As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves

BOO!!!

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:02:00 +0000

Sorry kids - lots of spammers have forced me to enable comment moderation - hopefully they will soon go away, so I don't have to put you through this for too long.....=(

I'll get everyone's comments approved as soon as I can. BOO to spammers!!

Movie Reviews - Good Morning, Night and The Namesake

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:37:00 +0000

A couple more movie reviews for the Orbit Terrarum Film mini-challenge:

Good Morning, Night (Italy)

Plot summary from IMDB: The 1978 kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, president of the most important political party in Italy at the time, Democrazia Cristiana, as seen from the perspective of one of his assailants -- a conflicted young woman in the ranks of the Red Brigade.

My thoughts:

I thought this was an interesting look at a terrorist act from the perspective of the terrorist. Not knowing much about the political landscape of Italy in the 1970s, I don't know whether or not Moro was a good guy or bad guy, but can assume that kidnapping a political rival is never a good way to go. The lead actress was stunning and powerful in her role of brainwashed terrorist slowly beginning to feel sympathy for the man she helped to imprison. Parts were strangely surreal, and I found these to be jarring, as the tone of much of the movie was somber and tense. I'm interested enough to seek out books on the subject. Recommended if the subject is something that grabs your attention.

The Namesake (India)

Plot summary from IMDB: American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.

My thoughts:

Well, the book was better. (Who's surprised?) In fairness, this was a very good movie, well adapted and very true to the tone and content of the novel. I felt that Tabu, the beautiful actress who played Ashima, was perfectly cast. She portrayed such a range of emotions, from lonely and frightened new bride to startled and disapproving mother to heartbroken widow. I thought the relationship between Ashima and Ashoke was wonderfully captured, and felt it was the strongest part of the movie. I was a bit disappointed by the treatment of Gogol's name - his struggle with coming to terms with his identity was such a central part of the novel, and I didn't think the movie gave that part of the story enough emphasis. Overall, though, I was pleased, and would recommend the movie.

Poe Fridays (on Saturday)

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:22:00 +0000

This week's Poe selection is a poem, The Bells. If you are not familiar with this gem, I'll reprint the first stanza:

HEAR the sledges with the bells -
                    Silver bells!
What a world of merriment their melody foretells!
          How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle,
                In the icy air of night!
          While the stars that oversprinkle
          All the heavens, seem to twinkle
                With a crystalline delight;
             Keeping time, time, time,
             In a sort of Runic rhyme,
To the tintinnabulation that so musically wells
     From the bells, bells, bells, bells,
                    Bells, bells, bells -
  From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells.

But really, you should read the whole thing - you can do that here.

Last week I said I was feeling burned out on Poe - this week reminded me why I started this year-long project. I love this poem, and I'd forgotten how much. I love the rhythm and meter, the unusual, hypnotic rhyme. I love the way the mood of each stanza shifts, so a poem that starts out joyfully ends up in tragedy. I think each different type of bell represents a different place in a person's life - from the joy of youth to the sadness of death, and I think Poe captures this brilliantly.

Also, one of my favorite composers, Sergei Rachmaninoff, wrote a choral symphony based on this poem, and it's gorgeous. Here's the first movement, based on the stanza above:

Poe Fridays is hosted by Kristen at WeBeReading.

451 Fridays

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:48:00 +0000

All the ones I've listed are engaging, well- written and teach us something important.

1. The Giver by Louis Lowry - Reminds us that it's good that we are different.

2. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver - Our way isn't necessarily the best way for everyone throughout the world.

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - War is ugly, watch out for megalomaniacs and there is kindness to be found in humble hearts.

4. Atlas Shrugged - Socialism is scary and we need to be aware of it's sneaky entanglements.

5. Anne of Green Gables - Keeping a child-like outlook on the world and looking for the good in people and moments can bring wonder into our lives.

Of those 5, which book would you choose to "become?"

Anne of Green Gables - I think if I 'became' that book I would be a pleasure to be around and my outlook on life would be honest, child-like, refreshing and I would be filled with delight. Also, people would like to hear my story over and over again.

Do you have any favorite quotes from that book, so we know why you love it so much?

"What a splendid day! I pity people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one." - Anne

"I'd rather walk calmly along and do without the flying and the thud." - Marilla

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?" - Anne

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" - Anne

"Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing." - Anne

Thanks so much, Booklogged, for sharing with us YOUR list of books which must be saved. (And YAY for another Anne fan!!)

Do you have a list you'd like to share? Please let me know - I'd love to have you!

Baby Sam update

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:47:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who sent thoughts/prayers/bright thoughts/good vibes to this little guy -he's here! He has quite a struggle ahead, though - here's an update:

"They broke Joy's water after more than 24 hours of labor. After that she had an epidural...

and about 30 minutes later felt severe pressure. Sam was coming--but he was sticking out a FOOT. In between her water breaking and that moment he had managed to flip himself around and was breech. This presented a very scary situation in the operating room. Joy worked very hard to get him out quickly.

Samuel David Owens was born at 7:20 PM on November 18th. He weighed in at 6 pounds on the nose, and was 19 inches long. They immediately whisked him to ICU where they found several complications. His lungs were filling up with blood, and he took his very first ambulance ride at minutes old to St. Mary's hospital. Several tests were performed and we were told that Sam needed a procedure done immediately to open his atrial septum which was completely sealed shut. Kurt went with Sam, and was told that Samuel had several things going against him, and to be prepared for the worst. They did not think he would survive the procedure....

Shortly after 1 o'clock this morning weary looking doctors came in to talk with us. They told us Sam was doing WELL...but he is also a VERY sick little baby, and he has a VERY long and rocky road ahead of him. They were amazed at how remarkably strong Samuel was, and how resilient his body was.
Kurt and I were not surprised at all. We knew The Lord had done a miracle and saved our son.

We were both able to see him and touch him. He is absolutely beautiful, and we are so much in love with our new little boy already. It hurts our hearts knowing what he is up against, and what lies ahead.

Please pray for no seizures for Samuel--a very real complication right now.

Pray for his lungs and heart to heal from the procedures they did last night.

Pray for him to stabilize in general--the next few days are very fragile!!"

Thanks so much for your continued well-wishes for this family. They appreciate it more than you know!

Thursday Tunes

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:54:00 +0000

Thursday Tunes is a weekly event hosted by S. Krishna, devoted to sharing the music we love.

S. Krishna usually features a new artist each week - just to be different, I'm going to focus on a specific song, because it's the song that hooks me. There are very few artists whose entire body of work is in my MP3 player, but I have thousands of songs I love.

Have I mentioned that I have fairly eclectic musical tastes? Here's a sampling of what's been playing (loudly) at my house this week.

The Nonfiction Files

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:41:00 +0000

The Nonfiction Files is a weekly journal of my adventures reading my toppling piles of nonfiction books. I won't be posting reviews, but rather my thoughts about what I'm reading, while I'm reading it.

My current read: My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar. If you need to catch up, you can read my first posts about this book here and here.

Synopsis from publisher:

In a remote and dusty corner of the world, forgotten for nearly three thousand years, lived an ancient community of Kurdish Jews so isolated that they still spoke Aramaic--the language of Jesus. Mostly illiterate, they were self-made mystics and gifted storytellers, humble peddlers and rugged loggers who dwelt in harmony with their Muslim and Christian neighbors in the mountains of northern Iraq. To these descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel, Yona Sabar was born.

In the 1950s, after the founding of the state of Israel, Yona and his family emigrated there with the mass exodus of 120,000 Jews from Iraq--one of the world's largest and least-known diasporas. Almost overnight, the Kurdish Jews' exotic culture and language were doomed to extinction. Yona, who became an esteemed professor at UCLA, dedicated his career to preserving his people's traditions. But to his first-generation American son Ariel, Yona was a reminder of a strange immigrant heritage on which he had turned his back--until he had a son of his own.

My Father's Paradise is Ariel Sabar's quest to reconcile present and past. As father and son travel together to today's postwar Iraq to find what's left of Yona's birthplace, Ariel brings to life the ancient town of Zakho, telling his family's story and discovering his own role in this sweeping saga. What he finds in the Sephardic Jews' millennia-long survival in Islamic lands is an improbable story of tolerance and hope.

Populated by Kurdish chieftains, trailblazing linguists, Arab nomads, devout believers--marvelous characters all-- this intimate yet powerful book uncovers the vanished history of a place that is now at the very center of the world's attention.

My final thoughts:

This final section was all about the Sabars' life in America - Yona's first impressions of his new country ("They would tell you things which would never occur to me to mention to someone I just met, if ever..."); meeting the woman who would become his wife ("She sees the image of God in human beings even when they are not at their best..."); his work as a professor, and struggles with his increasingly rebellious son.

Sabar doesn't try to sugar-coat his relationship to his father. He was full of teenaged frustration, and treated his father cruelly. His adult insight into the motivations behind that behavior were interesting, and I could relate to them. Although I don't think I was ever that purposefully cruel to my parents, I know what he means when he says his father probably would have understood the feelings he wasn't mature enough to put words to.

Eventually, Sabar grows up and realizes that he might be able to learn something from his father. His attempts to connect with his father's past, and the trip they take back to Zahko, wrap up this book, and I admit I found this section the least compelling. I was much more interested in the relationship between the two men, and felt the pages of Sabar running around fruitlessly looking for his lost aunt lost some of the strong sense of personal history that I had so enjoyed until that point.

Despite that, I still recommend this book strongly. It's cast of characters is impossible not to fall in love with, and I predict you will start to think of them as members of your own family, like I did. Sabar has a wonderfully engaging storytelling style, and the pages fly past - you will be amazed at how quickly you are done, and how much you miss this fascinating, quirky, remarkable family.

Finished: 11/14/09
Source: the publisher - thank you!
Rating: 8/10

One of the reasons I started The Nonfiction Files as a weekly feature was to reinforce the idea that nonfiction isn't scary - there are so many wonderful stories to discover! If you have read a great piece of nonfiction lately, let me know, and I will link to your post on my next weekly Nonfiction Files!

I'm joined in The Nonfiction files by Jehara. If you would like to play along with us, let me know!

Review - The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:26:00 +0000

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden
originally published 1958
31 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

Ivy, Holly, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones all have one Christmas wish. Ivy, an orphan, wishes for a real home and sets out in search of the grandmother she’s sure she can find. Holly, a doll, wishes for a child to bring her to life. And the Joneses wish more than anything for a son or daughter to share their holiday. Can all three wishes come true? This festive tale is perfectly complemented by beloved Barbara Cooney’s luminous illustrations, filled with the warm glow of the Christmas spirit.

My thoughts:

"This is a story about wishing."

One of the best traditions my mom started with my sister, brother, and I as kids at Christmas was to read aloud a collection of Christmas stories. We would occasionally add a new one, but each year we knew we'd hear the story of The Little Fir Tree, A Christmas Memory, The Animals' Christmas Eve, and The Night Tree.

Of all of the books she read to us, I think my favorite was The Story of Holly and Ivy. It has everything a good fairy tale should - a little, lost girl; a doll who desperately wants to be loved; a kind-hearted family; a villianous owl. Each is perfectly written, and are just waiting, like Holly, to find a home in your heart.

"Dolls are not like us; we are alive as soon as we are born, but dolls are not really alive until they are played with."

This particular edition has the added bonus of gorgeous illustrations by Barbara Cooney - they bring the story to life. This is a wonderful read-aloud book. At it's heart, it is about making wishes and hoping for them to come true - a perfect story for Christmas.

I absolutely love this book. I hope you can find a spot for it on your shelves!

Finished: 11/14/09
Source: Forest Avenue Library
Rating: 10/10

This book counts toward;

It is worth 20 points!

Baby Sam

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:52:00 +0000

Look at that sweet little face. I'd like to introduce you to Samuel David Owens, who will be making his entrance into the world next Tuesday. Normally, this would be a joyful announcement, but for Sam's parents, this will be a very scary day.

You see, Sam has a big brother, Matthew, who was born with a very severe heart defect. Matthew is 9 years old, and has already had 8 open heart surgeries. If you are a parent, you can understand just how difficult this has been for Matt's mom and dad.

Here is Matthew (on the right) with his brother, Parker, and sister, Emma Grace. Matt is doing well now, but will always have health issues because of his fragile heart.

When Matt's parents found out they were going to have another baby, they were happy, but that happiness quickly turned into devastation - their precious, unborn baby has an even more severe heart defect that Matthew. You can read the details on his website. On Friday, Baby Sam's parents found out that he would need to be born on Tuesday - more than 1 month before his due date.

I went to high school with Sam's mom and dad, and cannot express how much I hurt for them. Joy and Kurt are, truly, shaken to their very core - please, if you have a moment, send up a prayer, a bright thought, a silent wish - if you can, pray for Baby Sam.

"Broken hearts become brand new - that's what faith can do."

Poe Fridays (on Saturday)

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:11:00 +0000

This week's selection is the short story, The Oblong Box. You can read the full text here.

Our narrator tells the story of a trip he took on a boat from Charleston to New York City. Once aboard, he realizes that an old friend is also making the voyage. The friend has his family with him - a wife and two sisters - as well as a strange, oblong box emitting a foul odor. The narrator notices other unusual things about the friend and his family, and proceeds to draw (honestly) the most ridiculous conclusions imaginable. Eventually, he learns the truth about the box, which we (the readers) figured out quite a while ago.

You know, it's possible I'm getting burned out on Poe. I don't know how this story would have struck me a few months ago, but reading it this week I just found it silly. At no time could I believe that anyone would be so dense as to not be able to figure out what was inside the box. I didn't find the story suspenseful as much as I found it irritating.

It might just be my reading taste right now, but Poe is definitely not hitting the spot. I'm not giving up on him yet, but am certainly finding him challenge right now.

Poe Fridays is hosted by Kristen at WeBeReading.

451 Fridays

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:37:00 +0000

451 Fridays is based on an idea from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In his novel, a group of people (Bradbury calls them Book People) are trying to keep the ideas found in books alive. Instead of actually saving the books, the Book People each "become" a book - memorizing it, word for word, and passing it down to the next generation.

451 Fridays asks what books you feel passionate about. What book do you think is so important that you would be willing to take on the challenge of "becoming"?

Today, I am so honored to welcome author Garret Freymann-Weyr to 451 Fridays! Here's the official bio:

Garret Freymann-Weyr (née Weyr) was born and raised in New York City. She inexplicably went to college in North Carolina (UNC-Chapel Hill) and, just as inexplicably, got an MFA in film (NYU). She now lives outside Washington, D.C. with her husband. She has written five books for young adults, one of which, somewhat inexplicably, won a Printz honor. Her work has been sold to countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, and China. Her next book, French Ducks in Venice, is a picture book for a younger audience.

Here's what I know - she writes great books, as you can tell from my review of After the Moment. Also, she is a very cool lady. She sent me a card - an actual card! via snailmail! - to introduce herself to me when I agreed to be on this blog tour. And she's been so gracious in the emails we've exchanged for the 451 post - really, I'm a fan. I'll definitely be out looking for more of her work. She also has a website where you can read more about her, including essays like this one I especially like about reading above your grade level. (You'll probably have to scroll down to find it, but it's worth it. Of course, you could just read all of them, which wouldn't be a bad way to spend some time, but make sure you read the one with Great Expectations!)

Welcome, Garret!

What 5 books do you believe are important enough to be saved, and why?

The part of me that believes ‘Western Civilization Is Important’ wants to give you a list full of achingly gorgeous and precious works. You know the gang of The Iliad, Inferno, The Aeneid, etc. But the part of me that fervently believes that books are a passport to pleasure is going to go in another direction.

1. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers because it is about the magic that lies within childhood, but it never ever talks down to children or presumes to teach them anything.

2. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton because it is a love story and a comedy of manners that doesn’t amuse its readers so much as it transforms them.

3. Middlemarch by George Eliot because people no longer even think the way Eliot writes and her characters will break your heart. I tended to skip over the stuff about land reform because I am not a Proper Reader. But it is my belief that stepping into this novel will bring as close as you can get to time travel (backwards that is).

4. Pitch Dark by Renata Adler because it is unlike any other modern novel. Adler uses fragments to build her narrative, which sounds annoying and should be annoying, but isn’t. When you are lost and not sure of what life will allow you, this novel illuminates how to be lost and found at the same time.

5. Parthian Stations by John Ash because his poems allow you to step into another person’s soul. Ash, born in Manchester, lived in NY from 1985 -96. He now lives in Istanbul, and his work is full of longing, grief, memory, and joy. It is everything you think of when you imagine what beauty really is.

Of those 5, which would you choose to become?

Mary Poppins, because who wouldn’t want to spend eternity in a British nursery? I wouldn’t mind being the elusive and sad Countess Olenska in The Age of Innocence or Dorothea Brooks in Middlemarch, but if I were to become a book, it would have to be Mary Poppins. Hands down.

Are there any quotes from the book(s) you'd like to share?

From Mary Poppins:

“It was the first day of Spring. Jane and Michael knew this at once, because they heard Mr. Banks singing in his bath, and there was only one day in the year when he did that.”

From The Age of Innocence:

“He longed to ask Madame Olenska if she did not have the same feeling: the feeling that they were starting on some long voyage from which they might never return.”

Garret, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us YOUR list of books which must be saved!!

Review - After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:25:00 +0000

After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr
published May, 2009
328 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

Maia Morland is pretty, only not pretty-pretty. She's smart. She's brave. Shes also a self-proclaimed train wreck.

Leigh Hunter is smart, popular, and extremely polite. He's also completely and forever in love with Maia Morland.

Their young love starts off like a romance novel - full of hope, strength, and passion. But life is not a romance novel and theirs will never become a true romance. For when Maia needs him the most, Leigh betrays both her trust and her love.

Told with compassion and true understanding, After the Moment is about what happens when a young man discovers that sometimes love fails us, and that, quite often, we fail love.

My thoughts:

I found this novel to be lovely and frustrating. I was impressed with the author's ability to get into the mind of a teenage boy - I think, for the first time, I feel like I understand the way their brains work. In a lot of ways, I could see my brother and cousins in Leigh - their basic goodness, their fascination with girls, the way they try to do the right thing, and the confusion that sometimes results when those impulses collide. I think Leigh might have been just a bit too perfect, but that made his resulting betrayal all the more poignant.

I loved the writing - it was subtle but powerful, and kept me engaged in the story throughout. The author tackles some hefty topics, but the book itself never feels heavy - it is filled with humor throughout, and Leigh has some great lines.

"As anyone who has grown up surrounded by romance novels could tell you, they all end on moments that are certain and right. In these stories, the hero and heroine, even before their moment arrives, are full of qualities that can only be described as right. As good...

As anyone who has survived one could tell you, love affairs, and the people who have them, tend to be a little less right than romances. The moments are more uncertain, and the people having a love affair are not required to be good."

Now, this next part will get a little spoilerish, so consider yourself warned.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This book also made me VERY angry. I am trying not to give too much away, but a VERY BAD THING happens. And eventually, we discover that one of Leigh's friends was involved in the VERY BAD THING. And everyone seems to know that this particular character was involved, and no one seems to be that upset about it, because HE SAID HE WAS SORRY. And boy, did that make me mad. Because I was NOT interested in absolution for this character. In fact, I was horrified, and I think Leigh's reaction was perfectly justified. I GET why Leigh did what he did, and I was STILL mad at that character.

And I realized that a book that can tick me off that much is probably pretty darn good. Because it completely involved me in the lives of its characters - so much so that I felt actual anger. At first I was even angry at the author for writing it that way, but I realize that was probably misplaced. What she wrote was, unfortunately, the way things would probably go. And THAT makes me even more angry. But, also thankful, that she was brave enough to write the story that was real.

I think this is a powerful novel that deals with important issues teens will likely have to face. Because some of the topics are sensitive, I would recommend reading it along with your teen, to be able to discuss the issues it raises. It stirred up lots of emotions in me, but ultimately I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.

Finished: 10/25/09
Source: TLC Book Tours/the author
Rating: 8/10

Don't just take my word for it! Here are the rest of the stops on this tour:

Monday, October 19th – Books by Their Covers

Tuesday, October 20th – Eclectic Book Lover

Thursday, October 22nd – Cindy’s Love of Books

Tuesday, October 27th – The Brain Lair

Wednesday, October 28th – Luxury Reading

Thursday, October 29th – Pop Culture Junkie

Monday, November 2nd – Steph Su Reads

Wednesday, November 4th – Bart’s Bookshelf

Thursday, November 5th – A Striped Armchair

Tuesday, November 10th – The Bluestocking Society

Thursday, November 12th – As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves

Monday, November 16th – Starting Fresh

Tuesday, November 17th – Beth Fish Reads

Thursday, November 19th – Book Addiction

Monday, November 23rd – The Novel Bookworm

Tuesday, November 24th – All About {n}

The Nonfiction Files

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:10:00 +0000

The Nonfiction Files is a weekly journal of my adventures reading my toppling piles of nonfiction books. I won't be posting reviews, but rather my thoughts about what I'm reading, while I'm reading it.

My current read: My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar. If you need to catch up, you can read my first post about this book here.

Synopsis from publisher:

In a remote and dusty corner of the world, forgotten for nearly three thousand years, lived an ancient community of Kurdish Jews so isolated that they still spoke Aramaic--the language of Jesus. Mostly illiterate, they were self-made mystics and gifted storytellers, humble peddlers and rugged loggers who dwelt in harmony with their Muslim and Christian neighbors in the mountains of northern Iraq. To these descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel, Yona Sabar was born.

My thoughts so far:

This second section of the book finds Yona and his family in Israel, which cannot live up to the dreams they have built for their homeland. While it is a much more melancholy read than the first part, I found myself connecting even more with this remarkable family.

While Yona's father and grandfather are each disappointed in their new country, Yona finds creative ways to make himself at home. While still in high school he gets a job to help support his family, and goes to school in the evenings. He quickly forms fast friendships with a group of boys at the high school - all feeling like outcasts because of their family situation and status as Kurdish refugees. I found the discrimination by Jews of European descent against Jews of Middle Eastern descent startling - as, I'm sure, did the families who were being discriminated against.

While Yona makes his way in the world, finishing high school and enrolling in college, he encourages his siblings to do the same. In a way, it was an interesting parallel to many of the stories of immigrant families to the United States - the kids assimilate fairly quickly, while the parents struggle to fit in. Yona's father was never able to replicate the success he had enjoyed in business, and his mother was virtually homebound. I felt sad for these two vibrant people who just couldn't seem to find their place in the new land.

Yona truly comes alive in college, and finds himself immersed in the world of linguistics. I love the way the author describes language:

"Language lives. It inhales culture and history. It sprouts new limbs, sloughs off old ones. It goes through cycles of rapid growth, unremarkable periods of stable maturity, decay, and sometimes, as with Hebrew, miraculous rebirth."

It is because of Yona's knowledge of a language that is almost unknown to the scholars of his day - Aramaic, the language of his youth - that he is finally able to go to America, which is where this section of the books ends. I feel so excited for him, to go on this great adventure, and yet worried as he leaves his family behind. I've become very invested in these lives - this is great storytelling!

Also participating in The Nonfiction Files is Jehara - stop by and visit! (p.s. she just got married this weekend, so you should really go congratulate her!!)

Green Books Campaign Review - Sweet Utopia by Sharon Valencik

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:00 +0000

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

Sweet Utopia by Sharon Valencik
published 2009
183 pages

Synopsis:

These easy-to-make, sensational desserts are all lactose- and cholesterol-free. Now you can create the luscious flavors and familiar textures of traditional desserts without the use of eggs or dairy. Straightforward ingredients are used to create a variety of the best cakes, cookies, pies, puddings, and other treats. Full-color photos provide inspiration for making these tempting sweets.

My thoughts:

So, my first cookbook review, and I choose a vegan cookbook? I know, it's a little crazy - I'm not a vegan- but the idea of "better for me" desserts won me over, and I had to try it. The book itself is quite nice - large pictures for each recipe make it easy to see what you are trying to make, and I felt all the recipes were explained in a way that made them seem quite logical to follow. The "green" part of this book is, of course, that all the recipes are vegan, and also that the book itself is printed on paper that contains postconsumer recycled content, which apparently saved 89 trees.

The author gives many ideas and suggestions for the vegan cook, including what to do if you don't have the ingredients you need, substitutions for many of the ingredients, and the option to make most of the recipes with non-vegan ingredients if necessary. She states that all the specifically vegan ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, and for the most part I found that to be true. So, how are the recipes you ask?

The first recipe I tried was Chocolate-Pecan Paradise Pie. (Here's a picture of my finished product). It was described as looking like a thick brownie pie - I thought maybe it would be a cross between a brownie pie and a pecan pie. It was....not exactly that. I thought it tasted alright, but not really like what I expected when I read the recipe. There is molasses in the recipe, and I felt like that taste came through quite strong.

It wasn't bad, but not as fantastic as I would have hoped based on the description.

I also made the recipe for Pumpkin -Chocolate Chip Muffins, but left out the chips, and baked it into a loaf. (Again, my finished product - halfway eaten!) I thought this recipe was quite good, although not as good as other pumpkin bread recipes I've tried.

I also tried to make Cappuccino Custard, but that was a pretty serious fail. It required mixing of cornstarch and soy milk over medium heat - don't let the mixture come to a boil - don't let the mixture form lumps. I tried making this twice, and each time ended up with paste. I'm sure it was my own error, but didn't have the patience to try again.

I think if you are a vegan, or interested in starting a vegan lifestyle, this would probably be a great resource. For someone like myself, who was just an interested observer, I don't think the recipes are good enough to warrant purchasing the book. However, if eating vegan is something you are interested in, there is a lot of good information in this book, and I would recommend it.

Thanks to the publisher for sending my this book to review. If you are interested in learning more about the Green Books campaign, including a list of other books reviewed, make sure to visit their website!

Happy Birthday

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Birthday, JoAnna Emma. You have my heart wrapped around your tiny little finger. It has been such a joy to be your aunt - I can't believe you are already one year old! You've had a busy year - here are some highlights.

Sweet girl, I can't wait to see what you learn next. Happy, happy birthday. I love you so much!

Relative Reads Review - On the Road

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:46:00 +0000

I was given the great fortune of growing up in a family of readers. Both of my parents read, and so do the majority of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. In fact, my Great-Grandma had cataract surgery in her 90's, because she couldn't bear to not be able to read. I thought it would be interesting to read some of the books THEY have discovered and enjoyed over the years, so I asked them to send me some recommendations, and the fun began! I have a list of the titles various family members have suggested on the side of the blog, so if you want to see what will be coming up you can take a peek.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac (read inspired by Uncle Jim)
published 1957
310 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

On the Road chronicles Jack Kerouac's years traveling the North American continent with his friend Neal Cassady, "a sideburned hero of the snowy West." As "Sal Paradise" and "Dean Moriarty," the two roam the country in a quest for self-knowledge and experience. Kerouac's love of America, his compassion for humanity, and his sense of language as jazz combine to make On the Road an inspirational work of lasting importance.

My thoughts:

Those of you who have read my Relative Reads posts before might notice a difference from past installments - this book isn't recommended by a relative, but INSPIRED by one.

This summer at the lake, as I was pestering everyone for book recommendations, I started talking books with my Uncle Jim. He mentioned that he had recently read On the Road, but that he hadn't been that impressed with it. When I asked why, he said he thought it was because so much of the book mirrored his own life as a young man that it just wasn't that interesting for him. Well, obviously that peaked my interest - my uncle used to be a beatnik??!!? So he graciously sent me his copy of the novel, and I have to say, it was an interesting reading experience.

I have to be honest and say that stream-of-consciousness narratives are difficult for me to read. I'm sure it's part of my own dislike of feeling "out of control", but the lack of structure often makes it a challenge for me to keep track of the actual story. I think perhaps it's a higher-level mental skill that I just never developed. Anyway, that narrative style made this novel a struggle for me.

That being said, I'm glad I worked my way through, because I get why it was such a mind-blowing story for its time - this was probably the first articulation of the idea that life's too short, so grab as much of it as you can, as fast as you can, and don't worry about the consequences. Dean Moriarty is a true larger-than-life hero, and the relationship between Dean and Sal is full of passion and complexity. And, despite my struggles, there were moments in the narrative that made me stop and catch my breath - here are some of my favorites -

"We turned at a dozen paces, for love is a duel, and looked at each other for the last time."

"A pain stabbed my heart, as it did every time I saw a girl I loved who was going the opposite direction in this too-big world."

"Why think about that when all the golden land's ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?"

"I woke up as the sun was reddening; and that was the one distinct time in my life, the strangest moment of all, when I didn't know who I was—I was far away from home, haunted and tired with travel, in a cheap hotel room I'd never seen, hearing the hiss of steam outside, and the creak of the old wood of the hotel, and footsteps upstairs, and all the sad sounds, and I looked at the cracked high ceiling and really didn't know who I was for about fifteen strange seconds. I wasn't scared; I was just somebody else, some stranger, and my whole life was a haunted life, the life of a ghost. I was halfway across America, at the dividing line between the East of my youth and the West of my future."

I found this video of Kerouac reading just a bit of his novel, and the meter of the narrative became apparent. I almost think hearing this novel aloud might enhance it for me - now if I can just find a good audiobook version.

This was certainly an experience. It's fascinating to put my uncle in the place of Dean and Sal - I've only heard a few of his stories, but I'm pretty sure he could write a book that would rival this one. I don't know that I can recommend On the Road, but I don't regret the reading of it myself.

Finished: 10/22/09
Source: on loan from Uncle Jim - thanks!
Rating: 5/10

This book counts toward:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Yes, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but we have to get ready!! Last year, JoAnna helped us decorate the tree - I bet this year she'll be trying to pull it down! =)

Here are a couple of fun events in the book-blog-o-sphere to get you in the mood:

How about a Progressive Dinner? A party you don't even have to clean your house for! Here's what Amy says about this fun event:

The holidays are for celebrating and what better way to celebrate than with food? Unfortunately, we all live so far apart that we can't get together but that shouldn't stop us from celebrating in style! So Nicole, Julie, and I put our heads together and came up with the Progressive Dinner Idea!

Here's your Invitation:

Who: You, of course, silly! And all the other fab bloggers who want to join in.

What: A Virtual Progressive Dinner (in which each blog hosts one part of the meal)

When: December 7-11

Where: The hub will be at the Book Blog Social Club

Why: Because we are party animals! Hopefully the fabulous recipes and ideas for entertainment and decoration will give you everything you need for the holiday season.

Sign-up and details can be found at any of the blogs listed above - how fun!!

And of course, have you signed up for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap yet? Why not?? Here's what it is about:

The holiday swap is a way for book bloggers to connect and celebrate the holiday spirit by sharing gifts. It’s done secret Santa style; all of the participants are randomly assigned a blogger to send a gift to, and these assignments are kept secret until the gift has been delivered. So no one knows who their gift is coming from!

You can sign up at the Book Blogger Holiday Swap website - why not join us? The Deadline is November 12, so hurry hurry! You might get a gift from ME, and I already have some fun ideas.....

If you seen any more fun, holiday -centric events floating around, let me know! I am ready for the holiday spirit!!

Poe Fridays (on Saturday)

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:25:00 +0000

This week's selection is the short story, William Wilson. You can read the full text here.

In this story, our narrator, who tells us to call him William Wilson, tells the story of his life, from childhood at boarding schoool, through profligate adulthood. While at school, which he actually enjoyed, another student was in attendance whose name was also William Wilson. The second William was the only student to offer competition in any area to our narrator, so of course he hated his namesake. Eventually, the second William began dressing and appearing identically to our narrator, so he fled from the school, only to find that the second William left the same day.

Thus began a period of years in which he did lots and lots of bad things, each ending with the appearance of the second William. One night, our narrator had the opportunity to catch the second William, and stabbed him fatally. He then found himself in front of a mirror, where his own image informs him that he has killed himself.

Oh, I love the doppleganger! It's one of my favorite literary tropes. This story actually reminded me, in many ways, of the movie Fight Club - it's easy to see how William Wilson could have influenced that story. In this case, Wilson's doppleganger appears each time he does something bad - potentially, the double is his conscience, and by killing it he has killed himself only in the sense that now he is completely evil.

This was an interesting story. I did figure out the "twist" early on, but that didn't make it less enjoyable.

Poe Fridays is hosted by Kristen at WeBeReading.

451 Fridays

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:17:00 +0000

451 Fridays is based on an idea from Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. In his novel, a group of people (Bradbury calls them Book People) are trying to keep the ideas found in books alive. Instead of actually saving the books, the Book People each "become" a book - memorizing it, word for word, and passing it down to the next generation.

451 Fridays asks what books you feel passionate about. What book do you think is so important that you would be willing to take on the challenge of "becoming"?

This week, I'm happy to welcome Tasha to 451 Fridays. Tasha blogs at Heidenkind's Hideaway, which is a newer blog to me, but quickly becoming a must visit. She reads quite a bit of romance, which frankly is a genre that makes me a little nervous, so I've been jotting down several titles based on her recommendations. Also, she is running what sounds like a REALLY fun challenge - the Art History Challenge - that I wish I had noticed when it first started. I'm hoping she'll host another when this one is over. (hint, hint.) Welcome, Tasha!

5 books I would save are:

Jane Eyre
1001 Arabian Nights
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The Scarlet Letter
Dr. Zhivago

The book I would become would be Jane Eyre. Of course. :) (It's my favorite novel.)

A favorite quote:

"I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you--especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous channel, and two hundred miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and then I've a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly." -Mr. Rochester, Chapter 23, pg. 221

So romantic. :)

Thanks, Tasha, for taking the time to share with us YOUR list of books which must be saved.

I'm always looking for more participants. If you have a list you'd like to share, please let me know!

Thursday Tunes

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Sorry, no tunes today. At least, none that YOU can hear - there are plenty of tunes at my house, because I'm busy playing this:

This gorgeous instrument was my Grandma's, and she recently decided it should be mine. So, 4 days and 1,000+ miles later, it is sitting in my living room. Hmmm, wonder what I'll be doing today?? =)

The Nonfiction Files

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:16:00 +0000

The Nonfiction Files is a weekly journal of my adventures reading my toppling piles of nonfiction books. I won't be posting reviews, but rather my thoughts about what I'm reading, while I'm reading it.

My current read: My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar

Synopsis from publisher:

In a remote and dusty corner of the world, forgotten for nearly three thousand years, lived an ancient community of Kurdish Jews so isolated that they still spoke Aramaic--the language of Jesus. Mostly illiterate, they were self-made mystics and gifted storytellers, humble peddlers and rugged loggers who dwelt in harmony with their Muslim and Christian neighbors in the mountains of northern Iraq. To these descendants of the Lost Tribes of Israel, Yona Sabar was born.

My thoughts:

I am completely fascinated with this book. (I think I say this every time, don't I?? But then, there are so many fascinating stories to be told, that I never seem to have a problem finding another one.)

Sabar is not only telling the story of his family, but also of a region rich with its own history and contradictions. The Sabars are from Zakho in Iraqi Kurdistan - a city on an island surrounded by a river, where Jewish-Muslim relations are so central to the city's identity that they have a creation myth to explain it. The two religions and their adherants flourished side by side in this unique area, so much so that when Jews and Muslims began to kill each other, the people of Zakho didn't believe it. It wasn't until the late 1940s that relations began to feel a strain, and when the majority of the Jewish residents left for Israel after the denaturalization laws went into effect in the 1950s, their Muslim neighbors gathered in the streets to mourn their passing and wish them well.

Along with the history of the region, we learn the story of Sabar's family. His great-grandfather, the mystic; his grandmother who, abused by her stepmother, was not told of her marriage until she arrived at her new in-law's house; his grandfather, a brilliant businessman, who resisted leaving for Israel until the last moments. These people literally come alive, and I feel an emotional attachment to them.

We also start to learn the story of Ariel and his father, and their strained relationship. To Ariel, his father was a relic from the old country, someone to ignore whenever possible, and confront when necessary. The realization that he wanted to understand his father came with the birth of his own son, and gave him the motivation to embark on this journey. We haven't been given a lot of insight into Ariel yet, but his care for the people he is writing about, and his love for the country they live in, is evident by the way he writes about them. I'm not an adventurous person, but he makes me want to go visit this land and meet its people.

I tend to enjoy family history - other families as well as my own - so this book is naturally of interest to me. Early on, the author says he wants to answer two bigger questions: "What is the value of our past?" and "When we carry our languages and stories from one generation to the next, from one country to another, what exactly do we gain?" I hope he shares his answers to those questions.

Stop back next week for part 2 of My Father's Paradise, and also be sure to visit Jehara, who is also participating in The Nonfiction Files. I think she's starting a new book - can't wait to see what she picks!

My month in movies

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:52:00 +0000

"Seems like everyone's an actor or an actor's best friend
I wonder what was wrong to begin with that they should all have to pretend."
~ Ani DiFranco

Surveillance (2008) - apparently darkness is genetic, as this film by director Jennifer Lynch is every bit as disturbing as anything her father, David, ever created. I was just a touch distracted by the casting of Cheri Oteri, but otherwise mesmerized by this really freaky tale. Recommended if you can stomach it - make sure you stick through the somewhat slow beginning, as the payoff is definitely worth it.

Knowing (2009) - Boy, this was a much better film than I anticipated! I'll admit to not expecting anything great from Nicholas Cage movies of late, but this one was a pleasant surprise. I absolutely loved the little girl who played Lucinda/Abby, and thought the story was quite intriguing. Of course, the religious implications of determinism vs. randomness always make for good debate, and I enjoyed the multiple interpretations the movie allowed. I wasn't completely impressed with the special effects, but the end was quite powerful. In all, I definitely enjoyed it.

Push (2009) - another movie that was much better than I expected. After the Nazis began experimenting on people to enhance psychic powers, a group called The Division continued their work, resulting in Movers - able to move objects with their mind; Watchers - able to see the future; Stitchers - able to heal; Sniffers - able to see an object's history by smell; Shadows - able to hide things from anyone; and Pushers - able to make you believe anything. Nick is a Mover, Cassie a Watcher, Kira a Pusher, and they are involved in a crazy chase through Hong Kong to find a mysterious case that can help bring down The Division. I was very impressed with Dakota Fanning as Cassie, although Camilla Belle as Kira was pretty emotionless. The movie left things open for a sequel, and I think there are a lot of interesting ideas still to explore, so I would definitely watch another movie about Nick and Cassie!

Race to Witch Mountain (2009) - so.....not as successful. Probably suffered from being the third sci-fi in a row, this one just didn't seem to be as strong. Also possibly because the whole movie seemed to be one long chase scene, which doesn't usually hold my interest. I did enjoy the kids, and Tom Everett Scott (who will always be Guy from That Thing You Do!).

The Soloist (2009) - This story of a journalist who befriends a homeless schizophrenic man with a remarkable musical talent was extremely hard for me to watch, due to my personal experiences with the topic. However, the scene in which the journalist takes the homeless man to the symphony, and he sees the music in color - that was amazing. This is a very good movie.

TSS - Monthly Wrapup

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000

"The wild November come at last
Beneath a veil of rain;
The night winds blows its folds aside,
Her face is full of pain.
The latest of her race, she takes
The Autumn's vacant throne:
She has but one short moon to live,
And she must live alone."
- Richard Henry Stoddard, November

Do you know what November means?? It means my niece, the cutest little baby in the world, turns ONE YEAR OLD!! It's impossible to believe. It also means the nights are getting shorter, the days are getting colder, and I'm already longing for spring. It's true - I'm not a fall and winter gal. I love the sun - I yearn for it - so these months of darkness are hard. Guess I'll just go find a good book to curl up with, and hope they pass quickly! Here's what I've been reading this past month -

A Circle of Souls by Preetham Grandhi - debut medical thriller about a child psychologist whose latest patient has some rather strange information about a murder. This was an entertaining read, although I don't know that I'll be placing on my re-read shelf. Rated 7/10. (My review of A Circle of Souls)

After the Fire, a Still Small Voice by Evie Wyld - debut novel about two men and the damage caused by war. This was quite a novel - bleak, but it's still in my head nearly a month after reading. Not for everyone, but a gripping read. Rated 8/10. (My review of After the Fire...)

The Return by Victoria Hislop - this novel blends historical and modern times in a tale about dancing and the Spanish Civil War. Parts didn't work for me, but I loved the scenes featuring dance. Rated 7/10. (My review of The Return)

The Real Wizard of Oz: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum by Rebecca Loncraine - fascinating literary biography about the writer behind The Wizard of Oz. Very good. Rated 8/10. (My thoughts on The Real Wizard of Oz)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - what to say but go read this book! Easily one of my favorite series, this sequel completely lived up to the hype for me. Rated 9/10. (My short review of Catching Fire)

The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie - beautifully written ghost story that was the perfect read for this season. Rated 8/10. (My review of The Widow's Season)

Between Me and the River by Carrie Host - moving memoir of a woman's battle with cancer, this is a very hopeful book. Rated 8/10. (My review of Between Me and the River)

Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente - Lyrical prose which at times left me feeling like I was stumbling through a fog, this was a challenging but memorable sci-fi read. Definitely not for everyone, but it's fascinating premise kept me going, and I ultimately enjoyed the read. Rated 8/10. (My short review of Palimpsest)

The Big House by George Howe Colt - part of my Relative Reads series, this book about a beloved summer home and the family who lived in it was absolutely wonderful. Highly recommended. Rated 9/10. (My review of The Big House)

Pasta Imperfect by Maddy Hunter - this is a very entertaining mystery series, and I like them especially because the main characters are from Iowa! Rated 7/10. (My short review of Pasta Imperfect)

Sugar Time by Jane Adams - in order for me to enjoy a chick-lit novel, I have to be able to relate to the main character, and I didn't in this one, so I think other readers would probably enjoy it more than me. Rated 6/10. (My short review of Sugar Time)

Moon River and Me by Andy Williams - nothing earth-shattering, but I think readers who grew up with Andy Williams will probably love this look into his life. Rated 7/10. (My review of Moon River and Me)

The Shack by William Paul Young - another in my Relative Reads series, this was a thoughtful, interesting book. Rated 7/10. (review forthcoming)

The Book of Murder by Guillermo Martinez - tense thriller by an Argentinian author about
murder and revenge, this was more intellectual than emotional, but still an interesting read. Rated 7/10. (review forthcoming)

After the Moment by Garret Freymann-Weyr - excellent YA novel about first love and betrayal, I read this for a book tour coming up next month. Very good. Rated 8/10. (review forthcoming)

Things We Didn't See Coming by Steven Amsterdam - a connected set of short stories about a man surviving a Y2K apocalypse, this was first published in Australia, and is set to be published in the US early next year. This was haunting and funny - I was very surprised by how much I liked this book. Highly recommended. Rated 8/10. (review to be posted on Bookloons.com)

Women Unbound Meme

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:10:00 +0000

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

To me, feminism is about the right of every woman to be treated like a full human being. In too much of the world, women are still viewed as property, to be bartered and used at the pleasure of men. Certainly the pay gap and the glass ceiling are very real issues that need to be addressed, but I don't think we can make headway in any arena until women are finally viewed as equal. (please note - I do not believe that, in this case, equal means the same. I do not believe that men and women are the same. I do believe that they are equal by the dictionary definition "like or alike in quantity, degree, value, etc.; of the same rank, ability, merit, etc.")

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

Yes.

"Does feminist mean large unpleasant person who'll shout at you or someone who believes women are human beings. To me it's the latter, so I sign up."
~ Margaret Atwood

"A feminist is a woman who does not allow anyone to think in her place."
~Michelle le Doeuff

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

Have you read this story about a 15-year-old girl who was gang-raped outside her high school homecoming dance? The one where at least a dozen people watched it happen, and didn't report it? If you haven't, you need to. And then get angry.

This is America, folks. The America where 15-year-old girls can get gang-raped and people think it's a spectator sport. The America where, it seems, women are still viewed as objects to be used and abused at the pleasure of whomever is bigger and stronger and in the general area. If we can't even find a dozen people ethical enough to stop watching the rape and call the police in America, how are we ever going to effect change in the world?

Women Unbound Reading Challenge

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:09:00 +0000

Seriously? This is AMAZING!

From the challenge blog:

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish! Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’ The definition according to Merriam-Webster:

the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.

For nonfiction, this would include books on feminism, history books focused on women, biographies of women, memoirs (or travelogues) by women, essays by women and cultural books focused on women (body image, motherhood, etc.). The topics I’ve listed aren’t mean to be exhaustive; if you come across a nonfiction book whose subject is female-related, it counts! Of course, if you’re not sure you can always ask about it in a comment. And if you need some ideas for specific books, check out the ‘Reading Lists’ page.

It’s trickier to say what is applicable as fiction. Obviously, any classic fiction written by a feminist is applicable. But where do we go from there? To speak generally, if the book takes a thoughtful look at the place of women in society, it will probably count. At the end of the day, it’s up to you to explain in your review why you chose this for the challenge and its connection to women’s studies. Once again, if you need some specific ideas, check out the ‘Reading Lists’ page.

One quick note about author gender. There isn’t a rule if a book’s written by a woman it counts and if by a man it doesn’t count. I firmly believe that men can be feminists and that not all women are feminists. As long as the book adheres to the definition of women’s studies I’ve shared above, it counts.

Interested in participating? Great! There are three levels you can choose as a reader (you can count books for other challenges as well):

Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

Of course, I'll be signing up for Suffragette - here is my list of possible choices:

Fiction -

Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin
The Judas Rose by Suzette Haden Elgin
Earthsong by Suzette Haden Elgin
Frost in May by Antonia White
Wild Seed by Octavia Butler
Mind of My Mind by Octavia Butler
Clay's Ark by Octavia Butler
Patternmaster by Octavia Butler
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

Nonfiction -

Where the Girls Are by Susan J. Douglas (sociology, mass media)
The Woman who Ran for President by Lois Beachy Underhill (biography)
Mothers of the Disappeared by Jo Fisher (history, biography)
China to Me by Emily Hahn (travel)
Not Counting Women and Children by Megan McKenna (religion)
Six Myths of Our Time by Marina Warner (mythology, cultural criticism)
Nothing To Do But Stay by Carrie Young (biography)
Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman (travel)
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts (history, biography)

Nothing like giving myself a few choices. I found all these by spending about 10 minutes browsing my shelves - as usual, I have lots of choices.

I'm very excited about this one!! If you want to join, visit the challenge blog and sign up!