The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

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book reviews, books, literary fiction, mary doria russell, reading

What a wonderful gift to reading and literature this book is. Published WAY back in 1996, I’m not sure how everyone of my reading buddies hasn’t heard of this book by now.

I heard about this book first from the fantabulous Rebecca Schinsky via the BookRiot podcast. She raved about it, which immediately made me want to read it, because let’s face it, if Schinsky likes it – it has to be good. But then, when I came across it at my local indie bookstore, the handwritten recommendation from the book store staffer raved about it using almost exactly the same words (AND SO MUCH MORE). So I was sold, book was purchased, love was had.

On its face – this is a book about a bunch of friends – scientists and a Jesuit priest – discover life on another planet and then venture, under the purview and finance of the Jesuits, to this planet to make contact with this alien race.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking – seriously?

But wait! It’s really about SO MUCH MORE than that. This is book about God, about faith, about understanding faith, about losing faith – from many different points of view religious, skeptical and even secular (imagine!). This book is about purpose, and mankind, and morality, and good intentions, and misunderstandings, and cultural diversity, and destiny. It’s about the vulgarity of intelligent life. It’s about living beings as a cog in a wheel of economic and social structure.

This book is really about BIG topics. Wonderfully written, totally inspiring, want-to-get-lost-in-it-for-days fantastic. I took a longer time than I needed to for completing this book. I simply did not want to finish it. Well, wait. Yes, I wanted to finish it – but I didn’t want it to be over. This is the type of book, these are the types of characters and ideas, that sit with you for a long time. If you are looking for a really exquisite piece of literary fiction, this is it – get it now.

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Mile 81 by Stephen King

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book reviews, books, fiction, Kindle, reading, Stephen King

This work was marketed as a Kindle Single, which I didn’t know was a “thing” prior to this experience. I guess Kindle Singles are like novellas? I think it was longer than a short story, but I have trouble judging that type of thing in “kindle pages” as opposed to actual pages.

Anyway, the story was great – Demon other world abandoned car parked at a Mile 81 rest stop devouring good samaritans at will. Super creepy. Super King.

There’s not a ton more to say without just telling you everything that happens, so I’ll let you read it, that is – if you have a Kindle or Kindle App – it’s only $2.99 on Amazon, so not too much of an investment, either in time or money, to add a little creep factor to your to-read list.

I don’t dislike the idea of Kindle Singles – I wish they’d employ it more, for new authors, or for selling single stories of a short story collection. It could be used as an “appetizer” of reading.

What are your thoughts on this concept?

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

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book review, books, fiction, reading, Stephen King

Doctor Sleep is the long awaited, or perhaps, long anticipated sequel to King’s The Shining. In preparation for the release of Doctor Sleep, I read The Shining for the first time – having seen the movie several times, but not having read the book. Not surprisingly, the book was better.

Doctor Sleep picks up the story of Danny and his shine, several decades later. In trying to deal with the horrors that was his childhood at the Overlook Hotel, Danny has grown up into an alcoholic, not particularly shocking. The story is Dan’s overcoming of his alcoholism, reconnection to his shine, and the relationship he develops with a young girl who can shine quite significantly more than even Dan himself.

The book is classic King. Supernatural, super engaging, and super creepy. The best part about this book was its ability to stand on its own. Yes, it’s helpful to know the back story and have an understanding of what happened to Danny in The Shining. But the story can hold its own. It hearkens back to the plot lines of the original here and there, but it has its own solid plot, characters and sense of engagement. The makings of a sequel that doesn’t really feel like a sequel – which is what we’re all really looking for, right?

If you’re a King fan, I assure you won’t be disappointed. If you’re only interested in King’s “big works” I would count this among them. I’m glad King waited these many decades for the story of Danny to come back to him naturally, instead of trying to pump out a “second best.”

I give Doctor Sleep 3.5 of 5 stars.

The “To Be Read” List

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authors, book tracking, bookriot, books, data, excel, fiction, goodreads, historical fiction, lists, nonfiction, reading, tbr

This is the previously referenced “TBR list” post….

Throughout my life, I’ve struggled with the best way to track books. Books read, books to be read, interesting books, etc. In 2010, I discovered goodreads.com. This was the answer to my problem! I’d been tracking books I wanted to look into or mark as “to read” in notebooks, book covers, or cell phone “notes” sections for ages. But those methods don’t travel well over time.

(Bear with me folks, we’re talking about early 2000s here. I was acquiring my first flash drive. The Cloud wasn’t a “thing” yet.)

When I discovered GoodReads, I’d considered all my problems solved. And they were, for a while. But eventually I came across a few books that I wanted to read that weren’t in the Goodreads library. Additionally, I wanted to alter my book tracking demographics in ways that Goodreads wouldn’t allow. I wanted more from the “stats” section.

In the late months of 2013, I decided to start tracking my TBR list not only on Goodreads, but also separately via google docs. This would avoid many of the problems I’d had prior with Goodreads’ list manipulability, and also, I’d have the list in case anything ever happened to the Goodreads website. This list, in MS Excel format, is now “complete.”

The list includes what I am currently reading as well as my entire “to-read” list. It is extensive…256 items long. WOW. (ahem… and growing).

I was surprised with how many books I had on my list. Interestingly, I was equally surprised with how many books I instantly recalled – this is three years of TBR-ing I’m reviewing! Some books that I reviewed from the GoodReads list did not make the excel perma-list. If I couldn’t remember adding it, and then reviewed the book on GoodReads and couldn’t figure out why I added it, it got deleted. This happened… twice. HA!

The most significant shock in reviewing my TBR list was how many non-fiction books were on it! Throughout my adult reading life, I’ve been … preoccupied with nonfiction.  I think a good portion of this is due to my graduate work – law, then history and public policy. It left very little time for fiction reading (which at the time I considered “free” reading. Now, reading is reading is reading). However, most of the actual reading I’ve done the last few years has been fiction-based.

Shockingly, 45% of the books on my current “to read” list are non-fiction. My perception before beginning this project of transferring my list to a different, more manipulable format, was that I would have far less non-fiction. However, in the process of re-writing the list, I was floored by how much non-fiction it encompassed. Sometimes I find that I miss going to school, as a result, I do have clear memories of repeatedly seeking out non-fiction books to add to my TBR list, so that I can “keep the education alive.” Now, I actually have to start reading them!

There isn’t a terrible ton of repeating authors on my list. Which I am pleased about. Some of my favorite authors, Gaiman and Erdrich, are on there multiple times. And, I suspect after reading “Start Here: Volume 2” there may be some more repeats, but overall I’m pleased with the diversity. I have authors from several different countries and backgrounds as well – in both the fiction and non-fiction categories.

I’m also tracking when the book is added to the TBR list, how long it takes me to read each book, what my “rating” was, and if I read the book in paper or ebook. So, eventually I will have even more awesome data on my reading habits to sort through.

Over the past 2 years, I’ve become obsessed with bookriot.com. For anyone who reads this blog, that is not news. BookRiot has heavily influenced my TBR list with 37.5% of the books on it being recommended to me by BookRiot – the only other larger category in my “recommendation source” field is “unknown.” I suspect many of those books I also heard about on BookRiot, I just don’t remember.

I anticipate that much of my early-year reading in 2014 is going to be BookRiot heavy. However, I am excited to check out many of these non-fiction titles on this list. Being able to handle each title, one-by-one, to rework this list really got me excited about reading this year! Not that I wasn’t already, but just amped it up a bit.
Who else keeps track of their reading habits? Is there anything else you think I should be tracking?

My Local Indie

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book buying, books, bookstores, independent books store, reading

Confession: Until recently, I had not visited my local independent bookstore.

Shame.

I heart books. So why hadn’t I been to my local indie? I see it all the time, located just a door down from one of my favorite lunch spots, the Book House beckons me during many a lunch hour. I often promise myself I’ll come back when I have more time, to check it out, get lost in it. But I never had.

Then, this holiday season Sherman Alexie spearheaded “Indies First” and the whole bookternet was a-buzz with local writers hand-selling books at independent bookstores in their neighborhood on Small Business Saturday. I checked out the event’s website to see if any authors would be at The Book House. Alas, no one was scheduled, but I decided this would finally be the time I visited the store, regardless.

So, I did. I had some gift ideas in mind for family – maybe I’d pick them up there. As soon as I entered I delighted that it was just oozing bookishness and I wanted to grab a book off the shelf and just make myself at home for a while. But I didn’t, barely resisting;  instead I perused the shelves, pouring over the wonderful hand-written recommendations for various books. This place was just wonderful – an untapped treasure, just down the road from my home. Perfection.

Confession: I bought 4 books. None were gifts. Whoops?

Buying four books in my first venture means I probably won’t be needing to go back there all that soon, but when I’m in need of some new paper volumes – to The Book House, I shall head. In fact, there’s another short story collection calling my name, one I’ll want a paper copy of, I anticipate another visit in my near future.
Do you visit your local bookstore? How do you like it?

What I’m Loving Lately

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amazon, book riot, books, harper collins, podcasts, publishing, reading, tea

Recently, I’ve come on to a few new products/websites/services that I’m absolutely loving, and they deserve a shout out.

1. Republic of Tea – this is not new. It’s just new to me. Well, relatively new to me. I’ve been on it numerous times, pining for their teas, but hadn’t bought anything – until recently. I picked up some of their rooibus teas – “Get Relaxed” and “Get Some Zzzs” – both are living up to their promises. I also picked up their loose leaf “Celebration Tea” and it’s just a delight! When I bought the teas I had purchased enough for the free gift of their Ginger Peach – also lovely. All of these teas are fragrant and flavorful. Each is just a bit of luxury in your cup. If you like teas, and you haven’t tried this group yet, I strongly urge you to!

2. Longform.org. Do you frequently come across longer than average articles while perusing the internet during your lunch break and not have enough time to finish them? Do you want to find more articles of depth and substance and be able to save them to another location so you can repeatedly come back to them? Longform.org is just what you’re looking for. I’ve found so many interesting articles there, and have even been able to send them to my kindle for more time-appropriate reading. Love!

3. Ok this is a big one. I have previously professed my love for the website BookRiot on this blog. They are a.w.e.s.o.m.e. However, now they have a podcast – and a podcast app for both apple and android. It’s a weekly podcast, running about an hour (usually a bit more, to all listeners’ delight). I listen while I run and commute, mostly. And I adore it. I did not know I was interested in “all that’s new in the world of books” other than what might be some new reads. But, I am! I find out about cool things that are going on in the publishing industry – like how bad ass HarperCollins is, or Amazon’s new matchbook service. If you like books, reading, fun/cool people with soothing voices and interesting things to say, and best of all absolutely ridiculously awesome episode titles that make you want to listen to the whole hour plus to find out how exactly “Wet Lettuce Blankets” is referenced in conversation – then this is the spot for you. AND… AND… new books! Always! I almost hate listening to it while commuting because I can’t stop and take note of all the awesome and fun books mentioned (PS – podcast a heavy influence in the upcoming TBR post.)

Just listen to it, do it now – there’s 33 episodes for you to catch up on. Do you have New Year’s day off? Great, you can almost catch up.

What are you loving lately?

Short Stories

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fiction, literature, reading, short stories

I cannot be the only person who wanted absolutely nothing to do with short stories after high school english was over. They seemed a positively pointless bit of writing that were forced down the throats of teenagers everywhere for purposes of torture, solely.

Despite my adolescent distaste for short stories, there had been one I was always partial to: Bartleby the Scrivener, by Herman Melville. Something always just stuck with me about his whole “I’d prefer not to” comment. Perhaps it was the fact that I preferred not to be reading short stories?

It wasn’t until many years after high school, when I found myself stuck in a job where I had literally nothing to do for days on end that I rediscovered short stories. I mean, honestly, reading a novel at your desk is just tacky and unprofessional. But a short story on your computer? You look busy! I began with re-reading Melville’s story, and then moved on to others.

Then I discovered that many of my favorite authors and written loads of short stories. Bradbury, King, Gaiman. Uh, hello?! Awesome fiction in quick doses? Game on!

I’ve since acquired a few collections of short stories, for dabbling on during and in between novel, and non-fiction works. These include a collection of Bradbury short stories, a collection of Chekhov stories, and a collection of short stories called The Weird by various sci-fi, horror, and related genre writers. It’s awesome.
How do you feel about short stories? Have you tried any out? Do you sometimes lament about not reading more, but aren’t sure how exactly to get back into it? Don’t want to commit yourself to an entire novel you might not like? Short story-it-up, folks!

The Shining by Stephen King

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authors, book reviews, horror, king, Stephen King, The Shining

Wow. Just wow.

This book was quintessential Stephen King. As if you weren’t expecting that going in – but seriously, creep factor: 10.

Now, this was another case of having seen the movie before reading the book, which I think might be the case for many people. Now, the movie is a horror classic. And, I will agree, that Jack Nicholson was a spot on casting call! He was perfect. (Wendy though, honestly, what were they thinking casting that woman?)

Now the basic plot line, if you’ve seen the movie, you know. Nothing shocking on the basic plot. However, what I was most surprised about is that some of the most iconic moments of the movie were not in the book. That’s just the other way around! Usually, the best parts of the book are left out – but they are not replaced with something else awesome. Yet, as momentous as the movie is – the book is still better. Much better. In fact, there were a lot of small things that seemed changed for no good reason. In the book, the creepy, super haunted room is 217, in the movie 237. Why change it? In the book, there’s so much more development of the characters, the setting, the plot over all. There’s so much more to know about Danny and Wendy, and so so so much more to know about Jack. And the Overlook? Don’t even get me started.

I’ll tell you, when Jack sat in the basement, going through the scrapbook of the Overlook’s history (before things got super creepy) and became fascinated with the research and writing about it – man, did I get goosebumps. I do miss that, and it did spark something in me for sure. I just love the research – I love the hunt. I mean, not to the “all work and no play” extent – drinking imaginary martinis and such.

Anyway, if you haven’t read this book yet, and you liked the movie, I would strongly recommend a reading. An insanely awesome twist on a story you were previously familiar with. If you haven’t seen the movie, then you should definitely read the book. With Halloween approaching soon, this is a timely recommendation, if I do say so myself.

Additionally, prior to finishing the book I had been loathe to consider the idea of supporting a re-make of the movie. I mean Nicholson is awesome. But now that I’ve completed the book, I would totally support a remake,  a really good remake, that incorporated some of the crazy creep that King originally put into the story. Who would the get to play Jack though? Nicholson is too old – it would need to be stellar casting, for sure.
I’m looking forward the The Shining’s long awaited sequel coming out this month: Doctor Sleep!

 

Joyland by Stephen King

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authors, horror, Joyland, reading, Stephen King

It had been a long time since I’d read Stephen King. But this book was $7 and change pre-order on amazon, so I figured this was as good a time as any to jump back on the King train.

After Cloud Atlas (amazing book), this was a nice follow up. A quick read – took me a few hours over the course of a weekend, and fun. It wasn’t your typical King horror/gore. But a good murder mystery, actually.

It was a story about love lost, carines, and a serial killer. King pushes the pace of the story, keeping in line with his supernatural tendencies and foul language. I didn’t mind at all. If you’ve got a late summer beach vacation planned, I would totally recommend this book for a bring along.

King was one of the first authors I truly liked. I had others, to be sure, and have had others since. But as a long standing author who I appreciate and am willing to read with regularity, King is certainly at the top of the list. There’s all sorts of book snob debate about whether or not King as a good author or some trash. The man is not a literary genius, I think we can all agree on that. However, he is an amazing, amazing storyteller. And yes, he’s a good writer. His style keeps readers engaged, keeps pushing the story forward. In an era where fewer and fewer children and young adults are reading actual books, writers like King are literacy necessities. Let’s be honest.

A few days after finishing this book I read an article in the New York Times Magazine on the King family. What a fascinating read that was – check it out if you have the time. In it, I came across the term “Stephen King completist” – those that wish to read everything King has ever written. (Is there a list somewhere?) This is an interesting challenge. One that I think I’ll informally take on. I have no particular dreams of doing it in any set time, but I think I’ll give it a go- he’s pretty reliable for an entertaining read. Plus, I’ve easily read over a dozen of his books already (so that should put me like 1-2% complete, right?)

I don’t think I’d be able to read solely King books. I need to switch it up. But I’m going to start integrating him into my reading lists a bit more. Right now I’m reading The Shining. I’m maybe a third of the way through. I’ve seen the movie a few times, but never actually read the book. Thought I’d give it a go with the sequel (wow I cannot spell that word) coming this fall.

What are your thoughts on King? Love him or leave him?

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

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authors, book reivews, creativity, favorite books, five stars, reading

Five Stars!

Honestly, this book… THIS BOOK. By the third chapter, the following thought was creeping into my head: “This may be one of my most favorite books of all time.” THREE CHAPTERS.

Oh my god. I don’t even know where to being.

This book is 6 different stories, intertwined. The narrative moves forward, chronologically, through half of each story, and then spins it all around in reverse chronological order, finishing each story and fulfilling the questions you had about how one relates to another. The tiniest things, interconnected. One life lends itself to the next. Ah-may-zing. Additionally, 6 fantastic endings, all with different emotions, messages, and varying levels of conclusion.

This concept is so unlike any other book I’ve ever read. Who thinks of something like this? David Mitchell, apparently. Literary genius, if you ask me. Each story is so incredibly unique, it’s almost hard to believe a single author was able to pull this off. Each chapter/story a new voice, a new time period, a new setting, a new set of research, a new slew of characters. And each story absolutely riveting. It could’ve been six separate novellas, but the way they string together – sometimes blatantly, sometimes subtly – is absolute pure creative brilliance.

I had dreams about this book and many of its characters – mostly Sonmi-451. Absolutely loved her story, probably my favorite of the book. She invaded my dreams on a regular basis for several nights.

Admittedly, the book was a bit difficult to get into. It starts off in the 1830s with the language quite accurate for the time, making for a bit of navigational reading. However, totally worth it. Also, if the book jacket description didn’t give a brief outline of the plot (6 stories, over time, running together), I probably would’ve been totally lost as to what in the heck I was reading. But, going in with that knowledge, and the absolutely like masterminded story-telling of David Mitchell, I can say I am absolutely a fan. (As if you hadn’t figured that out by now.)

Go read this book, immediately.

Now I suppose I can watch the movie, though I’m positive that given my love of the book its cinematic take will be somewhat disappointing – it almost always is.