And I thought my family was screwed up...

I just finished 'Aloft' by Chang-Rae Lee. I am certainly not the biggest fan of this tale, but some of the messages really spoke to me. Jerry Battle, an almost 60 year old widower and father of two, buys a small airplane because "From up here, a half mile above the Earth, everything looks perfect to me." This is quite the foreboding statement, as Jerry is about to have his clean existence shaken up. And we all know that this is how life works. Whenever the waters seem smooth sailing, a higher power jumps in to prove that when we plan, g-d laughs. And as with Jerry Battle's journey, it is only when we emerge through these challenging times that we are able to better appreciate the sweetness of the calm after the storm. This book touches on a little bit of everything that as humans makes us hurt and brings us joy...such as love, friendship, aging, illness, pride, work and romance. Jerry's awkward but powerful honesty when it comes to his relationships is at once relatable and hilarious. Some of the story is mildly far fetched but the characters are colorful and raw; creating a diverse and enjoyable palate. I must admit that I also enjoyed the vivid descriptions of various Long Island spots; as a native Long Islander. Perhaps not four stars, but certainly an enjoyable read. Up next...'The Magus'...

The Book Thief Stole My Heart...

The Book Thief is set in Germany during the time of World War II. I have read many books about this time period and this war, but this perspective gave the subject matter a breath of fresh air. The story is told from the point of view of death ("Death"), who plays the intense dual role of narrator and ruler. Death, through an unusual but beautiful style of narration, communicates the story of the book thief, Liesel Meminger. At the beginning of the story, Liesel and her brother are shipped off (via train) to a foster home by their mother [when she stolen away to a concentration camp]. Her brother dies on this journey and that event sets the stage for the display of courage, anger, and sadness the reader sees from Liesel throughout this story. In fact, it is at her brother's burial that Liesel steals her first book, "The Gravedigger's Handbook". This action is painfully symbolic as Liesel is tragically illiterate. The events following her brother's early death shape Liesel's life; weaving a tapestry of pain and disappointment; with intermittent moments of bittersweet joy.

Amongst the colorful characters in this story were Liesel's foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, her best friend, Rudy Steiner, and Max, a 24 year old Jewish man that the Hubermann family helps to hide. I fell in love with nearly all of the main characters. They were admirable and worthy of disgust (with the exception of Max), they were stunning in their frailty, and lovable for their faulted honesty. Hans, Liesel's father, is in the simplest verbiage, a hero. He is far from perfect, but his reluctance to accept and then disseminate anti-semitism throughout the book made my heart ache. His love of Liesel is fierce and most evident when he teaches her to read, with the greatest of patience. Liesel's love of reading, of words, of books is something that resonated soundly within me.* Rosa, Liesel's mother, is difficult and impossible, but her resolute strength (beneath a leather exterior) tugged at my insides as I waded through this tale.

Rudy and Max are the other two prominent men in Liesel's life. Rudy is an outspoken, mischievous neighborhood boy who wants nothing more than to kiss Liesel, and Max is a tortured, hunted soul, who craves her understanding, compassion and affection. Each of these men need Liesel, and she, in return, needs them. Rudy allows her to explore the world, while Max cultivates the desire within her to know, to understand, to feel.

I do not wish to give the ending, nor the grander details of this book away, for fear of ruining the experience for anyone who is interested in reading it. While the writing style is unusual and might present an obstacle to those who read it...I implore anyone, everyone, to trudge on. The splendor of this book unfurls with every page that passes. It is a beautiful, tragic story. I felt awoken after flipping the last page; alive with millions of questions and a sort of phantom pain, for what was. Given the world we live in, the reading of this story is necessary. It explains how hatred grows and spreads; how it trickles into our homes, families, minds and hearts. It describes how ignorant loathing breeds fear and how that fear leads to unimaginable behavior. I see it everywhere in our world.

At the end of the book Death says "I am haunted by humans." I tend to agree.

*This fictional character gave me a solid appreciation for my library down the street and the bookstore around the corner; both in which I can roam freely.

To Kindle or Not To Kindle...

Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house. ~Henry Ward Beecher

My father recently summoned me up to his sitting room where he proudly sat; brandishing his new toy like a little kid at holiday time....a Kindle. As he excitedly explained how he got the larger sized tablet so as to be more 'book sized', I felt my heart sink a bit. "But Da..." I protested..."won't you miss the touch of a book, the smell, the weight in your hand? I don't understand?!". He chuckled a bit and I began to rethink my obsession with books. Was I too stuck in the Stone Ages to appreciate new and exciting technology? Is my romantic notion about the thrill of a hard cover book antiquated and out-dated? How could scrolling to the last page possibly compare with running my hand down to the last word and excitedly slamming the book shut? How could a shiny electronic screen compare to the the wonderment of discovering where a book has been and who has held it? Of course, I was having this debate with a man who doesn't believe in library books (for the booger factor*) so I would have to take that into account. Okay. I suppose I can admit to the fact that there is something fabulous with being able to just download a book; no wait, no drama. Of course, I like the drama. I love getting home from work and finding a message from the library that a book has come in...skipping over, wondering every moment which of my selections is now available. I adore perusing through the book store and running my hands over the book covers; deciding which of the quick blurbs on the back cover grabs me the most to make the investment. On the flip side, I like that this new format might make reading more palatable to the younger generation. As soon as I had that thought...I was seized with another notion. WOULD THE INTRODUCTION TO THE KINDLE MEAN THE END OF BOOKS AS I KNOW IT?! My father assured me that a book had to have at least ONE copy for the Library of Congress (little comfort) and technology like this has a ways to go before its affordable for all...thus the acceptable norm/replacement (phew). So, that is that. I don't know what side of the fence I lay on. To kindle or not to kindle...that is the question.

*For those of you who do not know my father...the booger factor is defined as follows: the fear that patrons of the library have picked their nose while reading a library book and wiped said boogers within the pages of said book.

What Can I Say....

The Book Thief is literally breaking my heart. I can't tell if I am not getting through it quickly because the subject matter is so disturbing or because as tough as it is, I don't want it to end. Furthermore, I don't know if I don't want it to end because I'm so enraptured, or because I'm nervous to see how things end up. I am guessing I will finish it this week so stay tuned...

More and more and more....

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man's mind can get both provocation and privacy. ~Edward P. Morgan

Americans Talking About Love, Edited by John Bowe
Ghosts & Lightening, Trevor Byrne
The Hypochondriacs, Brian Dillan
The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Cathleen Schine
Model Home, Eric Puchner
Shadow Tag, Louise Erdrich
Hot Springs, Geoffrey Becker
The Butcher and The Vegetarian, Tara Weaver
Lunch in Paris, Elizabeth Bard
Keeping the Feast, Paula Butturini
Going Away Shoes, Jill McCorkle

It has been a while...

I am not certain why I have not provided regular updates on my progress; save that I just didn't feel compelled to. I just finished listening to 'Ted Kennedy: The Dream That Never Died' by Ed Klein. Klein is the former foreign editor of Newsweek and former editor in chief of The New York Times Magazine. As such, I was intrigued to read/hear his perspective on this controversial man. I had not fully formed my opinion of the late Senator prior to starting this biography. I have found myself at times vacillating between great respect and then horror and disgust when thinking about the youngest of the Kennedy clan. As a liberal (small L)...I admire Ted Kennedy for his venerable work as a Senator, and yet as a proud, hard-working woman, I find myself grossed out by his misogynistic behavior; including but certainly not limited to the famous "Chappaquiddick incident". This book is informative and heart wrenching. It provides just enough narrative to give Kennedy the complex description I feel he deserves. There was no real sympathy evoked for Senator Kennedy, but the book did provide enough illumination that one could grasp the real depth of his character. He was not simply a rowdy, lawless womanizer; but a man deeply plagued by external and internal demons. There were no excuses provided for his behavior, but rather explanations by way of a painted portrait of a privileged and somewhat soulless family. Mind you, greater men have been made from grimier material, but I did enjoy the glimpse into 'Camelot'. I found myself grimacing at times when hearing of the Senator's lechery and boozing, but certainly had tears on my face by time I reached the Epilogue. I do not think I have yet to resolve my feelings on the great Ted Kennedy but there are three facts I know for certain 1. Ed Klein is a talented biographer, 2. I have more reading on the Kennedy clan to do, and 3. whatever his personal character; Ted Kennedy was truly one of the greatest lawmakers of his time and he will be missed in that capacity.

Happy New Year!

I entered into 2010 with a bang...finishing 'This Book Will Save Your Life'. The raw emotionality of this book is staggering. The characters are all at once stereotypical in a far-out L.A. fashion while existing as individuals who I sympathized with and related to on the most basic level. The description of their blatant vulnerability pierced me; leaving me wanting with every chapter that passed. Homes is a skillful storyteller; presenting a compelling narrative sprinkled with clever dialogue (i.e. "your politicians seem to be for sex or for war...which do you prefer"). Within single chapters I found myself vacillating between laughter and tears. What is my only real complaint? It is the most common gripe I have with many a modern day tale. This book loses steam at the end. While I don't believe the book needs a super serious or believable ending; I found the finale to be trite by comparison. The 'message' was clear but the vessel by which it arrived was somewhat melodramatic and far-fetched. However, as with many books I have enjoyed over the years, I was able to take from it what I needed/wanted to and leave the rest behind. As an aside, I think this was most certainly a listen-read versus a read-read. Onto the next...