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.

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.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving

I've only ever heard this story as a legend or told though television movies. I was quite surprised that rather than a straightforward tale of horror, Sleepy Hollow is a satire on country life and superstition. I really enjoyed the subtle wit and rationality, and loved the wink and the nod ending. In the popularization of Irving's story, so much has been lost!

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce

Disclosure: I read this immediately on the coattails of Ulysses and suspect that my relief at the termination of Ulysses may have clouded my feelings for Portrait.

In all, I rather enjoyed this short novel. The life of Stephen Daedalus, which is said to parallel Joyce, is documented from his youth to his development as an artist. I felt like the novel immersed the reader in the trappings of Irish life - boarding school, Catholicism (and a near-Jesuit recruitment), interactions with classmates, Irish nationalism, disaffection, aesthetics.... Relationships with family and friends both play prominent roles in this novel. While perhaps not the vaunted literary masterpiece that Ulysses is reputed to be, Portrait was infinitely more enjoyable.

Ulysses - Joyce

This novel has been, since I was in high school, the only book that I've picked up and not completed. I would hear about how Joyce is one of the greatest novelists of all time, and how Ulysses is his masterpiece, and pick it up again - to no avail. Well, I can say that no longer. I've plodded through this book much to my detriment, but I can now finally say that I've completed it.

So why didn't I like it?

Something about Ulysses just didn't draw me in. Maybe it's too intellectual? (A bit of self-deprecation never hurt anyone, especially when panning a novel with a rabid fanbase.) Honestly, I was just bored. My experience with Ulysses was similar to that of Wuthering Heights. I TRIED to like it, to appreciate it, to look for it's merit. I WANTED to like it. The snob in me wants to be able to talk about its finer points with my "literary" friends. But I just didn't like it. End of story.

I think the primary problem was that I didn't like Bloom. I realize this is blasphemy and am ready to take my lashes. I thought he was boring. I found that I didn't care what he was doing/thinking/feeling. His fantasies, his wife, the funeral... I didn't even get a Every Man feeling from him like I did from Babbit. I could step back and appreciate the literary structure, the storytelling diversity, the Irish focus. And I actually enjoyed reading about Stephen. But every Bloom page flip was painful to me, and I probably spent nearly as much time checking to see how much I had left as I did reading the novel.

I'm sure the Bloom fanatics out there will merely dismiss me as an uneducated buffoon, and I'll gladly listen to any arguments in Ulysses's favor, but for now, I'm just glad that I'm done.

Isaac Newton by James Gleick

This short biography lacks everything a biography needs - depth, focus, even interesting personal details. It is dry and chronological, and uses objectivity as a way of avoiding taking a stand on either Newton's genius or his obvious eccentricities. This is a man that changed the world, but Gleick merely paints him as a secluded scientist. He glosses over Newton's theology and interest in alchemy, sounding embarrassed that he has to mention them at all. In his attempt to show Newton's complexity, he leaves you with no feeling for the real man.

Celtic Myths and Legends - Peter Ellis

A very well put together book of Celtic myths - would make good bedside stories. People get what's coming to them - good for good, bad for bad, although there are some sad tales. Beautifully written fairy tales.

Shamanism - A Guide for Daily Life - Thomas Dale Cowen

What in the world was I thinking putting this book on my wishlist? Rather than the anthropologic guide to shamans in different cultures I wanted to read, this book is a new age mess. It actually claims something to the effect of "it's ok if it feels like you're making it up" and then talks about how if you do the same thing together in a group you'll all get different results. It has even less external validation than other relgions. I'm just glad it was so short - if I had to read one more word about how your imaginary friend as a child was actually a manifestation of your spirit guide I think I would have puked.

In Hanuman's Hands - Rao

This book club book was written by a local Chicago guy - a "memoir". Slightly disturbing that a friend of a friend was such a crazy druggy and did so many horrible things to his friends. Of course, you have to wonderful how much of it was true. At the end of the day, though - didn't enjoy it very much.

The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan

I opened this book expecting it to be a relic - a piece of historical interest. What was interesting was how it applies today as well as ever. True - everyone isn't expected to be a housewife anymore. Women with PhDs aren't worrying about making homemade bread. And yet there's still an enormous gender gap. The movement went the other way - in the need for equality with men, women now do too much. Again, you have to chose between having a family or a career - and most end up choosing family. Most high-level work environments don't provide childcare, or even flex-time or part-time work. To be a scientist, you have to sacrifice ever seeing your child to succeed - or not work at all. There is no compromise - no time off. The loss of strong women due to this problem is society's loss.

Dao De Jing - Lao Zi

This is actually a very interesting translation (I don't remember the translator's name unfortunately) with a lot of comparisons to both Sun Tzu and Confucius. It is more a guide for governing than for life, focusing on following the dao (or the way) in everything you do. The central theme seems to be live life laissez faire and you'll be happy - let things happen on their own and don't try to over-regulate. Also, as far as government goes, humbleness and simpleness is the key. Interesting - although I'm not exactly sure I agree with it.

The Little Book of Hindu Deities - Sanjay Patel

This is really cute actually. An American/Indian Pixar animator draws Hindu Deities 'Hello Kitty' Style and then gives a brief primer as to their role in the pantheon. Pretty accurate as far as I can tell, and a good introduction to the uninitiated.

all the king's men - robert penn warren

I loved this novel. The language was beautiful, the characters real and sympathetic at the same time. You feel horrible with the tragedy of Tom. You even feel for Willie - although Adam is a bit of a caricature. I love Jack Burden - although the surprise about his parentage isn't really addressed very much. I'm surprised he doesn't talk about it more - just kind of uses it to bring his other points home. What a wonderful description of the life of a politician.

midnight in the garden of good and evil - john berendt

Supposedly non-fiction - it tells about "life in Savannah". Definitely interesting, not at all what you would expect from the south. I have to say that the snapshot provided is sensational and definitely a pretty thin pie wedge, however. You get more of a sampling and less of a feel for people's actual lives. That being said, I enjoyed it. I wonder what the movie is like?

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

I really like this book, although it took me forever to read because of the kid and work and other stressors. That being said, it was kind of light fare and I didn't think that the end did it justice. I'm such a sucker for a happy ending. The use of fiction in a historical context was done very well - very believably, but at the end of the day I was kind of forced to wonder what was the point. Plus, I was so sad that Arabella and Strange didn't end up together.

I Robot - Isaac Asimov

Got this for a birthday present. I guess I put it on my wishlist because Asimov's famous and I'd seen the movie. Turns out the movie's nothing like the book (thank goodness). The book is definitely more true sci-fi - philosophy rather than action. I liked it but I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the series.

Anna Karenina - Tolstoy

Yes, while on maternity leave I decided to re-read this old classic. I liked it a little less than last time. I guess it's because the book's so moralistic. I love that Anna was so free to leave her husband, and even to live up to the consequences of leaving her son, but the moment when she throws herself under the train just seems like she gives up. I've always compared this book to the Awakening - but I feel like Chopin's novel is about freedom - even in the drowning. Anna seems more like a tragic figure - trapped with no way out (not even death). Kitty (as a contrast) is kind of a thin figure, and, although I really like Levin, that doesn't say much for a feminist position.

The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins

I think I'll forever love this book. I started reading it in the hospital while in labor and read the whole thing while breastfeeding my son. I get sentimental just thinking about it. As to the story itself, not overly exciting. As this is my second Wilkie Collins book, I've noticed some themes. 1) The explanations for the mysteries are totally unreasonable. 2) The books read quickly and are interesting. 3) The main characters aren't very complex - you don't even understand why the bad guys are bad. A page turner, but barely a classic.

The Art of Shen Ku - Zeek

Completely unsure why I bought this. I guess I thought it could be funny, but it's more like a comic book geek's guide to nothing. Big waste of time- 0 stars.