 Icelandic cafe decor. These are color coordinated books that look cool, but the books have been cut away about 3 inches from the spine so that they can be displayed. The bookshelves don't need to be full sized this way, but the books are unreadable.
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 The Overstory. Richard Powers. 2018. Over the past year and a half, a number of people have recommended this book to me. So, I was very excited to start it and was looking forward to really getting into a novel. So many people I really like told me I was going to love this book. And I really tried.
At the beginning, the book is a series of short stories about people. The loose theme that more of less held the stories together was the relationship between the humans and trees. Some of these vignettes resonated with me. Some did not. I kept waiting for the stories to relate to each other. but it felt disjointed. The book is basically a love story to trees and if you really love trees, the science of them and the beauty of them, then you will probably love this book. I discovered I do not love trees in this way. I found the woo-woo, quasi-natural science spouted by some of the characters droned on and I found that a distraction from the human story line, which did, eventually, after a very long time, sort of pull together in interesting ways. It just took so long and there were so very many words in the way of getting there. It is a true novel in that sense: so wordy and narrative. I am saying that here as if it was a bad thing, which it was. It felt like Moby Dick or Charles Dickens, something I was assigned to read in high school English class and never did get drawn into. Smart, thoughtful, symbolic, and very...long. Perhaps more than anything about this book, the entire time I read this book I was reminded of my friend, Nancy. She would have loved this book. She loved trees and she loved to talk about trees. Whenever we went somewhere new, she studied the trees and when we walked, she would tell me all about the trees. I never cared about the science, but I loved being with her and so I tolerated her tree lectures. But I'll also admit that while I listened, I didn't retain any of that tree knowledge. That love of scientific nature pulsed through her. She also loved a good, wordy novel with fancy vocabulary and that took pages to describe something mundane in great detail. It seems to me that this is the kind of book that people I really love really love. It just isn't the kind of book that I love a lot. Although, I did love that I've spent the last ten days thinking a lot about Nancy. If you liked The Overstory, try Mink River. It left with me with the same sense that if I were just a little bit more intellectual, I would surely have loved this beautiful, authentic piece of literature. Recommended by Evangeline.  The Great Alone. Kristin Hannah. 2017. Although I did not know what I was getting into before I started, it didn't take long before I took a deep sigh and realized I'd gotten myself into a story about domestic violence. As a general rule, I don't read fiction about intimate violence anymore. I get enough of it at work and supporting people I care about who are navigating trauma. But this book, written by the author of one of my favorite reads, The Nightingale, refused to be put down. Hannah's writing is so compelling and her characters so real. I love that they are flawed and complicated, especially in this story of isolation in rural Alaska where it would be so easy to create one-dimensional tropes based on stereotypes. The early scenes of violence and, particularly, the ways in which the targets justify, excuse, and explain the abuse is shocking and painful because their voice is so consistent with what I have heard from survivors who blame themselves. Several times, I almost stopped reading because it felt like the author believed those explanations, but it seemed like every time I was about to give up on it, there was a glimmer that the story was going deeper. I am so glad I stuck it out to the end. There is nothing sappy or sweet about this book, but it is powerful. Even the ending, which is not predictable, felt right to me. This is a hard, but great read. Highly recommend. Recommended by Stephanie. Dodie tried to recommend it, too, but it was taken. Next up: The Overstory, which has been recommended by several people, but never at a time when there was an opening, so I am really looking forward to it.  Second Hand Curves. Drew Hayes. 2017. This is from the genre of books where the author re-imagines fairy tales. I have read several like this, the only one of which I have really liked is Wicked. This one combines many classics. Once the first one is revealed, though, many of them are easily predicted, although others were stretched thin so it was harder to guess them until you were supposed to. The author worked hard to pull the stories together in a cohesive manner, but I just didn't love it. Unlike something like Wicked where I really felt drawn into the world, this one was too scattered and changed too much of the backstory to draw me in. Not recommended. Recommended by Sandra: On Audible, Second Hand Curses is a fun twist on fairy tales. Not a heavy/serious read, but might be a good break between heavier books. Up next: The Great Alone.  Say Nothing. Patrick Radden Keefe. 2018. Just wow! I was not expecting to get drawn into this book at all. This is a historical narrative written with a journalistic style. When I first started, I was seriously skeptical as it began to set forth the backdrop for the story. The book winds personal narratives of the conflict in Northern Ireland that are being amidst a culture that puts a very high value on saying nothing. I am not a fan of war stories, so a story about murder and violence during a time of political conflict just doesn't much appeal to me. But this book had so many other themes to choose from. For example, the Catholic devotion to the idea of confession runs throughout. What does it mean to hold this value while at the same time being a part of a movement that insists that you stay silent. The fact that so many people involved in the conflict, so many people that committed murders, planted bombs, and engaged in other violence tactics gave detailed, recorded accounts of the things they did on the promise that these would not be released to the public until after their death speaks volumes to the need to confess. When you think about the irony that these oral histories were then used only to prosecute the people who implicated themselves and never against those who stayed quiet kept coming back to me. Confessions, accusations, guilt, and shame impacted how folks made sense of the things they did and saw others do. I was also struck by the ability of these communities to keep a secret. Secrets relating to violence, but also the secrets related to the sexual abuse of the Catholic Church. I was heartbroken at the passing comments about the abuse that was inflicted on children, especially by those orphaned by the violence. While the author barely mentions this history, there was enough there to make me question what the actual impact on the people involved in this movement was because the mental health issues are palpable, even apart from what would be expected in the context of a life in the middle of violent conflict. There is so much heartbreak here at so many levels. That so many people would look the other way when they knew child sex abuse was occurring in the church and in families is hard to read about, even though we all know the statistics. The book does address trauma, though, pretty directly. One story line about a participant in the violence who was so traumatized by what she experienced that she was repeatedly hospitalized was particularly compelling for me. She would get drunk and call reporters to confess things she had done and implicate others who had been involved. It is a small subplot, but quite powerful. Yet another fascinating component of this story is the legal angle. Why it is that the researchers at Boston College thought their promise would be enough to protect taped confessions is beyond my comprehension. Seriously, all they had to do was hire a lawyer and have these confessions recorded in the context of the attorney-client privilege and none of the problems that followed would have happened. It is a classic example of do-it-yourself lawyering going horribly wrong. I highly recommend this one. Recommended by Joyce: Didn't follow your 2018 plan, so am not sure if this meets any unmentioned earlier criteria, but here goes: Say Nothing by Patrick Madden Keefe Recommendations that came in after the list was done. I'm putting them here in case I want to come back to them later:
Charlyn: I just finished Yale Needs Women. I had no idea things were so bad in like 1970. I remember that time!  Washington Black. Esi Edugyan. 2018.
Recommended by Bonnie: I enjoyed the first day of the new year finishing a book I really enjoyed, "Washington Black," by Esi Edugyan. Highly recommend it. Me: Sounds like a good one. Bonnie: Grateful to you for always recommending a wide selection for me! Me: Always happy to tell someone what to read...or do. Susan: I want to see your list when you get it compiled! I assume you’ll share?
Me: I definitely do. I am also putting together a blog with the lists from last three years--which is taking longer than expected. I am looking for a title. Anyone have any suggestions? *** Michele: (i personally would be so thrilled if you got a blog up and running.. i absolutely love following all of your comments and reviews!!) Me: I’m on it. It has been my winter break project. Hoping to have it up this month. Ideas for titles? Michèle: Lorena’s Reads Me: After telling Trystan, who is the best namer of things ever, that I wanted something punny or sexy, he suggested: The Book Slut. The byline would be" I'll basically get in bed with any book. But there is no way I would use "slut" or "whore" publicly to describe myself in any context, but I love the concept. If I can't come up with something catchy, then I will just use something like Lorena's Reads. It is actually really funny you suggest this because my working title has been Reynolds' Reads, so we are on the same track. Michèle: i was going to say reynolds reads, but it sounds a little too serious, i’m thinking we want a fun title right? BookFloozy ? Me: Oh, I like BookFloozy! Me: I also liked Trystan suggestion: #BookGoals Lee: Tuesday’s with Morrie
Me: I read that many years ago. My chosen grandfather gave it to me & it resonated so much. Wow, that’s probably been like 25 years ago now. You’ll have to pick another one *** Kristi: a prayer for owen meany by john irving. Me: Great suggestion, but I’ve read it. Give me another one. *** Nancy: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Me: I absolutely loved this & can’t wait to see him live in April. Do you have another suggestion? Nancy: ha! I loved this book too! Couldn’t stop thinking about it after and I don’t even watch his show. I have relatives in South Africa so it was fascinating to learn more about it Nancy: I’m not an avid reader like you. I also mostly loved Educated by Tara westover but I suspect you have already read that too. For better or worse I don’t invest time in mediocre books so I check reviews before I dive in Me: I haven't read that yet, so I am adding it. Sarah: it is a riveting story *** Wendy: Three Cups of Tea *** Ryan: The brother’s K by David James Duncan Me: That is agreed one, but I’ve already read it. You are going to have a tough time beating The Girl From Corona Del Mar from the 2018 recommend list. I really loved that one. Ryan: Yeah that one was great! How about The Mysteries of Pittsburgh? Me: Never heard of it. I’ll read it. *** Sarah: Circe by Madeline Miller. Me: Read it. Try another! Sarah: It's my standard recommendation right now. Station Eleven by Emily St John *** Dodie: The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Me: Stephanie already claimed this one. Do you have another suggestion? Dodie: another book by her, The Nightingale, historical fiction about the German occupation of France during WWII and 2 sisters fight for survival. I like her books in that the 2 I’ve read are not only well written but have strong women characters. Also, The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn is a real page turner. Me: I've read and absolutely loved The Nightingale. I will put The Woman in the Window on the list. *** Amy: Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward. Me: Read it. Another? Me: One Long River of Song: Notes on Wonder by Brian Doyle Me: Alas, One Long River is not available in audio... Amy: Trust Exercise, Susan Choi. It was also on President Obama’s favorite books list from 2019. I agree. It has a surprising twist. Also can add that I don’t recommend Topeka School, even tho it’s getting f lots of press. It’s supposed to be an exploration of toxic masculinity, but it feels a little too celebratory for my taste *** Tiffany: How to change your mind. Michael pollan Me: Molly already did this one, so pick another one. Molly: My family and other animals Gerald Durrell Me: Molly, you don't get another one. You already have How to Change. Tiffany had to pick another one. *** Janay: Along with your rules, could you list all the books you've already read so we don't accidentally recommend one of them? I'm afraid of what the sanctions might be . . . !!!! Me: I cannot imagine how long it would take to list all the books I have read. If you pick something I read, you just have to pick another one until you hit on one I haven’t read. Janay: I'm really old now, y'know! i could just keel over at the keyboard, finger poised above the send key, never sending my list of 25,000 possibilities! Just assume that the last year was so unpleasant that I read the entire Michael Connelly oeuvre and all of the No. 1 Ladies Detective series for anesthesia. Me: I’ve read the first one. Should your recommendation be for book 2 or do you want to pick an alternative? Janay: My days are numbered. I'll just let myself be attracted by some random shiny object. Or chocolate. Anesthesia has a big role in my life. *** Karen: Mink River by Brian Doyle. I read this as a prompt for a book set in Oregon. It is something I wouldn’t have normally read, and it really stuck with me. Me: I read that one two years ago on this same recommendation list. Do you have another one? Edit or delete this Karen: The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner. One of my favorites from the Oregon Battle of the Books list last year. Theresa: The Birth House, by Ami McKay.
Me: Sadly, not available in audio...another one? Theresa: Any thing by that author is good Me: What about The Witches of New York? Theresa: I loved that one too. *** Lisa: Don't Alienate the Kids! by Bill Eddy. And I recommend to everyone in your office to recommend it to all clients. I only just read it a few months ago and I wish I had read it years ago. Me: I love this author and recommend Splitting all the time. However, this one isn't in audio format and the chances of my reading a paper book anytime soon is slim. Do you have another option? ***
I used to read paper books, too. In fact, I come from a family of readers. But I read so much on paper at work now that when I read for leisure, I want it to be easy. I rarely read on paper for fun anymore.  My parents, brother, & I on vacation before I stopped reading paper books. In fact, I think this was the last vacation I took printed books with me. You can imagine, then, how much I love the instant access that is now available online. I use Audible, Learning Ally, Audiobooks, and sometimes OverDrive (Libby). I still speed the up. The speed of the original narration determines how much. A lovely southern drawl can sometime go to triple speed! My family hates the high speed noise, so if I can convince them to listen along, I'll slow it down, especially if it is Jim Dale , Davina Porter, Wil Wheaton, Katherine Kellgren, or Ralph Cosham.  My dad, reading to my kids again. ***Excepts from online banter about audio books: My brother, Trystan: Have you read As Meat Loves Salt? Me: No audio? You read a book on paper? Really? Try again. Trystan: You said you read a book a week! I thought that’s what you meant! Me: Have you ever met me? Give me another one!! Trystan: Far from the Tree? There’s an audio version of that one— read by the author, which is actually a good thing. He’s a great reader (also a friend, so I may be biased). Me: Trystan, Seriously? I am almost 100% certain I recommended that to you! I absolutely love that book. I didn’t know you knew the narrator, who was great. I assign the chapter on conception by rape in the sociology class I teach. Third time is the charm? *** Jennifer: PS How in the hell do you find time to read a book a week? I am on fastest readers I know but by God, I don't have that kind of time! Me: Audio books on high speed while doing every loathsome task I have to do Jennifer: Oh! Ok. I love me some Audible too. Me: I have Audible, Audiobooks, Learning Ally, & the public library app. I’m a totally junky. Heather: I never ever listen to audiobooks. I love actually reading, finding the time is hard but I love nothing more than to sit with a book. Jennifer: Perhaps you are predominantly a visual learner? I’m primarily an auditory learner; so audio books are perfect for me. *** Amy: The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry! Me: I don’t think there’s an audio version, Amy. Do you have another suggestion? Amy: It has to be audio? Me: Yes. I hardly ever read on paper & my list of only-available-in-paper-format is at least three years long. But I plow through the audio books. But also, my 50 books list for 2018 is full. *** No audio version for We Were Witches, so Nora went with The Antelope Wife. *** Lisa: The illustrated memoir - The Best We Could Do- is a beautiful book, but only if you read it on paper! *** Julie: Do you use Audbile only, or do you use the public library overdrive system too? Me: I sometimes do, but I hate waiting. *** Rhonda: I like to support the library. Me: I read everything on audio book. The library system is fine if you have a lot of time & patience to invest in waiting for what you want or for the next book in the series. I would rather just buy it, which also thereby supports the authors, publishers, & editors that produce the works I want to read. Maybe when I retire I’ll go back to the library system. In the meantime, I’ve spent enough money on library fines in my past to have funded ten times what I lost or returned late. It’s probably cheaper for me to just be buying them anyhow. Rhonda: I hear you! Those lost books are such a pain. |
AuthorI'll read anything a friend recommends & I love telling people what I think about it. Every year, I read 50 books recommended by 50 different friends. Welcome to My 50 Bookish Friends Blog. SearchCategories
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