Recent Reads

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

This classic of minimalism and simplicity was our book club choice this month -- and only two of us made it to the meeting. I think I know why. Despite the many amazing insights of Walden, it is a pretty dense book, and it takes some motivation to get through some of the detailed descriptions of the depth of the lake, the idiosyncrasies of the animals in the surrounding woods, etc. Still, I'm glad I finally read it, and it did cause me to think and learn some things.

3.5 stars

Warnings: None


Abigail Adams by Woody Holton

I love Abigail Adams. I discovered her as a role model when reading John Adams by David McCullough, which is infinitely more readable than this tome that focuses on Abigail. I enjoyed all the details of her life, but at times the style was rather dry. I also listened to it on Audible, and I don't think an audiobook was the right format for a biography of this style. In addition, at times the author chose to view Abigail's actions exclusively through the lens of feminism. While I do think Abigail was ahead of her time in women's rights and did many amazing things for women, I don't think her every action was performed with that sole intention, as the author sometimes implied. Still, an interesting look into an interesting life.

3.5 stars

Warnings: None

How She Does It by Anne Bogel

I love Ms. Bogel's blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and when I saw a post referencing this book and explaining Bogel's philosophy on women being able to manipulate the traditional work experience into something that works for motherhood, too, I was fascinated -- that is what I try to do everyday! I did find it encouraging, and found some good ideas; however, much of what was written wasn't relevant to me, because I can't work from home at this time. It also left me with the feeling that one can't be fulfilled if one is not working. This may very well be true for me, but I don't think it is true for everyone -- and I am planning on eventually seeing if I can be satisfied with stay-at-home-motherhood, once my working is not a necessity for my family. Still, an interesting read with a good perspective on working mothers.

3.5 stars

Warnings: None

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

I am an Edith Wharton fangirl. The other two works that I have read by this author, The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, captivated me and made me feel all the feelings. I had heard that The Custom of the Country was her masterpiece, and I had very high expectations for it. I won't say that those expectations were dashed, necessarily, but I did have a very different experience with Custom of the Country than I did with the other two Wharton books I have read. While neither of them could be classified as "happy endings," they left me satisfied, albeit sad. However, The Custom of the Country left me feeling somewhat dirty and weary. I think part of it is the fact that the main character, Undine, is so unlikable. I am not the type to discount a story because the heroine (or anti-heroine, as it were) is flawed. I love Gone With the Wind, the book I hear mentioned the most often for having an unlikable heroine. However, Undine is selfish, foolish, a home wrecker, a life-ruiner... I was so angry at her for most of the book, and so sad for the people whose lives she affected. I do think that Wharton's writing was incredible -- it certainly still made me feel the way her other books have -- but the things I was feeling were so miserable and frustrated that I couldn't enjoy her genius. I can't rate this book, because it is a masterpiece -- but I didn't enjoy it.

Warnings: Off the page adultery, dark thematic material (such as suicide)

Mini-Reviews: Memoirs and Biographies

Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven is For Real is the story of a little boy who had a near-death experience and went to heaven, where he met Jesus Christ, his grandfather, and experienced many other things. I'm not going to get into the validity of the book -- religion is based on faith, and if you don't have faith, you're going to say this book was a lie, and if you do, you're going to say this book was amazing. For me, I enjoyed the story and thought Colton's experience was very interesting and left quite a bit to ponder. 

3.5 stars

Warnings: None

Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy

Lucy Grealy was diagnosed with cancer as a young child and spent much of her life undergoing surgeries, chemo, and radiation. While she survived the cancer, it left her face transformed -- much of her lower jaw was removed and despite numerous surgeries, was never fully reconstructed again. Grealy explores the way the pain and fear of cancer affected her, as well as the way her face affected the way others treated her and the way she viewed herself.

I read this book after reading Ann Patchett's memoir of her close friendship with Grealy, Truth and Beauty (which I recommend reading first if you plan on reading both books). Thus, I already had an idea of what Grealy had been through and the way her life played out. However, hearing it in her own voice, so to speak, was incredibly powerful. I am a nurse for children with cancer, and reading this firsthand account of the oddness of her early life was so heartrending. For a while, she didn't even know she had cancer -- obviously she knew there was something wrong, but no one gave that appellation. Her family constantly pressured her to be strong and positive, which left her believing that her fear and pain was not legitimate or acceptable. Later, she always noticed people staring at her, and believed herself unworthy of love due to the fact that she believed she could never be considered beautiful. 

These explorations are dark at times, and the end of Grealy's story is not a happy one, but her thoughts do broach many questions that are important in this society -- a society that values physical appearance very highly and makes lightning judgments based on first impressions. I think Autobiography of a Face poses important questions. And it's a bonus that Grealy is a poet, and her writing is gorgeous. 

3.5 stars

Warnings: Some sensuality, language, thematic material

French Milk by Lucy Knisley

French Milk is a graphic novel of a twenty-something's six week trip to Paris with her mother. I love Paris, and I love the idea of graphic novels, but here's the thing -- this one didn't give me enough. I liked Lucy's random observations, her drawings of art and food, and her voice, but the book just didn't feel like enough. I wanted more details. I'm not sure if that is me not appreciating the art of the graphic novel or the graphic novel not doing a good enough job, but it left me wanting. Also, sometimes Knisley made me mad by doing stupid things, like starting to smoke so she would fit in in Paris. It's not just because I'm a parent that is closer to thirty than twenty that causes me to want to shake some sense into her, is it? Doesn't everyone know that smoking is the worst health decision you could possibly, possibly make? Okay, throwing yourself off a bridge is probably a worse health decision, but seriously, smoking cigarettes is the most preventable risk factor in just about EVERY chronic disease. Okay, taking deep breaths, end of rant. Other than that, I thought she was funny and witty, and I liked her honesty about her grumps and enjoyments.

3 stars

Warnings: Language, endorsement of cigarettes!!, some drawings of nude paintings, talking about non-graphic sex

MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews of MWF Seeking BFF, which disappointed me, because from what I'd heard about it, I thought I would love it, being a recently married twenty-something in a new city myself. Fortunately, for me, this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. I absolutely loved it. I understand the issues that some people had with the book -- at times Bertsche gets too focused on the letter of her quest, frenetically seeking her 52 friend-dates at the risk of her own sanity and at times even her marriage. She also at times bothered me with her desire to find "the" best friend instead of appreciating the great friendships she had (and she had many), and she had a laundry list of what she didn't want. However, first of all, I think she genuinely grows throughout her quest, learning new things about friendship, its importance to her, and the fact that she is able to be friends with people she never would have approached originally. Secondly, as someone trying to make new friends, I appreciated the insights she had on the best places to make friends as well as the research she performed on what causes people to stay friends and make friends. I thought the entire book was engaging and fascinating, and I adored it. Rachel, be my BFF? (Even though I don't meet your distance requirements?)

5 stars

Warnings: Can't think of any

Taylor Swift: An Unauthorized Biography by Liv Spencer

Okay, okay, laugh all you want. Yes, I requested a Taylor Swift biography on NetGalley. I saw it there and just couldn't resist. Don't tell me that you haven't wondered who all those songs were about. That was definitely my primary motive in reading the book.

It was mildly interesting. I liked reading about Swift's pathway to success, and especially her determination and goal-setting. I think she is a good role model for girls, which is refreshing because most teen/young twenties celebrities are making poor decisions. I also loved learning the details about each of her songs. There are chapters that go through information on who each song is about, how Swift came to write it, and other "fun facts." Because my main interest in reading the book was who all those songs were written about, those chapters (entitled "Swift Notes") were definitely interesting to me.

The writing of the book was pure cheese. The author took an almost worshipful stance at Taylor Swift, calling her "Swifty," "The Swift One," and "The Sparkly One." I might have thrown up in my mouth a few times. Also, when describing a line in the song "Picture to Burn," in which Taylor Swift sings, "That's fine, I'll tell mine you're gay," the author quickly explains that on the radio edit, the line has been changed, because "Taylor would never offend anyone." Okay... but she did write the line. I'm not defending or condemning her -- just thought the line was cheesy.

Basically, it did what I wanted it to. But it was cheesy. 

2.5 stars

Warnings: You might throw up in your mouth when you read about "The Sparkly One."

Chopin's Funeral by Benita Eisler

Title: Chopin's Funeral
Author: Benita Eisler
Genre: Biography, nonfiction
Publisher: Vintage, 2004
Source: Library
Read for: Paris in July

A few of you may know that in a former life, I was a music major. I spent about four hours a day practicing the piano in high school. While I don't play nearly that much now, music is a huge part of my life. Frederic Chopin happens to be one of my favorite composers. I first read this book in high school, and the other day I found myself thinking of it and decided to read it again.

The book begins with Chopin's funeral -- the people who were there, the music that was played, the way his coffin looked, his final resting place in the Pere Lachaise cemetery. It then takes us back to his early life, his beginning fame as a performer and composer, and his troubled relationship with the infamous novelist George Sand. While Chopin had poor health throughout his brief adulthood, it was the ending of his romance with Sand that finally spiraled him down into decline and death.

Chopin and I at Pere Lachaise

This 240-page volume is sparse, even for Chopin's brief life. Eisler does not spend time on the minute details of Chopin's life, instead bringing to her narrative details that I found more interesting -- his relationships with women, family members, and friends; the types of pianos he had; the circumstances he was in when he wrote certain pieces of music. The book read like a novel instead of a listing of details (a trap I find many biographies fall into) and it was smooth and easy to read. Each event on which Benita Eisler focuses is relevant to the next, so that we see many of the events of Chopin's life in a cause and effect relationship. The details themselves of Chopin's life were also interesting -- he lead the life of a romantic artist in a romantic city, dying in the end of a romantic, Bohemian disease. Aside from his tumultuous relationship with Sand, he also had a woman back in Poland that he remembered with a bundle of faded letters bound up with a rose and labeled "My Sorrow."

Eisler's writing is fluid and evocative, adding to the romantic air of Chopin's life with her excellent descriptions of Paris and Chopin's music. There is nothing stiff in her portrayal of Chopin's life, and she writes with a sensitivity and care that indicates to me that she is also a lover of his music.

The one thing that I wish could have been added to this novel is a CD or interactive file of Chopin's music. Compositions are frequently referenced and I was not familiar with all of them. While at times I would search for them on the internet and listen, others I was not near a computer or headphones and wasn't able to connect with the music. I know interactive ebooks are a new "thing" and this book was written almost ten years ago, but this book would be a perfect candidate for a reimagining as an interactive ebook.

While some readers might not appreciate Eisler's minimalist, descriptive rendering of Chopin's life, for me as a reader and a musician it was deeply satisfying. Learning about the man behind the music made the musical legacy he leaves behind even more meaningful. Any lover of classical music and Chopin's music in particular will find Chopin's Funeral an evocative treat.

4 stars


Warnings: A few sordid affairs are alluded to.

Why I Read... Nonfiction

If you know me very well at all, you probably know that I had a really hard time deciding what to study in college (evidenced by the fact that I am now on my sixth year of undergraduate study. Fortunately now I have one bachelor's degree to my name). I toyed with piano, sociology, French, English, and psychology before settling down with neuroscience with the hopes of going to pharmacy school when I was done. After several circumstances led me to the decision that pharmacy school was not going to be the right choice for me, I finished up my neuroscience degree and started a second degree accelerated bachelor's in nursing, which is where I am now. The jury's still out on whether or not I'll actually ever get a real job.

The reason I am telling you all of this is because I love to learn. Nearly every subject interests me (except accounting... sorry, Mom) and I used to think that if I had the money, I would just go to school forever (I am learning now that isn't true... six years of undergraduate work has finally burned me out and I can't wait to be done with school). So nonfiction is an obvious choice for me -- reading a nonfiction book is like taking a crash course in any subject you want.

With that said, I haven't been reading that much nonfiction lately. There are two reasons for this -- first of all, nonfiction is hard to read. I don't like to read it all at once, in general, because I feel like if I read it too quickly, I forget everything I learn and don't retain anything. Secondly, I am on the nonfiction panel for the Indie Lit Awards and I don't want to burn out on nonfiction by reading too much of it before I need to read the five finalists next year. Nonfiction books tend to be pretty thick and I know I will be reading a high volume come January, so I want to have the brain space ready for it. However, don't think that means I don't love it.

Why I Read Nonfiction

* Learning. I've loved to learn new things my entire life, and reading nonfiction allows me to learn things that are outside of my normal field of study.

* True stories. In the case of histories, biographies and memoirs, we get the chance to see inside of people's lives. I love learning about things that have really happened -- that realization that someone really felt the emotions I am experiencing as I read about it. Even when I was a little girl I remember being most excited by movies that were "based on a true story."

* Feel-good factor. No, I'm not talking about warm fuzzies, although I certainly have gotten those from certain memoirs and religious nonfiction. What I mean is that I get to feel good about myself for taking it upon myself to read something difficult and also intellectually edifying.

Recommendations

* Anything by Oliver Sacks. While in general I've just read excerpts from his books, I can confidently say that anything you read by this fantastic neuroscientist will be readable and informative. Sacks takes the very strangest of cases and presents them with factual but comprehensible information that appeals to the general public.

* John Adams by David McCullough. This biography is a hefty beast, and I remember reading it on the treadmill, hoping that it would stay open and not fall on my foot. It is a fascinating look into the life of a man I knew next to nothing about. John Adams has become one of my heroes from this book, and I really want to name one of my children Abigail after his wife (The Husband is vetoing that, for now). This book was compulsively readable despite its length. 

* The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee. This comprehensive look at the way perceptions and treatments of cancer have evolved through the centuries is sensitive and compelling.

* Into the Wild by John Krakauer. This is a book I severely need to reread. Krakauer drives into the psyche of Chris McCandless, a strange teenager that decides to live alone in Alaska and ultimately dies of exposure. The writing is penetrating and the story moving.

For more recommendations, visit...

Sophisticated Dorkiness. There is a reason Kim keeps winning Best Nonfiction blog for BBAW. She covers a wide variety of nonfiction genres, and her writing is excellent.

The Blue Bookcase. The ladies of The Blue Bookcase don't focus on nonfiction, but in reading their blog for a year I have found many interesting recommendations. 

John Adams

I was introduced to this book by two good friends last year. After learning I liked to read, they energetically began describing John Adams. "It's my favorite book! They're going to make a miniseries!" (Are they?) "Lorren, read it as soon as you can. Only don't read it during school, because it is really long and you won't want to do your homework." (Oops, made that mistake, despite their warnings.) These were two sports-obsessed boys that didn't seem to spend a lot of time reading so I was intrigued by their love for this book.

Fast forward about a year. I didn't have the money to buy the book at the time, but when I got my library card I put myself on the waiting list and was surprised at how fast my name made it through the queue.

I've never really been a reader of biography, so I wasn't sure if John Adams would live up to the hype.
.
It definitely surpassed my expectations.

Obviously, the book follows the life of John Adams, second president of the United States. I've never been a history buff, and basically all I knew about him was that he was the first president to live in the White House and he and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4. Thank you, 3rd grade social studies.

What I didn't know was John Adams' admirable character and quest for self-mastery. I didn't know that he and his wife, Abigail, had one of the most romantic and tender relationships of any of the Founding Fathers. I didn't know that Adams and Jefferson's relationship was so complicated, or how they went through years of silence to each other after Jefferson defeated Adams for the presidency. I also didn't know that they were both so bookish, which immediately endeared them to me.

In an age where politicians do everything they can to expose each others' weaknesses and morality is not an asset, I found John Adams' struggle to always make the most honorable decision refreshing. My favorite example of this is when Adams chose to defend the British soldiers following the Boston Massacre. While he disagreed with Britain's control over America and the recent taxes forced on them with no representation, he knew that in the instance of the Boston Massacre, Americans had caused the violence and broken the law. While many claimed he was disloyal to America by this action, Adams knew it was the moral action, and he did it without hesitation.

Adams also had a beautiful relationship with his wife. Although they were separated for years while Adams was the ambassador to France, England, and The Netherlands, they remained faithful to each other and wrote hundreds of letters. Abigail wrote to him during their longest separation, "The affection I feel for my friend is of the tenderest kind, matured by years, sanctified by choice and approved by Heaven." (pg 212) I found myself greatly admiring Abigail as well as Adams throughout the book. She was capable, educated, and a strong woman. Another of my favorite quotes from her is about her resolve to not complain, despite separations from her "dearest friend," slander and libel about the President, and struggles with their children.

"That one had to keep a 'good heart,' come what may, was Abigail's lifelong creed. 'A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,' she loved to say, quoting Proverbs. 'I hate to complain,' she now wrote. 'No one is without difficulties, whether in high or low life, and every person knows best where their own shoe pinches.'" (pg 423)

And of course, one of the best parts was learning about how bookish John Adams was. His entire life, he loved books and would get up before 5 am in order to have time to do his reading for the day. When his old eyes grew too tired to read, Abigail would read aloud to him.

All in all, I loved this book. I loved learning about this man that I knew so little about, and I loved going through his entire lifespan and seeing him change and grow. I recommend this book to anyone!

Accessibility/Readability - Quite! I knew next to nothing about John Adams before starting this book, but I was never confused or stuck.
Aesthetics/literary merit - 4. It was quite well written.
Plot - 3.5 At times, the political descriptions bored me and I would find myself ready to move on to the next chapter.
Characters - 5 I loved these characters! Which, as it is a biography, is rather important.
Personal Response - 4.75 While I was bored with a few sections of the book, overall I loved it. I think it taught some valuable lessons and increased my knowledge of a great man I previously knew very little about.
Overall: 4.5

Library Lovin

My newest distractions:














I hope I have time to read them before they're due!