My One-hundred-and-forty-fourth Post

What I have been reading recently:

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier:

The City is inhabited by the recently departed, who reside there only as long as they remain in the memories of the living. Among the current residents of this afterlife are Luka Sims, who prints the only newspaper in the City, with news from the other side; Coleman Kinzler, a vagrant who speaks the cautionary words of God; and Marion and Phillip Byrd, who find themselves falling in love again after decades of marriage.On Earth, Laura Byrd is trapped by extreme weather in an Antarctic research station. She’s alone and unable to contact the outside world: her radio is down and the power is failing. She’s running out of supplies as quickly as she’s running out of time.

This book had an incredibly interesting concept and makes you think a lot. But it is really slow and as you get towards the end, it just gets weird. If you're looking for something a little of the beaten path, give it a try, but it's not exactly a must read.

The Other Bolyn Girl by Philippa Gregory:

When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family¹s ambitious plots as the king¹s interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.

A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.

This book was really interesting. As historical fiction, you know from the start pretty much what's going to happen, but this book still manages to handle the character development in such a way that it remains interesting. Warning, though, this is not a book you would want to read aloud to your mother. At one point I was a bit queasy over what I was reading and described the book as "historical smut" to a friend. But those parts are few and far between. For the most part I would recommend this book, especially with the movie coming out at the end of the month.

Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger:

A collection of nine classic Salinger short stories. It includes two of his most famous short stories, "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and "For Esmé with Love and Squalor."

I've read this several times before, and I like to keep it by my bed for when I'm sick of everything else I'm reading. They're clever, insightful, engaging stories that you can enjoy without feeling tried down to another book. Everyone should have a favorite book of short stories handy at all times. If you haven't read these short stories, try them. You won't regret it. (I also keep Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More in my locker at work... just in case of emergency)

The Chosen by Chaim Potok:

The Chosen is a story of the friendship between two orthodox Jewish boys growing up in 1940s Brooklyn. Reuven Malter, the narrator of the story, is the son of a writer and scholar who follows modern methods of studying Judaism. Danny is the genius son of a Hasidic rabbi, whose people live completely within the bounds of traditional Jewish law.

I have just barely started reading this, so I suppose I don't have a very firm opinion on it. It's been on my list of stuff the read ever since I borrowed it from my sister Martin almost a year ago. I'm excited to read it, because I've heard good things. You should be excited too.

The Hornblower Novels by CS Forester:

Hornblower is iconic in Age of Sail traditional naval fiction, and any writer in the genre must deal with comparisons to Forester. There are many parallels between Hornblower and real naval officers of the period, especially Thomas Cochrane and Horatio Nelson. Forester wrote the body of the works carefully to avoid entanglements with real world history, so Hornblower is always off on another mission when a great naval victory occurs during the Napoleonic Wars; concurrently, whatever he has Hornblower dealing with is usually important too, if less heralded.

I read all of the Hornblower novels in high school, and I really love them. They're the ultimate adventure story! A dashing hero with a sensitive soul who must appear staunch and unemotional to maintain discipline and order. No matter what impossible task is placed before him, he always manages to weasel his way to victory against all odds. And the writing is good too. The masterful use of metaphor just astounds me. If you're looking for something classic and engaging, try these books. I suggest starting with either Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, the first chronologically, or Beat to Quarters, the first written. Both are good. I'm currently reading Beat to Quarters, and it's just as good as it was the first time. No... it's better.

"The Shoe Books" by Noel Streatfeild:

As discussed in quirky romantic comedy staring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, You've Got Mail:

WOMAN SHOPPER: Do you have the "Shoe" books?
SALESPERSON: The "Shoe" books? Who's the author?
WOMAN SHOPPER: I don't know. My friend told me my daughter has to read the "Shoe" books, so here I am.
KATHLEEN: Noel Streatfeild. Noel Streatfeild wrote Ballet Shoes and Skating Shoes and Theater Shoes and Movie Shoes...[she starts crying] I'd start with Skating Shoes, it's my favorite, although Ballet Shoes is completely wonderful.
SALESPERSON: Streatfeild. How do you spell that?

When I was much younger, I read Ballet Shoes, Dancing Shoes , and Theater Shoes. But I was disappointed that the others were out of print. I recently rediscovered these three books put away on a seldom used bookshelf while I was home over Christmas, and I brought them back with me. I am now reliving my childhood with these cute little books books: all of them manage to have the same plot, and yet each is charmingly unique. If you ever have daughters, you should read them these books. (Also Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie)