Sunday, December 29, 2013

Holiday Reading

Believe it or not, even I need a little break from photos of fine white sand, clear blue water, and lightly cloud-scudded skies.  Let's save the Bahamas recap for another day, shall we?  Instead, I'd like to confess something to you: I've had a Kindle for more than a year now, but this holiday was the first time I used it because I was a book snob.

I was a book snob and I have been shown the error of my ways.

Well, sort of - I still can't imagine reading any old favorites on my Kindle.  Now that I've used it for a week, I know to reserve it for fiction; I interact with non-fiction differently and really do need solid pages in which to intensely scribble notes.  (I desperately wanted a paperback edition of the second book I mention below because it so deserved proper marginalia!  The electronic highlighting that you can do on a Kindle wasn't satisfying and didn't do my thoughts - or the author's - justice.)  However, the Kindle was perfect for our trip.  I have the Paperwhite and it was so easy to use no matter the lighting.  Plus, of course, it made packing a lot easier!

I downloaded seven books to my Kindle for our trip.  I didn't make it to Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point and actually read the first book I list below before we'd left, but I'm quite satisfied with my picks.  Yes, I know, I have a strange definition of "beach reads."  I just don't like fluff!  There's a time and a place for it, sure, but I'd rather sink into something more substantial especially on vacation.  So here's what I chose and what I thought of them:


Divergent - Veronica Roth
Honestly, I had no desire to read this book.  I caved to the hype, though, and powered through the whole thing in a few hours.  I thought maybe that I'd understand what everyone loved about this book if I totally immersed myself in it, but I didn't think the writing wasn't anything special and I didn't enjoy the story at all.  This is worth a much longer blog post about how and why I read young adult fiction - a post that Nana's been asking me to write for months now - but here's a teaser from that forthcoming ramble: if you liked Divergent, read The Giver by Lois Lowry.  You're welcome.

A Year of Biblical Womanhood - Rachel Held Evans
I actually downloaded this more than a year ago when I was first discovering evangelical blogs (which, perhaps not so strangely, was where I ended up after making my way through some Mormon blogs) and wanted modern insight into biblical literalism.  You know me, dear readers, and you know this sort of study is right up my alley:
Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decides to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year. What does God truly expect of women, and is there really a prescription for biblical womanhood? Come along with Evans as she looks for answers in the rich heritage of biblical heroines, models of grace, and all-around women of valor.
The topic is incredibly serious and, though the author was accused of mocking both the Bible and those who claim to live it to the letter, she tackles it with dignity and respect.  I was especially taken by her exploration of how Christians through the centuries have interpreted the Bible, and seeing the names of theologians that I'd studied for my MA helped me connect with a concept that, as a Jewpiscopalian, is totally foreign to me in any sense other than the academic.  I loved Rachel's approach and her writing - it's a testament to her style that she's Rachel to me, don't you think?  The pages are laced with humor and humility, and I teared up at the end of the book, when she and her husband celebrate Rosh Hashannah and observe Taschlich.  I came away with a greater understanding of the Bible, of evangelical Christianity, and even of Jewish spirituality.  If you're interested at all in the role that religion plays in modern American life, I wholeheartedly recommend A Year of Biblical Womanhood!

The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman has been one of my favorite authors for years.  Terry Pratchett was the gateway drug; after reading all of the Discworld books, I discovered Gaiman with Good Omens, which they wrote together.  Since then, I've returned to American Gods, Stardust, and Neverwhere over and over again.  The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Gaiman's first novel for adults in eight years, is more of the enchanting same:
Forty years ago, our narrator, who was then a seven-year-old boy, unwittingly discovered a neighboring family’s supernatural secret. What happens next is an imaginative romp through otherwordly adventure that could only come from Gaiman's magical mind. Childhood innocence is tested and transcended... the result is a captivating tale that is equal parts sweet, sad, and spooky.
It took me a while before I allowed myself to be bewitched by this story and by the obvious delight Gaiman takes in telling it, but I was submerged in the magic almost as soon as I stopped fighting against it and, at the end, I felt like I came up gasping for air.  It was so enthralling!  Do read this if you love brilliantly imaginative fantasy and truly creative writing.

Benjamin Franklin's Bastard Sally Cabot
Of course I downloaded this when I saw it on the Kindle deals page - historical fiction, transatlanticism, and scandal?  This novel, based on the true story of Benjamin Franklin and his illigitimate son, who became the Loyalist governor of New Jersey just before the American Revolution, reeled me in as soon as I read the synopsis, and I was so excited to learn more about such an intense period of history from this unique angle.  Unfortunately, though, the author focuses almost entirely on Franklin and the two women in his life, which means that we get a thorough lesson in the daily realities of Philadelphia in the mid-18th century but very little on the political or economic sparks that became the fire of the War of Independence.  Benjamin Franklin's Bastard is well written and you will like this book if you're more interested in the small pieces of life in another time, but I was disappointed not to find more insights into the big picture of the era.

Gone Girl Gillian Flynn
This one doesn't need a synopsis, does it?  You probably know that it starts with the disappearance of a woman on her fifth wedding anniversary and unravels from there, but the only way I can do justice to the sharp nuances of Flynn's story is to tell you to read this yourself and then to beg you to dissect it with me.  The writing is addicting - you get drawn into the humanity of the main characters to an almost unbearable degree, and you have no choice but to examine your own relationships in light of theirs.  (For what it's worth, I thought the ending was perfect.  A lot of people were frustrated by it, weren't they?)  I actually had nightmares about Gone Girl when I went to sleep after finishing the first part of the book, and woke Jon up in the middle of the night so I could hear him tell me he loved me.  He's going to read it next and I can't wait to hear his take on it!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)Mindy Kaling
As my sister pointed out when I told her I was reading this, humor writing isn't really my thing.  I couldn't actually finish How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran, I found Tina Fey's memoir only intermittently funny, and I liked Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea but couldn't be bothered to read any of Chelsea Handler's other books.  Mindy Kaling was brought along as my fluffy beach read because I did feel like I had to have one thing that qualified, and I have to admit I'm enjoying it so far.  I haven't watched any of her TV shows, but it sounds like I'm not the only one totally disarmed by her unassuming hilarity!  It's an easy book to pick up casually, so I have no idea how long it'll take me to  finish, but I'll definitely keep it in rotation.


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28 comments:

  1. I read Gone Girl last year and perhaps I'm one of the few that detested it. I actually thought the first half was quite good and devoured it but found myself getting increasingly angry at how it progressed afterwards. I thought the ending was a cop out that could have only been trumped by 'and he woke up and it was all a nightmare.' I know a lot of people liked it but I felt the plausibility continued to decrease as the novel went on which was really a disappointment after the first half.


    I am however, interested in A Year of Biblical Womanhood. I've read a few articles that have mentioned it which have intrigued me. I also love how it made your beach reading list.

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  2. Gone Girl made me angry too - but I loved it! so funny how these things work. (I was afraid to say I didn't like Divergent because everyone else loved it, but...)

    and yes AYOBW was amazing! it's definitely the book that I'll bring up in every conversation with everyone for the next few weeks no matter how I have to contort to make it relevant :)

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  3. I recently listened to Divergent on Audible on a long car drive. Maybe it was because it was being read to me (and the girl who read it was fantastic) but I really liked it. I'm half way through Insurgent now and it's also good but I've found it was easier to listen to than read. I heard that Veronica Roth published the first book when she was 23 which is pretty impressive.


    I hope you enjoy "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me". It is one of my favorite books I've read in the last five years and there were so many moments that I actually laughed out loud.

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  4. Ooh, I loved Good Omens! My dad did too and has been tearing through books recently, so I sent him your Ocean review in hopes that he can find it at the library. Also, Gone Girl was awesome--I think that qualifies as a perfect page-turning beach read! My next Read//Eat recipe will be one from the book. :)

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  5. Ok, you've convinced me on Neil Gaiman. I've been hearing good things for ages, but never actually picked anything of his up.
    I wonder if you'd like The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs? Might be sort of a retread and not quite as interesting if you were really into the female/Bible interaction since it's a man doing the experiment), but it touches on a lot of the same themes.

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  6. I'm nearing the end of "Dark Places", another of Gillian Flynn's, and it's just as engrossing as "Gone Girl". I found "Gone Girl" so fascinating because the characters were so vastly unlikeable, and yet I couldn't put the book down!
    I LOOOOOVED "The Ocean At the End of the Lane", but I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Neil Himself and he, of course, delivered it perfectly.
    And I have a habit of reading Russian novels at the beach… but I truly enjoy Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, and Nabakov, so there's that. And I nannied for two kids summer after senior year of high school and re-read the unabridged "The Canterbury Tales" poolside. So you're not the only one with weird choices!


    *I am alternately tempted and not by Mindy Kaling's book. I have yet to enjoy any of her tv (I liked some of The Office but not Kelly/Ryan and I watched the pilot of The Mindy Project and found it horrible. But then people say her book is so funny, so I'm randomly tempted. I think it'll have to be a library try for me, because I refuse to spend money on one I might hate!

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  7. I've been wanting to read The Ocean at the End of the Lane for a while now... might have to pick it up!

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  8. I'd love to read that! Actually, one of the cool parts of Rachel's book was when her husband interjected with his thoughts. I'd be so interested in a man's take on this topic. Absolute patriarchy sounds great in theory, but - to the extent that it seems to be taken in some circles - I think it would make most of the men I know and respect REALLY uncomfortable.

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  9. true - it definitely counts as a holiday read! I was just SO engrossed. Sarah and my mom, who have both already read it, loved trying to guess where I was in the book by the faces I was making :P

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  10. you know, I have NEVER listened to an audio book! maybe I should give it a try...

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  11. All hail the book snobs! I've been toying with getting an e-reader/tablet, but can't give up my love of the actual pages. I'm going to have to add a few of these to my reading list!

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  12. Your book choices make me feel reallllly stupid. Dammit Betsy!

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  13. I heard that her other stuff is even darker than Gone Girl - are you finding that?

    (I couldn't listen to Neil Gaimen narrate the phone book. My crush on him is out of control as it is! haha)

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  14. Gesci is making me think I should "reread" it in audio book form...

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  15. oh no! that's not the point of this :/ I just like certain things!

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  16. haha well the Kindle was a gift from Nana and Pappy so I figured that a holiday with them was the right time to cave :P

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  17. I'm totally kidding! I don't read Twilight or 50 Shades so I'm my own kind of book snob. :)

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  18. ok im glad you liked gone girl! and hahah i liked divergent but by the last book i got reallllly bored. xo jillian - cornflake dreams

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  19. I loved Gone Girl! I was thinking of picking up another of Gillian Flynn's novels but Gone Girl was so intense that I'm giving myself a little break. I think Divergent is next on my list because, like you, I am giving into the hype. Right now I'm about to pick up The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P which had a lot of hype over the summer. Thanks for a great list of book reviews!

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  20. I was the same way about Kindles... I mean, I was an English major and am now an editor. But they're sooo great for travel! Usually I have to find room for 7 books in my suitcase for a trip like this. I didn't love Divergent either - not great writing, I agree, so I don't get the hype either - but it is a quickie, so not bad for the beach I suppose!

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  21. I also considered myself a book snob, and refuse to use a kindle until my brother gave me one for Christmas this year. It has changed my life--I mean, this thing fits in my tiniest purse, so I can take it with me and read whenever the mood strikes me! I've been totally absorbed in it since Christmas. I read the entire Divergent series and also wasn't impressed with the writing (or really even the story), but it was a good, quick read. I'm now working on finishing Memory of Light, the last in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and will IMMEDIATELY be starting this Neil Gaiman book once I finish--I absolutely LOVED American Gods and Neverwhere, so I can't wait to read this one!

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  22. I use both! My kindle/kindle app are for trying new authors or buying cheap books that I'll only read once. With 100 books every month at $3.99 or less, it's an affordable way to try new authors or genres. Plus, like Betsy said, they're AMAZING for travel. Backpacking around Europe is so much easier with a kindle than with a stack of books. My money and space/room are limited, so I'm very very careful about buying real books. I usually have to read a book two times at the library or on my kindle before I buy the real deal for my bookcase.

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  23. I'm glad you liked Rachel's book as much as I'm enjoying it. :) It's seriously SO thought-provoking!

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  24. I'm really glad yo hear you didn't find Tina fey's memoir as hilarious as everyone else. I was feeling like I was the only one!

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  25. Not just The Giver, but the other 3 books in the Quartet as well! By the end of the series you know exactly what happened to Jonas and Gabriel.

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  26. I love book reviews! I already weighed in on Divergent on twitter so I won't do more here. I both loved and hated Gone Girl. I was enthralled, but it was such a depressing take on humanity and I didn't like any of the characters. Then again, maybe I wasn't supposed to like them. I liked the Mindy Kaling book although it's been a few years since I read it. I've heard it's really good as an audiobook since she reads it. I have it on my list for my next solo car ride. Thanks for the other recommendations.

    I was a book snob like you. I was very torn about getting a nook, but I do love it. I still would rather read an actual book, but it's so convenient for travel and to stick in my purse. My favorite genre is historical fiction though, and I love the books with maps and genealogies in the front. I constantly flip back to it, and I just can't handle that on the nook. I also hate when I love a book I bought on the Nook because then I want it for my bookshelf.

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  27. I love these reviews. You did a great job of talking about Gone Girl. My sis loaned it to me. I read it and couldn't put it down. :)

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  28. Benjamin Franklin's Bastard sounds like something that I would love but since I completely trust your opinion, it's going on my goodreads, just not to the top of it ;)

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I love reading your thoughts and suggestions! Please do leave a comment so we can get to know each other better.