Devourer of Books

Well, my day at the Printer’s Row Book Fair got cancelled due to weather.  I left church and it was pouring, but the wind was too strong to use an umbrella.  It was like jumping into the shower with all of my clothes on.  We have strong thunderstorm warnings for the rest of the day.

I do have a fair amount of work to get done today, but I think I’ll spend at least some of the time that I would have been down there reading.  I’m working on “Dolphins Under My Bed” by Sandra Clayton.  It is interesting, but I don’t think it is something I can spend hours at a time reading.  It seems to work best reading just 2-3 chapters at a time.  I just can’t figure out what I want to read with it…

Oh, and by the way, here’s a copy of the business cards we made up.  Too bad I can’t use them today.

Dewey is hosting a 24-hour Readathon on June 28th, 2008, beginning at 9 am Pacific Standard Time.  People can sponsor the readers, giving X dollars for each hour (or hundred pages, or whatever, I’m sure) read.  The proceeds will be going to Reading is Fundamental. 

I’m contemplating doing this.  The timing is really bad for me, but I really want to do it anyway.  The evening before the read-athon I will be returning from an 8-day work event and my wedding takes place exactly 2 weeks later.  On the other hand, with my wedding coming up two weeks later, this might be my last big chance to read until the plane to Mexico for the honeymoon.  Plus, it could allow me to get some books read and reviews written that can be set to post at various times while I’m gone so that my blog doesn’t just go dark that whole time.   Hmm, when I think of it like that, it might just be a GOOD idea!

More readers and cheerleaders are still needed, so hop on over and sign up, or let me know if you’d be interested in ‘sponsoring’ me. 

“The Leper Compound“ by Paula Nangle

“The Leper Compound” is the story of Colleen, the daughter of a white Rhodesian settler. Colleen is growing up in Rhodesia around the time of the Rhodesian civil war and the creation of the state of Zimbabwe. This is Paula Nangle’s first novel and it is fantastic for a first novel. Nangle is clearly very familiar with her subject matter – she lived as a child in southern Africa with her missionary parents. Touching on racial tensions in both Zimbabwe and South Africa, Nangle’s book should challenge so many Americans who consider Africa to be a mono-culture.

All this being said, this book really just wasn’t for me. It was the moving story a girl growing up and searching for connection, about racial tensions and the aftermath of colonialism. Sounds like a great book for me, right? However, Nangle’s storytelling style just isn’t my favorite. Although the writing was beautiful, the story felt as if it was being told from a distance, as if Colleen never managed to attain a connection even with herself. Perhaps this is what Nangle was attempting and she is just that genius, or perhaps that is simply her style. It is not by any means a bad style, I just prefer a more personal method of story telling, one that is more in the head of the main character.

So although this book wasn’t for me, it might be for you. I am amazed that this is a first novel, and will definitely be looking to give Nangle’s next book a try.

Buy this book on Amazon

“Alive in Necropolis” by Doug Dorst

Available July 17th, 2008

Let me just begin with an exceprt of the publisher’s description of the book, as I don’t think I can describe the premise of “Alive in Necropolis” nearly as well as they do:

Colma, California, is the only incorporated city in America where the dead outnumber the living. The longtime cemetery for San Francisco, it is the resting place of the likes of joe DiMaggio, Wyatt Earp, and aviation pioneer Lincoln Beachey. It is also the home of Michael Mercer, a rookie cop trying to go by the book as he struggles to navigate a new realm of grown-up relationships…

But instead of settling comfortably into adult life, Mercer becomes obsessed with the mysterious fate of his predecessor in the police unit, Sergeant featherstone, who seems to have become confused about whether he was policing the living or the dead…

This is not a typical description of the books I read. It sounds like an odd cross of mystery and fantasy. I read almost nothing in the mystery genre and not much in the fantasy genre, and there mainly in young adult fantasy. However, I figured that this was a review copy and I might as well give it a chance, branch out a bit.

I am extremely glad that I decided to be openminded about this book! Surprisingly, the whole ‘policing the dead’ aspect turned out to be less prevalent than expected. “Alive in Necropolis” was more about relationships, about being ‘alive’ in this city most notable for graveyards. I was quite impressed with Dorst’s skill, particularly as this is his first novel. I figured that the book would feature some ridiculously inventive plot that would excuse a lack of substantial writing. This wasn’t remotely true. Yes, there was a fantastic aspect to the plot, but this book was primarily made by the writing. Dorst gave his main character(s) in particular a good deal of depth and was able to show the reader this depth through the actions and reactions of the characters.

I would recommend this book for those who love good, solid, well-written fiction, fantasy fans or not.

Buy this book on Amazon

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here outside of Chicago.  This is quite lucky, as our church met outside this morning.  We don’t have our own building yet and generally meet in a local high school.  However, this weekend said high school is having their graduation, so instead we met at the gazebo in the little town center.  Brian and I decided that today would be a good day to try to ride our bikes down to the service.  It was between 30 and 45 minutes down there, we had church, everyone hung out for a bit on the lawn, Brian and I rode up to lunch and sat outdoors, rode over to the bike shop to pick up more accessories, and finally rode home (found short cut that only took just over 20 minutes).  Suffice as to say, I’m a bit sunburned and have not gotten a lot of reading done.

This week was a book club week for me, which are always fun.  Our book this month was “Middlesex” by Jeffrey Eugenides.  Those of us who read it really quite enjoyed it (you can see my review here).  Our wine for the night was Albarino which is a white from Spain.  I must say, I thought better of the book than of the wine.  Of course, I’m more of a red wine girl.  If it is too hot for red wine, I’d generally prefer a mojito or a daquiri to a glass of white wine.  It was a good time overall, however.  We aren’t able to meet in June, so we’re going to read “The Double Bind” together with “The Great Gatsby” and discuss them both in July. 

The other good thing about book club is the extra time it gives me.  I work in Chicago, and all of the girls in my book/wine club actually live in the city, as I used to do.  Brian and I live a way out in the Chicago suburbs.  If I were to drive home after work and before book club, I’d have just enough time to get comfortable enough that I would never want to leave again.  So instead, I generally either babysit for a friend so she can go out, or I sit at my office when everyone’s gone and just read.  This month was a ‘just read’ sort of month.  I sat at my desk for about three hours and just read.  I finished up “Have I got a Guy for You” (review here) and started a “The Leper Compound,” which was sent to me by Literary Ventures Fund.  I’m also working on an ARC of “Alive in Necropolis,” which is not at all the sort of book I would normally read, but I am enjoying it so far.  the plot has something to do with vengeful ghosts, although that hasn’t become a huge part of the action yet. 

Well, Saloners, I’m off to do some work around the house so I can do some more reading tonight!  Make sure to check out my big contest, there are only a couple more days to enter.  I will likely announce winners either Tuesday or Wednesday.  You can win ANY book I have reviewed so far.