How To Be Single
Liz Tuccillo
354 pages
“How To Be Single” is a fiction novel about Julie, a
writer who travels around the world interviewing single women to see
how women in other cultures know “how to be single”. Along the way, she
falls in love, gets her heart broken, watches her friends fall in love
and have their hearts broken, blah blah blah.
I read this book because 1) it was by a writer of my fave show (Sex and the City) and one of my fave books (He's Just Not That Into You), and 2)
I’ve been single going on 2 years now, and I was curious as to whether
this books would have any tips on “how to be single” that I hadn’t
thought of before.
Of course, the characters are in their 30s and single in New York City, where as I am in my 20s and single in Missouri. So not quite the same dating game, but *maybe* the rules could still apply.
Some of the events in the book are pretty farfetched, but it's still a good read. And it's pretty interesting what "being single" means to women in other cultures.
The book is a little too long (by about 100 pages) but I would still recommend it.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
528 pagesThis classic novel chronicles the life of young Francie Nolan as she grows up in the slums of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY, in the early 20th century. The rest of her family consists of her mother, Katie, a practical woman who works tirelessly for her children; her father, Johnny, a warm, friendly dreamer who makes wonderful plans that are ruined by his alcoholism; her younger brother, Neeley, who shares her childhood adventures. Young Francie seems to have traits of both her parents: in many ways she is logical, like her mother, but she is also a dreamer like her father. More than anything else, Francie wants to get an education so she can become someone important. No matter how many obstacles get in her way, Francie perseveres. As she tells Francie's story, the author paints a vivid picture of life in Brooklyn during the early 20th century.
For a long time, this book was on my Librarian's List of Shame. Honestly, I avoided reading it because I thought it would be long and dull because whenever I heard it described there didn't seem to be much action. I was totally wrong about it being boring, though! Even though it's driven by the characters rather than the plot, it never felt tedious. There are plenty of little interesting stories throughout the book, and the characters come to life extremely well. Even though my situation was very different from Francie's when I was growing up, I still totally related to her. I think anyone who struggles to find their place in the world and fit in with their peers will find a connection with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Pollyanna
Pollyanna
by Eleanor H. Porter
218 pages
Pollyanna is a children's book set in the early twentieth century. It is about a girl who has recently become an orphan after her missionary father dies. Pollyanna is then sent to live with Aunt Polly, who is just "doing her duty" by taking her in. Even though she is an orphan living with a dour aunt, Pollyanna stays optimistic by playing the "Glad Game." Pollyanna's game makes a huge impact on the whole town, but Pollyanna's ability to play the game is about to be tested. Will she lose her optimistic outlook entirely, or will she find gladness once more?
Overall, I liked this book. It had a nice, optimistic tone and was a quick read. However, I really don't think anybody can be as intrinsically good as Pollyanna is.
by Eleanor H. Porter
218 pages
Pollyanna is a children's book set in the early twentieth century. It is about a girl who has recently become an orphan after her missionary father dies. Pollyanna is then sent to live with Aunt Polly, who is just "doing her duty" by taking her in. Even though she is an orphan living with a dour aunt, Pollyanna stays optimistic by playing the "Glad Game." Pollyanna's game makes a huge impact on the whole town, but Pollyanna's ability to play the game is about to be tested. Will she lose her optimistic outlook entirely, or will she find gladness once more?
Overall, I liked this book. It had a nice, optimistic tone and was a quick read. However, I really don't think anybody can be as intrinsically good as Pollyanna is.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
License to Pawn
License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold and Silver
Rick Harrison & Tim Keown
272 pages
This book is an autobiography of Rick Harrison, star of History Channel's Pawn Stars. Harrison discusses his family history and early life as well as his present situation as a star of a reality TV show. Along the way he tells how his father struggled to start a second-hand store in Las Vegas and how that store eventually transformed into the successful pawn shop it is today. "The Old Man," Corey, and Chumlee also contribute to this book, adding their perspectives and discussing how they helped contribute to the pawn shop's present day success.
I occasionally watch Pawn Stars, so it was interesting to get insight into the real people behind the show. I admit that Chumlee's chapter sounded more like Tim Keown must have written the whole thing. However, I underestimated Chumlee's ability to be thoughtful and reflective and was pleasantly surprised. I also thought Rick was a bit full of himself in places, but overall, it was an interesting read.
Rick Harrison & Tim Keown
272 pages
This book is an autobiography of Rick Harrison, star of History Channel's Pawn Stars. Harrison discusses his family history and early life as well as his present situation as a star of a reality TV show. Along the way he tells how his father struggled to start a second-hand store in Las Vegas and how that store eventually transformed into the successful pawn shop it is today. "The Old Man," Corey, and Chumlee also contribute to this book, adding their perspectives and discussing how they helped contribute to the pawn shop's present day success.
I occasionally watch Pawn Stars, so it was interesting to get insight into the real people behind the show. I admit that Chumlee's chapter sounded more like Tim Keown must have written the whole thing. However, I underestimated Chumlee's ability to be thoughtful and reflective and was pleasantly surprised. I also thought Rick was a bit full of himself in places, but overall, it was an interesting read.
"Wither" (Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano
358 pagesRhine is sixteen years old. Thanks to the "modern science" of her parents' generation, she has only about four years left to live. Genetic engineering went completely wrong, leaving an entire generation embedded with a virus that kicks in at about age twenty for girls and twenty-five for boys. Scientists are rushing to find a cure, but there's no hope in the foreseeable future. This phenomenon has driven the world into despair, with poverty through the roof, orphans wandering the streets, and women sold as polygamist brides in order to have more children. When Rhine becomes such a bride, she vows to escape. She's going to play nice until her rich hubby and his overbearing father trust her, but as time goes by she finds herself growing closer to her "sister wives" and even warming to her young, naive husband, who is falling in love with her. She realizes that he doesn't know that she was kidnapped and forced to wed him--that was his father's doing. And it turns out that his father has many more sinister operations hidden in the mansion.
I liked this book a lot more than I expected to. The cover didn't interest me at all, but I'd heard from several friends that it's really good so I gave it a shot. The dystopian setup is pretty bizarre and unique. The dying-at-twenty thing is almost too random and specific, but maybe it's just weird enough to be realistic. If there is ever a huge sci-fi style shift in society, it's likely to be caused by something really crazy that the traditional speculators never saw coming. Anyway, the characters are really interesting, and I like that they're multidimensional and hard to figure out (okay, not all of them, but several). The ultimate conclusion is fairly predictable, but I'm okay with that. The setup for the next book in the series is just right, and I'm looking forward to it.
Monday, January 16, 2012
The Little Women Letters
The Little Women Letters
Gabrielle Donnelly
355 pages
The Little Women Letters is a work of fiction that gets its inspiration from Louisa May Alcott's famous novel Little Women. In The Little Women Letters, Emma, Lulu, and Sophie Atwater are descendants of Jo March, the feisty middle sister of the March clan that Little Women focuses on. Emma is the dependable older sister (like Meg), Lulu is the outcast bohemian middle sister (like Jo), and Sophie is the pretty, charming youngest sister (like Amy).
The book is written mostly from the point of view of Lulu, the middle sister. Lulu is 24 and has no clue what she wants to do with her life (I know how that feels). While up in her mother's attic, she finds letters from Jo March written to her sisters. From these letters, Lulu finds solace and clarity to finally make big decisions about her life.
I read this book because I grew up reading Little Women and am a huge fan. The Little Women Letters, however, was a bit disappointing. The writing was a little cheesy and everything worked out a little too perfectly. I'm sad to say, but I don't think I would recommend it. You're better off just reading (or rereading) Little Women.
Gabrielle Donnelly
355 pages
The Little Women Letters is a work of fiction that gets its inspiration from Louisa May Alcott's famous novel Little Women. In The Little Women Letters, Emma, Lulu, and Sophie Atwater are descendants of Jo March, the feisty middle sister of the March clan that Little Women focuses on. Emma is the dependable older sister (like Meg), Lulu is the outcast bohemian middle sister (like Jo), and Sophie is the pretty, charming youngest sister (like Amy).
The book is written mostly from the point of view of Lulu, the middle sister. Lulu is 24 and has no clue what she wants to do with her life (I know how that feels). While up in her mother's attic, she finds letters from Jo March written to her sisters. From these letters, Lulu finds solace and clarity to finally make big decisions about her life.
I read this book because I grew up reading Little Women and am a huge fan. The Little Women Letters, however, was a bit disappointing. The writing was a little cheesy and everything worked out a little too perfectly. I'm sad to say, but I don't think I would recommend it. You're better off just reading (or rereading) Little Women.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Twenty Gold Falcons
Twenty Gold Falcons by Amy Gordon
216 pp
From the author of Gorillas of Gill Park, here's another sort of mystery with many of the same characters from that first book. Aiden and her mom have moved to Gloria, leaving behind their family farm after the death of Aiden's father. Aiden has trouble settling in but through a crazy cast of characters, some of which turn out to be relatives, and a story about falcons and gold coins, she gradually finds a way to be comfortable in her new environment. This is a Mark Twain Nominee for 2012-2013.
Kim F
216 pp
From the author of Gorillas of Gill Park, here's another sort of mystery with many of the same characters from that first book. Aiden and her mom have moved to Gloria, leaving behind their family farm after the death of Aiden's father. Aiden has trouble settling in but through a crazy cast of characters, some of which turn out to be relatives, and a story about falcons and gold coins, she gradually finds a way to be comfortable in her new environment. This is a Mark Twain Nominee for 2012-2013.
Kim F
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