Book: Life of Pi
Finished: Mid-May
I assigned Life of Pi to my fuzzin for one of her last reading assignments, promising that since I hadn't read it yet, I'd read right along with her. Written to the tune of Old Man and the Sea, Life of Pi centers on the almost unbelievable story of Pi Patel, a young Indian boy trapped on a lifeboat with a tiger from his parents' zoo. Yann Martel did an amazing job weaving in spiritual truths to Pi's tale, and my cousin and I agreed: the ending is the best part.
---
Book: The Help
Finished: Mid-May
The girls in our book club were concerned that Kathryn Stockett's first novel was too long (and a bit pricey in hardback) for our May/June pick. That didn't stop all of us from voting for it, though, and I'll confess: I finished the 450-page novel in one day. Now, granted, I was in and out of airports and planes, but Stockett's phenomenal writing easily made The Help a page-turner; I literally could not put it down. Perhaps the best compliment I could pay The Help? This is exactly the kind of book I dream of writing one day. Read it. You will not regret it.
---
Book: Birds of America
Finished: Mid-May
A friend kindly let me borrow this collection of short stories, and I didn't have great expectations. My standard for a good short story is high: Flannery O'Connor and J.D. Salinger are really the only two authors who have ever earned my recommendation. I think I'm a hard sell because short stories are hard for me read and write; I'm a reader who invests in the characters. I ask questions; I want to know details. Short stories are more of a snapshot than a scrapbook, and more often than not, I want the latter. Lorrie Moore, though, convinced me otherwise. Her stories were bittersweet; some drove me to laughter, others to tears. All in all, a really sound read, and now I'm wishing I'd just bought a copy to add to my collection.
---
Book: Something Borrowed
Finished: Late May
A friend recommended Something Borrowed, and after The Help, I decided I needed something light-hearted. Giffin's novel fit the bill. The book could, for the most part, be considered standard "chick-lit" fare, but Giffin's decision to focus on the longtime friendship of the two main characters adds another dimension to the plot. Something Borrowed is told from one girl's point of view; apparently the sequel, Something Blue is told from the other's. The book was perfect for a light, mindless read, although I did get a little fed up with certain characters from time to time. Something Blue is on my list next; I'm curious how Giffin chooses to resolve the story.
2 comments:
I remember reading one of the Emily Giffin books- I think it was the Something Blue One and I could not wait for it to be over. I love a little chick lit every now and then, but I just didn't love the characters and did not sympathize at all with them. So good luck!
I recommend Meg Cabot's Heather Wells series if you like fun chick lit books in between the deeper reads.
i've looked at life of pi many times, but it's never convinced me to buy it. it just doesn't scream out to me like some do.
Post a Comment