Janet's List to Read

I finally made my choice of the books I want to read beginning on August 1st. It was a difficult choice. I feel like I should make an after challenge list too, but I see the 2008 TBR challenge looming so this gives me titles to think about. I am listing the first list I saw the title in even though many of you may have the same books listed as something about you!

Here Goes:

The Remains fo the Day by Kazuo Ishigio (F) Lucca's List
Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg (F) Library Lady
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (F) Margo
On Writing by Stephen King (NF) Jill
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (F) Kathrin
So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson (NF) Sally

I will also post this on the sidebar of my blog joyfuljottings-janet.blogspot.com

To Kill a Mockingbird

I reviewed this on my blog here.

I'll post it here as well:

Harper Lee’s masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird revolves around the childhood of Scout and Jem Finch. Scout recalls the most important events of her life in those years: the quiet dignity of her father Atticus, her adventures with Jem and her friend Dill to sneak a peek at Boo Radley, and most of all the trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus must defend the innocent black man from charges of raping a white woman in the Alabama of the 1930's. In one summer, she grows up.

This novel has been challenged and banned from school libraries many times (it’s #41 on the top 100 most challenged), for many reasons, but the racism is hard to ignore. It’s uncomfortable to read, but necessary to the story. Scout’s small town, both good (like Boo and Maudie) and the bad (the bigots and racists), is revealed to us through the innocence of a child’s eye. It’s a clever device by Lee to use that innocence to make an important point.

When I first read this book, I was a teenager. I related to Scout more than the other characters. Now as an adult I relate more to the adults, even though the point of view is Scout’s.

Atticus Finch, although not the narrator, is the hero of the novel. He is a quiet, honest man, who uses his mind and his words to fight for justice. After the children have their eyes opened to the injustice in the world, they are comforted by the neighbour, Maudie: "...there are some men in this world who are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father is one of them." He is a good foil for all the evil in the novel. At the beginning of the story, Atticus tells Scout:

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

This is an important statement. Throughout the book, we walk around in many of the character’s skin: a new teacher, a poor farmer’s son, a recluse, an accused black man and his pathetic accuser.

There are so many memorable characters is this book. Although it is character driven, there is plenty of action. It’s a page turner and is truly a classic for all time.

5/5

This was Stephanie and Janet's pick. I've 'known' Stephanie for a few years now and I can understand why this is her favorite book. Atticus is such a strong moral character and a great parent. Janet wishes to be as innocent as Scout, ethical as Atticus and loyal as Jem and I agree with her- I would as well. Everyone should read this at least once.

Tiny Little Librarian's Picks

Ohhh, there are so many good ones! I may have bitten off more than I can chew, but here are the books that I plan to read (I may not manage 'em all, but I'll give it my best shot):

So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson (Vasilly, A Book in the Life, Sally)
Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby (Athena)
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (Kristin)
Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter (Stephanie)
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (Wendy)
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler (Nattie)
Sixpence House: lost in a town of books by Paul Collins (Nattie)
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth (Raidergirl13)
Evening Class by Maeve Binchy (Raidergirl13)
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Christina)
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (various lists)
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory (Margo)
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Soleil)
Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan (Booklogged)
Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand (LibraryLady)
An Inconvenient Wife by Megan Chance (LibraryLady)
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (SheReads)
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (SheReads)
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende (Valentina)
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (Juli)
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld (Faith)
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (Kelly)
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (Historia)
East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Vasilly)
Marley and Me by John Grogan (Lynne)

Books I've already read (one in blue are ones I'd have put on my own About Me list if I'd had more slots!):

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (well, some of them, anyway)
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishigiro
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Zel by Donna Jo Napoli
The Red Tent by Anita Diamante
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Postsecret by Frank Warren
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews
Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
No Coins, Please by Gordan Korman
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Lolita by Vladmir Nabokov
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
Anne of Windy Poplars by LM Montgomery
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
The Borrowers by Mary Norton

My lists to share & read

So the 5 books that reflect who I am are as follows.

84 Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff (NF)
Because I love reading anything about books - and I absolutely LOVED the movie.

Holy Blood, Holy Grail - Baigent, Leigh, Lincoln (NF)
I read this 25 years ago when it first came out. It made a huge impact on my life as I searched for the truth (my version of truth anyway) and I will always be grateful to this book for opening my eyes.

Runaway Jury - John Grisham (F)
I loved this story where the little people win against the big tobacco companies. The movie got changed drastically, and did not give me the same feeling.

Sahara or Treasure - Clive Cussler (F)
Sahara because it involves the ancient libraries of Timbuktu, and Treasure because it involves the Ancient Library of Alexandria. Great Adventure books by one of alltime my favourite Authors.

I am Spock & I am not Spock - Leonard Nimoy (NF)
Because I LOVE Vulcans and Star Trek, and Nimoy does such a fantastic job.


Here is my list of books I want to read


So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson (NF) Sally, A Book in the Life, and Vasilly
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova (F) (crossed over with New Notions challenge)
Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan (NF) kookiejar
Biblioholism by Tom Raabe (NF) Twiga
The Red Tent by Anita Diamante (F) (sarah miller)

And the following are my Alternates

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (F) Dewey
Educating Esme by Esme Raji Codell (NF) A book in the life
Papa Married a Mormon by John D. Fitzgerald (NF) Suey
Sixpence House: Lost in a Town of Books by Paul Collins (NF) Nattie
Parenting your Only Child by Susan Newman (NF) Christina
The Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes, (christina)

Stephanie List of Books

And I thought it was hard coming up for 5 books that says Something About Me? That was nothing compared to coming up with a reading list for this challenge!! There are SO many books out there that look good! What's a girl to do?? Well...I narrowed it down to what I THINK is going to be my reading list. But as a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind at any time!

• Booked to Die by John Dunning (Bonnie)
• Hotel New Hampshire by John Irving (Wendy)
• The Erye Affair by Jasper Fforde (HeidiJane)
• The Echo Maker by Richard Powers (3M)
• Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Gilbert (Raidergirl)
• Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult (Heather)
• The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood (Ellen)
• The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (Dewey)
• I am the Messenger by Markus Zuzak (Jill)
• Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck(Kookie)
  

Pretty sure I won't get to all of them...but it will be fun trying!

Stargirl

I just finished reading Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I picked this book from alisonwonderland's list for the Something About Me Reading Challenge. After I'd already decided to read it my sister in law, who is a high school English teacher, called me up and raved about it. So, I knew it was a must read.

Stargirl reminds me of all the worst parts about high school. I hated the constant worrying about what the cool kids were doing and trying to pretend like I didn't care. When I was in school nonconformity was cool so we were all busy imitating each other but trying to look like we were doing our own thing. It was exhausting. The main character of Stargirl, also named Stargirl, is just the kind of nonconformist that I always wanted to be...until her boyfriend encourages her to be more "normal."

What is normal, anyway? And what do we lose when we give up everything to attain normality? I like the message of this book. It's a quick read but Spinelli is a great storyteller and he captures your interest from the start. Thanks, alisonwonderland, for suggesting this book!

The Atonement Child

******* WARNING!!!!!! *******
I should say first that if you plan to read this book, but haven't already, DO NOT read this review. I had to give away the ending in order to give my thoughts on the novel.

**** Addendum to warning ****
Actually, you can read it except for #2 under "What I didn't like" and the paragraph following that section. :)

I know I'm not supposed to begin reading for the "Something About Me" reading challenge until August 1, and generally I'm a stickler for the rules, but hey, sometimes you just have to live a little. Anyway, I got home from vacation to find The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers on my dining room table. I had Bookmooched it for this challenge, and it had arrived while I was gone. So since I thought I had left the book I was reading at my mom's house in SC (turned out it was just in my camera case), I picked it up and started reading.

General comments:

1 - The novel is obviously written by a very religious, staunchly pro-life author. I figured this out before I discovered the evangelizing note from the author in the back (which I didn't see until after I had finished the book), but don't be impressed, it was pretty much knock-you-upside-the-head obvious. Now maybe I've had my head under a rock, and it's common knowledge about this author, but I had never heard of her. Today I googled her, and it seems she is exactly what she seems to be. So good for her. I like people who are who they are.

2 - The novel has an agenda, and that is the pro-life agenda. Now, I generally have a problem with agendas, even when I agree with them, because it means I'm only getting one side of the story. But this book didn't try to hide it's agenda in any way, so it wasn't like the author was trying to pull a fast one.

3 - I found the book interesting, especially since I had written a post about abortion a while back and used the example of a rape victim who becomes pregnant, which is exactly what this book is about. The plot revolves around Dynah Carey, a young woman who is raped while attending a Christian college, and how she and everyone involved in her life deal with the subsequent pregnancy. The main dilemma being, obviously, to abort or not to abort.

What I liked:

1 - The character Joe. He is what he is, he's not judgmental, and he stands by those he cares about. You can't help but like the guy. Plus, he said my favorite quote in the book:

Tell me how on God's green earth we can dare offer salvation to a dying world when we're so busy shooting our own wounded.

Which leads me to the next thing I liked.

2 - I liked that the author openly presented the hypocrisy of "being Christian" and "passing judgment." I find so often that those who quote the Bible the most are those who least exercise the tolerance on which Jesus built his ministry. They are often the first to condemn and to judge, which is disheartening, since I know somewhere in the Bible it says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged." It would be nice to hear them quote that once in a while. So it was refreshing and encouraging to see an author so openly pushing Christian values admit that a major fault with extremely religious folk is their jumping to judgment of others.

What I didn't like:

1 - In order to get her viewpoint across, the author often resorted to contrived dialogue. It just didn't seem realistic in many instances. The most obvious example being a meeting with several elderly women where they discuss abortion and abortion laws. It read like an anti-abortion public service announcement.

2 - The book in general didn't seem realistic. There was no counseling for the rape itself, Dynah just seemed to pretty much get over it. There was a very brief mention of the possibility of disease, that was never followed up on. Once she decided to have the baby, there were no longer conflicting feelings, no "how am I going to love this child completely when she is half my attacker?" feelings. It is all simply brushed aside in the rightness of the decision not to abort and the glow of love for the child. While I don't have experience in this subject, it just doesn't seem realistic that only nine months later a rape victim wouldn't still be a bit of an emotional mess, particularly a pregnancy-hormone loaded victim who had no counseling.

Overall, the book was very readable, and I got through it in 3 days. It was interesting, but very one-sided, and left me wondering what pro-choicers would say about some of the information given. I would have found it intellectually stimulating had some pro-choice viewpoints on the issues been completely presented and then argued against. By not presenting those conflicting viewpoints, the book is left open to attack from pro-choice activists. I think the novel could have been made a bit more realistic had Dynah, while not aborting because of her strong beliefs, gone through with the adoption option. While the novel was rife with conflicting emotions, I think a lot was left out or glossed over, particularly when it came to Dynah's feelings about her child.

This book was on Twiga's list, and based on what she said about why she picked it, I believe she must have attended a small ultra-conservative religious college, where she encountered a large number of self-righteous, judgmental people. I can only hope she had a few Joes to pal around with.