Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Hands down, this is the best book I've read in a while. I think that's saying something since I read a lot.
This book starts in the present with Jacob, who is ninety-three and in a nursing home. Most of the book is told in flashback from the twenties when he was a young guy. In the last weeks of veterinary school at Cornell, Jacob's parents are killed in a car accident. He sits for his final exam, but doesn't take it. Instead, he runs away and joins the circus. He becomes the circus vet, and falls in love with the girl who has the horse act. Unfortunately, she's married to a douchebag.
This book follows Jacob's life during the three and a half months that he works for the circus. We learn about his friends, and maybe more importantly, the life behind the scenes of a circus. I was enthralled. Plus, this is one of those books where the story evolved from old pictures. I love those.
I definitely recommend this one. No lessons to learn necessarily, but definitely worth the read.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Summer Book #3
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
On one of the last days of school this year, a teacher in my department who was retiring, went in search of me to give me some books. She knew I was a reader, and thought I'd appreciate them. This is one of the books she gave me.
In many ways, this book reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, except that this was real. Because this is a true story, I liked it better.
Jeannette is the second of four children. Her parents, at best, are eccentric. Her mother has a teaching degree, but seldom uses it because she fancies herself an artist and writer. Her father is an electrician, but also a drunk, so he doesn't keep a job long. Until she is eight or nine, Jeannette's family moves fairly frequently, mostly due to the fact that they can't pay their bills. They lived out west-Arizona, Nevada, California-during this time, but then move to Welch, West Virginia, where Jeanette's father is from. It doesn't matter where they live, they almost never have enough to eat, have no electricity, indoor plumbing, or other basic necessities. Neither of Jeannette's parents make much effort to work, and when they do have money, it is blown on booze and unnecessary things.
Finally, Jeannette and her siblings are able to get away to New York. After the last one leaves, Jeannette's parents decide to follow their children. In New York, Jeannette's parents choose to be homeless, rather than conform to societal norms.
The good news? All four of those children made it despite the craziness they grew up in.
On one of the last days of school this year, a teacher in my department who was retiring, went in search of me to give me some books. She knew I was a reader, and thought I'd appreciate them. This is one of the books she gave me.
In many ways, this book reminded me of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, except that this was real. Because this is a true story, I liked it better.
Jeannette is the second of four children. Her parents, at best, are eccentric. Her mother has a teaching degree, but seldom uses it because she fancies herself an artist and writer. Her father is an electrician, but also a drunk, so he doesn't keep a job long. Until she is eight or nine, Jeannette's family moves fairly frequently, mostly due to the fact that they can't pay their bills. They lived out west-Arizona, Nevada, California-during this time, but then move to Welch, West Virginia, where Jeanette's father is from. It doesn't matter where they live, they almost never have enough to eat, have no electricity, indoor plumbing, or other basic necessities. Neither of Jeannette's parents make much effort to work, and when they do have money, it is blown on booze and unnecessary things.
Finally, Jeannette and her siblings are able to get away to New York. After the last one leaves, Jeannette's parents decide to follow their children. In New York, Jeannette's parents choose to be homeless, rather than conform to societal norms.
The good news? All four of those children made it despite the craziness they grew up in.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Summer Book #2
The Beggar King by Oliver Potzsch
Like it's predecessors The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk, this book is named after a minor character. If nothing else, the mysteries to solve in these books are their saving grace.
In this one, Jakob Kuisl, the Schongau hangman, is summoned by his sick sister to Regensburg. He goes to tend to her, and finds that she and her husband have been murdered. If that isn't enough, Jakob is framed for the murder. In the meantime, Jakob's daughter, Magdalena, and her beau, Simon, runoff to Regensburg so that they can be together, as their social standings would keep them apart in Schongau. Magdalena hears of her father's plight, and tries to clear his name. They get caught up in a vile political scandal.
There's really much more to this, but I fear that if I write more, I'll give it away.
Of the three, this was the best so far. Will I read others as they come out? Probably. I'm a glutton for punishment that way. :)
Like it's predecessors The Hangman's Daughter and The Dark Monk, this book is named after a minor character. If nothing else, the mysteries to solve in these books are their saving grace.
In this one, Jakob Kuisl, the Schongau hangman, is summoned by his sick sister to Regensburg. He goes to tend to her, and finds that she and her husband have been murdered. If that isn't enough, Jakob is framed for the murder. In the meantime, Jakob's daughter, Magdalena, and her beau, Simon, runoff to Regensburg so that they can be together, as their social standings would keep them apart in Schongau. Magdalena hears of her father's plight, and tries to clear his name. They get caught up in a vile political scandal.
There's really much more to this, but I fear that if I write more, I'll give it away.
Of the three, this was the best so far. Will I read others as they come out? Probably. I'm a glutton for punishment that way. :)
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Summer Book #1
Much like last summer, I am going to chronicle the books I read during my vacation. This is the first one of the summer: The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I like Albom's books, and have read four of them. Since this is an actual book, this was supposed to be my bathtub reading material. However, I thought my grandma would like it, so I rushed to finish it so I can give it to her on Saturday when I see her for my sister's wedding.
Like everything else I have read of Albom's, I enjoyed this book. Like all his other books, there is a lesson to be learned. In this case, the lesson is that you never know whose life you're touching, or who's touching your life. It could be someone you know, someone you love, someone who you've never even met. We all have something to offer.
A lesson within the lesson, if you will, can be summed up in this quote: "Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves" (Albom, 141). I don't know about you, but I know about hate and anger, and this is so true. Let it go. Do it for you.
Like everything else I have read of Albom's, I enjoyed this book. Like all his other books, there is a lesson to be learned. In this case, the lesson is that you never know whose life you're touching, or who's touching your life. It could be someone you know, someone you love, someone who you've never even met. We all have something to offer.
A lesson within the lesson, if you will, can be summed up in this quote: "Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves" (Albom, 141). I don't know about you, but I know about hate and anger, and this is so true. Let it go. Do it for you.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Things They Carried
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
This was one of the optional novels for the English II regulars classes this year. Because I had not read it, I ruled it out as an option for my classes, and we read Tuesdays With Morrie instead. Next year, I may have my classes read this.
This book is about a platoon serving in the Vietnam war, and the things they carried. The first chapter or so actually lists the physical things they carried in their rucksacks. The rest of the book deals with the experiences and emotional baggage of these soldiers.
I am typically not one to read books about war. It's not my thing. That said, I enjoyed this book. I think it is because it was less about the war itself, and more about the personalities of the soldiers themselves.
This was one of the optional novels for the English II regulars classes this year. Because I had not read it, I ruled it out as an option for my classes, and we read Tuesdays With Morrie instead. Next year, I may have my classes read this.
This book is about a platoon serving in the Vietnam war, and the things they carried. The first chapter or so actually lists the physical things they carried in their rucksacks. The rest of the book deals with the experiences and emotional baggage of these soldiers.
I am typically not one to read books about war. It's not my thing. That said, I enjoyed this book. I think it is because it was less about the war itself, and more about the personalities of the soldiers themselves.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter
Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin
Just being told the title, I knew this book took place in Mississippi. How? Well, my mom's side of the family is from Mississippi, and I learned early on in life that Mississippi is spelled like this: M-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-humpback-humpback-fence post.
A friend of mine, who also happens to be my team leader, is starting a book club and asked if I'd like to join. At the time, I said I'd love to, but I was involved in the TAYSHAS contest, so I didn't know when I'd get a chance to start. This was the first selection chosen, and I went ahead and ordered it. I started last Saturday, and finished a few minutes ago.
This book focuses on two men, one black (Silas), one white (Larry), who grew up in rural southern Mississippi. Larry is the town weirdo. He never seemed to measure up in his father's eyes. When he was a teenager, he took a girl on a date, and she went missing. She was never found, and he never confessed. Fast forward twenty-five years: another girl goes missing, and he's the number one suspect.
Then there's Silas. He grew up without a father, was a baseball star in high school, and is now the constable of the town. He's investigating the missing girl. While investigating, some truths about himself and Larry are brought to light, and dynamics change.
I enjoyed this book. It's hard not to go into it more because I would end up giving things away. It's a mystery, so I don't want to do that.
Just being told the title, I knew this book took place in Mississippi. How? Well, my mom's side of the family is from Mississippi, and I learned early on in life that Mississippi is spelled like this: M-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-crooked letter-crooked letter-fence post-humpback-humpback-fence post.
A friend of mine, who also happens to be my team leader, is starting a book club and asked if I'd like to join. At the time, I said I'd love to, but I was involved in the TAYSHAS contest, so I didn't know when I'd get a chance to start. This was the first selection chosen, and I went ahead and ordered it. I started last Saturday, and finished a few minutes ago.
This book focuses on two men, one black (Silas), one white (Larry), who grew up in rural southern Mississippi. Larry is the town weirdo. He never seemed to measure up in his father's eyes. When he was a teenager, he took a girl on a date, and she went missing. She was never found, and he never confessed. Fast forward twenty-five years: another girl goes missing, and he's the number one suspect.
Then there's Silas. He grew up without a father, was a baseball star in high school, and is now the constable of the town. He's investigating the missing girl. While investigating, some truths about himself and Larry are brought to light, and dynamics change.
I enjoyed this book. It's hard not to go into it more because I would end up giving things away. It's a mystery, so I don't want to do that.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
This is the second book gifted to be by a student this year. She enjoyed it, and hoped I would too. After reading the entire book, and, believe me, it took a while, I did enjoy parts of it.
The protagonist of this book is Francie Nolan. She is the oldest child of her parents, Katie and Johnny. She has a brother, Neeley, who is a year younger, and a sister, Laurie, who is 13 or so years younger. They are poor, and live in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Katie is a hardworking woman and does everything she can so that her family can survive. Johnny is a singer who is also an alcoholic. He dies when Francie is 13.
The first half of the book is mostly backstory of everyone in the book. I'm not kidding-everyone. This is why I was not a fan of the book. All of the backstories put me to sleep/didn't hold my interest. The book finally picked up for me when Johnny Nolan died. After that, everything got a whole lot more interesting.
I felt sorry for Francie for most if the book. Not only were the family's economic circumstances saddening, but Francie had her dreams dashed so many times. Mostly by her mother, of all people. Even though the book seemed to drag on, I would like to have known how Francie ended up. You know, how did she do in college? Did she marry Ben? These are things I want to know, and I finished the book feeling unsatisfied.
This is the second book gifted to be by a student this year. She enjoyed it, and hoped I would too. After reading the entire book, and, believe me, it took a while, I did enjoy parts of it.
The protagonist of this book is Francie Nolan. She is the oldest child of her parents, Katie and Johnny. She has a brother, Neeley, who is a year younger, and a sister, Laurie, who is 13 or so years younger. They are poor, and live in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Katie is a hardworking woman and does everything she can so that her family can survive. Johnny is a singer who is also an alcoholic. He dies when Francie is 13.
The first half of the book is mostly backstory of everyone in the book. I'm not kidding-everyone. This is why I was not a fan of the book. All of the backstories put me to sleep/didn't hold my interest. The book finally picked up for me when Johnny Nolan died. After that, everything got a whole lot more interesting.
I felt sorry for Francie for most if the book. Not only were the family's economic circumstances saddening, but Francie had her dreams dashed so many times. Mostly by her mother, of all people. Even though the book seemed to drag on, I would like to have known how Francie ended up. You know, how did she do in college? Did she marry Ben? These are things I want to know, and I finished the book feeling unsatisfied.
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