Hooked Bookworm

Miss Lonelyhearts - Nathanael West

2012-03-09T11:35:00.001-05:00

   At a newspaper column in 1930s New York City, letters arrive every day seeking the advice of "Miss Lonelyhearts." While some people are looking for relationship advice ("but no boy will take me because I was born without a nose"), and others need birth control tips ("I have 7 children in 12 years"), they all have one thing in common - they are all miserable and hoping that Miss Lonelyhearts can offer sound advice to solve their problems for good. But what most of the public doesn't know is that "Miss Lonelyhearts" is really just a bored young man who is just as unhappy as they are. The rest of the novella follows Miss Lonelyhearts as he explores various paths to fulfillment, namely sex, alcohol, and religion. But unfortunately, these attempts only lead him to varying degrees of more misery and unhappiness.

   Published in 1933, Miss Lonelyhearts is a bleak satirical commentary on the increasing level of social and personal disillusionment in post-depression America. Despite living in New York City with an ongoing connection to and dialogue with the public through his newspaper job, Miss Lonelyhearts feels increasingly isolated and detached from the city that so desperately seeks his advice. Determined to make one final attempt at human connection, he reaches out to an unlikely companion and learns a moment too late that his sense of social responsibility has only led him down a path of self-destruction.

   Nathanael West died when he was just 37, but spent most of his writing career exploring his cynical perspective on American culture, which he is famous for today. Coming of age during wartime and writing during the Great Depression, West's bleak view of America was certainly justified and is exemplified through Miss Lonelyhearts. The novella is less than 100 pages, so it can be read in one sitting, but it feels much more epic than its length suggests. West's book is both hilarious and devastating, embodying the dichotomy of his America - a place of endless pleasure to distract us from our fate of lifelong misery. I know. It sounds awfully whiny and broody, but when you think about all the desolation and suffering West witnessed in his short 37 years (WWI, The Great Depression, the beginning of WWII), his perspective of America was understandably tarnished.

Queenpin - Megan Abbott

2012-03-07T10:49:00.000-05:00

   Megan Abbott's 2007 novel, Queenpin, is a throwback to the hard-boiled, noir mysteries of the pulp fiction heyday. You can practically smell cigarette smoke and whiskey fumes wafting right out of the pages. In the novel, a young woman (our nameless narrator) is recruited by a notorious female mob boss, Gloria Denton, into the dangerous and seedy world of money laundering and illegal betting. Everything is just swell with our narrator and her new job - until she gets distracted by a man, that is. It's a classic rookie mistake and she knows it, but she had no idea how severe the consequences would be for letting down her guard. Gloria quickly introduces our lusty protagonist to a world of cruelty and violence that she never could have imagined. It's a dog-eat-dog world in noir crime fiction, and our anonymous narrator must quickly learn how to hold her own before she finds herself cold and toothless in a shallow grave.

   Noir fiction is a quickly-disappearing literary genre, but if anyone can cause a resurgence in popularity it's Megan Abbott. Last year I raved about her most recent book, The End of Everything, and I'm not at all surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It made me want to put on red lipstick, light up a cigarette and rough somebody up. Gloria Denton is sexy, mysterious, and cool, but she's also completely ruthless and merciless - and our narrator can never quite decide if she loves her or hates her. Either way, she is terrified of what Gloria is capable of.

   But pretty soon, Gloria's protégé becomes a little more confident in her own abilities, and Queenpin boils down to a question of reluctant loyalty or blatant betrayal. Megan Abbott's writing is well-crafted, creative, and darkly nostalgic. Pulsing with seduction, violence, and suspense, Queenpin should be at the top of the list for fans of nouveau noir.

The Hollywood Sign - Leo Braudy

2012-03-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

   Before Hollywood became a place of red carpets, glitz, glamour, and celebrity sightings, it was a quiet little suburban town on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It was marketed to home buyers as a "miniature Eden" and "Utopian community" - a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life. It's hard to imagine a quiet, serene version of Hollywood, California - a place that is now a cultural icon and landmark - but Leo Braudy's book takes us back in time to a forgotten era of the city's history.

   Once upon a time, around the turn of the 20th century, Hollywood was an anonymous dot on a California map without a movie star in sight. In fact, Leo Braudy says "there was no premeditated effort to make Hollywood the center of the west coast film business, let alone the American film business generally" (p. 26). But in 1911, the first movie production companies began opening in Hollywood and, well, the rest is history - a very fascinating and little known aspect of American history.

   An entire book about the history of a sign might sound excruciatingly boring, but I assure you, The Hollywood Sign is entertaining and very readable, because it's not just a book about a sign - it's about the origins of America's romance with fame, fortune, scandal, celebrity, and iconicism. As Braudy says, "Hollywood is a complicated place," and it always has been. From the early, quiet days of the "Hollywoodland" housing development to the modern American monument that it is today, Braudy's book charts the tumultuous and intense history of one of the most famous cities in the world.

I'm Down - Mishna Wolff

2012-03-02T11:45:00.000-05:00

   When you hear something described as "Black and White," it is often synonymous with the idea of something that is definitive or objective. But for Mishna Wolff, the terms Black and White are anything but definitive - they are confusing and emotionally charged terms. Mishna and her family may have been legally required to check the "Caucasian" box on official paperwork, but her single father made it clear from an early age that their family would identify with Black culture. Anora, Mishna's younger sister, fit right in with the kids in their low-income, all-Black neighborhood, but Mishna was never quite able to blend in the way her sister did. In fact, she stuck out like a very white, very sore thumb. She wasn't a good dancer, she was terrible at Basketball, and her musical preferences rarely included R&B or Hip-Hop. But Mishna's father was convinced that they were a Black family, so he did everything in his power to convince his daughter to "get with the program," or rather, get "down."

   I'm Down is a book about racial and cultural identity, but it's also about Mishna's strained relationship with her father. Because she was "painfully white," she spent a great deal of time trying to impress her Dad, who thought that his children should develop the exact same sense of identity as his own. But Mishna, unlike her sister, was never able to seamlessly blend into their Black community, and as a consequence, she was never able to blend in with her own family. This caused declarations failure, disappointment, and even accusations of racism - all directed at a very young and very stressed out Mishna.

   But despite John Wolff's frequently voiced disappointment in his own daughter, all she wanted to do was please him, which often meant pretending to be someone she wasn't. I'm Down is a very funny and entertaining memoir, but it's also heartbreaking and probing. When your sense of self clashes with your family identity and cultural identity, it's impossible to determine what is "Black and White." Wolff's memoir begs the question: Why is it so important that we choose one over the other?

420 Characters - Lou Beach

2012-02-29T11:18:00.001-05:00

   Lou Beach's 420 Characters is a collision of art and fiction. Before these tiny little stories were compiled into a book, they were published on Facebook as status updates - "limited to 420 characters, including letters, spaces, and punctuation." It might sound easy, but imagine trying to tell an entire story (plot, characters, setting, etc.) in 420 characters or less. It takes a great deal of discernment and tremendous editing skills.

   The book is similar in concept to "flash fiction,"where authors are limited to a specific word count (usually 1000 or less) but characters and punctuation are not counted. Flash fiction is challenging for both the author and the reader. Because the author must write within very specific technical limitations, there is often a great deal of ambiguity in the stories, leaving more room for interpretation for the reader. It becomes an extremely heightened state of both reading and writing.

   But Beach's stories are not quite as self-contained as flash fiction stories. Some of the vignettes in 420 Charatcter are revisited throughout the book. Sometimes a character reappears, or a new character enters an old setting, and sometimes you just get that "I've been here before" feeling. Several of the stories compelled me to count the characters, because a variation of a word or an addition of a punctuation mark would have completely changed the tone and meaning of the story. But I resisted and did no such counting, because that is the point of this genre - to compel readers to consider how quickly our words can shift and undulate in meaning just by the addition of (or omission of) a single word, comma, or letter.

   420 Characters also includes original illustrations by Lou Beach, which sometimes resemble the surrealist style of Dali. Because the stories are so quick to read, you might be compelled to turn the page before you even have time to process them. But the illustrations provide nice little opportunities to take a break and reflect. A few of them are subtly bizarre and may require more contemplation than the stories.

   This book really makes you appreciate the craft involved in writing. From the selection of a character's name to the choosing of vocabulary, writing is under-appreciated as a physical art form. I would not be surprised to walk into a museum and find all 169 pages of Beach's book framed and on display. But until then, they are proudly displayed on a Facebook wall, which is updated regularly with new stories that you won't find in the book. However, I would recommend reading the print version...it feels much more meaningful and permanent on individual pages.

Akata Witch - Nnedi Okorafor

2012-02-27T11:13:00.001-05:00

   The heroine of Nnedi Okorafor's new YA novel is in the midst of a major identity crisis. She is American by birth, but has moved with her family back to her parents' birthplace of Nigeria. Being an American in Nigeria is socially challenging enough, but on top of that, Sunny is albino, which makes her the target of much ridicule and teasing from the kids at school.

   But Sunny is different in other ways as well - she sees strange visions and has dreams that feel like premonitions. Luckily, her friends Orlu and Chichi enlighten Sunny as to why she feels like an outsider. Sunny soon learns that she is a descendant of a long line of "Leopard People" who are both blessed and burdened by magical abilities. Sunny is beginning to understand who she really is when she and her friends are called on by a higher council to track down a dangerous serial killer - Black Hat Otokota - a man who uses his Leopard abilities to perform sinister and evil rituals. Sunny must quickly learn the magical skills of her people so that she and her friends can challenge Black Hat before it is too late for everyone.

   Lately, it seems like there is a lot of white noise in the YA genre, but Sunny and her friends are unique and refreshing additions to the collection. They are not bogged down by romance and typical teen angst (and they don't encounter a single vampire!)- they are shouldered with serious responsibilities and must be wise beyond their years in order to handle them. Not only is Leopard magic (or juju as they call it) difficult to learn, but it can also be incredibly dangerous if not properly executed. Sunny is swiftly thrust into this world of magic and sorcery, but she handles it like a lifelong professional - and that's because she sort of is. Orlu explains to Sunny that Leopard people are born with their powers and abilities, they just need to be "activated" on a spiritual level before they can be controlled on a physical plane.

   Needless to say, Nnedi Okorafor is an excellent storyteller. With Akata Witch she has artfully crafted a story of magic, friendship, and self-discovery in the midst of great peril. I wish the book were a bit longer and that some of the characters were more fully developed - especially the interesting people we meet at Leopard Headquarters. The book is arranged in a way that suggests the possibility of a sequel, but I don't have a definitive answer on that yet. Akata Witch is the classic Good vs Evil tale, but with a fresh and exciting twist, and I think that both teens and adults would find Sunny's story to be imaginative and fascinating.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson

2012-02-24T19:57:00.000-05:00

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest picks up exactly where the previous book ended, and I don't want to spoil anything for those who may not have read the first two Millennium books, so let's just say that Lisbeth Salander is in all kinds of trouble and her resources are very limited. To avoid spoilers, I won't say much else about the plot other than the fact that it didn't follow the same pattern as the first two (50-100 pages of background/setup then BOOM! BOOM! Non -stop action!). The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest felt much slower to me, but still engaging and entertaining nonetheless. In this book, we are introduced to quite a few new characters as well, which, as I mentioned in my post for The Girl Who Played With Fire, can be difficult to keep track of if you don't speak Swedish.

I personally did not enjoy this book as much as the first two. It wasn't nearly as creative or well-written, and the story felt very choppy at times. But still, it is the final piece of the Millennium Trilogy, and I find the Lisbeth Salander story to be incredibly entertaining. Unfortunately, Stieg Larsson passed away before he could complete any more novels, and though I've heard rumors of a fourth manuscript, thus far none have been confirmed. Either way, through the character of Lisbeth Salander and her loyal friend, Mikael Blomkvist, Stieg Larsson has left an unforgettable literary legacy for the world. He was brave enough to breach the controversial and often taboo subject of sexual violence, bringing international awareness to the issue of brutal and sadistic crimes against women. And for this fortitude, I will forever applaud him.

One Secret Thing - Sharon Olds

2012-02-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

If you've ever read anything by Sharon Olds, then you know that she writes highly provocative poetry. If humanity has an exposed nerve anywhere, she will find it. Her writing may be uncomfortable to read at times, but the raw truth of it and self-exposure is brave and bold. In "Self Portrait, Rear View," she views her own aging body and wonders if anyone has ever died, / looking in a mirror, of horror. Olds is not afraid to reveal herself as she reveals others. In "Pansy Coda" she writes: I am tired of hating myself, tired / of loathing. I want to be carried in a petal / sling, sling of satin and cream, / I want to be dazed, I want the waking sleep. One Secret Thing is a constant bombardment of images of war, decay, death, and abuse, juxtaposed with the purity and nature of birth, life, and love. It is emotionally challenging, but also greatly rewarding.

The most common thread throughout this 5 part collection comes in the form of conflicting images of motherhood, specifically the narrator's relationship with her own mother. In "Cassiopeia" we see a struggling relationship with a mother who was not meant to be a mother coupled with the tragedy of the feeling that some barrier between us is dissolving only as the mother reaches her deathbed in "The Last Evening." And then there is the stark portrayal of death, from its first rattle to the disposal of the flesh.

These poems seem to assert that, even if our bodies will never stop betraying us in their constant decay, our memories and souls can extend beyond the rubble of skin and bones through our relationships and impressions. If you are squeamish, Sharon Olds is probably not the poet for you. With explicit images of birth, sexuality, violence, and death, Olds makes Sylvia Plath look like Elizabeth Barrett Browning. But if you brave the wholeness and completeness of her poetry, you may get the inspiration to sharpen your senses and daringly view the world as Olds does - even if only for a brief, stinging moment - it will leave a mark.

Spectacular Home Libraries

2012-02-19T12:32:00.001-05:00

This week, Flavorwire has found another way to make us feel insanely jealous. These 20 Beautiful Private and Personal Libraries really are spectacular and may cause urges of home renovation and redecoration.

The Snow Child - Eowyn Ivey

2012-02-16T18:25:00.000-05:00

   Eowyn Ivey's debut novel tells the story of Mabel and Jack, a middle-aged couple who always wanted children, but were never able to raise any of their own. In 1920, they decide to embark upon a journey of new beginnings, so they move to rural Alaska to live a farming/subsistence lifestyle on their new homestead. Despite their efforts to seek fulfillment, Mabel and Jack are still plagued by loneliness, and they seem to be growing farther apart from one another. One day, during a brief occasion of intimacy, they decide to build a snowman together, which bears a resemblance to a little girl. But the next morning, the snowman is gone, and Jack and Mabel are bewildered, even more so when a mysterious child appears on their property. A closer look reveals that the child is a little girl, and for Jack and Mabel, there is something strangely familiar about her.

   The Snow Child is inspired by the Russian fairy tale, Snegurochka, in which a girl made of snow is raised by a childless couple. There are many versions of the story, but Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden) endures a terrible fate in nearly every one. In Eowyn Ivey's novel, Mabel is of Russian heritage and is very familiar with the story, and she begins to believe that perhaps their little snow child, whose name is Faina, is a magical manifestation and an answer to their prayers. Mabel is constantly asking herself whether or not Faina is real, or if the loneliness of the Alaskan wilderness is finally getting to her.

The Snow Child was recently added to Barnes and Noble's Discover Great New Writers shortlist, and the award is very well-deserved for Eowyn Ivey. I was so impressed by the writing in this novel that I could not put it down. It is reminiscent of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book in the descriptions of the isolated landscape and quiet, domestic scenes, but the fairy tale characteristics add a whole new dimension to the story. Even for the reader, Faina is almost like a mirage - floating in and out of the realm of reality and never staying in either place long enough to be sure where she belongs.

   I really enjoyed reading this novel, especially the juxtaposition of the harsh, solitary landscape of Alaska peppered with the whimsical and peculiar characteristics of the Snegurochka story. This is a book that I will be recommending for a long time. Eowyn Ivey writes with such grace, intuition, and delicate precision, and I hope she continues to write and publish her work.

House of Dolls - Francesca Lia Block, Illustrated by Barbara McClintock

2012-02-14T11:49:00.000-05:00

   After years of contributing masterpieces to the YA genre, Francesca Lia Block published a children's book in 2010 entitled House of Dolls, which was illustrated by Barbara McClintock. House of Dolls tells the story of Madison Blackberry and her beautiful doll collection that has been passed down to her by her grandmother. For the dolls, life is "small but good," but for Madison, life is empty (p.15). Her mother and father are constantly busy with their jobs and social engagements, so they've barely even noticed their daughter's loneliness. She doesn't get along with her brother, and her grandmother is more concerned about the dolls than she is about Madison. When Madison notices that the dolls are living happier, more fulfilled lives than her own, she makes a few devastating changes in the doll house.

   But all Madison needs is a little love in her life to undo the terrible pain that she has caused amongst the dolls, and luckily for Madison, her grandmother has been paying more attention than she realized and knows exactly what her neglected granddaughter needs to make things right again.

   House of Dolls is a "small but good" story about love and redemption that is perfectly paired with Barbara McClintock's stunning illustrations of the dolls, their majestic house, and their magnificent clothing. This book is a children's book, but I think it would be appropriate for anyone who needs to be reminded that love, compassion, and forgiveness have the power to correct our mistakes. Don't we all need to be reminded of that from time to time?

Hooked Bookworm on Facebook

2012-02-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody! Don't forget to check out our new Hooked Bookworm Facebook Page for extra updates and links you might not see on the blog!

Library: An Unquiet History - Matthew Battles

2012-02-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

Have you thanked a librarian today? There's a reason why that bumper sticker exists - to highlight the importance of a service that is underutilized and under-appreciated. The library is a staple of the community that is too often taken for granted, but Matthew Battles has provided us with an addition to the collection - a book about the history of the library, chronicling the centuries old struggle to provide the public with access to information. In the age of Google and Wikipedia this might not seem so exciting, but a lot of blood has been shed (literally) in the fight for intellectual freedom. You probably never considered a librarian to be a warrior, did you? Being a librarian is basically like being assigned to a special ops task. Just remember that next time you see one of those bumper stickers! Anyway, from the ancient world of Alexandria to today's small community library, the story of how the library has evolved "from there to here" is quite extraordinary.

As a librarian in training, I found this book to be very fascinating, but if you're not a library enthusiast, this book might be a little on the boring side. It's definitely not a light read, but to be fair, the history of the library could potentially fill volumes and volumes, so Battles did his best to highlight the major turning points and events. It's still pretty dense at times, but even so, many people use the library fairly consistently but are unaware of its history - of the struggles to overcome censorship, inaccessibility, book-burning, and prejudice. For a place with a mantra of "Shhhhhh," Battles has truly provided readers with an "unquiet" account of the institution. Now, wouldn't you feel better if you thanked a librarian today?

The Reality of Romance

2012-02-10T12:10:00.000-05:00

If you've ever been in a relationship for more than 6 months then you know that love and romance don't always feel like prancing through a field of rainbows with your "lover" (why does that gross word even exist?). The reality of romance is that once the initial fairy tale magic wears off and the hustle and bustle of daily life sets in, maintaining a relationship is NOT like Nicholas Sparks says it is. It's hard. And sometimes it's not pretty or attractive at all. You may think that your relationship will look like Buttercup and Westley's for the rest of your life - all lusty and moony-eyed - but it won't. You'll probably gain weight and develop an embarrassing skin rash at some point. And your idea of sexy lingerie will become the underwear that don't have any holes in them yet. But that's ok. It just means you're normal.

So this year, instead of suggesting mushy-gushy love stories or sexy, steamy lust stories for Valetine's Day reading, I thought I'd put together a list of books that I think more accurately depict the reality of romance.

Autobiography of a Fat Bride - Laurie Notaro

I love Laurie Notaro for so many reasons, one of them being that she has no disillusions about romantic relationships. There may not even be a romantic bone in her body, but that's ok, because she and her husband are just fine with a night of heavy food and TV. This hilarious collection of essays chronicles Laurie's experiences as she ties the knot and enters the realm of "marital bliss." If you've ever had to plan a wedding and found it stressful and nerve-racking, then this is the Valentine's Day book for you. Sure the honeymoon is over, but Laurie Notaro shows us that real people can love each other in sweatpants just fine!

Bonk - Mary Roach

This book is subtitled "The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex," and that's exactly what it is - a scientific approach to sex rather than a romantic approach. Bonk explores the questions about sex that couples may be afraid to ask or discuss. Yeah, it might ruin the mood if you're prone to asking things like, "Honey, do paraplegics have orgasms too?" but that's what Mary Roach is here for. There's nothing romantic about this book, but it sure is fascinating. After all, inquiring minds want to know, and Mary Roach is not afraid to investigate anything, even if it means prying into people's intimate, personal lives in order to find out more about one of the most taboo topics in history.

Maine - J. Courtney Sullivan

J. Courtney Sullivan's 2011 novel chronicles the lives of 4 women in the Kelleher family and their respective relationships. One is a widow, one is an unwed mother, one is increasingly unhappy in her stale marriage, and the other is beginning a new relationship at 50-something. None of them have fairy tale romances as they encounter real problems that real couples face, such as commitment issues, infidelity, and regret. But that's exactly why readers are able to empathize with the Kelleher women so well - because J. Courtney Sullivan is brave enough to suggest that lust and romance may not be the only way to find fulfillment in a relationship. You can read my full review here.

The Uncoupling - Meg Wolitzer

Reading this novel may be reminiscent of reading a fairy tale because of the mysterious circumstances of the plot, but it's more like a cautionary fairy tale than anything else. Something strange has happened in Stellar Plains, New Jersey - all the women have lost their interest in sex - and their husbands/boyfriends are completely dumbfounded. The women may be under a temporary spell, but the repercussions are permanent as we realize that passion and lust are fleeting, but they don't have to disappear forever, nor should we take them for granted. Relationships need tending if they are to flourish, but a healthy relationship will probably look different for every couple, and The Uncoupling provides us with a pretty good sampling. You can read my full review from 2011 here.

Tipping the Velvet - Sarah Waters

This story of unrequited love is probably the most romantic one you'll find on this list, but the circumstances of the plot and setting make it relevant. Tipping the Velvet is about the late 19th century romance of Nan King and Kitty Butler - two young women who fall in love in Victorian England. For obvious reasons, they are forced to keep their relationship a secret, that is until Kitty abruptly ends their romance, and Nan sets out to find fulfillment on her own (sometimes looking in all the wrong places). But this novel, published in 2000, isn't just about unrequited love - it's about the social and political circumstances that can affect relationships, and those circumstances make us realize that no matter who you love, relationships always have been and always will be challenging. But you know what they say, the greater the challenge the greater the reward...sometimes at least.

Valentine's Day Dos and Don'ts for book gifts

2012-02-09T10:50:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, and you enjoy giving books as gifts, you may want to check out Flavorwire's list of Books You Definitely Shouldn't Give to Your Valentine. But don't worry. This list of "Don'ts" is counteracted with plenty of great suggestions for "dos" in the Valentine's Day gift department as well.

Maud Martha - Gwendolyn Brooks

2012-02-06T14:02:00.001-05:00

"To be cherished was the dearest wish of the heart of Maud Martha Brown" writes Gwendolyn Brooks in the opening pages of her one and only published novel (p. 2). We meet Maud Martha when she is just seven years old and follow her story through childhood, school years, dating, marriage, and motherhood. Maud Martha believes that "to most people, nothing at all 'happens,'" but Gwendolyn Brooks pursues the tiny sparks and daily miracles and tragedies that most people overlook in an ordinary life (p. 149). Simple, daily occurrences are described so intimately and sharply that you'll wonder why your own everyday experiences seem so uneventful and dull. Gwendolyn Brooks could write the biography of a dust mite and make it intense, riveting, and empathetic, which perhaps explains why she won the Pulitzer Prize and was named Poet Laureate of Illinois.

Maud Martha was chosen as this month's selection for Laurie Notaro's Idiot Girls Book Club, which is an online Book Club that meets once a month through Facebook. This is my first month joining the IGBC, but after reading Maud Martha, I am definitely coming back in March! Just as I was blown away by the poetic strength in Lionel Shriver's novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin, I was equally impressed by the writing in Maud Martha. It did take me a few chapters to get used to the staccato flashes that comprise her story, but it is a powerful way of writing, and for a novel that is only 180 pages, Maud Martha is succinctly well-defined. Written with the poignancy and grace of Brooks's own poetry and the raw intuition of a Toni Morrison novel, Maud Martha provides a brief glimpse into the life of an "ordinary" mid 20th century Black woman.

Pink Smog - Francesca Lia Block

2012-02-02T21:01:00.000-05:00

   Pink Smog tells the story of Louise Bat, better known today as Weetzie Bat, who is one of my favorite literary characters of all time. But when she was 13, Louise hadn't fully blossomed into Weetzie yet. In school, she is picked on and bullied (as are her very few friends), and at home, her father has moved away unexpectedly and her mother is usually passed out drunk in front of the TV. But when she meets Winter, everything begins to change. Weetzie sometimes cannot decide if Winter is real, or if he is her guardian angel. He is mysterious, elusive, and always seems to be around when she's in trouble. But things get even more strange when Weetzie begins to receive mysterious envelopes with cryptic poems inside - poems that seem to be leading her on a scavenger hunt to some of the most magical and exciting places in L.A. Through these strange journeys and the ongoing search for her father, Weetzie embarks on a journey of self-discovery that eventually leads her into the world of Dangerous Angels.

   Even though this novel has been marketed as a stand-alone prequel to the other Weetzie Bat books, I would still recommend reading Weetzie Bat first. Weetzie is magical, whimsical, and glamorous, and after all, where you end up is much more important than where you begin, right? When I started reading this novel, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. I have such strong emotional ties to Weetzie Bat, and Louise didn't really feel like the Weetzie I know, and L.A. didn't seem as magical as Weetzie's L.A. But that's because Louise hadn't yet experienced all the things that would make her Weetzie. By the end of the novel, it felt like a much more natural segue into the rest of the series.

   However, I do wish that Francesca Lia Block had stuck to the third person narrative of Weetzie Bat rather than the first person voice of Pink Smog. The third person voice somehow made her seem more infinite and less vulnerable as a literary character. But it does make more sense from a character-development standpoint...if Weetzie seems more vulnerable and less-developed than she does in Weetzie Bat it's because she is. She doesn't yet have Dirk and Duck and Cherokee and Witch Baby, but Pink Smog puts her on the right track.

Concierge Confidential - Michael Fazio and Michael Malice

2012-01-31T10:51:00.000-05:00

   Concierge Confidential is comprised of little vignettes about Michael Fazio's experiences as a concierge. From a personal assistant to a hotel concierge to an entrepreneur, this guy has seen it all when it comes to service. If you need reservations at exclusive restaurants, tickets to sold-out Broadway shows, or just dry cleaning services, Michael Fazio is your man. Oh and if you need a bathtub filled with chocolate, a private helicopter to take you to Atlantic City, or VD medication, he can do that as well.

   But this book isn't just about crazy requests from the rich and famous - it's also about the philosophy behind impeccable service and why the standards of excellence are the way they are. He also shares a few tips with readers about the secrets of the service industry, which might be really helpful if you live in Manhattan and happen to be a zillionaire.

   Michael Fazio might not be a professional writer (the sentences are often clunky and unpolished), but I have a great deal of respect for him. As someone who has worked in service for nearly 10 years, I know how stressful it can be, but Michael Fazio might be the most patient, hardworking person in the world, which is exactly why he and his business partner, Abbie, have been so successful. I'll never look at a hotel concierge the same way again!

   I've always had respect for people who work in the service industry, but not all service is good service. With Concierge Confidential, Michael Fazio has set the service bar pretty high, and like I said in my previous post for Rosina Harrison's book, service is all about the details, and there's no better person to manage the details of your desire than Michael Fazio, Concierge Extraordinaire!

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson

2012-01-26T10:58:00.001-05:00

   In Stieg Larsson's second Millennium Trilogy novel, the tables have turned for Lisbeth Salander. The introverted, antisocial woman finds herself as the target of a media feeding frenzy when her fingerprints are found at a double murder crime scene. To complicate matters further, the victims were working closely with Lisbeth's old friend, Mikael Blomkvist, on exposing Sweden's underground sex trade industry. For the first time in her life, Lisbeth is unable to solve the problem on her own, but lucky for her, Mikael owes her a big favor.

   The Girl Who Played with Fire follows a pattern similar to that in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The first 200 or so pages provide background information and sub-plot details, so it moves a bit slow, but I was never bored. But like the first book in the trilogy, the plot starts picking up speed about midway through, and once things start happening they don't stop. And then you find yourself sucked into the powerful vortex of a Stieg Larsson novel...and then you stop showering and all signs of productivity come to a temporary halt because finishing the book has become the only item on your agenda. I guess you could say I was hooked like a bookworm (good one, Karli!).

   Anyway, what I really liked about this book is the fact that we finally get more of a back story on our heroine. In the first one, we only get a few bits and pieces of Lisbeth's life story, but here, a more complete account is slowly revealed. However, this does make the second book much more complicated than the first - more stories, more characters, more details. And if you're like me and you don't speak Swedish, it can be difficult to keep track of all the names.

   I wasn't planning on starting the final Millennium book so soon, but this story doesn't wind down like it did in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The ending is more of a cliffhanger, and like I said before, I'm hooked...so off I go to find out what happens in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor - Rosina Harrison

2012-01-23T12:42:00.000-05:00

Rosina Harrison (Rose) always knew she would lead the life of a servant. Service had been the livelihood of her family for generations, yet Rose had dreams beyond cooking, cleaning and laundry - she wanted to travel. In early 20th century England, travel was a luxury that few could afford, so Rose found a way around her financial obstacles by becoming the personal maid to Lady Nancy Astor. The Astors were a well-respected, Aristocratic family in England, and despite their American upbringing, the family was held in high political and social esteem (Lady Astor was the first woman to serve in British Parliament). Rose served the Astors for 35 years, and in her many years of service she was exposed to the most intimate details of the daily lives of British Aristocrats.

In her memoir, Rose describes her life as a Lady's maid, depicting the private details of her relationship with the Astors and the daily duties she was expected to perform, some of which include dressing and re-dressing Lady Astor up to 5 times a day, maintaining Lady Astor's personal chambers, and caring for the priceless family jewels and heirlooms. As most servants did at the time, Rose lived with the Astors, which meant that she was on call at all hours of the day and night. Lady Astor had lots of energy and was known to be quite eccentric, so many of Rose's tales are quite entertaining. But Lady Astor was also a very stern, prideful woman, and her relationship with Rose often suffered under these traits.

But even so, during her 35 years with the Astors, Rose was able to achieve her dreams of travel. She accompanied Lady Astor all over Europe and the United States, where Lady Astor made sure that her favorite servant was able to sight-see to her heart's content, as long as she managed to complete her daily duties of course. Some readers might find Rose's detailed descriptions of service boring and tedious, but a servant's life depends on their ability to manage the details, and Rosina Harrison was a top-tier servant.

Rose may not have been a professional writer, but her story gives us a more accurate depiction of the running of an elite British household from the underbelly of the servants' quarters to the upstairs dinner parties with George Bernard Shaw, T.E. Lawrence (of Lawrence of Arabia fame), and a whole slew of of British Royalty. If you're a huge fan of Downton Abbey like I am, then Rose's memoir should prove to be quite entertaining, and through her story we see that fact is not far from fiction at all. Rose: My Life in Service to Lady Astor provides us with a real account of 20th century Lords, Ladies, maids, cooks, butlers, valets, and chauffeurs, and it's really quite remarkable to track the tremendous social change that occurred between Rose's birth in 1899 and the book's publication in 1975.

Rainy Day Reading

2012-01-21T12:36:00.000-05:00

Since it's been an especially wet winter down south this year, I decided to make a Listmania list of Rainy Day Reading. And since it has rained here nearly every day for 2 weeks, I figure it's a perfect time for a rainy day reading discussion. What books do you like to curl up with on a rainy day?

Introducing...

2012-01-19T15:35:00.000-05:00

I am pleased to announce that Hooked Bookworm now has a Facebook page! Finally! If you're not a follower but you want updates, feel free to "like" the Facebook page linked in the left sidebar.

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats - T.S. Eliot

2012-01-19T11:02:00.000-05:00

   Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is a very short collection of poems about, well, cats of course! Those of you who are familiar with the musical, Cats, should recognize a few of the title characters since Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous production is based on this collection. While the original book was published around 1940, the version I read was published in 1982 with illustrations by Edward Gorey.

   Being that this is an illustrated collection of rhyming poetry about kitty-cats, it's usually marketed as a children's book, but things have changed since 1940 and I don't know many kids who are familiar with words like "terpsichorean" and "gastronomy." But there's something quite romantic about the idea of reading T.S. Eliot to your child, isn't there?

   Eliot may be known for his dense vocabulary and disjointed, artistic writing style that the modernists embraced, but Mr. Eliot also had a playful side! Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats sometimes reminded me of reading Dr. Seuss, with whimsical verses and tongue-tying names like "Mr Mistoffelees" or "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer." Yes, it's silly, but when you think about our beloved Cat in the Hat it's clear that American culture has always embraced silly animal stories for one reason or another. In his poem, "The Ad-Dressing of Cats," Eliot writes:

...Cats are much like you and me

And other people whom we find

Possessed of various types of mind.

For some are sane and some are mad

And some are good and some are bad

And some are better, some are worse -

But all may be described in verse.

So there you have it...cute poems about kitties plus quirky Edward Gorey illustrations makes for a fun, quick read - and it's a way to cheat and say you've read T.S. Eliot without having to drudge through The Waste Land (sorry, Elaine!). Lastly, I must recommend that, if possible, you read this little collection in the company of a cat. I had one on my lap nearly the whole time, and I must say, it quite improves the reading experience!

The "essential" dilemma

2012-01-17T11:04:00.001-05:00

No matter who you ask, everyone has a list of "essentials" for their bookshelves, as in the books that comprise the core collection - a handful of titles on display to demonstrate what a well-rounded reader you are. Today the Huffington Post published their list of essentials in the article 12 Books You NEED On Your Bookshelf. It's an eclectic mix, and while I may not agree with their choice of David Foster Wallace's The Pale King, I can certainly get on board with Toni Morrison's Beloved and Nobokov's Lolita.

If you've ever worked in a bookstore, then you may know that booksellers are frequently asked things like, "What books should I buy to make me look smart?" Wow. Ok. And I admit that while Les Miserables may still be sitting on my shelf making me look good, the bookmark is still holding my place on page 30 (I started it 10 years ago). All I'm saying is that books are conversation pieces, so make sure your own "essentials" aren't just there to impress visitors, or you may find yourself in a not-so-sophisticated situation.

If I were to comprise my own list (which would never work because the list would change every day) it probably wouldn't be as diverse as The Huffington Post's, but that's because I mostly read fiction. Perhaps I could come up with a list of "My Favorite Fiction from the Last 10 Years," or "My Favorite 20th Century Women Poets," but I don't think I could ever come up with a short list to encompass all genres and dates. That's why I love listmania lists. They can be as specific or as broad as you want...I've even created a few of my own on Amazon. I don't have trouble making day to day decisions, but let's just hope I never get invited to serve on the Pulitzer Board or anything. I would lose all of my hair and scratch out my eyes with that kind of pressure. That's why my opinions are better suited for blogging and listmania....because for me, the only thing that's essential for my lists is flexibility.

We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lionel Shriver

2012-01-13T18:54:00.001-05:00

Eva Khatchadourian's life changed forever on April 11, 1983 - the day she gave birth to her son, Kevin. It was supposed to be a day of joy and celebration, but Eva was always apprehensive about becoming a mother, and Kevin is a peculiar child. He is overly independent, a little too smart, and fiercely manipulative. Eva is the only one in her family who can see that he is a cruel, calculated individual - at least until the day that 15 year-old Kevin murders 9 of his high school classmates in a sinister, highly-organized fashion. Written as letter to her husband, Franklin, We Need to Talk About Kevin chronicles Eva's thoughts and memories as she relives Kevin's childhood and the events leading up to the murders. Through these letters we see an unapologetic woman who never wanted to have children, yet whose life will forever be defined by her son.

There are so many things I want to say about this novel, but I must first point out that it is so beautifully written that you may forget you're reading prose rather than poetry. Sometimes I felt like I was reading Leonard Cohen. For that reason, along with my opinion that Eva Khatchadourian is the most realistic, well-developed character I've ever encountered, I loved this book. Shriver has tapped into some of the most controversial questions about motherhood and marriage here, and I've never been more sympathetic to a character than I was with Eva. The nature vs. nurture question has been around for a while, yes, but Lionel Shriver takes the implications much further, especially regarding the emotions, experiences, impulses, and instincts that are ascribed as umbrella terms to motherhood.

But just in terms of plot, I am amazed and entranced by Shriver's ability to tell a story. She doesn't just tell it in terms of chronology or events - Eva's story unfolds as the emotions and memories occur and reemerge. She must come to terms with things that she never expected to encounter as a wife or mother. But that is exactly why this unfathomable story is so painfully realistic - because it happens all the time. People commit atrocious acts of violence every day that end up as white noise in the media. But white noise on a cultural level can be deconstructed and dissected to reveal the source - all the way down to the deafening shrieks of a single instance in time that, for some, will change everything forever. We Need to Talk About Kevin removes us as spectators and forces us to realize that none of us are untouchable.