The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

322 pages

From Publishers Weekly

"If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

I found this book heartbreaking but couldn't put it down. I've never been much of a dog person, but I seriously thought about getting one after reading this book.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

by Muriel Barbery

325 pages

From Publishers Weekly

"Starred Review. This audio version of the surprise French bestseller hits the mark as both performance and story. The leisurely pace of the novel, which explores the upstairs-downstairs goings-on of a posh Parisian apartment building, lends itself well to audio, and those who might have been tempted to skip through the novel's more laborious philosophical passages (the author is a professor of philosophy) will savor these ruminations when read aloud. Tony Award–winning actress Barbara Rosenblat positively embodies the concierge, Renée Michel, who deliberately hides her radiant intelligence from the upper-crust residents of 7 rue de Grenelle, and the performance of Cassandra Morris as the precocious girl who recognizes Renée as a kindred spirit is nothing short of a revelation. Morris's voice, inflection and timbre all conspire to make the performance entirely believable. A Europa paperback. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

Yet another depressing story, I must have been in a mood in August. Parts of this book would have made more sense and been more humorous in the original French (i.e. tirades about grammar), but the story was touching and heartfelt.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein

322 pages

From Publishers Weekly

"If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

I found this book heartbreaking but couldn't put it down. I've never been much of a dog person, but I seriously thought about getting one after reading this book.

This is Where I Leave You

by Jonathan Tropper
339 pages

From Publishers Weekly
"Tropper returns with a snappy and heartfelt family drama/belated coming-of-age story. Judd Foxman's wife, Jen, has left him for his boss, a Howard Stern–like radio personality, but it is the death of his father and the week of sitting shivah with his enjoyably dysfunctional family that motivates him. Jen's announcement of her pregnancy—doubly tragic because of a previous miscarriage—is followed by the dramas of Judd's siblings: his sister, Wendy, is stuck in an emotionless marriage; brother Paul—always Judd's defender—and his wife struggle with infertility; and the charming youngest, Phillip, attempts a grown-up relationship that only highlights his rakishness. Presided over by their mother, a celebrated parenting expert despite her children's difficulties, the mourning period brings each of the family members to unexpected epiphanies about their own lives and each other. The family's interactions are sharp, raw and often laugh-out-loud funny, and Judd's narration is unflinching, occasionally lewd and very keen. Tropper strikes an excellent balance between the family history and its present-day fallout, proving his ability to create touchingly human characters and a deliciously page-turning story. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved."

I really enjoyed Tropper's How to Talk to a Widower and this book did not disappoint. Tropper does a fine job spinning heartache into a humorous jaunt.

My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me

by Hilary Winston
240 pages

"Just when Hilary feels like her life is finally in order, she gets a sucker-punch to the gut: Her ex has written a novel based on their relationship in which he refers to her throughout as the “fat-assed girlfriend.” Her response to this affront is just one of the many hilarious stories in My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me--a laugh-out-loud, tell-all in which Hilary sets the record straight on all her exes." --Amazon.com

I could really relate to this book, not that my boyfriend wrote a book about me, but because it truthfully (and rather hilariously) portrayed the trials and tribulations of a romantic relationship. Also, she has a cat that acts almost exactly like my cat.

Packing for Mars

by Mary Roach
318 pages

I love Mary Roach's previous witty non-fiction books and had to read this. And what timing, too! I started it right as NASA was having its final hurrah with the launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Packing for Mars is an in-depth look at traveling to/in space from the space race to 2010. Roach discusses the test flights, food studies, bathroom issues and even sex in space. Though she spent a tremendous amount of pages on the perils of pooping in space, I thought it was a great read and I normally don't like non-fiction.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini
444 pages

I saw this movie first and got into a disagreement with my mother about the fate of one of the characters. I decided to read the book to prove her wrong. Well, the movie isn't exactly like the book, so we'll never truly know who is right (me!).
Craig Gilner is a depressed 15-year old in Manhattan who decides he is going to kill himself. So, he calls the suicide hotline. They tell him that he should check into a hospital. He goes to the emergency room at 5 o'clock Sunday morning and ends up in the Adult Psychiatric ward of the hospital for a five-day stay. He soon meets and makes friends with the patients and comes out of his shell, as it were.
I found this to be a very honest and hopeful story with a very believable narrative. I could really relate with the character of Craig.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie
230 pages

I think it has been said before on this blog, but I didn't think the controversial parts of this novel were really that bad. I thought this was a good coming-of-age story of a boy who doesn't really belong anywhere and his struggle to accept himself. I think it probably depicted life on a reservation accurately, even though it wasn't necessarily in a good light. I thought the character of Arnold Spirit could be looked at as a good example of how to not let the situation get you down and find a way to make things better, no matter what other people say.

Faerie Wars

by Herbie Brennan
368 pages

Henry is your typical British school boy who goes to school, causes trouble with his friends and helps the old neighbor down the street with chores. Then one morning, his parents throw him a curve ball and say they are separating . . . because his mother is having an affair with his father's female secretary. In a daze after hearing this news, he goes to Mr. Fogarty's house and comes across a fairy. Turns out there is more than one world, there is the fairy world, the analog world (where Henry is now) and Hael (but we'll get to that later). The fairy Henry finds is actually the crown prince of the fairy world. He has been sent to the analog world for his protection, but the transporter had been tampered with and he was sent to the wrong place. Henry and Mr. Fogarty must get him back where he belongs.
Meanwhile, in the fairy world, a war is brewing between the ruling class and the Faeries of the Night. The Faeries of the Night have demons from Hael on their side. Demons are little grey creatures with large heads, big black eyes and large, gangley limbs (what we think of as aliens, perhaps?!?).
Though it was as predictable as a book about a fairy war could be, it had some fresh ideas and was a good read.

The Tale of Despereaux

by Kate Dicamillo
262 pages

This Newberry Honor winner tells the tale of Desperaux Tilling, a mouse who was born with extremely large ears and doesn't quite fit in with his family. He gets himself into trouble when he speaks to the human princess, Princess Pea, and is banished to the dungeon to face the rats, which will most certainly kill him. Much drama ensues, he must save the princess from a rat named Roscuro and a girl named Miggery Sow. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda you probably know the story.

I thought this was a very dark tale. Not exactly what I expected, even having read some of DiCamillo's other works. I enjoyed the descriptive narrative and felt pulled into the story. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Mygale

by Thierry Jonquet
translated by Donald Nicholson-Smith
129 pgs

I have a thing for books that have been made into movies. So, when I overheard a conversation about the movie based on Mygale, I had to read it. Though the movie is very controversial and has mixed reviews, I wish I hadn't known about the premise before I read this book. The mystery and twist were ruined by my prior knowledge, so I won't reveal much in this post.

Richard Lafarque is a brilliant and deeply disturbed plastic surgeon. Though his professional life is flourishing, his personal life is quite sinister. His daughter is in a mental institution and he has trouble dealing with it. He keeps his female companion locked up and only brings her out to parade her around or abuse her in unspeakable ways. As the story progresses, clues about how he became the way he is, why he treats his companion this way and why his daughter is in an institution are revealed. This noir thriller with a psycho-sexual edge is twisted enough to keep you interested and guessing until the last pages.

Desires of the Dead

by Kimberly Derting
355 pages

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, The Body Finder (I actually cried at the ending). I had high hopes for this and though not entirely disappointed, I grew tired of the silly teen romance. Maybe I'm just growing bitter in my old age.

Violet has a special power, she can see the "echoes" of those that have died and imprints on those that have killed them. In the first novel, Violet finds herself involved in the hunt for a serial killer and soon becomes his target. In Desires of the Dead, she is harassed by a jealous classmate, contacted by the FBI and getting more and more serious with her new boyfriend, and best friend, Jay. Though there is a mystery to solve, most of the time is spent going over the trials and tribulations of young love. I do recommend this if you've read the first one and I will probably read any continuation of the series.

Matched

by Ally Condie
384 pages
2010

In a Utopian society, Cassia Reyes has just turned 17 and is going to the Match Banquet to receive her match assignment, the person that has been chosen for her to marry and procreate with. Unprecedentedly she is matched with her best friend Xander. After the ceremony, once she is home, she views the Xander's biography and another boy's face appears at the end of the video. She knows him too. Now she starts to question the validity of her match to Xander as well as the control the Society has over everything and the rules they enforce.
I found this to be a very quick read, somewhat reminiscent of other young adult, near-future, rebellious teenager novels. Some comparisons can be made between Cassia and Katniss from the Hunger Games novels, though Katniss is far more advanced rebellion-wise. My only complaint is why do so many young adult novels these days have to be set up for an entire series. Sometimes I do want the story to end.

The Onion Girl

by Charles DeLint
506 pages
2001

OK, I didn't finish this book. I only got to page 179. I picked it up because several books I've read lately mentioned it in the Acknowledgment or referenced it in some way and I was curious. I really wanted to get into it, but I just wasn't grabbing me.
I won't be counting this in my page count because Jen said she "won't reward me for giving up" but I wanted to post this to see if anyone can convince me to finish it or if I was right to "give up."

The Pleasure of My Company

by Steve Martin
176 pgs
2004

In this novella, Martin introduces us to Daniel Pecan Cambridge, a young man with OCD. His habits and compulsions obviously affect his relationships with the many women in his life. He is infatuated by they real estate agent across the street but can't seem to find the right way to ask her out. He is obsessed with the Rite-Aid pharmacist but it takes hours to see her since he can only cross the street where two driveways are directly across from each other. He is supported financially by his grandmother, since she is the only one who understands him. And he is studied by a therapist-in-training, Clarissa, who eventually turns his life and routines upside-down.
I thought the descriptions of Daniels quirks and problems were humorous but his struggles were portrayed with compassion. You came to understand why someone would have to leave a certain amount of light bulbs lit so their combined wattage always totaled 1,125. And you're rooting for Daniel as his life begins to turn around.

Our Father Who Art in the Tree

by Judy Pascoe
176 pgs
2003

Our Father Who Art in the Tree explores the hardship and grief of a family shortly after the father dies. The family is slowing falling apart when the only daughter, ten-year-old Simone, discovers she can hear her father talking to her from the top of the Poinciana tree in their yard. Eventually she convinces her distraught mother to climb the tree to see for herself.
Through these conversations in the tree, time and a massive storm, the family begins to heal and cope with the loss of their patriarch.
I came across this in passing at the library and found it to be a touching story. I had to look up the poinciana tree, since I had never heard of it. They have beautiful red-orange flowers.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire by Kristin Cashore
461 pages.

Though marketed as a companion piece and prequel for Graceling, I think it would have been better to leave this book as a stand-alone story. I found the tie-in between the two distracting. It is mentioned in the Prologue and then left until almost the end, leaving me constantly trying to figure out what the tie-in actually was.
I enjoy the way Cashore portrays strong young women who are independent. In both Fire and Graceling, the main characters struggle and eventually accept themselves for who they are.

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
458 pgs.

Though I'm getting tired of the zombie, vampire, werewolf genres, I decided to give Rot & Ruin a shot. Mayberry's has a different take on the zombie apocalypse and focuses on Benny, a fifteen-year-old training with his brother to become a zombie-killer. Though it could be very gruesome, it was a good read and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel Dust & Decay.

4Graceling by Kristin Cashore 471 pgs. Gateway Award Winner

I enjoyed this debut novel about a young woman with special abilities coming into her own and accepting her "gift". It had just the right amounts of action, mystery and romance to keep me interested. It is well written and left me wanting to continue reading additional books by Cashore.

Eating Animals

by Jonathan Safran Foer. 267 pp plus Notes and Index.

Eating Animals explores vegetarianism and the horrors of factory farming. I do not normally read non-fiction and chose this title because I enjoyed Foer's other two books, Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. I have always been a meat-eater and have never considered seriously becoming a vegetarian . . . until I read this book. I was aware of how awful factory farms and slaughterhouses are, but I chose to put it out of my mind. Foer discusses the meat industry from chickens to beef to shrimp and tuna. He doesn't say everyone should be a vegan, but he makes a very convincing argument. Nothing is sugar-coated and it definitely left me thinking about what I choose to eat.