Middlesex--Jeffery Eugenides

Genre: Fiction/Literature

Year Published: 2002

Pages: 529

Rating: 4.5

This is a fascinating, intimate look at the life of a hermaphrodite--when a "girl" who has been raised as a woman realizes at the age of fifteen that she is genetically a male, and sets out to live her life as such. But as unique and interesting as that is, that isn't the best part of this book. The best part is the rest of the story--the familial history, which actually leads to the protagonist's genetic anomaly; the plight of Greek immigrants trying to run a restaurant in Detroit amidst racial turmoil; a child's account of the race riots in the 60s; the struggle of a young not-yet-man living alone in a seedy section of San Francisco. The narration is fresh and lively, so the story feels real. This is definately one of the best books I've read this year.

Challenge: TBR

The Well Rounded Challenge

Completed as of 12/6/08!

**This was a nice, light, fun challenge that helped keep me up with my other challenges. I believe it will be hosted again, later this year, by Teddy Rose.**

One thing I like about this challenge, hosted by Jan in Edmonds, is that it doesn't add more books to my load--just helps me manage those I already have taken on! I am to read one book per month from a different reading challenge. Since July is almost over, my July book will probably overlap into August. My working plan:

July: Young Adult Challenge --Holes, finished 8/1/08
August: 1% Well Read --The Poisonwood Bible (8/21/08)
September: New Classics--The Giver (9/16/08)
October: Arthurian --I Am Mordred (10/6/08)
November: TBR --Sundog (11/2/08)
December: Naming Conventions Challenge The Zero Stone (12/6/08)

The Arthurian Challenge

FINISHED 3/29/09!!! I hope there will be another, because I can never get enough! I love reading the different interpretations of the same story--The Mists will always be my favorite, but I loved The Once and Future King, and The Forever King was pretty cool too.

Here is my in-progress book list for the Arthurian Challenge, hosted by Becky. I love the King Arthur story, and have been meaning to read more that falls into this category, as well as reread one of my favorite books of all time, The Mists of Avalon. I might adapt or add to this list as I explore more Arthurian options.

King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green (3/28/09)
I am Mordred by Nancy Springer (9/16/08)
The Once and Future King by T.H. White (3/27/09)
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley (1/11/09)
The Forever King by Molly Cochran (1/30/09) (this seems really different!)
Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen (1/17/09)

New Classics Challenge

COMPLETED AS OF 1/3/09!!!!
This was a great challenge. I think every book I read for it was 4 or 5 stars. My favorite was The Road, but all of them were great books to read. I hope this challenge renews at the end of this month so I can choose more New Classics to read!

I've read 10 out of the 100 books on Entertainment Weekly's New Classics list. For the New Classics Challenge, hosted by Joanna, I have chosen six more to read by January 31, 2009. And here they are!

The Road by Cormac McCarthy (9/25/08)

Beloved by Toni Morrison (1/3/09)

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (1/2/08)

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (finished 8/21/08)

The Giver by Lois Lowry (finished 9/16/08)

Holes by Louis Sachar (finished 8/1/08)

This will be my third McCarthy book this year, having read All the Pretty Horses and No Country For Old Men. He's fixing to become my most read author this year!

1% Well-Read Challenge

****FINISHED AS OF 2/28/09!!!!!

Just in the nick of time! I realized there was no way I was going to finish Lord of the Rings (I was halfway through the second book yesterday) and then, just in time, I was reminded that I could switch my list at any time. So I started reading Cat's Eye yesterday, and finished it close enough to midnight to count (at least in my opinion!)
Some of these books were incredible: (The Poisonwood Bible, The Blind Assassin), and many were very good. None were awful, although The Sound and the Fury may have been the hardest book I ever read in my life, and I doubt I would do it again!!!

I am excited to sign up for this years 1% challenge!*****


After perusing the 1001 books (of which I have read a mere 58), I picked my ten for this challenge. According to the excel spreadsheet I downloaded, I need to read 21 books a year to complete the list before I die at the age of the average western female. So maybe next year I'll up the ante.

Meanwhile, here's the list. I tried to crossover with other challenges as much as possible, and to pick books that I already have and have never read, so I can get them out of the house and bring in more books!

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver (finished 8/21/08)
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood (finished 12/14/08)
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner (finished 11/26/08)
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides (finished 1/13/09)
Wuthering Heights by Emile Bronte (finished 12/26/08)
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (finished 1/19/09)
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood (finished 2/28/09)
Foundation by Issac Asimov (10/20/08)
Animal Farm by George Orwell (1/10/09)
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick (1/22/09)

Reading Challenge fever has struck again!

So I am about halfway through the challenges that I didn't fail miserably (ie the Series and 2New2U Challenges), so I figured it was time to up the ante! I just signed up for the following:

1% Well Read Challenge--ends Dec. 31, 2008
-Read 10 books from the 1001 books to read before you die:(http://1morechapter.com/projects/1001-list/)

Well Rounded Challenge-- ends Dec. 31, 2008
-Pick 6 books (1 per month) from 6 different reading challenges

Arthurian Challenge--ends March 2009
-Read 6-12 books that have to do with the King Arthur myths.

New Classics Challenge-- begins August 1, 2008; ends January 31, 2009
- Read and review six books from Entertainment Weekly's list of new classics. (This is an awesome list!)

Reading lists (and possibly more challenges) are forthcoming--as are the 12 or so book reviews I am behind right now.

Lord of the Flies--William Golding

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 1954
Pages: 199
Rating: 5

I read this for the upteenth time with my high school English class, and as always, I marvel at the skill with which Golding weaves his metaphor of human society. This is one of the most brilliant pieces of fiction I have ever read. Golding's prose is gorgeous--his words are chosen wisely to paint a picture both vibrant and bleak. His use of symbolism is stunning--everything in this book is symbolic, and each time I read it I discover more connections. Everyone should read this book.

Challenge/s: Reread

Come Back: A Mother and Daughter's Journey Through Hell and Back--Claire and Mia Fontaine

Genre: Memoir
Year Published: 2007
Pages: 320
Rating: 3.5

As a former troubled teen who now teaches troubled teens, I felt a certain affinity with this book. Mia and her mother Claire went through some hard times when Mia was little, but it isn't until Mia turns fifteen that the problems really surface. When her daughter runs away and begins using heroin and other drugs, Claire steps in to rescue her. After placing her in a special boarding school that deals with such children, both Mia and Claire discover truths about their past and themselves that will hopefully save them both.

Sentimental, yes, but the writing is good (Claire is an writer by profession) and the story is captivating. After reading this book, I found myself closely examining my relationship with my son and confronting some truths about myself--and a little self-examination is never a bad thing.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 23

The Devil in the White City--Erik Larson

Genre: Non-fiction
Year Published: 2003
Pages: 447
Rating: 4

I'm not usually a fan of non-fiction, but this book was fascinating. The author weaves two stories--the creation of the Chicago World's Fair, and the crimes of Henry Mudgett, serial killer--seamlessly to paint a vivid picture of Chicago at the turn of the century. I enjoyed visualizing the White City as it grew on the lake shore, especially as a native Chicagoan who knows these areas well. I felt a part of the lives of the unfortunate young women who fell victim to Mudgett's fatal charm, as well as the architects who struggled to create their vision on the lakefront. Larson's research on the subject is nothing short of amazing, but it is his storytelling that makes this such a fantastic read.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 22

The Law of Similars--Chris Bohjalian

This was a very good book which delves into the world of homeopathic remedies and examines the ethical responsibilities of healers, as well as lawyers. A state's prosecuter becomes involved with a homeopathic healer, who relieves him both of his symptoms and his loneliness since his wife passed away, leaving him to raise their young daughter. However, their relationship is almost immediately threatened when one of her patients dies, and his wife holds her responsible. What ensues is not only a moral and ethical dilemna, but a heartbreaking love story as well.

I really loved the book Midwives by this author, and I am glad he is still exploring controversial subjects.

Genre: Fiction/Literature

Year Published: 2000

Pages: 336

Rating: 4

Challenge/s: None

Book a Week # 21

Chelsea Horror Hotel--DeeDee Ramone

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 2001
Pages: 252
Rating: 3

My roommate recommended this book on the basis of its insanity alone, and insane it certainly is. While living in the haunted Chelsea hotel, the former Ramone relays a whirlwind life of drugs, hallucinations, and visits with dead punk rockers, including Sid Vicious and Johnny Thunders. Dee Dee is not exactly a literary genius, but he sure can tell a crazy story--one that fluctuates somewhere between the train wreck you can't stop staring at and an actual compelling read. If you have a weak stomach I wouldn't recommend this book--lots of disgusting scenes involving blood, bugs, vomit, and the like--and be warned that its extremely violent. But its quite funny at times in its psychotic, "WTF?" kind of way, and it goes down quickly.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 20

Memoirs of a Geisha--Arthur Golden

Genre: Fiction/Literature
Year Published: 1997
Pages: 448
Rating: 5

As I read this book, it was hard for me to believe that it was a work of fiction. The narrator was so real, and her thoughts so vivid, that I couldn't imagine someone--especially an American male--making it up. I was captivated almost instantly by Chiyo's story of hardship, hope, and love. And the immersion into the geisha culture was eye-opening for me--I knew very little of it before I read this book. This is the best book I've read this year, narrowly surpassing Water for Elephants.

I read this book because I saw a small portion of the movie--the beginning, when Chiyo and her sister were being sold--and it piqued my interest. I went out and bough the book that evening. I have yet to watch the entire movie.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 19

Nim's Island--Wendy Orr

Genre: Children's fiction/literature
Year Published: 1999
Pages: 125
Rating: 4

I took my son to see this movie and fell completely in love--so completely that I bought the book the next day. Nim and her father live alone on a deserted tropical island--alone, that is, insofar as human contact goes. They have plenty of companions of non-human type. Nim is a bright, vibrant, courageous and resourceful girl who loves reading adventure novels, but when her father is lost at sea she finds herself alone and frightened. By a twist of fate, her favorite adventure hero/writer emails her father! Nim turns to Alex Rover for guidance and help--little realizing that Alex is not only a woman, but a neurotic germaphobe who hasn't left her house in years. I will say no more, except that their unlikely friendship teaches them both something about themselves and others.

I thought this was a great piece of children's literature. It is fantastical and unrealistic, but the truths it uncovers are not. And it provides us with two strong female characters, as well as a lesson that our strength and courage can manifest in a variety of ways.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 18

The Thrall's Tale--Judith Lindbergh

Genre: Historical fiction
Year Published: 2006
Pages: 464
Rating: 3/5

This book wasn't bad, considering it was a random selection from a bargain bin in a bookstore. By the end I was ready for it to finish, but the story was interesting enough. It focuses on three women--Thorbjorg, a seeress devoted to the Nordic gods; Katla, a "thrall" or slave from Ireland whose mother taught her Christianity before she died; and Bibrau, an evil, demon-like child spawned of Katla's rape by her owner's brutish son. The three reside in the first Norse settlement in Greenland, sometime around 1000 AD.

I like historical fiction, especially that which focuses upon pre-Christian and early Christian religion. This book was interesting in that aspect. I was also interested in how Erik the Red led his people to Greenland. However, the characters were hard to like. Even Katla, who was delightful in the beginning, becomes (understandably) morose and unlikeable after enduring a horrific rape and beating which scars her physically and mentally. The child is almost imp-like, and has little mischevious fairy friends that provide entertainment, but her viciousness becomes hard to stomach by the end of the book.

While it wasn't a horrible read, I wouldn't read it again.

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 17

Is That a Dead Dog in Your Locker?--Todd Strasser

Genre: Children's fiction/literature
Year Published: 2006
Rating: 3.5

My son recommended I read this book, stating it was funny and easy to read. So while he lay at the foot of my bed reading the next book in the series, I read it. A children's book, it was deliciously easy to read, and full of puns, plays on words, gross-out humor and other entertainment worthy of a nine-year old's amusement. Fun! Oddly enough, I had just read another book by the same author, which was about school shootings and wasn't funny at all. Who knew?

Challenge/s: None
Book a Week # 16