43 posts tagged “2008 books”
Book #43 in 2008: American Wife, by Curtis Sittenfeld
Based loosely on the life of Laura Bush, this fictional account of a woman's life from courtship to marriage to the White House is definitely worth reading.
Yes, you will probably wonder why Alice (who, just like Laura Bush kills her childhood sweetheart in a car accident and leaves her job as a librarian to marry a charming, wealthy man who ends up in the White House almost despite himself) actually stays with Charlie Blackwell (aka: George W.), but it does provide an interesting look at what it must be like for a woman in her position.
Definitely worth checking out. Again, no need to buy it in hardback.
Also: Curtis Sittenfeld wrote Prep, which if you haven't read already, you must.
Book #42 in 2008: A Wolf at the Table, by Augusten Burroughs
Deeply moving, this story about a boy who wants nothing more than his father's approval and affection is heartbreaking to read. What made it the most upsetting, for me anyway, was how desperately Burroughs wanted his father to love him, despite the fact that his father was a cruel and volatile man. Burroughs does a wonderful job of portraying a child's unconditional love for a parent, even in situations of abuse and neglect.
The stories Burroughs relates about his father are hard to read... His father is so cruel it almost hard to believe that a human being is capable of such behavior.
That being said, I am not sure if it was kind or cowardly for Burroughs to wait until after his father's death to publish this memoir.
Not my favorite of his books (I'd go with Dry first, followed by Running with Scissors), but definitely worth a read. That being said, you should wait until it comes out in paperback.
(I read the book, but the only image they had was for the CD version. Cheating, in my opinion.) :)
Book #41 in 2008: The Pact, by Jodi Picoult
I think we can all agree at this point that I have a problem when it comes to Jodi Picoult. I'm sorry. I know it's not literature, but her books are completely entertaining... Sometimes all I really want to read before I go to bed at night is a good story. And she provides that consistently.
Book #40 in 2008: Pretty Good for a Girl, by Tina Basich
Simon lent me this book written by Tina Basich, one of the first pro-girl-snowboarders. Was hoping it would get me in the mood to head up to Tahoe, but instead it got me in the mood to bust out my red pen and do some serious line by line editing.
I wanted MORE about how she got so good at snowboarding and way LESS about what it was like to date Dave Grohl. More description about making a first decent down a mountain in Alaska (I'd have been happy to read three pages about what that run must have been like and yet it was all scribbled down in a paragraph) and less about playing video games with Tiger Woods.
All in all, I can't even say it was "pretty good for a snowboarder," but I guess if you admire her, it's worth a read.
(All of this is in no way to take away from the cool ass shit she's pulled. I'd kill to be that good.)
Book #39 in 2008: The Solace of Leaving Early, by Haven Kimmel
First, let me say: I am a HUGE Haven Kimmel fan. Her nonfiction writing is among some of the most entertaining I've ever read, so if you haven't read A Girl Named Zippy or its sequel, you must. Immediately. Seriously, stop reading my stupid fucking blog and go order the books.
All of that being said, I did not think this novel, her debut novel, lived up to the expectation I had of her writing. The main character is so focused on her own existential crisis that she is oblivious to the chaos and turmoil in her hometown where she has just returned after walking out of her Ph.D. oral exams. I guess there is something kind of difficult in reading about someone's existential crisis. Not my cup of tea.
That being said, I don't regret reading it. So make of that what you will.
Book #38 in 2008: Promise Not to Tell, by Jennifer McMahon
This is what happens when you just grab a book off the shelf in the book store because it looks somewhat entertaining. That being said, I read this right around Halloween, and since it's a double murder mystery (a copycat murder from the past occurs when a girl returns to her hometown), it was somewhat appropriate. Entertaining, but not worth reading.
Book #37 in 2008: Breaking Dawn, by Stephenie Meyer
I am OBSESSED with hot vampires and want to become one immediately. I am also super bummed that I've finished The Twilight Series. That is all.
Book #36 in 2008: The Culture Code, An Ingenious Way to Understand Why People Around the World Live and Buy as They Do, by Clotaire Rapaille
You may notice that I am on book #36. That's right - I met my goal for 2008 to read 35 books. I know it really doesn't seem like a lot, but I'm still pretty psyched that not only am I always reading a book, I've kept a record of them. Thinking next year I'll aim for 50. Or I'll go for quality over quantity. But that'll probably never happen. Anna Karenina is but a dream.
Anyway, The Culture Code. Not my normal type of book, but a dude I went on like point two dates with recommended I read it, and he didn't seem like a total moron, so I agreed. And actually... it was REALLY fascinating. Granted, the author is basically writing about archetypes of cultures, but I really did feel like I learned a lot about why cultures respond in certain ways to everything from cars to beer to beauty and youth.
That being said: One must read this book with a discerning eye since stereoptyeps and sweeping generalizations abound. Worth checking out though. Despite the fact that you'll find it in the, ahem, business section of the book stores. A place I'd never visited before and certainly don't plan on returning to any time soon.
Book #35 in 2008: Gossip of the Starlings, by Nina de Gramont
By far my favorite book of 2008. The story is haunting and dark... the characters: tragic, yet compelling.
I had the privilege of reading Gossip of the Starlings before it was published (Nina and I were in the MFA program at UNCW together) and after I picked it up, I just could not put it down. Prep school, horses, drugs, wealth... teenage angst, drama and friendships... Nina de Gramont perfectly captures the reckless indifference of impassioned teenagers in a way that is captivating, honest, and will remind you exactly what it was like to be sixteen.
To be honest, I don't feel like I can do this book justice. It might not for everyone, and I imagine that I relate to it a bit more because, to some degree, I did feel like these characters could have been me or my friends... But just trust me. It's a good read... and as soon as teenage girls discover it, I envision it as a cult classic that will be popular for many years to come.
Book #34 in 2008: The Host, by Stephenie Meyer
I did not intend to purchase this book. Rather, I was in the bookstore squealing manically about how much I love the Twilight series, and a woman who worked there asked if I'd read Stephenie Meyer's new book written for... ADULTS. She insisted it was amazing, and that if I love Twilight, I would love The Host.
And fine, she was kind of right.
I don't normally go for anything science fiction-y, but this is so based in reality, that I didn't feel like I was asked to commit to anything that was impossible. Because of course the idea of a peaceful soul from another planet inhabiting a human body could totally happen tomorrow.
If you like the Twilight books, there's a chance you'll enjoy The Host, but be sure to take it for what it is: An indulgent read.
Also: I continue to be completely baffled by the fact that Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon. I just had to bring that up. Again.
