Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants

I always feel like I'm cheating just a little when I review a New York Times bestseller. It's essentially been reviewed by thousands already right? Anyway, this was another book club pick for my book group and I was pleasantly surprised. A young college student loses everything and literally runs away and joins the circus. This is the era of prohibition and the traveling circus, where freak shows are the big money makers and elephants are rare and wondrous beasts. I was a bit put off by the main character for the first quarter of the book. Can you say "goody two shoes"? But by the time he finally admits his lust for the menagerie manager's wife (the wife of his boss I might add), I was hooked and my interest in him improved considerably. My book group hasn't met to discuss it yet, but I doubt the discussion will get very deep. I did enjoy reading this, and it was a glimpse into a fascinating world, but as for a literary discussion, I doubt there is much there.

Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

Finally I am reviewing some good books again! The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is one of my book club's picks and an excellent one. Usually our rule is to stick to fiction but this is definitely one of those memoirs that reads like fiction and certainly generates enough discussion. What makes this "sad childhood" memoir a good discussion book is that the author is neglected, but the abuse is not in the way you expect in a book of this genre. And though there is clearly some mental illness involved on the part of her parents, particularly her alcoholic father, it is of the brilliant kind. Jeannette's parents truly love her and she them. It is interesting though at what point each of us in the book group decided we hated her father (even if she didn't). Also, a good discussion surrounding homelessness. These people, the author's parents, literally chose to be homeless and destitute. A New York Times bestseller and a great book club pick.

Introduction

Welcome to my book review site. I've always loved books and have worked with books my entire adult career. Frequently, I've been asked for my opinions on books so this site is my way of sharing those thoughts. I'll be writing commentary on books that I read. (And I really do read them. This is not some effort to push certain books or authors.) I primarily read fiction but my tastes are varied from books clearly defined as "classics" to the "classic beach read." I'm also a member of a book group so I'll be commenting on those titles as well.

This site was created several months ago, and just recently my web guru husband converted it over to this nice new site software.

The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

This is a book club pick, but it also turned out to be what I would call a smart summer read. It has all the required elements for an easy summer read. It is short, fast paced and compelling. It has bad marriages, close friendships and sex. But it also paints a vivid verbal picture of growing up in a neighborhood where no one exactly fits because no one is from there and no one (or very few) actually stay. The book carries you from a young girl’s playing with a new friend she chooses based on the opportunity to share a bicycle to an age where another she knows disappears into marriage. I believe this book is often on high school reading lists and I can understand why. It touches on subjects that every teenager faces, particularly finding a place in the world. And it makes the reader consider the choices a young person faces in every generation and in every level of income. There are some issues that cross economic lines. It generated a wonderful discussion in my book group and was one of the titles that everyone attending was able and eager to finish.

The Known World, by Edward P. Jones

The Known World, by Edward P. Jones

My book group recently read The Known World by Edward P. Jones. The first comment I was about to make was that it's a very worthwhile read-but then, it did win the Pulitzer so I think that opinion is pretty much already established. Anyway, despite the Pulitzer I likely wouldn't have read it without the incentive of my group. It's a saga about slavery but unlike anything else you (or I) have likely read, it deals with the very small minority of black slave owners. The stark look at the practice of men buying and selling other men, women and children is woven into a fascinating story of love, sacrifice and moral choice. As a freed black man, would you buy another person? What if that person is family? What if buying a slave of your own would enable you to improve the life of your family? Though this is a novel, it is stunning to read and realize that these were real questions a few people had to ask themselves not very long ago in America. I am very glad I had the opportunity to read this incredible novel.

I will warn the casual reader that the number of characters and their connections to each other become overwhelming very quickly. There is a dramatis personae in the back for reference, but I found that if I simply kept reading without trying to connect everyone, the characters just fell into place. And I was able to read and follow the various plotlines without floundering.

Other Book by Edward P. Jones: Lost In The City