In My Mailbox: July 2012

There were quite a few books on sale for $0.99 on Amazon this month -- that is my excuse for my bad behavior. The good news is I am done with school and not planning on working until I have my baby in November, so I am going to have a LOT of time to read -- or that is the plan, anyway. :)

Borrowed from the Library:
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (the last book I ever borrowed from the Provo Library... moment of silence)

NetGalley:
A Different Kind of Normal by Cathy Lamb
The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan (I have been wanting to read something by Margo Lanagan forever, so when I saw that she had something on NetGalley I had to snatch it up)

Received for Review:
The Lieutenant's Whistle by Fred Stemme

Purchased:
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah Maas
The Assassin and the Desert by Sarah Maas
The Assassin and the Underworld by Sarah Maas
The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah Maas
Withering Tights by Louise Rennison
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

From Karen at Book Light Graveyard: 
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

Borrowed from my sister:
Understanding the Parables of Jesus Christ by Jay A. Parry and Don Parry

Looks like I'll have plenty to keep me busy for the next month!

Quotables: Bringing Stories to Life

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The thing about a story

is that you dream it as you tell it,

hoping that others might then

dream along with you, 

and in this way

memory and imagination and language combine

to make spirits in the head.

There is the illusion of aliveness.

- From The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Second Person Singular by Sayed Kashua

Title: Second Person Singular
Author: Sayed Kashua
Genre: Contemporary fiction, multicultural fiction, literary fiction
Publisher: Grove Press, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Read for: Review

Second Person Singular is the story of two Arab men in Jerusalem and the way their lives are affected by the divisions between the Israelis and Arabs. A wealthy lawyer, seeking to become more educated, picks up a copy of Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata and finds a note addressed to another man - Yonatan - in his wife's handwriting. This spurs a search for the man he believes has sullied his wife's honor, and a shocking secret.

Second Person Singular was a unique and bizarre book. As the lawyer delves into the secrets of the mysterious Yonatan, we discover a more and more absurd backstory involving mistaken identities, newfound passions, and a catatonic young man in his twenties. Sound confusing? It is, at first, but Sayed Kashua draws you into the ever tightening circles of his story with finesse.

Generally, I am a fan of character-driven novels, so if the characters are unlikable, the book is a fail for me. I did not in the least like any of the characters in Second Person Singular, but for some reason, I still loved this book. While none of the characters particularly appealed to me, and they all did despicable things, their complexity and motivations were so fascinating to read that I was enthralled.

I also enjoyed the cultural perspective of this book. I think in the post 9/11 United States, we tend to never look at things from the perspective of of Muslims. It was interesting to see the oppressions that Arabs in Jerusalem endure and the other side of a story that is often told with quite a bias.

I found Second Person Singular to be both educational and enjoyable. This quirky, unique read will appeal to those who love literary books and books about other cultures.

4 stars

Warnings: Language, some disturbing images, some discussion of sex

Book to Movie: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

When I noticed that Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was on Netflix, I jumped at the chance to watch it, having just finished the book. The movie had several differences from the book, but I think the changes helped the book transition well to a film format.

The book focuses only on the relationship of Snow Flower and Lily, but the movie begins with two modern-day girls, Nina and Sophia, who are close friends, but who slowly drift apart. As Nina and Sophia's relationship changes with careers, boyfriends, and family, they drift apart until a tragic accident causes Nina to look into Sophia's recent past. She finds a book that Sophia has been writing, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which is the story from the book and, in the movie, is based on Sophia's ancestor.

The narrative in the book is slow and dreamy, and was told in a short few scenes in the movie. While some details were left out, I think the medium was effective interspersed with the drama between the two modern girls. I also think that the message was more clear and relatable with the modern perspective of two girls going through a similar experience in their lives to the two girls from history.

I enjoyed the slow, dreamlike quality of the movie despite the fact that at times it dragged. It is contemplative but has moments of genuine beauty. If fans of the book are not overly concerned about perfect faithfulness to the original story, I think they will find something to enjoy in the movie adaptation. For those who found the book difficult to relate to, the movie tells a more condensed version of the story with ties to modern times.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J.K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #4
Genre: YA, fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2000
Source: Audiobook from the library
Read for: Harry Potter Challenge

Memories from the first time: This was the first Harry Potter book that I actually anticipated. I remember reading the first chapter in the Idaho Statesman Life section and being so excited for it to come out. I didn't wait outside a bookstore or anything -- but I was thrilled when a copy fell into my hands. 


I also remember when I read it that I was absolutely floored by the fact that (SPOILER, but that is inherent in these Harry Potter posts) Cedric died. I was reading the book on a road trip to Idaho Falls with my cousin, who had already read the book, and I remember turning her and just looking at her with shock. For the rest of the week, we just kept looking at each other and saying, "I can't believe that Cedric is dead!" I think that was one of the first endings that just absolutely floored me.


Another interesting side note -- I totally used to associate the song "Stronger" by Britney Spears with Harry's fight with Voldemort. I don't particularly love that song, and I really don't particularly love Britney Spears, but I always think of that song with that scene. Hmm.

Impressions this time: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is still the best Harry Potter book, in my opinion. I absolutely loved the Triwizard Cup and all the other wizarding schools. I think this book is a turning point as well from the books being directed to a younger audience to an older one. I love that the books grow up with the readers. 


Also, a particular scene touched me so much in this book -- when, for the third task, families are showing up for the competitors, and Harry feels awkward, worrying that the Dursleys will be there. When he sees that the Weasleys came as his family, I started bawling like a little baby. Maybe it was just the pregnancy hormones, but I loved that moment. 
Best new spell: Expelliarmus is a pretty important spell in this book. I also really enjoyed learning about the various hexes that Harry practiced to get ready for the maze in the final task. And of course, while we can't consider these the "best" spells, it was very interesting to learn about the three unforgivable curses. 

Best new character: You know, despite the fact that I really love this book, I don't as much have a favorite new character. Some honorable mentions are Ludo Bagman, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Rita Skeeter -- none of them are characters I adore, but they are all interesting. 

My crush for this book: Have you picked up on the fact that I have a thing for Cedric Diggory? Strong, silent, heroic, and handsome -- what more could you ask for in a man? Oh, he's a Quidditch star, and a nice guy, too? Despite the fact that he occasionally gets in Harry's way (Cho Chang, beating him in Quidditch, getting ahead in certain Triwizard tasks) I was charmed by Cedric the entire time.

Most villainous moment: Obviously, the entire Voldemort sequence is pretty villainous. I was also absolutely disgusted by Barty Crouch the younger's crazed tirade about how he killed his father, transfigured him into a bone, and buried the bone. I think I possibly missed that the first time around. Hearing it described by Jim Dale in Barty's creepy voice made me shudder. 

New secret discovered about Hogwarts: I think the whole sequence in the lake was very interesting. The lake is present in all the books and it was fun to learn about what actually lived in the lake (other than the Giant Squid). 

Coolest new fact learned about the wizarding world: There are other wizarding schools! In fact, all the other wizarding information was pretty fun, with the other schools and the wizards of different nationalities at the Quidditch World Cup. 

Favorite magical creature: Blast Ended Skrewts, of course. No, actually, it was really cool to read (hear) about the different dragons in the first task. 

Best argument between Ron and Hermione: In this case, the biggest argument is actually between Ron and Harry. When Harry is chosen for the tournament, Ron is jealous and thinks that Harry is going after it for glory. They don't speak for weeks. It is very relieving once they become friends again. 

Deathly Hallows that show up: The Invisibility Cloak. 

Horcruxes that show up: Nagini.

Coolest magical object: The Goblet of Fire is pretty cool, I must say. 

A Classics Challenge -- July Post (Lasting Impression)

This month's Classics Challenge, hosted by November's Autumn, focuses on a memorable moment from a classic. Because I am still reading Les Miserables (how many months has it been now?) I am going to talk about Jean Valjean.

While not everyone has read the massive tome that is Les Miserables, there are several people that are familiar with the musical and the story, and Jean Valjean has become a cultural symbol of redemption and the ability to change. I love that he starts out desperate, albeit innocent, and then is transformed to the type of person that bites the hand that feeds him. However, he finally has an experience that transforms him into the kindest, most giving man imaginable. I think Jean Valjean's life and the changes he goes through show that any person is capable of redemption. We all have the depths of hell and the heights of heaven within us.

YA Friday: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Title: Howl's Moving Castle
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Series: Howl's Moving Castle #1
Genre: Middle Grade, YA, fantasy
Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2001
Source: Library
Read for: Fun, FYA Book Club

Sophie has heard of the wicked wizard Howl, a man who lures young women to his moving castle and eats their hearts. However, when another wicked and magical enemy, the Witch of the Waste, casts a spell on Sophie, she finds herself coming to Howl for help. She doesn't realize just what she is in for.

I'm not exactly sure why, but when I read Howl's Moving Castle it was absolutely the right book at the right time for me. Ordinarily middle grade fiction doesn't do much for me, and in addition this book was about as random as a book could possibly be. But for whatever reason, this book was comfort food at a time when I really needed it.

I think a large part of this book's appeal for me were the whimsical, charming characters. Each character is completely unique and quirky. We have Sophie, who talks to inanimate objects and feels the need to bustle and help people like a mother hen, Michael, who is hapless but desperate to make something of himself (especially in order to impress a certain young lady of Sophie's acquaintance), and Howl, who spends hours in the bathroom making himself look attractive and yet can't bear to have the spiderwebs cleaned out of his bedroom. In addition we experience such characters as a scarecrow that won't stop pursuing the castle, a fire demon that wants to be released from a binding contract, and a man that turns into a dog. See what I mean by random? However, the characters' interactions and quirks were nothing short of delightful.

The plot was every bit as random as the characters. Each chapter brought new episodes of strangeness and magic, from a "Waste" populated by abundant flowers to an irritated Howl expelling green slime all over his castle. Everything was absolutely bizarre, but completely entertaining and enchanting for me.

I can't quite pin my finger on why Howl's Moving Castle was so right for me at the time that I read it. Perhaps it was just masterful writing and world-creating. No matter the reason, this book absolutely delighted me despite being a style of book that I do not usually enjoy.

4 stars

Warnings: Mild magical violence

Literary Lyrics: "Far Away" by Ingrid Michaelson

Originally I thought of doing the song "Breakable" for this month's Literary Lyrics, in honor of being done with nursing school in less than a week (HOORAY), but when I went back through my Literary Lyrics posts I saw that I'd already done it. Guess favorites really are favorites. However, because I am in the Ingrid mood now, I picked the song "Far Away." I am moving to a completely new place in less than two weeks, and while there are things that I will definitely miss here in Utah (re: family, friends, and mountains) I am excited for a new start -- especially after this rough summer. So here's to daydreaming about a big escape and actually managing it. :)


I will live my life as a lobsterman's wife on an island in the blue bay.
He will take care of me, he will smell like the sea,
And close to my heart he'll always stay.

I will bear three girls all with strawberry curls, little Ella and
Nelly and Faye.
While I'm combing their hair, I will catch his warm stare
On our island in the blue bay.

Far away far away, I want to go far away.
To a new life on a new shore line.
Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another island, in another life.

There's a boy next to me and he never will be anything but a boy at the bar.
And I think he's the tops, he's where everything stops.
How I love to love him from afar.

When he walks right pass me then I finally see on this bar stool I can't stay.
So I'm taking my frown to a far distant town
On an island in the blue bay.

Far away far away, I want to go far away.
To a new life on a new shore line.
Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another island, in another life.

I want to go far away.
Away away, I want to go far away, away, away
I want to go far away, far away.

Where the water is blue and the people are new.
To another life, to another life.
To another shore line
In another life.