Child 44

So when I first came to Chile, I decided to give "Anne of Green Gables" a try.  Talk about epic fail.  I get to page 36, painfully slow mind you, and just can't do it anymore!  Luckily, around this time I was in Puerto Natales, having just got back from a four day hiking trip through the Parque del Torres.  I was in this vegetarian restaurant and they had a book exchange!  The one book that grabbed my eye was the one I'd read about, Child 44.  

Let me tell you, best exchange ever!  Child 44 reads like a Dan Brown, but better.  Set in 1950s during the end of the Stalin era, it is dense but quick.  With a death almost every chapter, its amazing to think that this wasn't far from reality.  It focuses mostly on an on-going investigation of a murderer of children.  The book kept me surprised and intrigued to the very end.  It was interesting that the author noted in an interview that he was inspired by the show "24" which it definitely mirrors in terms of element and style.

Have Gun Will Travel

This book I have unfortunatly been unable to finish. I feel that while the ideas involved the gangsta rap industry being a kind of Al Capone system. However, I just can't stand to contunuely read swear words & poor English.

"That's what street life is about - people living on a barbaric level in which almost any kind of conventional civilized morality is sneered at because it's in the way of these people achieving what they want."

So It Goes

Ah, how I love Vonnegut. I decided to read "Bluebeard", one of his lesser known novels. Definitely a good pick: it made me laugh & inspired me. I have nothing more to say, really, other than to write my favorite quotes:

"The human condition can be summed up in just one word... Embarassment."

"I have had all I can stand of not taking myself seriously."

"Knowledge was so much junk to be processed one way or another at great universities. The real treasure the great universities offered was a lifelong membership in a respected artificial family."

"And what is literature... but an insider's newsletter about affairs relating to molecules of no importance to anything in the Universe but a few molecules who have the disease called 'thought'."

Fatty!

I expected the book "The Fat Girl's Guide to Life" to be really inspirational. Here was a woman proud of her larger than average physique, wanting to change the stigma of the "fat girl." I don't know a single woman (or man for that matter) that hasn't dealt with body issues at some point in their lives. It really is sad that today, while a family in a third world country are starving to death, we are starving/gorging ourselves on purpose! Talk about American indulgence....

Well...I didn't like the book. It was less of an empowering monologue and more of a manifesto of Wendy Shanker and her life as a fat jew. I'm sorry, but I personally don't care about the life of Wendy Shanker. She's an average, rather cliched writer, kind of boring life; it seems the only drama in her life has been her on-going battle of her bulge!

Even worse was that is made me feel worse about myself, reminding me of my bad spots instead of my toned torso. And she relied way too much on stereotypes (fat girls with gay best friends, anti-curly hair) that fat girls relate to. Since I fit into those categories (gay best friend, curly hair) it seemed like a big cop-out, especially since most females want either or both.

However, on the rare page or two, Wendy did make a good point (or say something really clever):

"People take your cue on how to behave around you. If you act ashamed of yourself, they will be ashamed of you. If you act proud--even if it's just an act--people will kowtow"

"I've rarely met a man who feels like he has TOO MUCH vagina access...The dude's more like, 'Psych! I get to put my penis in a vagina! Hooray for me!'"

Letters from a Nut

I picked up this book the other day that consisted of all letters to famous companies, hotels, universities, etc. In these letters, Ted L. Nancy writes the most elaborate and creative tales ever, appealing to these companies (having an extra leg, wanting to bring his own mattress).

This was probably the funniest thing I've ever read. Some of it is just so oddball you can't help but laugh. I wish I could have read more out loud (that's when the book is at it's best), but I definitely would reccommend this to anyone and everyone. Especially Mr. Brower. I could see him and Mr. Nancy having tea together, laughing.

"...it will blink out of unison with yours. Your sign blinks, then ours. So...when your sign blinks then goes dark - my sign blinks. When mine is dark - your's blinks. It will be two different signs blinking one right after each other. (I may have music)."

"But, Sir, with all due respect, I cannot be compared to Rip Taylor. I am the 16th President of the United States...I am a log splittler, a not so easy accomplishment."

The James Frey Theory

I enjoy a good memoir every now and then. Especially if they are well written, and the story is fascinating.

Ever since James Frey confessed his lowly secret of fabricating his memoir, I've been extra cautious when reading.

Personally, while I believe I have a very vivid memory, I couldn't remember the intricate details and conversation that make up an every-day memoir (and my story isn't finished yet!).

"The Glass Castle" is an intense story. Jeannette Walls writes very eloquently, lightening the depressing details of her childhood (alcoholic father, neglectful parents, poverty). So much of her life just made me greatful for what I take for granted, and it is truely remarkable that she grew up successful and still kept in contact with her parents.

Now, every detail in the book, while very dramatic and elaborate, there was one part that really bugged me. In one scene, Jeannette and family are at a zoo, when her father suggests that she and her siblings climb into the cage with him and pet a cheetah. Now, as great of a story as this sounds....COME ON! Its just way too unbelievable.

All in all, it was an interesting read, I just wish I believed it more.

Band Aids and Iggy Pop

I love reading literature on music of the '60s-'90s. I happen to like the music they showcase (everything from Led Zepplin and The Beatles to Nirvana), and having missed the hey-day of those artists, I feel closer to appreciating them on the levels of people like my dad with each new book.

Having just finished "Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies," I wish I could travel back in time and be a groupie when music was more about a talent and attitude and less about fame and talent-free.

To a certain extent, I admire these girls for their daring, courageous moves. However, I felt sometimes, it was more about pleasing their "Rock Gods" then getting something for themselves.

In the end though, these girls had the prime time of being a groupie. Led Zepplin, Elvis, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Nirvana, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix; those were the days to be a groupie. I must also include that this book re-invigorated my passion for a certain rock god: Iggy Pop. Those girls were so lucky.