25 Days: San Francisco and The Canyon: Joyce in The Canyon.
It is a beautiful sunny day and I am going to meet Joyce outside the Glen Park BART station without a clue as to ...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
By: Rebecca Skloot 4.5/5
WOW what a story, what an unbelievable turn of events! First and foremost, I feel that in my days as a student I have heard about HeLa, but never, like many thought anything about it. No one tells you what these cells are, no one questions anything that professors tell you to take for granted – except Rebecca Skloot.
Ms. Skloot works for years - after first hearing about HeLa cells in her class – to get to the bottom of the story. She explores the story of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman in the 1950s whose cervical cancerous cells were taken (the norm at the time). She explores the roles proprietary laws of one’s own from the 1950s to today.
I learned all sorts of information, including the horribleness of medical life for African Americans in the 1950s.
SPOILER ALERT
I found Deborah, no matter what tragedies she had, to be selfish and self pitying, the same with the rest of the family. They are not the only ones with problems, and issues and it happened. To be rude and to stay uneducated about a subject is LAZY. If the family felt wronged, they should have worked themselves to be better educated on the subject. Yes there are circumstances, lack of money, but even in the 90s there are non-profits and government agencies that can help.
I found family to be unappreciative of anyone who is trying to do something good, like the ladies group and their ignorance and lack of desire to get past that disgusting. This is not to take away from the fact that the family was wronged – due to practices of the time. This is not to ignore the fact of lack of information and miscommunication on the cells, or the fact the story is truly phenomenal and changed the science world completely.
I loved learning how HIPPA came into play, and how different government agencies came about. I love to know where we are today with science and the role that we, all individuals play. How do I feel about a database of my blood somewhere that they might or might not test diseases on me? I don’t know.
Great book for a discussion group.
WOW what a story, what an unbelievable turn of events! First and foremost, I feel that in my days as a student I have heard about HeLa, but never, like many thought anything about it. No one tells you what these cells are, no one questions anything that professors tell you to take for granted – except Rebecca Skloot.
Ms. Skloot works for years - after first hearing about HeLa cells in her class – to get to the bottom of the story. She explores the story of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman in the 1950s whose cervical cancerous cells were taken (the norm at the time). She explores the roles proprietary laws of one’s own from the 1950s to today.
I learned all sorts of information, including the horribleness of medical life for African Americans in the 1950s.
SPOILER ALERT
I found Deborah, no matter what tragedies she had, to be selfish and self pitying, the same with the rest of the family. They are not the only ones with problems, and issues and it happened. To be rude and to stay uneducated about a subject is LAZY. If the family felt wronged, they should have worked themselves to be better educated on the subject. Yes there are circumstances, lack of money, but even in the 90s there are non-profits and government agencies that can help.
I found family to be unappreciative of anyone who is trying to do something good, like the ladies group and their ignorance and lack of desire to get past that disgusting. This is not to take away from the fact that the family was wronged – due to practices of the time. This is not to ignore the fact of lack of information and miscommunication on the cells, or the fact the story is truly phenomenal and changed the science world completely.
I loved learning how HIPPA came into play, and how different government agencies came about. I love to know where we are today with science and the role that we, all individuals play. How do I feel about a database of my blood somewhere that they might or might not test diseases on me? I don’t know.
Great book for a discussion group.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Four to Score
By: Janet Evanovich 4.5/5
Finding Maxine has proved to be difficult. First she sends very cryptic silly clues that lead from one Clue to the other, and I am working with her arrogant, but not bad looking, ex boyfriend of hers. Things of course turn deadly as one of my points of contact is found dead, her friend lost a finger and her mother was scalped. Stephanie Plum has a new car, which she manages to get blown up along with another car, her apartment gets torched and has the sexiest scene we have seen in books with Joe Morelli!
We are introduced to Sally, the sexy cross dresser and code de-coder extraordinaire, with the help of Granda Mazur, Sally, Lula and of course Ranger and Joe Morelli can Stephanie find Maxine before it is too late?
Finding Maxine has proved to be difficult. First she sends very cryptic silly clues that lead from one Clue to the other, and I am working with her arrogant, but not bad looking, ex boyfriend of hers. Things of course turn deadly as one of my points of contact is found dead, her friend lost a finger and her mother was scalped. Stephanie Plum has a new car, which she manages to get blown up along with another car, her apartment gets torched and has the sexiest scene we have seen in books with Joe Morelli!
We are introduced to Sally, the sexy cross dresser and code de-coder extraordinaire, with the help of Granda Mazur, Sally, Lula and of course Ranger and Joe Morelli can Stephanie find Maxine before it is too late?
The Hunger Games
By: Suzzane Collins 5/5
The distopia future of the United States, after an uprising against the government control, cities where closed off and forced under a strict regime. There were 13 separate “Districts” though the 13th was over taken by the government as a show to the other 12 to instill fear in the people. This is the story of a world where youth between the ages of 10 – 18 in each of those 12 districts get chosen to fight to the death in the Capitol city as a show that is broadcast nationally.
Thus is the story of Katniss, the girl who is running her family of her mother and her younger and fragile sister. Katniss is a hunter, more specifically a bow and arrow hunter that she learned from her dad. Katniss chooses to go, which is a rarity on its own, instead of her young and fragile sister. From her district the boy that is chosen is Peeta a boy that Katniss knew from her class.
They go to the State of Panem and are given an entourage that makes them ready for opening ceremonies, and they are a hit. They are paired together, given interviews and given coaching by the District 11 town drunk. They are entered into the staging area of the games that is controlled by a board, and it is every man for himself… or is it?
Surviving is the name of the game, and it is truly based on what human race can do to live. There are bonds that are made that are meant to be broken… and what can Katniss do… killing a human is much different than killing an animal? Or is it?
These games push people to their brink, those that have been training their whole lives from Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 as Careers to those that had no other choice… like Rue. There are friendships that get formed and lies, and struggle.
This books makes us question what we are capable of doing when your life is on the line… it makes us question how much power can the government have, and will this be the end of society that we know. The society that is so based on multi media they can not function. The society of different levels…. Follow Katniss in her struggle for survival and what she does in The Hunger Games.
The distopia future of the United States, after an uprising against the government control, cities where closed off and forced under a strict regime. There were 13 separate “Districts” though the 13th was over taken by the government as a show to the other 12 to instill fear in the people. This is the story of a world where youth between the ages of 10 – 18 in each of those 12 districts get chosen to fight to the death in the Capitol city as a show that is broadcast nationally.
Thus is the story of Katniss, the girl who is running her family of her mother and her younger and fragile sister. Katniss is a hunter, more specifically a bow and arrow hunter that she learned from her dad. Katniss chooses to go, which is a rarity on its own, instead of her young and fragile sister. From her district the boy that is chosen is Peeta a boy that Katniss knew from her class.
They go to the State of Panem and are given an entourage that makes them ready for opening ceremonies, and they are a hit. They are paired together, given interviews and given coaching by the District 11 town drunk. They are entered into the staging area of the games that is controlled by a board, and it is every man for himself… or is it?
Surviving is the name of the game, and it is truly based on what human race can do to live. There are bonds that are made that are meant to be broken… and what can Katniss do… killing a human is much different than killing an animal? Or is it?
These games push people to their brink, those that have been training their whole lives from Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 as Careers to those that had no other choice… like Rue. There are friendships that get formed and lies, and struggle.
This books makes us question what we are capable of doing when your life is on the line… it makes us question how much power can the government have, and will this be the end of society that we know. The society that is so based on multi media they can not function. The society of different levels…. Follow Katniss in her struggle for survival and what she does in The Hunger Games.
Three to Get Deadly
By: Janet Evanovich 4.5/5
This time Stephanie is out to get the local “Uncle Mo” who owns a candy shop. Turns out it is not so easy as she almost gets kill while breaking and entering in said candy shop. As it turns out, much like her life, she gets involved in another serious case!
Grandma Mazur is there to help, and Stephanie decides she needs a make over. Stephanie is establishing herself and her name as a bounty hunter especially after catching Kenny Mancuso and Joe Morelli. This time she has more friends and has new tactics under her belt, but no loaded gun.
This time Stephanie is out to get the local “Uncle Mo” who owns a candy shop. Turns out it is not so easy as she almost gets kill while breaking and entering in said candy shop. As it turns out, much like her life, she gets involved in another serious case!
Grandma Mazur is there to help, and Stephanie decides she needs a make over. Stephanie is establishing herself and her name as a bounty hunter especially after catching Kenny Mancuso and Joe Morelli. This time she has more friends and has new tactics under her belt, but no loaded gun.
Two for the Dough
By: Janet Evanovich 4.5/5
Stephanie is off on another adventure, this time to capture Kenny Mancuso who skipped bail after shooting his co-worker in the leg. In the meantime more people show up dead and missing. Stephanie gets herself mixed up again in a larger case that the Police Department and the Feds had been trying to track down. There is an investigation on stolen weapons from an Army Base that Kenny Mancuso used to be stationed at.
With the help of ex-prostitute Lula, now sidekick to Stephanie, crazy Grandma Mazur who has a fascination for dead people and funeral parlors, and of course the two leading men in Stephanie’s life Ranger and Morelli, can Stephanie keep herself alive.
Stephanie is off on another adventure, this time to capture Kenny Mancuso who skipped bail after shooting his co-worker in the leg. In the meantime more people show up dead and missing. Stephanie gets herself mixed up again in a larger case that the Police Department and the Feds had been trying to track down. There is an investigation on stolen weapons from an Army Base that Kenny Mancuso used to be stationed at.
With the help of ex-prostitute Lula, now sidekick to Stephanie, crazy Grandma Mazur who has a fascination for dead people and funeral parlors, and of course the two leading men in Stephanie’s life Ranger and Morelli, can Stephanie keep herself alive.
One for the Money
By: Janet Evanovich 4.5/5
Set in the smoggy backdrop of New Jersey we meet, Stephanie Plum, a late 20s, early 30s honest, haphazzard, and ecclectic girl with a hamster. We meet Stephanie's crazy family, including Grandma Mazur who is by far the best comedic relief since the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Stephanie used to be a buyer in women’s lingerie and the job went kaput… so she blackmails herself a job with cousin Vinny. Cousin Vinny owns the Vinny Plum Bonds Company and she is working on the biggest case yet, capturing Joe Morelli the cop. Stephanie wants Morelli for multiple reasons, not just the $10,000 bond that he is worth, but he is the guy who took her virginity and was “the one that got away”.
Through many turn of events, and funny accolades we learn how Stephanie Plum does on her first FTA that jumped bail… and she goes on to uncover a larger crime than just a cop that is running away from the law.
Set in the smoggy backdrop of New Jersey we meet, Stephanie Plum, a late 20s, early 30s honest, haphazzard, and ecclectic girl with a hamster. We meet Stephanie's crazy family, including Grandma Mazur who is by far the best comedic relief since the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Stephanie used to be a buyer in women’s lingerie and the job went kaput… so she blackmails herself a job with cousin Vinny. Cousin Vinny owns the Vinny Plum Bonds Company and she is working on the biggest case yet, capturing Joe Morelli the cop. Stephanie wants Morelli for multiple reasons, not just the $10,000 bond that he is worth, but he is the guy who took her virginity and was “the one that got away”.
Through many turn of events, and funny accolades we learn how Stephanie Plum does on her first FTA that jumped bail… and she goes on to uncover a larger crime than just a cop that is running away from the law.
Monday, May 23, 2011
The Help
Kathryn Stockette 4.7/5
Well I have to say best character is Cecila! I really did
enjoy this book. I didn’t know what it was about, and had I read the back cover
I would have been a little more aware. Taking place in 1962, during the
“separate but equal” era, it was in a southern voice and from the perspective of
the black female. Great perspective on the views of what it must have been like
to be a maid in Mississippi during that time.
There are of course many colorful characters, from the
doughty Elizabeth Leefolt, to the haughty Hilly Holbrook, to the smart and
ingenious Eugena “Skeeter” Phelan, and of course the two main voices Abileen
Bates, and Minny!
It is very moving to see the relationships between women and
then the relationships between white women and women of color. There were many
funny parts, including the pie, the toilet scenes (toilets take on a huge them
in this book), and of course the whole Ceclia mess!
I would 100% recommend this book. I bet this would be a
great high school reading book.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Oh No We're Going to Die
3.5/5
Typical Alaskan Book, where a true blooded Alaskan, Bob Bell, gives you his stories of the great outdoors of Alaska. No one can doubt how much Bob Bell loves this state, and how much he appreciates nature. He is the rough and tough kind of guy, the Cessna flying, shot gun carrying, quirky and funny guy!
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if the book is written in the story telling way, where you feel like you are reading his mind, verse a book. Once you get past the style of writing, you enjoy the beauty of his stories. From being surrounded by 8 bears in the woods at night with his shot gun in the tent, to doing water skiing off a canoe with a salmon (my favorite)!
It also is a reality of how harsh Alaska can be, no one seams to believe that just beyond the boarders of Anchorage is a vast wilderness that will KILL you. Alaska the almighty state has taken many and is always trying to add more to her list. Bob Bell had many close encounters and he shares those with funny anecdotes and a serious underlining warning of the Alaskan Outdoors.
Typical Alaskan Book, where a true blooded Alaskan, Bob Bell, gives you his stories of the great outdoors of Alaska. No one can doubt how much Bob Bell loves this state, and how much he appreciates nature. He is the rough and tough kind of guy, the Cessna flying, shot gun carrying, quirky and funny guy!
I really enjoyed reading this book, even if the book is written in the story telling way, where you feel like you are reading his mind, verse a book. Once you get past the style of writing, you enjoy the beauty of his stories. From being surrounded by 8 bears in the woods at night with his shot gun in the tent, to doing water skiing off a canoe with a salmon (my favorite)!
It also is a reality of how harsh Alaska can be, no one seams to believe that just beyond the boarders of Anchorage is a vast wilderness that will KILL you. Alaska the almighty state has taken many and is always trying to add more to her list. Bob Bell had many close encounters and he shares those with funny anecdotes and a serious underlining warning of the Alaskan Outdoors.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
By: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows 4/5
On the Story:
Interesting story, unexpected in the nature of the topic (I would have known if I read the back -YES). I give this book the 4 stars because maybe I am tired of the WWII stories. For a while in the late1990s there was a huge move to put out many books and movies with the same topic. I am not dismissing the importance of the topic and the gruesome things that happened.
This book has many interesting characters, and unexpectedly is written in letters back and forth. Juliet and her alter ego Izzy are the main writers of the story, focusing on her friendship with the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. The main draw is Juliet's stay on the island to write a book on reading during the Nazi occupation of the British Guernsey Islands. Here she meets fantastic characters: Isola - the looney postion maker, Dawsey- the silent brooding guy, Ameilia - the older motherly figure, Kit, and most importantly Elizabeth.
There are other characters, such as Sydney and Sophie and Mark, and they all play an integral part of the story at large. So why place the story on the island? Yes historical fiction, and learning about an occupation that you don't hear very much of. This I appreciated than stories in Berlin or the French occupation. I also think that the book setting made the war feel differently, and it was a different war for those people - or at least I can assume. There were different interactions between the islanders and Nazis. Can anyone truly imagine the isolation of that island and the unrest of not knowing? Is that any different than any other country and their lack of communication during the war.
This book is unlike other books, because maybe it is not as harsh, it certainly has humor in it, including the pig roast and the two drinking buddies story.
So what is the author trying to say?!?!!? Was it easier to write the story in letter form so that you can get a better sense of each individual's belief and background? Maybe.... I feel like I know Juliet better because it is from her own hand that I am reading. I feel like understand Elizabeth's character because of how everyone viewed her. What if in the truth, Elizabeth was a conniving person that wanted to use everyone and it was her appearance that the islanders really knew. We never know.
The ending... yes it was like many fictional books and I wished it had more more real.
SPOILER ALERT.
I wish she didn't get with Dawsey and have Kit as her own kid. It would have been more real if she and Mark got married and he whisked her off to America. I feel like life is harsh and it shouldn't not have ended as such a happy fairy tale.
On the Story:
Interesting story, unexpected in the nature of the topic (I would have known if I read the back -YES). I give this book the 4 stars because maybe I am tired of the WWII stories. For a while in the late1990s there was a huge move to put out many books and movies with the same topic. I am not dismissing the importance of the topic and the gruesome things that happened.
This book has many interesting characters, and unexpectedly is written in letters back and forth. Juliet and her alter ego Izzy are the main writers of the story, focusing on her friendship with the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. The main draw is Juliet's stay on the island to write a book on reading during the Nazi occupation of the British Guernsey Islands. Here she meets fantastic characters: Isola - the looney postion maker, Dawsey- the silent brooding guy, Ameilia - the older motherly figure, Kit, and most importantly Elizabeth.
There are other characters, such as Sydney and Sophie and Mark, and they all play an integral part of the story at large. So why place the story on the island? Yes historical fiction, and learning about an occupation that you don't hear very much of. This I appreciated than stories in Berlin or the French occupation. I also think that the book setting made the war feel differently, and it was a different war for those people - or at least I can assume. There were different interactions between the islanders and Nazis. Can anyone truly imagine the isolation of that island and the unrest of not knowing? Is that any different than any other country and their lack of communication during the war.
This book is unlike other books, because maybe it is not as harsh, it certainly has humor in it, including the pig roast and the two drinking buddies story.
So what is the author trying to say?!?!!? Was it easier to write the story in letter form so that you can get a better sense of each individual's belief and background? Maybe.... I feel like I know Juliet better because it is from her own hand that I am reading. I feel like understand Elizabeth's character because of how everyone viewed her. What if in the truth, Elizabeth was a conniving person that wanted to use everyone and it was her appearance that the islanders really knew. We never know.
The ending... yes it was like many fictional books and I wished it had more more real.
SPOILER ALERT.
I wish she didn't get with Dawsey and have Kit as her own kid. It would have been more real if she and Mark got married and he whisked her off to America. I feel like life is harsh and it shouldn't not have ended as such a happy fairy tale.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Water for Elephants
Sara Gruen 4.5/5
Yes a truly amazing book just like everyone says. The
beautiful story of life on the road, of a smart elephant (and they are), of a
toothless lion, a boy that becomes a man, a Romanian acrobat, and the harsh
realities of the circus during The Great Depression.
Marlena, the delicate; Jacob the boy and Rosie the wonderful
pachyderm. This book is harsh, and at the same time I think it romanticizes the
life of the circus. It was a hard life, that people didn’t see behind the
curtains. I learned that the circus also had a prostitution ring.
I did know the ending but you became very close to the
characters, so much so that you can feel what they were feeling. I guess that
is what a great book is considered. I do have so say “Modoc: The World’s
Greatest Elephant” was significantly better because I am a non-fiction reader.
A Piece of Cake
By: Cupcake Brown 4.5/5
The not so sweet story of La’Vette to those she hated,
Cupcake to those she loved.
Taking place in the 1970s, Cup was forced into foster care
that age of 11 due to the death of her mother. At the age of 11, Cupcake lost
her child hood and became part of the system.
While this book really is reminiscent of “White Oleander”,
there are comparisons that would never happen. There is a racial undertone to
the book, as well as unbelievable positive ending with a great message of
loving yourself.
Cup endures every hardship there is out there, gang
violence, drug abuse, rape, prostitution, racism, battery and more.
This is a not a book for the feign of heart!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wicked... Again
By: Gregory Maguire.... 5++++
I was a little apprehensive to reread this book again, having enjoyed it so much the first time. What if this time, I found flaws in it that would make me not like it? What if I had a different state of mind and didn't enjoy it as much? And most importantly, what if I misread all those things on evil and religion as the sub-connotation of the book?
Well guess what, it was even better this time around... I feel I even understood all those foreshadowing events. It opened my eyes to better understanding the characters, and the links between them, because I wasn't rushing to finish to see the ending of the book.
I absolutely adore Elphie, Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West! I feel that she is easily understood especially in our society today. She can be viewed as anyone of the people that we see in today's world. Upset by racial injustice of her skin color, being reprimanded because of her choice on religious beliefs, scorned by love, a politico, and finally rejected by friendship, made her into the antisocial hardened female that she became.
Do I think Elphie is evil, obviously not, as I like to use the endearing terms. I think life kicked her down, and she kept fighting. I found her strong to her beliefs, I found her amazing to fight for the Animals, when they were to 'lower" race... I wish I could be as strong to fight for something that I can 100% believe in. Was she a terrorist? I don't know if Elphie did anything that was considered a terrorist act, and she never went through with the presumed bombing of Madam Morrible. Had she... I believe it would be a completely different story. Though in light of the terrorist attacks in AZ, it is hard to put Elphie in the same category as a hero, one to admire for her strong political beliefs against Animal cruelty.
The Wicked Witch of the West has always had a stigma, one of evil, that in our fairy tales made us fear her. This books changes that perspective and makes you wonder what is the true meaning of evil? Was Elphaba born evil? The first questions has been debated upon for many years in our world. What is the root of evil? Is it always based on religion and the devil? I can't start to begin where does evil lie and where it comes from, but I don't think the Elphie was born evil, she was born different and that doesn't mean evil. She "became" the WITCH so that she can create a self protection bubble against the cruel outside world. Why shouldn't she go with the gossip of evil. Nessarose was significantly harsher of a person and dictator than Elphaba and for that matter Galinda/Glinda with all the pretending of being better than most.
So why do people after reading this book still hate Elphaba? She loved her sister, even if it was tainted with a hint of jealousy of the love Frex had for her? She truly loved Fiyero, not her fault he is cheating on her; she loved her Nanny, especially when Nanny showed up at Kiamo Ko; she learned to care for Sarima, even if Sarima would not listen to her; and these qualities really humanized her.
THE WORLD OF OZ
The world is truly magical, from talking Animals vs animals, to magic shoes, and spells and flying monkeys. There are many mirror images of Oz to today's America. Where do we draw the line of cruelty between Animals and animals? Is it because one can talk vs the other who can't? How about the parallels between the social classes of Oz; Munchkin Land Middle Class, Lower class Glikkun, the Outcasts of Vinkus, and the Nomads the Scrow; Compared to: Racial separations in America? Can that still not be seen even in 2011? The religious strife of the Unnamed God vs the Lurlainists vs the pleasure faith; Compared to: Christianity; Judaism and the Muslim faith. Can't the Muslims see Christians as pleasure faithfuls drinking and yes sex before marriage? Can't Christians looks at Jews and say they are crazy waiting for their Lurlina to come out?
This books brings about astounding resemblance between Emerald City and Nazism, as it was. The Gale Force and the saluting and how Elphaba fought against taking that control of her hometown of Cowlen grounds. And even furthur back with sexism in the schools and keeping it seperate, the difference of materials that were available to the girls as Shiz vs the guys at the school.
And lastly and most obvious the blatant racism of Animals and colored people like Fiyero, Elphaba and Turtle Heart.
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book the second time around. This makes me curious if Son of a Witch will be better the second time around as I didn't think it was very good.
I was a little apprehensive to reread this book again, having enjoyed it so much the first time. What if this time, I found flaws in it that would make me not like it? What if I had a different state of mind and didn't enjoy it as much? And most importantly, what if I misread all those things on evil and religion as the sub-connotation of the book?
Well guess what, it was even better this time around... I feel I even understood all those foreshadowing events. It opened my eyes to better understanding the characters, and the links between them, because I wasn't rushing to finish to see the ending of the book.
I absolutely adore Elphie, Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West! I feel that she is easily understood especially in our society today. She can be viewed as anyone of the people that we see in today's world. Upset by racial injustice of her skin color, being reprimanded because of her choice on religious beliefs, scorned by love, a politico, and finally rejected by friendship, made her into the antisocial hardened female that she became.
Do I think Elphie is evil, obviously not, as I like to use the endearing terms. I think life kicked her down, and she kept fighting. I found her strong to her beliefs, I found her amazing to fight for the Animals, when they were to 'lower" race... I wish I could be as strong to fight for something that I can 100% believe in. Was she a terrorist? I don't know if Elphie did anything that was considered a terrorist act, and she never went through with the presumed bombing of Madam Morrible. Had she... I believe it would be a completely different story. Though in light of the terrorist attacks in AZ, it is hard to put Elphie in the same category as a hero, one to admire for her strong political beliefs against Animal cruelty.
The Wicked Witch of the West has always had a stigma, one of evil, that in our fairy tales made us fear her. This books changes that perspective and makes you wonder what is the true meaning of evil? Was Elphaba born evil? The first questions has been debated upon for many years in our world. What is the root of evil? Is it always based on religion and the devil? I can't start to begin where does evil lie and where it comes from, but I don't think the Elphie was born evil, she was born different and that doesn't mean evil. She "became" the WITCH so that she can create a self protection bubble against the cruel outside world. Why shouldn't she go with the gossip of evil. Nessarose was significantly harsher of a person and dictator than Elphaba and for that matter Galinda/Glinda with all the pretending of being better than most.
So why do people after reading this book still hate Elphaba? She loved her sister, even if it was tainted with a hint of jealousy of the love Frex had for her? She truly loved Fiyero, not her fault he is cheating on her; she loved her Nanny, especially when Nanny showed up at Kiamo Ko; she learned to care for Sarima, even if Sarima would not listen to her; and these qualities really humanized her.
THE WORLD OF OZ
The world is truly magical, from talking Animals vs animals, to magic shoes, and spells and flying monkeys. There are many mirror images of Oz to today's America. Where do we draw the line of cruelty between Animals and animals? Is it because one can talk vs the other who can't? How about the parallels between the social classes of Oz; Munchkin Land Middle Class, Lower class Glikkun, the Outcasts of Vinkus, and the Nomads the Scrow; Compared to: Racial separations in America? Can that still not be seen even in 2011? The religious strife of the Unnamed God vs the Lurlainists vs the pleasure faith; Compared to: Christianity; Judaism and the Muslim faith. Can't the Muslims see Christians as pleasure faithfuls drinking and yes
This books brings about astounding resemblance between Emerald City and Nazism, as it was. The Gale Force and the saluting and how Elphaba fought against taking that control of her hometown of Cowlen grounds. And even furthur back with sexism in the schools and keeping it seperate, the difference of materials that were available to the girls as Shiz vs the guys at the school.
And lastly and most obvious the blatant racism of Animals and colored people like Fiyero, Elphaba and Turtle Heart.
I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book the second time around. This makes me curious if Son of a Witch will be better the second time around as I didn't think it was very good.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
2011 Challenge List
So for the 2010 Challenge List I completed 7 of the 18 books I wanted to read. Here it is for everyone to keep track.
| 2011 Challenge List | |||||||
| 1 | White Fang By: Jack London | ||||||
| 2 | Hoodwinked | ||||||
| 3 | Finding Alaska | ||||||
| 4 | Notes From a Small Island By: Bill Bryson | ||||||
| 5 | The Crimson Petal and The White By: Michel Faber | ||||||
| 6 | The Life of Pi | ||||||
| 7 | The Red Tent | ||||||
| 8 | A Piece of Cake | ||||||
| 9 | Little Women | ||||||
| 10 | The Way of Zen | ||||||
| 11 | One for the Money | ||||||
| 12 | Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs | ||||||
| Replacements | |||||||
| 13 | Water for Elphants | ||||||
| 14 | Humbolts Gift | ||||||
| 15 | Atonement | ||||||
| 16 | Oh No We're Gonna Die | ||||||
| 17 | The Te of Piglet | ||||||
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
By: Stieg Larson 5/5
This was by far the most intriguing of all of the Trilogy of books. I believe this one was the most intertwined mess of characters. You never knew who had the upper hand. As the second books ends with not knowing what happens with our heroine, Lisbeth Salander, this one takes you through the continuation of the story.
The story has those same characters from books one, such as Erika Berger and Mikael Blomkvist and their crew at Millenium, though adding fantastic characters such as Zalachenko, Monica, Edklinth, and over 20 others. Your hands feel bound during this book, as Lisbeth can't do anything to help her out, and you watch the next move of the characters to see how they are willing to act and what they are going to do next.
This book unlike "The Girl Who Played With Fire" wasn't as disturbing in that sense. It follows much of the current history of Sweden, and places in Stockholm, but it is not nearly as disturbing. It is however a political discussion, which I can not comment on, having not ever paid attention to Swedish politics.
The ending, well you feel good about the ending, with of course one last and surprising twist and turn! I feel highly satisfied after having read this book. I also feel like I would have read this book much faster if I had had the time to read it.
Great!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Girl Who Played with Fire
By: Stieg Larson 5/5
So the drama continues, we keep delving deeper into the
lives of Mikael and Lisbeth as 2 gruesome murders happen, and one that most don’t
mind. Lisbeth seems a lot more mortal in this book, and Mikael becomes a bigger
hero. This book seems to be even more disturbing than the first one, and I
believe the 3rd book will even out do this one. It does leave you
hanging and wanting to know more, which is why my next stop after work is Title
Wave books to buy the book second hand and hardcover because I
want to read it so badly.
I love how capturing and enthralling these books seem to be,
and enjoy reading what happens next in ever part of the books. The characters
are so well formed, sometimes there are so many well formed characters that you
assume they would have a bigger role in the whole plot of the story. Way to go
Larson! Can’t wait to crack open the next one!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
By: Stieg Larson 5/5
What a surprisingly great book to read. A historical mystery located in Sweden where you meet Lisbeth Salander and Kalle Blomkovist. A twisting turning plot of the Vander family where you explore a family tree that is interconnected and full of mysteries. Of course the two main character's paths meet, together they solve the mystery of Harriet Vander.
Lisbeth is a little tiny weird girl, that while taciturn she can say a lot with her facial expressions, Blomkovist is a ex-writer for the financial expose magazine Millennium, until he find a proposition that he can not turn down. So he ends up in Hedeby solving a 36 year old mystery.
Lisbeth is a little tiny weird girl, that while taciturn she can say a lot with her facial expressions, Blomkovist is a ex-writer for the financial expose magazine Millennium, until he find a proposition that he can not turn down. So he ends up in Hedeby solving a 36 year old mystery.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Sea of Poppies
By: Amitav Gosh 4/5
A little confused. This is how I feel after finishing the
last sentence of the last page of the last chapter. Did I miss something?
Though like I always, I realized after I completed the book that there was a
glossary for all the words that I didn’t know.
Sea of Poppies is a lot of little stories and backgrounds of
characters that come together in the very end, on the mystical journey on the Ibis a grand ship sailing from Calcutta,
India to the Muarice Islands. This
book takes you on a journey of a lexicon of words I had never heard of before.
Fantastic. It also bears to mention that this is the first of a trilogy so
therefore that might have a reason for the ending the way that it did.
This is the story of Paulette, une petite coquette fille;
Deeti the housewife that finds love with a coolie; of Jodu the boy that matures
and finds love; Neel the educated Zemindar who has been over thrown by the
powerful Benjamin Burnham. This book takes place around 1830s, when India was
still under British rule, where Opium was the daily life of everyone and the
only source of living. Though with China closing off the boarders of opium
trade, the new import from India were slaves.
The Ibis turned
into a ship for indentured servants. This is where the characters find
themselves intertwined. It is certainly the story of loss, in each and every
one of the Characters, Jodu, Paulette, Kalua, Neel, Zachary, Mr. Crowle; and
everyone else on that ship. It shows how much a person can stand, how much can
one endure and how life, even limited, can find a sliver of happiness.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books which
the next one comes out at the end of 2010!
Possible Spoiler
Possible Spoiler
Possible Spoiler
Possible Spoiler
Possible Spoiler
The things I don’t understand are Baboo, he is a hijrah,
what is his ultimate goal in life? And what is the thing that I missed about
the eyes?!?!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Shanghai Girls
By: Lisa See 5/5
Lisa See of course does it again! Loved loved loved the book
that kept me engulfed in the story of Pearl and May the two sisters that find
their way to America.
WOW!
Lisa See has to have a deep understanding of women’s bonds,
and especially of sister bonds. She did her research and worked hard to portray
the trials and the difficulties experienced by Chinese during those times.
Every moment of the book had been in that place and that time, and there was
never a dull moment.
The descriptions of China and the process to that brought
them to America was so heartfelt and endearing, that I could almost feel
physical pain from reading all those descriptions.
As an immigrant myself, I can understand the torment of
keeping traditions and wanting a new life. I was more like Joy, than Pearl or
May, as I came to America young, but I can see the struggles that my mother
faced trying to deal with a new way of thinking and holding on those things
that were most dear. Another similarity is the communism factor, we ran away
from it too, to a country of opportunity, the difference was that our faces
didn’t betray us right away, the racism wasn’t as hard as the Louie family had.
That is not to say that we didn’t experience racism.
Love the book and I am glad that Lisa See wrote it, as Peony
in Love wasn’t nearly as good as Shanghai Girls or Snowflower and the Secret
Fan!
Dracula
By: Bram Stoker 4/5
This book has had a daunting pressure on me to read as it is
one: considered one of the classic must reads and two: as a Romanian you must
read what it portrays us as.
The last pressure is probably the greatest as I am a former
descendant of Vlad Tepes aka the former ruler of Romania, aka Dracula. So
before going into my dialogue on Dracula the book a little Romanian history.
Vlad Tepes as a fierce ruler and was also known as Vlad the
Impaler for his very industrious techniques in impaling the know Turkies people
when invading his land. He ruled from 1456 to about 1462 at the age of only 25!
He was tough and as soon as he got his hands on a TURK he killed him, took his
body and put a stake through their bodies and put the stakes on the street,
where bodies would line the streets. This technique didn’t only apply this to
the invaders, but to his own people that stole, raped, lied and were
treacherous. During his rule, a money bag could be found on the street and no
one would pick it up for fear of being considered a stealer. This is how he
earned his name … Dracula. The name derives from dracu which in Romanian means
devil, and the –ula at the end is assigning the devil name to him.
This bring us to Brahm Stoker many many many years later
when he wrote Dracula in 1897, almost 435 years later than Vlad Tepes. Upon
hearing of the devilish and romanticized Transylvania (which coincidently is
where I am from), he wanted to set a book on it. So he wrote Dracula.
Stoker did well in researching
this book and the beliefs of the time, especially because rumor still followed
in the late 1800s. So upon reading the book I was pleasantly surprised to hear
the names of the towns from my childhood, and the descriptions of the land which were very vivid and accurate
even though Stoker never went to Transylvania himself. The descriptions of the
Carpatheians (Carpati) Mountains
were wonderful. This book must have sent chills to people reading it at the
time. It is filled with awe and with the darks beliefs of devils and religion. So my expectation in reading the book
was that I would be terrified to the core!
Not so… It was amusing, it was a nice story but did it
terrify NO! That might be in part one, I was listening to it on audio, and two,
that in today’s society what we fear is very different than based on the
religious superstitious of those days.
The very beginning was great where Jonathon Hawker’s story, though I
think it dwindled because there was a lot that just didn’t captivate me, and
that again might be in part due to audio. The story does pick up again and you
become engrossed in the ploy of the book, and Dracula’s play.
Things that I found interesting is that they called Dracula
a count, and they didn’t say the name Dracula till the very end.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
I don’t know if Vlad Tepes is buried in a grave that is
labeled Dracula, but it might have been possible that the Romanian Orthodox
would have buried him in a Christian way and named the grave as that. According to Wikipedia “He was taken
back to Wallachia and buried. In the early 1900's Vlad was unburied for
research. The researchers found nothing. Remains were found around his grave,
and was thought to be the prince's remains. He was reburied and then left. When
another dig took place years later, his grave was found destroyed and no
remains were found.[17] The other theory is that Vlad is buried at Snagov, an island monastery
located near Bucharest”. From childhood I feel like I remember visiting both
grave site possibilities with the first one being very well gated.
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