As Usual, I Need More Bookshelves

The Nonfiction Files

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:21:00 +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.

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

My current read: The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann. You can read my first post about this book here.

Synopsis from publisher:

After stumbling upon a hidden trove of diaries, acclaimed New Yorker writer David Grann set out to solve "the greatest exploration mystery of the twentieth century": What happened to the British explorer Percy Fawcett and his quest for the Lost City of Z?

In 1925 Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. For centuries Europeans believed the world’s largest jungle concealed the glittering kingdom of El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many scientists convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. But Fawcett, whose daring expeditions helped inspire Conan Doyle’s The Lost World, had spent years building his scientific case. Captivating the imagination of millions around the globe, Fawcett embarked with his twenty-one-year-old son, determined to prove that this ancient civilization—which he dubbed “Z”—existed. Then he and his expedition vanished.

Fawcett’s fate—and the tantalizing clues he left behind about “Z”—became an obsession for hundreds who followed him into the uncharted wilderness. For decades scientists and adventurers have searched for evidence of Fawcett’s party and the lost City of Z. Countless have perished, been captured by tribes, or gone mad. As David Grann delved ever deeper into the mystery surrounding Fawcett’s quest, and the greater mystery of what lies within the Amazon, he found himself, like the generations who preceded him, being irresistibly drawn into the jungle’s “green hell.” His quest for the truth and his stunning discoveries about Fawcett’s fate and “Z” form the heart of this complex, enthralling narrative.

My thoughts:

While this section of the book continues to chronicle the adventures of Fawcett in the Amazon, it also gives a glimpse into his life as a husband, father, and friend, which makes him seem much less a mythical hero, and much more a highly unique but definitely fallible human. We see him leaving his wife for years on end to pursue his dreams, never allowing her the privilege of joining him in the jungle. She clearly believed in the equality of the sexes, but it seems her husband the fearless adventurer was not quite ready to embrace that belief. He also had a strong sense of favoritism for Jack, his oldest son, who was athletic and strong. His younger son, Brian, felt that favoritism keenly, and suffered for it when Fawcett decided to take Jack on his mission to find the Lost City and leave Brian behind. I honestly can't imagine being his wife and kids, left alone for years at a time, never knowing if he would come home. I don't think I could ever make peace with that life.

We also see Fawcett start to formulate his ideas about the Lost City, and make his first (unsuccessful) attempt at finding it. I find myself reading with horror as the author describes the conditions of the explorers - near starvation, covered in parasitic insects, hallucinatory and diseased. I think the people who go on Survivor are crazy - this seems like complete madness. Why would you go through that kind of horrible experience, and then keep going back? I cannot relate in the slightest to this mindset, but I certainly find it fascinating.

Meanwhile, the author is preparing to make his own voyage into the Amazon, to see if he can uncover the whereabouts of Fawcett's lost excursion. As he is leaving, his wife says to him, "Don't be stupid." THAT made me snort my hot cocoa. Because there is so much about this crazy idea that is smart. But it makes for great reading, and I can't wait to see how the two stories converge.

My month in movies

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Running out of movie quotes, so I'll just jump right in -

Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (2009) - I never thought I'd say this about something from the BSG universe, but I found this very disappointing. It seemed disjointed and sloppy, like they didn't really figure out beforehand what story they wanted to tell. It did answer a few questions, like Leoban's weird obsession with Kara, but overall I felt it wasn't a great way to end the franchise.

Good Morning, Night (Buongiorno, notte) (2003) - selection from Italy for the OT Film challenge, this was an interesting movie about a terrorist action in 1970s Italy seen from the perspective of one of the terrorists.

Milk (2008) - excellent biopic of assassinated city supervisor Harvey Milk. Sean Penn is not my favorite actor, but I thought he did a very good job in this movie.

Spring Breakdown (2009) - what a great movie! I'd seen a bunch of bad reviews, but decided to give it a try because I really like Amy Poehler - I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Great cast, great message about learning to accept yourself at every age - I loved it, and laughed out loud! "Why would anyone want to wrestle in salsa? We're human beings - we're not tacos."

The Education of Charlie Banks (2007) - Well, I wasn't as in love with this one as the rest of the indie-movie world, but it was an interesting film, made more interesting by the fact that is was directed by Fred Durst - that's right, the Limp Bizkit guy! Jason Ritter as the bully was magnetic, but I think I might be suffering from college-angst-movie overkill, because while it was alright, it wasn't much more than that.

The Namesake (2006) - book-to-movie adaptation that actually mostly works, this is the story of one family's immigration from India to the US, and their struggle to adapt to the differences between the two cultures. I thought the lead actress was wonderful, and many of the relationships portrayed were excellent, but of course, the book is better.

Up (2009) - Hmmm. Well, perhaps because I SO loved Wall-E, this movie didn't quite live up to its hype for me. It was a good story, and I like it as a kid's movie, but it didn't have the emotional depth of Wall-E that connected with me.

Star Trek (2009) - Ever since I was VERY young and my parents took me to see the original Star Trek movie (I was very concerned about the "bald-headed lady"), I've been a fan. I was looking forward to this movie, and it lived up to my expectations. Chris Pine captured a young Kirk well - all that brash, arrogant confidence. Zachary Quinto was excellent as Spock, and I LOVED the actor who played Chekov - he might have been my favorite character! I was intrigued by the story, and of course the special effects were fun. I really enjoyed this installment, and hope to see more in the future.

Cautiva (2003) - Argentinian film about a young girl who finds out a terrible secret about her parents. This movie is intense and emotional, and very well done. Recommended if you can tolerate some violence and nudity.

Summer Palace (2006) - Chinese film that was interesting in idea, but failed in execution. I can't say I enjoyed this one very much, but it was the last film for the OT film challenge, so I plodded my way through it.

Progressive Dinner Party - Day 1 - Appetizers and Drinks

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Book Blogger Progressive Dinner Party!! Are you ready to have some fun??

It's day one, and we are all about the appetizers and drinks. Because you can't have a party without some yummy starters, right? I have a couple of great, fast recipes for you, but first, make sure you head over to visit Trisha at eclectic/eccentric - she has a yummy recipe for Green Bean Bundles to share!

I don't know about you, but I tend to have problems with recipes that have too many steps - my brain starts wandering, and then it's trouble! That's why I love this recipe for Parmesan Star Puffs - it's so easy, even I can't mess it up!

Cut a sheet of puff pastry with a star-shaped cookie cutter. Arrange the stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet; brush with olive oil and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees until puffed and crisp, about 15 minutes.

See - super easy. And look how cute!

This second recipe is a little more labor intensive, but definitely a party pleaser. It's from funny lady Amy Sedaris, and is called The Heavyset Cheese Ball.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups whole natural almonds
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup real mayonnaise
3 crispy cooked bacon slices, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
salt and pepper to taste
pine or rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place and spread all the almonds on a cookie sheet or in a shallow pan, pushing the almonds around until they turn color, about 20 minutes.

Mix together the cream cheese and the mayonnaise. Add the bacon, salt and pepper, dill, and onion. Chill overnight.

On a serving platter, make 2 pine cone shapes with the cheese.

Begin to press the almonds at a slight angle into the cheese, starting at the narrow end of the pine cone shape. Do this in rows, continuing to overlap rows until all the cheese is covered.

Garnish with fake sprigs, or real ones, or with rosemary. Serve at room temperature and spread on crackers.

Yum. My only issue with this recipe is making the pine cone shape - sometimes mine look a little lumpy. =) If you're not into the look, just crush the almonds and roll the cheese ball in them - the taste is still wonderful!

Now that you are drooling, head on over to Joyfully Retired - Margot has a tasty recipe for shrimp dip ready to share.

Also, make sure to visit the Book Blog Social Club this week - it's Progressive Dinner Central, with links to all the blogs who will be participating each day this week. I know I'll be there - I can't wait to see all the recipes!

New Challenge - Take Another Chance

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Basic Information

The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 until December 31, 2010.

Here are the participation levels. Feel free to do whatever level you want. You can also switch up or down midway through the challenge.

A Small Gamble: Complete any 3 of the 12 challenges described below.
A Moderate Gamble: Complete any 6 of the 12 challenges described below.
Gambling It All: Complete all 12 of the challenges described below.

Each challenge you complete and link up in the correct Mr. Linky spots (which will be posted on January 1, 2010) will earn you entries into a prize drawing at the end of the challenge. Some of the challenges are harder and will earn you more entries. If you complete all 12 challenges, you will earn 5 extra entries into the drawing.

The prize is a book of the winner's choice from Amazon (worth $25 or less).

Crossover books from other challenges is fine.

So here are the 12 challenges for you to pick from. The "easier" challenges are listed first, followed by the harder challenges that are worth more entries into the prize drawing.

The 12 Challenges

Challenge 1: Read Your Doppelganger (worth 1 entry)
Find an author who has either the same initials, the same first name, the same last name, or the exact same name as you. Read a book by this author and write a post about it. (If you try to keep your identity anonymous on your blog, you don't have to reveal what part of the author's name is the same as your name.)

Example: If your name is Susan Kasischke, you might read a book by Stephen King (same initials), Susan Donovan (same first name), Laura Kasischke (same last name) or Susan Kasischke (same exact name).

Challenge 2: Blogroll Roulette (worth 1 entry)
Find a blogroll at either your book blog or a book blog you like that has at least 15 book blogs on it. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1 for the min. and 15 for the max. and then hit generate. Then find the blog that is that number on the blogroll you selected. (For example, if you get 10 at Random.org, then count down the list of blogs until you get to the tenth one). Go to that blog and pick a book to read from the books that they have reviewed on their blog. Read it and write a post about it. Be sure to link to the blog post you picked the book from!

Challenge 3: 100 Best Book (worth 1 entry)
Choose one of the lists below and go to the link provided. Choose a book to read from the list that you haven't read before. Read the book and write about it.

Radcliffe's Rival 100 Best Novels List
Top 100 Sci-Fi Books
100 Best Romance Novels of the 20th Century
100 Best Mystery Novels
100 Best Non-Fiction Books (pick from either Board List or Reader List)
2009 Best Books for Young Adults

Challenge 4: Prize Winner Book (worth 1 entry)
Pick one of the major literary awards from the list below. Click on the link for the award you picked. You will find a brief description of the award and links to past winners. Pick one of the past winners, read the book and write about it.

Booker Prize

Caldecott Medal

National Book Award

National Book Critics Circle Award

Newbery Medal

Nobel Prize for Literature

PEN/Faulkner Award

Pulitzer Prize

Commonwealth Writers' Prize

EMMA Awards

Challenge 5: Title Word Count (worth 1 entry)
Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the numbers 1 for the min. and 5 for the max. and then hit generate. Find a book to read that has that number of words in the title. Read the book and write about it.

Example: If you get 1 for your number, read a book that has a one word title. If you get 2, read a book that has a two word title and so on and so forth.

Challenge 6: Genre Switch-Up (worth 1 entry)
Go to this list of book genres and pick a genre that you have NEVER read before. Find a book from that genre, read it, and write about it. Note: If you seriously cannot find a genre that you have never read, then pick the genre that is as far away from what you normally read.

Challenge 7: Break A Prejudice (worth 1 entry)
We all have reading prejudices--authors we don't like, genres we don't like, or even publishers we don't like. For this challenge, think of a reading prejudice you have and then find a book that is an example of this type of book. Read the book and then write about the reading prejudice you had BEFORE you read the book and how reading the book either changed your prejudice or reinforced it.

Examples: I always say I can't stand James Patterson; therefore, I might read a James Patterson book for this challenge. Or, if you sneer at "chick lit" books, you might read a "chick lit" book. Or, if you think books published by Harlequin are pure drivel, you might read a book published by Harlequin. If you turn up your nose at the Twilight books, then you might read one of the Twilight books.

Challenge 8: Real and Inspired (worth 2 entries)
Many authors or books inspire others to pay homage to them by writing another book inspired by the original work. For this challenge, read both an original work and a book inspired by that original work. Write about both books in one post. Note: This might require some research on your part and requires reading two books so it worth 2 entries.

Examples: Christopher Moore's Fool is based on Shakespeare's play King Lear so I plan on reading both King Lear and Fool. Another example is Jane Austen, who inspired the book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. For this challenge, you might read both Pride and Prejudice and the zombie version. (There are tons of other Austen-inspired books out there too.) Another idea would be a graphic novel version of a "standard" novel. The only real requirement is that the "inspired by" book must clearly state what original work inspired it.

Challenge 9: Same Word, Different Book (worth 2 entries)
Find two books that have the same word in the title. Read both books and write about them. (Worth 2 entries because you have to read two books).

Example: If you pick the word "Love," you could read any two books that both have Love in the title. To help you find books that have the same word, you could go to Amazon.com, type a word into the Search box and see what books come up with that word.

Challenge 10: Become A Character (worth 2 entries)
For this challenge, you can read any book you want. However, you have to write about the book as one of the characters from the book. The character can comment on his/her treatment by the author, other characters, the "untold story," what happened next, and so forth. You could even have two characters interviewing each other! Your imagination is the only limit. Because of the difficulty level of this challenge, it is worth two entries.

Challenge 11: All in the Family (worth 2 entries)
The writing gene often runs in the family. For this challenge, you need to find two authors from the same family (either by blood or by marriage) and read a book by each of the authors and then write about both books. Because of the research involved and having to read two books, this challenge is worth two entries.

Examples: The Bronte sisters; Stephen King and his wife Tabitha OR his son Joe Hill; Jonathan Kellerman (husband) and Faye Kellerman (wife); Michael Chabon (husband) and Ayelet Waldman (wife); Joan Didion (wife) and John Gregory Dunne (husband); Mary Higgins Clark (mother) and Carol Higgins Clark (daughter)

Challenge 12: Author Anthology Pick (worth 2 entries)
Find an anthology of your choice. Read at least 5 entries in the anthology. Of the 5 entries you've read, pick your favorite one and then find a book by that writer and read it. (If your first choice doesn't have a book, then pick your next favorite until you find a writer that has a book.) Write about the anthology, your favorite pick from the anthology, and the book you read by your favorite pick. Because of having to obtain and read two books, this challenge is worth two entries. Thanks to J.T. Oldfield at Bibliofreak who partially inspired this challenge.

Example: If you choose a poetry anthology, you would at least 5 different poems, pick your favorite, and then seek out a book of poetry by that poet. If you read a short story anthology, you would read at least 5 different short stories, pick your favorite, and then seek out either a novel or another book of short stories by that writer.

I know it's crazy, but I'm going to try to complete all the challenges - I might have to scale back my hopes at some point, but who knows? I might get lucky!

I'm nowhere near having a list, but I'll post my books here as I read them -

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New Challenge - 451 Challenge

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:47:00 +0000

It was inevitable - I am hosting my first challenge!!!

*cue fanfare*

Now, I haven't talked about this on Twitter, or Ning, or any of the other places bloggers gather, so it's quite possible I might be the ONLY participant, but that's okay with me. I really want to read some of the fabulous books on our 451 Fridays list, so I decided to go ahead and create a challenge for it! Here are the details:

Between January 1, 2010 and November 30, 2010, participants are challenged to read books on the 451 master list. There will be several levels of participation:

Spark - read 1-2 books from the master list
Ember - read 3-4 books from the master list
Flame - read 5-6 books from the master list
Blaze - read 7 or more books from the master list

Re-reading is acceptable, as are crossovers with other challenges. Audio, print, and e-books are all acceptable. Each month, participants will be encouraged to post their reviews on the challenge blog, and each review posted will be an entry into a grand prize drawing for a $25 gift card to the online bookseller of the winner's choice.

If you are interested, you can sign up on the dedicated blog for the challenge. I'm still working on compiling the master list, but there is a pretty good selection of books already there, and of course each week that we have 451 Fridays, there will be more goodies to add.

I'm going to try for Blaze - 7 or more books. Here's my tentative list:

1 - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
2 - In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden
3 - Going After Cacciato - Tim O'Brien
4 - The Love of a Good Woman - Alice Munro
5 - To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 - The Blindfold - Siri Hustvedt
7 - St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves - Karen Russell
8 - A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

Since this is my first time hosting, I'm open to ideas - if I'm forgetting something, or if you think of something that will make this challenge better, I'd love to hear it. I hope you will consider joining - I think it will be great fun!

New Challenge - 2010 Challenge

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:42:00 +0000

The aim is to read a total 20 books, over ten categories, in 2010. (Was this challenge based solely around the name? I’ll let you decide!)

Rules:

Read 2 books from each category, making a requirement of 20 books total.
The categories are intended to be loose guidelines only, if you decide it fits, then it fits. (Apart from those marked **)
Categories marked with ** have tighter rules, and these must be followed.
Each book can only qualify for one category.
Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
Books read from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2010 are eligible.

So, on with the categories

Young Adult
Any book classified as young adult or featuring a teenage protagonist counts for this category.
T.B.R. **
Intended to help reduce the old T.B.R. pile. Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/11/09.
Shiny & New
Bought a book NEW during 2010 from a bookstore, online, or a supermarket? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count for this one, but, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway also count!
Bad Blogger’s ***
Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago).
*** Bad Bloggers: Is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.
Charity
Support your local charity shops with this category, by picking up books from one of their shops. Again, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts also count, as long as they were bought from a charity shop.
New in 2010
This category is for those books newly published in 2010 (whether it be the first time it is has been released, or you had to wait for it to be published in your country, it counts for this one!)
Older Than You
Read two books that were published before you were born, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!
Win! Win!
Have a couple of books you need to read for another challenge? Then this is the category to use, as long that is, you don’t break the rules of the other challenge by doing so!
Who Are You Again?
This one isn’t just for authors you’ve never read before, this is for those authors you have never even heard of before!
Up to You!
The requirements for this category are up to you! Want to challenge yourself to read some graphic novels? A genre outside your comfort zone? Something completely wild and wacky? Then this is the category to you. The only requirement is that you state it in your sign-up post. ***My category is going to be Chunksters -Books Over 500 Pages Long

I'm not even going to try to make an initial list - I'll just fill in the blanks as I go along.

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New Challenge - Flashback Challenge

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:34:00 +0000

This challenge is all about reading books you've read before - either books you loved and want to revel in again, or books you didn't care for that you'd like to give another shot.

You can sign up on this challenge post if you are interested.

I am going to join at the Scholar level, which is 4 to 6 books.

There are mini-challenges within the levels, which are:

Re-read a book from your childhood
Re-read a book assigned to you in high school
Re-read a book you loved as an adult

I am going to try to complete all three of the mini-challenges, and then see what other books I decide to give another read.

My initial list is:

1 - Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

2 - To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

3 - Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

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New Challenge - War Through the Generations

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:22:00 +0000

War Through the Generation’s 2010 reading challenge will be the Vietnam War. The challenge will run from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010.

Rules:

This year you have options when reading your fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, etc. with the Vietnam War as the primary or secondary theme.

Books can take place before, during, or after the war. Books from other challenges count so long as they meet the above criteria.

I am going to join at the Dip level - read 5 books in any genre with the Vietnam War as its primary or secondary theme.

I don't really have a list yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with some good stuff!

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New Challenge - What's In A Name 3

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:09:00 +0000

So here's how it works: Between January 1 and December 31, 2010, read one book in each of the following categories:

A book with a food in the title: Clockwork Orange, Grapes of Wrath, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
A book with a body of water in the title: A River Runs through It, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, The Lake House
A book with a title (queen, president) in the title: The Murder of King Tut, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lady Susan
A book with a plant in the title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Wind in the Willows, The Name of the Rose
A book with a place name (city, country) in the title: Out of Africa; London; Between, Georgia
A book with a music term in the title: Song of Solomon, Ragtime, The Piano Teacher

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

You can sign up on the dedicated challenge blog if you are interested.

Here's my tentative list:

1 - Food - The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

2 - Body of Water - The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

3 - Title - The Woman Who Ran for President by L.B. Underhill

4 - Plant - Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

5 - Place Name - I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallman

6 - Music Term - Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

New Challenge - Read the Book, See the Movie

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Nope, I never learn! =)

This sounds like a lot of fun - here's the details:

The Read the Book, See the Movie Challenge is based on a simple idea--read a book, see a movie based on the book, include both in your review. Whether yours is a book blog or a movie blog, this could be a way to add some spice to your posts, expand your outlook, have some fun. Mostly, have some fun.

You don't have to write full reviews both the movie and the book. You can write a review of one then add a brief paragraph or just a sentence or two about the other at the end.

You can join on this challenge post if you are interested!

I'm going to join at the Film Festival level - 8 books/movies. Here's my tentative list:

A Wrinkle in Time
Flowers in the Attic
The Robber Bride
The Executioner's Song
Battlefield Earth
The Lords of Discipline
In This House of Brede
84 Charing Cross Road
I Dreamed of Africa
Ragtime
The Chocolate War
Some Things That Stay
The Inheritance
The Forsyte Saga

There - that should give me plenty of choices!

Challenge completed - Book Awards 3

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:31:00 +0000

My challenge was to read 5 award winning books - here's my list:

Skellig by David Almond (British Whitbread award for Children's Literature) finished 6/14/09, rated 9/10.
A Good House by Bonnie Burnard (Giller Prize) finished 7/4/09, rated 7/10
The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon (Nebula) finished 7/5/09, rated 10/10
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons (Hugo) finished 9/7/09, rated 8/10
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (Booker) finished 11/22/09, rated 6/10

This is another great challenge - Book Awards 4 will be starting in February, and I do plan to participate.

Challenge completed - 42 Science Fiction Challenge

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Challenges failed

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:05:00 +0000

I'm going to have several challenge-related posts coming up, so I thought I would get the bad one done first - I am officially declaring myself failed on the following challenges:

Read Your Own Books Challenge

My challenge was to read 30 books from my own shelves that I had obtained before 2009 - I read a paltry 7. Here's my list:

1 - Tiger, Tiger by Galaxy Craze

2 - People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

3 - The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

4 - 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

5 - Incantation by Alice Hoffman

6 - Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

7 - The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

Sad, sad, sad. I definitely need to try something like this again for 2010.

My Year of Reading Dangerously 2009

My challenge was to read 12 books that I deemed "dangerous" -
I managed 6. Not bad, and I feel good about the variety of books I read for this challenge - here's my list:

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - banned book (finished 2/27/09, rated 8/10)
Incantation by Alice Hoffman - magical realism (finished 4/20/09, rated 8/10)
Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons - graphic novel (finished 9/7/09, rated 8/10)
Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed by Marc Blatte - noir (finished 9/19/09, rated 7/10)
On the Road by Jack Kerouac - beat, spontaneous prose (finished 10/09, rated 5/10)
Sweet Utopia by Sharon Valencik - vegan cookbook (finished 11/09)

For this challenge I picked 1 banned book, and 5 books in genres that were either new to me, or that I find intimidating - I think they all fit the spirit of the challenge well. I don't know if Andi will be hosting this again for 2010, but I would give it another try if she does.

Take a Change Challenge

My challenge was to complete 10 tasks that would encourage me to read outside my comfort zone. Sadly, I only completed 5. Here's my list:

Book/Movie Comparison - Somewhere in Time
Random Book - Liars and Saints
Poetic Review - Bird in Hand
Lit Riff - Living on a Prayer
Random Word - Regular Guy

Even though I didn't finish, I thought this was a great challenge. I have heard rumors that Jenners will be hosting this again next year, and I am ready to sign up again!

Unfortunately, there might be a couple more challenges I don't finish before the end of the year, but we'll deal with those when the end comes. Now, on to the good stuff!!

TSS - Monthly Wrap-up

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:22:00 +0000

Am I the only one who is ready for Christmas? I love this time of year - the smells and sounds and excitement. However, before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a look at what I was reading in November:

Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn - the 4th novel in Shinn's fabulous Twelve Houses series, this book brings many of the storylines to an excellent conclusion. I love this series, and thought this book was one of it's strongest. I loved the heroine, Amalie, who was a delightful surprise. Fans of this series will not be disappointed. If you aren't familiar, start with the first book, Mystic and Rider, and prepare to fall in love. Rated 9/10. (Review forthcoming)

My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for his Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq by Ariel Sabar - excellent memoir about searching for meaning in your family's past. This is a great book to pick up if you are unsure about nonfiction - you will not be able to put it down! Rated 8/10. (My thoughts on My Father's Paradise)

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden - re-read of a childhood favorite, this delightful children's book is a holiday classic. Read it together with your family, or just read it for yourself - I think you will fall in love! Rated 10/10. (My review of The Story of Holly and Ivy)

Regular Guy by Sarah Weeks - delightful YA novel about a boy trying to figure out how in the world he could possibly be related to his parents! Recommended. Rated 8/10. (My review of Regular Guy)

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel - very long and somewhat uneven Booker Prize-winning novel about the life of Thomas Cromwell. I feel like I read this book all month. Rated 6/10. (My review of Wolf Hall.)

The Big Thaw by Ed Struzik - this nonfiction just didn't catch my interest, but I'm sure for someone who loves this stuff it would be a great read. Rated 5/10. (My review of The Big Thaw.)

Days of Blood and Fire by Katherine Kerr - sixth novel in a fantasy series I really enjoy, this book both took us to new places, and let us visit with old friends. Great read! Rated 8/10. (My review of Days of Blood and Fire)

Isis by Douglas Clegg - creepy novella that retells the myth of Isis and Osiris, this story made me want to read more by this author. A great choice for next year's RIP challenge! Rated 8/10. (My review of Isis)

The Kings Are Already Here by Garret Freymann-Weyr - fantastic YA novel about obsession and what a person is willing to do in the quest for perfection. I really like this author - can't wait to read more. Highly recommended. Rated 9/10. (review forthcoming)

I think reading shorter work might be the key to this winter - 4 of the books I read this past month were novellas or YA/children's books, and with my limited reading time that might be the best thing for me. Here's to a great December!

Poe Fridays (on Saturday)

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:22:00 +0000

After our Thanksgiving break, it's time for another slice of Pie..er, Poe. (I honestly didn't mean to type that, but cracked myself up so much I thought I'd just leave it - yep, I'm a dork.)

This week's selection is the detective story The Purloined Letter. You can read the full text here.

We revisit Poe's famous detective, Dupin, as he helps the Prefect of the Police solve a crime. The Prefect has been searching in vain for a letter stolen from a helpless woman by an unscrupulous Minister. The Minister could potentially ruin the woman's life with the letter, so the Prefect must find it - unfortunately, he has searched and searched, and had no luck. Dupin hears the particulars of the case and, after a time, produces the letter in question.

This is considered the best of Poe's tales of ratiocination, and is for the most part an enjoyable read. However, I did get a big bogged down at times in the seemingly endless discussion of poets vs. mathematicians - however, that could have been my inherent distaste for math clouding my perspective. Poe's Dupin is a somewhat one-dimensional character, but the suggestion that Dupin and the sinister Minister D___ might be one and the same certainly makes him seem more interesting.

All in all, not my favorite Poe story, but certainly not my least favorite, and definitely the best of the bunch featuring Dupin.

Poe Fridays is hosted by Kristen at WeBeReading.

451 Fridays

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:42:00 +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 happy to welcome Lahni to 451 Fridays. Lahni blogs at Nose in a Book, which is one of the newest blogs in my google reader, although she's not new to the blogging world. She reads a wide variety of genres, and seems to have similar taste in reading material to me, so I've been enjoying getting to know her. Welome, Lahni!

The 5 books I would save are:

1. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. Mostly because I love this book, but I also think it says a lot about how children (and people in general) have the potential to behave. We like to think that children are so innocent and loving, but I think the will to survive is strong in all of us. I think this book has a very similar message to The Lord of the Flies, but is a much more interesting read!

2. We The Living by Ayn Rand. This actually isn't my favourite Rand novel, but I think it's the most important. I read this when I was a young idealistic university student and it taught me a lot about how destructive that particular brand of communism is.

3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Because if we only have 5 books left, we need something fun and romantic to read, right?

4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is a great story, with a great message - the triumph of good over evil.

5. The Diary of Anne Frank. We cannot forget the ability of human beings to hurt others because of differences perceived or real because this is when we start to allow it to happen again. There are many, many books that illustrate this, but I just love Anne Frank because it's so real. We need to read books like this that make us furious that fellow human beings were treated so inhumanely so we can prevent it from happening. (I almost chose The Book of Negroes for this last option, which is about slavery, but I decided that Anne Frank was just that much more poignant because it's real.)

Which of the five would I choose to become? Pride and Prejudice of course. Who doesn't want to be Elizabeth Bennet?

I think my favourite quote is Darcy's first proposal when he tells her how "ardently" he admires and loves her and then goes on to tell her how unsuitable and inferior she and her connections are. I love the way this scene is portrayed in the newest movie version of the novel. It's so funny but so sad at the same time!

Lahni, thank you so much 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 are interested, please let me know!

Thursday Tunes

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:38:00 +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.

Okay, I've resisted long enough - time for some Christmas music! Here's a fun, lesser known Christmas song - watch out, you might find yourself singing it over and over again. =)

The Nonfiction Files

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:21:00 +0000

My thoughts:

I'm happy to say I'm back in the groove with this week's selection - once again, this is a great piece of nonfiction.

Percy Fawcett had a troubled upbringing, with each of his parents unable to provide any real affection. Fawcett later states that perhaps this lack of emotional support was good for him, as it forced him to turn inside himself for strength. A member of the British Artillary, it was at his post in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) that Fawcett met the love of his life, his wife Nina, and discovered an obsession with discovery that would last the rest of his life.

Grann alternates Fawcett's story with his own tale, and each story is equally fascinating. Grann's wife is, understandably, skeptical when he proposes finding an explorer who disappeared 80 years before, but as he uncovers more details, he is unavoidably drawn into this incredible mystery.

In this section of the book, we see the beginnings of Fawcett's life as an explorer in the Amazon jungle, and the start of Grann's search to find an explanation for Fawcett's disappearance. We also learn about the beginnings of the Royal Geographical Society, which had as its goal to map the entire surface of the world. I think this is the first book I've ever read about explorers, and I am struck by just exactly how fragile and dangerous their world was. Setting off into the unknown, many times with not much more than the clothes on their backs and what little food they could stuff into a pack, these men and women set out to see what the world held. Many - maybe most - never came back. Grann says, "...these accounts made me aware of how much of the discovery of the world was based on failure rather than on success - on tactical errors and pipte dreams. The Society may have conquered the world, but not before the world had conquered its members."

I am thoroughly engrossed in the stories of Fawcett and Grann, and can't wait to see where their journies take them next.

Movie Reviews - Cautiva and Summer Palace

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:32:00 +0000

Two more movies reviews for the Orbis Terrarum film mini-challenge:

Cautiva (2003) - Argentina

Synopsis:

A young Argentinian girl celebrating her 15th birthday is shocked to discover her parents have been lying to her. She is not their biological daughter - in fact, she was taken from her parents at birth. Her parents were some of the "disappeared", political dissidents who were imprisoned by the government, tortured, and never seen again. Cristina must come to terms with the truth of her birth, and try to accept her new family.

My thoughts:

A couple of years ago I watched The Official Story, another Argentinian film that dealt with similar subject matter. This movie seems to be its natural companion - The Official Story tells of an adoptive mother who finds out her daughter might be a child of the disappeared, and Cautiva tells of a teenaged girl who is told her parents are part of the disappeared. Each dealt with the heartbreak and guilt that would come with finding out such news, and each was a powerful movie in its own right. This movie is well acted and directed, and I do recommend it, although you should know it has some scenes of violence and nudity.

Summer Palace (Yihe Yuan) (2006) - China

Synopsis:

A girl from a small town in China is accepted into the university in Beijing, where she falls obsessively in love with a boy, and is witness to the Tiannamen Square protests.

My thoughts:

This was likened to Doctor Zhivago - I see the comparison in the obsessive love affair, but I don't think it was nearly as good a movie. It had moments of being quite beautiful, but for the most part seemed long and plodding. The scene in Tiannamen Square, however, was riveting, and I'm glad I watched the movie for that alone. However, it does have prolific nudity and sexual situations, and I'm not sure I can recommend this one for a number of reasons.

And with these two movies, I have complete the Orbis Terrarum film mini-challenge - Yay!!

Here is the complete list of movies I've watched:

1 - Au Revoir Les Enfants (France)
2 - Journey from the Fall (Vietnam)
3 - The Namesake (India)
4 - The Band's Visit (Israel)
5 - 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days (Romania)
6 - Good Morning, Night (Italy)
7 - Let the Right One In (Sweden)
8 - Rudo y Cursi (Mexico)
9 - Cautiva - Argentina
10 - Summer Palace - China

This is a great challenge - I am already looking forward to next year. Thanks to Bethany for hosting the Orbis Terrarum challenge.

Relative Reads Review - The Shack by William Paul Young

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:52:00 +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.

The Shack by William Paul Young (recommended by Aunt Leah)
published 2007
248 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"

My thoughts:

I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons - my aunt Leah recommended it, and she has great taste in books; and because there has been A LOT of varying opinions about it floating around, so I was interested to see what I would think.

I guess I was a little underwhelmed. I found it to be neither sacrilegious nor life-changing (both words I'd seen used to describe this book). Much of the theology presented in the book was quite similar to what I personally believe. I found passages that made me cheer with agreement:

"We want males and females to be counterparts, face-to-face equals, each unique and different, distinctive in gender but complementary, and each empowered uniquely...I am not about performance and fitting into man-made structures; I am about being."

and passages that made me cringe in recognition:

"...you have judged many throughout your life. You have judged the actions and even the motivations of others, as if you somehow knew what those were in truth. You have judged the color of skin and body language and body odor. You have judged history and relationships. You have even judged the value of a person's life by the quality of your concept of beauty. By all accounts, you are well-practiced in the activity."

I was frustrated by the writing, which often just seemed clunky, and should have been cleaned up by a good editor. I didn't really care that much for the initial story, which seemed a lot like the backstory to an episode of Law & Order: SVU. But there were moments I found quite powerful and beautiful.

I think it's an interesting read. I understand why some people would consider it life-altering. I don't exactly get the charges of heresy, but in general I think those types of accusations are usually overblown. I think this probably is the very book that somebody needs, and I hope that person finds this book.

Finished: 10/23/09
Source: loan from my mom
Rating: 7/10

Don't just take my word for it! Here's what some other fabulous bloggers had to say:

Dreadlock Girl
She is too fond of books
Devourer of Books

TSS - Sunday Shorts

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:11:00 +0000

A few shorter reviews for your enjoyment. =)

The Liberation Diet by Kevin Brown and Annette Presley

published 2008
240 pages

Synopsis from Amazon:

Truly life-changing, The Liberation Diet by Kevin Brown and Annette Presley shatters myths to bring a commonsense approach to eating—and living. Exposing the half-truths and outright lies taught by conventional nutritional wisdom, the program reveals why modern diets fail and shows how The Liberation Diet is the answer to America’s weight problem. With a bold and candid wit, this must-read tells it like it is with a balance of knowledge and experience to teach a clear message about diet truth and error while promoting a lifestyle of real-food nutrition coupled with simple exercise. With chapter titles such as Lipid Profiling, The Stealth Additive, Milk Matters, and The Cow and the Tiger, the co-authors brilliantly script a simple plan to lose weight and keep it off for life. With thought provoking discussions on food additives, fats, carbohydrates, calories, water, salt, and more, readers will look at how they eat, why they eat, and what they eat in a whole new way.

My thoughts:

Well, this was an interesting book. I think much of the information presented was important, but was a bit turned off by the often sensationalistic approach used by the authors. I think the idea of fewer processed food, eating food as close to the way nature made it as possible, etc. is good advice - it's the same idea as shopping only on the perimeter of the grocery store. But when I read things in the book like, "the pharmaceutical industry invented the drug Viagra for carbohydrate lovers to combat a low sex drive", it made me question a lot of their assertions. I think this book is a good idea, but wouldn't be able to recommend it based on the way that idea is presented.

Finished: 10/29/09
Source: the authors - thank you!
Rating: 4/10

Days of Blood and Fire by Katharine Kerr (Deverry series, book six)
published 1993
390 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

In the peaceful land of the Rhiddaer, Jahdo the ratcatcher's son stumbles upon a secret meeting between a city council man and a dangerous, mysterious woman. Suddenly the boy is tangled in a web of intrigue and black magic that drags him far from home. In the company of a blind bard, Jahdo must travel to Deverry to unravel the evil that binds him. But there the boy is caught up in dangers far greater than he has ever known. Two powerful sorcerers--one human, the other elven--are battling to save the country from a goddess gone mad. Their strongest ally is the mercenary soldier Rhodry Maelwaedd, a berserker bound to both women by fate and magic . . . and to the dragon upon whom all their live may depend.

My thoughts:

Yep, I still love this series, even with the introduction of (gasp!) a dragon. In this installment, Kerr takes a break from her adventures in the past lives of her characters, and offers up an entire novel set in the present life of Jill and Rhodry. While I always enjoy learning about their part, there is just something so compelling about these two characters, and I very much enjoyed staying in their lives for this entire novel. She also opens up more of her world, giving us a glimpse of the home of the dwarves, as well as two entirely new groups of people, which can only be setting the stage for more drama. This is an excellent series based on Celtic mythology, and I highly recommend it.

Finished: 11/26/09
Source: Forest Avenue Library
Rating: 8/10

Isis by Douglas Clegg
published 2009
113 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

If you lost someone you loved, what would you pay to bring them back from the dead?

Old Marsh, the gardener at Belerion Hall, warned the Villiers girl about the old ruins along the seacliffs. “Never go in, miss. Never say a prayer at its door. If you are angry, do not seek revenge by the Laughing Maiden stone, or at the threshold of the Tombs. There be those who listen for oaths and vows…. What may be said in innocence and ire becomes flesh and blood in such places.”

She was born Iris Catherine Villiers. She became Isis.

From childhood until her sixteenth year, Iris Villiers wandered the stone-hedged gardens and the steep cliffs along the coast of Cornwall near her ancestral home. Surrounded by the stern judgments of her grandfather—the Gray Minister—and the taunts of her cruel governess, Iris finds solace in her beloved older brother who has always protected her. But when a tragic accident occurs from the ledge of an open window, Iris discovers that she possesses the ability to speak to the dead...

Be careful what you wish for.

My thoughts:

This would be a perfect choice for someone participating in next years RIP challenge - this short novella packs a lot of punch. Clegg gets the atmosphere just right, and the illustrations by Glen Chadbourne are gorgeous and haunting. Apparently, this story is part of Clegg's larger Harrow House series, and has made me want to seek those novels out. I'm not usually a horror fan, but this author has won me over. Spooky and heartbreaking.

Finished: 11/29/09
Source: Forest Avenue Library
Rating: 8/10

Review - Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
published 2009
532 pages

Synopsis from publisher:

In the ruthless arena of King Henry VIII's court, only one man dares to gamble his life to win the king's favor and ascend to the heights of political power

England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years, and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. The quest for the king's freedom destroys his adviser, the brilliant Cardinal Wolsey, and leaves a power vacuum.

Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell is a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people and a demon of energy: he is also a consummate politician, hardened by his personal losses, implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?

My thoughts:

How does one make a 500+ page novel about the Tudor court seem almost passionless? I mean, we all know the stories of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Katharine of Aragon and Thomas Cromwell - these people were brash and proud and lusty and courageous and strong. Why then, after reading the Booker Prize winning Wolf Hall, do I feel more like I've read an essay about these characters than a fully engrossing novel?

I almost think Mantel's novel was SO well-researched that she lost track of the wonderfully fascinating people who lived this story. She clearly knows her stuff, and I don't think you could fault the historical accuracy of the novel. But it didn't sweep me away into the lives of Henry and Thomas, which is really what I wanted when I picked it up.

Don't get me wrong - I read it all the way through to the end, and in places it was compelling. But there was just SO much of the political, when I was hungering for more of the personal. Also, Mantel made the decision to refer to Cromwell as "he" for much of the novel. This was at times confusing when it seemed more logical that someone else would be the "he" that was speaking - I found myself reading and re-reading fairly frequently just to get a handle on who exactly was talking. It was strange, and threw me out of the narrative on a number of occasions.

I'm not terribly familiar with Booker Prize-winning novels, so I can't say if this is representative of the genre, but I will say that, for me, it was a disappointment. I don't think it will encourage me to pick up another novel by this author, which is too bad, because I really wanted to love her work.

Finished: 11/22/09
Source: Forest Avenue Library
Rating: 6/10

This book counts toward:

451 Fridays

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:05:00 +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'm so thankful to welcome Anna to 451 Fridays. Anna blogs at Diary of an Eccentric, where there is always something interesting going on. I love the articles she writes for Examiner.com, and the joint reviews she does with her daughter, The Girl. Anna is also the co-host of the War Through the Generations challenge, which I am looking forward to participating in next year. Welcome, Anna!

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

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan -- Amy Tan tells such beautiful stories and her understanding of the complex mother-daughter dynamic and ability to put it into words is awesome.

Night by Elie Wiesel -- A must-read for those interested in learning about the Holocaust.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen -- Austen's humorous commentary on society, manners, and relationships is the original chick lit.

Anne of Green Gables (series) by L.M. Montgomery -- It's impossible not to fall in love with Anne, the free-spirited child, and watching her grow into a women, wife, and mother was a high-point of my childhood reading.

Sea Glass by Anita Shreve -- Shreve has a way of making her characters come to life, and she brilliantly throws in a final twist that leaves you shocked and emotionally drained.

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

The Joy Luck Club. It's been my favorite book since I first read it in college, and one of the few books I've read more than once. It makes me cry every time.

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

"And then my mother cut a piece of meat from her arm. Tears poured from her face and blood spilled to the floor.

My mother took her flesh and put it in the soup. She cooked magic in the ancient tradition to try to cure her mother this one last time. She opened Popo's mouth, already too tight from trying to keep her spirit in. She fed her this soup, but that night Popo flew away with her illness.

Even though I was young, I could see the pain of the flesh and the worth of the pain.

This is how a daughter honors her mother. It is shou so deep it is in your bones. The pain of the flesh is nothing. The pain you must forget. Because sometimes that is the only way to remember what is in your bones. You must peel off your skin, and that of your mother, and her mother before her. Until there is nothing. No scar, no skin, no flesh." (page 41 in my paperback copy)

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

If you have a list you are burning to share, please let me know - I'd love to have you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:39:00 +0000

"Give me the end of the year an' its fun
When most of the plannin' an' toilin' is done;
Bring all the wanderers home to the nest,
Let me sit down with the ones I love best,
Hear the old voices still ringin' with song,
See the old faces unblemished by wrong,
See the old table with all of its chairs
An' I'll put soul in my Thanksgivin' prayers."
- Edgar A. Guest, Thanksgiving

This year, I am thankful:

~That my uncle Mark, who has lived for 26 years with ALS, is home from the hospital after a scary bout with pneumonia.

~ That Baby Sam came through his first surgery with flying colors.

~ That I have a job, no matter how much I complain about it.

~ That spending the holidays with my family is a pleasure, not a chore

~ That I have blessings upon blessings - my life is good!

Baby Sam surgery update

elischulenburg@gmail.com (Elizabeth) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:18:00 +0000

From his website, written by his mom at 3:30 this afternoon:

"We have just come from seeing our son! He is puffy, swollen, bruised,and covered with Betadine stains... but I must say when we saw him open his little eyes we did not care about anything else. Our baby boy is alive. He made it through his first surgery!! Thank you Lord!

He has pacing wires, a femoral artery catheter, chest tubes, and an arterial line in his neck added to the growing collection of hardware on his little body. His heart rate has been good and steady, his oxygen sats look right where they should be, and his blood pressure is excellent. Everything looks great so far.

The day before Thanksgiving and we have SO MUCH to be thankful for this year. So very much. I'll probably be eating a turkey sandwich from the hospital cafeteria tomorrow, but I don't care. Not even a little bit. We have our sweet sweet Sam. He is lying in a tiny hospital warming bed hooked up to medications and machines...but we have him, his heart beating his lungs breathing. That is all we need."

Certainly something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving!