The Sunday Salon - May 1, 2011

Happy May Day! It stopped raining long enough for us to be able to mow the lawn, wash the cars, and get some other landscaping work done yesterday. It was glorious; we're hoping that the rain to come holds off so Connor play his soccer game today. The poor boy hasn't had a soccer game in three weeks. We shall see!

Thank you for all of the well wishes for Gretchen last week. We heard back from the vet and found out that it was nothing but a benign tumor. The vet confirmed that he was able to remove all of it and expects no more growths of any sort in the future. Add to that her blood work results came back clean, and we have confirmation that Gretchen is one healthy doggie! Her staples will be removed in two stages, so we have two more weeks of the e-collar, but we are all breathing a sigh of relief at the good news.

The family is back together again after our separate "vacations". The kids had a blast and were full of stories. In fact, Holly cried profusely because she wants to see her cousins more often. I am so glad they had fun, but I am glad they are home again. There is something about knowing that your entire family is snug and safe under one roof that is so calming and satisfying.

In case you missed last week's reviews, I shared my thoughts on the following:

• There is No Year by Blake Butler
• The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
• The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure
• My New American Life by Francine Prose

I also shared a long-overdue Motivate Me update. Connor wasn't able to write a review yesterday, but he's promised me to have one for next week.

With the kids back and several lunch-time meetings at work, I wasn't able to read as much as I would have liked. I was able to finish Douglas Kennedy's The Moment this week and should be able to finish James Dashner's The Maze Runner today.

Speaking of that, Thomas' fate is calling to me, and I do need to get ready for the soccer game. I hope everyone is able to enjoy the weather and have a great Sunday. Happy reading!

REVIEW - My New American Life by Francine Prose

Title: My New American Life

Author: Francine Prose

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"Lula, a twenty-six-year-old Albanian woman living surreptitiously in New York City on an expiring tourist visa, hopes to make a better life for herself in America. When she lands a job as caretaker to Zeke, a rebellious high school senior in suburban New Jersey, it seems that the security, comfort, and happiness of the American dream may finally be within reach. Her new boss, Mister Stanley, an idealistic college professor turned Wall Street executive, assumes that Lula is a destitute refugee of the Balkan wars. He enlists his childhood friend Don Settebello, a hotshot lawyer who prides himself on defending political underdogs, to straighten out Lula's legal situation. In true American fashion, everyone gets what he wants and feels good about it.

But things take a more sinister turn when Lula's Albanian "brothers" show up in a brand-new black Lexus SUV. Hoodie, Leather Jacket, and the Cute One remind her that all Albanians are family, but what they ask of her is no small favor. Lula's new American life suddenly becomes more complicated as she struggles to find her footing as a stranger in a strange new land. Is it possible that her new American life is not so different from her old Albanian one?

Set in the aftermath of 9/11, My New American Life offers a vivid, darkly humorous, bitingly real portrait of a particular moment in history, when a nation's dreams and ideals gave way to a culture of cynicism, lies, and fear. Beneath its high comic surface, the novel is a more serious consideration of immigration, of what it was like to live through the Bush-Cheney years, and of what it means to be an American."

Thoughts: What does it mean to be an immigrant to the U.S. in this post-9/11 world? What about an immigrant from a former Communist country that is rife with corruption? My New American Life sets out to show the reader just that through Lula's struggles to find her place in her new life. It is an interesting look at the need to find balance between old and new, to adapt to new customs while not quite letting go of old ones.

Stark and bleak, Ms. Prose tries to temper the darkness through humor; unfortunately, this does not quite work, as the reader never feels comfortable with Lula. She is a difficult character to like, with her constant, almost pathological, lying. The reader never truly understands why she feels the need to tell so many fibs. Even when confronted with her behavior, she never truly owns up to it. While she internally recognizes the damage her lying causes, she never acknowledges it to those that try so hard to help her find acceptance in her new home. This lack of contrition is bothersome, in my opinion, and prevented me from supporting Lula wholeheartedly.

One thing Ms. Prose does capture quite well is the constant struggle between old and new. Lula wants to fit in and adopt the customs and characteristics of her new country but cannot quite let go of her old ones. Her resentment at the privilege and lack of true hardship faced by most Americans but which are so commonplace among her fellow countrymen is poignant and true. If anything, My New American Life is a great reminder of just how lucky most Americans are when it comes to freedoms and luxuries.

Conversely, Ms. Prose also shows how most Americans take their freedoms and luxuries for granted. Mister Stanley focuses on his miserable job and strained relationship with his son while neglecting to notice the privileges he does have. Zeke is too busy being a stereotypical teen, ready to lash out at any parental figure, to understand how lucky he is to have a parent who adores him. It is only through Lula's eyes that the reader can get a greater appreciation of one's own gifts and comforts in this life.

As much as I appreciate the lessons Ms. Prose is trying to share, there were too many gaps and unanswered questions for me to truly enjoy My New American Life. The Albanian "brothers" were too mysterious. How did they find Lula? Why did they target her? They play such a key part in Lula's confusion but are given only the most cursory of attention. The other characters in Lula's life - her best friend from Albania, her zealous but well-meaning lawyer, Mister Stanley, and even Zeke - are a bit too stereotypical to be truly authentic. They felt more like caricatures, and at times, I caught myself rolling my eyes or inwardly groaning at the predictability of their behaviors. Also, the story itself was rather predictable. The reader can guess Lula's path well before she ever steps on it. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it does detract from the overall lesson.

I feel that My New American Life does a great job of reminding the reader to appreciate what one has and to understand just how different life is in other countries. Unfortunately, if Lula had been a bit more sympathetic and the story less predictable, the message Ms. Prose is trying to make would have had more impact. Still, in this day and age of economic crises and political upheaval, just remembering that Americans are still much better off than a large majority of the world is something all of us need to do more often.

Thank you to Mark Ferguson of Harper Collins for my review copy!

REVIEW - The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure

Title: The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie

Author: Wendy McClure

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"For anyone who has ever wanted to step into the world of a favorite book, here is a pioneer pilgrimage, a tribute to Laura Ingalls Wilder, and a hilarious account of butter-churning obsession.

Wendy McClure is on a quest to find the world of beloved Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder-a fantastic realm of fiction, history, and places she's never been to, yet somehow knows by heart. She retraces the pioneer journey of the Ingalls family- looking for the Big Woods among the medium trees in Wisconsin, wading in Plum Creek, and enduring a prairie hailstorm in South Dakota. She immerses herself in all things Little House, and explores the story from fact to fiction, and from the TV shows to the annual summer pageants in Laura's hometowns. Whether she's churning butter in her apartment or sitting in a replica log cabin, McClure is always in pursuit of the Laura experience. Along the way she comes to understand how Wilder's life and work have shaped our ideas about girlhood and the American West."

Thoughts: I was one of those little girls who wanted to step into the world of Laura Ingalls Wilder. One of my last Halloween costumes was as a pioneer girl, complete with sunbonnet. I didn't have the long hair, so I couldn't complete the outfit with pigtail braids, but I had a shawl and everything. Of course, wearing a sunbonnet at night probably wasn't the safest idea, but I was adamant. I also have the Laura Ingalls Wilder cookbook and have made quite a few things from its pages. Thanks to Ms. McClure, I know I was not alone in my obsession.

The Wilder Life is Ms. McClure's acceptance and fulfillment of her own Laura obsession. She talks frequently about her need to find Laura World. Her visits to the various homesites are thrilling and make me want to take a similar trip one day. Yet, what is truly fascinating is her uncovering of the factual versus fictional elements of these novels. I never considered the fact that they are on the fiction shelves in the library for a reason. Like, Ms. McClure, this discovery left me a bit shaken, much to my chagrin.

Ms. McClure's writing is engaging and thoroughly enjoyable. She lets the reader inside her head and inside her life as she made this journey. Her frankness and humor makes her an author the reader can easily see becoming a close friend. This conversational tone lends itself well to the material, as it really is all about her journey of self-discovery, what was driving her need to find Laura World and what she uncovered along the way.

Never preachy and definitely not boring, Ms. McClure shares what makes Laura so fascinating to her and sheds light on why others have been so intrigued by her. Whether one is a fan from the novels or from the TV show, The Wilder Life has something for anyone who has wanted to see a sod dugout, ride in a covered wagon, or make vanity cakes just because they want to know what it was like for Laura.

Thank you to Riverhead Books for the advanced copy given out at GLiBA!

Motivate Me - Update 11

It is time for another update. I'm trying to space these out because I know most people tend to skip over them, as they don't pertain to blogging or books. However, I do find that publicly hanging my dirty laundry, or poor eating habits as the case may be, is good for me. If anything, I do think twice about ordering that double cheeseburger because I know I will have to share my weight with everyone in a week!

Unfortunately, I have to report another bad week. I wasn't careful about what I was eating while the family was in Texas, and the incessant rain has kept me from doing anything outside but mow the overgrown lawn whenever there is a brief break in the weather (seriously, thunderstorms every single night for the past three weeks). This means that I gained back the two pounds I had lost after my most recent weight gain and am back to 157 again. I almost feel as if I am in limbo these days, waiting for the sun to come out for longer than a few hours so that I can find that motivation to do something. I know I am sabotaging myself, but I can't seem to find a reason to care at this point in time. Am I proud that I have to write this? No, but here I am, doing it anyway. Sometime will snap me out of this ennui one of these days. I just wish I knew what it will be because I certainly could use some motivation and inspiration now.

REVIEW - The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

Title: The French Lieutenant's Woman

Author: John Fowles

Synopsis (Courtesy of Goodreads):

"In this contemporary, Victorian-style novel Charles Smithson, a nineteenth-century gentleman with glimmerings of twentieth-century perceptions, falls in love with enigmatic Sarah Woodruff, who has been jilted by a French lover.

Of all John Fowles' novels The French Lieutenant's Woman received the most universal acclaim and today holds a very special place in the canon of post-war English literature. From the god-like stance of the nineteenth-century novelist that he both assumes and gently mocks, to the last detail of dress, idiom and manners, his book is an immaculate recreation of Victorian England.

Not only is it the epic love story of two people of insight and imagination seeking escape from the cant and tyranny of their age, The French Lieutenant's Woman is also a brilliantly sustained allegory of the decline of the twentieth-century passion for freedom."

Thoughts: The French Lieutenant's Woman is one of those novels that challenges the reader in his or her understanding of the Victorian era and of the idea of the novel itself. The descriptions of each person's role, down to the buttons on the coat, are exacting and precise. The visual descriptions are breath-taking and leave little to the imagination. Yet, this is as much a novel about the Victorian era as it is a comparison of modern society, or that in the 1960s when it was written, to that era. The comparisons and contemporary asides that draw the reader's attention to the differences, while startling at first, do force the reader to put aside modern sensibilities and allow the reader to appreciate those differences in a "how far we've come" fashion.

Having read this among my book club, there was discussion about the idea of role reversal between Sarah and Charles. Charles ends up being the character who wants the traditional life, marriage and children, career and contentment, while Sarah chooses to blaze her own path and not follow tradition or what society deems appropriate. Of even more importance than the gender roles is the idea of happiness. In each of the three possible endings, either they are both miserable, they are both happy, or one is miserable and the other is content, if not happy. Happiness, in Fowles' world, is more than following set rules, or not following them as the case may be. Rather, it is something that is not guaranteed no matter which path one might choose.

Speaking of the three endings, yes, there are three possible endings. Fowles presents each of them by including himself in the actual cast of characters, not as the omniscient narrator but as an actual character who interacts with Charles directly. It is this inclusion of himself into the novel and the three potential conclusions that creates the most confusion and ire among readers. For myself, I appreciate what Fowles was trying to accomplish. Life is a lot messier than choosing one path or another and knowing that all will end well no matter what. Sometimes, life takes us down a path that we neither want nor expect. It does not result in pat endings where all story lines are concluded neatly and nicely but rather often leaves more questions than answers. This true-to-life approach to The French Lieutenant's Woman makes the novel more realistic and profound.

The synopsis above lists The French Lieutenant's Woman as a love story. I am not certain I agree with this assessment. In fact, one could make a very clear argument that Sarah was never in love with Charles but rather in love with her freedom. This makes her actions more explanatory, if not acceptable. If she is in love with Charles, her actions become a lot more difficult to explain and understand.

The French Lieutenant's Woman is a beautiful story in and of itself. The reader can all but smell the sea air, hear the rustling of silk and satin, and feel the breeze on one's face through Fowles' gorgeous prose. The story itself unfolds quickly and clearly, without the need for extraneous words that so depicts Victorian-era novels. There are enough quirks, however, that allows the reader to understand that this is anything but a Victorian-era novel but rather a modern novel written about the Victorian era. This distinction is key to one's enjoyment of the novel.

REVIEW - There Is No Year by Blake Butler

Title: There Is No Year

Author: Blake Butler

Synopsis (Courtesy of IndieBound):

"A family of three: father, mother, son.

A house that gives them shelter but shapes their nightmares.

An illness that nearly arrested the past, and looms over the future.

A second family—a copy family. Mirror bodies.

Events on the horizon: a hole, a box, a light, a girl.

Holes in houses. Holes in speaking. Holes in flesh.

Memories that deceive and figures that tempt and lure and withdraw.

There Is No Year is the astonishing new novel by Blake Butler.

It is a world of scare, a portrait of return, a fable of survival and the fierce burden of art."

Thoughts: When Erica from Harper Perennial mentioned that There Is No Year is a challenging book, she was not exaggerating. Mr. Butler's latest novel is virtually indescribable in its plot but powerful in the emotions it evokes. Part poetry, part artistic rendering, it is a novel like no other.

There Is No Year follows, in a very meandering and disturbing fashion, the lives of an unnamed family after they move into their house of dreams. Each family member is haunted by his or her own memories and thoughts. The entire story is told in a dream-like fashion, where nightmares become reality in some way. Rooms mysteriously appear and disappear. Roads lead to nowhere and everywhere. What was once familiar is now strange. The passage of time is arbitrary and uneven. Through it all, the sense of foreboding is unmistakable and ever-present.

Just when the story delves into the most fantastical descriptions, Mr. Butler brings up a scene which diverts the reader's attention back to the normal. Life is not as strange as the father, mother and son would have the reader expect. They still go to work, clean the house, go grocery shopping, go to school, etc. They lead normal lives. Yet, everything they "see", "hear" and experience is anything but normal. Is it mental illness? Are they just dreams? Is it just their mind's interpretation of their experiences? Isn't life dream-like? The answer is up to the individual reader.

There Is No Year is as much a work of art as it is a novel. Told in sparse chapters, the reader needs to pay as much attention to the individual placement of each word as to the words themselves. Interspersed throughout are images devoted to the play of shadow and light, and the pages themselves cover the spectrum of black to various shades of gray and even white. It is simply visually stunning.

The entire novel is meant to be devoured by all the senses. The textures and colors of the pages, the words, and the images are all meant to help enhance the dream-like quality of the story. Yet, it is not a novel that one can simply pick up and read cover to cover. There Is No Year requires careful reading and even more careful thought before the message reveals itself to the reader. Once it does, though, it is well worth the time and effort it takes to get through the novel.

Thank you to Erica Barmash of Harper Perennial for my review copy!

The Sunday Salon - April 24, 2011

For a four-day work week and a quiet house, it has been quite the exciting week. For one thing, I confirmed on Friday that someone has been stealing packages off of my front porch. I had suspected something when I stopped receiving books around the first of the month. Then, I ordered some clothes from Old Navy and was tracking the package. I was a bit confused when the tracking said that the package was delivered on Wednesday but I still had not received anything. I talked to my mail carrier on Friday morning and found out that she had delivered two packages on Wednesday and two on Thursday. I did not receive any of them. Grrr. So, I filed a report with the police and have made arrangements that the only time my mail carrier is to deliver packages is if we are at home. It isn't ideal, as the post office isn't necessarily close, but at least I can guarantee that I am getting them all. If I ever find out who was doing this, there is going to be hell to pay!

Not happy and still drugged.

The day after...and much more alert.

As if that wasn't enough, after a 60-minute wait and a 30-minute appointment with the vet, it was determined that the lump we thought was a cyst on Gretchen's back may actually be something worse and that it needed to be removed immediately. So, on Friday, when my blood was still boiling at the just-discovered thefts, I dropped Gretchen off for surgery. She came through with flying colors, so I was able to pick her up Friday night. It will be another seven to ten days before we receive the pathology reports. She will be eight years old later this year and cancer is extremely common in her breed, so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that it was that fatty cyst we thought it was.

Yes, the family is still gone but they will be beginning their journey back north later today. When I come home from work tomorrow, my family will be whole again. The peace and quiet has been wonderful, but I do miss that sense of contentment knowing that all my loved ones are safe and sound under one roof. I'm glad they could get away, as Jim was about ready to go insane from stress thanks to work. We have all been able to take a step back, reflect and relax. It was necessary, but I can't wait to hug and kiss my babies again!

On the blogging front, did you see that the sign-up form for Armchair BEA is now live. For those who will not be able to head to NYC at the end of May but still want to network, get the latest and greatest information about the publishing industry and enter some amazing giveaways, go add your name to the rapidly-growing list!

This week, I was able to post reviews of the following:

• Try Me by Parker Blue
• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
• Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
• Fang Me by Parker Blue

I also continued my popular Trends in Blogging series with my comments discussion, and I was even able to get Connor's thoughts on The Tomorrow Code.

With the kids gone and thanks to a three-day weekend, I was finally able to accomplish some major reading. I finished Blake Butler's There Is No Year, The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure, My New American Life by Francine Prose, Devotion by Dani Shapiro, and Veronica Roth's Divergent. Today, since the weather is still gloomy and rainy, I hope to finish Doc by Mary Doria Russell. It's been a great weekend.

Speaking of which, I need to wash the sheets for my family's return and dive back into Doc. It's a fascinating historical novel on Doc Holliday, immensely readable and oh-so enjoyable. Have a great Sunday. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. Happy reading!

Connor's Corner - The Tomorrow Code

When Tane and Rebecca receive a series of numbers on their computer, they aren't exactly sure what it means, but they have a pretty good idea of where it came from: the future! As they realize its message, more message begin to pour in. Soon, it becomes clear that the future is in some kind of danger, and it is up to Tane and Rebecca to save it.

Three words that describe The Tomorrow Code: fan-tas-tic! This sci-fi book of Brian Falkner's was a joy for me to read, mainly because, like one of my earlier books I reviewed - Tanglewreck, it had many wonderful ideas and thoughts on the destruction of the world (maybe not one of the best things that you'd want on your mind). Honestly, I'd almost like to call this realistic fiction; it seems everything in this book could really happen. I also want to say that it is informational, with the amount of facts Falkner included. It all adds to the suspense of the end of Earth. As they say, "Here today, gone tomorrow."

REVIEW - Fang Me by Parker Blue

Title: Fang Me

Author: Parker Blue

Synopsis (Courtesy of IndieBound):

"The vampires want it. The demons want it, too. And someone is willing to kill Val for it.

Val and Fang have to find the powerful Encyclopedia Magicka before either of San Antonio's warring underworld factions locate it or the consequences will be deadly for the entire city. As usual, Val's vampire enemies (they still call her The Slayer) want her dead. Even some of her fellow demons may be less than trustworthy, since they'd like to grab the legendary book of spells before she does. Val has a personal claim to the Encyclopedia--her demon father left it to her when he died--but someone stole it recently. And that can't be good.

Battling vamps and dodging demons, Val struggles to unravel the mystery and find the thief. At the same time, she's fighting her attraction to sweet, sexy Shade--her favorite shadow demon. Rumor has it that Val will lose her part-demon, vampire-fighting powers if she gives herself to him.

With a crowd of vamps and demons out to trick her or kill her, it's not a good time for her to risk her job as the city's best vampire hunter by falling in love. The stakes are high and aimed right at her heart. But Lola, Val's hungry little lust demon, doesn't like being denied. Will Lola finally get her way?

What's a part-lust-demon-teen supposed to do? Whatever it takes."

Thoughts: Whereas Bite Me and Try Me were fun and wonderfully tongue-in-cheek, Fang Me takes a turn for the serious as Val now has to determine on which path her future lies. Is her whole identity wrapped up in the idea of her as a slayer, with supernatural strength, speed and healing abilities or is it as a part-lust demon? For Val, she has to make the choice, and this crossroads takes some of the fun out of the story.

To me, the fun is the story. When Fang and Val are bantering back and forth, these are some of the best moments of the novels. I wasn't looking for a "loss of virginity comes with serious, life-altering consequences" storyline, as I can get that in almost any other paranormal romance story, both on and off television. To me, Fang Me commits the action about which I warned readers in my review of Try Me; it takes itself too seriously. The consequence of this is that spark that made the first two so enjoyable and light-hearted is now gone.

This underlying seriousness is felt in all aspects of the novel, from Fang's interactions with Val, to her interactions with Dan and Shade, and even her relationships with the vampire and demon factions. The entire novel suffers as a result. Rather than rapidly reading because I want to devour the novel, as I did with the first two, I ended up rapidly skimming just so I could get to the end of the story. I was even disheartened to discover that Ms. Blue is working on a fourth Demon Underground novel. This is not the end result one wants to experience when reading, and it is doubly unfortunate because the first two novels were so fun.

Unfortunately, I do feel that Val's story has run its course. No amount of snark can help overcome a story that takes itself too seriously when it is not meant to be so. Once it started dealing with the issue of fate and destiny, Fang Me became too earnest and did not continue its inherent playfulness which made the first two stories so enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!

REVIEW - Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell

Title: Unfamiliar Fishes

Author: Sarah Vowell

Narrators: Sarah Vowell, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, John Hodgman, Catherine Keener, Edward Norton, Keanu Reeves, Paul Rudd, Maya Rudolph, John Slattery

Length of Audiobook: 7 hours, 28 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of IndieBound):

"Many think of 1776 as the defining year of American history, when we became a nation devoted to the pursuit of happiness through self- government. In Unfamiliar Fishes, Sarah Vowell argues that 1898 might be a year just as defining, when, in an orgy of imperialism, the United States annexed Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and invaded first Cuba, then the Philippines, becoming an international superpower practically overnight.

Among the developments in these outposts of 1898, Vowell considers the Americanization of Hawaii the most intriguing. From the arrival of New England missionaries in 1820, their goal to Christianize the local heathen, to the coup d'état of the missionaries' sons in 1893, which overthrew the Hawaiian queen, the events leading up to American annexation feature a cast of beguiling, and often appealing or tragic, characters: whalers who fired cannons at the Bible-thumpers denying them their God-given right to whores, an incestuous princess pulled between her new god and her brother-husband, sugar barons, lepers, con men, Theodore Roosevelt, and the last Hawaiian queen, a songwriter whose sentimental ode "Aloha 'Oe" serenaded the first Hawaiian president of the United States during his 2009 inaugural parade."

Thoughts: I have been fascinated by Hawaii's history since I read James Michener's Hawaii in my pre-blogging days. From the moment the Polynesians set sail to establish a new life on the islands to be called Hawaii, its history has been bound up with various invaders of all types, from other Polynesian neighbors to whalers to missionaries and other explorers. The cultural mish-mash that exists today is a result of this legacy and worthwhile for any historian to explore on one's own. Sarah Vowell does just that with her focus on the Americanization of Hawaii in Unfamiliar Fishes.

She presents her research in the form of a narrative, intertwining quotes from direct sources with her own observations made during her journeys to the various local sites on the islands. She does so with a fresh, tongue-in-cheek appreciation for the damage Americans have done to the native culture without pontificating too much. The reader gets a clear picture of what life was like before the missionaries ever set foot on the islands, and a sense of sadness at all that has been lost.

The problem, however, is the fact that those readers who do not have a detailed understanding of Hawaii's history may struggle with some of what the author is discussing. Unfamiliar Fishes works best as a companion piece to a greater, more in-depth history. Without this prior familiarity and depth of understanding, some of the cultural differences mentioned by Ms. Vowell may unfavorably bias the reader against the message she is actually trying to share. For example, the brief discussion of sister/brother marriages may so appall the reader that the message about its cultural significance is completely lost.

The other problem is the narration itself. While having the actors become a unique voice for the various real-life figures quoted in the book lends credence to the narration and gives it a true documentary-type feel, the author as the primary narrator is not a voice that lends itself well to easy listening. Her self-deprecating manner never lets up, making almost every sentence read sound unintentionally sarcastic, which again diminishes the message she is trying to make. Her voice is rather high-pitched, whiny and not necessarily soothing to the ear. The story she is telling is fascinating enough to hold any listener's attention, but there are times where Ms. Vowell's voice is a bit unnerving and detrimental to the material.

Beautifully told, Unfamiliar Fishes is well worth reading to get a better insight into Hawaii's struggle for autonomy against a country that was flexing its expansionary claws. Like most of history and one culture overpowering another, it is a tragic story that leaves the reader with a better understanding of and appreciation for the Hawaiian culture. Unfortunately, it is a story that is best read and not listened to via audio.

Inside Michelle's Brain - Trends in Book Blogging Part 7

While I haven't been that active in visiting other blogs and commenting on various posts and reviews in recent months, I have noticed certain trends that have me rolling my eyes, raising my eyebrows and in general wondering about the state of book blogging. I want to take some time to address each one and hopefully start a discussion about them. As I have a lot to say, this is going to be spread out over several weeks. Think of it as a modern-day expose on the world of book blogging. I've discussed readathons, giveaways, blog hops, rules and reasons to start blogging, and followers. This week I tackle the comments.

The most universal thing about everything I have discussed to date is that we are all seeking feedback and recognition for our efforts. The easiest, and best way to get this feedback is through comments. Yet, some people respond to comments and others don't. Why? If you are not going to respond to the comments left by other people, why blog?

Now, an argument could be made for those bloggers who happen to get hundreds of comments on a post that they cannot not possibly respond to all comments, but having never had that type of response for any of my posts, I can only state what I feel. Should I ever have a post that generates that many comments, I would still try to respond to as many of them as possible. I mean, these people took the time to stop by, read what I had to say, and even stuck around to share a few thoughts with me. The least I can do is show them how much I appreciate them doing so. So why is this such a bone of contention for bloggers?

I have had the misfortune pleasure of having written a review that drew several irate comments and generated quite the discussion. Even then, I responded to as many comments as I felt was necessary. I never want to discourage discussions, so I did not close the comments to that post, but I did stop responding to the same people who kept leaving multiple diatribes. They were all acknowledged at least once though, even if I did disagree with their thoughts.

Is it just me then? I liken each response to a comment as a thank you note of a kind. I want to acknowledge the time and effort you made for my writing, and I will take the time and effort to do so because it shows my appreciation. I know that there is a school of thought out there that feels that thank you notes are old-fashioned and unnecessary in today's world. Is this why people do not respond to comments? Is my thought process about them too old-fashioned?

Speaking of comments, if you do respond, how do you do it? Do you send an e-mail to the person directly? Do you respond as a reply to the comment itself and hope the person sees it? Do you visit the person's blog or Twitter site or Facebook page and acknowledge them that way? Is one method better than another?

REVIEW - The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Title: The Eyre Affair

Author: Jasper Fforde

Narrator: Susan Duerdan

Length of Audiobook: 12 hours, 14 minutes

Synopsis (Courtesy of IndieBound):

"In Jasper Fforde's Great Britain, circa 1985, time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. England is a virtual police state where an aunt can get lost (literally) in a Wordsworth poem and forging Byronic verse is a punishable offense. All this is business as usual for Thursday Next, renowned Special Operative in literary detection. But when someone begins kidnapping characters from works of literature and plucks Jane Eyre from the pages of Brontë's novel, Thursday is faced with the challenge of her career."

Thoughts: Audiobooks, for me, need to be fun and engaging without requiring my undivided attention. I tend to listen while at work and need to be able to work and listen at the same time. Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair fit perfectly into this criteria.

Fforde's version of Great Britain and the world is unique and quirky. For the bibliophiles among us, a world in which literature is serious business, where people debate the true author of Shakespeare's plays and hold Milton conventions, is like a dream come true! In addition, he excels at showcasing the ripple effect of events. How would the world be different if the Crimean War had not ended in 1856? What if time travel were possible? Fforde's world is both fascinating and scary in how one simple change to real-life events can have lasting effects.

Thursday Next is a formidable heroine, intelligent and tough with a sensitive side that has never reconciled itself to the loss of her fiance. She proves that one can be bookish and still kick butt. On the surface, Thursday is not what one would call fragile, but her fragility shines through as she discusses her absent father, her brother, and her desire to catch the bad guy. This balance between frailty and doggedness makes Thursday a fascinating character and one that requires further reading to uncover all of her mysteries.

Susan Duerdan is a fantastic narrator. She excels at portraying the nuances of Thursday's character in such a way that enhances the story. Her ability to distinguish between the multiple characters makes it very easy for the listener to quickly determine which character is speaking at a given time. In addition, Ms. Duerdan has found a way to instill a sense of the cheekiness and fun that is such a highlight of the novel. The listener can tell that she enjoyed reading the novel aloud as much as the listener enjoys listening to it.

After rapidly finished The Eyre Affair, one understands why it would be considered among the top addicting series. While the story itself does close nicely with no loose ends, a reader is left wanting to explore this unusual but fascinating world of Fforde's in further detail. What other literary figures will make their appearance in future novels? I can't wait to find out!

REVIEW - Try Me by Parker Blue

Title: Try Me

Author: Parker Blue

Synopsis (Courtesy of IndieBound):

"This part-demon teen vampire fighter and her faithful terrier hellhound are once again patrolling the dark city streets of San Antonio, Texas. Val's hunky human partner, Detective Dan Sullivan, is giving her the cold shoulder since she beheaded his vampire ex-fiance. Vamp leader Alejandro is struggling to keep the peace between vamps, demons and humans. The mucho powerful Encyclopedia Magicka has been stolen, someone in the Demon Underground is poisoning vamps, and Val's inner lust demon, Lola, is getting very restless since Val's now partnered with sexy Shade, the shadow demon with the blond good looks of an angel. The second book in Parker Blue's Demon Underground urban fantasy series plunges readers deeper into a heady world of passion, friendship, intrigue and mystery."

Thoughts: Try Me follows in the vein of the first Demon Underground novel, Bite Me. Sarcasm and self-doubt combine to continue Val's self-discovery of the demon world and exploration of her powers. Whereas the first novel mostly concerned itself with Val's struggle to find her place in the world, in Try Me Val has accepted her place among the police and now is forced to accept Lola as a power and not a nuisance. Her fight to control Lola and accept the help provided by the Demon Underground affords the reader another dimension of Val's personality, fleshing her out to be more than just a teen trying to become an adult.

Fang remains the highlight of the novel. His snark provides many laugh-out-loud moments, as his is the voice of common sense when the situation gets a bit too angst-y. The two characters balance each other perfectly and provide the right level of sentimentality and reason in this urban fantasy.

To take this novel too seriously would be doing Ms. Blue a disservice. While there are undertones of gravitas and life-or-death struggles, Try Me is first and foremost an engaging, fun novel that is meant to cause the reader to chuckle frequently. Val is quirky but likable in her vulnerability and will quickly endear herself to the reader. Fans of urban fantasy looking for a very quick but thoroughly enjoyable novel needs look no further than Val Shapiro and Try Me.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!

The Sunday Salon - April 17, 2011

Aah, silence. I'm sitting here by myself with my other dog, Gretchen, at my feet, thoroughly enjoying the solitude of the house. Jim took the kids to visit his parents in Texas during their spring break. With everything at work, and a lack of remaining vacation time, I stayed home. Seriously, though, it is like my own vacation. I've been cleaning and reorganizing up a storm, which may not sound like fun but makes my blood sing. Yesterday, I cranked the music on my iPod and danced and cleaned for hours. It was a blast. Today is a little more subdued, as all I have left to do is to finish mowing the lawn before our next bout of rain this week. I also hope to finish getting the office organized and write my many reviews I need to finish for this week. As much as I miss my family, I have to say the silence is food for my soul.

New glasses

Speaking of the kids, they finally picked up their new glasses. The picture isn't the greatest, but at least you can see what they chose. Holly doesn't have to wear them all the time, but she loves them. I'm hoping that next year, we can move Connor out of glasses and into contacts. I don't think he realizes how life-altering contacts can be, especially when you have been wearing glasses since kindergarten.

I want to thank everyone for your kind words last week. It has been a difficult week, as I still can't believe that he is gone for good. At least I find it easier to remember the good things now.

In case you missed them the first time around, I've been busy reading and reviewing. Here's the reviews from the last two weeks:

• Caribou Island by David Vann
• Where She Went by Gayle Forman
• A Small Death in the Great Glen by A. D. Scott
• The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
• A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer
• The Uncoupling by Meg Wolitzer
• Bite Me by Parker Blue
• Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld

I also posted an update on my weight loss journey and continued the book blogging trend discussion with a focus on followers.

As for reading, you should see reviews of the following during the next week or two:

• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
• Try Me by Parker Blue
• Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell
• Fang Me by Parker Blue
• The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
• There Is No Year by Blake Butler

By the way, have you seen the newly redesigned blog for Armchair BEA Central?  It is definitely back again this year and is going to be better than ever. We are currently requesting sponsors and will be following up with the sign-up for interviews within the next week or so. If you are interested, please check out the site!

With this, I need to get started writing. Those six reviews are not going to write themselves! I hope everyone has a wonderful and peaceful Sunday. Happy reading!

REVIEW - Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld

Title: Stranger Here Below

Author: Joyce Hinnefeld

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"In 1961, when Amazing Grace Jansen, a firecracker from Appalachia, meets Mary Elizabeth Cox, the daughter of a Black southern preacher, at Kentucky's Berea College, they already carry the scars and traces of their mothers' troubles. Poor and single, Maze's mother has had to raise her daughter alone and fight to keep a roof over their heads. Mary Elizabeth's mother has carried a shattering grief throughout her life, a loss so great that it has disabled her and isolated her stern husband and her brilliant, talented daughter.

The caution this has scored into Mary Elizabeth has made her defensive and too private and limited her ambitions, despite her gifts as a musician. But Maze's earthy fearlessness might be enough to carry them both forward toward lives lived bravely in an angry world that changes by the day.

Both of them are drawn to the enigmatic Georginea Ward, an aging Shaker woman whose faith is rooted in fairness and the long reach of unconditional love."

Thoughts: I enjoy literary fiction for the depth of its stories, the necessity of savoring each word and its ability to allow the reader to enter a new world without sacrificing the human foibles that connect the reader with the characters. Yet, I truly struggle to review literary fiction because my reaction to it is so subtle and so internal, it really is all but impossible to put that reaction into words. This is especially true of Stranger Here Below.

A beautifully told story about the friendship between two unlikely characters, Stranger Here Below is not just about friendship but rather delves into such weighty topics as racial tension, gender relations, politics, and religion. Maze and Mary Elizabeth explore their positions in the wider world, wanting to move forward while still tied to their family histories. It is a story of their journey towards independence as much as anything.

Ms. Hinnefeld chose to tell the story through the points-of-view of every female character mentioned - Sister Georgia with her refusal to follow the rules, Maze's mother with her loneliness, Mary Elizabeth's mother with her childhood trauma, Maze with her unique perspective on life, and Mary Elizabeth with her talent and limitations in a white world. As the characters intersect, their individual stories make sense and paint a picture of strong but damaged women who each manage to survive in her own way. The scars run deep but love helps them all overcome those scars, as does their individual strength.

Ms. Hinnefeld's prose is simply stunning. Clear, concise but effective, the reader has no confusion about what is occurring, no matter how horrific it may be. Stranger Here Below is not one of those stories that leaves a reader satisfied or even at peace with the resolution. Life is messy, and Ms. Hinnefeld does not shy away from that truth. Mary Elizabeth gains her independence but the cost is severe. Maze blazes her own path but at a price. While the reader fervently wishes that each of the characters would find peace, the reader knows that if this were to have happened, the ending would have been less authentic. Stranger Here Below tests the adage that love and friendship are forever and does so with an honest look at the outside forces that impact all relationships. While it isn't for everyone, this is one novel that challenges and rewards the right reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!

REVIEW - Bite Me by Parker Blue

Title: Bite Me

Author: Parker Blue

Synopsis (Courtesy of Powell's Books):

"An edgy book for teens that spans the gap between YA and adult fiction. Life after high school is tough enough without having to go 15 rounds with your inner demon. Val Shapiro is just your ordinary, part-demon, teenaged vampire hunter with a Texas drawl. And a pet hellhound named Fang. Soon enough she finds herself deep in the underbelly of the city, discovering the secrets of the Demon Underground and fighting to save those she loves. Whether they love her back or not."

Thoughts: The word "snarky" has become a bit overused in recent years, but sometimes, it is such an apt adjective that it begs to be used. This is the case with Bite Me. Val is a sharp-tongued half-demon teen who uses her callous attitude to hide her pain and anguish at being different. The tongue-in-cheek references are fast and furious, but while Val and Fang are hunting down vampires and trying to save her family, this is ultimately a story about love, family, acceptance, and tolerance. Bite Me has as much heart as it does pointy stakes.

As with any story about a teenage girl fighting vampires, there are invariably comparisons with Buffy. Ms. Blue confronts this comparison head-on by blatant references to this cult favorite television series. Yet Val is unique, and the references only serve to highlight the differences.

The whodunit part of the novel is slightly predictable but in no way detracts from one's enjoyment of the story. The vampires are creepy but take a backseat to Val's ongoing personal drama. Fang is definitely the highlight of the story. His ongoing commentary is absolutely hilarious and worth reading the story just to get to know his character.

In looking for a break from a run of heavy, serious literary fiction, Bite Me was a welcome diversion and palate cleanser. It is not so much a paranormal novel so much as it is a teenage, coming-of-age story with a paranormal setting. Val is so vulnerable in spite of her tough-girl attitude, that she quickly endears herself to the reader. Fang provides the down-to-earth and fantastic counterpoint to the teen drama, making sure that the story does not get too melodramatic. The result works tremendously well, creating an engaging, funny, but touching story that just happens to have vampires. What can be wrong with that?

Thank you to NetGalley for my review copy!