My Month in Books: June 2015

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June was a good month for life decisions and writing, but not so much for reading. While the Summer Solstice month usually leads to a renewed desire to read, most of my reading time was spent researching American history and witchcraft for a project I’m working on. And, of the books I started, only a small few were finished. Here’s what I thought of those few:

The Little Friend, Donna Tartt
2002, 640 pages
This is a modern Southern Gothic novel set in 1970’s Mississippi. It chronicles Harriet, a spunky 12 year-old, as she searches for the truth of who killed her brother while she was an infant. Like Tartt’s The Secret History, this is an enthralling tale, though not as fast-paced as TSH. I did not grow up in the south and my brother was not murdered but, nonetheless, TLF is caked in childhood nostalgia. The one thing that bothered me about the book was how I found some of the characters (particularly Harriet) to be unlikeable. This in and of itself isn’t generally a problem, but it made reading it tough going at times. There’s also a lot of racism, which is infuriating from my modern standpoint. Especially when it’s the main characters that are acting in a racist way. It’s hard to empathize with that type of person.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, JK Rowling
1999, 448 pages
Ok, this is the last time I’m talking about an HP book on a monthly review. This month I started reading the series out loud to my boyfriend, and it’s been pretty fun to witness someone else’s reactions to the story. Some highlights include:
“Fuck Crookshanks!” / “Buckbeak! Buckbeak’s alive?? Thank god!” / “But how does time work?”

The Book of Kindly Deaths, Eldritch Black
2014, 304 pages
This was a very random read for me. My kindle bookstore suggested it, so I got it. It’s a middle grade novel about a girl who finds a mysterious book belonging to her missing grandfather. This is, of course, no ordinary book. Instead, the book chronicles a number of tales about monsters and lives lost in horrific ways. Even for me as an adult, The Book of Kindly Deaths was pretty scary (but I’m also a wimp). If you’re into kid’s lit and scary/horror/monster stories, you’ll probably like this book.

How has your summer reading started?

Happy Reading,

Charis

Where I Read, Photo Series: Part 3

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.”
– Saint Augustine

Clouds lay a milky, misty film over clear water, shadows darkening areas below. Imprints of life crawl like shiny white insects. They catch your eye for a moment, and in the same they’re gone.

There are only so many colors you can see from here. Green. Another green. Brown. Water isn’t even blue. It looks like iridescent asphalt. And those shiny white specks.

My Month in Books: May 2015

May was a busy month for me, so naturally I ignored the bulk of my duties and read a TON. So let me judge them for you like I do with everything in life.

1. The Awakening, Kate Chopin
1899, 195 pages
This is the first Kate Chopin novel I’ve read, and I really loved it. Chopin weaves a fascinating tale of a smart, opinionated woman who has become bogged down by the social restrictions of turn-of-the-century Louisiana. It’s regarded by many as one of the first feminist novels and it should be required reading for everyone.

2. Crow Hollow, Michael Wallace
2015, 345 pages
The only novel I read this month by a man, and I immediately regretted it.
I was given this novel for free, which is good because I would have been very disappointed with myself had I purchased it. I don’t even know where to begin. Crow Hollow is marketed as thrilling historical fiction, but it’s really just a fluffed up romance about a man with rape fantasies and violent tendencies. I couldn’t finish it, and would not recommend it to anyone.

3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, JK Rowling
1999, 341 pages
After the absurdity that was Crow Hollow, I chose to revisit Rowling’s wizardry. I reread the first HP book in the fall, so I continued on with the second. There’s nothing really to say here except Harry Potter is the greatest series of all time. Also, the older I get the worse I feel for Filch. Those kids are messy brats…

4. Helen of Sparta, Amalia Carosella
2015, 402 pages
This was another book I was given and, fortunately, it was much better than the previous one. It’s a little difficult to get into, but it picks up after the initial world building. There is, however, also many depictions/discussions of rape (is this a trendy topic?). I was more willing to overlook this in Carosella’s novel because the context: Helen of Sparta is a modern adaptation of Greek Mythology, which is riddled with violence against women. It’s difficult to discuss Ancient Greece without bringing this up, and Carosella mentions in the foreword that her desire to write this story stemmed from the mistreatment Helen receives in the original Greek tale.

5. Beloved, Toni Morrison
1987, 324 pages
Oh, man. This was my first Toni Morrison book and I now understand the hype. Beloved tells the story of a family, headed by former slave Sithe, and their struggles—both paranormal and social. Morrison writes in a lyrically fragmented style that directly reflects the complexity of these character’s lives. If you’re like me and put of reading this, you should really try to give it a go.

6. Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
1991, 640 pages
Outlander is the first novel in an 8 book series detailing the lived of WWII nurse Claire after she time travels back to 18th century Scotland. I started this series so I could watch the show (since Game of Thrones is sucking right now) and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I haven’t read much within the romance genre, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But Gabaldon builds a world within the damp Scottish Highlands that you easily get swept up in. Even when I came across a scene that I knew, objectively, was super cheesy, it was just really fun.

Happy Reading!

Where I Write, Photo Series: Part 2

“The writer has to force himself to work. He has to make his own hours and if he doesn’t go to his desk at all there is nobody to scold him.”
– Roald Dahl

cramped, crumpled edges, stacks, discarded drafts, pens, paper, pens, type.

“People think that I must be a very strange person. This is not correct. I have the heart of a small boy. It is in a glass jar on my desk.”
– Stephen King

My Month in Books: January through April 2015

For months I had been faithfully recording my reading progress on this blog, but two things thwarted my efforts: grad school applications and The Luminaries. I am happy to report that I have conquered both! I finally finished Catton’s award-winning second novel and have enrolled in my top choice master’s program.

So, in light of these accomplishments, here are the few books I was able to read over the last few months.

Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation, Bill Nye
2014, 309 pages
Bill Nye, The Science Guy! I’m not very interested in sciencey-nonfiction reading, but Jeff wanted to listen to this audiobook and I do love Bill Nye. It was actually surprisingly good. Nye has always been great at taking dense subjects and making them interesting; this book is no exception. He makes evolution a sexy matter, leading me to believe he’s a real player. An actual quote: “It’s ALL sexual.”

What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, Randall Munroe
2014, 321 pages
Another science book I got roped into listening to. Munroe is obviously a smart guy, and the material is definitely absurd/interesting, but I would not recommend audiobooking this. In general, I don’t like listening to books on tape. But, since Jeff and I began regularly making the 10+ hour drive from San Francisco to Portland, we decided to spend our time wisely with fulfilling listening material. This is a book that you’ll want to flip through physically. Munroe creates clever illustrations that bring the content to life better than any dictation could. Also, Will Wheaton kind of sucks at narrating.

Yes Please, Amy Poehler
2014, 352 pages
Now, this IS a book you should listen to on tape. Amy Poehler’s narration brings her excellent memoir to life. She’s such a funny, badass chick. I loved hearing stories about her past and how it intertwined with a lot of other truly hilarious comedians. My only complaint about this book is that it could be repetitive at times, but I can look past that. “Good for her, not for me” is a mantra we should all live by.

The Portable Dorothy Parker, Dorothy Parker
1976, 610 pages
I’ve already written about the amazingness that is Dorothy Parker, so there’s not much more to say on the subject. She is a literary humorist queen. Read her, all of you.

Sputnik Sweetheart, Haruki Murakami
2001, 224 pages
I have also reviewed this Murakami novel in a previous post. Like all of his works, this is a fantastic, cerebral mystery. I recommend it to all mystery/sci-fi/literature lovers.

Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller
1949, 139 pages
Man, I really did not like this. I didn’t know I wasn’t an Arthur Miller fan until I read this book, but let me say it: I am NOT an Arthur Miller fan. This came as a surprise to me, because I remember thoroughly enjoying The Crucible. But, to be fair, I was a teenager when I read it, so maybe I would hate it now. Or maybe it’s just this book I hate. Either way, I found DoaS pandering and pretentious. I found myself continuously rolling my eyes. Thank god I only spent a penny on it.

Atonement, Ian McEwan
2001, 480 pages
This is a book I have mixed feelings about. Like Mr. Miller’s, much of the novel felt like a (less obvious) ego stroke. Atonement read like the type of book I would have loved as a teenager, but perhaps I’m reading it 10 years too late. It really raises some issues of personal narratives and who is “allowed” to tell a story. But, McEwan is undeniably a talented writer. If you like war stories, romance, and can look past white men telling stories about false rape allegations, then you’ll probably like this novel.

Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters, J.D. Salinger
1955, 92 pages
Considering my last two reviews were berating pretentious men, this will probably make me a complete hypocrite, BUT… I love Salinger. Even when I know he’s writing like a rich, pompous New Yorker, I find it hilarious. Though I’ll never be able to personally relate to his fictional Glass family, I always enjoy reading about their bizarre, old-world eccentricities.

The Luminaries, Eleanor Catton
2013, 849 pages
Dear God, this book was a marathon. I hit a wall so many times and I was sure I’d never finish it. It may have taken me 4 months, but I did it.
I’ve heard many book reviewers claim this novel is, despite its length, a “quick read”. Perhaps it was for most, but not for me. It was one of those stories that, while reading, I became engrossed in the story, but as soon as I put it down, I had no motivation to pick it back up. I’m not entirely sure why that is. Catton provided many elements that would usually prompt a captivating story: mysterious murder, gothic undertones, foreign land. If I had to guess what the problem was, I’d say it felt about 300 pages too long. A book this size has to really make its words matter, but some sections dragged through old New Zealand mud. Still, all in all, it was a good book and I’m glad to have read it.

Happy Reading,

Charis

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In Praise of Old Pages: An Earth Day Photo Series

Happy Earth Day!

Like most Pacific Northwesterners, making environmentally conscious choices is something that I try to factor into my daily life. And one extremely easy way we bookworms can make a small change is by buying used books.

Now, I know it’s tough to forgo a pretty, pristine cover and I don’t expect you to wait years for an old copy of a popular new book to surface. But, there are tons of chances to pick up old copies of virtually every title imaginable. And, once you get into the grove of buying used, you’ll realize the vast economic and sentimental benefits.

The thing I appreciate most about used books is the history littered within their pages. Lost receipts, thoughtful margin notes, and eerie love letters: these books are a treasure trove of the bibliophiles of yore.

Here are some of my favorite scribbles found in my used book library:

Camus, The Plague, 1948

Moore, Historical Outlines of English Sounds and Inflections, 1969

To be fair, half of these notes are mine.
“King Horn”, Middle English Literature, 1973

Smith, White Teeth, 2000

Khayyám, The Rubáiyát, 1942

Happy Reading!

Charis

Buy Used @ Powell’s (& other local stores near you!)

Charlotte Brontë: Bitch Boss or Boss Bitch?

The face of a woman who cannot give one fuck.

Today is Charlotte Brontë’s birthday and she’s one of my favorite authors to throw side eye at.

In case you didn’t know, Charlie B was kind of a dick to her sisters, particularly Anne. After Anne’s death, Charlotte inhibited the publishing of her novels, pushing Anne further into obscurity. Charlotte was even quoted saying:

“[The Tenant of Wildfell Hall] hardly seems to me desirable to preserve.”

Ouch.

But sisterly squabbles aside, the woman was a skilled novelist. (And, I should add, less problematic than a lot of modern male authors. *cough* Jonathan Franzen *cough* Nicholas Sparks *cough*)

So, in honor of her innate talent and I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, here are some of my favorite Charlotte Brontë quotes:

“You had no right to be born; for you make no use of life. Instead of living for, in, and with yourself, as a reasonable being ought, you seek only to fasten your feebleness on some other person’s strength.”

“I would always rather be happy than dignified.”

“If men could see us as we really are, they would be a little amazed; but the cleverest, the acutest men are often under an illusion about women: they do not read them in a true light: they misapprehend them, both for good and evil: their good woman is a queer thing, half doll, half angel; their bad woman almost always a fiend.”

“I am not an angel, and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself.”

Happy Reading

An Unexpected Book Haul

After multiple fruitless freelancing days, I decided to bathe my poor spirits in the unseasonable sun. This journey was started with modest, honorable intentions, but alas, ended in my mortal weakness.

Or, to put it less dramatically, I bought some books!

Now, of course I don’t really need any more books. I’m still climbing up The Luminaries mountain and I have about 20 books I haven’t even cracked the spine on. BUT, who’s here to be logical? I found a book sale and rolled with it. Here’s what I picked up:

I found my favorite, long lost copy of Love in the Time of Cholera for just $2!

Struggling to carry my loot home.

Sitting down to read and an interesting find.

What are some new (to you) books you’re reading?

Charis

Where I Read, Photo Series: Part 2

“I have seafoam in my veins, I understand the language of waves.”
― Le Testament d’Orphée

grains stuck to, legs stung, cold, uneven breezes hum, whistle, warm ceramic fills lungs, faces burn, crinkled, pages flip, hair raised on bumps, glasses chill, waves crash, relaxed.

“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people’s hats off – then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”
― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

 

Book Review: The Portable Dorothy Parker

“If I didn’t care for fun and such,
I’d probably amount to much.
But I shall stay the way I am,
Because I do not give a damn.”

 – Dorothy Parker, Enough Rope

Dorothy Fucking Parker. If you’re interested in reading a fantastic humorist, as well as a prominent—and yet often overlooked—female figure in American media, this is your girl.

If I’m being honest, Gilmore Girls is what made me curious about Dorothy Parker. There are a few allusions to the author in the show, and the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino started a production company called Dorothy Parker Drank Here (presumably an illusion to Parker’s hefty reputation as a drinker). I did a little research on the woman after seeing this and became truly fascinated by her eccentricities and prolific career. So, when I saw this old, battered copy of The Portable Dorothy Parker, I knew I needed to pick it up.

In order for me to accurately assess Parker’s collection, I think it’s imperative you know a little something about the lady, so here the condensed ( and mostly gleamed from Wikipedia) version of Parker’s life.

The Woman:

Dorothy Parker was born at the end of the nineteenth century to a Jewish father and Scottish mother. She became a published writer in her early twenties and went on to write for Vogue and Vanity Fair.

In the 1920’s, Parker became a founding—and the only female—member of Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers who met most days for lunch to discuss intellectual topics and compare wits. It is through this connection that Parker became one of the founding members of the board of editors for The New Yorker (1925), another all-male group. During this time, Parker’s writing flourished and she gained nation-wide popularity.

Parker’s financial success came when she moved to Hollywood to become a screenwriter. Parker was initially highly paid and sought after, even being nominated for multiple Oscars. But, her left-wing activism eventually got her black listed, ending her movie career.

As she aged, Parker continued writing reviews, poetry, and prose, but her drinking began to get the best of her. After many decades of struggling with alcoholism, Parker died of a heart attack in 1967 at the age of 73. Having no living family, Parker left her estate to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, despite having never personally met the reverend. After Dr. King’s assassination the following year, Parker’s estate transferred to the NAACP.

For over 15 years Parker’s ashes went unclaimed, collecting dust in her attorney’s New York filing cabinet. Finally, the NAACP collected Parker’s remains and erected a memorial garden in the Baltimore headquarters. The plaque above her resting place reads:

“Here lie the ashes of Dorothy Parker (1893–1967) humorist, writer, critic. Defender of human and civil rights. For her epitaph she suggested, ‘Excuse my dust’. This memorial garden is dedicated to her noble spirit which celebrated the oneness of humankind and to the bonds of everlasting friendship between black and Jewish people. Dedicated by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. October 28, 1988”

The Work:

The Portable Dorothy Parker was first assembled by Parker and Penguin Books as a light-weight anthology for WWII troops. It has since been added to, spanning a lengthy 600 pages of poetry, short stories, reviews, and articles.

I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through this book. It really is portable, despite the length, and has lived in my purse for the last few months, accompanying me on walks or any down time I may come across. What hits you hardest while reading Parker’s works is just how smart the woman is. Smart, but accessible and not pretentious. Parker has a knack for self-depreciation, but unlike other woman may take knocks at their lifestyle for the sake of comedy, there’s no underlying judgment. She’s open about her sexual promiscuity and embraces it in a time that favors modesty. It’s as if she’s saying, “Hey, we’re all human, we’re all different, and that’s OK.”

Verse from “Somebody’s Song”

 

Parker’s work also has a touch sadness. I’d often come out of a story not knowing how to feel, regardless of having read a concrete ending (see “The Lovely Leave”). Sometimes you’ll know exactly how you feel even though Parker refuses to explicitly state her meaning. (see “Arrangement in Black and White” or “Mr Durant”). But I think that’s the brilliance of Parker. She knows how to make you laugh, without sacrificing depth.

I highly recommend everyone reading some Dorothy Parker. Her stuff is short, so there’s really no excuse not to.

Happy Reading,

Charis

5 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads
Purchase @ Powell’s Books