American Gods...random thoughts

I truly wish that I possessed talent like that of Nymeth, or Carl, or Chris, when it comes to writing book reviews. I swear every time one of them writes a review, I end up adding that book to my wishlist. Their reviews are beautiful, thoughtful, intriguing. Even Annie, with her short, but informative and well-written reviews, puts me to shame. I just don't seem capable of organizing my thoughts in any way that appears even slightly cohesive. So I've decided to stop stressing about it. I'll just throw my thoughts out there. And will not be the even remotely offended if no one chooses to read them.

The idea of reviewing Neil Gaiman's American Gods was even more intimidating than usual. Why? Because I just loved this book so damn much! You know how every once in a while a book just totally captures you, takes you away, won't let you go even once you've finished reading it. Beyond just your normal fantastic book. The first book that ever did this to me was The Stand by Stephen King, and that book has remained my favorite for nearly 30 years. Had I not been in love with that book for almost 3/4 of my life, I feel certain that American Gods would be my all-time favorite book. Oh yes, it is that good.

I can't really begin to explain what this book is about...believe me, I tried to explain it to Rich. (And though my explanation made next to no sense, I did at least convince him that he really needs to read it.) Anyway, that's okay, because I think nearly everyone else has already read it.

So what was it about this book that made it so phenomenal? First of all, I think that Neil Gaiman has to be the quintessential storyteller. The story was so brilliant, so unique, so enthralling. And he told it with such flare...it was humorous, it was touching, it was clever beyond words. And yes, I admit it, I was caught off guard by an occasional twist or turn.

And I loved all the stories within the story.

And finally, the characters were so authentic. I honestly can't remember the last time I've felt drawn to a character like I was to Shadow. He was so human, so imperfect, and yet so ultimately good. And the gods, sheesh...how could you not be captivated by their human personifications. I must admit that Anansi was my favorite, but each one was so cleverly written.

So, can you tell I liked this one?




And that finishes up the 2nds Reading Challenge (thanks Joy!) and knocks another one off my Book Awards list.

what little I've read...

I can't believe how little I've read this month. *sigh*

In fact, I guess I may as well admit defeat in Callista's Book to Movie Challenge. With only a week to go, I still have two books to finish. Hopefully, I will manage to finish Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets...I've already started it and can't help but pick it up any spare minute I can find. But I was also supposed to read Zodiac, and I haven't even started it yet. Oh well...







Finished up another for the Book Awards Challenge. New and Selected Poems by Mary Oliver. I really love poetry, but for whatever reason, don't get around to reading it very often anymore. Mary Oliver is one of my favorites. Her poetry is just so down-to-earth, so accessible. I feel like I can relate to her in so many ways...she's definitely an outdoors gal. If only I could do the wonders of nature justice the way she does. Take for example this passage from "Little Owl Who Lives in the Orchard"...

it's not size but surge that tells us
when we're in touch with something real,
and when I hear him in the orchard
fluttering
down the little aluminum
ladder of his scream--
when I see his wings open, like two ferns,

a flurry of palpitations
as cold as sleet
rackets across the marshlands
of my heart,
like a wild spring day.

Ahh, yes, I definitely wish I could write like that.


Finished up one for both the Newbery Challenge and Joy's 2nds Challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was one of my all-time favorites books as a kid...I used to daydream about hiding away in a museum all the time. So why I never read any of her other books, I have no idea. Better late than never, I suppose. But I do wish I'd read this one as a kid, too...I just know I would have loved it! It's the story of four six-graders and the teacher who "chooses" them for the school's Academic Bowl team. Each of the kids has a story to tell, and each of their stories send out tendrils infiltrating the others' tales. It's humorous and clever, and yes, a bit heart-warming, too.

And finally, I also finished up Animal Farm, for the New Authors Challenge. Hard to believe I've never read any George Orwell, huh? I've only been meaning to read this one and Nineteen Eighty-Four for, oh, twenty-five years or so. Once again, better late than never. This is actually our current literature selection for homeschooling right now. And a good choice, I think, for many reasons. It's given us a chance to explore the Russian Revolution a bit. A chance to talk about allegory. And most importantly, a chance to enjoy a really good story! (Though I thoroughly admit, I did find it more than slightly depressing.)

this and that and the other thing

This:

Here it is Monday...and no Menu Plan Monday for me. What's the point as we're only going to be here Monday and Tuesday, right? And we're pretty much looking to eat up a bunch of leftovers on those two days anyway.

That:




Now, one would think that as long as I was off-line, I would have finished up a pile of books. Sorry to say that just isn't so. I did finish To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I'm glad it counts for two of my challenges, as I actually just read it twice. It's the first literature selection for the upcoming school year. And what I do is read a few chapters straight through. And then I reread those chapters, stopping to write down discussion questions and whatnot. So it seems fitting that I should get to cross it off on two challenges, right?

I won't really bother with a review or anything, as I'm fairly certain most everyone has read it. I will just say that To Kill A Mockingbird has been one of my favorite books since I first read it nearly 30 years ago in high school. (Ewww...did I really just say "nearly 30 years ago"?!!) And it continues to be one of my favorites to this day. I'm really happy I chose to use it for homeschooling this year, because it is both straight-forward and full of layers all at the same time. To Kill A Mockingbird is also rich in both the realities of life and wonderful lessons in moral courage.

And the other thing:

Well, I really have no idea what the other thing is. So I guess we'll call this a wrap.

two for the price of one

I finished reading The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan this morning. Wonderful, wonderful book. I joke around a lot that I seem to have an addiction problem with these book challenges. But I must say this book epitomizes one of the reasons why I keep joining. If I hadn't joined the The Non-Fiction Five Challenge or The Book Awards Challenge, it is very likely that I would never have gotten around to reading this book. And that would have been my loss.

I've long been stuck in a rut in my reading habits, reading almost nothing but psychological/mystery/political thrillers. These challenges have forced me to expand my horizons. Don't get me wrong...I still love my thrillers, but I've found that I can very much enjoy books from other genres as well. Another case in point...if not for Maggie and her Southern Reading Challenge, it's highly unlikely that I would have read The Secret Life of Bees. And that book now holds a place in my favorite books of all time list.

Anyway, back to The Worst Hard Time. Again, I feel like I really need to come up with a some sort of disclaimer to post with each of my book reviews. Because frankly, I'm just not good at writing them. Simply not a talent I am blessed with. Maybe I'll improve with practice...who knows. But now that I'm off-track again, let me just throw something else in here. If you want to read some phenomenal book reviews, I suggest you visit Nymeth at Things Mean A Lot. Her books reviews are so incredibly beautiful and well-written...she's an incredibly gifted writer!

O.K., O.K., again, back to the book...

The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan tells the story, or maybe I should say "stories", of the Dust Bowl. This is one of those pieces of history that I had merely a passing acquaintance with. Egan, with his wonderful writing, brought this history to life. One of my favorite things about this book was the way he managed to not only convey the "big historical picture", but also told the tale from the perspective of real people. Yes, I learned the history of this area of the Midwest, and learned about all the events that led to this horrendous man-made environmental disaster, and learned about the destruction wrought by the dust storms to this area. But I also got to see this period of time through some very real, very courageous, very hard-working people. That these people survived at all is miraculous...many people didn't. And I have a feeling that these people will stay with me for quite some time. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the way he left me wanting to learn more. Not necessarily about the Dust Bowl, as he told what seems to be a very complete, well-rounded version. But about subjects that in one way or another had a connection with this piece of history...everything from the Comanche, to Catherine the Great, to FDR. Anyway, keeping in mind that this is just my opinion...I highly recommend this book. (Annie read this book a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, too.)

(And, of course, we're not the only people to enjoy this book...it did win The National Book Award for Non-Fiction in 2006.)

just smack me upside the head

I am obviously incapable of learning. Did I not in my very last post admit failure in my first 2 reading challenges? Yes, I'm quite certain I did. And yet this morning, when I ran across The Book Awards Challenge hosted by 3M, I was so excited that I immediately started putting together a list.

I seem to be getting pretty good at rationalizing...
a. The challenge runs from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. That's a whole year to read 12 books.
b. A few of the books I've put on my list are on some of my other challenge lists already. (She specifically said that was allowed.)
c. A couple of the books I was planning to use for homeschooling next year anyway.
And d. This will get me reading a few books I probably never otherwise would have.

See, just look at all those good reasons! (I'm so pathetic, aren't I?!!)

Anyway, here is the list I've come up with:

1. Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures by Vincent Lam (2006 Giller Prize)
2. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (1981 Pulitzer Prize)
3. The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan (2006 National Book Award, Non-Fiction)
*This one is already on my Non-Fiction Five list.
4. The Echo Maker by Richard Powers (2006 National Book Award, Fiction)
5. New and Selected Poems by Mary Oliver (1992 National Book Award, Poetry)
6. The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown (2005 British Book Award)
*Yes, I realize I'm probably the only person on Earth who has not already read this.
7. The Chatham School Affair by Thomas H. Cook (1997 Edgar Award)
8. American Gods by Neil Gaiman (2002 Hugo Award and 2002 Nebula Award)
9. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (1966 Nebula Award)
*I read all those many years ago when I was in high school, and I remember loving it. Was thinking of using this one for homeschooling next year anyway.
10. The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (2007 Newbery Award)
*This one is already on my Newbery Challenge list.
11. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare (1959 Newbery Award)
*This one is also already on my Newbery Challenge list.
12. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1961 Pulitzer Prize)
*I so love this book, and am really looking forward to reading it again. It is also on my Southern Reading Challenge list. And in addition, it's another one Annie and I will be reading for homeschooling.

Hmmm...maybe I should go read now, huh?