So much to read....so little time.

Three fabulous books to be read within a weeks' time: Frannie in Pieces and The Girl with The Mermaid Hair by Delia Ephron and Please Excuse Vera Dietz by A.S. King. Stupendous, delicious, captivating, thought provoking, and memorable. Frannie, upon the revelation of her father's death, ponder the following: "what does you in-brain or heart?" This question leads to Frannie's amusing but deeply sad self-exploration. There is an amazing levity and grace to this book considering the juvenile characters and at times, subject matter. The writing is beautiful and poignant and the ending leads to a smile and a big sigh. I adored The Girl... just as much, but in a different way. The main character Sukie was a less sympathetic character so far as I was concerned, but her insecurity and natural flair create a rather likeable aura. This book provides valuable insight into how we see our parents and how much we let, or do not let, them be human beings, above all else. Vera Dietz... what can I say? Pure brilliance. Witty, savvy, painful, dramatic and heart-breaking. Quick read. Well worth every second. Still getting through 'Cutting for Stone' and entertaining a brief segway into 'The Lake of Dreams'.

For shame....

I mean REALLY....a seven month hiatus?! Unacceptable. More so because I was definitively reading during that time period. I can't explain why I didn't keep up with this more diligently. Sure, a lot has gone on during this time period, but nothing that excuses total silence. I visited the beautiful country of Costa Rica, became Aunt Leah to my beautiful niece Stella, and all at once decided to go to law school and then not. I have also read a good number of fabulous pieces of literature that have gone unmentioned in this blog I swore to uphold. So, rather than entirely backtracking, I thought to roll a highlight reel, if you will, and then move forward from here.  I have continued my love affair with excellent YA Fiction. The most noteworthy by far: 'Please Excuse Vera Dietz' by A.S. King and 'An Abundance of Katherines' by John Green. Both of these tales contain the right mix of complex characters, snarky humor, cleverly placed life lessons, and plot intensity. I read each within a day or so and found myself vacillating between tears and laughter every other chapter. I had read 'March' by Geraldine Brooks but made the fabulous decision to reread the novel given a totally different frame of mind.  What a good decision. The book is really magnificent. A take on 'Little Women' from the male perspective; this novel gives a depth to the charming characters I attached myself to as a young woman. I could clearly recount others, but why dwell in the past? Currently reading 'The Hour I First Believed' by Wally Lamb and 'Cutting for Stone' by Abraham Verghese. I was instantly drawn into both; impressed by the fluidity of the stories and skill of writing. Lamb's novel has me falling deeply in love with the main characters and awaiting with baited breath the next chapter, while Verghese's has me reaching for a pen and paper at any given moment to take down the magnificent quotes that gloriously spill out the mouths of his brilliant characters.  While I won't make promises this time, I will make best efforts to 'stay on the wagon' if you will. Happy reading....

Incendiary means "capable of causing fire" (#34)...

I read 'Incendiary' by Chris Cleave. I was riveted by 'Incendiary'. I was moved and touched and amazed by 'Incendiary'. To fully describe my experience of reading this beautiful and also horrifying story, I will utilize the reaction of someone who did not share my love of this book. They stated that they found the writing to be choppy and somewhat juvenile. I will contest this claim with my own opinion as follows: I truly believe that I have never read a more powerful piece of literature.

The story follows an unnamed woman's life as it is torn apart by the senseless killing of her husband and son (in what is categorized as a terrorist attack in London, UK, in a football stadium). Her uneducated and somewhat simplistic, but brutally honest and viscerally emotional letter to Osama Bin Laden, detailing her life prior to and following this tragedy is heart wrenching and life changing. Her loss, on a variety of levels, is palpable in every word, every paragraph and on every page. The reader can absolutely choke on her pain as it is slowly revealed through her evident frailty. My heart broke as I imagined the sadness of this fictional character and then all of those women, mothers, and fellow human beings who lost loved ones in time of war; at home or overseas. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it is filled with heart, and I highly recommend it to all.