A Work in Progress

Teaser Tuesday: The Valley of Amazement

Have you read Amy Tan?  More to the point, have you read Amy Tan's The Valley of Amazement?  It has been ages since I have read an of her work and the few books by her I have read I have loved and been amazed by.  I finished two books yesterday, so of course I get to pick a new one.  I wanted something entirely different than the two books I had been reading, so my thoughts turned to historical fiction.  Something rich and descriptive and a good meaty sort of story to lose myself in.  I had a little pile of books to peruse but my attention kept going back to Amy Tan.

So I thought I really wanted to share a little teaser here from the opening pages and I made the mistake of going to Amazon to snag the cover illustration and made the mistake of looking at the reviews.  I've not really read them in any detail, but I am disappointed to see so many reviews that are, shall we say, ungenerous in their star ratings.  How can Amy Tan write a bad book?  Is it just too much, too long, to descriptive?  Should I care?  Mostly I don't since I don't know the reviewers and our tastes may vary wildly.  But it does give me pause.  I am only a few pages in.  Should I choose something else?  Should I pick up a comfort read that I know I can depend on and opt for a reread?  Should I just press on?  

Let me just share the teaser first. The first chapter is narrated by seven-year-old Violet who is the daughter of a courtesan, or rather her mother, Lulu Minturn is the only white woman to own a first-class courtesan house in Shanghai.  She is caught out speaking "chinee" and so looked down upon by all her classmates at school.  So she must reason with herself and try to understand what is going on . . .

"I worried for two days, until logic and deduction enabled me to reclaim my race.  First of all, I reasoned, Mother was an American.  Although my father was dead, it was obvious he had been an American, since I had fair skin, brown hair, and green eyes.  I wore Western clothing and regular shoes.  I had not had my feet crushed and wedged like dumpling dough into a tiny shoe.  I was educated, too, and in difficult subjects, such as history and science--'and for no greater purpose than Knowledge Alone,' my tutor had said.  Most Chinese girls learned only how to behave."

The year is 1905 and I am not sure what adventures Violet is going to have, but already her life is intriguing to me.  (Though why are the girls always daughter of courtesans in books about China in this era?  . . . maybe that is a slight exaggeration?).

So I will give it a go.  I've been sort of at swim and directionless in my reading--or am trying (without a lot of success) to stay on track with my few reading plans, but lately I feel like chucking all my books and starting from scratch and losing all plans save for my monthly theme.  Maybe I should chuck them all and allow myself ONLY three (did you think I would say one?  I wish I had the oomph to do that--three seems an acceptably low number to me) books and not allow myself to start another unless I finish or otherwise return to the shelves one of the three.  

Hmm.  We are now past the halfway mark of the year.  Maybe drastic changes are needed?  What do you think?

A Few More Notes & New Books

Just a few bits and bobs today.  I had an errand to do downtown yesterday which meant walking by my favorite used bookstore.  Since the errand didn't take as long as I anticipated when I passed by on my way home I decided I had to pop in for just a little peek.  Is it possible to walk out of a bookstore (especially a really good one) without something in hand to take home?  Apparently not if you are me.

The photo above is their 'new books' (or recently acquired) table.  It is always the first destination, a little scan of what is new and interesting.  I snapped up one of those books and then meandered over to the mystery section.  I (unfortunately) left behind a quartet of Edwardian cozy mysteries written by M.C. Beaten, which I am hoping will still be there when I next visit.  I did, however, still manage to bring home a few others.  It is always so hard to decide which to take now and which to hope will still be there.

I did not expect Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell to linger long there so I nabbed it.  I had been wishing for it (it literally is on my wishlist but it is still a little pricey for me in hardcover--new).  What a treat to find a nice hardcover, UK published book that I had been lusting after.  I have heard good things about it, too.  I love the Pushkin Vertigo international crime series.  I already have a few on my own shelves, so The Disappearance of Signora Giulia by Piero Chiara (Milan setting!) was a must have.  And Torquil MacLeod's A Malmo Midwinter seems very appealing at the moment.  Christmas in snowy cold Sweden is kind of nice to think about in the warmth of summer sunshine. 

Mysteries and crime stories have been very appealing to me of late, though I admit I have about three different books started/in progress and not nearly enough time to read any of my books at all at the moment.  As a matter of fact I tried to update my sidebar of books in progress and it has gotten a bit unwieldy again (impossible to share a photo of the night stand these days--maybe when I clear it off or otherwise get it under control, which is a lot of wishful thinking on my part at the moment).  It is always a problem deciding whether to put books (partially read) back on the shelf or not--either because they have lost their momentum with me or I never quite got into them and they are just lingering making me feel guilty).  So, new books get added to the old.

My "new" must reads are Clock Dance by Anne Tyler for August's Barnes and Noble big read.  It is only my second Anne Tyler book that I will have read and so far I am liking it very much.  I have added a couple more books to my summer reading pile, my Other Worlds/Alternate Realities project.  I had requested Gene Ha's first volume of the comic Mae at the library and it came in this week, so no better time than the present to dive in.  Another crazy strange world.  Although I had planned on taking a little break from the Harry Potter books I find that I am drawn to the next book, so Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is on the pile, but I might not pick it up right away.  It's a cliche to say this, but it is really true right now--so many books and not enough time. 

So, very slowly I proceed.

I do have a few links to share today, too.  The CWA dagger awards shortists have been announced.  I have not yet even had a chance to do more than glance at the titles and look forward to exploring the titles more.  And there is the World Fantasy Award finalists to look at, too.  As I am reading Alice Bolin's book Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession now (and finding it really good and unputdownable) I want to listen to this podcast which is an interview/conversation with the author. 

Really I don't need any new books joining the ranks, but I do need to think about my August prompt (and I am very ready to turn the calendar over to August), which is "a month in the country".  I have this vision of a Persephone type story, but I've not thought about it too much yet.  So, any book suggestions (interpret as you will) are most welcome.

It's Been a While, Reading Notes

 I've been feeling really absent from here for a while now, or at least a little neglectful and distracted.  It's amazing how time can get away from you sometimes.  

I am still reading lots and reading some really really good books, though I feel like I am reading at an even slower pace than usual, which means a snail could outread me at the moment.  I  want to get back to a regular (and maybe even really boring--sometimes boring is good) routine with my books and with writing about them.  I'm not sure exactly how I will manage to catch up now, but maybe I will do some mini reviews.  

While I consider that, I can at least mention a few books I have been reading, or books I am planning on reading.

I've finished a reread of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was just as entertaining as it was the first time around.  My plan is to read the whole set of books again this year and then watch the movie adaptation as I go.  It was also a perfect choice for my summer reading project, Other Worlds & Alternate Realities.  I have been contemplating what to read next and while I will pick up the next Harry Potter book soon, I want something a little different.  Maybe less fantasy but still something not quite everyday reality--in keeping with my theme.  I think Alice Hoffman's The Rules of Magic is just what I need.  It's just a little shy of everyday ordinariness yet promises an unusual story.  There is all sorts of magic, right?  I have read very little of Hoffman's work--maybe only one collection of interlinked stories, so I am looking forward to cracking open the book in the next couple of days.

July is quickly running down, which I am actually happy about.  July is not a favorite month--too hot and sticky.  I like the idea of August and new beginnings even as the year slips by.  There is something about the start of the new school year just around the corner that I like.  I should manage to finish my July prompt book, The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje by month's end.  I hadn't even thought about the August prompt, which is "a month in the country" which should be a lot of fun to plan for and think about.  I'm not quite sure how I will approach the theme, but it will be nice to think about books to match it--I have been acquiring new books and new library books at an almost alarming rate.  

I was really interested to see the Booker Prize longlist and happy that they included not only a book of poetry, a novel of suspense but also a graphic novel.  I have already requested a couple of books from the library.  I don't expect any of the three to actually make the shortlist, but I like that their inclusion will inspire people to pick them up.  I already had Michael Ondaatje's Warlight on my reading pile, so I (without hesitation!) picked it up to start reading--even though I am in the middle of another of his books.  I do like the way he writes, so no problem there.

I am nearly finished with Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You, which has been such a very rich and good read for me.  I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea how much it would keep me glued to the pages.  

I have more catching up to do, but maybe I will save the rest for tomorrow, as I get back into the groove of things.  What have you been reading lately?  Or watching, or seeing, or traveling to?  

How to Find Love in a Bookshop Winner!

Many thanks to everyone who left a comment and your favorite book(s) about books and bookstores!  I wish I had copies of the book to send to everyone.  Penguin generously is going to send one out to the winner of this giveaway.  I did a random number generator draw of the eight eligible readers and #7 was the number that came up.  If you could send me your address, Penny, I will pass it along to the publicist and she will mail a copy of Veronica Henry's How to Find Love in a Bookshop.  I am thoroughly enjoying the story and can warmly recommend it everyone.  

As for the suggestions, I will pass them on to you here:

Ex Libris, Anne Fadiman

84, Charing Cross Road, Helene Hanff

The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller

Anything by Michael Dirda!

A Year of Reading, Collecting and Living with Books, Michael Dirda

The End of Your Life Bookclub, Will Schwalbe

The Little Bookshop on the Seine, Nina George

Bookman series, John Dunnings

How to Be a Heroine: Or, What I've Learned from Reading Too Much, Samantha Ellis

Parnassus on Wheels, Christopher Morley

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin

False Scent, Ngaio Marsh

City of Bells, Elizabeth Goudge

I see a few favorites of my own as well as a few new titles to explore.  Books about books are one of my ways to escape the stresses of ordinary life and there are lots of great ideas here!

How to Find Love in a Bookshop

I've been reading Veronica Henry's delightful How to Find Love in a Bookshop compliments of the kind folks at Penguin Books.  It was just recently released in paperback and when a copy was offered to me I had to snap it up.  A perfect summery read, a story "in the tradition of Maeve Binchy" and a book about books and bookstores.  Just the right mix for a good dose of escapism, which is always welcome. 

This is the story of Emilia Nightingale and her father's bookstore Nightingale Books.  Raised as an only child by a single father Emilia is working abroad when her father takes ill.  After his death she decides she must take up the reins of bookshop ownership in the picturesque little Cotswolds village of Peasebrook.  Julius, her father, had a love of books and bookselling in his veins, so it seems only natural that Emilia would continue the family tradition.

I am mid-read so Emilia is just taking over the bookshop, which is located in a prime area with property developers anxious to have a try and talk her into selling.  She refuses knowing how much the store meant not only to her father and herself but also the loyal readers of the village.  But she is already seeing signs of the struggle her father was dealing with financially.  Will she be able to hold on?  I am looking forward to seeing how Emilia resolves her problems and my fingers are secretly crossed that she won't sell out in the end (or be pushed out).

Penguin Books is letting me give away a copy of the book to readers here.  The only hitch is only readers in the US can drop their name in the hat.  I'm really enjoying it and if it sounds up your alley too (and how can a book about bookstores not appeal to readers?), just leave your name in the comment area below.  If you are so inclined and have a favorite--share a good book about books, too!  I'll drop all the names in a hat (or do a virtual number generator draw) and pull one out on Tuesday morning, July 24.

Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine

When I came across an egalley of this recently released graphic novel I had to snap it up!  It is a memoir/travelogue of a Belgian writer who spent time in Palestine as a volunteer.  She spent time not only in Palestine but with Israeli friends as well.  In less than 175 pages she manages to capture a small slice of life of both Palestinians and Israelis--life on both side of the wall--very different worlds and very different lives--in some cases lives very precariously lived.

Green Almonds: Letters from Palestine is written by Anaele Hermans and illustrated by her sister, artist Delphine Hermans.  The two exchanged letters during Anaele's stay giving a glimpse into her experiences while abroad.  Graphic novels, and this one is especially well done, really amaze me.  In so few pages you get an entire story.  The illustrations are simple yet evocative, done entirely in pencil.  I really loved all the cultural bits, which you can see a little of in the choices I made for sharing some of the illustrations.  I would love to travel to this region someday.  I'm not sure I will ever get the opportunity, but books like these at least get me closer via armchair travel, right?

I'm not able to give the name of the translator sadly as there was no mention of the person in my galley copy.  I have read, however, it was originally published in France in 2011 and won an award for best travel diary from Doctors Without Borders.  Easily read in a sitting or two, this is one I warmly recommend for anyone interested in the region or for lovers of graphic novels.

In Search of . . . Chicago Information

I am in search of information of a different kind today and I am hoping some reader who stops by might be able to help me.  I am contemplating (fingers crossed) taking a much needed mini vacation to Chicago.  It is relatively close to where I live but far enough away to offer a nice change of scenery and lots of good distractions.  I would likely be going for only about three days and it might be over the Thanksgiving holiday, too.  Aside from just having a good break, going to bookstores and coffee shops, I want to spend some time in Chicago's museums (in particular the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art), so I am hoping to find a nice place to stay that is close by so I can easily walk to them or take public transportation. 

Is anyone either a Chicagoan or familiar with the city who could offer a little travel advice?  As a solo traveler I want to feel safe and be able to navigate the city (or the parts I will be exploring) easily.  Also, any bookshops, coffee shops or eateries (vegetarian preferably) that are worth searching out would be most helpful.

First a few logistics to see if this is doable.  And then, of course, reading material to prep for my little tour will be needed later.  It has been so long since I have been away that even thinking that I might be able to plan something has me giddy with anticipation.

Oh So Ready for the Weekend Reading

It was only flippantly that I posted this photo on Instagram--what shall I share today, okay, why not.  But I had to laugh as it is the post that has gotten the most "likes" and comments since I have started sharing photos there!  I had to chuckle.  Doesn't everyone's TBR pile look like this?  Please tell me someone else out there has a pile of books to rival this, please, or I will indeed feel a little excessive!

Since I am here I might as well share a few links and weekend reading plans.  I want to explore a few online book lists this weekend.  I am most interested in this 10 Best Alt-History World War II novels.  I think there could be some potential titles I could read for my summer reading project.

I've already got a few of these titles on my own wishlist from Elle's 40 Best Summer Reads.  And I actually have almost every book on this list of Books You've Been Meaning to Take to the Beach (even though I won't sadly be anywhere near a beach).

As for reading I plan on finishing the very wonderful Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.  My heart breaks for Eleanor, and at the same time she has me in stitches occasionally and nodding my head in agreement as she observes the world around her and how she interacts (or not) with it.  I think it is being adapted into a movie and I am very curious to know who will be playing the parts.

I have also been riveted to Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You, which is a book I have been meaning to read for so long I just picked it up and dove it.  I don't want to put it down.  Another heartbreaking story but so very true and relatable.  I want those characters to be happy so attached am I becoming to them.  I already have her second book somewhere on one of those book piles.

My most recent purchase is a book I plan on starting this weekend, a TED talk by Alan Lightman.  Doesn't In Praise of Wasting Time sound like a perfect weekend read?  It does to me.  What will you be reading this weekend?

Act Like It by Lucy Parker

It's rare that I gravitate towards a novel that is pure romance.  I don't mind a mystery or a literary novel or a comfort read that has a bit of romance in it, as a matter of fact I often like it when a story has that element, but it always needs to have something more as the main focus or the action driving the plot.  So when I was reading one of Book Riot's newsletters and Lucy Parker was mentioned as a writer of romance for people who don't necessarily read the genre, I decided I should give her a try. 

Her first novel, Act Like It has sat for some time on my TBR pile waiting for just the right mood, which finally surfaced recently.  It's what you might call a Rom-Com of a story.  I knew what was coming, but it was fun getting there--more of a build up of the story and light on the detailed romance-y bits, so it offered just the right tone and distraction I was in need of.

The story is set in contemporary London's West End, the heart of the theater district.  If I am going to read a romance story I kind of like the sort with two characters who would rather not be together and spend a good part of the story sparring wits and words.  There's a general mistrust that maybe even verges on dislike before they decide that, indeed, there is maybe a spark of something more there they had not anticipated.  A 'wait a moment, what's going on here' climax and then the inevitable coming together but then drama and maybe misunderstanding ensues before a happy resolution.  Okay, so it sounds pretty formulaic and maybe the arc of the story is on the predictable side, but the journey is so much fun it is hard not to just lose yourself in this book and enjoy the ride.

Mix one very condescending, attractive, successful actor with a talented, socially conscious actress who likes her chocolate and you get a perfect pairing of opposites.  Richard Troy may be a star headliner, but he's thrown one too many tantrums in public and his image is beginning to tarnish.  Significantly.  He aspires to a position in the RSPA (Royal Society of Performing Arts) but his chances seem to be diminishing at the same rate as his public escapades increase.  Lainie Graham is the theater world's sweetheart.  She's just come off a bad relationship with a fellow actor, so her social calendar is open.  Lainie has an easy going nature and a warm sense of humor but it belies the sadness her family has endured.  She spends as much of her free time raising money for a cancer charity and is always looking for opportunities to add to their coffers.

Maybe you see where this is headed?  Two actors--one whose reputation is sullied the other's whose shines?  A little public romance would do wonders to help shore up Richard Troy's ratings with the public.  Fans always love a good love story and what does it matter if they don't actually like each other.  They just need to act like it.  There is always more to a person's story than the story on the surface.  And there is more to Richard Troy and Lainie is as delightful as she appears.  The course of true love never did run smooth and it doesn't for Richard and Lainie, but they discover a few things along the way.

This is as fun and charming and enjoyable a read as it sounds.  If you think you don't like romance novels, but you're willing to give the genre a try, you might like this.  I enjoyed it so much I have her second book and there is currently a third out as well with a fourth anticipated.  So she is my go-to romance novelist now.  She writes a series set in the theater world called the London Celebrities Series (opposites attract comedies), which I think are going to be one of my happy discoveries this year.

Lo, How a Rose Starting to Bloom

Can you see the progress?  I am enjoying working on this again even if it is only twenty minutes or so a day.  As it is a sampler with part of a Christmas Carol, I might actually finish it by the end of the year.  I have noticed an error or two, a motif a few threads off here and there, but who can tell.  It is a good distraction and now I have downloaded the audio book of E.M. Forster's Howards End to listen to on my iPod (read by Emma Thompson no less), so I am all set!