Books I’ve read recently:

The Little Stranger by Sara Waters – I thought it was a good story, and DUDE it gets super creepy for a chapter or two…but not her best work in my opinion. I think Fingersmith is still one of the best books I’ve ever read (possibly top 10). Anyway, the basic plot is centered around a doctor in a small village in England, post-World War II. He becomes acquainted with an old-money family living on a large estate – a family that is slowly spiraling into debt and obscurity. Strange things begin to happen – fires set in the night, strange noises, accidents… the mystery comes in figuring out who (or what) is causing these irregularities.

I liked the build up, and found myself clutching a pillow nervously at one point. Waters has clearly taken notes from Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw (a fantastic piece); unfortunately the climax of the story fails to reach its full potential. I don’t want to give anything away, but what could have turned into a truly scary piece of work becomes a little boring and flat.

Elizabeth I by Margaret George – Blah. I read almost anything Elizabethan, and I can’t NOT check out a book that purports to tell her story, fiction or nonfiction…but this was not very good. The language was inappropriate for the time period depicted, and the famous people surrounding the Queen (Robert Dudley! Francis Walsingham! Francis Drake!) were turned into one-dimensional placeholders. I’m always happy for new information or ideas about Queen Elizabeth, but I don’t recommend this one.

Book I plan to read this week:

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – I received this book from the Gomers for my birthday, and am finally ready for it. Yes, it’s another piece of British history – this time focusing on Henry VIII (yes, THAT guy). Anyone out there have thoughts on it?

 

It’s my birthday week! Official birthday is the 14th – but my week of celebrations has begun!

To start it off, let’s get into the literary tomes I’ve devoured as of late.

I finished The American (die-hard Henry James fans will enjoy, but for the uninitiated, start with The Turn of the Screw or The Wings of the Dove). The story ended alright, but became muddled with melodrama in the middle.

Next, I read Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. This is a wonderful story! Description taken from the back: “Thirteen-year-old Ava Bigtree has lived her entire life at Swamplandia!, her family’s island home and gator-wrestling theme park in the Florida Everglades. But when illness fells Ava’s mother, the park’s indomitable headliner, the family is plunged into chaos; her father withdraws, her sister falls in love with a spooky character known as the Dredgeman, and her brilliant big brother, Kiwi, defects to a rival park called The World of Darkness. As Ava sets out on a mission through the magical swamps to save them all, we are drawn into a lush and bravely imagined debut that takes us to the shimmering edge of reality.”

I really liked Ava, and enjoyed the time spent with her. Russell switches from 3rd person to 1st person often in weaving together Ava’s and Kiwi’s adventures, and this does take some adjusting; it isn’t seamless. The descriptions are just lavish enough without falling into the oubliette that is J.R.R. Tolkein (OHH MY GAWWWWWDDD), and made the 1000 islands of southern Florida seem as magical and scary as Wonderland. I was a little disappointed in the conclusion, but only because I felt it ended too abruptly.

I had been recommended David Nicholl’s One Day by a bookseller in Copperfield’s, and after reading Radiator Tunes’ review of it HERE, I figured it was worth a shot – she’s one of the few people (i’ve never met her) whose book recommendations I’ll take. It was actually very engrossing. I worried it would be predictable, boring, and, worse, threaten my street cred; instead, it was witty and sweet, and I can still show my face in the indie bookstores LOL Dude, I swear, I read it IRONICALLY!

I don’t know that I’l see the movie – mainly, because the radio ads for the movie quoted Anne Hathaway as saying that the story was ‘soulful’, which is one of those words that is so cheesy, it grates on my nerves (I re-read that last sentence, and realized that I AM SO PUN-NY!).

Now, I am reading The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. I knew the basic story of the book before reading it, as I’d seen the movie version starring Gillian Anderson (Scully!) with my mom years ago. Knowing the ending is giving the characters a sinister and/or tragic edge to their introductions, but Lily Bart is already ranking high on my list of favorite female protaganists. She’s beautiful and intelligent, but prone to bouts of rebelliousness that threaten to veer her off-course. Lily wants so desperately to be a part of the upper-class New York world, but recognizes it’s faults and hypocrisies to an extent that she sabotages her own attempts to climb the social ladder.

Not sure what I will be in the mood for next….

Finished The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt. It was good, but the last 50 pages were kind of superfluous. I like details, and I enjoy knowing what happens to characters I’ve come to like (or even hate); but even I can say that I don’t need to know what a character was eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I think I would recommend Possession first, if you’re interested in reading Byatt’s work.

After that, I read Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosay. I wanted to see the movie, but I figured I’d read the book first. Unfortunately, it was not as intriguing as I’d hoped. The story fell flat after only 100 pages, and the main character, Julia, failed to interest; she came off as petty and spineless. The author has no gift for story arcing. I think I still want to see the movie, because I like Kristen Scott Thomas (ever since “The English Patient”) and I love Aidan Quinn (pretty much since forever). So…we’ll see.

Right now, I’m reading The American by Henry James, and while I love the writing style, and bow down to James’ amazing grasp of character development, I don’t think this is his best work. It centers around Christopher Newman, a middle-aged American man with a lot of money and the arrogance to match. He has good intentions, but clearly feels himself to be deserving of the best and brightest the world has to offer. Whilst relaxing in Paris, he decides to look for a wife, and finds a ‘suitable’ match in Claire, a widowed 25 year old and a member of the French aristocracy. That’s as far as I’ve gotten, so I can’t explain much more than that. I’ll let you know what happens

Next up on my list is Swamplandia! by Karen Russell! I’ve been dying to read this!

Speaking of reading…I’m FINALLY ordering my new glasses. These beauties from Warby Parker:

Awesome, right?! I am very excited. This company seems pretty cool;  for every pair of glasses sold, they give one pair of glasses to a person in need (yep, like Toms). The glasses (including the prescription anti-glare lenses) are $95 each, and are designed in vintage styles. I was wary of buying glasses online, because you couldn’t see how they look on you- but, lo and behold, they have a solution to this problem! You can either upload a photo and do a virtual try-on OR you can have them send you up to 5 pairs to test out for free! They even pay for the return shipping!  It was so nice to actually see how they look and feel, before making my choice.  If you’re wondering, Warby Parker has not asked me to write a review, and I have received no compensation for such. I just like the glasses.

 I have a new prescription, so hopefully the headaches will cease, and I can read in full enjoyment.

After finishing Angels & Insects by A.S. Byatt, I read Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford (chilling), and re-read a few Agatha Christie novels.

Then I started a book that has been on many ‘best’ lists.

I’ve disliked certain novels. I’ve read novels that angered me, depressed me…but I’m pretty sure this is one experience that I had yet to encounter.

I made it 28 pages before I decided that Naked Lunch by William S Burroughs was awful enough to throw away… I don’t mean give back, pass along, I mean add it to the pile of banana peels and used tissues. It wasn’t the writing itself that was terrible – it was the content. It is meant to be a series of vignettes; the bits are tied together quite loosely by the character Lee, a drug addict – much of the novel itself was drug-induced, accounting for it’s lack of actual plot. I can’t explain myself very well without getting into details; suffice it to say that there were certain passages that made me feel so awful that I couldn’t continue.

I knew going into the book that it had been at one point on a list of obscene literature; I guess I kind of assumed it would be like a lot of other books on the lists (Ulysses??)

Anyway. It was enough that, though I am against censorship, I didn’t want to own it, or finish reading it myself.

So…I gave up and started reading The Children’s Book by A.S. Byatt.

I enjoy her writing style; her words conjure up lovely, dark images of Victorian and Romantic era life. The tales are full of rich details, but the language is surprisingly much simpler than expected.

What are you reading?

Haven’t taken part in quite awhile!! Link up over at The Little Things We Do

Saturday, the wonderful Adrian (check out her personal blog HERE) cut my hair, and this time we went shorter. I don’t have a picture of it yet – today was not the day for pictures, trust me), but I love it! I didn’t get home until late, but as soon as Tim saw me, his face lit up and he said ‘You look great!!’. I call that a win.  I swear I’ll post a hair update this week.

Yesterday I overslept (thanks to my iPhone – the time change threw it off. It was correct on Sunday, but I guess something happened and it reset during the night) and ended up running around like a crazy person, trying to get out of the house on time.  Clocked in a minute late. GRRR.  Work is horrid. I am ready to tear my hair out (and I just got it cut, too!). I wish I could fast forward to the end of this week. Friday should be here NOW.

Currently reading: The Waugh biography wasn’t great; after awhile it started reading like an US Weekly from the 20′s – too much gossip and ‘person A slept with person B and dated person C’ and not enough about Waugh’s character.  Zipped through The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby; a collection of his essays/article from Believer magazine, all relating to his reading habits, and how often this correlated to the books he actually purchases. He, like so many of us bibliophiles, buys far more books than he can actually keep up with.  Starting Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter, which I borrowed a few weeks ago from Justin (Adrienne’s husband). On a nonfiction spree right now, but I don’t think it will last long. I’ve got several items on my list that I’m dying to read, but then I borrow books from my friends… I don’t like to keep books too long if I can help it (sometimes I can’t).

Catch ya on the flip side!

 

During my lunch break yesterday, I decided to hit up Sogni di Dolce in St Helena for a mozzarella panini, cappuccino, and some reading. It was delicious, satisfying, and relaxing.

Currently reading: Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead by Paula Byrne

As you may already know, I am kind of obsessed with Evelyn Waugh, and am trying to read all of his published works; I figured it couldn’t hurt to learn about his life as well.

Today my office had a visit from the Girl Scouts; somehow my check book made an appearance, and 4 boxes of cookies were somehow transferred into my possession (it was like a drug deal, only legal). Those girls were straight HUSTLERS. I couldn’t resist the charms of the Peanut Butter Patties (or the Thin Mints, or the lemon cremes).

I’m sponsoring a blogger this week, Maryam of Pampelmousse 1983! Go check her out (she’s adorable! you won’t regret it) HERE!

Happy Wednesday, and may you have a Girl Scout cookie in your future.

 

Currently reading: The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro

Listening: The Decemberists‘ album The King is Dead’, multiple times per day. I love every track, no exceptions (a rare and rad occurrence).

Also, a little late to the game, but I’m digging the Ingrid Michaelson song ‘Parachute’

Loving: Marco woke up this morning in a beautiful, sweet mood. When I looked at him in his crib, he smiled, raised his arms up to hug me, and said ‘Mama!’

I kind of died a good little death right then and there.

Watching: Who’s watching the ‘Watchmen’? Not me. I finished the book (different but i enjoyed it more than expected), and borrowed the movie from Adrienne and Justin. Unfortunately, we have not had time this week to sit down and watch it! I’m hoping I can manage it tonight.

What are your weekend plans? Anything exciting?

I’m getting my hair cut today, thanks to the lovely Adrian! I will have some before and after pictures tomorrow. I’m kind of over my hair – I think it just looks scraggly on me. I want something a little more sleek and professional looking, considering my job; I just don’t want ‘mom’ hair. I can’t wait!

I finished reading The Blind Assassin yesterday.  It had the potential to be a lovely mystery, with layers upon layers of story, a book within a book – but it didn’t translate as well as all that. The two characters I wanted to know the most about came across kind of flat. It aspired to so much more! The story is essentially about two sisters, Iris and Laura Chase. Laura dies tragically in a car accident, at the age of 25. We’re given this information in the very first pages, and the rest of the story switches between flashback, present day, and excerpts from Laura’s posthumously published novel, a slight science-fiction tale. The mystery comes into play when you discover that Laura’s death was actually a suicide, and that the novel she wrote could be autobiographical.  I won’t ruin the ending for those who want to give it a try, but I think the story got a little bogged down in unnecessary details; too many layers, not enough substance. It was okay, but not one of the best examples of her writing.

On the recommendation of my friend Justin (Adrienne’s hubby!), I’m going to read The Watchmen, a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. I haven’t seen the movie adaptation, so I know very little going into it. We’ll see how it goes! This isn’t my usual literary fare, but I’m willing to give it a shot.

I had to share a couple of recent pictures of my beautiful 8-month old baby:

How has your weekend been?

XOXO

For ten minutes of every day, the world becomes quiet, still, and perfect. Before I go to bed, I creep into Marco’s room and stare at my darling boy as he sleeps. Sometimes, his mouth curls up into a smile, when I whisper “I love you”, but usually, he is unaware of my presence.  I have to force myself to back out of the room and actually go to bed! He’s so beautiful.

In literary news, I finished The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, and I admit it: I cried a bit. I think it was lovely. This afternoon, during my lunch hour, I started reading The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. I love Atwood’s writing style, and her stories always keep me riveted.

What are you reading? How’s your week going? Anyone else SO FREAKING EXCITED THAT TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!?