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One reader's thoughts as she steps from book to book.
Books I've Finished
- "A Christmas Memory"
- by Truman Capote 12/8/12
- "Child's Christmas in Wales"
- by Dylan Thomas 12/7/12
- "One Christmas"
- by Truman Capote 11/29/12
- "The Thanksgiving Visitor"
- by Truman Capote 11/29/12
- Inside Mrs. B's Classroom
- by Leslie Baldacci 11/28/12
- The Bee Eater
- by Richard Whitmire 11/15/12
- There Are No Shortcuts
- by Rafe Esquith 10/28/12
- I'd Like to Apologize to
- Every Teacher I Ever Had
- by Tony Danza 10/21/12
- Corked
- by Kathryn Borel 10/15/12
- Year of Learning Dangerously
- by Quinn Cummings 9/30/12
- A Hologram for the King
- by Dave Eggers 8/23/12
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- by Harper Lee 7/18/12
About Me
- Christine
- I often have a few books with bookmarks in them at once. I enjoy classics more than contemporary works of fiction, often read historical fiction, and love to get glimpses into other people's lives by reading memoirs and biographies.
10 comments:
I actually have resumed reading after a long drought. I'm still trying to get through at least one poker book, but I'm also actually reading some fiction! I think it's the ability to check out nook from B&N that has me so excited about reading again. Anyway, I recently read "Think of a Number," which is one of only a handful of murder mysteries that I've read in my whole life! I enjoyed it and it did keep me guessing until the end, although I'll admit that the end was actually a little anti-climactic. It almost felt a bit sterile and mundane compared to the horrific nature of the crimes committed throughout the book.
Right now I'm reading a book called "Strangers at the Feast," about a family coming together for Thanksgiving (this is a new novel on our new fiction 20% off octagon). This family is actually pretty typical in all of its quirkiness, yet manages to be unique and likable. Something's going to go wrong at this Thanksgiving, but I'm already rooting for our protagonists.
Thanks for the reviews, Lisa. Glad you are enjoying nook!
I finished Strangers at the Feast, by Jennifer Vanderbes, and I think it is one of the best modern American novels of the decade. It somehow offers commentary on so many things (racism, poverty, the women's movement, Vietnam, ageism, the economy, 9/11, etc.) without ever being overbearing or preachy, and without losing site of the characters or story. If this book never gets huge, something's wrong. Or maybe I'm just not great at identifying huge books.
Thanks, Lisa!
On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross.
This was a pioneer work on the psychological effects of death & dying written in the mid 60's. Ross identifies 5 stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. She believes these are natural emotional stages people experience when terminally ill or facing imminent death of natural causes, and also in other major losses such as divorce or suicide.
I liked her analysis, but had some trouble with the cultural biases of the period. For example, she advises doctors to decide what is best for their patients (patient opinions are emotionally biased); and a husband can make decisions for his wife, but a wife should let the doctor make decisions for her. She also classifies all of her subjects as either white or Negro.
I had heard this book referenced many times, but never actually read the original book. I also read Questions & Answers on
Death & Dying, same author, which was written in a FAQ format that was just irritating.
Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl.
Part 1 recounts Frankl's time as a prisoner in Auschwitz. He used his unique perspective as a psychiatrist to observe human nature at its best & worst.
Part 2 describes the new branch of psychotherapy, called logotherapy, he developed upon his release. Unlike traditional Freudian or Adlerian treatments (both highly introspective/retrospective in nature), his techniques focus on action & purpose in the future.
And for the answer to the $64,000 question: he believes true meaning in life comes from 3 sources:
a) creations/deeds/work
b) personal relationships
c) attitudes, particularly optimism and gratitude.
Mary, thank you for writing about these two oft-cited books. What made you take them up in the first place? Are there others like this that you are tackling next?
So glad you're back Christine!
I'm reading them as part of a couple of classes I'm taking in Hospice training.
I also read Sociopath Next Door (Stout) for fun. I think it was Lisa G. who had recommended this one. It gave me the creeps. Maybe I've been watching too much Criminal Minds.
Heh, I don't know if I necessarily recommended The Sociopath Next Door--but it definitely gave me the creeps too. There are still situations/images from that book that stay with me on a nearly daily basis. And I am still unclear on how she came up with the 1 in 25 statistic.
So far, Strangers at the Feast is not taking off, but I hope it will someday.
I miss your frequent updates, Christine!
Thank you, Lisa. My reading was way off this summer. Maybe I'll be able to jump-start it again with my current re-read of Franny and Zooey. I love this book so much.
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