Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

A ‘Dead End’ for Sookie and Me

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Goodbye to Sookie
It has been a lovely summer for me – reading, reading, reading. My kids have been busy with some fun activities, which has given me lots of reading time while I wait for karate, swimming and soccer to end. The Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris have been wonderful companions for me – during a hectic, crazy time. It was nice to escape to the South with a cute barmaid and her even cuter boyfriends.

While I haven’t wanted to review each of the books individually, there are a couple of things to chat about since I’ve finished that last few. During the 2nd-5th books, I was a little bugged by the mundane constant retelling of details from the previous books. I think that in each of these novels, a fourth of the story was retelling. Ugh. Who would jump into the series midway? Why retell? If you did pick up book in a series and felt lost…wouldn’t you realize that there were previous books and seek those out? But, the good news with the Stackhouse books is that at least with the 7th-10th books, the retelling is kept to a minimum and it is assumed the author has been along for the ride the whole time. Whew.

This point ties in with another thing – why don’t publishers let you know in some big and bold way which book is which in the series? Why not have a number somewhere on the cover – even the back – to let readers know what order to read the series? There are a few series out there that use clever titles to gently nudge us along: James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club Series uses the number in HUGE letters as part of the title, Sue Grafton’s books follow a letter of the alphabet and Janet Evanovich is up to a Sizzling Sixteen in her Stephanie Plum books. Thank you for these not so gentle ques on which books to read!

My last comment on the Stackhouse books, before I jump into some other exciting books (more Patterson and of course Mockingjay!) is that the most recent book in Harris’ vampire books is a dud. I was so excited to get to book 10 and am now left with a weird feeling (a book hangover) of ‘why did I do that’? What a poor way for me to exit a series – I was on such a high with the previous 9 books, but am now left with the impression of reading something of poor quality. Dead in the Family is boring, with the most mundane details drawn out to a painful extreme. Sookie turns downright nasty – an irritating character I wouldn’t walk across the room to meet. She is so mean to her cousin Claude – to the point it makes no sense and is embarrassing to the reader. Her frugality is also embarrassing – why does Harris have to mention being paid back for every tiny thing? Again, ugh. Charlaine, please tell us you have something better planned for book 11 (I will read it – even with my disappointment in 10). Bring cute Sookie back!

Have you read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books? What did you think?

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Under the Dome – Review (My Journal, August 10th, 2010)

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
Read: Under the Dome, by Stephen King
Journal Entry for: August 10th, 2010
Remember and Recommend: My on-again, off-again love affair with Stephen King’s thrillers started a long time ago. I was but a wee teenager when I first started down the path of being scared senseless, riveted to books that would haunt my dreams (and my family’s nights) and start me on the path to being an addicted reader. Yes, it was King who brought out the bibliophile in me. And although I think King is a truly amazing writer, for someone who prides themselves in reading the best of the best in literature, the classics and award winners, this is a hard thing to admit.
When my twin sister and I were young teenagers, too young to drive, my sweet mom was worried that we would be bored during our summers at home. Both of my parents worked full-time, so we were a captive audience in our house. With amazing foresight, my mom took us to a bookstore and said she would buy us anything we would read. We spent the next days on our cool patio, reading, reading, reading. The next week, my mom did the same thing – and every week throughout the summer. That was the summer I discovered Stephen King. I started with Carrie and then moved on to my all-time favorite, Salem’s Lot and from there it was a fast ride to clear the bookstore shelves of all things scary. I tackled It and become the subject of family lore when I woke my entire vacationing family in our hotel room screaming about a clown in the room….”Can’t you see him?”. I spent the next Christmas vacation pouring through some of King’s short stories – Skeleton Crew and Night Shift contain some of the scariest stories I have ever read – and I can still recount some of them over twenty years later.

Stephen and I parted ways a few years later over The Talisman and Tommyknockers. His writing took a different turn, one that seemed more science fiction than horror. But, a love of books, reading and the joy of exciting escapes was embedded in me – something I have retained to this day. I have returned to King a few times over the years and will be forever grateful to him and my mom for culturing my love of reading – even if it was with *blush* horror.

When Under the Dome was released last year, I anxiously waited for reviews. I saw several good ones from known publications, but the best came from a trusted reading friend on Goodreads. I have been keeping my eye out for a paperback copy ever since and was excited to find a huge, whopping version at Costco a few weeks ago. In this summer of fun, light reads, I put Sookie down for a while and picked up my old friend for a fun reunion and trip down writing’s memory lane.

While Under the Dome does have a slight twinge of science fiction, it was more classic King than I have read in a long time. The familiar expanse of amazingly developed characters and setting (Maine, of course) was like slipping into an old pair of tennies. The story was a social scientist’s dream – Lord of the Flies meets Armageddon. It was an interesting study on what stress, power and loss can do to an isolated community – with a smattering of the supernatural thrown in.

I enjoyed reading Under the Dome and completed the 1,100 page tome in just a few days, but I discovered something about my now much older reading self; I’ve become a bit of boob when it comes to horror. What enthralled me and kept me glued to every page as a teenager stressed me out as an adult with a family, pets and a house. I had a hard time falling asleep after reading this and found myself recalling some of the more horrific scenes during the day. I would recommend this to anyone who loves good old classic King novels and am glad I read it, but I think I will return to Sookie for a while.

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The Good Thief – Review (My Journal, July 31, 2010)

Saturday, July 31st, 2010
Read:The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti
Journal entry for 07/31/2010

Remember, Recommend: I picked this up on a whim at Costco a few weeks ago because it looked vaguely familiar. I read so many reviews online and in magazines that they get a little jumbled, but I had seen some praise for this debut novel a few times. As with most books I journal about here, I wasn’t disappointed.

Looking back, I can’t believe this is the first novel by Tinti. It was an amazing debut – and one we will be hearing more about as awards are announced. The story of an orphaned boy with only one hand, The Good Thief has been compared to both Oliver Twist and Harry Potter – with good reason.

While there are moments of sadness, there is also a bit of magic threaded throughout the story. And the characters are a diverse mix of good and bad – a giant hitman, con-artists, a dwarf, a colorfully dressed villain and a hard-of-hearing heroine make this story truly memorable. Set in the industrial revolution of New England, hardships abound and the simple acts of finding food, clothing and shelter are at times overwhelming. There are times for growing up, learning about love, family and friendship – even when those family and friends aren’t ideal. This would make a poignant movie for adults and teens alike.

Accolades for The Good Thief:
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
Winner of the John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize
American Library Association’s Alex Award.

Have you read The Good Thief? What did you think?

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My Summer with Sookie

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Things have been crazy for me and my little family this summer. And, I am just getting over a week long cold (who gets sick in the summer?!) after some busy travel weeks.

I have found that during stressful times in my life, I revert to easier reading; deeper, more intricate stories become too much for my anxiety filled mind and I can’t cope! During both of my pregnancies I couldn’t read anything with any real meaning whatsoever – only light happy novels until my boys were born – then both times I was off with Tolstoy the minute we got home from the hospital; Anna Karenina with my first and War and Peace with my second. How crazy is that?

So, with my busy, stressful life (just stress, no little peanut on board), Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels have been just what the doctor ordered. These novels are a dang hoot (Sookie style). They are fun, adult, and have some of the hunkiest characters since Stephanie Meyers teased us with Jacob and Edward. But, since Sookie is an adult, things move along a little faster.

I have to admit that series novels have not been my thing in the past. Of course I read the Twilight saga (who hasn’t?) and I tore through Stieg Larrson’s Millennium trilogy – oh, and I am eagerly awaiting the final book in the Hunger Games story, but as far as detective series novels, I haven’t been interested – till recently.

Now I understand the draw with the thriller/mystery series books. So many times after finishing a beloved book, I have pondered over favorite characters for days – missing them and their goings-on. With series books, you get to keep up with loved characters and their fun, crazy lives. Picking up one of the Sookie books is like going home to comfort – the characters are all as familiar as family, whose stories I know in detail. I now look forward to her funny ways, her cute ponytail and all the gorgeous vampires who are so interested in her and her blood.

I have finished the first four novels in the Sookie story and am eagerly awaiting #5 from Paperbackswap. Till then I have found another new series escape – the girls of the Woman’s Murder Club. I just started 1st to Die by James Patterson last night and can see that these girls are going to be fast friends. Thanks James! (Although, what’s up with the mini chapters?).

I know when the Fall hits (always early in Salt Lake), I will revert back to my old ways and dive in to more meaningful stuff, but what a fun Summer this has been!

Do you like series books? Leave a comment with their titles!

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The Fancher Train – Reading Map and GIVEAWAY!

Thursday, July 8th, 2010
I hope everyone is having a great summer! I have been busy traveling back and forth between Salt Lake and my parent’s home in Mesquite, Neveda with my kids the past few weeks – so my reading and blogging are both a little behind. But, we’re back for a month, so I’m back in!
The Fancher Train by Amelia Bean
While in Southern Utah, we visited the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre (the second time for me) and I had a great idea! About 10 years ago I read The Fancher Train by Amelia Bean and haven’t been the same since. What has been called “the darkest deed of the nineteenth century”, the story of the Fancher Train is one of the most horrendous and mind boggling stories of our country – a story of Americans killing other Americans in cold blood – in the name of religion. Bean’s story is considered historical fiction, but from everything I know, is completely accurate in all known details.
Below is a little about the story and a reading map of some pertinent parts of the Fancher Train story. Also, I have ordered an original hardback copy (1958) from Paperbackswap.com and am offering this as a giveaway.
The Story
In April of 1857 a group of California bound ranchers and farmers headed out from the Ozarks of Arkansas in a wagon train. They brought cattle, horses, money and everything they could carry with them – including their families. The train consisted of about 40 wagons and 120-140 people. Their story is like any other wagon train, full of hardships and trials, until they enter Utah Territory. The Mormon settlers of Utah had previously had negative and often fatal encounters in other states due to their religion, one of the most famous being Hauns Mill in Missouri (where some of the Fancher Train party may have been from). The train’s journey through Utah was fraught with encounters with angry Mormons who didn’t want them in the territory.

When the emigrants met up with John D. Lee in the southern portion of Utah territory, he offered to let them rest themselves and their cattle in a beautiful meadow on his land before crossing the feared desert area between Utah and California. They were relieved.

What they didn’t know was that this meadow would be the end of their journey. What ensues is a jaw-dropping story of a mass murder – thought throughout history to be a massacre in the name of religious retaliation and one that will forever be steeped in secrecy, denial and mystery.
Reading Map
Map – This is the route taken by the Fancher Train from Arkansas to Utah.
Rock Carin – This is the site of the mass burial for the members of the Fancher Train.
In Memoriam – This is one of two monuments dedicated to the memory of the Fancher Train. This one contains a complete list of all members and is on a small hill overlooking the Mountain Meadow.
Second Memorial – This is a memorial marker on the site of the burial – which is owned by the Mormon Church. Almost no information about the reason for the site is given – only a history of previous markers is mentioned.
Meadow (bottom right) – This is a picture of the Mountain Meadow as it is today. Very little has changed – and after reading The Fancher Train, it was a haunting experience for me to visit the site – the siege could be imagined like it happened yesterday.
September Dawn Movie Poster – In 2006 a movie was released depicting the events leading up to the massacre and the murders themselves.
Books – What would a reading map be without a path for more reading? Both books mentioned here are nonfiction accounts of the massacre: The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks and Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows, by Will Bagley.
John Doyle Lee – John D. Lee, a prominent Mormon member, was the only person every punished for the Mountain Meadow massacre.
Giveaway
I am giving away an original copy of The Fancher Train by Amelia Bean. Since the title has been out of print for quite a while, this giveaway is for a used copy (1958). Simply leave your name and email in a comment to this post to enter. I will choose a winner on July 16th. Good luck!

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Sookie Stackhouse – I’ve Been Bitten!

Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Journal Entry for: June 27, 2010
Read: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Remember and Recommend:
Dead Until Dark has been on my nightstand for a few weeks – softly calling to me while I’ve been reading more serious books. Do you crave reading some lighter, crazier things in summer? This summer I just want to read FUN! Normally my tastes are very different from vampire novels (although I did enjoy the Twilight series). Things have been crazy at my house for the last couple of months – and it is forcing my reading habits towards the light side. I have to thank Ms. Sookie Stackhouse for giving me a few nights of pure, unadulterated fun!
Sookie is one of the cutest series characters to be created in a long time. She is blonde and sexy (of course), but not shallow (thank you Charlaine). She has a ‘disability’ that gives the story a nonvampire little twist and she has had enough hardships in her life to give her depth. She is small town, but bright. When she meets Bill, a vampire who has ‘come out of the coffin’, her rural life takes turns that will alter her forever – and maybe change your reading habits.

There are now 10 books in the Sookie Stackhouse series – and I might not get anything more done till I read them all! I hope they stay true to this first story and are all mini vacations for my crazy life.

Even though I would much rather read a book than watch its story on t.v., I am excited to try the HBO series True Blood, created from the Sookie Stackhouse novels. In my mind Sookie was not Anna Paquin (she will always be Rogue in my mind – even with blond hair!) who plays her in the series, but it will be interesting to see how she creates the character.

Comments:
I don’t want to give too much of this book away. If you haven’t read it, and are looking for a little mini vacation, go for it!
Have you been bitten? What did you think?

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Wildthorn Review – My Journal June 24, 2010

Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Journal Entry for June 24th, 2010
Read: Wildthorn by Jane Eagland
Remember, Recommend:
It’s fun to read and review a book before its release date. I feel like I get to share a secret with everyone – and this is a good one!

Wildthorn, by Jane Eagland takes place in Victorian England – a time of few liberties for women. Louisa, a smart and strong-willed seventeen year old girl wants to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. But, as everyone knows, too much reading can lead to insanity in women (this must be my problem!). Louisa’s mother would like nothing more than for Louisa to make social calls (instead of house calls) with her, find a nice husband and start out on the only fulfilling role a woman can take on – becoming a wife and mother. She despises Louisa’s love of learning and tomboy ways.
On the other hand, Louisa’s father, a doctor, openly encourages Louisa in her studies and even takes her on his medical rounds. Other family members (and their opinions) are also important in the story – especially her beloved cousin Grace, her Aunt Phyllis and her wayward brother Tom.

The crux of the story comes when Louisa finds herself locked in an insane asylum for women. How did this happen? Why is no one looking for her? With a new name, how is she ever going to explain that she isn’t Lucy Childs, but Louisa Cosgrove? Although terrible and frightening, this incarceration gives Louisa the confidence to take on her life for herself. She learns that she is strong enough to follow her dreams – be it in her career or love.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It is being published as a YA novel, but I think it could hold its own in mainstream fiction. The writing is excellent and the story engrossing. I found I couldn’t put it down!
Comments:
If you have young girls, I would definitely read this first before sharing it with them as there are themes in the story that might be better for an older teenager.
I received Wildthorn from Houghton Mifflin Books for review from Netgalley. It will be released September 6, 2010.

Have you read Wildthorn? Leave your comments and a link to your review.

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The Girl Who Chased the Moon Review – My Journal May 23, 2010

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Journal Entry for 5/23/2010
The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen
Read: Started 5/11/2010 Finished 5/13/2010

Remember and Recommend:
This was another of Allen’s fun little Southern tales of love and magic – oh and good food! I have been eagerly awaiting this new novel – and it didn’t disappoint. In her third novel Allen weaves together the stories of 2 women – one a middle-aged restaurant owner and the other a sweet seventeen year old who has recently lost her mother. What follows is a fun summer story of love and its power to heal. There is a magic twist and the wonderful aroma of baking that is a hooky thread through all of Allen’s books.

Don’t miss this sweet treat of a fun read!

Comments:
As with all of Allen’s novels, food plays an important role in the relationships of the characters. I am always fascinated by the recipes mentioned in her books. In The Girl Who Chased the Moon, a Hummingbird Cake is used at the beginning of a relationship. The Hummingbird Cake was an invention of Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, N.C. and the recipe was first published in 1978. Legend has it that the cake will inspire sweetness.
Mrs. Wiggins’ recipe [1978]

“Hummingbird cake

* 3 cups all-pupose flour
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 eggs, beaten
* 1 1/2 cups salad oil
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
* 2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts, divided
* 2 cups chopped bananas

Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl; add eggs and salad oil, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Do not beat. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, 1 cup chopped pecans, and bananas. Spoon batter into 3 well-greased and floured 9-inch cakepans. Bake at 350 degrees F. For 25 to 30 minutes; remove from pans, and cool immediately. Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with 1 cup chopped pecans. Yield: one 9-inch layer cake.

Cream Cheese Frosting

* 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 2 (16 ounce) packages powdered sugar
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine cream cheese and butter; cream until smooth.Add powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Yield: enough for a 3 layer cake.–Mrs. L.H. Wiggins, Greesnboro, North Carolina” —”Making the most of bananas,” Southern Living, February 1978 (p. 206)

The first 3 books in the Great Summer Fiction Reads from Bibliobabe!
With all of the thousands of reading suggestions in Read, Remember, Recommend, there are sure to be tons of books you will want to read this summer. Bibliobabe will highlight some great choices over the next few weeks – books that are sure to appeal to everyone, most in a series for continued reading enjoyment. Keep checking back for more Bibliobabe picks worthy of some sunny weather, summer reading.
Garden Spells, Sugar Queen and The Girl Who Chased the Moon – by Sarah Addison Allen

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Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen – Review – My Journal April 20th, 2010

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
The first in the Great Summer YA Reads from Bibliobabe is Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.
With all of the thousands of reading suggestions in Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens, there are sure to be tons of books every teen will want to read this summer. Bibliobabe will highlight some great choices over the next few weeks – books that are sure to appeal to everyone, most in a series for continued reading enjoyment.
Keep checking back for more Bibliobabe young adult picks worthy of some sunny weather, summer reading.
Journal entry for: 4/20/2010
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
Read: Started on 4/6/10, finished on 4/7/10
Remember and Recommend:
My first “Great Summer Reads” recommendation is Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Now, before you make even a single, itty-bitsy, tiny groan, let me say that I read Hatchet in two sittings and thought of it continually in between. It was awesome! I have mentioned it to everyone I have met since and was so happy to find that my sister (who is a teacher) has read this to her classes thirteen times over her years of teaching.

I don’t want to give too much away about this fun little treasure, but I will give just enough of a ‘teaser’ to entice you into reading it. Brian, a thirteen child of a recent divorce, is flying over the Canadian wilderness in a bush plane. There are no other passengers – only Brian and the pilot. Skipping ahead, Brian is alone in the seemingly endless wilderness with nothing – nothing but his thoughts and a hatchet his mom gave to him before he got on the plane. What ensues is one of the best survival stories ever written – for kids, teens or adults.

As an added bonus, Brian’s story continues in four more books. The series will help you survive the summer vacation doldrums by surviving in the Canadian wilderness with Brian. The four other books in the series are: The River, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Return and Brian’s Hunt.
Hatchet is mentioned on the following lists in the Read, Remember, Recommend for Teens reading journal:
Action and adventure, page 55
Iowa Teen Book Award, page 154
Minnesota Book Award, page 160
Maud Hart Lovelace Award, page 161
Sequoyah Award – Oklahoma, page 172
Virginia Reader’s Choice Award, page 182
Soaring Eagle Book Award – Wyoming, page186
Have you read Hatchet? What did you think? Leave a comment!

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The Night Watch Review (My Journal – March 9th, 2010)

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010


Journal entry for 3/8/10:
The Night Watch, by Sarah Waters
Read: Started 2/22/10, finished 3/4/10.

Remember and Recommend – I read Fingersmith a few years ago and can still picture the heroine, the antagonist and the setting like I had read it last week. A mystery novel with shady characters and unexpected twists, it couldn’t be more different from The Night Watch. While Fingersmith is a 19th century novel concerning the underbelly of London, The Night Watch takes place during and directly after WWII, with distinct, real characters. The plot is displayed in a backwards manner, with the story starting in 1947 and ending in 1941. The characters are all connected; some intricately and some briefly – and some so faintly you have to pay attention to see the thread. Waters has an impressive talent for creating very real characters: ones you can see, feel, touch and smell. After spending a week with them all, I feel like I have met them all personally. They were so richly described, the novel seems more nonfiction than fiction.

The moving story provides minute, intimate details of life in war torn London that isn’t commonly known. The plight of women left behind to fill positions otherwise taken by men, the difficulties faced by those men who object to fighting, and the daily deprivations felt by all citizens during a war are common themes during the story and provide avenues for interesting life details. I found these details fascinating and was amazed to learn so much about life in London during WWII.

The relationships between the characters are all afflicted in some way – giving a pessimistic (if not real) view on love. In each circumstance, one partner seems to be being used and is attached to an untrustworthy mate who appears to be in for the short term and only while the association is going well. The only heterosexual relationship seems trite and bothersome – especially since one partner is so obviously flawed. The relationship between Helen and Julia created a feeling of apprehension for me – a need to brace myself for some awful news. Kay was the only character I felt was a little flat in the story, which is not a criticism – I think her vague nature adds to her mystique and feelings towards those she was involved with – both romantically and otherwise.

I would definitely recommend this novel. As with We Need to Talk About Kevin, I think this novel would be an excellent choice for a book club; offering chances for discussion and debate on quite a few topics. A finalist for both the Orange Prize and the Man Booker Prize, The Night Watch is a novel that won’t disappoint.

As a side note, Waters has a wonderful Top Ten list on her site of favorite ghost stories. Her top story, The Monkey’s Paw, by W. W. Jacobs has haunted me since I saw a TV rendition of it as a child. It also made such an impression on me – and when I find myself wishing hard for something, I try to envision the other side of that wish. Check out her list for a myriad of other captivating ghost stories.

Memorable quotes:
“A man ought to be a source of shame to his father, don’t you think? If I ever have a son, I hope he makes my life hell. How otherwise, will there ever be any progress?”

Comments and thoughts:
While the backwards telling of the story was interesting, it did make it at times a little confusing. I didn’t go back to reread the first section again, but I did think back and wonder if things were explained at the beginning that I missed – not knowing their significance.

I thought Viv was such a strong character – but I was disappointed in her at the end (well, beginning), knowing that what she went through during the war didn’t appear to affect her relationship with Reggie.

Have you read The Night Watch? What did you think?

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The Sugar Queen Review (My Journal – February 23, 2010)

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010


Journal entry for 2/23/10:
The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen
Started 2/9/10, finished 2/14/10.

Recommend? –
I would definitely recommend this book – especially for someone wanting a good, fun, easy read. Allen’s first novel Garden Spells, also a delightful little romp – and was awarded the 2008 Southern Independent Booksellers Association award for Best Fiction. The Girl Who Chased the Moon will be released on March 16th….good spring break reading!

Memorable quotes:
Comments and thoughts:
I really enjoy the mystical elements Allen uses in her stories. In The Sugar Queen, books appear out of nowhere (how lucky is that?), women have premonitions and strong feelings when their true loves are near, and dead doesn’t really mean dead. Love has a powerful, intoxicating quality in the novel, felt and acted upon by each woman, not always to their benefit.

Have you read The Sugar Queen? What did you think?

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The Story of Forgetting Review (My Journal – February 21st, 2010)

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Journal entry for 2/21/10:
The Story of Forgetting by Stepfan Merrill Block
Started 2/3/10, finished 2/6/10.

Recommend? – What a wonderful find! I loved this book – and am thankful to all of the reviews I have seen for this insightful work. With strong themes of family, love, endurance and the power of dedicating oneself to an important goal, this amazing first novel is an emotional ride that will invoke a respect for our lasting memories and intellect.
I am eager to read Block’s future work.

— From Alan Cheuse, All Things Considered, NPR

“I was blown away by Block’s writing and by the idea of how we create the narratives of our lives out of the things we cannot leave behind, and the things we wish we could.”

Memorable quotes:
“A perfect after life is to remember nothing.”
“Slouching under the weight of his memories.”
“All of my attempts to find a way to live had ended up becoming my life.”

Comments and thoughts:
The parallels to Isadora and memories throughout the novel were eerie. The theme of happiness emerging from memory loss was very thought provoking. Are our problems as a society due to the fact that we remember? Would we get along better if didn’t have our past to look back on?

Have you read The Story of Forgetting? What did you think?

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