January 2012 Books

January 2012 Books

Here’s a quick review of the books I read this past month!

1. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

This was a Kindle deal of the day, and I was delighted to see it was a dystopian novel. Modern in tone and themes, this book deals with the impact if there was not a separation between church and state and also with fertility rights. I kept checking Wikipedia to make sure it was actually published in 1985, because her commentary on digitalizing of all media, the slippery slope of the Patriot Act, and the overthrowing of women’s rights seemed hauntingly modern day. Frightening without necessarily meaning to be.

Content Rating: Adult for bizarre (not graphic) sexuality

Format Read: Kindle

Length: 4412 Locations / 324 Pages

2. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Steig Larsson

I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to read this book and continue with the series, but after I saw the movie of the first book, my interest in the story reignited. This continuation of the story is interesting, but the middle drags and makes it extremely slow paced. I enjoyed the beginning of the novel best as he describes Lisbeth’s travels and fascination with math theory.

Content Rating: Very Adult

Format Read: Paperback Book

Length : 630 Pages

3. Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb

I purchased this book months ago with the intention of reading it during the Christmas season, and then promptly forgot about it. By my favorite author, this short Christmas gem is a fun look at youthful Russian immigrant girls, the antics of a sophisticated French woman teaching at a strict Catholic school in the 1960’s and a nativity pageant where everything goes wrong. One reviewer mentioned that it reminded him of the film “A Christmas Story.” I read this in one evening in about three hours, so it isn’t a huge commitment of time. Can’t really ever go wrong with Mr. Lamb!

Content: Adult for language and mentions of sexuality

Format Read: Hardback Book

Length: 288 Pages

4. The Giver by Lois Lowry

This was a re-read, as I read it when I was in the 7^th grade for a book report project. I like to think of this as a great “starter dystopia” novel to help kids think about how different the world would be if their basic freedoms were to be taken away. One of the great successes of this novel is how easily it allows you to suspend your disbelief. As you read, there are some plot holes that aren’t quite worked out, but it doesn’t affect the story or reading experience. I also read this in one evening, so it is a fast, easy read meant for young adults.

Content: Suitable for anyone

Format Read: Kindle

Length: 2554 Locations / 179 Pages

5. I, Robot by Isaac Asimov

Since discovering last year that I actually do like science fiction, I’ve been trying to find more of the classics that have been omitted from my reading lists in years past. This is another book whose published date confused me, and I kept checking the front to makes sure it really did say 1950! Told in a set of short stories, Asimov weaves a picture of the trouble that can occur with the three laws of Robotics. I enjoyed each of the chapters, except I found the very last story a bit dry and dull. I wish it had ended with a bit more punch.

Content: Suitable for anyone

Format Read: Library Hardback Book

Length: 256 Pages

6. 11/22/63 by Stephen King

This book exemplifies why the Kindle was invented! I didn’t want to pay the $15 Kindle book price tag, so I ordered a copy from the library. It arrived quickly and I went over gleefully one Saturday morning to my library to pick up my held copy. And there it was on the shelf, all 849 pages that felt like they were lined with some dense compound just meant to increase the mass of the book. Luckily I had it finished by the following Monday night, but that thing dug into my stomach, as it was far too heavy to hold for long periods of time.

With that said about the weight of the book, I adored this story. The basic gist of the book is a man discovers a portal that drops him in the late 50’s. He decides to live there until he can stop the Kennedy assassination. Much of the novel are his stories living in that time era (and dealing with the lack of internet and cell phones, but loving the food) and in a way had a little “Mad Men” feel to it. There is also a bit of a sci-fi twist to it that unfolds. Sometimes when I read a long book, I go through a mourning phase after completion because I miss the characters so much. I’m still dealing with the end of this book—wish it could have gone on forever. Worth the long read, but buy the Kindle version and save yourself some awful hand/arm cramps from holding the dang thing.

Content: Adult for language

Format Read: An extremely heavy library hardback book

Length: 849 Pages

7. Girls of a Tender Age by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith

Every now and then I check on Wally Lamb’s web site to see if there are any upcoming projects. When I checked this month, I was sad to see no new updates about more books, but I did find a list he posted of books he enjoyed. This memoir was one of the books listed, and so I ordered it from the library. I really loved the first half of the book, told through the eyes of herself as a child recounting stories of the absurd things her family would say and do. The book then shifts into a different kind of memoir, one designed so a little murdered girl would not be forgotten. I’m not sure if I would recommend it, it seems jarring that the tone and focus dramatically changes in the middle of the book. I did enjoy it and had no problem finishing it, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Content: Adult for violence and sexual abuse

Format Read: Library Hardback Copy

Length: 289 Pages

Books that Didn’t Make the Cut

I made it through about 80 pages of both Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull. The first part of Unbroken was interesting, but the second that the story shifted to World War II planes and battles it pretty much became torture for me to read, so I stopped. I don’t think it was a bad book or story, I just can’t stand books about war. I also was unable to read past about page 100 of Seabiscuit—by the same author. I think I need some dialogue.

The Candy Shop War was too juvenile for me; I don’t mind books about teenagers, but stories about 5^th graders are not going to engage me.

In Progress

Although I didn’t like The Candy Shop War, I am nearly done with the first Beyonders book by Brandon Mull and still slowly working my way through Middlemarch by George Eliot. Hopefully I’ll be able to complete as many books in February as I did in January!

I am always looking for good book suggestions! Please let me know what you’ve enjoyed recently. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo versus The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo versus The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (plus the Artist, to make things interesting)

Greg’s response to my first blog posting was something along the lines of “interesting read—but I didn’t like all that stuff you said about the flaws of movies.” Granted, I knew as I was writing those comments that I was intentionally trying to get under his skin to cause a bit of controversy between us and keep things interesting. Since Christmas day, Greg and I have seen two movies in the theatres—The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Artist, which also turned out to be a perfect combination of movies that will help to prove my point, which I have flushed out a bit more—movies are not replacements for books. I suppose the origins of my mocking of the limitations of film are this statement: “Oh the book was good? Cool, I’ll wait for the movie to come out!” (Sidenote: Mr. Dickson would like me to clarify that this is has not been quoted from him, and he freely admits that books are almost always better than their film counterparts.)

Stylistically, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is not the type of book I normally read. Why? I don’t typically read crime/courtroom dramas or mysteries. I think these stories are better told through the film medium. And it is not because I inherently dislike these types of stories; I just don’t think the writing is very good in this genre. But, everyone was reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so I didn’t want to be left out. I was surprised at how mainstream the book is considering the multiple explicit scenes depicting sexual assault. I get it though—the story is about the abuse of women and it is not like he can pretend that there are not truly awful things that men do to women. You really have to have those scenes to tell this story.

Now months after finishing the book, Greg and I see the more than two and a half hour film version by director David Fincher. Aside from a couple of minor changes to the storyline (which have been obviously made to streamline the pacing of the film and not to change Larrson’s purpose) the film stuck to the book. Except, I felt like I was watching the story with the fast forward button jammed in. Especially towards the beginning, I felt my brain screaming “WAIT! Slow down!” The mood, theme and story were accurately captured and the acting performances were spot on (great casting overall)—and yet, it felt like it was rushed. The fault of the director? No, he did a great job condensing that story into a reasonable run time. The fault is placed, in my opinion, on the limitation of film itself. The richness of the story told in Larrson’s own words could never be matched by the film. In this case, I left feeling like anyone who hadn’t read the book prior to seeing the movie really took the easy way out. Books made into movies: is it the lazy way? The visual cliffnotes version of the book?

I’ve informed Greg that I won’t see Hunger Games with him unless he reads the book. He’s going to have to earn that one. You hear that, Greg?

A few days later, Greg and I see The Artist. This is a delightful, black and white silent film telling the story of a silent film star and his downfall as talkies are introduced into his industry. The lack of dialogue and folly-staged sound effects enhanced this story and did not detract. As I watched, I kept thinking, this is what good movies should be about. Emotions told through facial expressions and body language. Beautiful sets with symbolic elements. Gorgeous black and white photography. Complete commitment to the era and themes explored.

During some movies, I find myself staring at the ceiling of the theatre to examine how it was constructed and put together, which is a sad state of affairs for a film that the theatre’s ceiling is more engaging than your awful script, direction, acting and set design. During The Artist, I kept leaning forward in my seat as if it would put me even closer to the wonderful story that was being told to me. Just a few silent movie cards here and there help to clarify plot. Words are not necessary here to tell an impactful and moving story because the director is actually using the benefits of film to his advantage. Perhaps authors should stick to words, and directors should stick to visuals.