondering who was talking. This, of course, is done for effect and done well. I was amazed to learn that during this period of time, a man - either a husband or a father - could have a woman committed into an asylum for very little offense at all. I can only wonder what would have happened to me had I lived in this time.

Ok, I admit it....

I read the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I had too. There were so many women at work talking about it, so much controversy surrounding it. The last straw was a blog that I came across saying how this book set the women's movement back 50 years... blah... blah... blah. I had no idea that the book started out as Twilight fan fiction or that would have been a deal breaker for me. I hate the Twilight books. But, since I didn't know, I proceeded to read. So, let me start off by saying that this book is not something you would want to leave casually laying around where the kids might find it. This book is hot. Lots of sex of the kinky variety. (Leaving it in a place where your husband might find it, not such a bad idea...) To answer the blogger that stated she thought this set the women's movement back - I couldn't disagree more vehemently. For centuries it has been expected that men would share their deepest, darkest sexual fantasies. It was something completely proper, while women's desires have been repressed - to put it mildly. Anastasia Steele is not a mindless piece of jello as aforementioned blogger has suggested. Instead, she is a bit naive and inexperienced when the book starts; however, she becomes a strong willed woman, in touch with her own self and sexuality. She knows, by the end of the trilogy, what it is she wants and doesn't want. Further, not only does she come to terms with her own self, she helps the person she loves do the same. I hardly think that kind of self realization is such a set back. I did find the constant use of "inner goddess" to be tiring and found my eyes rolling every time I heard it. Also, I found Mr. Gray's ability to give his virginal partner an orgasm during every encounter comical. Not even Babe Ruth batted 1000. Finally, I found it ironic that Anastasia was a huge tea drinker and had phrases and words in her vernacular that were very British - odd for a character that has supposedly never left the PacWest of the US. No Shades will never win a Pulitzer, but it is an entertaining, lively beach read. If you don't like HOT, HOT, HOT... pass on by. If you are willing to explore your own fantasies and desires.... read on.

Book Challenge 2012

I am so excited! I just started a new 2012 book challenge and you all know how I feel about reading! :) While I was looking for summer recommendations to add to my reading list, I came across this book challege on a great blog called Reading with Tequila. I will update you as my challenge progresses and I encourage you to check out the challenge and join! After all, you have all summer! The challenge actually runs through the end of the year. Happy Reading!

The Submission by Amy Waldman

This book has been on my To Be Read list for a really long time and I finally stopped putting it off. I thought that the story line sounded so intriguing and I kept putting it off because I didn't want to be disappointed. The Submission is the story of an architect who submits a design to be considered for the 9/11 Memorial. His entry is entitled "The Garden". A jury, comprised of local politicians, art critics and family members is created to select the winning Memorial design. All entries are anonymous until selection. Upon choosing " The Garden" for the 9/11 Memorial, the jury discovers that the architect behind the design is a Muslim. The story is about many kinds of submissions. The entry itself - the Garden - sounds like everything one would imagine a Memorial to be - a place for reflection, remembrance and healing. It is also the story of Mohammed Khan, the architect, who submits himself to public scrutiny after his design is selected. There are several characters who accept public review and rebuke of their opinions about The Garden and it's designer. It's an interesting question - should a American citizen - who happens to be a Muslim - be allowed to create the Memorial for the victims of that awful day. I'm sure you can imagine what happens in the course of the book - the public outcry both in support and opposition to the selection of The Garden. In the end though, I found it hard to connect to any of the characters. Mohammed Khan was difficult to get to know, being alien and somewhat reclusive. Claire, the widow on the jury, at first supports and even actively advocates for the Garden. The story is a reflection of the inner struggles that people face between doing what they know to be right and their inner fears and bigotry. Many of the characters, from the mayor's man who tries to "solve" the problem to the members of "Save America from Islam" seem like trite literary devices to proves the author's point. What started out with such high hopes, did in fact end in disappointment.

Still Alice

This boook has been on my TBR list for a while. I actually got it confused with another book about memory loss called "What Alice Forgot". I still haven't read that book, but this book was very interesting.
It is the story of Alice, a very accomplished professional woman, wife and mother of three. Alice teaches linguistics and psychology at Harvard University before she is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
The book takes you on a journey for the early days of Alice's diagnosis to the later stages of her disease. It is the heroic story of how one woman atttempts to cope with the loss of her memories. It is heart wrenching and sad, yet also inspiring. It really makes you think about quality of life and puts into perspective all the things that Alzheimer patients and their families deal with every day. A very good read.

Lone Wolf

This was the latest book that I read for one of the book clubs that I belong to. I love Jodi Picoult, but I would be the first one to say that some of her books are better than others. ( I loved 19 Minutes & Salem Falls not so much Song of the Humpback or Picture Perfect).
At any rate, this book is her latest and I have to say that I enjoyed it. It's very different. The story of a father who is largely estranged from his family and then finds the decisions about his life quite literally to be in their hands. As usual, Picoult does a great job of taking a very timely and sensitive issue and shining many different lights upon the subject.
I also love wolves and found the main character very interesting in that he is a person who studies wolves and lives among them, much like Jane Goodall. I have heard some critics say that the sections of the book that discuss the wolves were not realistic, but not being an expert, I found them to be believable and engaging. It was interesting how Picoult used the characters interactions with the wolves to give insight into his own troubled family. If you enjoy Picoult and like this type of book ( one based on a timely controversy) then this book is worth checking out.

Wizard's First Rule

My husband and I started watching Legend of the Seeker on Netflix. I had not realized that this was a series based on a book. My usual philosophy is that I believe a person should always read the book first. So I started this, the first in the series of 11 books.

Wizard's Rule is very slow to start. VERY S----L----O-----W. But once the action starts happening, it all happens rapidly. Richard Cypher, otherwise known as The Seeker, is a very admirable character. He is loving and compassionate with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to help those in trouble. All perfect qualities for a Seeker of Truth.

I think one of my favorite characters in the book was Deena, a Mord-Sith who is sent by the villian Darken Rahl to "train" the Seeker. I won't give away why she is one of my favorite characters, or what I find admirable about her, in case any sci-fi fans out there want to give this one a try. Remember, you will be about ten chapters in before it gets lively....