The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Frank Baum

The movie was apparently shockingly true-to-form, although I will note that Dorothy's slippers were silver in the book and not ruby. (Silver likely less dramatic with the color conversion). A fun if light read.

Bambi - Marjorie Benton Cooke

Came recommended for my Kindle. Not bad actually - very feminist and inspiring, if a bit thin. A young girl takes control of her destiny, using her spunk and innate talents (and belief in herself) to fulfill all of her dreams.

The Story of Dr. Doolittle - Hugh Lofting

This randomly came up on my recommended reading list from Amazon. Apparently Swiss Family Robinson was not a good indicator of my interests. Anyway, short and sweet, with little meat, this book is probably OK for kids. Not much else of redeeming value.

Lolita- Vladamir Nabakov

I never had any desire to read this novel because of the subject matter (pedophilia isn't my thing and I avoid Lifetime because I don't think women should be portrayed as constant victims), but my friend guilted me into it as a classic that I hadn't touched. Surprisingly, I really liked it and can see why it's become a cornerstone of American literature. Despite knowing the finale at the beginning, the story flows well and the language is beautiful. The profane writing is minimal (although perhaps more disturbing than something more explicit) and you honestly feel that even though you can't related to the narrator, the pathetic rationalizations and attempts at self-honesty may actually represent the thinking of such predators. The depiction of Dolores herself is quite good, separate from Humbert's skewed vision of her, and you get the constant feeling that there's a lot more to her than Humbert realizes. Charlotte's tragedy breaks the heart. One thing I found interesting was the the murder (and Claire) are just vehicles for the story, barely touched upon or fleshed out, despite being the supposed climax of everything. Again, this is consistent with the perspective of the narrator. Definitely worth the read.

The War of the Worlds - HG Wells

The War of the Worlds is a turn-of-the-century (the LAST century) science fiction novel about an invasion of Earth by Mars because Mars had grown 'too cold' for the Martians. Considering the time it was written, the science is incredible, and could easily be modernized. Wells touched on Darwinian survival of the fittest (Martians seeing humans as mere animals), evolution (they lost their complex body parts because of their reliance on machines), and modern medicine (our bacteria were the final straw that take down the advanced alien species). I thought the novel was insightful, although it was mostly a vehicle for scientific postulation and supposition. Definitely worth reading.

Swiss Family Robinson - Johann David Wyss

As anyone who reads this blog is already aware of, I'm not one for morality tales. I was hoping this would be an adventure flick unlike Robinson Crusoe, but apparently the author used Crusoe as a model. This tale of stranded travelers focuses on the strengths of ingenuity and self-reliance, while highlighting the nature of prayer in good family values. It's more a teaching manual for youths than a travel or adventure story, and the core goodness and lack of selfishness in all the characters doesn't really resonate with today's reader, who is more used to strife and conflict. Hard-work and accepting your fate are strongly emphasized, and it bothered me quite a bit that they didn't ever try to leave. The role of the mother as a helpless cook and support in particular rubs me the wrong way.

Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne

One of the interesting things about Jules Verne is that he makes is protagonists inherently unlikable. Perhaps it is to make them more human and able to be related with compared with the non-narrating characters. Either way, Harry's whiny self-concern doesn't really come off as sympathetic. However, you have to respect him (and questions Hans) for going along with the uncle's insanity - passionately driven by so very little evidence. The uncle is by far the most interesting character, although his motivation remains murky to me. Their adventures are indeed exciting (and dangerous) and make you want to be an explorer. And I really enjoy the way that their human 'ingenuity' comes to play in their fate (whether positively or negatively).

The Copyeditor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications

I was recommended this book to help me prepare for a substantive editing exam. Although I am no copyeditor and have no interest in becoming one, I went ahead and read the book. As far as substantive editing goes, the book is extremely light. It focuses strongly on copyediting (not surprising giving the title), and would likely be of help for those who care about things such as word spellings, etc. In addition to my disappointment due to its particular lack of utility in my situation, I actually had 2 main complaints. 1) The book is quite dated - focusing heavily on editing hard copies of text (in my experience quite rare if not non-existent today). 2) The exercises were not at all helpful. Rather than laying out a clear set of guidelines and then testing comprehension, the text seems to highlight rather than clear up the capriciousness of copyediting and editing in general. Overall, I feel that there are significantly better style/grammar guides out there and that this one should definitely be shelved.

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson

I greatly enjoyed this book, although, as with most of the classics that have moved into pop culture, the original novella was not as I expected. It was better. In my mind, Jekyll had created Hyde to try to purify himself from the 'evil' within, and Hyde was a large, evil overbearing sort to Jekyll's weakness. At the end of the day, Hyde was too strong for Jekyll and won. In reality, Jekyll was a good but complex man who was looking for an escape to pursue the desires of his 'lower nature' without offending his pride and reputation. He is much more realistic as such. I'm forced to wonder what these desires were. Either way, he ENJOYED the freedom that came with being Hyde (a much smaller, younger man) until Hyde's lack of self-control stepped over the bounds that Jekyll deemed appropriate. His failing was the once he started down the slippery slope of giving in to his darker nature, his darker nature started taking over. His courage in committing suicide at the end merely highlighted this internal struggle between the complexities of the man.

Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne

I do like Jules Verne. His books are adventurous and fun, as well as hold up high moral standard of the best kind. Even if the skew is anglo-centric (with the inherent superiority of the colonial English assumed), Phileas Fogg is a good man at heart. In a truly dry British sense, he is pulled from his regular life by a bet - not made rashly but based on the firmest of scientific convictions. He is willing to risk his fortune for this bet, but at the same time is willing to risk the bet for both his servant (to whom he owes nothing) and strangers (including a woman that he saves from immolation). The inclusion of the mistaken detective adds plot complexity to what would otherwise have maybe been a plodding journey. I love Fogg's ingenuity and sticktoitiveness - would I be so creative and sure of myself in similarly difficult situations? It's inspiring.

The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner - Daniel Defoe

Ah, the difference between perception and reality. I thought Robinson Crusoe was going to be an adventure book of a man shipwrecked on a deserted island (style along the lines of Treasure Island). Alas, it was preachy and insipid, full of pro-Christian dribble and the superiority of "civilized" over "uncivilized" man. The key message seemed to be to take the 'middle way' and listen to your elders, with some very anti-hubris themes. I didn't really find it enjoyable at all.

The Invisible Man - HG Wells

I've decided to start a book club where you're only allowed to read free kindle books. It's like a simple quality control - if it's been scanned online for free as a classic, it can't suck too much.

Anyway, onto the review. I really enjoyed the Invisible Man, despite its portrayal of scientists as anti-society sociopaths. A man becomes obsessed with the properties of light, makes observations (which he then applies), and takes the final step of experimenting on himself. Unfortunately, he hasn't thought out all of the consequences of his actions, and is somewhat unstable to start with. I like the message of thinking through your actions before you start, and also that one with little chance of reprisal (no societal bonds at all) would take advantage of the system. But the Invisible Man needed society, which was his downfall. I think that the story would be different today - not only because of the prevalent 'superpower' mythology, but because people are 1) less superstitious and 2) more selfish than in the novel. People wouldn't automatically be afraid because someone were invisible. And they would never kill him - they'd capture him, and the government would try as hard as possible to reproduce his work. The man could do the talk show circuit and be an instant celebrity. But even if it wouldn't work out the same today, the message is clear. No matter what your advantage, you should use science for the good and not the ill of your fellow humans.

Hawaii

Ah, Hawaii. I tend to not like to travel to places where "everyone" has been. Indeed, Hawaii was never a travel destination for me - I don't like "tropical paradises" and get bored by sitting on the beach, but the time of year, shortness of our trip, and my status as a baby incubator severely limited out travel options. Amazing the number of near-equatorial locations that have malaria risk... (Well, not actually so amazing...)

Our trip started with 3 flights - ugh. I thought the first would be the worst - dropping our 2-year-old Spawn off with the Grandparents - but it went off without a hitch. I didn't realize, however, that Hawaii was so far from our east coast home. While I didn't have any problem with Hong Kong or South Africa, by the time we landed in Honolulu, I was lucky not to be on the news as a "person of interest" in a major flight disruption. My mental preparation (for both the flight and the whole trip) was just not there.

After landing in Honolulu, we went to our hotel for a late dinner in Waikiki. The whole area was just too busy and commercial for me (although not in the cool way like London or Hong Kong), and I'm glad that we only stayed one night. The next day was our Pearl Harbor trek. It was humbling to see the Arizona memorial, and definitely cool to stand on the deck of the Missouri where the WWII peace treaty was signed. Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII (one Army, the other Navy), and I couldn't help but think that if assignments had gone differently, I wouldn't be here today. I strongly recommend a trip to Pearl Harbor for anyone with an appreciation for history.

We then fled Honolulu for Maui and checked into our resort in South Maui (Makena). The beach was beautiful and it was nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of tourist activity. As parents of a toddler, it was relaxing to just get away (and be able to go out to eat without a babysitter). Of course, I'm not a relaxing kind of person, so we jumped into it almost immediately. We had a highly successful whale watching excursion - saw many Mom/Cub pairs, and snorkeled in both the Molokini crater (good visibility but poor coral and fish diversity) and in a "turtle town" where I had to swim rapidly to avoid being hit by a sea turtle. It was incredibly cool to hear the whale song with my own ears under the water while snorkeling. And we saw a shark in the reef - both frightening and exciting at the same time.

We also hiked along the Road to Hana. Warned of the harrowing drive, we left early, worried, with memories of Amalfi in the fronts of our minds. Turns in a road do not make a harrowing drive, and we actually found it quite fun and relaxing. The waterfalls were nice (we swam in the pool at the base of one), and I think our trekking was probably better because of the low numbers of people due to the rainy day. Unfortunately, our previous travel may have muted this experience a bit. The waterfalls were nice, but not spectacular, and the vegetation could hardly be called 'rainforest'. That being said, the near-road accessibility was definitely a bonus for this 5-month pregnant woman. Don't know that I could have finished a day-long rainforest trek... Even though things weren't new and wowing, we had a great time. Again, this may be partially due to the absent toddler, but I think Hawaii has the advantage of providing near-adventure experiences for those who aren't financially, mentally, or physically able to go to more exotic locals. I can see why my sister-in-law (who most often does resort vacations in Mexico) thought it was an incredible experience.

We topped of Maui with a Luau at Old Lahaina. Although I expected this to be some sort of tourist-trap show, it was actually quite nice. The dancing was well done and the story told of the mythology and history of the islands. The food (according to my husband) was incredible, and I even got enough to eat as a vegetarian. The other food experience I recommend on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Best tofu I've ever had (and it should be for the prices). My main criticism of the Maui restaurants is that they're all incredibly over-priced for the quality of food that you get. Captive audience I guess. If I'm going to pay $150-200 for a meal for 2, I want it to be exceptional and not just pretty good. I guess I've been spoiled by living in Chicago. I didn't appreciate the quality or diversity of the food there until I left.

After Maui, we headed to the Big Island on our quest to see lava. We've seen an active volcano before, but rock-like lava just doesn't fit the bill of flowing liquid rock. The Big Island was an unmitigated disappointment. The 'rustic' airport was actually quite nice (and not rustic at all). The roads were nicely paved (although speed limits were way too low). We tried our hands at sportfishing (at least my husband did - I've had my fill of animal slaughter), hoping for a big marlin. Only one bite on the boat on our half-day on the water - a wahoo pulled in by a Japanese woman who was not at all interested in fishing. The marlin would have to wait. We did manage to see dolphins, a turtle, whales, and a hammerhead shark though - so from my perspective it wasn't a total waste.

On our volcano hikes, we saw numerous plumes of noxious gasses, craters, and previous lava flows. Pretty cool actually, but we were on a mission to see lava. We also saw many signs for "Nene crossing". The Nene is apparently an endangered Hawaiian goose. At the end of Chain of Craters Road, there was a small sign indicating that we could only see lava if we left the park and drove an hour out of our way. We, the intrepid explorers, were not to be deterred by this setback, and drove on. After the purchase of a flashlight, and a short night hike across "lava flow" that felt warm on our feet and that had spurts of gasses like the Fire Swamp, I was quite excited. We approached the boundary only to find - nothing. Just more black rock. Apparently my "streaming flow of liquid rock crashing into the ocean" was just some extra warm rock. As my husband called it, we had gone on a "Wild Nene Chase."

Our last day in Hawaii, we just chilled, prepping for our flights (4 in a row) and missing our son. It was great to see him again (never had so many hugs), although the honeymoon period was over more quickly that I'd have liked. Overall I'd say the trip was a success - we relaxed and enjoyed ourselves, although we didn't really do anything new or exciting. Definitely not in the top 5 (or even 10) of vacations. Based on the cost (and traveling time), I recommend alternative, more exotic, locations if you're not pregnant. I doubt we'll ever go back (but who knows what lies in store with family-friendly travel with 2 Spawn in the future). Mahalo and Aloha!

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood - Howard Pyle

Interesting but not riveting. It's always intriguing to read one of the sources of legends that have become ingrained in modern culture. Of course, the stories came from legends that were already ingrained in older cultures, so there's a cyclical aspect as well. In this case, the Robin Hood stories (always one of my favorite characters) were actually pretty true to form with my pop culture exposure. No Maid Marion, and he wasn't a noble at the beginning, but I think that just adds to the legend. I like that he became an outlaw for an impetuous act of youth and wasn't just an innocent man stomped on by the powers-that-be. It adds complexity to his character, and promises redemption for those who make mistakes. Current pop culture always seems to emphasize the innocence of the downtrodden, letting you cheer for the underdog. Robin's accidental/impetuous killing of the woodsman in the beginning actually elevates him, by providing an escape from the bounds of society like that desired in Crime and Punishment. Robin realizes and always regrets his act, but embraces his new existence, developing his own concepts of morality and honor. As such, he provides a much stronger model for those of us who are less than perfect, allowing everyone a sense of redemption.

Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift

Satire is sometimes a thing of beauty, although often satire is a way to take cheap shots without defense. I think Swift's novel is a bit of both. He uses comparisons with imaginary societies to critique governments and individuals without providing support. And yet, the critique is merited and, at the time of writing, difficult to put forth without fear of reprisal. The novel is rarely funny, although it tries to be in places, but it is thought-provoking and provides an outside "objective" perspective that is often difficult to achieve. Overall, I enjoyed it, although I wasn't sad to see it end.

Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling

My previous experience with the Jungle Book was the Disney movie, which I admit I enjoyed. Kipling's take was a bit deeper, I have to say. The moralistic stories discuss acceptance, learning, role in society, and bravery. Characters are loved for who they are, but at the same time their innate differences (especially in Mowgli's case) still drive them apart in the end. The Jungle Book makes me want to explore India, see for myself the "rule of the jungle." The allegory of the empire is strong, although only slightly critical, and there is a definite favor for the "innate right" of the conquerers. That being said, you can tell Kipling loved India.

Daily Life in the United States, 1920-1940: How Americans Lived Through the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression - David E. Kyvig

This is an interesting history that focuses more on the effects of new technology development and social change of different groups of 'everyman' than on the driving forces behind the history of this tumultuous time. It attempts to sound objective; however, there's a definite progressive slant and very little critique on things that were obvious failings. Every new development is assumed to be an advance from the past (and some definitely were), but this book doesn't discuss in enough detail the long-term effects these decisions had on American culture and way of life. That being said, my timing of reading this book during the current "economic downturn" has certainly given me new perspective on some of the present policy decisions and their potential implications for the future. While government guidelines/regulations and guarantees may help restore customer faith in independent enterprise, indiscriminate government spending (and commercial interest involvement in Washington) has historically not boded well or been effective in economic turn-around.

The Legends of King Arthur and his Knights - Sir James Knowles

Interesting. I've always loved Arthurian legends (knights and adventure and doomed romance), and this version is both fun to read and boring at the same time. It's very medieval both on its focus on religion and the Grail, and completely ignores the more political aspects of the Arthurian stories. The characters are caricatures as well, yet I think the strength of this group of stories lies instead on the insights you can gain into the time period of the author than the subject matter itself.