Official Book Club Selection, a Memoir According to Kathy Griffin

I have tried to read biographies or autobiographies many times. Never fails, I find them boring or just plain not interested in the person after I begin reading. So I decided I'd never waste money on an autobiography again. Until now. Well, it wasn't wasted. I love Kathy Griffin. For those of you who don't know her, she's hiiiilllarious! She's been a comic for decades and her best stuff is bashing celebrities. What I love most about her is that she doesn't hold back, she doesn't back down, she tells it like it is and I can really relate to that. Oh and she cusses like a sailor, the best part of her!

Also, I rarely ever buy a book in hard cover. But, I really like Kathy and I watched her on her My Life on the D-List show choosing the cover, etc and I wanted to truly support her. I don't know why, but I feel like she's one of my peeps. :-) I had just finished watching her on The View and I was planning a trip to Barnes and Noble anyways so I thought I'm going to get that damn book, Official Book Club Selection A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin and see what all the fuss is about. I did, and I'm really glad I did! I loved her memoir. I love the way she talks about herself in a completely honest way that I know is the real her and not someone she's "acting" to be, just like on her show. I know understand fully why she is the great person she is. The memoir talks about her battles with her weight (although I don't think she's EVER been fat, at all), her family, her comedy, her struggles, her friends, her ex-husband (bastard), and much much more.

Thank you, Kathy Griffin, for sharing with me. You have never been on MY D-List, and never will be. You are a hero and stronger than you will ever realize,I think. And Oprah, if you are reading this, you have to read her book because she really does adore you. Secretly. Ha! Suck It!

2010 Reading Challenge

Yes, I have committed to something yet again for this year. I saw this challenge on another blog and decided to check it out. It looks fun and interesting and it will keep me reading, which is my ultimate goal. I hope I can stick to it...I'm really going to try. But once school starts up again, it might be a little more difficult. We shall see! If you want to check it out too, go here:

http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/my-challenges/twentyten-challenge/comment-page-2/#comment-5359

Let the reading begin!!

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini

The Kite Runner follows the story of Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant. As children in the relatively stable Afghanistan of the early 1970s, the boys are inseparable. They spend idyllic days running kites and telling stories of mystical places and powerful warriors until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever, and eventually cements their bond in ways neither boy could have ever predicted. Even after Amir and his father flee to America, Amir remains haunted by his cowardly actions and disloyalty. In part, it is these demons and the sometimes impossible quest for forgiveness that bring him back to his war-torn native land after it comes under Taliban rule.

This story really grabbed me. I hadn't read it until now because I honestly didn't want to hear yet another sad story of Afghanistan or the middle east. But for some reason I changed my mind and decided to step out of my usual box. I am really glad that I did. This story pulls at your heart in so many ways...I literally got that pit in my stomach reading about Amir, his guilt, and how the story didn't really have a happy ending...but it sort of did, and I think that was the point. Surprisingly, not much of this story actually takes place in Afghanistan. I was surprised because it really wasn't about the Taliban (yet they are very present), or about politics, or about 9/11. It paints a beautiful picture of what Afghanistan used to be, before the Russians, before the Taliban...and the beginnings of this story could have taken place anywhere and sounded very familiar. I think that is what was so heart wrenching. It doesn't seem foreign and it doesn't seem like it's happening so far from home. I could relate to it very easily, more than I thought I could.

There really was nothing I didn't like about his book, other than like I said, the ending wasn't really happy. It was, but it wasn't...it was still tragic. But I think that was Hosseini's point. Amir nevery really was able to confront his guilt and make ammends.

If you are squeamish about sexual abuse, I would not recommend this book. Although it was a very short experience, it was always present in the story. But, it is worth it, if you can get past that bit. Very worth it.

The Pickup Artists by Terry Bisson

Synopsis:
From the award-winning author of Pirates of the Universe, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, comes The Pickup Artist--a sharp, witty, and subversive exploration of the future of art, culture, and society. In the tradition of Ray Bradbury's fireman who burns books in Fahrenheit 451, our hero, Hank Shapiro, is a pickup artist, a government agent who gathers for retirement creative works whose time has come and gone. You see, there's simply not enough room in the world for all the art, so anything past a certain age must be cataloged, archived in the records, and destroyed, paving the way for new art. It's a job that comes with risk and the pay's lousy, but it covers the bills. And, after all, this year's art is better than last year's, isn't it?But what happens is not nearly as important as the telling. Terry Bisson is an American writer in the satirical tradition of Twain and Vonnegut and perhaps Richard Brautigan. He can make you laugh and touch your heart in the same sentence. This is a book about love, death, and America.

I read this book because I saw it in the book exchange at my work and thought the cover art was interesting. Well, that is about as far as it goes. Hank is a government agent, a pickup artist, who collects works of art (books, CD's, paintings, etc) that have been "deleted" to make room for new art. But he somehow goes on an adventure with a librarian who wears a bluebird bra that shows her emotions, his sick dog who ends up being able to talk but only says how things smell, and a bunch of cloned Indians named Bob. This book was weird. I think it was meant to make you think about something, but it didn't have that affect on me. The whole time I just couldn't wait to finish it. I was really hoping that in the end it would come together and mean something. But that didn't happen. It was just....weird. Maybe it was too satirical for me or something. I would not recommend this book to anyone unless they are just in to weird, futuristic novels that don't mean anything.

Wifey by Judy Blume

Plot Summary: Sandy Pressman is the wife of Norman, a successful but dull businessman, has two children and after 12 years of marriage, is utterly bored with her 1970's New Jersey suburban housewife role. She idolizes Jackie Kennedy, has fantasies about the guy who drives by on a motorcycle and wonders what ever happened to her exciting high school boyfriend, Shep.

When her kids are away at summer camp she decides to explore the possibilities for an extra-marital affair. She starts by looking up her friend in New York with an open marriage, has an unexpected encounter with her brother-in-law, and eventually reunites with Shep, who is interested in going further than they did in high school. Sandy starts to get confused about what she wants and then discovers evidence that maybe Norman has been having a long term affair.

I first read this book several years ago but recently read it again. When I picked it up off the shelf at Barnes and Noble, I had no idea when this book was written. I had no idea that Judy Blume had been writing adult novels for years. I was instantly intrigued as I loved many of her books from my childhood. But this is no children's book! When I read it, around 2004 I think, the language and subjects were quite shocking! Now imagine reading this in the 70's when it was first published! There are many swear words, sexual fantasies and interludes and other adult themes. If I had discovered this book when I was younger, who knows what I might have learned! So, keep this book out of reach of children and even teens. I wouldn't suggest this book for anyone younger than 18 and only because by then they are legally an adult and can go to war so I guess they could handle it.

I found that the plot was boring, but I think that is the point. Sandy is bored. She's unhappy in her marriage and so she just goes about life while nothing happens to her. There is a plot and a pretty good one at that, but it is slow getting to the point. This book is pretty short read and you could read it in a weekend if you were diligent. I recommended the book for my book club and the others didn't quite agree with my review of it...but hey, what can I say, I like a good dirty book.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

I have to be honest here. When I heard about this book, I was already heavily into the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I was not interested in reading anything remotely classified as "science fiction". I couldn't bring myself to read this book until it was at the suggestion of a book club I belong to. Even going into it, I was sure I wasn't going to like it very much. I could not have been more wrong.

First of all, even though I've never read science fiction, I wouldn't say that this book falls within that genre. I've watched enough Star Trek and Star Wars...and this is nothing like that. Yes, The Host is about Earth being taken over by aliens. The romance element of the story outweighs any Sci-Fi in my opinion. I wouldn't say that many men would be interested in reading this novel. However, it's written in such a way that it is almost believable. Meyer's style of writing is simple, easy to read and contains uncomplicated plots. This book is no different. It was predictable for the most part with very few surprises. Maybe that is why I enjoyed it so much!

As with her Twilight series, Meyer intended to bring over the young adult crowd and the adult crowd to this book. Although it is not classified as young adult fiction, it very well could be. The romance elements remain very G-rated, even more than the Twilight series for that matter. Any real romantic scenes are completely left up to your own imagination. If you have a really dirty mind like me, you might be left disappointed! However the love story is still very romantic and dreamy. There are a few love triangle-twists that will really leave you wondering.

Wanderer is a drifter in the universe. She's never found a home planet, one that she felt that she belonged to. Her world changes when she is inserted into the body of Melanie Stryder, one of the few remaining humans on the planet Earth. She's left not only with Mel's physical attributes, but her personality as well. She's even in love with Jared, Melanie's boyfriend. Wanderer struggles when she realizes her human host is not willing to disappear in the mind. Then, she decides to join her in finding her family. She makes many friends along her journey and she just might even help save the world...or will she?

I enjoyed this book for it's uncomplicated plot, real and lovable characters, and fast read. Meyer has way of keeping her audience interested by keeping the plot moving at a just-right pace. I give this book a rating of a B.

Dead Until Dark book review

For those who don't keep up with such things, there is a burgeoning subgenre of fantasy/horror romance fiction out there. Dead Until Dark, the first in a series of the Sookie Stackouse novels, is far from any Anne Rice novel. It is quite different, and that is why I liked it. The main protagonist in Dead Until Dark is a 25-year-old high school-educated Louisiana waitress named Sookie Stackhouse who lives with her grandma and is able to read minds. It is either an ability or a curse, depending on how Sookie looks at it. I think it is a great twist to have a human with a gift.

A Japanese biomedical group has created synthetic blood substitutes that finally allow vampires to live "mainstream" among humans. Sookie is a bit of a spinster because her mindreading complicates relationships. By strange coincidence, she can't read the mind of her small town's newest vampire resident–Bill-and those same powers prevent Bill's "glamour" from working on her. Soon enough, an unlikely romance begins. And then there is also the murder mystery happening all around Sookie and all hell breaks loose. But even the murder mystery wasn't scary; yet another reason I enjoyed this book very much.

Not only that, but this book gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of small town, Southern Americans. I like the characters in that they are just ordinary people...surrounded by vampires. The only thing that I didn't like is that Sookie seems a bit too simple and uneducated. But then again, if she were smart, she wouldn't be dating a vampire now would she?

I give this book a rating of a 4 out of 5. A short, easy read with just the right amount of drama, romance and suspense.

Outlander part 2

The first half of this book is very different from the second half. The violence I described in the earlier post didn't happen again...at least not between Claire and Jamie. There was other forms of violence though. I found the homosexuality very strange. I'm not sure why this was put in the book, unless for pure shock affect. Or perhaps the writer is trying to explain that this stuff happened back then as it does today.

I have some questions that I will discuss in the bookclub. I was confused a bit on a few things. But all in all, it was a page turner. I couldn't stop reading! There was heart break, excitement and of course steamy love scenes. For those of you who aren't in to hearing an intimate description of a love scene, then this book isn't for you because it is filled with it. But it was a great book even without all of that. I think the author uses that to describe the love that Jamie and Claire have for one another and just how deep it goes.

I would read the next book, but I'm in school right now and I fear I would neglect my studies...as I already have for this one! Once I start reading a book that I like, I cannot put it down. If you have the time to read an almost 700 page book, go out and get it. Loved it...can you tell?

Outlander Part 1

Outlander is a story about a woman who lives in post WWII, 1945. She served as a nurse with the British forces, and has just been reunited with her husband after 6 years. They go to Scotland to have a "second honeymoon" and Frank (the husband) seems more interested in tracking his lineage through Scotland. Claire falls through a crack in a rock circle similar to Stonehenge and is transported to Scotland circa 1735.

Ok, so I realize I'm only half way through the book but I have a couple issues with it so far.

1) I think the "marriage of convenience" is completely unromantic. Granted, Jamie and Claire appear to care for one another but I've seen no display of actual love, said or otherwise. Jamie just seems eager to lose his virginity and "enjoy" himself with Claire all over the Scottish countryside. Claire seems to have lost her desire for her real husband and is enjoying getting lost in her new one. I realize that her marriage to Frank was not all that exciting and they had been apart for so long.

2) How can Claire go on as if she's not been transported through time? I'd do almost anything to get back to the rock circle and get back to my real life. And she seems to fit right in which I find unlikely (not that slipping through a time portal is likely). She does try to "escape", unsucessfuly a few times. However, she's a very smart woman and it seems she could lure someone in taking her there for some reason.

3) I'd like to see much more inner struggle with Claire. I'd like to "hear" her thoughts as she's with Jamie...is she thinking about Frank at all? Does it bother her that she can't properly shower??? Things that would certainly bother me. In fact, I'd like a little more description from the author on a lot of things. I find it hard to picture in my head what she has written. And find it hard to put myself into the story and therefore hard to "get into" it.

I know I don't know the whole story yet as I'm only halfway through the book. But I was extremely turned off by the whipping she recieved by Jamie, him not feeling the least bit sorry about it, and then the very violent love-making (scratch that), sex that followed when they returned to the castle. For some reason that really bothered me...and the way he kept saying she was his...I don't know. I was literally sick to my stomach after that. I know it was a much different time but my "women's rights" side has come out in full affect. :-)

More to follow...