Weekly Update: October 14, 2018

We're home. Our southwest adventure was amazing: four states, four national parks, three time zones (who knew there is no daylight savings time in AZ?), countless scenic wonders and attractions, a visit with family, and memories to last a lifetime!

We were so busy (and tired by the end of the day) that I didn't read at all on the trip - not even an audiobook at bedtime. I eased back into books this weekend by reading a graphic memoir and completing a book I've been working away at for a few weeks.

I love our fall sunsets in central New York, but temperatures are trending downward and many of the leaves are already gone. Snow is in the forecast... definitely time to think about heading south.


Finished this week//

Dear Bob and Sue by Matt Smith and Karen Smith

A middle-aged couple takes a two year break from their jobs to visit every National Park. They write a book, comprised of emails sent to their friends Bob and Sue, chronicling the journey. I started this in anticipation of our trip, but found it worked better for me reading only a few emails at a time. It was just okay overall... I'll post a book brief soon.

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley 

At last. My library finally  purchased a copy of this foodie-themed graphic memoir. It's been on my wish list for years! Knisley's artwork is the star of the book, but her love of food shines though. It's probably more accurate to describe this as a coming-of-age memoir where life's pivotal events intertwine with food... and recipes are included.

I've enjoyed a couple of Knisley's other books (French Milk, An Age of License: A Travelogue) over the years and plan to search out her remaining work when it's time for my next graphic memoir fix. If you're unfamiliar with her work, Relish would be a good introduction. It's truly a delight.


Current reading//

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper 

It takes a certain kind of nerd to appreciate a book about dictionaries... and I suspect if you're reading this blog, you might be inclined in that direction. I borrowed both the ebook and audio versions from my library - no waiting list for either ;- )  At the 30% mark, I've pretty much abandoned print in favor of the audio version. It's read by the author and is outstanding!



Set aside//

So, our Gothic Gala was a bust. Three out of four of us abandoned The Mysteries of Udolpho. Are you still reading, Monica? I can only describe it as a slog in print and downright painful on audio. My impending trip probably didn't help... perhaps I might have been a little more determined (patient?) in other circumstances. I'm not ruling out another try at some point, but am in no hurry right now.


On the blog//

Book Brief: I'd Rather Be Reading  by Anne Bogel


Coming soon//

Nonfiction November is back! It has become my favorite blogging event of the year... details are here.


The week ahead//

We are grey-b-sitting! Angus is here for a week while his people are on vacation. He was initially confused by Zelda's absence but, realizing he was the sole beneficiary of our attention, settled in quickly. It's nice to have a greyhound in the house again :)

How was your week? What have you been reading?


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Bon Appétit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child by Jessie Hartland

Bon Appetit! The Delicious Life of Julia Child

by Jessie Hartland

48 pages

Schwartz & Wade, 2012

I love the idea of graphic nonfiction, especially biographies. They make so many subjects more accessible to children and more fun for adults. Just look at these wonderful illustrations... and who can resist Julia Child, France, and cooking? Whether you buy a copy for yourself or borrow it from the local library like I did, Bon Appétit!  is simply delightful. It made me want to reread  My Life in France, or pick up a copy of Dearie.

Weekend Cooking, hosted at Beth Fish Reads, is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

by Marjane Satrapi

153 pages

Pantheon Books, 2003

A graphic novel in a college curriculum? Evidently. It was a surprise to see Persepolis in the Amazon box containing my daughter's fall semester textbooks, but it turns out her college is not alone. I'm not sure whether it's for one of the writing classes (several other memoir/autobiographies were included in the shipment) or Intro to Women's Studies, but it is certainly appropriate for any of them.

Persepolis begins with Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution when Satrapi, the great-granddaughter of one of Iran's last emperors, is 10 years old. She's smart, outspoken, and, as the only child of fervent Marxists, offers a unique child's perspective on the era. The book ends four years later when her parents, fearing for their daughter's safety during the Iran-Iraq War, send Marjane to Vienna.

Although Persepolis is a graphic novel, it is not a quick, easy read. Nor is it exactly "enjoyable". The black and white drawings effectively portray the tragedy and hardship of war. They also posses an amazing ability to convey an immediacy of despair, and I found my eyes welling up once or twice along the way.

Even if you shy away from war memoirs as I do, Persepolis is well worth taking a look at. Satrapi's more recent books, Persepolis 2 and Embroideries, have been added to my tbr list. And, after struggling to read the text in some of the speech bubbles, investing in a new pair of reading glasses has been added to my "to do"list!

A Year in Japan

A Year in Japan

by Kate T. Williamson

2006, Princeton Architectural Press

The Japanese Literature Challenge 4 is underway and, while this lovely graphic travel memoir may not officially qualify, it has served as the perfect warm-up! The charming watercolors and journal-like essays touch upon so many aspects of everyday life in Japan. Through entries like KEITAI (cell phones), MOON VIEWING, KARAOKE: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and FUNKY MONKEY BABY, I learned interesting bits of Japanese culture. Who knew there was such a thing as an electric rug?

Williams also talks about...

the food,

geishas,

sumo wrestlers,

and the incredibly elegant Japanese taxis.

An hour spent with this gorgeous little book will surely motivate you to pick up one of those Japanese novels waiting on your shelf!

FTC disclosure: I bought this book from amazon. Unfortunately, my library system does not own a copy.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Want to feel like a kid again for a few hours? Find a copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick and allow yourself to be carried away into a world of secrets, film, clocks, and machines. It's not easy to describe what the book is about, but the inside flap says it perfectly:

“Orphan, Clock Keeper, and Thief, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together…in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

This 526-page book is told in both words and pictures. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things. Each picture (there are nearly three hundred pages of pictures!) takes up an entire double page spread, and the story moves forward because you turn the pages to see the next moment unfold in front of you.”

I've read only a handful of graphic novels and couldn't tell you the last time I picked up a children's book (my 'babies' are 16), but this review at Ready When You Are, C.B. convinced me to find a copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret right away. The book is aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, but I think it would actually appeal to a much wider audience. My teenage nephews would love this!

A couple quotes I especially liked:

"Did you ever notice that all machines are made for some reason?" he asked Isabelle. "They are built to make you laugh, like the mouse here, or to tell the time, like the clocks, or to fill you with wonder, like the automaton. Maybe that's why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn't able to do what it was meant to do." (page 374)

"Even if all the clocks in the station break down, thought Hugo, time won't stop. Not even if you really want it to." (page 378)

And a couple of the drawings:

The size of this 500+ page hardcover "children's" book initally shocked me, but that quickly passed as I lost myself behind the walls of that Paris train station. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is pure fun at any age!

Pride & Prejudice gets graphic

Pride & Prejudice (Graphic Novel)

Nancy Butler (adapter), Jane Austen (author), Hugo Petrus (illustrator)

Marvel Books, 2009

120 pages

What would Jane think? Graphic novels are still new territory for me, but my experiences with Ethel & Ernest and French Milk have lead to some high expectations for the genre. Last week I read Nancy Butler's graphic adaption of the beloved classic Pride & Prejudice, recently published by Marvel Books. The story is all there - Elizabeth, Darcy, Pemberly, even Miss Bingley's offer to "take a turn about the room" - but somehow, it didn't feel quite right.

It's obvious that Butler knows Pride & Prejudice. And it's an impressive accomplishment to distill a classic novel down to 120 illustrated pages, include key phrases and passages, and manage to preserve the overall flavor.

My quibble is with the illustrations. They seem too modern to me - just take a look at the Bennet sisters! I know I'm probably in the minority here. My 19 year old daughter just loved them. But then again, middle-aged Janeites aren't exactly the target audience here.

That said, I do recommend this to fans of graphic novels, fans of Jane Austen, and anyone just curious to see how the two could possibly meet. As for me, I definitely prefer classics in a more traditional format, but I will continue to read the occasional (non-classic) graphic novel.

Teaser Tuesdays - Pride & Prejudice (Graphic Novel)

A visual 'teaser' this week...

Pride & Prejudice (Graphic Novel)

from Marvel

Nancy Butler (adapter), Jane Austen (author), Hugo Petrus (Illustrator)

product description:

Tailored from the adored Jane Austen classic, Marvel Comics is proud to present Pride & Prejudice! Two-time Rita Award-Winner Nancy Butler and fan-favorite Hugo Petras faithfully adapt the whimsical tale of Lizzy Bennet and her loveable-if-eccentric family, as they navigate through tricky British social circles.

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading.

Reflection and Resolutions

Happy New Year 2010! As I look back on 2009, my first year of blogging has provided many opportunities for personal growth. In addition to "meeting" new book-loving friends and discovering a new hobby (and learning quite a bit in the process!), this has been my most enjoyable reading year - ever.

I've rediscovered short stories, read graphic novels, joined challenges, learned of Persephone Books, had a review published and, most important of all, read some truly wonderful books. Earlier this week, I posted some stats that got me thinking about New Year's Resolutions. Here's what I came up with ...

1. Read more non-fiction.

2. Read the books I own. In 2009, only 11% of books read came from my stacks while, at the same time, they grew at an unprecedented rate. Nearly 50% of books read were new purchases. This must be lower if I'm going to make a dent in my tbr pile. As a result, I'm re-imposing my modified book-buying ban. No book will be purchased unless I plan to start reading it that day.

3. Book club selections are my #1 priority.

4. Read more books by newly "discovered" authors. I was shocked to find that 63% of my 2009 books were written by new-to-me authors. Now I want to make time to read more by my favorites.

5. No challenges ... for now. Since I enjoyed challenges in 2009 (and even completed 6 of 8), this was a hard resolution to come to. I'm very much a mood reader, and my experience with Virginia Woolf this past week has reinforced that fact. When choosing what to read next, I want it to be what I feel like reading and not what fits with a particular challenge.

Along these lines, I've decided to give read-alongs a try... beginning with Woolf in Winter.

6. Continue reading short stories. Short stories were an important part of my reading and blogging in 2009, and will be again in 2010.

7. Expand my reading horizons... even more. Prior to last spring, I thought graphic novels were something X-rated! The few I read in 2009 were wonderful, and I have several more blogger-recommended titles ahead. YA, science fiction, and fantasy may even get added to my list!

8. Read those chunky books on the shelf. Who cares if I go more than a week without a review? I love classics and long books... especially in winter.

9. Audiobooks - I love them and have been averaging one a month. If I listen while exercising (instead of just in the car), I can "read" even more... and maybe even lose a few pounds!

10. Reread old favorites. I failed the Everything Austen Challenge because I never got around to rereading my all-time favorite Pride & Prejudice. Sure, I could have watched one more movie, but my reason for joining in the first place was to read the new annotated edition. I will reread Pride & Prejudice - yet again - in 2010.

So there they are...my 2010 resolutions. I'll revisit the list quarterly to see how it's going. Will you be making reading resolutions?

Booking Through Thursday - Pass the tissues

Today's Question:

What’s the saddest book you’ve read recently?

(Is any body getting bored with this series of “recent” questions? Because I’m having fun!)

My answer:

I'm a crier. Whether it's books, movies, television, even the odd commercial...if it's sad (or sometimes even if it's happy), I'll shed a tear. So, it's not surprising that there are a number of books could serve to answer this question.

My choice, however, is a book that surprised me in it's ability to cause tears to flow. Ethel & Ernest is a graphic novel by Ernest Briggs, of The Snowman fame. It tells his parent's story from their chance meeting in 1928, through marriage, child-rearing, the war, political squabbles, and on into their golden years. I'm very new to graphic novels (have only read a handful), and was very surprised to have this genre evoke such emotion. You can read my review of Ethel & Ernest here.

Visit today's BTT to see more responses.

French Milk by Lucy Knisley

French Milk

by Lucy Knisley

195 pages

Touchstone Books (Simon & Schuster), 2008

It's impossible to walk past this book without having the cover call out! If you give in and pick it up for a closer look, you'll find one of the most creative travel journals imaginable.

Lucy Knisley, nearing graduation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and her mother took a six-week trip to Paris in celebration their milestone birthdays (her 22nd and her mother's 50th) . French Milk is Lucy's journal of the trip, as told through drawings, photos, and text.

We follow their daily excursions through the city - from the Eiffel Tower, art museums, and boutiques, to cafes, bistros, bookstores (where she's delighted to find many familiar 'friends' so far from home), and even Oscar Wilde's grave.

Knisley shares what she's thinking, reading, and worrying about, but mostly we learn what she's eating! The book is full of drawings and descriptions of meals, restaurants, markets, wines, and the delicious French whole milk. Evidently there's no such thing as skim milk in Paris!

We also catch very honest glimpses into her relationship with her mother.

This book provided a light, fun look at a Parisian adventure. It would appeal to anyone interested in travel journals, graphic novels, or food. It might also be a good introduction to graphic novels in general.

My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is that some of the photos were not as clear as I would have liked. But then again, these were personal snapshots and it did add to the 'homemade' look. So, go ahead and spend a couple of hours with French Milk. I doubt you'll be disappointed!

(click on the photos to enlarge)

Teaser Tuesday - September 8

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by Miz B at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Here's how it works:

-grab your current read

-open to a random page

-share two teaser sentences from somewhere on the page (avoid spoilers!)

-be sure to include the title and author so other TT participants can add the book to their tbr list if they like your teaser

-leave a comment with your link at Should Be Reading

My Teaser:

A visual teaser this week...

-two images instead of two sentences

-click on photo to enlarge!

French Milk

by Lucy Knisley

A Touchstone Book, by Simon & Schuster

193 pages

I saw this reviewed at Bookbath recently and it went straight to my wish list. With a 40% off coupon from Border's, it was irresistible!

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-Up

Can spring be over already? The calendar tells me summer starts tomorrow, and Molly's Summer Vacation Reading Challenge is in full swing, so it must be so.  The Spring Reading Thing, hosted by Katrina at Callapidder Days officially ends today. It's time to take stock and see what was accomplished.  This was the plan:

Read 7 books:

1.  The Wapshot Chronicle by John Cheever - completed, but did I forget to post a review?

2.  The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry - nearly finished, review pending

3.  The Home-Maker by Dorothy  - complete, reviewed here

4.  The Shack by William Paul Young (April book club selection) - complete, reviewed here

5.   May book club selection:  The Big House by George Howe Colt (non-fiction) - complete, reviewed here

6.  June book club selection:   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - previously completed, pre-blogging days

7. one non-fiction book:  Novel Destinations by Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon - reviewed here

Additional goals:

1.  Read at least one short story per week and participate in Short Story Monday -  goal reached.  Links to short story posts found in the sidebar. I did miss one week, and there were a couple Short Story Tuesdays, but I think that's close enough!

2.  Listen to three audio books - goal reached

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - reviewed here

Brooklyn:  A Novel by Colm Toibin - reviewed here

The Clothes They Stood Up In by Alan Bennett - review pending

3.  Whittle down my stack of New Yorker magazines - goal reached, sort of...the stack present when I started the challenge is gone, but somehow a new one has accumulated!

4.  Inspired by a Booking Through Thursday question, I conducted my own graphic novel experiment.  Heather recommended a  how-to book on reading graphic novels, and I was off.  My favorite, so far, has been Ethel &Ernest by Raymond Briggs. 

In summary:

Though most of the goals were met, I'm disappointed all the reviews weren't done in time. Perhaps the Bloggiesta event would have been a good idea!  

Also, that cute button so prominently displayed  in my sidebar has made me smile whenever I've looked at it. Thank you so much, Katrina, for hosting this event.

Library Loot - May 29

Library Loot is a weekly event hosted by Eva and Alessandra that encourages bloggers to share the books they've checked out of the library.

My trip to the library, thankfully, yielded a number of slim, fast reads. This will hopefully allow me to stay on track with scheduled reads and enjoy a few diversions!

The Uncommon Reader 

by Alan Bennett

This book has been in my hands so many times at B&N, but a few mentions around the blogoshere this week prompted me to finally pick it up.  I read 20 of its 120 pages last night, and know I'll want to read the rest of this delightful book in a single sitting! 

At Large and At Small

Familiar Essays by Anne Fadiman

Her previous essay collection, Ex Libris, and her book The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down were both wonderful.   I plan to read a couple essays from this book as part of the 2009 mini-challenges.  

Finally, a couple more graphic novels. Both of these were recommended by Claire at Kiss a Cloud. Reading these will complete my graphic novel experiment.

Aya

by Marguerite Abouet & Clement Oubrerie

This is Abouet's story of an Ivory Coast childhood set in the 1970's.

Kampung Boy

by LAT

Kamung Boy is about Mat, a Muslim boy growing up in rural Malaysia in the 1950's where traditional life in the village (kampung) is rapidly changing.

What did you bring home from the library this week?

Ethel & Ernest by Raymond Briggs

Ethel & Ernest: A True Story
by Raymond Briggs
1999, Alfred A. Knopf
104 pages

Three sentence review from Time:
A best seller in Britain, this winsome little book is one family’s twentieth century, told as a comic strip that fast-forwards through the decades. Briggs’s artful rendering of his parents’ striving captures the English working class, and as the tale progresses, you find yourself slowly sucked into their daily patter, amused by their cooing voices, impressed by their bravery. At the end,you’re hardly prepared for the emotional wallop.
My thoughts:
Last week, my experiment with graphic novels taught me that there is much more to the genre than science fiction, fantasy and super heroes. This week, thanks to Nan's recommendation, I learned that graphic novels can be as touching, moving, and beautiful as any story told solely with words.
Ethel & Ernest is classified as a biography, but it is really much more. Raymond Briggs has used his remarkable artistic talent to compose an affectionate tribute to his parents. How else would you expect the author of The Snowman to convey his love (and, at times, frustration)?

The book opens with Ethel and Ernest's chance meeting in 1928 (he was a milkman and she worked as a maid) and follows them through marriage, child-rearing, the war, and on into their golden years. We observe their political squabbles, as well as their wonder at advancing technology. I was amazed at this little book's ability to allow us to get to know Ethel and Ernest

as they make their way through life. We see their quirks and foibles as they interact with each other and with their only child.

Turning the last page, there was actually a tear in my eye. What? From a graphic novel? I was shocked! Thank you, Nan, for pointing me toward this little gem of a book.

Graphic Novels: My Experiment

Last week's Booking Through Thursday topic was graphic novels. In my response, I admitted total ignorance on the subject. However, by spending a little time reading other BTT answers, I got some great suggestions and decided to test the water myself.

Heather left a comment directing me to her very informative post. She pointed me toward Graphic Novels: Everything You Need To Know by Paul Gravett. My library didn't have this title but, thanks to inter-library loan, I was able to pick it up just a few days later. It is an excellent primer on graphic novels. Gravett lists 30 of his favorite titles and goes on to show sample pages (complete with suggestions on how to read them). He also points out themes, keywords, and special features. By leafing through this book, I found I was drawn to color illustrations...and preferred to steer clear of the sci-fi, super hero, fantasy world.


So, I checked out American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It won the Michael L. Printz Award, was a National Book Award finalist, and was mentioned by at least a couple of bloggers. American Born Chinese tells three separate stories. First is the Chinese fable of the Monkey King trying to rise above his heritage. The story of Jin Wang, a lonely, Asian American middle school student trying to fit in is next. Finally we have Chin-Kee (purposely the ultimate negative Chinese stereotype) who ruins his popular cousin Danny's life with his yearly visits. Yang then weaves these stories together and delivers a powerful message of self-acceptance. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read American Born Chinese and will be suggesting this title to my nephew in middle school.

This experiment with graphic novels was definitely a success. I feel like I've gained a (very) basic idea of what they're all about and an understanding of their appeal (especially to 11 year old boys). They won't become a favorite genre, but I will consider reading another. I hear there is a Pride and Prejudice graphic novel coming soon....