BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Have you been playing the Bookword Game? We are still taking suggestions here for a word for:

What do you call an author that is one you know you can always count on for a good read? It can be for comfort, excitement, whatever - you know that author will deliver.

Leave your comments on that other post, and Suey will have a poll up around Wednesday, so you still have time to get a suggestion in.

In reading, I am in Biblical times with Biff and Joshua, looking for the Magi. You know Joshua as Jesus, and Biff was the best friend of Josh. Biff has been brought back to life in modern times to write his gospel to be added to the Bible. V. funny stuff here. (Lamb, by Christopher Moore)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Nobody Move by Denis Johnson

Nobody Move by Denis Johnson, 196 pages

published in 2009

I recognized the name Denis Johnson from his National Book Award, and Stephen King recommended book, Tree of Smoke from 2007. I never did get around to reading that one, but when I noticed this book on my library's list of new releases, I gave it a shot. (ha! I crack myself up.)

It's a mobster book, with lots of violence and guns and testosterone. There's two characters in trouble, who meet up, and aren't sure if they can trust each other. It was a quick and easy read, and left very little lasting impression. I liked it as I went along, and have since returned it to the library, and couldn't tell you a character name or specifically how it ended.

So to summarize: cotton candy, with a shot of testosterone.

MEME: Midweek Morsels

Kristina hosts Midweek Morsels on Wednesday and asks us to share a recipe we've tried or made through the week, or just feel like sharing. When the tomatoes in the garden come ripe, I don't do too much with them - mostly toasted tomato sandwiches or bruschetta or adding them to salads. This year I made a few batches of Tabbouleh but since I'm the only one who eats it, I don't make huge amounts. One very hot evening, I ate a light supper of fresh carrots and beans, plus Tabbouleh, on the deck, with a glass of wine.

My recipe is pretty vague and is based on a few versions, and was inspired on that particular night by Nan's posting at Letters from a Hill Farm. Her tabbouleh looks very different from mine, and is spelled differently too! Amounts depend on how much you like each ingredient. Sometimes I make it with tons of tomatoes, so the bulger is just barely on the tomatoes. Some recipes call for up to 1 C parsley, some add green onions. There is no one recipe for this salad - improvise.

Tabbouleh
Cover 1 C bulger with water, enough to cover. Let sit until water is absorbed, fluff bulger.

Cut up 2-3 tomatoes or halved cherry tomotoes, 1/2 cucumber, fresh parsley, and mint, depending on how much you like each. Toss into the bulger. Lightly drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the top, and then stir together. Enjoy!

GAME: The Bookword Game

We're back! Suey and I are back for another season of bookword challenges. Sometimes the week's book calls out to lots of people and sometimes we get few suggestions, but still good ones. What I suggest you do, especially if you read this on Google Reader, is to star this post, and then you can think of it during the week and come back with your suggestions. Think on it, mull it over, come back and read the post again, and maybe an idea will pop out at you. We allow more than one suggestion from people too! Sometimes a random suggestion will inspire another idea as well. Think of the suggestions as brainstorming - no bad ideas, just go with your first thought.

To start it off, we'll go with a write-in suggestion from one of our loyal players:

What do you call an author that is one you know you can always count on for a good read? It can be for comfort, excitement, whatever - you know that author will deliver.

I'll take ideas in the comments for the next week. Then we move to Suey's for two weeks, where she will post a poll to vote on at her blog on Wednesday, and after a week, announce results and a new word.

If you have any suggestions for new words, or for the game, leave them in the comments or email either Suey or me.

Have fun!

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

Well, we all survived BBAW. Tons of post, so many new bloggers to meet, giveaways everywhere. Thanks to the organizers for planning a week of posts, arranging the interview partners, and judging and awarding the awards. The key to not being overwhelmed is just to participate in what feels comfortable. It's not possible to do everything and read every post. Just have fun with what you can.

Tomorrow Suey and I will start up the Bookword Game again. I'll have a book that needs a phrase to describe it, like Freezer Book or RecommenDud, and you all come up with the word. Next week, Suey will post a poll to vote on our favorite word, and in another week we'll start again.

In reading, I am in California, I just shot a loan shark, and am on the run. I think I may have just met my dame sidekick. (Nobody Move, Dennis Johnson)

Where is reading taking you? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BOOK: Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, 340 pages (Large Print)

Man Booker Longlist 2009

Eilis is the youngest daughter in a small village in Ireland. Her sister Rose has a job and looks after their mother but there isn't much for Eilis to do. She probably never imagined she could have a life any different than the one she was living. Rose arranges for Eilis to emigrate to Brooklyn, and gets a job and room arranged for Eilis. The first third of the book describes Eilis' life up to arriving in NY, and then the next two thirds are the adapting that she has to go through.

Poor Eilis! She was a naive, simple girl who was thrust into a whole new world, with no real options. And yet, she was strong willed in doing what she needed to. She was very concerned with behaving or speaking in a way so as not to upset anyone around her. This lead to the feeling that she was not smart or selfish, but at the same time, she was very aware of the decisions she made, and she wouldn't be pushed around, unless she was aware of it, and then it was her choice, so she really wasn't being pushed around. I felt so bad for her, alone in a new country, learning to fit in, with no friends for quite a while.

There was a lot of similar overtones to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for me, - the Irish immigrant experience, but I preferred Brooklyn. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was only okay for me. Eilis was a very strong character, well written with a lot of depth to her. Toibin writes in a nice, easy manner and I would be interested in reading another novel by him. This didn't make the short list for the Man Booker, but I am very pleased I read it.

BOOK: Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran, 460 pages
Queen of Egypt, Daughter of Eternity

Summer Reading Challenge: novel about Royalty

Nefertiti is one of those historical names that I recognized and had a vague understanding about - Egyptian woman from ancient history, but I really didn't remember anything about the ancient history I may have learned ages ago. (ha, because high school feels like ancient history to me.)

Moran has fashioned a great historical novel. I find the information I glean from historical fiction stays in my head as fact, so I hope these authors have accurately researched their data. In this case, I learned about 1300 BC in Egypt and the reign of Nefertiti and her husband Amunhotep, as the Pharaohs. The royal life is a dangerous one, fraught with deception and ambition and concern for leaving a legacy - both physical and familial. I particularly liked the every day details of living that were described and the opulence of Egypt that was stunning.

The parallels to The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory are abundant, but that's alright by me, because they both tell great stories. Each are narrated by the lesser known sister of a famous, strong woman. Both sets of sisters are ultimately pawns for their father's ambitions and power. Both Anne Boleyn and Nefertiti captivate their king-husband and essentially steal him from a first wife, and then command at least as much power as her husband and struggle to birth boys. Both stories involve a break in traditional religion that upsets the country.

If you like The Other Boleyn Girl, I would recommend Nefertiti. Upon finishing each book, I excitedly look forward to another dip in that historical era, as each author has written several more books that continue the original story. More royal intrigue! The Heretic Queen is the sequel that I'll read next, and eventually I'll be up to date as Michelle Moran has a new book just released that is making the rounds of the blogosphere, Cleopatra's Daughter.

BBAW: Thanks for the Rec

Today is the day to thank someone for a book recommendation that without the blogs, we wouldn't have know about. It's hard to remember lots of times where the idea for a book first came from, but I do remember one: Miss Leavitt's Stars by George Johnson. Well over a year ago, Melanie at The Indextrious Reader, reviewed Miss Leavitt's Stars. I like reading astronomy books and about women in science, so I quickly starred in in my google reader. Are you like me, and often forget to go back and read the items you've starred? Good to know I'm not the only one.

Then this summer, she reviewed another book in that series of science books, A Force of Nature: Ernest Rutherford. Her latest review reminded me about Miss Leavitt, which I found still starred in my google reader, so I requested it at the library and read it. It was very good and I can't wait to read about Rutherford and I have Melanie to thank for all these science "Great Discoveries" books.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

With so much action going on this week for the BBAW people, I'm not sure anyone will have time today to share where they are in their reading. Does anyone have time for reading this week? I know that in addition to BBAW stuff, Meet the Teacher nights happen this week at our schools - I have 3 to be the parent at and one to be the teacher.

In reading, I am enjoying a tour of ancient Egypt as Nefertiti takes the throne as Queen of Egypt in a wonderful historical fiction novel. (Nefertiti, Michelle Moran)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.

BBAW: Blogger Interview

It's time for Interview Another Blogger Day! I was matched with Apprentice Writer and I have discovered her wonderful blog. I like humor a lot and she reviews all her books on the funny factor - but does it make you laugh? I really like this feature.


RG: I see your name is Apprentice Writer, what do you write? Have you been published? Who are your influences in writing?

AW: Thanks for asking! I write comedic women’s fiction. I’m currently seeking a publisher for my first completed manuscript, “Cupid and a Toolbelt” which I describe as ‘Brainy Bridget Jones meets House and Garden Television’. I’m influenced by authors across all types of writing genres who do a memorable job of writing funny dialogue, characters, and/or settings: Jasper Fforde, Loretta Chase, Wendy Holden, Nick Hornby, Julia Quinn, Terry Pratchett, Lindsey Davis, Elizabeth Peters…. As you can see, my tastes are eclectic.

RG: Ooh, sounds very good!

RG: What are you 5 most favorite books?

AW: Can I please have two lists?

Non-funny favorites:

1. Life of Pi, by Yann Martel
2. White Oleander, by Janet Fitch
3. The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver
4. Fall on Your Knees, by Anne Marie MacDonald
5. A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth

Funny Favorites:

1. Mr. Impossible, by Loretta Chase
2. Crocodile on the Sandbank, by Elizabeth Peters (and rest of Amelia Peabody series)
3. The Silver Pigs, by Lindsey Davis (and rest of Falco series)
4. The Big Over Easy, by Jasper Fforde (and rest of Nursery Crimes series)

And of course,

5. Bridget Jones’ Diary, by Helen Fielding

RG: *scurries off to jot down new titles*

RG: OK, I'm back. How long have you been blogging?

AW: I had to go check on my blog archive, and to my surprise, it’s been two years already.

RG: Do you have other interests beside blogging?

AW: My ‘other interests’ coincide heavily with what I like to call my main writing procrastination excuses: junior apprentice writers #1(age 12), #2 (age 8) and #3(age 2) Blogging is my ‘escape’ from those other interests!

RG: What is your favorite thing about blogging?

AW: I love, love, love being able to connect with someone who ‘gets’ what I’m talking about, even if they’re halfway around the world! Readers understand other readers. Not always their particular TBR choices or favorites-of-all-time, perhaps, but they know without any need for explanation about lusting for an upcoming title, about sacrificing sleep and grooming to get a few more pages in, about that special addiction of turning to page 1….

RG: What is the farthest you have traveled?

AW: Hmmm. In distance, I’d say the furthest I’ve travelled was during my childhood when my family made a trip from northern Ontario, Canada, where we lived at the time to visit my father’s family in Bangalore, India.

In forcing myself to go out of my comfort zone, I’d say the furthest I’ve travelled was during university when I spent four months one summer in a tiny village in central Kenya, teaching middle school as a volunteer. I was the only non-Kenyan for many miles around, there was no running water, electricity, or stores in the village, and I had a wonderful, wonderful time despite all the culture-clash moments.

In learning the most, I’d say the furthest I’ve travelled was when I was 12 and my family moved to Germany for work reasons and I went from a fully English-speaking school to a fully-German speaking one overnight. That was a bit of an eye-opener.

RG: Imagine your perfect day?

AW: At the risk of sounding corny – any day like the Labour day Sunday I just had: spending the day with perfect weather out with my family, doing ordinary things like playing at the park, having a pizza picnic lunch, walking the boardwalk until we find the perfect spot to build sandcastles and play in the waves at the beach (we live in Toronto, which is on Lake Ontario), window-shopping at all the cute little neighborhood stores during a stroll licking ice cream, and then coming home for a BBQ in our back yard. Nothing spectacular, but very fun and fulfilling.

RG: Sounds like a pretty perfect day to me, and the type we have all the time here on PEI.

RG: Favorite movie?

AW: Can’t list just one:

Drama: Gladiator

Caper: Snatch, Bandits

Romantic Comedy: When Harry Met Sally

‘Village’ movie: Waking Ned Devine

Thriller: The Usual Suspects

Based on a Classic: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Kids: Anything with ‘Wallace and Grommit’ or ‘Sean the Sheep’

Biopic: Elizabeth

Ensemble: Monsoon Wedding, Four Weddings and a Funeral

RG: A book you hated that most people loved?

AW: *ducks rotten tomatos* I wasn’t thrilled with the Lord of the Rings series. The story itself was excellent, but the writing became a chore for me to get through. Felt the same way about the Narnia books.

RG: A blogger you've met in real life?

AW: Interesting question! I’d say, a number of my writing group sisters.

RG: Tell me about your town? (Where are you?)

AW: Mentioned above: Toronto – a wonderful city plagued by too much winter and blessed with lots of stuff to do, such as many street festivals (including in winter, to make it more bearable).

Thank you so much, Apprentice Writer, for sharing yourself with me on my blog. Who would have thought two Canadian girls, with three children each, all under 12, with many similiar favorite movies in common, that aren't fans of Lord of the Rings or Narnia, blogging for two years, and of course, Bridget Jones, could be inhabiting the blogosphere, unaware of each other? Pretty cool.

BBAW: Favorite Blogs

This is my "If I picked the winners" post. Not that I disagree with many of the shortlisted blogs, more that I was surprised by how many I had never heard of. So here is the list of blogs from my little world that I would have quick like a bunny hit the 'vote' button for. I'm leaving a quite a few people out, but this was the easiest way for me to highlight some of my favorite blogs.


Most Prolific Blogger: One Person's Journey Through a World of Books
Sheila is so enthusiastic, and generous as well. She highlights other bloggers, posts her relaxing Morning Meanderings most mornings, and has tons of giveaways. She's new to my Google Reader, but I feel like I've known her for quite a while.

Most Eclectic Taste: Nan from Letters From a Hill Farm
I'm not sure if Nan's taste is eclectic, but her blog certainly is. It might be a fantastic recipe, a tour around her farm, some advice from Gladys Taber, or a book review - you never know what will show up on Nan's blog.

Best Literary Fiction Blog: Laura at musings
Laura reads the books I wish I could read and writes terrific reviews. I feel smarter when I've read a book that Laura recommends, and she uses all the sides of her brain - left side for reading and analysing books, and her right side makes lists and spreadsheets and all kinds of goodness like that. Laura exposes me in her blog to tremendous women writers through her love of Orange Prize books and Virago Modern Classics. She's a pretty classy lady herself.

Best General Review: Farm Lane Books
Jackie writes thoughtful book reviews and often we've read the same books, so I really like her taste in books! At the same time, she exposes me to lots of new books and her reviews are usually the reason why they get added to my TBR.

Best Thriller/Mystery/Suspense: Joy of Thoughts of Joy
Joy isn't strictly a thriller and mystery reader, but she reads quite a few, and if she's liked it, onto my list it goes. I trust her in this area.

Best YA Blog: Suey at It's All About Books
Again, Suey reads a lot more than just Young Adult, but if I was wondering about a YA book, she's probably read and reviewed it, so that's the blog I'd head to. Plus, she keeps us updated on her families reading, and there are a few teens in her house.

Best Commentator: jenny at jenny's books
Jenny is a fun commentator and is pretty funny to boot.

Best Published Author: Ken Jennings
Fans of Ken Jennings will enjoy his word play quizzes, his folksy stories of his kids, and his general overall style and good humor.

Funniest/Most Humorous: she treads softly
If you are of a certain age, and grew up with siblings, you must read the adventures of Hippee, ED, and the rest of Lori's family. Hilarious memoir stories that make me laugh out loud, and want to call my sister to reminisce.

Best Challenge Host: John Mutford at the Book Mine Set
The prizes! The cool categories! (right now I think I am a Zamboni in the 3rd Canadian book Challenge) The amazing monthly updates!

Best New Blog: ceri at Not in the Pink
Ceri is the newest blog I've added to Google Reader and I've enjoyed her blog so far.

Best Series or Feature: The Bookwords Game
Can I do this? Can I pick my own feature? Why not, I have a lot of fun playing and posting this along with Suey. And just a shameless plug that The Bookwords Game is going to be back next week, so feel free to play along.

Best Challenge: Four Month Challenge hosted by Virginie Says
I've had the most fun with this points based challenge. I think there is going to be another fall version. I like this challenge because there is a lot of flexibility, but I am also pushed to read in some categories. I love to see the points add up.

Best Meme/Carnival Event: Midweek Morsels at Kristina's
Every Wednesday Kristina posts a great recipe and everyone adds their own. When I post on this meme, I try to feel like I've cooked as well as, or photographed as beautifully as pam at sidewalk shoes. She's my idol in the whole food blogging world.

Most Concise: Literary license
I love this newsy, literary blog with short, thoughtful and helpful reviews thrown in. If something big is happening, from author drama, to book prize shortlists and winners, Gwen will have the scoop.

Congratulations to all my winners! I could post again tomorrow with another whole batch of blogs for these categories.
Tune in tomorrow when I interview Apprentice Writer. That is one of the things I've enjoyed about BBAW - the chance to meet a new person and get to know them and their blog. I'm sure AW and I wouldn't have run into each other otherwise, even though we have much in common.

CHALLENGE: Countdown Challenge 2010

Michelle from 1MoreChapter is hosting another version of the Countdown Challenge, but adding in the 2010 books. It runs from 9/9/9 til 10/10/10. Last year week I completed the challenge and read the required 45 books so I decided to sign up again. The idea is to read ten books published in 2010, nine published in 2009, eight in 2008, and so on all the way back to one book published in 2001. This is how she suckers us into doing the In the Pub '10 with her!
I'm making a list of potential books, so I won't forget what I hope to read. This list is subject to change.

total so far: 55/55!

2010 - read 10 books

• Snow Angels - James Thompson
• Deloume Road - Matthew Hooton
• Every Last One - Anna Quindlan
• The Unnamed - Joshua Ferris
• Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson
• The Swimming Pool - Holly LeCraw
• The Rehearsal - Eleanor Catton
• Motorcycles and Sweetgrass - Drew Hayden Taylor
• Truth - Peter Temple
  
• The Nobodies Album - Carolyn Parkhurst

2009 - read 9 books

• Brooklyn - Colm Toibin
• Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
• Small Wars - Sadie Jones
• Nobody Move - Denis Johnson
• The Incident Report - Martha Baillie
• Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley
• The Prophesy of the Sisters - Michelle Zink
• Hypothermia - Arnaldur Indridason
• Wife of the Gods - Kwei Quartey
  

2008 - read 8 books

• The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness
• The Tenth Gift - Jane Johnson
• Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances - Green, Johnson, Myracle
• Good to a Fault - Marina Endicott
• La's Orchestra Saves the World - Alexander McCall Smith
• Through Black Spruce - Joseph Boyden
• Nellie McClung - Charlotte Gray
• Paper Towns - John Green
  

2007 - read 7 books

• Nefertiti - Michelle Moran
• The Book of Negroes - Laurence Hill
• Red Mandarin Dress - Qiu Xiaolong
• Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
  
• The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
• The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor - Sally Armstrong
• The Spellman Files - Lisa Lutz

2006 - read 6 books

• She Got Up Off the Couch - Haven Kimmel
• Zero - Diane Tullson
  
• Poppy Shakespeare - Clare Allen
• Special Topics in Calamity Physics - Marisha Pessl
• Dead Cold - Louise Penny
• I Feel Bad About My Neck - Nora Ephron

2005 - read 5 books

• The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (original Swedish publication)
• The Paper Moon - Andrea Camilleri (original Italian publication)
• The Girls - Lori Lansens
• Nikolski - Nicolas Dickner (original French publication)
• Crossfire - Miyuki Miyabe (translated publication)

2004 - read 4 books

• Broken For You - Stephanie Kallos
• How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff
• Sky Burial - Xinran
• The Art of Mending - Elizabeth Berg

2003 - read 3 books

• Vinyl Cafe Diaries - Stuart McLean
• Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea - Guy Delisle
  

2002 - read 2 books

• Lamb - Christopher Moore
• Souvenir of Canada - Douglas Coupland

2001 - read 1 book

• Dead Until Dark - Charlaine Harris
  

BLOGGING EVENT: Midweek Morsels

On Wednesday, Kristina hosts Midweek Morsels, a chance to share favorite recipes. After my comments yesterday about zucchini, I felt I had to post my most delicious Chocolate Zucchini Cake. This is from my best ever cookbook, The Best of the Best from the Best of Bridge ladies. It's this easy and uses up this much zucchini. Plus, I love using my Bundt pan! It's so yummy, I don't even put icing on it, saving a few calories.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
1/4 C butter or hard margarine
1/2 C vegetable oil
1 3/4 C sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C buttermilk or sour milk
2 1/2 C flour
1/4 C cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
2 C grated zucchini
1/4 C mini chocolate chips

Cream together butter, oil, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Mix in Zucchini and chocolate chips. Bake in a greased and floured Bundt pan at 325 F for 45 - 55 minutes.

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

It's Tuesday, Where are You? didn't make the short list for voting in BBAW, but some other really great memes were nominated. Don't forget to go vote once this week for all your favorite blogs and events. Other fun stuff coming up next week includes Blogger Interviews, voting results, and lots of give-aways. Suey and I plan to bring back The Bookword Game after BBAW is over, so start planning to participate and keep an eye out for books that need a good description.

I've been doing battle with one of those huge zucchinis - cookies and a chocolate cake that I've made two batches of now it is so popular around here. And that is with just one zucchini, thank heavens I didn't grow any myself and was only forcefully gifted with the one. I still have 2 grated cups left - maybe a loaf, or maybe the cake again. It's really good!

In reading, I'm not sure where I am. I am about to start a journey possibly to Brooklyn, by Colm Toibin which is due back at the library soon, so if I don't start it now, I'll not have the book to read. If it doesn't make the Booker short list (being announced today), I may take it back. My other choice is to go to ancient Egypt and learn about the great Nefertiti, by Michelle Moran. I'm looking forward to reading a great historical fiction.

Where is reading taking you today? Write a post, leave a comment, spread the word.

BOOK: Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri

The Patience of the Spider by Andrea Camilleri, 244 pages
Book number 8 in the Inspector Montalbano Mystery series

Celebrate the Author Challenge

Continuing Series Review Questions:

Give a brief summary of the book:
Inspector Salvo Montalbano is recovering from the shoulder gunshot injury suffered at the end of the last book, but is called in to help coordinate the investigation into the kidnapping of a college girl. Livia is living with him during his convalescence.

Likes?
The food descriptions as usual make me hungry; the end notes that translator Stephen Sartarelli includes to explain phrases or customs or Italian cultural references are a fun part of the book; Sargent Catarella who would do anything for Montalbano and continually mangles the language is a great supporting comedic character.

Dislikes?
The mystery was pretty obvious this time, or at least I had a pretty good idea what had happened. Of course I didn't have all the details figured out, so I still enjoyed reading to discover how I was right or wrong.

Additional Thoughts on the Series:
This was book number eight in the series. Only 9 and 10 have already been translated into English, but they are written up to 14 in Italian. Translator Stephen Sartorelli does a wonderful job. I read an interview he did where he explained some of his process and why he enjoys Camilleri's work and words.



Andrea Camilleri was born September 6, 1925. I wrote a profile for Weekly Geeks about Camilleri as the author I chose.

BOOK: The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas

The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas, 482 pages

Book Award III Challenge: Commonwealth Writers' Prize, 2009

At a suburban barbecue, a man slaps child who is not his own.... says the cover, and it certainly enticed me into the world of suburban, modern Melbourne with this interesting cast of characters. The structure of the novel itself was more like eight short stories, as eight different characters take turns with their story (not in first person though). I say eight short stories because the focus shifts dramatically as the narration changes, and in different chapters the 'slap' has varying degrees of effect. In some ways, the slap isn't even that important, it just provides the plot point to connect the characters over the course of the year.

The characters are very real, very flawed, and no one is a hero. Extra marital affairs abound, (with some pretty descriptive passages, a caution for those who don't enjoy that), lots of drug use, bad decisions, and prejudices against immigrants. I quite enjoyed the look into Australian life, the ties between family, the loyalty among friends. This would be a fun book for a book group as everyone would have different opinions as to who was wrong or right in many different situations.

BOOK: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, 288 pages

young adult

Way back in the day, the eighties, there really weren't a lot of books called young adult that I was aware of. A teenager in those days went from Nancy Drew to VC Andrews, from Judy Blume to Stephen King. Oh, there were a few 'teen' books like The Outsiders or, and the books that read like an Afterschool Special about drinking, or drugs, or peer pressure. I really remember a book about anorexia, called The Best Little Girl in the World. It was a realistic look at a girl descending into the world of anorexia nervosa. I don't know if it would hold up through the years, but it doesn't matter, because Wintergirls is a fabulous book that will have its place in young adult literature. It's disturbing, but so well written.

These books are tricky because while they expose a serious situation, anorexia, the argument can be made that a book like this gives ideas and 'how-to' for teens with anorexia. I once tutored a girl in the hospital with anorexia, and she learned as many tricks as an inpatient as on her own. Wintergirls will give the reader insight into the mixed up thinking that is as much a part of anorexia as the dieting.

Lia is the main character, and is still struggling with her disorder, despite the fact that she has been released from inpatient care and her family believes she is getting better. When her former best friend dies, she is thrown in a tail spin. It's just heartbreaking to watch Lia battle with herself in her brain for control of her body and her life. This was a great book, and beautifully written. Teens today are so lucky to have good books written by authors like Anderson to introduce them to well-written literature.

also reviewed by :
Trish at Hey Lady!, joanne at the Book Zombie, suey at It’s All About Books, alea at Pop Culture Junkie, joy at thoughts of joy,

BLOGGING: It's Tuesday, Where Are You?

So, what's new in your life?

I am in Australia, and somebody slapped a child, not their own, at a barbeque, and there are far reaching implications. (The Slap, by Christos Tsiolkas)

Where is reading taking you today? Leave a comment, write a post, spread the word.