Five Books To Be Read Immediately

Book Five:

Nadja by Andre Breton

"Who am I? If this once I were to rely on a proverb, then perhaps everything would amount to knowing whom I "haunt..."

Five Books To Be Read Immediately

Book Four:

Their Heads Are Green and Their Hands Are Blue:

Scenes from the Non-Christian World

by Paul Bowles

An engaging collection of eight travel essays. Except for one essay on Central America, all of these pieces are concerned with locations in the Hindu, Buddhist, or Islamic worlds.

Five Books To Be Read Immediately

Book Three:

The Soccer War by Ryszard Kapuscinski

"I am living on a raft in a side-street in the merchant district of Accra..."

Five Books To Be Read Immediately

Book Two:

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson

"A salesman who shared his liquor and steered while sleeping... A Cherokee filled with bourbon... A VW no more than a bubble of hashish fumes,..."

Five Books To Be Read Immediately

Book One:

Angels: A Novel by Denis Johnson

"In the Oakland Greyhound all the people were dwarfs, and they pushed and shoved to get on the bus, even cutting in ahead of the..."

Week Twenty Six, Book Thirty Seven

The Miracle Worker

by William Gibson

Review:

Although I haven't read/taught this book in at least five years, I did not forget how inspiring a story it is. I listened to it on cassette today, while I cleaned my basement and it made the task seem effortless. Thinking about the story, I realized that this is really a story about "teaching". A must read for all. I am looking forward to watching the two film versions I borrowed from the library and acting it out next school year.

film versions:
The Miracle Worker by Anne Bancroft, Victor Jory, Inga Swenson, and Andrew Prine
The Miracle Worker by Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Alison Elliott, David Strathairn, and Lucas Black (II)

It appeared on Broadway during the 1959-60 dramatic season, was made into a motion picture a couple of years later, and then was remade as a television movie for the 1979-80 season. The plays genesis lies in the real story of Helen Keller (1880-1968), the woman who was struck deaf and blind by illness at the age of 19 months. "The Miracle Worker" tells how a young Helen was led out of her prison of silence and darkness by the remarkable Anne Sullivan, who set out to teach the girl sign language.

Week Twenty Five, Book Thirty Six

The Bookseller of Kabul

by Asne Seierstad

"When Sultan Khan thought the time had come to find himself a new wife, no one wanted to help him..."

Review:
I cannot stop reading about Kabul! I just ran into a new friend (Billy) this weekend who will be going to Kabul next year with the U.S. Army. We exchanged titles that revolve around Kabul and you can not imagine how many books are out there. This particular one is great for those of us who love books about books. The historical and cultural background is so fascinating and the relationships that were exposed are very sad. I did a little research on the book and found some disturbing articles.

The Survival Guide to Kabul - Profile: The Bookseller of Kabul
Bookseller of Kabul's wife applies for asylum News Guardian ...
Bookselling This Week: The Bookseller of Kabul -- A Complex ...

Another Small One

Lives of Others

by Patricia Fargnoli

I am not even sure if this is the other book that was recommended (via Judy), but anyway, it looks good enough to post. I went to the official website and read a few poems and this writer is worth checking out. Enjoy! www.joefargnoli.com

about the author

Patricia Fargnoli, the New Hampshire Poet Laureate, is the author of 3 books and 2 chapbooks of poetry. Her latest book, Duties of the Spirit (Tupelo Press 2005) is the winner of the prestigious 2005 Jane Kenyon Poetry Book Award for Outstanding Poetry published by a New Hampshire author in the preceding two years.; and her first book, Necessary Light (Utah State University Press), won the 1999 May Swenson Book Award.

A Quick One!

Away from Her

by Alice Munro

This book came as a recommendation (via Judy) and I thought it was worth posting. A very small book and a fabulous author!

Book Description

As she follows Grant, a retired professor whose wife Fiona begins gradually to lose her memory and drift away from him, we slowly see how a lifetime of intimate details can create a marriage, and how mysterious the bonds of love really are.

The Bastard of Istanbul

The Bastard of Istanbul

by Elif Shafak

In THE BASTARD OF ISTANBUL, Turkish author Elif Shafak confronts her country’s violent past in a vivid and colorful tale about the tangled history of two families – one Turkish and one Armenian American.



I found some really interesting articles about this book and the author that are definitely worth checking out.
Click on the links below. Enjoy!
The Bastard of Istanbul « iArarat
Bastard Out of Istanbul of Istanbul - 10/3/2005 - Publishers Weekly
'The Bastard of Istanbul': Turks, Armenians and a troubled past ...
Armenian Diaspora - Bastard Out of Istanbul: Free speech runs ...

Poncia Vicencio

Ponciá Vicencio

a Brazilian novel
by Conceiçáo Evaristo

Ponciá Vicencio, the story of a young Afro-Brazilian woman's journey from the land of her enslaved ancestors to the emptiness of urban life, however, the generations of creativity, violence and family cannot be so easily left behind as Ponciá is heir to a mysterious psychic gift from her grandfather. Does this gift have the power to bring Ponciá back from the emotional vacuum and absolute solitude that has overtaken her in the city? Do the elemental forces of earth, air, fire and water mean anything in the barren urban landscape?
http://www.hostpublications.com/

Vladimir Chernozemsky

Vladimir Chernozemsky means Historical Fiction

about the author:

Vladimir is the author of 47 novels, plays, and screenplays written by him in five different languages. For his poems in French he has been praised as "the new Paul Verlaine." He has been hailed for his novels as "an exceptional literary talent" (MBR/Bookwatch) and "a talented, accomplished writer" (Bookviews). Vladimir is also known for his translations of other works, and as an actor, painter and film/stage director.

check out some titles: www.atlasbooks.com/triumvirate

Fun In The Sun!

Don't Sleep with a Bubba: Unless Your Eggs are in Wheelchairs by Susan Reinhardt

Excerpt from chapter:

A DWI ON HORSEBACK AND A SHOW DOWN WITH THE LAW
I’m attracted to kooks because they are natural-born storytellers, which I could listen to for hours. They are far more interesting than most men and women in suits and who wear Banana Republic on weekends. That’s not to say I’d be attracted to or date this man…I was only planning to stop for a friendly neighborly chat.

It's Been Awhile!

Since the last month of the school year is insanely crazy, I have not been able to post as regularly as I would prefer. I have tons of magazines and newspaper clippings waiting to be read, with book information I would like to share. Here are some I thought would be great books to check out while vacationing or commuting.

I hope you all enjoy the official start of the Summer and don't forget the sunblock!

11 New Books To Read While Travelling:

1. A Thousand Days in Tuscany: A Bittersweet Adventure

by Marlena De Blasi
"Ce l'abbiamo fatta, Chou-Chou, we did it, he says, using the name he gave to me, clutching the steering wheel of the old BMW with..."

2. A Good and Happy Child: A Novel by Justin Evans The setting alternates between George Davies's difficult childhood in Preston, Va., a small college town, after his father Paul's untimely death, and his equally challenging life as an adult and new father in New York City.

3. Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra Writing about the life of Prince Siddhartha, who became the Buddha.

4. When a Crocodile Eats the Sun: A Memoir of Africa by Peter Godwin In this exquisitely written, deeply moving account of the death of a father played out against the backdrop of the collapse of the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, seasoned journalist Godwin has produced a memoir that effortlessly manages to be almost unbearably personal while simultaneously laying bare the cruel regime of longstanding president Robert Mugabe.

5. Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See by Robert Kurson Blinded in a childhood accident, Mike May never hesitated to try anything—driving a motorcycle, hiking alone in the woods, downhill skiing—until the day, when May was 46, an ophthalmologist told him a new stem-cell and cornea transplant could restore his vision.

6. Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child Ex-military cop Jack Reacher is the perfect antihero--tough as nails, but with a brain and a conscience to match.

7. Later, at the Bar: A Novel in Stories by Rebecca Barry The 10 linked stories of Barry's first-rate debut capture the idiosyncrasies of an upstate New York backwater where social life revolves around Lucy's Tavern, founded by the late Lucy Beech, who "loved live music and dancing and understood people who liked longing more than they did love."

8. Dishwasher: One Man's Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States (P.S.) by Pete Jordan For 12 years, Jordan (aka Dishwasher Pete) tramped about the U.S. washing dishes.

9. Flower Children by Maxine Swann This wistful, episodic second novel by Swann (Serious Girls) is made up of vignettes about four sibling "flower children" whose parents are Pennsylvania farm country back-to-the-land hippies.

10. Nine by Andrzej Stasiuk and Bill Johnston Grim and harrowing, this novel by a deserter from the Polish army under communism paints a vivid and disturbing picture of contemporary life in Poland.

11. Sylvia: A Novel by Leonard Michaels and Diane Johnson First acclaimed as a story-length memoir, then expanded into a novel, Sylvia draws us into the lives of a young couple whose struggle to survive Manhattan in the early 1960s involves them in sexual fantasias, paranoia, drugs, and the extreme intimacy of self-destructive violence.

Week Twenty Four, Book Thirty Five

Flight: A Novel

by Sherman Alexie

Review:

Alexie transfers the experience of alienated, biracial identity to main character, Zits, a half Native/half Irish young teenager who has been through the foster care system numerous times. He never knew his biological father and therefore never felt a sense of himself as Native or Irish, but an ambiguously ethnic "other." This is my first Alexie book, but not my last. I have already been to the library today, after I finished, to see what other ones I can get my hands on and they have three waiting just for me. What a breath of fresh air this style of writing was for me. He uses dry wit and serious dialogue to move the plot along. I guarantee, you will not be able to put this one down and will be begging for more. I am very happy and sad that I found this book. Happy, because now I have a new author to check out, but sad that it took me so long to find him.

Week Twenty Four, Book Thirty Four

A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry and Davis Ossie

Review:

Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning drama about the hopes and aspirations of a struggling, working-class family living on the South Side of Chicago connected profoundly with the psyche of black America--and changed American theater forever. The plays title comes from a line in Langston Hughes's poem "Harlem," which warns that a dream deferred might "dry up/like a raisin in the sun." I have to admit, I haven't read/viewed this play in many years and forgot its powerful message on racial prejudice. After listening to it on audio, I definitely have to rent the film version in order to really get the full impact. While I was listening to the actors, I found myself needing a visual many times in order to see their facial expressions and physical positioning. I cannot wait to see how this play will be received by my students next year. I will hopefully continue this blog and let you all know. Wish me luck!

Week Twenty Four, Book Thirty Three

Of Mice and Men

(Classics on Cassette)

by John Steinbeck and Gary Sinise

Review:

I almost forgot how sad and heart wrenching this novella truly is. Next school year, I will be teaching 8th grade English, so I am rereading or listening to the novels I will be exploring. It is a great experience to listen to a book you have already read on tape/cd and everyone should try it at least once. Gary Sinise is the reader of this Steinbeck masterpiece and I am actually thinking I may play some parts for my class, since he also is in the film version of the story. This is one of the saddest stories I have ever heard and I cringe at the final scene every time. In the beginning, we meet George and Lennie as they are leaving one migrant job and moving to the next. Early in the book we learn that Lennie is not like everyone else and that George, the tragic hero, is caring for Lennie. I will not tell you anymore, so not to spoil the plot. For those of you who have not read this story, run out and grab a copy immediately. I promise you will view friendship and family in a whole new way.

Week Twenty Three, Book Thirty Two

Kabul Beauty School:

An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil

by

Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson

Review: In 2002, just months after the Taliban had been driven out of Afghanistan, Rodriguez, a hairdresser from Holland, MI, joined a small nongovernmental aid organization on a mission to the war-torn nation. That visit changed her life. This is a great memoir that reads like fiction. I felt like I was reading an Americans personal diary, filled with pure honesty, but told through the eyes of an Afghanistan woman. It was fascinating to learn so much about their culture, also how the woman are perceived and the role they have in society. After reading this, I ran out to the library and picked up The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad and cannot wait to start. My "to read" list has expanded to The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi. In the near future look for some of these titles reviewed.

Week Twenty Three, Book Thirty One

The Namesake: A Novel

by Jhumpa Lahiri

"ON A STICKY AUGUST EVENING two weeks before her due date, Ashima Ganguli stands in the kitchen of a Central Square apartment, combining Rice Krispies..."

Review: I actually did not read this book, but listened to it on CD and am glad I did. It was great to hear this story out loud with all the accents and names pronounced correctly. I loved this story and cannot wait to see the movie. A woman I work with said that the movie is worth seeing and she loved them both, which I think is a rare thing. The story takes place mostly in the United States with some scenes in India. It sort of reminded me of a book Amy Tan would write. Lahiri takes you on a voyage through the life and times of one Bengali family and nothing is predictable. I was not only shocked by the ending, but mad at one character in particular. I fell in love with this story from the beginning and hold it as one of the best books I have heard aloud as well as one of the best I have experienced this year. A must read for all.

Week Twenty Two, Book Thirty

My French Whore

by Gene Wilder

Review:

I picked this book up solely based on the title without even knowing who the author was. What a surprise to find out it is the actor Gene Wilder. I figure if Steve Martin can write, why not try Wilder. I loved this story! I read it in one sitting this afternoon while I was burning half of my ITunes library to CD's for the car. I just received a Zune yesterday for my birthday and now have to upgrade my computer to XP. I was afraid I might lose my ITunes and needed to have backups of the music I downloaded that I do not own. Roughly one thousand songs later, I finished a short love story. The novel is set during World War I and explores a most unusual romance and a reckless decision to impersonate one of the enemy's most famous spies. This is a definite page turner and really well written. I hope Wilder continues to write fiction. Encore Mr. Wilder, Encore.

About the Author

Gene Wilder has been acting since he was thirteen and writing for the screen since the early 1970's. His first book, about his own life, was Kiss Me Like a Stranger. My French Whore is his first novel. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Karen.

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