Recent Reads -- 4 stars each

My Life in Middlemarch by Rebecca Mead

I first read Middlemarch when I was in college. I'd picked it up because I knew it was one of the "greats" and I felt like I had to read it sometime or other; I didn't suspect how much engaging it would be. A few months ago, I started listening to it while I ran. Thus, when I had a chance to read an early copy of My Life in Middlemarch, I jumped at the chance. To be honest, I was expecting more of a memoir than this biography/criticism/personal reflection, but I still loved reading about the layers of George Eliot's life, the construction of the massive, masterful novel, and the way books color and influence every reader's life.

4 stars

Warnings: Some thematic material and vague references to sensuality

A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L'Engle

I love Madeleine L'Engle. If, someday, I am a famous writer (I can dream, can't I?) and someone asks me who my greatest influence was, she will be at the top of the list. I actually read part of this memoir several years ago and I have no idea why I didn't finish it at the time, but several of the lines I highlighted have become so much a part of my own opinions that I had forgotten that I first read them in A Circle of Quiet. This memoir explores L'Engle's experiences with writing, living in a small community, spirituality, and family life. It is rambling but gorgeous, with many gems of wisdom. I am so excited that there are three more Crosswicks Journals for me to dive into.

4 stars

Warnings: A few instances of language, discussion of some heavy ideas

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell is pure delight to read. Something about the way she frames emotions and experiences makes them both infinitely relatable and yet entertainingly unique. Landline is the story of Georgie McCool (which, really? what a name -- but it worked with the character once I got acquainted with her), a career woman and mother whose marriage is faltering. After she chooses work over family and her husband, Neil, takes their kids to see his family for Christmas without her, she tries to call them from her mother's landline -- only to find that it isn't present-day Neil but Neil from her past that answers. As she speaks with him, she evaluates her life, love, and relationship and tries to work her way back to her family. One of the things I loved about this book was that I could really empathize with Georgie in many ways. I am a working mother too -- I am going to have to be away from my family on Christmas too (although for me, it is not a choice, and my husband isn't mad at me about it, thank goodness). The pain she experienced reverberated with me, and as she went through the growing process I also felt like I learned some things about love. Rowell is an auto-read for me now.

4 stars

Warnings: Language, references to sex (no explicit scenes)

Paper Towns by John Green

I'm (very slowly) working my way through John Green's backlist. Paper Towns is about a guy whose name I've already forgotten whose childhood best friend goes missing -- but leaves some clues for him to find her. As he leaves on his wild goose chase he learns about love, friendship, and living. So here's the thing about John Green. Fault in Our Stars was amazing and moving. Looking for Alaska was pretty good, and unique from Fault in Our Stars. However, Paper Towns reads a lot like Looking for Alaska. Manic-pixie-dream-girl, much philosophizing about love, friendship, purpose, and death. It was a solidly good book, but definitely didn't veer from the prototype. I will say that I don't mind Green's hyper-intelligent protagonists, though -- I know people complain that teenagers don't talk like that or think like that and so on, but I disagree. Not all teenagers do. Maybe not even most. But some do, and I think they would definitely be the most interesting ones to read a book about. End of that rant. Basically, good book, good coming of age story, if you like John Green, here's a John Green book that sounds just like a John Green book.

4 stars

Warnings: Language, teen drug use and drinking, references to sexuality

YA Friday: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Genre: YA, contemporary
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile, 2012
Source: Library
Read for: Fun

Hazel has received a miracle treatment for the tumors in her lungs -- that is, a miracle in that it gives her a few more years. What isn't so miraculous is that eventually she will die from those tumors, and meanwhile she is dependent on a tank of oxygen. Her mother makes her attend a cancer support group, and it is there that she meets Augustus Waters -- one-legged, his cancer essentially beaten, witty and book-loving. As they get to know each other, they embark on an adventure that involves lots of reading, lots of feeling, and world-travel. And love.

I have been dreading writing this review for a few reasons. First of all, everyone and their neighbor has reviewed it already. And almost everyone liked it. There is little I can add other than my personal reactions. Second, I felt a lot while reading this book, but I don't know how to transpose that feeling into sensible prose. Not that any of my reviews are composed of sensible prose anyway. But I do try.

So I am going to be a lazy blogger and simply list what I liked and disliked for you. Starting with the dislikes, of course, so we can end in a happy place:

Dislike(s)
* Really, there is only one that stands out to me. I predicted the end of this book. And while initially it seems obvious what the end of the book will be, it actually does not end in an obvious way -- but I still predicted it. Which is always disappointing.

Likes:
* The cover. This designer clearly needs to get his/her fingers in more projects, because this was nicely done.
* The title. I'm sad that it is taken, really, because it conveys so much in such beautiful language that I would like to steal it for myself.
* John Green's writing. This was my first John Green book, so I had not yet experienced the snarky, quirky wit that is his trademark. I absolutely ate it up. It was delicious.
* The fact that it is a cancer book. I feel like I say this every time I talk about cancer books -- I don't like cancer, and I wish it was obliterated. But I like reading the stories of the people who have experienced it, whether they are true stories or imaginary stories. I guess it is just a morbid nurse thing.
* Hazel and Augustus did so much based on a book. I don't want to reveal exactly what they did, because discovering that piece of the story was one of the most enjoyable aspects of reading the book. However, I can say that I loved the fact that they shared this book and then made understanding it a huge priority -- one that they would literally travel thousands of miles to accomplish.
* Imperfection. Quite a few love stories, and young adult stories in particular, tend to over-romanticize falling in love. Sometimes I think all those books and movies are to blame for so many failed marriages and relationships -- expectations are raised so high that there is no room for imperfection. Other than the cancer that clearly had a dramatic effect on Hazel and Augustus's lives, there are other issues. Okay, actually, most of them stem from cancer. But there is the fact of past relationships, of not feeling well enough to spend time together, of not wanting to invest in a relationship when you feel like there is no point with a clock that is running out. All of those things were heavy and depressing parts of Hazel and Augustus's love story, but they didn't drown out the love. It was still powerful and encompassing -- I think it had more power due to its imperfections.

So overall, this was a well-written, enjoyable, and heart-rending story. Hipsters especially will devour it with vigor.

4.5 stars

Warnings: Language, intense sadness, a not-too-detailed bedroom scene