68. 12/30/11
Late, Lost, and Unprepared: A Parent's Guide to Helping Children with Executive Functioning by Joyce Cooper-Kahn, Ph.D. and Laurie Dietzel, Ph.D.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough for families with children who have executive functioning difficulties, such as is so common with ADHD. This book addresses so many of the challenges in organization, planning, self-monitoring, task initiation, and working memory that JAM experiences, and it was incredibly reassuring to read that several of the approaches that I've tried to help him put in place were recommended. But, even more often, my eyes were opened to ways in which I've been reacting to JAM that are counterproductive and I shed more than a few tears as I read this book. This book has quickly become my go-to manual, and it's so dog-earred and highlighted that I hope to refer back to it regularly.
67. 12/27/11
Lunatics by Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel
Okay, it's not like it's stellar writing or groundbreaking material, but this is perhaps the most absurd and outrageous novel I've ever read. How Barry and Zweibel came up with this all-over-the-place plot with the most ridiculous series of events, is mind-blowing. I laughed, a whole lot, and I had to put the book down at times just to shake my head in disbelief. I love the political and pop-culture references, and the two characters are hilarious. If you're looking for a bit of raucous reading fun, check this out... as long as you're not easily offended!
66. 12/??/11
Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
Though simplistically told, I think this gives a nice introduction to the culture of the South during segregation through an eleven year old's eyes. But really, the story is more about Glory's own experiences and as she begins to become aware of the bigger world around her, the friendships and relationships she's had her whole life begin to change, as does her perspective on them. I haven't yet shared this with my own 11 year old son, but I believe he'll enjoy it for the glance into a different time period and setting.
65. 11/30/11
You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon
Wow, these are some powerful stories, written with raw emotion on full display. Fallon writes from experience as an army wife, and I can imagine that many military families can relate to the uncensored version of life that she depicts in these pages. Through slightly interconnected short stories, Fallon introduces a wide cast of characters, each with a unique voice and perspective on going to war, staying home on base, and living a life of waiting. While I certainly appreciate the fact that we have an active military that works to keep our country safe, this book actually strengthened my hope that my own children will not choose this life... call that shameful if you will, but there's no denying that this life changes people, and it's in a way that I don't wish upon my own children.
64. 11/24/11
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Oh dear, I loved, loved the satirical tone of this entire YA novel. While I felt compelled to put a cloth cover over the book in order to read it while riding the bus to work, I laughed out loud again and again. I hope that the messages in these pages actually make their way into adolescent girls' brains, for the presentation of them is just brilliant. Even though it's intended for a YA audience, I think I'm not the only adult woman who will read this story and reminisce about the craziness of her teenage years of long ago... and perhaps, not the only one to think that some of the craziness of that time, and the meaning of femininity didn't really go away with adolescent acne. Even though this satirical commentary is filled with laughs, much of it rings quite true and makes readers really think!
63. 11/16/11
First Day on Earth by Cecil Castellucci
Talented writers can bring a character to life in only a few pages, and this is a perfect example. This slim YA title tells a story with significant depth, and it's one of isolation that is completely understandable to many teenagers. The extraterrestrial angle is interesting, and acts as a wonderful analogy for the entire adolescent experience of feeling completely alone and detached from others. I quite enjoyed it!
62. 11/14/11
Help Me Get Ready to Read by Susan Marx and Barbara Kasok
Great simple informative text for parents and caregivers, along with a great list of resources, suggested picture books and connecting activities to do with children after reading together.
61. 11/4/11
Booky Wook 2: This Time It's Personal by Russell Brand
Oh, Russell Brand. You are clearly highly intelligent and you never fail to crack me up. I'm not sure I wanted as many details about your salacious experiences, but it's obvious that you have a magnetic personality and women flock to you, even before you were as well-known and successful as you are today. Gotta say that you surprised me by the sheer number of words you used that I had no idea about their meanings. You are one cheeky guy.
60. 10/14/11
Fathermucker by Greg Olear
I've always wished I had the courage to write the stuff that I actually think, the stuff we're not supposed to say out loud, about parenting and my time as a stay-at-home-mom. I didn't, but Greg Olear did, at least in fictional form, in this novel, and I laughed my head off time and time again. This book is so RIGHT NOW, of this time and place that I've inhabited for four years, and I felt like I got Josh Lansky really well. Okay, I still wanted to smack him upside the head now and then while shouting, "Why can't you say no to your children?!" But, other than that, I got him. Olear writes with delicious irreverence, making me wonder if the thoughts he planted in his protagonist's head were what my stay-at-home-dad friends were thinking at all of our playgroups. Ha!
59. 10/1/11
If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoon: Living with and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married by Jenna McCarthy
Dear lord, this chick is funny. She's got some astute observational skills, and she's here pointing out all the aspects of marriage that are too often overlooked in those "relationship" books. Be prepared for (what I deem) a healthy dose of profanity, a mess of bordering on TMI declarations, and a barrel of laughs. There were moments during this reading, where I was stared at on the bus (the cover image is aweSOME) and other times when I had to put the book down and just put my head into my hands out of sheer relief that I am not alone in my perceptions and experiences in marriage. Love JennA McCarthy!
58. 10/1/11
Pretty Good Joke Book with introduction by Garrison Keillor
I'm fairly certain it's cheesy to count this as a book I've "read" this year, but it did keep me company while taking care of other business over the last couple weeks. I love A Prairie Home Companion, and I giggled plenty over many of these jokes. Amazingly, they were all voiced by Garrison Keillor in my head as I read them. Fun stuff.
57. 9/24/11
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
Magic, fairy tales, and an alternate reality all come together in a young girl's world, when the friendship that makes her life whole suddenly and inexplicably disappears. Though her active imagination should make her even more wary of going off on her own to make things right, she bravely pushes aside her fears of the darkness of the world and risks everything to save her friend. Told in an emotionally expressive narrative, this middle grade novel is simply beautiful-- the rich language paints a vivid picture and challenges readers to think complexly and critically. LOVED it.
56. 9/9/11
Me Again by Keith Cronin
Heavy on dialogue, this story reads like a television movie-- some cliched phrases, but engaging main characters who readers will cheer for. The plot is interesting, revolving around a man who spent six years in a coma after unexpectedly suffering a stroke in his late 20s. When he meets a woman in physical therapy who is recovering from a stroke herself, the plot thickens as they say. With some additional side stories about family, the focus remains on relationships, and the vast majority of the story is told through conversations between characters. At times throughout the book, I couldn't help but feel that the writing could have been less repetitive-- some passages echoed others-- but it was entertaining enough to stick with it to the end.
55. 9/3/11
Speaking Out: LGBTQ Youth Stand Up edited by Steve Berman
Teenaged relationships are universally tricky, but for young people who have uncertainty about their sexual orientation or are gay, either openly or undisclosed, there's an additional level of challenge. Parental disapproval is a common experience, as well as difficulty dealing with harassment from peers. Though these negative experiences are featured in many short stories in this collection, even greater emphasis is placed on the characters' abilities to overcome these challenges, rise above hate that may be directed their way, and to establish confidence in one's own identity. These short stories may feature gay, lesbian, and transgendered protagonists, but the messages of love, acceptance and self-confidence are universal and just as powerful for readers of any orientation.
54. 8/31/11
So Near by Liza Gyllenhaal
No one wants to imagine what it would feel like to lose one's child. Worse yet, to lose a child in an accident that could possibly include factors of your own fault, factors that can never be proved or dismissed. What would that do to a parent's life? A couple's marriage? This novel explores this terribly painful premise, told in chapters of alternating perspective between Cal and Jenny, the parents who have suffered this great loss, and readers follow along with the toll this loss takes on their individual psyches, as well as on their relationship. Written in a simple and straightforward tone, the reading is quick, but emotional.
53. 8/28/11
The Universal Code of (Formerly) Unwritten Rules by Quentin Parker
Cute enough for a "bathroom book," something to pick up and read a few pages of when you've got a few spare minutes. Definitely be prepared for a high level of snark, and some foul language to boot, which, to me, seems only appropriate considering the point of the book is to point out the stupid things people do that make other's angry.
52. 8/22/11
Floors by Patrick Carman
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I loved this story, these characters, this fantastical adventure. Highly imaginative and wildly entertaining, this is surely going to become a beloved series. This is the type of story that will attract those "reluctant readers" out there, for the writing isn't terribly complex, and the story will pull kids in quickly. With a ten year old protagonist who's likable and relatable, what's there not to love about it?
51. 8/18/11
Bossypants by Tina Fey (audiobook)
I heart Tina Fey. She's honest, she's naturally funny, and she's just self-effacing enough that it's charming, not desperate or seemingly inauthentic. The subject matter is varied- from her childhood, to her first taste of theater, to SNL, to 30 Rock, to marriage and motherhood. Guess what? She's hilarious on all topics, and those looking for content about her career will be pleased, as well as those folks who want to hear her talk about being a parent (since that chapter seemed to have been a BIG HIT as emails and FB postings!). Personally, I loved it all, and I have to give a huge recommendation to "reading" this book by listening to the audio read by Fey herself. The only drawback is not seeing the few photos and charts and such while you're taking in the content, but they are available on the last CD as a .pdf file that was fabulous to look at after finishing the book. And, you get to hear the infamous first Sarah Palin/Hilary Clinton SNL sketch. Classic.
50. 8/16/11
The Map of Me by Tami Lewis Brown
This was too old in its subject matter for young elementary school kids, but too simple in its writing and presentation for older kids who might be better able to understand the plot. (The target age stated by the publisher is 9-12, which is much too old for this book.) I was disappointed in the lack of depth of exploration into the main character's experience, things just seemed to be addressed on the surface, and the ending felt quite abrupt and with little resolution, which seems less fitting for its target audience.
49. 8/15/11
Q: A Novel by Evan Mandery
If every decision you make leads you down one distinct path, as opposed to all the other ways in which you could pursue your life, then there are an infinite number of "yous" you could be. I was fascinated with how this idea played out in this book, when the protagonist (unnamed, as best I could tell) is directed to make an initial life-changing decision. Don't want to give too much away here, so suffice it to say that the visitor is entirely convincing and the character feels he has no choice but to listen to him. What follows are numerous life paths and a whole lot of philosophical discussions that parallel his life experiences. Very, very clever.
48. 8/9/11
My American Unhappiness by Dean Bakopoulos
Oh dear. The protagonist of this novel, Zeke Pappas, is so damn delusional and just plain odd that it should be easy to despise him. Yet. Somehow even when I was screaming in my head at him to face the facts of reality, I still was rooting for him to somehow pull all the broken pieces of his life back together. He was strongest when going off in a two page narrative about the state of today's American culture and political scene, and his dark vision of it all held much authenticity for me. How I ended up laughing through much of it instead of opting to put my head in an oven is a credit to the writing skills of Bakopoulos, with Zeke's social statements making for intense, yet enjoyable reads.
47. 8/5/11
500 Acres and No Place to Hide: More Confessions of a Counterfeit Farm Girl by Susan McCorkindale
In her essays, emails, and humorous collection of footnotes that could fill several chapters on their own, McCorkindale continues her saga of city-girl-turned-country in her second memoir. This chick is funny, no doubt about it, and having zero experience with farm life myself, I had a blast imagining her descriptions of this crazy world, feeling her pain as a transplant to the world of living on a farm. From chickens in the flowerbox to goats moseying on into her kitchen, there are adventures at every turn. But about halfway through her memoir, family life takes a turn for the worse when her husband is diagnosed with cancer, serious stage four pancreatic cancer. Even though I knew this was coming, I still found myself wiping away the tears as she tells their story. Somehow she manages to convey the full array of emotions involved in this process without ever losing her signature humor, so that the melancholy surrounding her sick husband's fight fits right next to the hilarity involved in now trying to run the farm on her own. Some chapters felt vaguely familiar, and after I looked it up, I found that some bits originally ran as posts on the (now-defunct) DC Metro Moms- a site that McCorkindale contributed to, that for some reason also ran posts by yours truly.
46. 7/31/11
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
Oh, how lovely. These books have all been just wonderful, and this third book is no different. Beautiful, quiet writing, yet full of adventure. I feel like this one was the most emotional book yet, developing the characters of these young girls more deeply than before, especially with Rosalind mostly away during the course of the story. This is Skye's chance to shine, and shine she does! I especially love that my almost-11 year old son declared, "Those books are just awesome!" after I finished the third after him. Forget those gender stereotypes- this book is for everyone, boy or girl!
45. 7/30/11
The Available Parent: Radical Optimism for Raising Teens and Tweens by Dr. John Duffy
Very logical advice offered here-- nothing groundbreaking, but still meaningful when it's all put together in one volume. Much emphasis is put on defending the author's position of "availability," noting that it is not a call for "soft" parenting, but that it does involve letting go of the parental ego that often creates a perfect picture that children are incapable of living up to. Personally, this book came at an ideal time, as we're facing new attitudes and communication styles with our oldest who's just about 11, and I think we could use the refresher that this book offers.
44. 7/22/11
Sugar in My Bowl: Real Women Write About Real Sex edited by Erica Jong
A topic as broad as this elicits a wide variety of writers' perspectives- from the descriptively detailed to the more generally vague, and from the "raunchy" to the "modest," though those words most likely have a wide range of meanings, themselves. I found some essays laugh out loud funny, while others had me much more pensive. Some were simply wacky and went beyond my own personal understanding, but then there were the ones with which I could relate. I applaud each author, though, for having the guts to write from the heart on a topic that may be in our faces EVERYWHERE in our culture, but still seems difficult for us to talk about frankly.
43. 7/18/11
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
Lovely, just lovely. How I adore these four girls- each plucky in her own way, and so devoted to each other and their family, deep down. I love the quiet pacing and tone of the books, entertaining and delightful for both children and adults. JAM and I began by reading this aloud together, but we ended up each finishing the second half on our own, for the sake of time. Next up? Why, the third Penderwicks, of course!
42. 7/17/11
Stories I Only Tell My Friends by Rob Lowe (audiobook)
I haven't read many celebrity memoirs, but listening to the audiobook version of this, read by Rob Lowe himself, was entertaining. I expected the name-dropping habit, and I found myself grinning at the way Lowe would set up a story only to reveal the name of the would-be celebrity it revolved around. Fans of his career will be happy to hear stories of his experiences filming many of his films, both the successful ones as well as the ones most actors would want to forget. The title is perfectly appropriate, as the tone Lowe maintains throughout the entire books is one of storyteller, and you can imagine him holding court around a dinner party table sharing these tales.
41. 7/9/11
This Beautiful Life by Helen Schulman
Schulman demonstrates great skill in creating distinct third-person narrators in this novel, depending upon the central character of each chapter. When focused on the mom of the family, Liz, her straining disconnect is prominent. She's unhappy-- she thinks, but perhaps she could just be wrong, perhaps she's not thinking positively enough, for in this beautiful life, how could she not be? For Richard, the father, the voice is quite succinct and to the point, for Richard makes up his mind and gets things done. Jake, however, is perhaps the best rendered one in my opinion. His teenaged uncertainty, his adolescent over-thinking that immediately brings embarrassment and causes him to turn inward even more-- that came off the most realistic. Add in one central fateful "click," the forwarding of a sexually explicit video sent to him by a younger classmate to his best friend, done out of genuine shock- *Can you believe this?!* This one seemingly isolated event tears at each family member as the aftereffects are more than anyone could have imagined. Technology and adolescence make for strange and potentially disastrous bedfellows.
40. 7/8/11
Nice Shot, Cupid! (Myth-O-Mania) by Kate McMullan
Sure, this might be entertaining for an older child to read, but I felt like it tried too hard. Plays on words and pop culture references (modified to the time of the Greek gods) piled on top of each other, and I even questioned whether kid readers would even get some of them. Cute premise, but I wasn't a fan of the execution.
39. 7/4/11
Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
Okay, can a novel be absolutely beautiful while also confusing the hell out of you? Yes, yes one can, and this is that novel. Van Booy's way with words is remarkable- passages left me truly breathless, amazed at the way particular words came together. But, for much of the novel, I was unsure. Certain parts had a more traditional flow of the narrative, but others were much more poetic and lofty. I was much more pleased with the emotional depth and explorations in the novel- from tragic to sublimely beautiful. While it wasn't what I was expecting or usually gravitate toward for fiction reading, it was definitely a memorable reading experience.
38. 6/28/11
When Life Gives You O.J. by Erica S. Perl
A middle grade novel with heart and humor! It's not always easy to have chutzpah when you're ten years old, and with a wacky grandpa, an annoying little brother and an aching desire to have a dog of her own, Zelly's sometimes overwhelmed. In some ways, she's still getting used to her family's new life in Vermont, with her grandfather "Ace" living with them, and she still misses her grandmother "Bubbles" so very much. Perl tells this story from Zelly's perspective, and as the mother of a ten year old right now, I can verify that Zelly's narrative voice is QUITE authentic. My son and I both loved this book, we were both moved to tears at times (shhh! don't tell him I said that!), and we shared some heartfelt giggles at other times. Just fabulous.
37. 6/26/11
The Inverted Forest by John Dalton
Right from the opening, a sense of foreboding was apparent in this novel, and I felt a constant tingle of anticipation as I read... what was going to happen and when was it going to happen? It turned out that while I was waiting for one big BANG, things were slowly creeping toward it, and when it finally did occur, it was less surprising and yet still entirely shocking. That quiet dread lifts a bit in the shorter second portion of the novel, with a different tone taking over. Hope? Repentance? Relief? Unlike most novels that I read, this one had me on the edge of my seat, slightly uncomfortable, yet unable to put it down, even when I was disgusted by some of the characters' ugliness, amorality, or ignorance. Really incredible.
36. 6/12/11
Where's My Wand?: One Boy's Magical Triumph Over Alienation and Shag Carpeting by Eric Poole
Perhaps the comparisons to both Augusten Burroughs and David Sedaris is actually a disadvantage to Eric Poole. His memoir/collection of essays started out slowly for me, and the bar was set so high that I was expecting a type of darker wit (a la Burroughs) or self-deprecating humor (a la Sedaris) that wasn't exactly what was being presented by Poole. Instead, the book's momentum gradually built, and his own voice is distinctive. Funny, yes, but still quite different, in my opinion, than Burroughs and Sedaris. What begins on a superficial level soon grows to a deeper-than-expected series of observations of his family members and their relationships, and the depth coincides with his progression in age as the memoir progresses. Poole deserves his own accolades separate from other male humor writers.
35. 6/8/11
Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie by Julie Sternberg with illustrations by Matthew Cordell
This book is advertised as for readers 9-12, but it feels a bit younger than that to me. I'd go in the 7-10 age range, and while that might not seem like that big a difference to some folks, I believe it is significant. This is a cute story that touches upon the emotions felt by children when someone they love moves away. The text is heavy on simple dialogue, and it is written from the perspective of an eight year old girl whose sadness at her babysitter's move from New York City to Florida is at the center of the story. Friendship, love and life changes are handled tenderly here, making this a cute story for parents and children to read aloud or a short chapter book for a young independent reader to tackle himself.
34. 6/4/11
S'Mother: The Story of a Man, His Mom, and the Thousands of Altogether Insane Letters She's Mailed Him by Adam Chester
Oh boy- there's a whole lot going on here that would make a psychiatrist nod her head knowingly. Clearly, Adam Chester's mom has some attachment and boundary issues in her relationship with her son, and seeing as her husband died unexpectedly and she raised her son on her own, there's much to be said for the reasons behind her "s'mothering" habits. BUT- that's a topic for a different book, and this one sticks closer to the "let's laugh about my wacky mom" vein instead. Chester kept the vast majority of letters and postcards his mom has sent him over the last 30 years or so, and here he catalogs some of them in the context of a memoir of his life from his college days through his marriage and becoming a parent. I had to stop myself from thinking too hard about the deeper meanings behind some of these notes and letters to really enjoy myself, but there were definitely some passages that merited reading aloud to my husband to share the giggles.
33. 5/26/11
The Art of Roughhousing: Good Old-Fashioned Horseplay and Why Every Kid Needs It by Anthony T. DeBenedet and Lawrence J. Cohen
I'm not sure that I agree wholeheartedly with every assertion in this book, but I appreciated the different perspective about the need for very physical "roughhousing" play for children. I know that my first inclination is to wish the children would be calm and quiet, but especially with the three wacky kids I've been blessed with, this just isn't realistic. I think we can make room for more active types of play with the kids, which is something that I don't usually do. Great compilation of activities with written descriptions and illustrated figures.
32. 5/24/11
The Ninth Wife by Amy Stolls
A quirky version of the lonely 30-something year old woman looking for love that immediately had me hooked. Sure, there was some foreshadowing that made things crystal clear predictable, but the likability of the main characters quickly outweighed that factor. Having lived within 15 miles of Washington, DC for the last fourteen years, I really appreciated the local flair of the story. Mostly though, I loved the voice of this novel-- the alternating first person and third person narratives that gave a distinctive feeling to individual chapters, especially when the reader feels like the characters are speaking directly to her! I couldn't finish this one fast enough, but also didn't want it to end!
31. 5/12/11
Planting Dandelions: Field Notes from a Semi-Domesticated Life by Kyran Pittman
I wish I could assign five additional stars, because this insightful and painfully honest set of essays about parenting, marriage and passing out of your 20s and 30s is pitch perfect. Self-deprecation is at play here along with a huge dose of humor, but nothing falls flat or feels contrived. Exactly the opposite- everything here feels authentic and genuine, and it's easy to imagine how challenging it must have been for Pittman to write some of these pieces. Some passages hit so very close to home that I felt the tightness in my throat before I realized that a tear or two had already slipped out. This has become my new most recommended parenting memoir.
30. 5/11/11
Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri and illustrated by Randy DuBurke
Wow. Somehow I remained oblivious to the story of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer in the summer of 1994, even though I was technically an adult at the time. After reading the short Wikipedia entry on him, I read through this YA graphic novel in short session, with my heart racing and aching at the same time. What an all-around tragic story of pain, abuse, and an awful environment for children to grow up in. The illustrations match the tone of this graphic novel- stark and sharp and filled with emotion. This is a powerful telling of a horrific true life story.
29. 5/11/11
Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
Holy cow- this is a graphic novel version of the "Choose Your Own Adventures" books from back in the day... on steroids!! Because I'm old and apparently feeble-minded, it took me a couple tries to figure out how to navigate this book, but once I got the hang of it, I was flying through scenario after scenario, intrigued by the sci-fi angle of the story and all the time wondering how in the hell Jason Shiga got this all mapped out! Incredible. I'm going to pass this along to my ten year old son now and see what he makes of it, too!
28. 5/1/11
The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop
I'm somewhat mixed on this book... while I was compelled to keep reading, I was frustrated by the predictability at some points and the repetitiveness at others. But, I think this was outweighed by my desire to discover just how this reluctant pioneer woman's life ended. It was eye-opening to read about the main character's experiences and letdowns at her husband's hands with a 21st century mindset-- so difficult to accept the limitations of her choices. While historical fiction is not my go-to genre, I did enjoy the short time I spent reading about the late 19th century characters out on the prairie.
27. 4/27/11
Skinny by Diana Spechler
I identified with much too much of this novel, and I was amazed at how deftly and accurately the author depicted the inner thoughts of a character who used binge eating to deal with stress. Like Spechler's first novel, there's a darkness that hangs over the whole novel, and it's not all tidily pulled together in the end, which I happen to like since it's much more realistic than the alternative. Her characters are again complex- conflicted, flawed, but honest (at least in narrative form, if not always to each other). Her writing is tight- she doesn't waste time with unnecessary fluff, just compact storytelling that kept me engaged and not ready to put the book down anytime soon.
26. 4/26/11
Here, Home, Hope by Kaira Rouda
Well, I guess this is the type of book that some folks think of when they derogatorily use the term "chick lit." I just couldn't get into this shallow depiction of a set of really shallow characters. Each time I thought the plot was going in a direction that would warrant deeper development of characters or more authentic-sounding dialogue, I was disappointed. As a whole, this novel felt like a "literary" version of Desperate Housewives... and I'm not a fan of that show, either.
25. 4/18/11
The Anti-Romantic Child by Priscilla Gilman
I must admit that I'm not much of a poetry fan, yet I felt called to read this memoir. While I tried to read and understand much of the poetry included, I cannot say that I connected with the author on that level. BUT, when it comes to her insights on becoming a parent- the expectations we have before the child is even born (but may not yet fully realize), the impact a child's development can have on a parent's psyche and self-image, the isolation that parenting can sometimes become (with a special needs child or not)- these were all components with which I could relate, and I was moved to tears many times as Gilman articulated her own experiences. I felt she delicately balanced several tones to the book- an emphasis on the role of poetry plays on her perspective of the world as a whole, as well as her parenting and expectation; an informative approach to making sense of the behaviors and traits of her young child, clinically explained as well as in a more anecdotal fashion; and finally, a deep emotionally-baring personal voice, expressing both her hopes and her more dark fears and negative feelings. Beautifully written in a manner that stands out from the crowd of parenting memoirs for its lyricism and literary approach.
24. 4/11/11
The Girl Who Was On Fire edited by Leah Wilson
These thirteen essays are articulate, thoughtful and thought-provoking, emotional insights into the major themes and ideas put forth in Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy. Incredible. Passionate. Persuasive. Insightful. My copy is highlighted, with margin notes and dog-eared corners because while reading, I was constantly overwhelmed by the depth to which these authors would take their commentary. After I read each book, I felt compelled to engage in a conversation about what I'd read, and this anthology pulls all the topics I wanted to discuss with someone together. It's amazing, and it should sit next to every copy of the trilogy on bookshelves around the world.
23. 4/6/11
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
What started out as a lighthearted and fun novel greatly consisting of email exchanges between two funny friends, soon turned more serious, giving attention to the ways in which people can be drawn together. In this novel, the paths that characters take toward each other are very much atypical, but as a "love story," it held high appeal for interest and the development of compassion for the characters themselves. I really, really enjoyed this one-- the kind of read that you consume in a day or two (depending on how well the children play together on their own).
22. 4/4/11
We Were Not Orphans: Stories From the Waco State Home by Sherry Matthews
Wow. Powerful stories here- both the positive and the negative, told by former residents of the Waco State Home. As children, they were unable to be taken care of by their families, although the vast majority of them were indeed not orphans, as the title emphasizes. Tales of lifelong friendships, amazing strength in the face of adversity and remembrances of both abuse and compassion make up this diverse collection of memories over several decades of residents. One can't help but get emotional when reading all the different perspectives, and the final chapters that bring to light some of the history of active attempts at hiding the evidence of abuse are absolutely enraging. The Waco State Home was clearly a double-edged sword-- providing a place to live and food to eat to many children who otherwise would not have had any, yet also perpetuating decades of mistreatment that is reprehensible.
21. 3/24/11
The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander
I started out reading this aloud with my ten year old son, but life kinda got in the way of our reading together for a week or so, so he finished it on his own, and I followed suit. The first few chapters introduced a humorous tone that still had a level of innocence to it, despite the overt comparisons of an elementary school kid's mob-like business. As the novel progresses, though, the language gets slightly stronger (nothing more than "pissed off" and insinuations at cursing), and the suspense and violence increase as well. In my opinion, it was on the upper edge of what I'm comfortable with for my own fifth grade son, but I wouldn't have handed this to him a year or two ago. Overall, it's funny in a way that will appeal to older elementary and middle school kids, as well as appealing for its contemporary setting and tone. Even with 12 year old boys at the center of the story, there's a lot of emotion and heart in the story, directed both at friendships and baseball- things most boys can relate to.
20. 3/20/11
Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford
A novel revolving around an up and coming blogger is a cool idea, and this novel merges the unique characterization with a more common love story. But even that has a little twist because Rachel isn't quite sure how she feels about her less-than-year-old divorce. As she tries to come to grips with her new life, she begins learning to cook and blogging about it on the way. Witty and written in a tone that will definitely resonate with bloggers, this is a fun novel with characters who feel real from the get go.
19. 3/11/11
An Apple A Day: Old Fashioned Proverbs-- Timeless Words to Live By by Caroline Taggart
This was pure fun, with Taggart's sly jokes squeezed in between interesting nuggets about the common sayings that are a regular part of our everyday language. Well, some of them... some others were completely unknown to me, so that was just as interesting, albeit in a different way. I enjoy these little "trivia-like" books, and they make for fun conversation starters!
18. 3/7/11
Your Pinkie is More Powerful Than Your Thumb: And 333 Other Surprising Facts That Will Make You Wealthier, Healthier and Smarter Than Everyone Else by Mark Di Vincenzo
Oh, I just loved this collection of wacky facts and truly surprising tidbits. I must have read 1/3 of this book aloud to my husband because I just had to share in the awe! This is the perfect type of book to keep in a place where you might have a few minutes at a time for reading... I know where that place is in my household. :)
17. 3/3/11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Okay, Greg is beginning to grow on me, but the Mom part of me still wants to have a little talk with him. I especially enjoyed the expansion of his mom's character in book two, as I can relate to her on several levels, even down to being a preschool teacher! :) I'm beginning to see Greg in more of a Charlie Brown light... although he's complicit in much of the stuff that goes bad in his life, you do have to feel just a little sorry for his troubles.
16. 3/2/11
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Well, I'm not the target audience, so I guess that has a lot to do with my initial reaction. I understand why my ten year old son adores this book, but I have to say that I was a little disappointed with the main character, Greg Heffley. I kept hoping that he'd have a little redeeming quality, but he's just not the nicest of kids... but, that being said, there is definitely an engaging sense of humor to this book that is just perfect for older kids. I had seen the movie before, and I have to say that Greg came off as more likable on screen. Book 2 is next for me, so maybe Greg will start to grow on me a little more.
15. 2/22/11
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
I love that my ten year old loved this book, because I think it gave an accurate portrayal of what interactions of middle school kids can be like. He's not admitting to liking girls (yet, or at least to us), but I think this was a nice introduction to what is coming in his near future. :)
I thought this book was just fabulous. Funny, tender at times, and highly creative. I believe this will be a long-lasting beloved story!
14. 2/20/11
The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy
I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by this one! I didn't know what to expect from a Christian-category book, but I was pleased that the storyline was thoughtful and impacting even for readers of a different belief system. A mysterious tone permeates this novel, and characters at conflict with their desires and current life situations are interesting and compelling. The concept of immortality- both in body and in legend- are explored through different characters, and there's a running theme of the everlasting life that is promised through Christianity, although it does not push the book into proselytizing territory.
13. 2/15/11
Enough About Love by Hervé Le Tellier
Although I was confused much of the time, I believe it had more to do with the formatting on my ereader than with the story itself. Well, perhaps it read a little smoother in its original language, as well... I don't know. The interconnectedness of four individuals who are searching for love, or are mistakenly confident in their current relationship is explored here, but I found it hard to "route for" anyone specifically. Marital strife surely exists, but it doesn't excuse morally and humanely wrong choices... so for the characters' actions, this wasn't a comfortable read. But there's no doubt that the writing itself was lyrical and beautiful, so it's a mixed bag for me.
12. 2/12/11
Spaceheadz #2 by Jon Scieszka
More laughs care of our buddy Jon Scieszka and those three wacky aliens. The second installment of the Spaceheadz series brings the laughs and gives some additional information that helps to explain Bob, Jennifer and Fluffy's mission (and weirdness!). My son and I read this together, and continued to giggle away at the silliness. We used the online resources and fun a bit more this time around, especially LOVING Fluffy's Translator-- those provide some of the best lines of the entire book!!
11. 2/10/11
Guys Read: Funny Business edited by Jon Scieszka
If I were a ten year old boy, I know I would have snorted even louder while reading this collection of short stories. As it is, I unabashedly laughed while reading it on the elliptical at the gym! Mac Barnett, Jon Scieszka and Kate DiCamillo penned my favorites in this book, but I have to admit that the gross factor went a little too far for me on a couple others. (Again, I'm not their target demographic, so I won't holdi it against them.) I can definitely see how this is touted as the perfect book for those "reluctant readers" I keep hearing about-- the different writing styles, the humor factor, the wide array of settings from realistic to REALLY OUT THERE-- something in here will appeal to most kids. Fun funny stuff.
10. 2/7/11
Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen
A truly nuanced look at a marriage full of misguided attention and misunderstandings. Money may not buy happiness, but it undoubtedly changes people, and this representation of a seemingly happy marriage shows the lack of connection that results from an ambitious and time consuming career and a loss of the relationship that was first developed. Pekkanen makes use of much foreshadowing, so that some of what comes down the pike isn't necessarily a surprise, but I couldn't see everything coming. The characters open up to the reader gradually, and they're wholly believable and understandable. Fast paced writing kept me engaged enough to spend an afternoon reading much of this book!
9. 2/5/11
Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein
A must read book for any parent of a daughter. Orenstein articulately voices the universal hopes parents have for their little girls, and she presents the wide variety of factors that challenge our girls' healthy development. Regardless of whether or not you already have a solid pro or con position on the "princessy world" our girls are growing up in, this book is worth a read because the author doesn't present herself as a having all the answers, but she does a helluva great job posing the questions that are worthy of our own individual considerations. The writing is professional but personal, factual yet comfortable to read. This book needs to be read and discussed and revisited by parents, and it could serve as a wonderful catalyst for group discussions as well.
8. 2/3/11
How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One by Stanley Fish
Okay, the starred rating (2/5- "I didn't like it") that I recorded on Shelfari only indicates that this wasn't the book for me, which probably says more about me than the book itself. I love to read, and I love when a sentence pops out of a book for its beauty, but apparently, I am not that thoughtful of a reader because this book was way over my head. I tried to enjoy it, but a lot of times it just made my head hurt... its formality wasn't accessible to me, and the examples given only come from works with which I'm not familiar. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love this book, I simply slogged through reading the words but not grasping much of the writer's passion.
7. 1/20/11
The Inadequate Conception: From Barry White to Blastocytes: What your mom didn't tell you about getting pregnant by Lori Green LeRoy
Infertility brings frustration and heartbreak for so many couples, and it isn’t an easy topic to talk about for those women in the midst of it. Blogger Lori Green LeRoy knows these pains firsthand, but she’s opting to poke fun at some of the crazier aspects of the trials of infertility. LeRoy makes her intent for the book clear from the beginning, stating that she is not necessarily sad about her infertility experiences, although she does get frustrated and angry. She’s taking the approach that by sharing her own funny observations and stories, as well as those of others facing infertility challenges, a type of catharsis may be the result. LeRoy doesn’t hold back any punches, and her descriptions of the (ahem) invasive appointments aren’t for the squeamish. For all the doctors, tests, treatments, and “samples,” the discomfort couples feel can so often be accompanied by laughter and levity. While I haven’t had issues with infertility myself, LeRoy’s authenticity and comfortable tone makes her stories accessible to any woman. The details of treatment options and the subsequent side effects are not for the faint of heart, and I respect the couples who go this road in their quest to become parents. It may not all be pretty or comfortable to talk about, but LeRoy gives a voice to those women (and men, too) who have put themselves in embarrassing positions with medical staff, been poked and prodded, and have lived to tell the tales.
6. 1/19/11
The Autobiography of Henry VII, With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George
Having just finished the Showtime series THE TUDORS, I couldn't help but compare and contrast the two depictions of Henry VIII's reign. I loved the author's way of creating a vivid image from her words, although the faces in my head were admittedly of the actors who I watched on my TV screen. Historical fiction isn't a genre that I've read a lot of, but this story is one that is familiar, albeit in many different forms, and I loved getting another version. This depiction certainly made Henry accessible as "real person," although his constantly wavering opinions of others, religion, and self-servitude made him not at all likable. I'm pretty sure that his reputation will forever be of a selfish and heartless tyrant, regardless of his depictions.
5. 1/14/11
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, Ph.D.
There were some great little nuggets of parenting advice in this book, but it was more challenging to read for me without a Jewish background, since the religion advice was so intertwined with the parenting suggestions. I got what I expected from the "let kids have some negative experiences" camp, which wasn't surprising considering the title, and the advice along those lines really resonated with me and my intuitive parenting style. There were other bits and pieces that made me have to do a bit more self-reflecting, and for that alone, this is a book that I would love to add to my collection.
4. 1/11/11
Disaster Preparedness by Heather Havrilesky
Oh, this chick is for real, that's for sure. I found both her reflections on her childhood and adolescent experiences AND her ability to craft beautiful passages about them to be incredible. This isn't so much a memoir about surviving a crappy childhood and rising above it all, as it is a recollection of some crappy times and the ability to see through the poor actions of her parents, her peers, and herself to the reality of it all. There's more acceptance than finger pointing, and not the 'holier-than-thou' type of acceptance, either. Havrilesky seems to be at a place in her life where she's ready to move past being angry at people from her past for their failings. She can see the mistakes for what they are, without demonizing the people who made them. While we may not have identical background experiences, there's something universal to the way in which she describes her childhood and teen years that I could absolutely relate to.
3. 1/9/11
Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
It's not like I can truly "review" this book, because all I can say is that it's hilarious. Funny as in you'll snort the drink that you're trying to enjoy while reading right out your nose-funny. Funny as in I annoyed my husband to no end by reading half of the book in excerpt form out loud to him-funny. Funny as in I've never respected Jon Stewart and The Daily Show contributers more for their insightful and hilarious perspectives on life as we know it-funny. I loved this.
2. 1/6/11
Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros
Oh, a light and fun read was just what I needed right about now. The characters are undoubtedly attractive and the scenes played out like a movie in my head. There's something to be said for witty repartee and its role in the development of a relationship. Here, with zero face-to-face time, Abby and Mark begin their exchanges, in 140 characters or less of course, and routinely match each others' funny and flirty tweets. There's a twist to the story, also of course, because this is romantic fiction, and Medeiros doesn't necessarily sew up all the ends of the story by the final page. This made for a lovely book to begin at the gym early this morning and finish by lunchtime.
1. 1/4/11
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey by Walter Mosley
Amazing, amazing book. Even when the protagonist was deep in the throes of dementia, he still managed to be more compelling and interesting than most fictional characters. Immediately, I was taken by this story, and I longed to help Ptolemy put the pieces of his mind back together to fulfill my curiosity. In my opinion, this exemplifies impeccable writing- not one word was out of place or unnecessary, there wasn't one bit of fluff. The characters' voices immediately jumped off the page in their authenticity, and the entire novel was tinged by a tenderness that I associate with the type of elderly people who always seem to have one part of their mind living in the past through their memories.
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