Discovering a "New" author

The delight in "discovering" a "new" author is always a thrill to me. When I find an author I like, I want to read all their books, and in order of publication...sometimes. I am savoring another novel by Elinor Lipman at 4 am...and I am agreeing with myself, that yes, this is an author that I will have to read everything. Tonight the novel is Isabel's Bed. I kept picking this book up, reading the end covers, turning it over in my hands, intrigued. But it hadn't really crossed my radar, that's my euphemism for a book that catches my attention mostly for the number of times I read a review, hear something about it, or even notice other people reading that book. Afraid that it might be about a lesbian couple, I put it back, and go on to something else. But, it is now the third novel by Lipman that I have read, okay, I'm not one quarter done, but I will finish it and I am enjoying it. Basically the story is told in the first person by a woman who takes up residence on Cape Cod with another woman, to ghost write the home owner's story and get free room and board in the trade. Who wouldn't like that? Cape Cod in the winter, there's a place I want to go even if I'm only there in my book travels. I have inherited the Cape Cod envy from my Mother, which she craved from her readings of books like the Gilbert's ( of Cheaper by the Dozen fame) Nantucket books. Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House...My Own Cape Cod by Gladys Taber to name a few. My sister sent me Susan Branch's cooking books about Martha's Vineyard. But, I think its Lipman's writing style that I like the most. I started with The Pursuit of Alice Thrift , a delightful comedy of an intern's love life in Boston. Then I read My Latest Grievance which is told by a sixteen year old daughter of houseparents at a small private college. I loved the whole premise of the book,, she discovers her father had been married before her mother, and she meets her father's first wife through the ex-wife's present to her through the mail on her sixteenth birthday. What a delightful way to begin a story. So, I am happy for now because I have an author's books to look forward to for the coming year. And maybe I'll introduce this author to others readers and see where that goes.

"The People's Act of Love" by James Meek

I am three fourths of the way through this novel. It was written in 2005. It is for a book discussion group and this may be the last time I make a suggestion that doesn't come from a so called book discussion suggestion list. I especially liked the part of the novel where Samarin gives his testimony in the chapter, 'The River.' on page 181. "I propose to explain to you something of what I suffered in the prison camp to which I was sent.." It is the story of the Russian student, Samarin who is imprisoned in Siberia. Far above the Arctic, for five years he is imprisoned until the fall of the government after the first world war. Of course I do not know the history of the wars in Russia, and I am not so sure that this book will help fill in the details for me. I should go back and read Dr. Zhivago over again and compare the two.

Happy Thanksgiving

LOOKING FOR THAT GOOD MYSTERY AGAIN

Started a new book, "Sherlock Homes; The Unauthorized Biography" by Nick Rennison. because I never have read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective series, I thought this might be a good place to start. Engaging, the character of Sherlock Holmes is examined through historical documents. I especially like the historial inspection of the Victorian age of Holmes, the England of my fantasy world, the England of my forebears. Three of my grandparents lived in England in 1895, not knowing at the time they were to emigrate to America and leave their English world behind. The superpower that England was was shattering, and so went their dreams. Was it family struggles, financial worries or just sheer adventure that brought them out of the bustling England and into New York City? Finding connections to other emigrants they blended their families with others from England, but they also left brothers and sisters in England and I grew up learning about cousins across the seas. Apparently most of the relatives did not emigrate...I have relatives I don't even know about. But, this book gives me a glimpse into the Victorian age of my grandparents. And it is a fascinating portrait.

Book Discussion Group

Water for Elephants is a newer book by Sara Gruen. Written in 2006, this is a story of a man's life in the circus during the 30's. Needing a job and something to eat, Jacob Jankowski jumps a train only to discover he has landed himself in the middle of a circus train. If that isn't fodder for a story....

Looking for a good mystery

There is a part of me that wants to find a good mystery to read. Something that grabs me, has a literary value to it, by that I mean good writing. Must be nostalgia. I remember my Agatha Christie days, or years, when any novel that I picked up by her was just right. I have tried various authors, Martin Cruz Smith comes to mind with his Gorky Park. I did read a few of his novels. I also read John LeCarre for awhile, but didn't continue. I picked up a copy of the first Richard Jury novels by Martha Grimes, and I think I might be onto something. Because it helps me to listen I tried to find, The Man with a Load of Mischief in audio, and that didn't happen. so now I am listening to Grave Maurice and slowly reading the first Richard Jury novel. It's the anglophile in me I guess.

Night by Elie Wiesel

Our book discussion group read Night. Elie Wiesel is going to be honored in Dayton, Ohio on October 14th for lifetime achievement by the Dayton Literary Peace Prize at the Schuster Center. We were lucky enough to have high school students and their teacher to join our group of adult women to share their thoughts on this great book. We were amazed at the clarity of the author's language and his ability to put his experience to paper no matter how difficult that was to to, especially at a time when the world was not ready to face the whole truth of the Nazi plan of destruction. The author was instrumental in helping to have the Holocaust Museum built in the united States. This discussion of ours took place on the same day that the President of Iran was denying the Holocaust in a national publicized speech in America's Columbia University in New York.

Ethiopian diaspora

Just read a book, Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb. The protagonist is a young English-born girl, Lilly, whose parents travel the north African coast as free spirits. Her life changes when her parents are killed and she is left with a Muslim religious leader in Morocco for her upbringing. As she matures she is encouraged to take a religious pilgrimage to Ethiopia with another young Muslim scholar. The story is fascinating, told back and forth between the 70's in Ethiopia and the 80's in London. At a time when the west seems fascinated with the Muslim culture this book helps readers to understand some of the motivation behind the practices. Islam may be the largest growing religion in the world, and I want to understand it more. Not to convert, but to at least have more respect for people's choices and beliefs. This book is well written and sympathetic to the Diaspora in London of the Ethiopia population. The author spent time in Ethiopia as part of her anthropology research, and her appreciation of the people shows.

Dirty Snow

Just finished Dirty Snow by Georges Simenon. Its a dark novel, taking place in an occupied country at the time of World War II. At the end of the novel is Tucson 20 March 1948. In the New York Review book edition that I am reading is an afterward by William T. Vollmann. He explains why we read such dark novels. I am struck by Vollman's remarks about the protangonist, Frank Friedmaier. "But how immensely human he is! Here is Simenon's genius." And what he remarks has terrifing relevance for today, where violence is such a given in parts of our cities, and it makes no sense. Vollmann says, "Franks wants to be recognized. He wants to be known. He scarcely knows himself, or anything else worth knowing." Later he reflects on Frank's mother..."she is a major factor in his spoiling. She has fed him with the corruption he regurgitates, which is why, as I said, he wants to be hated-a surefire way to get others to see him, to be real, to actually catch the eye..." Well, now that I have read it, and it is a depressing book to read, I think about its value. the value of the book for literature's sake. It does let us into the mind of a dark, evil person, who is living in a godless society, full of oppressive people, only Holst is redeemed or redeeming. He doesn't speak until the end of the book, he exposes his pain, and he sees Frank for the boy-man who is lost and needs saving. He is human, and has a forgiving quality, but it is all for the sake of his daughter, Sissy. He would do anything for Sissy, and he does. Would this be a good book for violent prone inner city young adults to read? Could they see themselves? Has this been thought of before? Who has used this novel in high schools? I guess I think that violence is our greatest problem in this society. And I don't know how to stop it. And I certainly am not the only one thinking about this. I grieve for all the families who lose a family member through violence, and the resulting incarceration.

Reading the newpaper

Found a story that I found disturbing in the newspaper. It was in Wednesday's paper, a syndicated article I am sure. About the emigration of middle class British citizens due to the over immigration of foreign population to Britian. All of this is a result of the British empire and the colonization all across the world. But, it doesn't make it easier to lose your country. And foreign people have lost their country to the influx of Western society. Makes me wonder if I will want to emigrate from America someday. I aslo read that the murder rate in New Orleans is the largest in the USA. A pastor is writing everyone's name down on a "murder board" in front of his church in New Orleans. Dreadful, sad, and so wasteful. I know my first reaction to Katrina was, we cannot fight a war over seas when we cannot take care of our people and rebuild New Orleans and thousands of people's homes and businesses. Waste of money, waste of lives and sad sad. I asked someone this summer what was the most disturbing political issue to them personally: the war, the violence or the ecomony. The economy was her answer because they have an investment home that is not selling right now. This from someone who doesn't have to work, her husband has a good job, all her children have good jobs, and the home they are trying to sell is occupied by a family member. I guess we all end up voting our pocketbook. Is the American way of life really worth salvaging? Seems we are run by corporations who want to earn more money that anyone needs. My soapbox...a change would be more scary, I am reminded that Germany's issues after World War I were some of the same for us now. Rising inflation, an abundance of crime, and widespread immigration. and we all know that the change of power for Germany seemed like an answer for them at the time and was a disaster for everyone. What to think?

Low Tide in Michigan

I am reading a new author, Barbara Kingsolver. Or rather rediscovering her work. I read The Bean Trees about six years ago. And I tried to listen to the Prodigal Summer and didn't finish it. So when I heard that our community was considering Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for our One Book, One Community I thought I should read one of her nonfiction titles. I choose to read High Tide in Tucson for my vacation book to read on the trip to Michigan. Turned out to be a good choice. As soon as I was done I wanted to read it again. I think it is the language that attracts be to the book. The way she puts her ideas into words that are fresh and original. I also like the strength she has in her opinions and perceptions. She likes to think of herself as a political writer. Not everyone does. She has very strong beliefs and she wants to reflect her beliefs with her life. The best example I can come up with is that during her protest of the Desert Storm war she chose to move her family out of America and live in the Canary Islands. That takes courage and conviction. And she was pleasantly surprised to find that this Spanish culture nurchurded children. And I wondered what that would be like. We Americans are so sure that our culture is the best, but then we have to face the consequences of the laws, the freedoms, the decisions that are made in the best interest of the people.

Reading on my vacation

Taking a few days off from worK. Car travel is perfect for reading. When I was young I would have trouble reading in the car. Did I just will myself to be able to read in a car, or did I just outgrow it? I get a lot of my reading done in the car. Listening to audio-tapes helps tremendously. I recommend starting a difficult book with the audio version. I find that I can then go to the written version after a couple of tapes. And finish it with both. I have done that lately. I did that with The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields. And Slaughterhouse-Five. The audio version I listened to was read by the actor Ethan Hawke. The fantasy version of the bombing of Dresden. I know I will have to read it over again to better understand it. Haven't read Science Fiction in a very long time. The Planet of the Apes by Pierre Bulle, translated from the French may have been the only one I read. Did I read The Cat From Outer Space or do I just think I did? I'm going back 40 years so my memory is a little fuzzy. After I saw the movie on the planet of the apes, then I read the book. I must have been fourteen. I read Gone With the Wind a few times in that same era. I was disappointed by the movie. I think I like to see the movie first and then read the book. That reminds me, I did pick up the DVD on The Weight of Water and it sat on my shelf. Guess I was afraid to watch it. Was it going to be too scary? So I brought the book home from the library. It didn't end at all like I thought it would. Haven't seen the movie yet, but I am sure the movie version is very different. That book has stayed with me. Strong sense of place, taking place on the coast of Maine. The characters are living on a boat, five people cramped in. The story transfers between the past and present. The main protagonist is photographing an island in the ocean where a double murder had taken place. The suspense the reader feels is the impending murder in the present time. This book was written by Anita Shreve, the first I've read by her.

Garrison Keillor has written a history of radio in St. Paul Minneapolis. He ought to know, he was in radio for many years, recreating the glory days on his own A Prairie Home Companion starting in 1974. But this book is a little more racy than his typical home show so that made it all the more fun. Poking fun at the locals and the stars on radio, he exposes all their humaness and weaknesses. You have to like Frank White, the naive young man who stars his career in radio, and grows wise to the older generation. He learns when to stand on his own feet and branch out into the world of television in the early 50's. Garrison's own voice on the book on tape is pitch perfect, his droll sense of humor matching the story. A hit.

why we read

I was reading into the night. This time it was The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther. I listen to what people have to say, and this book came recommended by a colleague. And I was not surprised at how easily I was drawn into this book, with no sense that I was just wasting my time.
I hate that, when I'm into a book about 50 pages or more and I think, what am I doing with my time? Each of us has our own reasons for reading. It may be to enlarge our world, or experiences, to find a kindred soul who is adept at putting into words the feelings we have, therefore validating them. It may be for educational reasons. I want to understand a situation, an event or just learn how to do something. Sometimes it's a great story. I also read for humor. If I can find a funny story or read a funny memoir then it is worth my time. Laughter is very important to me.
Do I need another person to validate my feelings? No, but sometimes just the way another person can say it or write it somehow helps me to remember, or to value the thought or experience. I have read many books on the experience of living or caring for a person with dementia. At first I thought I should record all the craziness that was happening, but I didn't. Time was short, or too awful to dwell on. But I do understand when someone else has written it down for me to read, and maybe to understand a little more. I never can forget Nancy Reagan saying that Alzheimer's is like a "long goodbye", and that is it exactly. In the beginning there was humor, and gentleness, and lack of stress on the person who was sick. But it can go on and on and become the truly nightmare that it is. There is such a thing as living too long. The suffering takes its toll on everyone. And it often kills the spouse.
Back to The Saffron Kitchen. The story is told through the eyes of the mother and daughter. Mother is an Iranian English immigrant. The daughter is born in England, with an English dad. The story jumps back and forth in time, and from each different perspective. There is some history, the mother comes to age during the Iranian revolution. She is forced to leave her family. Can we really understand another culture? No, but we try.

Listening Pleasure

After I finished listening and reading the Face on the Milk Carton I wondered why the book has such a similarity to The Stone Diaries. Was it because the narrator was the same? Well, I guessed right. Alyssa Brenahan narrated both books, so the "voices" of the two books seemed similar to me. Both books were written in first person. I am able to read more books with the audio format available today. i am able to listen while I drive to work, and I have been doing this since 1993 when I had a 45 minute commute. Thankfully I don't have to drive as much today, but I am still grateful for the books i can listen to. I will learn yet how to put a book onto an mp3 player. i have downloaded the books from the elibrary onto the computer. Amazing world. Can't keep up.

The Bastard of Istanbul

This novel was published in 2007. I liked the way the story evolves and the characters are tied together at the end. The author, Elif Shafaf, is getting attention as a Turkish novelist of the acclaim of Orhan Pamuk. I will try to read something of his. Shafaf was tried in Turkey for using the term genocide with regard to the Armenian massacre that occurred in the early twentieth century. It certainly brings our attention to the historical events in Turkey that is not common knowledge. Downplayed, probably because so much horrific events have shadowed this particular one. Is this the first case of genocide carried out by a government?

Library kitty

This was found the other day while I was browsing on a library blog on cataloging I think.

Challenged books

I am listening to "The Face on the Milk Carton" by Caroline Cooney. It was on the list published by ALA(American Library Association)of the most challenged books from 1990 - 2000 reported to the ALA. www.ala.org.org A girl of sixteen sees her own face on the milk carton at school and faces the fact that she may have been kidnapped by her own parents when she was just three. Well told, vivid description of her feelings, thoughts, and "daymares" as she finds her memory coming back to her in bits and pieces. It is the first of a trilogy of stories by the same author. I wonder if Caroline Cooney writes under another name in adult fiction. As I am listening I am reminded of Carol Shields book, "The Stone Diary". I usually do not like to read a book written in the first person, but I like the way this is written. I especially like the language that is used. It is quite different and almost poetic.

Letterboxing

Just for fun try your hand at letterboxing. Look for Book Bunch's new letterbox at the following website. www.atlasquest.com

Friday Night Knitting Club

I'm into a new book, a novel by Kate Jacobs. "Friday Night Knitting Club" published by J.P. Putnam, 2007. It is the author's first novel. The basic story line in about the friendship between some women in New York City whose only connection is the local yarn shop owned by a single mother, Georgia Walker. Georgia has a daughter, Dakota, who figures into the story as a thirteen year old who is just coming into her own as she shares her talents as a cook-entrepreneur. She meets her father for the first time and starts a relationship with him that shakes up Georgia's world. All members of the Friday night knitting club have their own challenges and detours, and together it makes for an interesting book. In addition to reading this for the last few weeks, I'm listening to "Year of Pleasures" by Elizabeth Berg. A widow begins a new life in a new town and cherishes her new life and her old memories. As I listen along I am surprised by the beautiful description or enlightenment, and I want to rush to the printed word and underline the profound parts. Over the years I would find myself copying out favorite parts of books onto 3x5 cards...to savor. That's what I want to do right now. Memorize a special part of the books that states an idea in just the right way, an insight that I never quite heard it put that way. I want to own the book and write notes into the margins and then I'll be onto another book that excites me in quite another way. Ah... the words and how they speak to me. This is why I read...to see life from a new vision, a new perspective, and relate this to my own experience.

Get Caught Reading, sponsored by AAP

Get Caught Reading, sponsored by AAP

Indian Treaties

I am surrounded by books and I found what I was looking for, at least a little of it. This book was in the stacks: Treaties between the United States and the Indian tribes / edited by Richard Peters. [Boston : Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1846] There is a treaty with the Chayenne Indians that was recorded in 1825. I need to find out what land was allotted to the Chayenne Indians in 1825. This treaty basically stated that the Indians acknowledge that they are living in the United States territory "they reside within the territorial limits of the United States, acknowledge their supremacy, and claim their protection," and will not wage war. They also agree that the conduct of one individual acting alone will not cause the government to hold the tribe responsible. Excuse me if I am using older language or terms but I am reading about the people our government was referring to in 1825, and the spelling has changed. Also the term Native Americans is actually more correct to use.
Could this treaty be found online? Maybe. Yes, there it is on www.firstpeople.us
Amazing this world we live in today. And complicated. The spelling on the website is "Cheyenne." Treaty with the Cheyenne tribe July 6, 1825

Now I just found another treaty with the Arapaho and Cheyenne February 15, 1861, and Little Wolf is a representative of the Cheyenne with others. We will see what has been promised.

Fiction vs. Nonfiction

Reading a book of fiction that is based on facts, some call this historical fiction, creates the desire to know more about the actual historical event. I am presented with a story that has some historical setting, historical figures, and the historical event that may or may not have happened. I get so caught up in the story that all along I find that I don't really know the history behind the book. I want to know more, I want to expand my knowledge. So if I am lucky, I will read up on the historical facts of that time period and check it against the story itself, to see if the story is believable. This is not alternate history, when the novelist begins with the historical setting and plays a what-if game with himself and the reader. For example what if the North did not win the civil war back in the 1860's... what would have happened. An example that was used by Philip Roth last year in "The Plot Against America", what-if the U.S. Presidential election had been won by Lindbergh, not Roosevelt before World War II. How much is based on fact and how much is pure fantasy?
In this way I find I am reading fiction, followed by nonfiction. After I read "Dark Star" by Alan Furst I found that I wanted to read books on the Stalinst purges. This part of my history lessons I didn't remember. And the little that I did know needed some updates. The number of communists killed by the followers of Josef Stalin is mindboggling. And I began to wonder myself how the Soviet communists were able to stand up against the Nazis after so many leaders were sacrificed?
I am now reading "1000 White Women: The Journal of May Dodd" by Jim Fergus and I want to separate the fact from the fiction. I know very little about the 1875's in Cheyenne territory. I am totally captured by the story, itself written so well that Mary Dodd is alive to me. I am listening to the audio version, Laura Hicks reading aloud, even singing the songs of Phemie, former slave/now Cheyenne. I love when Laura Hicks speaks the Cheyenne language, and relates how the character is soon enchanted herself with the sounds. And after the book is over, what will I read that tells me more about the facts of the actual 'Brides For Indians" plan offered to U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant by the great Cheyenne "Sweet Medicine Chief" Little Wolf? Will it Be the newspaper's written in 1874? Based on our own newspaper accounting's I know those will not be the facts. Where can I find the transcript of the audience of Little Wolf and Grant? Hummm...and the treaties? Are they still out there for our perusal? What will be the nonfiction account that I will read just to answer some questions that came to me while I read?

Learning to blog

Blog: a diary of sorts online.
First create your user name: people will associate this with you, it will be displayed on your computer screen for all to see.
The mighty password: this is my stumbling block, I can never remember when I create a new one for all the accounts online that exist, so remember your password.
Your email address, create a new email address online on a free website if you don't have a network provider, has to be done first. All accounts are related to this email address once you start on blogger.

Reading something new

My amazement at reading a work of fiction continues when I find something I can relate to. It connects me with the author when I start to uncover a hidden memory, and then see how my memory works with the new story line. I just finished "the Myth of You and Me" by Leah Stewart. My first thought was, " do military families stay in an area over 5 years?" That part of the story struck me as being a little unbelievable. Isn't a tour of duty about two years? But then I remembered my best friend from high school was from a military family. We bonded in the first class as freshman together, gym, I think it was. She also was in my homeroom, and our required study hall. Anyways we were best friends all through high school, and it was during the Vietnam war, her father was stationed overseas, but the family stayed put. Even a year after high school she and her family stayed in the same house. Her influence on my life was greater that I wanted to admit. She encouraged me to try out for cheerleading for four years with no success. We dreamed about entering the Olympics as we tried to ice skate on a pond, learned to throw shot put, and exercise on the second level of the gymnasium. I joined gymnastics because of her. I majored in pysical education in college because she did, or she wanted to. And I even remembered that I was a third wheel when she had a boyfriend and I didn't. The first guy I ever fell in love with was in love with her. He was a physical education major as well. Funny, just by reading a fiction story written in 2005 I can relive parts of my own life that happened over forty years ago. Therefore, one attraction of fiction or reading in general is the amount of memory it evokes.