Review: The Diary of Adam and Eve

The Diary of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



As a feminist, I really shouldn't have enjoyed this short little book at all, I feel like I just re-read the Mars vs. Venus pop-psychology nonesense all over again.

That said, Twain is hilarious. He approached the whole subject with just the right light touch.

Read this. And like it. Just take it with a grain of salt.



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Review: The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors: A Novel by Michele Young-Stone

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a perfect read over a stormy, rainy weekend. Although many of the themes are 'darker,' dealing with alcoholism, depression, loneliness, philandering, etc., it was an extremely enjoyable read and not at all difficult to work through. Young-Stone is a fun author, this was a great first novel, and I look forward to further work from her.

I really enjoyed this book and would strongly suggest it as a good vacation or lazy-weekend read. Be aware though, reading The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors will make you MUCH more paranoid about being hit by lightening!



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Review: Jessica Z.

Jessica Z. by Shawn Klomparens

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was strongly recommended to me by a friend or two, and lots of positive Goodreads review.

While I wouldn't say that this is the best book I've read all year, it was an engaging read with interesting, believable characters. What moved it from three stars to four was how the book explored Josh's character after he died. Instead of the pure manipulation and mania you witness during his relationship with Jessica, his actual motives and decency are exposed. Clearly he and Jessica made a terrible couple, but he was a good human being, which Jessica only discovers after his death.


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Review: Teeth of the Dog

Teeth of the Dog by Jill Ciment

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Jill Ciment's writing is impeccable. Teeth of the Dog had a feel reminiscent of Conrad's Heart of Darkness, which Ciment references once or twice in the narrative. Although the themes of this book were difficult and unpleasant to muddle through (a dying spouse, infidelity, lonliness) and the setting an unbearably hot third world country (frankly, a tourist's nightmare), the story is quite gripping and well worth a reader's time.



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Review: From a Crooked Rib

From a Crooked Rib by Nuruddin Farah

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I struggled with how to rate this book. As a feminist, of course I admired Farah's portrayal of the sexist culture that oppresses women in Somalia and how a struggle against the current cultural beliefs and structures are difficult, if not impossible to break out of, for the individual.

For Ebla, the main character, every time she attempts to find freedom and independence, she further ties herself to people whom mistreat and take advantage over her. As the narrative continues, it is difficult to understand Ebla's true intentions as she struggles against these forces, and the intentions of those she finds herself depending on and using her.

I found Farah's narrative difficult to follow at times, and found the partial portrayal into Ebla's thoughts and actions frustratingly seperated from the actual core of the book's unfolding plot. I believe Farah meant to keep the reader disconnected from Ebla and the other characters to help convey Ebla's confusion as she encountered various situations and characters throughout the narrative, not knowing who she could trust or not trust, and how the intentions of each character may not be what they seem.




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Review: The White Tiger

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I'd anticipated reading The White Tiger for months and months and was really disappointed by it. None of the book was terribly interesting, and while the writing was okay, it wasn't great. I know it's supposed to be an analogy for how India is corrupt, and what it takes to move across castes and economic spheres, but the book felt flat, along with many of Adiga's one-dimensional characters.

I would suggest A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry as an alternative to The White Tiger. Mistry is a far superior writer, the story is more complex and interesting, and it encompasses many of the same themes, ie. corruption and poverty in India.



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Review: Queenpin

Queenpin by Megan Abbott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



My very first Megan Abbott read (recommended to me by www.whatshouldireadnext.com, my new favorite nerd website, that appears to be down right now). This was wonderful fun, all the way through. A perfect antidote to my February flu.



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Review: I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence

I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is a gem of a book, full of useful ideas and tips... and not so useful ideas and tips (please do not add any rabbit excrement to your salads, or play any of Amy's prized "childrens games" - you will be sued).

Amy is, as always, delightful. Strange, uncomfortably earnest in her bizarre concepts, but delightful. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook read by Amy.



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Review: Blink

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This was a very fun, interesting read. I loved all of the studies, stories, and examples. The first chapter laid out Gladwell's thesis and from there example after example was given for the reader to digest.

However, there was never a moment of connecting the dots or really analyzing the overall picture. The "conclusion" was yet another interesting story that did anything but tie the book together. It would have behooved Mr. Gladwell to separate his sections with a little introduction and analysis, and concluded his arguments and thoughts at the end of the book... just like they teach you in English 101.





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Review: Gods Behaving Badly

Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I would give this book five stars - the first 3/4 of the read were witty, and really, just plain delightful - but the ending was very "come-to-Jesus" / The Santa Clause (movie version with Tim Allen) / Tinkerbell. A bit cheesy, and alarmingly almost heart-warming. I would say read the book, enjoy the light fluffiness of it all (for this book is quite fluffy, a nice, easy read), and try to look past the plot falling apart at the end.



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