Tag: 30 day book challenge

Books

Several Book Reviews

I’m not going to apologize.  I’m really tired of this 30 Day Book Challenge thing.  Perhaps this is why the word “challenge” is in the title.  Anyway, I’m finishing it today, by simply putting a book in the following categories without explanation.  I’m also omitting redundant or ridiculous categories.  I’d be happy to field questions in the comments section, however.

Day 15: Favorite “chapter book” you can remember reading as a child:

Dicey’s Song, by Cynthia Voigt, is one of the first books I remember getting truly sucked in to. It was one I loved reading, dreamt about, and still think about today. I cannot wait to re-read it when my kids are the right age.

 

 

 

 

Day 21: Favorite picture book from childhood:

The Thingumajig Book of Manners, hard to find, worth the premium price you might pay on Amazon or Ebay or wherever you find it. This book is just good. All around good. Funny. Great illustrations. And as a bonus, it includes some pretty good advice about actual manners that my kids have taken to heart.

 

 

 

 

Day 23: Book you tell people you’ve read, but haven’t actually finished:

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. God. Where do I begin? This book sucked me on the first page, as it did many people. The idea that this was a true account of an actual drug addict, well, obviously it was pretty compelling. Until it turned out not to be true. Then, it just became difficult to read. Because here’s the thing: reading about the events that may or may not have happened (could or could not have happened) to someone addicted to drugs? It’s dark. No matter how you slice it. As a true story I was compelled to keep reading from a respectful distance. As a fiction story pawned off as true to sell copies, just annoyed me and then grossed me out. Couldn’t finish this for so many reasons.

 

Day 25: A book everyone hated but you liked: (this goes for John too, which is what made me decide to teach it)

The first year I taught high school English I had juniors (American literature) and didn’t really know what to teach. The Scarlet Letter was actually John’s recommendation because it was one of the few books from high school he remembered liking. Obviously the language is difficult, and it turned out I was one of the last remaining teachers in my department still tackling this book. But when we took it slowly and really broke down what was going on, most of my students ended up liking it and resonating with the message.

Weirdly, the thing has become even more near and dear to my heart as I get older, and realize how many of Hawthorne’s principles still ring true today.

 

Day 26: Favorite book turned into a movie:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett was a book club pick for two different book clubs (I moved). When I finally got my hands on a copy, I realized why.

This book was just good.

And then the movie was good.

You’ve read it. Tell me you’ve read it. Never read it? Go read it.

 

 

 

Alright.  That’s all I’ve got.

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Days 15-30: Finishing the Challenge Now

I’m not going to apologize.  I’m really tired of this 30 Day Book Challenge thing.  Perhaps this is why the word “challenge” is in the title.  Anyway, I’m finishing it today, by simply putting a book in the following categories without explanation.  I’m also omitting redundant or ridiculous categories.  I’d be happy to field questions in the comments section, however.

Day 15: Favorite “chapter book” you can remember reading as a child

Day 21: Favorite picture book from childhood

Day 23: Book you tell people you’ve read, but haven’t actually finished

Day 24: Book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Day 25: A book everyone hated but you liked (this goes for John too, which is what made me decide to teach it)

Day 26: Favorite book turned into a movie

Alright.  That’s all I’ve got.

Books

Author I Used To Love But Don’t Anymore

Anne Lamott

I fell in love with her in college when I first read Traveling Mercies, and even today, I think if I picked up that book, I’d still laugh.  But I’m not sure I would find it as inspiring now, as I thought I did then.  I started to lose interest with the second of this inspirational series, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith.  When the final book came out (Grace Eventually) I didn’t even finish it.  I’m not sure what it was.  She annoyed me.

I also remember laughing through Operating Instructions, and thought at the time how I would love to be Sam’s high school teacher, just so I could have a non-stalkeresque reason to meet the woman.  Now that I’m a mother, I wonder what my current reaction would be.  Strangely, of all the books I’ve ever read, Anne Lamott is my most read author.  I even tried some of her fiction.  (It also failed me.)

John and I were discussing this weekend, the way certain books hit you at just the right time in life, and they have an effect which is deeply personal but directly connected to circumstances.  There are other books that we feel certain we would love no matter when we read them (or how often).  Anne Lamott is obviously the former.

I should probably stop recommending her as a favorite to people.

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Day 14: Author I Used to Love but Don’t Anymore

Anne Lamott

I fell in love with her in college when I first read Traveling Mercies, and even today, I think if I picked up that book, I’d still laugh.  But I’m not sure I would find it as inspiring now, as I thought I did then.  I started to lose interest with the second of this inspirational series, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith.  When the final book came out (Grace Eventually) I didn’t even finish it.  I’m not sure what it was.  She annoyed me.

I also remember laughing through Operating Instructions, and thought at the time how I would love to be Sam’s high school teacher, just so I could have a non-stalkeresque reason to meet the woman.  Now that I’m a mother, I wonder what my current reaction would be.  Strangely, of all the books I’ve ever read, Anne Lamott is my most read author.  I even tried some of her fiction.  (It also failed me.)

John and I were discussing this weekend, the way certain books hit you at just the right time in life, and they have an effect which is deeply personal but directly connected to circumstances.  There are other books that we feel certain we would love no matter when we read them (or how often).  Anne Lamott is obviously the former.

I should probably stop recommending her as a favorite to people.

Books

Most Surprising Plot Twist or Ending

Day 13: 

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Given my more recent propensity for reading the end of books to see if they are even worth my time, it was hard for me to come up with a book that surprised me.  Hah.

From what I remember of this book (which I read several years ago, and only remember that I loved it, and then made John read it, and he loved it too), there is a huge buildup to the climax.  What is made clear throughout the novel is that Owen Meany practices a basketball shot over and over and over again with Johnny Wheelwright because he believes this is necessary for his destiny in life.  It is also very strongly suggested that the fulfillment of this destiny will result in Owen’s death.

Other than that, the actual moment of “The Shot’s” heroic appearance is bizzarre and completely unexpected.  I won’t spoil it.  Truth be told, I don’t remember enough detail to do a spoiler any justice anyway.  Just know that this was one book I did not read ahead and ruin in advance, and I was surprised.

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Day 13: Most Surprising Plot Twist or Ending

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

Given my more recent propensity for reading the end of books to see if they are even worth my time, it was hard for me to come up with a book that surprised me.  Hah.

From what I remember of this book (which I read several years ago, and only remember that I loved it, and then made John read it, and he loved it too), there is a huge buildup to the climax.  What is made clear throughout the novel is that Owen Meany practices a basketball shot over and over and over again with Johnny Wheelwright because he believes this is necessary for his destiny in life.  It is also very strongly suggested that the fulfillment of this destiny will result in Owen’s death.

Other than that, the actual moment of “The Shot’s” heroic appearance is bizzarre and completely unexpected.  I won’t spoil it.  Truth be told, I don’t remember enough detail to do a spoiler any justice anyway.  Just know that this was one book I did not read ahead and ruin in advance, and I was surprised.

Books

Book That is Most Like Your Life

Day 12:

I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

No offense, me, but if we ever resort to reading books that are a lot like our life, let’s just take a full bottle Vicodin and fall asleep forever.

Sloane Crosley does not write fiction, and for the record (in case she catches wind of me one day), I’m in no way saying the two of us are alike.  Though we’re about the same age, she’s a Jewish girl from New England, for one, and well, she’s a published author, for another.

This book of non-fiction essays doesn’t remind me of my life.  But her voice reminds me of my voice, and her attitude reminds me of my attitude, and probably if we met in real life, we’d secretly hate each other.

She’s one of the few authors who managed to publish something in her 20’s that isn’t completely idiotic.  Though Dave Eggars could also be put into this category, I even got annoyed/bored half way through his manifesto.  Sloane did not bore me, and managed to keep me laughing until the end.  My two favorite essays in this collection are of course the one about her experience at an all girls Christian summer camp, and her take on being a maid of honor.

It was refreshing to know that I haven’t been alone in my utter inability to connect to any and all things wedding.  And I’m married, for crying out loud.

She’s funny.  I like her.  Her writing reeks of the same innocent and humorous take on everyday circumstances that I wish I could summon within myself with more regularity.

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Day 12: Book that is Most Like Your Life

I Was Told There’d Be Cake by Sloane Crosley

No offense, me, but if we ever resort to reading books that are a lot like our life, let’s just take a full bottle Vicodin and fall asleep forever.

Sloane Crosley does not write fiction, and for the record (in case she catches wind of me one day), I’m in no way saying the two of us are alike.  Though we’re about the same age, she’s a Jewish girl from New England, for one, and well, she’s a published author, for another.

This book of non-fiction essays doesn’t remind me of my life.  But her voice reminds me of my voice, and her attitude reminds me of my attitude, and probably if we met in real life, we’d secretly hate each other.

She’s one of the few authors who managed to publish something in her 20’s that isn’t completely idiotic.  Though Dave Eggars could also be put into this category, I even got annoyed/bored half way through his manifesto.  Sloane did not bore me, and managed to keep me laughing until the end.  My two favorite essays in this collection are of course the one about her experience at an all girls Christian summer camp, and her take on being a maid of honor.

It was refreshing to know that I haven’t been alone in my utter inability to connect to any and all things wedding.  And I’m married, for crying out loud.

She’s funny.  I like her.  Her writing reeks of the same innocent and humorous take on everyday circumstances that I wish I could summon within myself with more regularity.

Books

Book From Your Favorite Author

Day 11:

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

This was a tough category, because it is difficult for me to say I have a favorite author.  Ironically, Eugenides has only published three novels, and of them, I’ve only read this one.  I loved this book so much though, that I’m feeling confident that when I get around to reading The Virgin Suicides and The Marriage Plot, I’m going to enjoy them.

As a pretty big reader and an English teacher, it is weirdly difficult for me to find books, outside of classics or things I read in college, that strike me, on their own, as good literature.   Middlesex was the first novel that did this since The Brothers K (read about seven years earlier).  Aside from the obvious controversial plot, this is a book that I would love to teach to the right class one day, if I thought I could get away with it.  Essentially, it is about a hermaphrodite named Cal, who is raised as a girl, but comes to realize at about fifteen that he’s probably a boy.  Cal’s story is interwoven with the complete stories of his parents and grandparents.   This book contains a complex plot that mixes (some ancient) Greek culture and humor with a modern-day medical phenomenon as well as the resulting cultural and identity issues.  It was the first book in a long time that I could not stop talking about while reading it and for weeks afterward.  (Thank goodness I was teaching public school at the time.  I cannot imagine how the administrative sit-down would have gone if this book was my main topic of interest the year I taught in a private Christian school.  Actually.  I can imagine it.  Let me just say thank goodness, again.)

30 Day Book Challenge, Books

Day 11: Book From Your Favorite Author

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

This was a tough category, because it is difficult for me to say I have a favorite author.  Ironically, Eugenides has only published three novels, and of them, I’ve only read this one.  I loved this book so much though, that I’m feeling confident that when I get around to reading The Virgin Suicides and The Marriage Plot, I’m going to enjoy them.

As a pretty big reader and an English teacher, it is weirdly difficult for me to find books, outside of classics or things I read in college, that strike me, on their own, as good literature.   Middlesex was the first novel that did this since The Brothers K (read about seven years earlier).  Aside from the obvious controversial plot, this is a book that I would love to teach to the right class one day, if I thought I could get away with it.  Essentially, it is about a hermaphrodite named Cal, who is raised as a girl, but comes to realize at about fifteen that he’s probably a boy.  Cal’s story is interwoven with the complete stories of his parents and grandparents.   This book contains a complex plot that mixes (some ancient) Greek culture and humor with a modern-day medical phenomenon as well as the resulting cultural and identity issues.  It was the first book in a long time that I could not stop talking about while reading it and for weeks afterward.  (Thank goodness I was teaching public school at the time.  I cannot imagine how the administrative sit-down would have gone if this book was my main topic of interest the year I taught in a private Christian school.  Actually.  I can imagine it.  Let me just say thank goodness, again.)