Seconds

This was a book I heard about on the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. I very rarely read graphic novels, but I find that when one is recommended to me I really enjoy it. The last one that I really enjoyed (Habibi) was over two years ago and I haven't really read one since then because I hadn't heard any glowing recommendations. So when I heard about Seconds on NPR I was interested in the plot description and picked it up at the library.

I really enjoyed it. It's a fast moving story and the graphics are really nice. I especially related to and appreciated the character of Hazel and the attention to detail that is apparent in the artist's rendering. The story follows Katie as she runs into difficulties while trying to open a new restaurant. In the midst of these trials and tribulations she discovers some magic mushrooms in her current restaurant. These mushrooms have the power of changing any past mistakes you think you may have made. Of course it gets out of hand because changing the past will also change the present.  This was such a fun read with a bit of a magical twist. The moral of the story is very clear as it's happening, but the journey of the story and the beautiful illustrations make it so much more enjoyable. Even if you think graphic novels aren't for you I'm recommending this one to you.

The Goldfinch

Well if you Google this book and the related reviews prior to reading it you will find that it is a highly contested topic among literary critics and readers. I did not know this prior to reading it. It's the book club selection for September so I just started reading it only knowing that it won the Pulitzer. One of my co-workers said her sister absolutely loved the book and another co-worker cosigned on that opinion.

So just based on that and the fact that I want to fully participate in this month's book discussion, I just dove right in. After I finished it, I went online to see what others said. That was when I found out that there seems to be a hot debate that I missed about the worthiness of this book. Since I read it 'blind', I can see why both sides think they have a valid point. It's nice to be objective sometimes.

The book covers the more formative years of Theo Decker. When he is thirteen years old his mother dies in an odd terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. He survives the explosion and manages to escape the museum with his mother's favorite painting in his backpack. After stealing this major work of art the rest of the book is spent with him developing PTSD, a bad drug addiction, anxiety, depression, and several other mental and physical maladies. He's also bounced around from house to house which allows for an interesting array of characters to be introduced. In the background of all this chaos is the stolen painting which enjoys its own special journey from place to place as well. It's a book about art and life and the interconnectedness between the two. It's also about the ugly beauty of life.

Yes, the book is way too long (750+ pages) and occasionally it feels like that. However, there are other sections where the pace is fast and you can easily get through 50-100 pages because the story is moving along. If I were an editor, though, I would have definitely had the author tighten up some of the story line. There were some plot points that I found bland. There were some aspects to the story that were heavily researched, like furniture renovation/refurbishing, but it seems like the author didn't know it was unnecessary to include, seemingly, every single piece of research she unearthed. There's a way you can convey credibility on a subject without overdoing it. I'm going to be honest, I fell asleep on at least two occasions during those lengthy descriptions of antique furniture. Then there were nights when I couldn't put the book down. I would try and close it up for the night, get ready for bed and then just lay there thinking about what could be happening next. So I would flip a light on and finish another few pages.

Overall, that is how the book goes. It's up and down. I wouldn't gush over it, but I definitely wouldn't pan it like some reviewers have. It's a good story. It just needs to be tightened up and some of the more repetitive aspects could be omitted. Also, there is a natural point where you will feel like the story should be over but then it continues for about 10-15 more pages with a ton of philosophical and existential questions and observations by the main character. It felt like that was tacked on as an afterthought. Almost as though the author had to justify the entire book with a think piece at the end. After seeing some of the vitriol that people have spewed regarding this book I realize there are some strong opinions on it. I, personally, think it's worth the read, but I also understand how folks could put it down and give up on it too. It's not for everyone. I trust that readers will know within the first 50-100 pages whether they want to devote the time to the full work. I leave it up to you.

State of Wonder

Ann Patchett is becoming one of my favorite authors. This is the second book I've read by her and while Bel Canto is still my favorite, she does not disappoint with State of Wonder either. I enjoyed this book from the moment Dr. Singh starts her journey into the Amazon. One of her colleagues has died out there while helping Dr. Singh's former professor conduct research. Dr. Singh is assigned the task of finding out what exactly happens. This becomes a journey of self-discovery, self-reflection, and ethical dilemmas.

I would say more, but I want people to read it so I'm not going to give anything away. There are some significant plot twists and unanswered questions in the book as well that will keep you thinking for a little while after you finish reading. Ms Patchett has left me, once again, wanting more (in a good way). I will be taking a look at her other books now to see what else I can get my hands on.

Shibumi

This book had some promise and started out strong, but in the end I just wanted to poke my eyes out.  It starts out very interesting because the main character is this mysterious man who becomes an assassin. He's orphaned at a young age, lives on the mean streets of China, speaks about six languages, and then ends up living with a type of Sensei in Japan who teaches him about life and so on. That part was interesting and was the focus of the first half of the book. The American government is trying to figure out who may be helping a terrorist group and this lead them to the assassin.

Then the story just falls apart.  The next part of the book is about the assassin and his friend going spelunking. SPELUNKING! I'm dead serious. I am not a huge spy/assassin novel reader, but is this a normal part of this genre? I was bored out of my mind during this portion of the book and fell asleep many times. Finally I just decided to skim that part because it was like watching paint dry. Every crevice of the cave and every piece of equipment was described. I had zero interest in that. Then the story just goes on with this cat and mouse game, but I was no longer interested. The cave expedition ruined the book for me. I skimmed portions of it towards the end and then just gave up. If you try to tackle this book you can probably stop about halfway through and be satisfied with it.

Tibetan Peach Pie

I think if you've read any of Tom Robbins' work, you'll probably really love this book.  I have to admit, I haven't read any of his work and I still enjoyed it. Maybe not to the extent that a die-hard fan would, but it still had some funny moments and hidden life lessons that are applicable to everyone. Someone, whose thought process I really respect, recommended it to me so I gave it a go. The book is a mix of memoir and autobiography. He swears all the tales he tells are true and I believe it.  The bulk of his formative years as a writer were in the 1960s and 1970s and those decades are known for all kinds of craziness. If nothing else, the book provides you with a zany description of a not-so-ordinary life. Towards the end I was ready for it to be over, though.  Again, I think I felt this way because I have never read a lick of his work. Did the book make me want to read any of his work? Not particularly, but that could change. Overall, I think if you are not familiar with his work, you will either press on through the book because the tales are interesting or you will give it up after a few pages because you're not invested in knowing more about the author.  I will leave it up to you.

Every Day is for the Thief

I have been on a roll when it comes to selecting works by African authors. Well, of course that's just my opinion. I've really enjoyed the last few books I read by African authors (Half of a Yellow Sun, Ghana Must Go, and Americanah). Every Day is for the Thief is another one I can add to the list. The prose is beautiful and it really does take you to Nigeria. When I read works by Adichie, I do feel a sense of how Nigeria experiences herself. While I can't quite put my finger on it, Cole writes in a way that makes Nigeria feel more naked and bare bones. I think this is because, for this particular book, Nigeria is a character. Whereas for the other books, the African countries were merely places where the action occurred. That's not a bad thing. I was just more cognizant of Nigeria while reading this book. Another reason that happens is that the main character is unnamed. It's as if the author wants Nigeria to take center stage. The narrator has been in the United States for fifteen years and now decides to take a trip back to Nigeria. Each short chapter talks about what he senses when back in his home country. It's an examination on how we outgrow our childhood.  We can never quite fully escape it, but it doesn't fit us anymore as we become adults. Can you ever find a place that does fit if you feel you belong nowhere? I thought it was a lovely, beautiful work full of honesty and poetry.

Self-Inflicted Wounds

I don't often read humor books by comedians. Although, I probably should because they are usually a breath of fresh air from heavier reading. I read Aisha Tyler's first book Swerve many years ago when I was probably in my early 20s (??) and I don't remember much about it. This book, however, will probably stick in my memory because I'm older now and the life lessons she discusses are more relevant to me. I didn't know much about life's struggles when I was just starting out in the world, but now I can relate. Initially, based on the book jacket description, I was just expecting a funny book about crazy things that happened to her, but I was surprised to find some inspiration as well.

The breakdown of the book is essentially 32 mini-chapters about instances where Tyler humiliated herself or something crazy happened because of her own actions. At the end of most of the stories, though, she discusses what she learned. I really admire her for always striving ahead in life with no fear. I think if you are struggling with moving forward with your dreams, you will enjoy this book. It's a light, easy way for you to kind of get that kick in the rear that might motivate you to also strive without fear.  You get a few good laughs to boot! It's not laugh out loud funny all the way through, but it has its moments. I truly appreciated her candor and motivational analogies for life. This would be a good quick summer read for anyone interested in getting a little jolt of optimism through vicarious embarrassment.