10.01.2013

Book report (if you're looking for something to read)

One of my goals is to read 15 books in a year, which, as you can figure, means more than one book a month. I just did a quick check of how many I've read since last September. Fourteen. Argh. I'm reading one now (The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer). So close I might just call it good.


In the meantime, here are the 14 books and what I thought of them, starting with the ones I read first:

1. An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler: A year after reading this book, I'm still using it. This book built my confidence as a home cook. I trust myself to create meals with what I've got on hand rather than following recipes to a T. I recommend this highly to anyone who wants to be culinarily adventurous but appreciates being practical and economical.
2. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks: I started this book about five times before I finally forced myself to get past the first chapter. I enjoy stories that weave plots together from various centuries and families and such, but I found my mind wandering a lot with this one. I wish I could speak more articulately about it, but I've forgotten most of it by now.
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: I finished this book while waiting in the Oakland airport. As I closed it, a woman sitting next to me said, "Isn't that just the most wonderful book?" It really was. It's the kind of book that compels strangers to talk to each other at airports, clearly. It was an unbelievable plot and an intriguing character study, and frankly I'm impressed with any author who can blend opera with hostage crises. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
4. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller: This is soooo not the kind of book I would normally choose to read. Post-apocalypse, a dude and his dog (which I know is eventually going to die), survivalism. In the end, though, the narrative style that I struggled with in the beginning felt like poetry. Sad and beautiful.

5. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson: I want everyone to read this book, if only to have more people with whom to talk about it. Every chapter was filled with incredible facts about such an incredible time in our history, from the building of the Ferris wheel and the financial ruin surrounding the Chicago World's Fair, to the story of the deranged man who lived down the street who lured women into his fiery chamber. I couldn't believe it was nonfiction.
6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: This is the kind of book you don't recommend to your mom, but she's most likely read it. It's terrifying how quickly I breezed through this evil revenge thriller.
7. 52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust by William Alexander: I resisted this one for awhile because I doubted how interesting a book about bread baking could possibly be. When people see you reading this kind of book, they instantly judge you. So go ahead and call me a nerd when I tell you it was fascinating. I'll never go to the lengths this guy did to make great bread from scratch, but I definitely appreciate all the ingredients that go into mine that much more. I also learned how to make my own wild yeast using an apple on my kitchen counter.
8. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenburg: This was a selection for my book club. I have loved Molly's blog for so many years that I felt like I was reading a book a friend had written. Unfortunately, I was the only one in the club who actually enjoyed it. I think she is a tender, nostalgic writer, wise beyond her years, and her recipes are simple and honest and yummy.
9. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson: Still reeling from The Devil, I had high hopes for this one. Berlin, 1930s, Hitler stuff? Tell me more. But the Hitler story was nothing like H.H. Holmes, and the blossoming Nazi Germany was filled with so much sadness and repression while the World's Fair carried so much optimism of the American Dream. And, frankly, the reading was a bit like sludge for me. Too many people to keep track of, and certainly none I felt I could latch onto.

10. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter: Does it get any sweeter than a naive Italian who falls in love with an American movie star? The theme of beautiful ruins is an absolutely perfect one. This is good for the soul.
11. Zeitoun by Dave Eggers: Hurricane Katrina seems so long ago for a northwesterner. I know it's still playing out in the South and will for a long time. What's worse is that 9/11 is still rearing its ugly head in all of these kinds of situations and divides us in catastrophic ways. This was an important read.
12. Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman: The moral of the story: raise your kid in France. I can't imagine how people will emulate French parenting unless they shelter their kids from the American way of life. Still, it gave me lots of things to think about in terms of catering to our children.
13. The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow: In this day and age, it's risky to continue titling books beginning with "The Girl Who..." Either way, this was one of those books I categorize as a "bus read." Good plot, quick reading, and ultimately, forgettable.
14. Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver: I'm still trying to decide how I feel about this book. Kingsolver is one of the most eloquent modern authors I've read, and experiencing nature through her words is beautiful. The characters were messy and I loved them. The main gripe I have is that the book is one big sermon on climate change which did make it feel a little preachy (though she's preaching to the choir in this case). But the butterfly provided a nice metaphor, I s'pose.
Any recommendations? Please let me know!

Happy reading.

3 comments:

  1. Hi, Liz! Your book tastes remind me that we're still kindred spirits (oh, Anne). Everlasting Meal is currently on my kitchen table, and I'm adding Bel Canto, Devil..., and 52 Loaves to my list (I just made Tartine's sourdough from a starter for the first time and holymoly that's fun).
    I highly recommend Michael Chabon's Telegraph Avenue. It's based in my neighborhood (South Berkeley/North Oakland) and induces the most wonderful nostalgia, even for someone who still lives here. The plot moves along fine, but you stay for the pretty, complex sentences and the killer metaphors. I just started French Provincial Cooking by Elizabeth David -- it's like a older version of Adler's narrative recipes. Do you do graphic novels? Alison Bechdel's Fun Home and Are You My Mother, not to mention The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For, are fabulous. Start with Fun Home. I think you'll like it.
    Hope you're well! Holler next time you're in the Bay!

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  2. Jesse! Thank you for this. Telegraph Avenue - yes, yes yes. I'm definitely putting it toward the top of my list! I remember reading Yiddish Policemen's Union a few years ago and writing down some of his metaphors you're referring to - they blew me away. And I'm curious about French Provincial Cooking, too. I am a sucker for food writing.

    I've not ventured much into graphic novels, but not for any good reason. I'd love to check these out.

    Jealous of your Bay life. I'd love to live there one day, but yes, next time I'm there visiting, I'll definitely track you down!

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  3. You're so close--you'll absolutely make your goal. :) (I, on the other hand, was a bit too ambitious at the start of the year and am 12 books behind on my goal. At this point, I don't think it's going to happen. :))

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