How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read

Quote from the book I was telling you all about at the book club--by Pierre Bayard:

The paradox of reading is that the path toward ourselves passes through books, but that this must remain a passage. It is a traversal of books that a good reader engages in-a reader who knows that every book is the bearer of part of himself and can give him access to it, if only he has the wisdom not to end his journey there.

(pg. 178)

VBPL Recommends

For those of you who may not know: Katie, Lennis and I are contributing book reviews/recommendations on a group blog along with other VB library staff. Feel free to subscribe for great recommendations every week!

The site is VBPL Recommends.

Or if you what to see what the three of us have reviewed individually, here are Katie, Lennis and my reviews.

Happy reading.

I just came across this quote and thought I'd share...

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be digested and chewed. -- Francis Bacon

Here's hoping you're doing a lot of chewing!

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

After our discussion of How I Live Now, I was reminded of another young adult book I read last October called Unwind. Unwind also puts teens in extraordinary circumstances where they are required to grow up quickly and take care of themselves.

The story takes place after a war between Pro-Life and Pro-Choice has ended, and a compromise has been decided on where abortion is illegal, but parents can decide to "unwind" their children between the ages of 13 and 17. The process of unwinding involves donating all of the teens' body parts to those who need them. For various reasons, Connor, Risa, and Lev are on the run from the officers who enforce the unwinding process.

There is also an added twist with the practice of "storking." This involves leaving a baby on someone's doorstep. If the family doesn't catch you leaving the baby, they have to take it in as their own.

The story is at times exciting and heartbreaking. I was impressed with Shusterman's ability to write a story about such a controversial topic without pushing his own opinion on the reader. I could not tell from reading the novel whether he was Pro-Life or Pro-Choice.

Unwind is one of the best young adult novels I've ever read, and I can't say enough good things about it. I couldn't put it down.

Coraline

Please remind me to read more of Neil Gaiman. Strike that. Remind me to listen to Neil Gaiman tell one of his entrancing tales. Yes his talents are many. Not only does he create a new world to explore but he makes it come alive by giving voice to all the characters that people his world.

Meet Coraline. No its not Caroline although the man who lives upstairs can't help mispronounce it. She lives with her parents and in an Alice in Wonderland turn of events finds a passageway to an alternate universe through a door in the living room. This is when it gets good. Meet the Other Mother and the Other Father who welcome Coraline and urge her to stay with them. There is something very strange however about these Other parents. Maybe it is their black button eyes. Maybe it is the strange sense Coraline gets by their insistent offerings.

Gaiman, yes, I need to read more of his stuff. Read his journal if you've got the time. Kick back and relax a bit...

Short Stories

Since the book club meeting I've had the time to think about some other short story collections I have read in the past year or so. I believe I mentioned the stories set in Texas. The title of the collection is Corpus Christi by Bret Anthony Johnston. Honestly I don't remember much about the stories except that I enjoyed them. He is a young writer and doesn't have any other books out.

The other writer who I definitely recommend is Grace Paley. I read Enormous Changes at the Last Moment and loved both the writing and the feeling behind the words. After reading up on her life Paley always felt like someone I would like to sit and have a cup of tea with. I would have to try hard and not ask her where the story ends and her life begins.

And just while I was writing this I remembered Flannery O'Connor. She writies some powerful short stories. Strange, memorable characters with cloudy intentions dominate the stories I have read of hers. A Good Man is Hard to Find is one of my favorites.

Anyone have any recommendations, short stories or otherwise?

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Knowing that slavery was a prevalent theme in this book both attracted and repelled me. I think it is good to look at that time period in U.S. history but I knew that some of the scenes might be more violent than I would like. The violence was there but the book is written in such a way as to help someone understand the mentality of the slave and the slaveholder. And of course this is sci-fi so you get it from the perspective of someone from today. A fascinating, highly recommended read!

Open Thread: One Hundred Years

I thought it might be nice to have a post up that can allow the conversation to continue regarding our last book. I know that a couple of people missed the book club and some of us have not yet finished the book (me!).

So here's the space (in the comments) if anyone has thoughts on One Hundred Years of Solitude.

*Addition*: Interesting review of the book

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

Pollan continues to impress me with this book in which he exposes the faulty science that contributes to the cult of nutritionism that runs rampant in our culture. With regards to food selection we Americans have certainly lost our way. We trust the claims of a food industry that wants us to buy their products and leave our health behind. Pollan gives recommendations for eating and they are simple reminders of common sense. Don't eat what you cannot pronounce. Stay towards the perimeter of the grocery store when shopping and try to get out of the supermarket whenever possible (i.e. farmer's markets). Don't believe the health hype printed on packaged foods--remember they are only trying to sell a product that may or may not contain "real" food. End of soapbox--let the food revolution begin with you!

The Fire Eaters by David Almond

This is the third book by Almond I've read and I grow to love his stories all the more. The world is on the brink of catastrophe during the Cuban Missile Crisis while young Bobby Burns goes about his life in the quiet environs of a forgotten seaside town. Almond weaves in the magic of past experiences and how they trail us into the present moment. So much here to ponder and reflect upon.

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

I'm still exploring the science fiction genre and I think that Scalzi's effort here is a worthy addition to the canon. When he turns 75 John Perry enters the Colonial Forces and leaves earth forever. Equipped with a new body he discovers that life is very different in the alien-populated universe. Action scenes are nicely balanced with intriguing conversations about imagined technologies and the very real human emotions of loss and hope.

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

Xenocide is the third in this series by Card that started with Ender’s Game and The Speaker for the Dead. I read Ender’s Game for an online class I took in the fall through RUSA and enjoyed it immensely. Though I have read just a little sci-fi in the past I found similar themes in Card’s work that I enjoy in literary fiction: questions of morality, racism and the search for a spiritual context. The primary difference with this series is the back-drop and the gadgetry that fills this world. Ender’s Game focuses on Ender Wiggin, boy genius, and the training he receives in war games to help fight the dreaded Buggers, insect-like aliens. Speaker for the Dead and Xenocide shift thousands of years into the future where we still have Ender (thanks to the time-defying effects of space travel) but he is an adult living on a frontier planet that also has another sentient species. Let the fun begin!

The flowers cometh

After seeing Wayne's lovely garden on Saturday evening I thought I would post a couple of photos of the flowers in my near vicinity.







Enjoy the season of blooms!

Looking for the Way

I made this post for class but thought that it would be appropriate for sharing here.

I've been a spiritual seeker for some years immersing myself in experiences and texts to try and "find peace" or "know God". I used to read a vast amount of inspirational material from various religious traditions as well as the works of gurus and guides from Krishnamurti and Gangaji to Eckert Tolle and Carlos Castenada. At the time I loved these inner and outer explorations carried by the words of the blessed, beloved and magical. After a while though I got burnt out. Too much of a good thing as they say...But one text I keep around is the Tao Te Ching, specifically the translation by Stephen Mitchell.

Here I can get a taste of the essence without all of the hullabaloo and nonsense that accompany religions and spiritual teachers. (My opinion of course!) The Tao speaks of a style of living that strips away the extraneous and returns you to the core. Mitchell's translation transforms the writings of a long ago Asian mystic (though little is known of Lao-tzu) into simple poetry that can be digested by today's readers. Let me share a small sampling of the verse:

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Himalaya

I listened to Himalaya and could therefore enjoy the soothing voice of Palin as he recounted a year spent in and around the tallest of mountain ranges. Palin and his crew start their trek in Pakistan and make their way through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, China, the area of China formerly known as Tibet, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. This is no mere travelogue however since Palin is famous in his own right (BBC and Monty Python) and can therefore gain an audience with luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, the King of Tibet and other dignitaries of cities and villages through which they travel. Palin has a keen eye for the traditions and customs of the different cultures and his descriptions easily transported me to the exotic locales.

I have read a little travel literature over the years and Palin's story ranks up there with some of the best I've read. Having his roots in theater and comedy, Palin is quite engaging and his dry humor brings forth unexpected chortles and gasps. I could visit places that I may never experience and see these foreign lands through an interesting and educating lens. I am keen to read Palin's "Sahara" and watch the accompanying DVD series that gives the visual aspect to this himalayan journey.

A new year

Well, here it is 2008 already! Today marks the beginning of my second sememster in grad school and I'm dreading the thought of all the work ahead!

Wish I could say I've read a whole bunch of great books during my month-long break, but there just wasn't time. I did read the trilogy, His Dark Materials, by Philip Pullman (which includes The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass) and greatly enjoyed all three.

I'm definitely looking forward to our book club selections since that will undoubtedly be the only pleasure reading I'll be doing in the months to come!

Detour

Well, isn't life such that you can be certain of what you will be doing and then, as it turns out, your certainty becomes questionable. As you all know, I left some time ago for Hampshire College in Massachusetts, to continue my education. At Hampshire I could find many of the things I was looking for, such as new lessons, experienced teachers, and an academic community of friends and colleagues, all of this set in a peaceful, New England countryside. However, this school lacked what I needed most. As classes began I felt at odds with the educational system and entered into a personal struggle. For the last two years I have studied independently and wrote of reflections, thoughts, and concepts, in time centering on education and social reform. I had underestimated how effective this period of study had been for myself and how it has really had no rival. From my work I had already formed convictions of how education best goes about and compulsion over how students are to perform their studies is a considerable one. In addition to the influence of coercion over education, the focuses of the classes continually brought me back to my studies and my writing. It increasingly felt as if I had left this work unfinished. Overall, I knew I would remain in opposition at Hampshire and that what I truly needed was to continue on as my own teacher and progress with my own ideas. I know that I can only achieve very little alone and that I must eventually cooperate with others, but for now I will keep to what has propelled me so far. And so, after all this, in order to go forward I had to go back. I have left Hampshire and returned to Virginia Beach once more.

My plan is to return to the library. I left Oceanfront Area Library in good standing and my recent Starbucks experience is a fine addition to my history. In time, I hope to advance to the library technician position and remain with that, or move further up, for some time. After accumulating enough experience I intend to look for offerings of the same job at libraries elsewhere and, under the right circumstances, move away. To be honest, I have had thoughts about living in Alaska for some time, the city of Anchorage being shown here. I find the idea of living in a place surrounded by great mountains and woods, distanced from the United States but not excluded from it, and which is never, ever humid to be very appealing. But it's just a thought. I can't know precisely what may come but I know that I will do what I am certain is best for myself and others. Despite the expectation of a straight path, detours do arise. Nevertheless, it is much harder to fail if you never give up. So, I'll keep going. I look forward to seeing you all at the next book club meeting. Until then, take care.

Michael

Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

I've already told some of you about this book but for those who I haven't talked to this is for you! I read most of this while up in New York on vacation and I felt it especially poignant since there were so many farm stands about. Pollan tells of four different meals that make it to the American plate and what processes happen in order for it to happen. Industrial, Big Organic, Local and Hunter/Gatherer. Lots of eye-opening information told with a charming style that highlights the stories of the people involved. Pollan also presents the different sides with a journalistic touch that keeps the discussion open when it would be easy to characterize a complex situation black or white. I've also read his Botany of Desire which talks about the relationship between humans and four different plants. Prepare to be amazed and intrigued!

Yeah Michael!

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

"Before she became ill, David's mother would often tell him that stories were alive. They weren't alive in the way that people were alive, or even dogs or cats. People were alive whether you chose to notice them or not, while dogs tended to make you notice them if they decided that you weren't paying them enough attention. Cats, meanwhile, were very good at pretending people didn't exist at all when it suited them, but that was another matter entirely.

Stories were different, though: they came alive in the telling. Without a human voice to read them aloud, or a pair of wide eyes following them by flashlight beneath a blanket, they had no real existence in our world. They were like seeds in the beak of a bird, waiting to fall to earth, or the notes of a song laid out on a sheet, yearning for an instrument to bring their music into being. They lay dormant, hoping for the chance to emerge. Once someone started to read them, they could begin to change. They could take root in the imagination, and transform the reader. Stories wanted to be read, David's mother would whisper. They needed it. It was the reason they forced themselves from their world into ours. They wanted us to give them life."

This wonderful book is essentially a fairy tale for adults, and is a real book-lover's book! Enjoy!