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Share with us what you read in June 2014

Please provide:
~ A GoodRead link
~ A few sentences telling us how you felt about the book.
~ How would you rate the book

Thank you Alias :>

CAROL'S Reading List for JUNE 2014 ; PART ONE


1. Girl, Interrupted-Susanna Kaysen (6/1/-2/2014) 5 stars
I am amazed by Kaysen's excellent writing! I am also impressed that she allowed her situation to be published for other women to read. It is so important today for girls, as well as young and older women who daily struggle with their depression and/or other mental disabilities. My daughter was diagnosed in 2001. She has been to more therapists & outpatient treatment places that I can list as well as programs in places like the Institute for Living. And yet, she still struggles today -- thirteen years later.


2. Vegan for Life: Everything You Need to Know to Be Healthy and Fit on a Plant-Based Diet-Jack Norris-283 pp. (6/2/2014) - 4 stars.
Easy read, pointing out (in detail) horrendous cruelty to animals, and how to live a healthier life. I have to write down a few recipes before returning to library.


3. Upstairs & Downstairs: The Illustrated Guide to the Real Life of Masters and Their Servants from the Victorian Era to the Second World War-Sarah Warwick-192 pp., (6/2-3/ 2014), 5 stars.
Short but filled with information -- this is during the Edwardian period, Winston Churchill was born and was raised by his nurse who was always there for him, not his parents. His nurse was like a mother to him, and when she became ill, he went and physically took care of her until her death, as well as made sure that her headstone would always have fresh flowers on her grave (he made sure that the money was there). I loved the photos in the books -- the character who played writer, Edith, had quite a large nose and was not attractive, (she was somewhat like Virginia Woolf and her group of writers, etc.) Also her brother was quite large all around. But I most enjoyed the black and white photographs of the servants as well as the visitors. A delightful book.


4. Blessings-Anna Quindlen, 304 pp., (6/4-5/2014) 4 stars!
What a precious story, totally enjoyed reading it. One night a baby is dropped off at the wealthy Blessings home, they look inside a cardboard box outside the estate and find a new born baby. This act totally changes Blessings forever. Richly written, deeply moving, beautifully crafted. Quindlen tells the story of Skip Cuddy, caretaker of the estate, who finds a baby asleep in that box and decides he wants to keep her, and of matriarch Lydia Blessing, who, for her own reasons, decides to help him. The secrets of the past, how they affect the decisions and lives of people in the present is what makes a person, a life, legitimate or illegitimate, and who decides. Also the unique resources people find in themselves, and in their community. It is a book of love, personal change, and redemption.


5. The Shipping News-Annie Proulx, 352 pp., 2002, (6/2-5/2014), 5 stars!
Quoyle retreats with his daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters and family members all play a part in Quoyle's struggle to reclaim his life. Saw the film, had to read the book.


6. Fallen Beauty-Erika Robuck, 384 pp., 2014, (6/6-10/2014), 4 stars!
A wild, eccentric Millay consigns the town seamstress, fallen woman, Laura, to create her reading costumes. The book focuses on the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay through the eyes of Laura, and is also told in first person through Millay's eyes. It is written as a world of contrasts, playing light upon dark, garishness against modesty, societal judgment with tolerance. Both women find their self-discovery as important and redemptive.


7. Citizen Soldier: A Life of Harry S. Truman-Aida D Donald, 288 pages, (6/6-12/1014), 2012, 4 stars!
I thought that Aida D. Donald wrote an excellent, short biography on Harry S. Truman. If I used a few words to describe this book it would be: "never-give-up" and "persevere." I have to say that Truman was a man that had great patience and when he wanted something, he did his best to make it happen. His mother was the one who made Truman to be the man his father wasn't. Initially I didn't care for Bess because her priorities were money and the importance of being popular. But after the horrible death (suicide) of her father, her family loss their place in society. Initially Bess didn't want to marry Harry, but later they did married on June 28, 1919 (she was 34 and he was 35). It is interesting to think of that period -- the Jazz Age: gin drinking, avant-garde crazed; self-centerness; anything-goes-culture; but Truman had no interest in Gatsby's world. He retained his steady, energetic, agreeable nature. He was a "take-charge" man, a leader, a confident, not quite middle-aged man. Bess sadly suffered two miscarriages until Mary Margaret was born in 1942. Bess wrote to Harry that she was so sorry that she gave birth to a baby girl, because she thought that he wanted a boy. Harry was very happy with his baby girl. (Book of the month with senior citizens.)


8. The Rose Garden-Susanna Kearsley, 441pp., 2011, (6/12-14/2014) 4 stars!
Kearsley has a gift where she combines a story of average people in their daily lives and then "travels" to those who live in a historical time period. Her characters are very real to the reader; when in trouble, we desire to help them overcome. Her books are the kind that you just can't put down.


9. The Invention of Wings-Sue Monk Kidd, 373pp., 2014, (6/14-16/2014), 5 stars!
I would put more than 5 stars if I could. EXCELLENT read!!!! I couldn't put it down, so well written and kept me reading through the night. Truly a work of art regarding how terribly some slaves were treated, and how others (women -- both good and not good) helped to save their lives. Great read! Should receive an award.


10. Twilight of the Belle Epoque: The Paris of Picasso, Stravinsky, Proust, Renault, Marie Curie, Gertrude Stein, and Their Friends Through the Great War--Mary McAuliffe, --Mary McAuliffe, 417 pp., 2014; 5 stars!
I previously read "Dawn of the Belle Epoque: That Paris of Monet, Zola, Bernhardt, Eiffel, Debussey, Clemenceay, and Their Friends."This wonderful characters that once walked on this earth are so real in her books -- just amazing, (of course I love this period of time in Paris). She has more books that I will have check out.


11. The Blithedale Romance--Nathaniel Hawthorne, 432 pp., (1852) (6/14-17/2014); 3 stars!
The story takes place at Blithedale Farm, an experiment in utopian society. A group of intellectuals decide to leave the city in exchange for ‘live off the land equality�. It is up to farmer Silas Forester to teach these soft philosophers and poets how to plant a crop and milk a cow. Silas’s cynicism towards these utopians and his straight forward attitude in comparison is very funny. Blithedale Farm is based on Hawthorne’s real life experience at Brook Farm in 1841, he would write the book 10 years later. The farm slides into the background and Transcendentalism is embodied in the characters more than it is discussed by them. We are not told much about the other people living on the farm or what any of them hope to achieve through it. Blithedale becomes merely a backdrop for the drama and tragedy of the four central characters. The Blithedale Romance is told through a first person narrator, mediocre poet Miles Coverdale. Hawthorne exploits this limited view point and makes the reader very aware that the entire story is ‘constructed� by Miles with the limited events he sees first hand and a lot of poetic flourish added. You never really know how much Miles is twisting events and personalities. It was easy to accept Mile’s narration, an amusing, sarcastic, likable character. As the story went on though, I became more and more skeptical about Miles, and realized that he is self-centered to excess. Miles constantly spies on others, and is pleased to live his life alone. Working the land cuts into his poetry writing, and so he never improves. Miles observes endlessly a love triangle between Hollingsworth, Zenobia, and Priscilla. He is so passive that he is to blame for the ensuing tragedy. (I read this book because I needed a female name beginning with "Z" - Zenobia!)



12. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life--C.S. Lewis, 238 pp., 2066.
This book is his interpretation of his transformation (in his early years) by the Holy Spirit. He was once an atheist, and then he became a Christian. He continued reading books by George MacDonald and G.K. Chesterton. In 1916, one MacDonald volume called Phantastes had a powerful impact on his thinking. “What it actually did to me,� wrote Lewis, “was to convert, even to baptize � my imagination.� At Oxford Lewis continued to read MacDonald.If evidence of conversion is a new life, C.S. Lewis was obviously a believer after 1931. Many changes were apparent. His life now had a purpose—to know and obey God. This came to fruition most demonstrably in his writing. Earlier efforts to become a poet were laid to rest. The new Christian devoted his talent and energy to writing prose that reflected his recently found faith. Within two years of his conversion Lewis published The Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason and Romanticism. This little volume opened a thirty-year stream of books on Christian apologetics and discipleship that became a lifelong avocation. Between 1933 and his death in 1963, C.S. Lewis wrote books including the seven volume Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, and Mere Christianity, that nudged atheists and agnostics toward the faith, and encouraged and nurtured believers.


13. The Oh She Glows Cookbook: Over 100 Vegan Recipes to Glow from the Inside Out--Angela Liddon, 2014, 302 pp. - 5 stars
She uses Lentil-Walnut Taco Meat for wraps, Yam Veggie Burgers, plus all the salad and dessert recipes. I also like that she has links to other places to purchase food items.

CAROL'S Reading List for JUNE 2014 ; PART TWO


14. Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to look, feel and think younger every day--Daniel G. Amen--384 pp., (6/20/2014) -- 4 stars!
Over the last twenty years at Amen Clinics, Dr. Amen has performed more than 70,000 brain scans on patients from ninety different countries. His brain imaging work has taught him that our brains typically become less active with age and we become more vulnerable to memory problems and depression. Yet, one of the most exciting lessons he has learned is that with a little forethought and a brain-smart plan, you can SLOW, or even REVERSE, the aging process in the brain. Interesting read! I'm re-reading it before I return it. I have gone throughout so much anesthesia (24 surgeries - 1 more next month) that I wonder whether I should do it . . .



15. Helen's Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's Teacher-Marfe Ferguson Delano-64pp., (2008, Natinal Geographic Books) -(6/18/2014) -5 stars!
What a great, yet brief, overview of the lives of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. It covers from her horrendous childhood to being an adult and earning a living. It is amazing how Charles Dicken's writings had a major effect on those who read his books. Apparently, Helen's mother discovered a book entitled American Notes written 40 years earlier by Dickens. He wrote about visiting a remarkable deaf-blind girl named Laura Bridgman, who had been taught how to communicate. The story filled Mrs. Keller and her family with hope. Annie Sullivan kept a rigid routine of lessons with Helen, everyday she finger-spelled the names of familiar objects into Helen's palm. The next step was to learn that EVERYTHING has a name. On April 5, 1887, while she was washing up, she pointed to the water and patted Annie's hand. It was Helen's way of asking for the spelling. Annie said, "I spelled 'w-a-t-e-r' and thought no more about it until after breakfast. Then it occurred to me that with the help of this new word I might succeed in straightening out the 'mug-milk' difficulty. We went out to the pump-house, and I made Helen hold her mug under the spout while I pumped. As the cold water gushed forth, filling the mug, I spelled 'w-a-t-e-r' in Helen's free hand. The word coming so close upon the sensation of cold water rushing over her hand seemed to startle her. She dropped the mug and stood as one transfixed. A new light came into her face. She spelled 'water' several times. Then she dropped on the ground and asked its name." Helen asked for more names and also Annie's name which she spelled 'T-e-a-c-h-e-r'. It is what she called her for the rest of her life. Helen blossomed under Annie's teaching and by the end of May learn 300 words.



16. The Story of My Life: The Restored Edition -Helen Keller-400 pages, 2004, (6/18 -19/2014); 5 stars!
I can't believe how many years it took me to read her autobiography! It is truly amazing how this young girl overcame a difficult, frustrated life and later became a wonderful young lady filled with hope for her future. Her autobiography is 23 chapters long but honestly, it goes by so quickly. She was an amazing individual and I cannot fathom how she was able to over come such difficulties. Part 1 reveals the story of her life, from a young child to an adult female. I have always been amazed regarding all she overcame.



17. Beyond the Miracle Worker: The Remarkable Life of Anne Sullivan Macy and Her Extraordinary Friendship with Helen Keller-Kim E. Nielsen-320 pp., 2009; (6/17-19/2014); 5 stars
Honestly Anne's childhood is far worse than what Helen Keller went through with a wealthy, loving family. Anne's family, along with 1.8 million Irish arrive in North America, travel from Ireland (Irish famine 1846-1855; tuberculosis) for a better life and ends up residing in Feeding Hills, MA. During this time, the marriage rate has decreased (85.5% of female immigrants ages 15 to 35 years were single). Her parents Thomas and Alice had three children -- Anne (1866), Ellen (1867), and James (1869). Between 1870-72 Ellen died and infant son John was born dead. In 1873 her mother Alice gave birth to Mary. Anne didn't attend school because she had difficulty with her vision - discovered it is a contagious disease known as trachoma - which is prevalent in impoverished communities.

Anne was eight when her mom died from tuberculosis which was the leading cause of death in the US through the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. It caused an astounding one out of every five deaths from 1800 to 1870. Her death affected her husband, an illiterate hired hand with three children. Eight year old Anne had vision issues; five year old Jimmie's hip caused him pain and mobility problems, and Mary was just a year old. Thomas couldn't handle the children, and drank himself until he fell apart. He lost his job, and house.

Relatives in Springfield took in three year old Mary. Anne and Jimmie were sent to the state almshouse in Tewksbury, MA on Feb. 22, 1876. These almshouses brought numerous residents. But this facility was deteriorated rapidly. More than 900 residents lived in the institution (built for 500). Luckily, Jimmie and Anne were allowed to live together in the women's ward (and Jimmie wore a pinafore to aid the pretense.) They were able to "develop a life of their own that becomes meaningful, reasonable, and normal once you get close to it." In this space, part of it was partitioned off from the main room of the ward (for the placement of dead bodies awaiting pine boxes and transportation.)

Jimmie's health declined, and he died on May 31, 1876. In the dark, Anne reached out her hand and touched her little brother, under the sheet she could feel his cold little body. But someone came in and pulled her away. They dragged her away from his body, and she kicked and scratched and bit them until they dropped her upon the floor, and left her there, a heap of pain beyond words. One of the women -- a poor cripple -- hobbled to her, and bent down as far as she could to lift her up; but the effort hurt the cripple so much that she groaned out. Then Anne got up and helped her back into her bed. The cripple lady had her sit beside her, and spoke tender words of comfort to her. And so begins Anne's story . . .



18. Amsterdam-Ian McEwan-193 pp., 1998; (6/20/2014); 3 stars!
Amsterdam won the 1998 Booker prize for the novel. Amsterdam is a a morality tale revolving around a newspaper editor and a composer. These two old friends, Vernon and Clive, agree that should one of them enter into the kind of mental decline they have just witnessed in their former lover, Molly Lane, the other will assist in his euthanasia. The plot thickens when the two friends argue over two questions of morality.



19. The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945--Władysław Szpilman-240 pp., 1999, (6/20/2014); 5 stars!
I read just over a half of this non fiction book, and I had to put it down because (1) the terrible treatment and horrendous deaths really happened and (2) I couldn't finish reading it without becoming physically sick.


20. The Fault in Our Stars-John Green- 5 stars!
Excellent writing! Wonderful characters! Loved the characters.


21. The Painter--Peter Heller
Started moving slowly; then a shocking death into a mystery . . .

I'm thinking of taking a break but . . . there are so many great authors in June!!

6/2 : Thomas Hardy (English Novelist, 1840-1928)

6/5 : Poet and dramatist Frederico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936)

6/6 : Russian writer Aleksandr Pushkin (1799-1837) and
German novelist and 1929 Nobelist Thomas Mann (1875-1955)

6/7 : English novelist R(ichard) D(odderidge) Blackmore (Lorna Doone)
and Irish novelist/ short story writer Elizabeth Bowen (1899-1973)

6/12 : Heidi author Johanna Spyri (1829-1901) and Diarist and Holocaust victim Anne Frank (1929-1945).

6/13 : English Novelist/diarist Fanny Burney (1752-1840) creator of the novel of manner whose plot revolves on the experiences of an innocent and virtuous girl entering society, and
Irish poet William Butler Yeats (6/13/1865-1/28/1939); and
Mystery novelist and Christian writer Dorothy Sayers (6/13/1893-12/17/1957)

6/14: Writer Harriet Beech Stowe (1811-1896)

6/16 : Author John Howard Griffin (1920-1980) Black Like Me
and Novelist Joyce Carol Oates, (1938--);
and Erich Segal (1937) Love Story

6/18: U.S. Philip Barry (1896-1949) wrote The Philadelphia Story

6/21 : British novelist and Booker Prize winner Ian McEwan (1948-)

6/22 : German novelist Erich Maria Remarque (1898-2014);
and California native, African-American sci-fi novelist Octavia E. Butler (1947-2006)

6/25 : British futurist George Orwell (1903-1950) born in Begal.

6/26 : Writer, humanitarian Pearl S. Buck (6/26/1892-- 3/1973).

6/27 : Alabama-born deaf/mute/blind writer Hellen Keller (1880-1968).

6/28 : Swiss "Father of the Romanticism" and of the "Confessions" by Jean-Jacquest Rousseau (1712-1778).

6/29 : French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944).

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius by Leo Damrosch.

I just picked it up from the library - HUGE BOOK!! He was a motherless child (he almost died during birth, and his mom died 9 days later of Puerperal fever after giving birth), he was also a failed apprentice, and autodidact.

Carol wrote: 7. Citizen Soldier: A Life of Harry S. Truman-Aida D Donald, 288 pages, (6/6-12/1014), 2012, 4 stars!
I thought that Aida D. Donald wrote an excellent, short biography on Harry S. Truman. If I used a few words to describe this book it would be: "never-give-up" and "persevere." I have to say that Truman was a man that had great patience and when he wanted something, he did his best to make it happen. His mother was the one who made Truman to be the man his father wasn't. Initially I didn't care for Bess because her priorities were money and the importance of being popular. But after the horrible death (suicide) of her father, her family loss their place in society. Initially Bess didn't want to marry Harry, but later they did married on June 28, 1919 (she was 34 and he was 35). It is interesting to think of that period -- the Jazz Age: gin drinking, avant-garde crazed; self-centerness; anything-goes-culture; but Truman had no interest in Gatsby's world. He retained his steady, energetic, agreeable nature. He was a "take-charge" man, a leader, a confident, not quite middle-aged man. Bess sadly suffered two miscarriages until Mary Margaret was born in 1942. Bess wrote to Harry that she was so sorry that she gave birth to a baby girl, because she thought that he wanted a boy. Harry was very happy with his baby girl. (Book of the month with senior citizens.).."

I read the authors other book, Lion in the White House: A Life of Theodore Roosevelt by Aida D. Donald
and I gave it 5 stars.

I think she is very readable and not long winded as some presidential biographers can be. She is an author I will absolutely read more of.

Carol wrote:5. The Shipping News-Annie Proulx, 352 pp., 2002, (6/2-5/2014), 5 stars!
Quoyle retreats with his daughters to his ancestral home on the starkly beautiful Newfoundland coast, where a rich cast of local characters and family members all play a part in Quoyle's struggle to reclaim his life. Saw the film, had to read the book.:..."

I read Shipping News a long time ago but I recall I liked it a lot. It was different from the usual stuff you see and I enjoyed that.

I never saw the film.

Carol wrote: 12. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life--C.S. Lewis, 238 pp., 2066.
This book is his interpretation of his transformation (in his early years) by the Holy Spirit. He was once an atheist, and then he became a Christian. He continued reading books by George MacDonald and G.K. Chesterton. In 1916, one MacDonald volume called Phantastes had a powerful impact on his thinking. “What it actually did to me,� wrote Lewis, “was to convert, even to baptize � my imagination.� At Oxford Lewis continued to read MacDonald.If evidence of conversion is a new life, C.S. Lewis was obviously a believer after 1931. Many changes were apparent. His life now had a purpose—to know and obey God. This came to fruition most demonstrably in his writing. Earlier efforts to become a poet were laid to rest. The new Christian devoted his talent and energy to writing prose that reflected his recently found faith. Within two years of his conversion Lewis published The Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason and Romanticism. This little volume opened a thirty-year stream of books on Christian apologetics and discipleship that became a lifelong avocation. Between 1933 and his death in 1963, C.S. Lewis wrote books including the seven volume Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, and Mere Christianity, that nudged atheists and agnostics toward the faith, and encouraged and nurtured believers.
..."

Two of my friends really love this book. I have it on my TBR list.

Carol wrote: "14. Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to look, feel and think younger every day--Daniel G. Amen--384 pp., (6/20/2014) -- 4 stars!
Over the last twenty years at Amen Clinics, Dr. Amen has performed more than 70,000 brain scans on patients from ninety different countries. His brain imaging work has taught him that our brains typically become less active with age and we become more vulnerable to memory problems and depression. Yet, one of the most exciting lessons he has learned is that with a little forethought and a brain-smart plan, you can SLOW, or even REVERSE, the aging process in the brain. Interesting read! I'm re-reading it before I return it. I have gone throughout so much anesthesia (24 surgeries - 1 more next month) that I wonder whether I should do it . .

I follow him on FB

Carol wrote: "Helen's Eyes: A Photobiography of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's Teacher-Marfe Ferguson Delano:..."

If you enjoy photo bios I can not recommend highly enough
Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life by Candace Fleming

Carol wrote: 16. The Story of My Life: The Restored Edition -Helen Keller-400 pages, 2004, (6/18 -19/2014); 5 stars!
I can't believe how many years it took me to read her autobiography! It is truly amazing how this young girl overcame a difficult, frustrated life and later became a wonderful young lady filled with hope for her future. Her autobiography is 23 chapters long but honestly, it goes by so quickly. She was an amazing individual and I cannot fathom how she was able to over come such difficulties. Part 1 reveals the story of her life, from a young child to an adult female. I have always been amazed regarding all she overcame.

I can't believe how many quotes I copied from that book. When I moved I threw out all my book notes. :(

She surely was a great lady and an inspiration to many.


I'll have to check out this "restored" edition

Carol wrote: . Beyond the Miracle Worker: The Remarkable Life of Anne Sullivan Macy and Her Extraordinary Friendship with Helen Keller-Kim E. Nielsen-320 pp., 2009; (6/17-19/2014); 5 stars

Jimmie's health declined, and he died on May 31, 1876. In the dark, Anne reached out her hand and touched her little brother, under the sheet she could feel his cold little body. But someone came in and pulled her away. They dragged her away from his body, and she kicked and scratched and bit them until they dropped her upon the floor, and left her there, a heap of pain beyond words. One of the women -- a poor cripple -- hobbled to her, and bent down as far as she could to lift her up; but the effort hurt the cripple so much that she groaned out. Then Anne got up and helped her back into her bed. The cripple lady had her sit beside her, and spoke tender words of comfort to her. And so begins Anne's story . . .

:..."

Wow !

Another one to add to my TBR list !

Carol wrote: 19. The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945--Władysław Szpilman-240 pp., 1999, (6/20/2014); 5 stars!
I read just over a half of this non fiction book, and I had to put it down because (1) the terrible treatment and horrendous deaths really happened and (2) I couldn't finish reading it without becoming physically sick. :..."

Was this made into a movie ?

Well, what can I say, Carol. You are an amazing reader and it's very generous of you to share with us.

To quote the Bard

I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks. ~William Shakespeare

Carol wrote: "I'm thinking of taking a break but . . . there are so many great authors in June--

6/26 : Writer, humanitarian Pearl S. Buck (6/26/1892-- 3/1973)."

You may want to consider this one. I believe I read a very good review in the NY Times for it.

I haven't read it yet but this one is on my TBR list. I gave it as a gift to a neighbor who loves Buck.

Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth by Hilary Spurling

Doesn't she look like Patty Duke on the cover?

Alias Reader wrote: "Was this made into a movie?"

I looked at imdb.com and it played in theaters in 2002.

Carol wrote: 6/14: Writer Harriet Beech Stowe (1811-1896) ..."

I can't recall if you read Uncle Tom's Cabin. It's one of my favorite classics.

Carol wrote: 6/22 : German novelist Erich Maria Remarque (1898-2014
..."

When I read his book I realized where the term "No Man's Land" came from.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Carol wrote:Author John Howard Griffin (1920-1980) Black Like Me
..."

Black Like Me

I thought this was an interesting read.

Carol wrote: and Novelist Joyce Carol Oates, (1938--);..."


JCO is one prolific writer !

With the online AOL Oprah Book Club I read her We Were the Mulvaneys.

That book club is what started me with online book clubs. That in turn expanded my reading horizons greatly and brought me great joy.

Alias Reader wrote: "If you enjoy photo bios I can not recommend highly enough Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life..."

I have yet to read that book, it looks great. I do own a hard cover copy of
Eleanor: The Years Alone by Joseph P. Lash.

Alias Reader wrote: "Carol wrote:Author John Howard Griffin (1920-1980) Black Like Me
..."
Black Like Me

I read this in high school and it changed my life. I still have my paperback copy on my book shelves!!

Carol wrote: "
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius by Leo Damrosch.

I just picked it up from the library - HUGE BOOK!! He w..."
------------

Somehow I never read any of his works in college.

His bio sound fascinating. I look forward to your review.

Carol wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "If you enjoy photo bios I can not recommend highly enough Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt's Remarkable Life..."

I have yet to read that book, i..."

The photo's are brilliant. If you've read a few bios of Eleanor or FDR, I guarantee you will love this photo bio.

I still recall one of Eleanor's mom. She was stunningly beautiful. The way she put her own child down it is amazing that Eleanor had an ounce of confidence left for Eleanor's teacher in France, Marie Souvestre, to nurture.

Regarding Uncle Tom's Cabin or, Life Among the Lowly was part of our high school curriculum (I guess the nuns thought that it was too long to read the whole book). Harriet Beecher Stowe's home is very close to Mark Twain so you would think the state would do more things regarding their works.

I would love to read it this year -- I'll add it to my TBR list.

Carol wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Was this made into a movie?"

I looked at imdb.com and it played in theaters in 2002.

"

I seem to recall the reviews for the movie were very good.

I read All Quiet on the Western Front- Erich Maria Remarque.
The book was very real, it made me feel as though I was there. You see the conditions in which these young soldiers find themselves; the monotony between battles; constant threat of artillery fire and bombardments; the struggle to find food; and the lives and deaths of the soldiers described in detail. It brought tears to my eyes.

Regarding Joyce Carole Oates, the only book I read was Wild Nights!: Stories About the Last Days of Poe, Dickinson, Twain, James, and Hemingway by Joyce Carol Oates. I found it very interesting to read the fictional death scenes for five American writers (Poe, Dickinson, Mark Twain, Henry James and Ernest Hemingway.)


And I have yet to read The Gravedigger's Daughter that I purchased at Savers.

Alias Reader wrote: "Carol wrote: "I'm thinking of taking a break but . . . there are so many great authors in June--

6/26 : Writer, humanitarian Pearl S. Buck (6/26/1892-- 3/1973)."

You may want to consider this one. I believe I read a very good review in the NY Times for it.

I haven't read it yet but this one is on my TBR list. I gave it as a gift to a neighbor who loves Buck.

Pearl Buck in China Journey to the Good Earth by Hilary Spurling Pearl Buck in China: Journey to the Good Earth by Hilary Spurling

Doesn't she look like Patty Duke on the cover? "

I just ordered it online (new library computer system statewide which is fantastic!!) She does look like Patty Duke there!! I still have Peony to read. It's great that she wrote so many books!!

I might squeeze another book in but here is what I've read so far in June. It's been a pretty good reading month for me. Being on jury duty for eight days gave me a lot of time to read with commuting and all the downtime you have when you serve.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Fiction
5/5
A young girl goes to work for a man who recently became a paraplegic. I read it for my library book group. I found I couldn't put the book down. Is it perfect? No. Does it have some unrealistic moments? Yes. Still, I would recommend this novel.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Fiction
4/5
I came across this while perusing the UK Amazon best seller list.

It's about Don Tillman, a brilliant scientist who probably is on the autism spectrum. He decides to scientifically find himself a wife. Of course love doesn't fit exactly into his scientific models. Enter Rosie.

I really enjoyed this book.

The End of Dieting: How to Live for Life by Joel Fuhrman
nonfiction
4/5
You've probably seen this author on PBS.

I re-read his other book Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss all the time for inspiration. This book is very similar but I would still recommend reading it.
I had to return it to the library as there were holds on it but I will re-read again.

He calls his diet Nutritarian. The idea is to make food choices that maximize the micronutrients per calorie. It's a vegan diet. Though he does allow a tiny bit of wiggle room for those who don't want to go all the way. He suggest eating G-BOMBS daily.
Greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, seeds/nuts.

Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity by Genevieve Parker Hill
non fiction
3/5
Amazon had this as a one day free book. I follow similar people on FB and that is where I heard about it. I thought it was very interesting and worthwhile read.

Exodus: A Memoir byDeborah Feldman
non fiction
2+/5
I read and enjoyed the author's other book, Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots so when Amazon offered me her new book at a very reduced rate I jumped on it.

I found this sequel lacking and at times a bit unfocused and bizarre. The author came from the very strict Hasidic Satmar community which she left. That was the basis of her first book.

In this follow-up book she tries to understand herself by tracing her grandmother's roots during WWII.

I found her bizarre sexual escapades quite disturbing. The section were she had a sexual relationship with a descendant of Nazis was disturbing to say the least. She says her behavior was some sort of survivor's guilt.

The book did hold my interest but it is not one I would recommend.

Cut Me Loose: Sin and Salvation After My Ultra-Orthodox Girlhoodby Leah Vincent
non fiction
3/5
Leah is from an ultra-orthodox" or Yeshivish community. As a young teen she is found to have written letters to a boy. This is just not done in her community and her family sends her to England to study at a religious school. She breaks a few more rules like wearing revealing clothing so her family disowns her. On her own with no real understanding of the world outside of her insulated community, she make one disastrous decision after another. At one point she starts cutting herself to lessen her pain and loneliness. She then finds herself in a psych ward after overdosing. She becomes very promiscuous and ultimately turns to prostitution. She does ultimately pull herself out of this mess.

I do wish the book gave more details on what her upbringing was like. Also the end was way too rushed.

Still, it was an interesting read. You can find some YouTube videos of her.

Carol wrote: I just ordered it online (new library computer system statewide which is fantastic!!) .."

We have that in NYC. It's fantastic.

They also added a new feature where when you look at a book they will show you what other books are on that shelf. Pretty cool. It's like a virtual trip to the library!

ONLY
SEVEN
SIX
MORE DAYS
TO FINISH THESE BOOKS. . .

� 1. Three Tragedies: Blood Wedding, Yerma, Bernarda Alba
Federico García Lorca-209; -4/5 (6/22/14)-4 stars
2. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius-Leo Damrosch-494 pp.
3. Parable of the Sower-Octavia E. Butler-345 pp.
4. Far from the Madding Crowd-Thomas Hardy-480 pp.
5. Heidi-Johanna Spyri-352 pp.
6. The Magic Mountain-Thomas Mann-709 pp.
7. The Death of the Heart-Elizabeth Bowen-418 pp.

-

Some big books there.

I've read Far from the Madding Crowd. Many mistakenly say "maddening". :) Quiet read but good.

The Magic Mountain is also a big honking book. I thought it was quite interesting. However, I am sure I missed a lot of what was intended. It's a book I wish I read in a college course.

Alias Reader wrote: "Some big books there."

For me, it's better than watching TV (NetFlix excluded). I watched Albert Nobbs (2011) starring Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska.



I will put Me Before You and The Rosie Project on my TBR list.

What did you think of Albert Nobbs? I thought it was just okay. Nothing really new or exciting. Certainly not Academy Award material.

I was surprised that the other "man" was a woman. At first I didn't even recognize Glenn Close.

The Shipping News trailer (2:38)--

Carol wrote: "I was surprised that the other "man" was a woman. At first I didn't even recognize Glenn Close."

That's about all the movie had. Without that...boring.

I didn't think that by being shoved into a wall, that it would kill Mr. Nobbs?! Why wouldn't Helen knock and turn the door knob, to check on Mr. Nobbs? It wasn't locked. He could have possibly survived, if the doctor came that night. I did liked the idea of Nobbs having a place in the village (for tobacco products) and to start it's new beginning. I thought it odd that both Nobbs and Mary (painter) walked along the ocean in their "female" outfits. Yet Mary wouldn't consider having Nobbs live with her. Yet in the end, Helen and her baby moved in with her.


Dali and Lorca
I just finished Federico Garcia Lorca's Three Tragedies - very dramatic. I am familiar with Lorca since he was a close friend of Salvador Dali.

Lorca (1898-1936) was born in Granada, Spain. He was a Spanish poet, dramatist and theater director. He became recognized internationally as a member of the Generation of '27 (an influential group of poets that arose in Spanish literary circles between 1923 and 1927, essentially out of a shared desire to experience and work with avant-garde forms of art and poetry.)

Three days before the Spanish Civil War (July 1936) Lorca left Madrid for his family home in Granada. On August 18, he was arrested and later was assassinated (part of mass killings). In the painting about you can see images of a blind fold and rope on bottom right of table, an image of a dog for loyalty, at the bottom of the vase are old ladies worn-out with dead babies lying in the streets, and there is so much more. If you want to look closer, just click on the last image.

Click for close-ups . . . .
1) click on the link
2) click on the image of the painting for close-ups


Apparition of Face and Fruit-Dish on a Beach, Salvador Dali (1904-1989), 1938, Oil on canvas, Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

I never would have seen all that without your input.

Thanks.

June Reads....

God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F*cked - Darrell Hammond. I wasn't particularly interested in Hammond but I downloaded his book onto my iPad from my local library and wound up enjoying the read very much. It's his story of growing up in a dysfunctional family, struggling to become a comedian, working on Saturday Night Live and, of course, struggling with a number of addictions. He's a good storyteller with a good story to tell and knowing that he seems to have defeated his demons helped me to enjoy it.

All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr. A young blind girl living in France during World War II and a young German boy selected by the Nazis because of his knowledge of electronics, are the main characters in this book. The tale is told in alternating story lines and there is the sense that their paths will cross some day, unlikely as it seems. There was wonderful writing here and vivid characters and my only tiny complaint about the book was that perhaps it was a little bit too long. At least it was a little bit long for my tastes. But it was an excellent read.

The Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd. Set in antebellum Charleston, SC, this is the story of a young white girl who receives a young slave girl as a birthday gift when they are both children. Sarah Grimke, the white girl struggles against the constraints of her time and her culture and her place in society and Hetty Handful, the slave girl struggles against the same things, but with more painful and more tragic consequences. A very powerful read.

Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand - William J. Mann. Whenever I read a biography of a famous person I always enjoy the stories about their early lives more than the stories about their later successes, so this was the perfect bio for me. It's Barbra Streisand's life before she became famous and during the early years of her performing career. I'm a Streisand fan from way back so it was interesting to read about how deeply she wanted to be an actress and how little she wanted to be a singer. If there were to be a second volume of this story I doubt if I'd read it, but I completely enjoyed this one!

Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarity. You know from the start of this book that someone was killed at a school trivia night in a small Australian community, but the fun of the story isn't only trying to figure out who did what to whom, it's also to enjoy the really creative storytelling that makes the characters - all parents in the same ill-fated school - so different and so interesting. There's also a serious side to this story, other than the murder, concerning abusive relationships and I felt like that was handled very well and very honestly. This is my second read by Moriarity this year and although her books aren't great books of literature, they are very very good reads.

Connie wrote: "June Reads....

The Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd. Set in antebellum Charleston, SC, this is the story of a young white girl who receives a young slave girl as a birthday gift when they are both children. Sarah Grimke, the white girl struggles against the constraints of her time and her culture and her place in society and Hetty Handful, the slave girl struggles against the same things, but with more painful and more tragic consequences. A very powerful read."

I thought it was an excellent read!

Connie wrote: "This is my second read by Moriarity this year and although her books aren't great books of literature, they are very very good reads. ..."

I feel the same way, Connie! I enjoyed The Husband's Secret, which was the first book I read by Moriarity (selected by my f2f book club). It was fast and fun. Since then I've read a few others by her (just finished "The Hypnotist's Love Story"), but I haven't read this one yet. Thanks for the review! I will have to seek this one out next.

I feel the same way, Connie! I enjoyed The Husband's Secret, which was the first book I read by Moriarity (selected by my f2f book club). It was fast and fun. Since then I've read a few others by her (just finished "The Hypnotist's Love Story"), but I haven't read this one yet. Thanks for the review! I will have to seek this one out next.

Just a heads-up....the copy I read of Big Little Lies was an advance copy. The book will be released on July 29.

Connie wrote: All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr. A young blind girl living in France during World War II and a young German boy selected by the Nazis because of his knowledge of electronics, are the main characters in this book. The tale is told in alternating story lines and there is the sense that their paths will cross some day, unlikely as it seems. There was wonderful writing here and vivid characters and my only tiny complaint about the book was that perhaps it was a little bit too long. At least it was a little bit long for my tastes. But it was an excellent read...."

I just read a review of this book. After your review I think I'll put it on my TBR list. Thanks!

--------------
Connie wrote: Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarity. You know from the start of this book that someone was killed at a school trivia night in a small Australian community, but the fun of the story isn't only trying to figure out who did what to whom, it's also to enjoy the really creative storytelling that makes the characters - all parents in the same ill-fated school - so different and so interesting. There's also a serious side to this story, other than the murder, concerning abusive relationships and I felt like that was handled very well and very honestly. This is my second read by Moriarity this year and although her books aren't great books of literature, they are very very good reads.

I've not read any of her books. I have her on my TBR list. I told a friend about her other book, The Husband's Secret. I saw it on the British best seller list and the reviews were quite good. She just finished it this week and loved it. I'll have to tell her about this book.

As always, I enjoy reading your books read list, Connie. Thank you.

So many interesting books mentioned already! Carol, you read some fascinating books.

The initial Oprah book club, on TV then online, also got me back into reading. I started reading from that list and found it widened my interest and had me thinking about the classic. From the online club I made my way here to GR.

Connie wrote: "June Reads...."

I really liked The Invention of Wings, waiting for All the Light We Cannot See.
Why are there so many biographies on Barbra Streisand?

by James Spada published 2013

by William J. Mann published 2012

by Cindy Washington published 2012

by Allegra Rossi published 2012

by Barbra Streisand published 2004

by David Brett 2000 and many more; she's only 72 . . .

That's interesting as she leads a private life for the most part. I never hear news stories about her.

The month started off slow, but I sped up towards the end and did quite well - although there were some re-reads in there, just to keep me going whilst I stressed out about packing and tickets and booking things for holidays!

American Tabloid by James Ellroy - I was looking forward to this because I have read 2 of his LA Quartet and enjoyed them immensely. This one was just OK - I'm not really all that interested in stuff about Cuba and JFK as I feel it is played out and because I know that Castro is still in power and they never invaded Cuba in the late 50s, all the supposed tension in the story was drained out of it. The three main characters and some of the work they were doing was interesting, but I would have liked more gangster, FBI and JFK intrigue, rather than the hundreds of pages spent on training an anti-Castro Cuban militia. There was so much of that pointless nonsense that in the end I had no idea who was on which side, and I didn't care. 2.5 STARS

Call for the Dead by John Le Carre - A slim volume but interesting, introducing the famous character of George Smiley. I love things about old fashioned British espionage but haven't read much so I thought I'd start with the most famous name. The plot was OK but the writing nice and crisp and I liked the Smiley character. Looking forward to getting into some of the more famous titles now. 4 STARS.

Ghost World by Daniel Clowes - This is a graphic novel about two teenage girls who have to tolerate existence in a boring town waiting for something to happen, dealing with it using sarcasm and cynicism. It is a credit to the author that he managed to capture late 90s female adolescence so well - there was definitely a lot that I recognised from my own youth! It was a bit too episodic because I didn't know it was a set of comics rather than a fully coherent novel and sometimes I had to roll my eyes at Enid and Rebecca (I guess someone my age is supposed to!). But it was sometimes poignant, painfully relatable and very truthful about the choices you face when you are moving on from being a kid. 3.5 STARS

Modern Baptists by James Wilcox - This was supposed to be funny - it wasn't. Mildly amusing in parts was the best it got for me. It's a well written account of a man living a humdrum life in the South, who takes in his wayward brother after he gets out of prison. In trying to control the world around him and make a life for himself, Mr Pickens finds himself in a lot of odd (but somehow still boring) scrapes. The characters were well-drawn but the story was so slight and the humour threadbare that I don't know how it got in a Penguin Classics jacket. Looks like Wilcox might be one of those 'fashionable' authors, but a comic genius? - I can't see much evidence for that. 3 STARS

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend - Speaking of comic genius, Sue Townsend is IT. I have loved her Adrian Mole diaries since I was a kid, to the point where I feel like he is a real person that I know very well. We have grown up together, Adrian and I, and I like to give these a re-read whenever I am struggling to concentrate or need a bit of comfort. I flew through the first one in a day and I still love it as much as ever. FIVE STARS.

The Growing Pains of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend - Read the second book in the series in one day as well. There's not too much more I can say about these books because I have read and loved them so many times. I can't wait to give these to my son to read, even though the references will be so out of date as to be historical! In any case, Adrian Mole got me back in my reading groove ready for holidays! FIVE STARS.

Good month for me, but I have to update my DL with reviews as I am a bit behind due to being overworked! Will catch up after my trip :)

Thanks for sharing your reads with us, Soph.

I've never heard of the Adrian Mole series. Is this a YA book?

I'll keep it mind when I am looking for a fun easy read between other reads. Thanks !

My reads for June:

Best book I read:
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson: 4 stars
I don't own a Mac. Or an iPod. Or an iPad. Never been a loyal Apple customer. But this book was engrossing and entertaining and way more interesting than I expected a book about Steve Jobs would be. I came away from it with a deeper appreciation for what Jobs did to revolutionize our way of life.

Worst book I read:
Sophie's Choice by William Styron: 2 stars
Ugh! I expected this book to be so much better than it was, considering that so many people rave about it. (Full disclosure: I have not seen the movie, either.) It was long and rambling and less engaging than I expected. I was also surprised by how graphic the sexual content was. I'm not a prude, but it seemed excessive and unnecessary. I forced myself to finish this, but when Styron finally got around to developing the characters, I found myself loathing Sophie, Nathan and Stingo. And by the time I found out what Sophie's choice was, I almost didn't care anymore.

3-star reads:
A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger
The Hypnotist's Love Story by Liane Moriarty
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
Before We Met by Lucie Whitehouse
You Are One of Them by Elliott Holt

2-star reads:
Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty
Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie
The Time of My Life by Cecelia Ahern