The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Series

Three years ago this June, hubby and I went away for a week in northern Minnesota (that's actually the week we became betrothed). Knowing it would be a week of relaxing on the deck of the cabin and the boat, I wanted a mindless, fun book to read. I picked up The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants at Target. I was a bit embarrassed. These were books for pre-teens and teenagers. But, the movie had just come out with America Ferrera and Alexis Bledel, and I loved those actresses from Real Women Have Curves and Gilmore Girls, respectively. Maybe the book would be a good read? Well, it was and I was hooked.

Fortunately for me, the next two books had already been released, too. And I absorbed those two over the summer, too. I had to share the love, so my two best girlfriends and I formed a mini Pants book club, mailing the books to each other (our own version of the Pants, perhaps?). The books made us laugh, cry and gasp. The fourth and final book even made us feel it was a bit too racy for its intended audience.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: Four friends are going to spend the summer apart for the first time since they were babies. A pair of thrift store pants - which magically fit these girls of all different shapes and sizes - are what keep them in contact. They send each other the pants - using them when they "need" them, sending them along with a member of the sisterhood needs them. The girls experience love, remarriage, sex and death over that summer.

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood: Bridget heads to Alabama to meet her grandmother, Lena spends time with who she thinks is her true love, only to be surprised by a shocking revelation, Carmen's mom starts dating, and Tibby takes a film course, learning more about herself along the way.

Girls in Pants, The Third Summer of the Sisterhood: Lena takes a controversial art class against her father's wishes, Carmen's mom falls in love, Bridget heads to coach soccer camp with a former flame, and Tibby goes through some family trauma of her own. Once again, the Pants prove comforting for all.

Forever in Blue, The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood: The girls definitely grow up this summer after their first year of college. Lena has a romantic fling with a fellow art student, Carmen takes up theater and falls in with a very dramatic friend, Bridget takes a trip to Turkey for an archeology dig - meeting a very engaging professor, and Tibby learns what it means to be in an important relationship with her boyfriend. The Pants take them on one last adventure before they're ready to let them go.

Again, I loved these books. Quick, engaging reads. I think author Ann Brashares does a good job of creating strong female characters who are very different - sporty, arty, nerdy, beautiful, skinny, chubby, from broken homes, of blended families, and of different nationalities. They all have strengths and weaknesses, and they all need each other. It's a great series about friendship and acceptance. I don't think we're ever too old to read about such relationships. My girls and I look forward to the movie sequel come August. It won't be one for the Oscars, but it'll make us laugh and cry, I'm sure.

What other books or series out there are written for kids, but adults can enjoy, too? Obviously, Harry. Any other recommendations?

Jon Hassler

I posted two months ago when Jon Hassler passed away. In the June issue of Minnesota Monthly, author Rebecca Hill remembers one of Minnesota's most classic authors. It's a nice love letter and worth a read.

The Dive From Clausen's Pier

I'm currently reading Ann Packer's second novel, Songs Without Words. Before I post about this book though, I thought I should post about her debut novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and which had me anxiously awaiting her next novel. Here is the review from Publisher's Weekly:

Packer's engrossing debut novel begins without ostentation. On Memorial Day, Carrie Bell and her fiance, Mike Mayer, drive out to Clausen's Pier for their annual ritual, a picnic with their friends, a trip they make the way a middle-aged couple might, in grudging silence. Before their resentments can be aired, Mike dives into too shallow water, suffering injuries that change their lives. If Mike survives, he will survive as a quadriplegic, and Carrie faces unexpected responsibilities. Ultimately, Carrie does what is both understandable and unthinkable. She leaves her hometown of Madison, Wis., and shows up on the doorstep of a friend in New York City. There she discovers a different world, different friends and a different self. The hovering question what will Carrie do? Abandon Mike or return to him? generates genuine suspense. Packer portrays her characters both New Yorkers and Madisonites deftly, and her scenes unfold with uncommon clarity. But if Packer has a keen eye, she has an even keener ear. The dialogue is usually witty; more important, it is always surprising, as if the characters were actually thinking one of the reasons they become as familiar to the reader as childhood friends. The recipient of several awards, Packer is also the author of Mendocino and Other Stories. Clearly, she has honed her skills writing short fiction. What is unexpected is the assurance she brings to a larger canvas. In quiet but beautiful prose, Packer tells a complex and subtly constructed story of friendship, love and the hold the past has on the present. This is the sort of book one reads dying to know what happens to the characters, but loves for its wisdom: it sees the world with more clarity than you do.

Can you imagine the dilemma? She's feeling restless in her relationship and thinking about leaving and then - wham - he's in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. I think it's very brave of her to move on without him. So many people had to think she was hugely selfish for making that move, but seriously, if she stayed with him, that could've meant a lifetime of unhappiness. It's a wonderful story - not a necessarily happy one - and it's written well and studies interesting issues.

Fun Fact: It took Packer 10 years to complete this novel, and it's partly autobiographical, for her father suffered a paralyzing stroke when she was young.

Change of Heart, The End

I finished Change of Heart last night. I was right about the ending, which is disappointing. I was still holding out hope that Picoult would surprise me in the end. However, the way she wrapped things up in a pretty little bow, well, I still have questions. I won't go into detail so I don't spoil it for anyone who wants to read the book, but I think there could've been a bit more detail in the epilogue. After the way things played out, I think there should've been a bit more of an aftermath.

Would I recommend it? If you don't already read Picoult's books, then no. I would suggest reading My Sister's Keeper first. If you're already a faithful reader, then it's hard not to read her latest books. This I know. Plus, as with any author I like, I always want to find out for myself if I agree with the reviews I read. And, I usually don't.

Like I said in my previous post, I did appreciate the discussions of capital punishment and religion. Some of the characters would go on these long rants about one view or the other, and it got me thinking: Do you ever think the views expressed by characters in fiction actually reflect how the author feels in real life? One protagonist openly detests capital punishment, while a few others question organized religion. It makes me wonder if Picoult has these feelings as well, or if she's just able to write from different points of view.

Change of Heart

I’m reading Jodi Picoult’s latest novel. Once again she dives into controversial issues, this time capital punishment and organ donation. When she was pregnant with Claire, June’s husband and daughter were allegedly murdered by Shay Bourne. Now 11, Claire needs a heart transplant, and Shay, on death row, wants to give her his heart after he’s put to death.

As with several of her other books, the story is told from many different perspectives: June, Lucius (Shay’s cell neighbor), Michael (Shay’s priest), and Maggie (Shay’s lawyer). While on death row, miracles start to happen: water turns to wine, a bird is raised from the dead, a piece of gum becomes never-ending and a disease is cured. The cell occupiers, as well as the public, believe Shay is the next Messiah.

Sound a little familiar? Didn’t someone already write this story? Change the bird to a mouse and make the illness a major UTI and I think Stephen King covered it the first time in “The Green Mile.” So, that’s been throwing me off a little bit. Why copy – and so blatantly? And of course, as with any Picoult books, there will be a twist. I’m 90 percent sure I already know what it is.

Picoult’s book are always engaging, so this one isn’t any different. The arguments for and against capital punishment are definitely interesting to think about, as are the thoughts about religion and what people believe in. However, even though I’m only halfway through, I’m disappointed. I expected a little more. It’s too similar to someone else’s work. Some of the questions get answered a bit too conveniently. I didn’t want to figure out the ending 20 pages in. (Though, since I’m not done yet, I could still be wrong.)

However, the book raises an interesting question: If your child needed a heart, would you accept one from a murderer? Even if he was the man who murdered your family? If you were Claire, would you take the heart? Pretty sure I would.

My favorite quote mentioned in the book: “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” Mother Teresa.

Somedays that just says it all.

The Best of Blogs: Vote for me

Hi everyone,

I'm a finalist for a Best of Blogs Award, for Best Book/Literary Blog, so please head to the Web site to cast your vote in my favor. To vote: click here.

The Best of Blogs awards are given only to blogs with 250 or less hits each week, which I think is pretty cool. It's a great way for little blogs, or new blogs, to gain some exposure.

Thanks for your support!

Unaccustomed Earth, Finale

The second half of the book comprised three short stories that involved Hema and Kaushik, two acquaintances throughout life. Both Hema and Kaushik are second-generation children, however while Hema stays in the United States for much of her life, Kaushik's parents move back to India for awhile, and then return again.

The first story takes place when Kaushik and his family move back to the U.S. when he's 16 and stay with Hema's family until they find a new home. It's told from Hema's point of view. The second story, "Year's End," is told by a 21-year-old Kaushik about his struggles with his current family situation. The third story jumps 20 years ahead when, by happenstance, the two meet again.

In the podcast interview with Lahiri that I listened to this week, she talks about how Hema and Kaushik have been with her for at least 10 years. She had them in her head, but was unsure how to tell their story. She knew she wanted to tell a story of a family moving back to India, then back to the U.S. She also wanted to tell a story that took a similar form as letter-writing, which these three stories do. After she wrote her first story about Hema and Kaushik, she said it was the only time she felt there could be a sequel - that she wasn't done telling their story. This is how she ended up with a trilogy at the end of Unaccustomed Earth. Each is a story in its own right - but together, they're beautiful.

As Lahiri was talking about Hema and Kaushik, I could tell she loved them. More so, maybe, than any of her other characters. Perhaps because they'd been with her for so long. This definitely came out in her writing. I loved these stories - I was moved once again. Why did I read this book so fast? For one, I couldn't put it down. But now I wish I could read it all over again.

Unaccustomed Earth, Part II

Many of Lahiri's stories have similar themes. Interpreter of Maladies encompassed many stories about first-generation Bengali immigrants. The Namesake also started out as a story about first-generation immigrants, but then became a story about their children. Unaccustomed Earth focuses more on the second generation. But, no matter what generation Lahiri focuses on, some of the struggles remain the same.

In many situations, it's the husband who comes to the United States for work (most often in New England). Either he marries (often arranged) before he comes, or his parents arrange a marriage for him while he's away, he comes back to India to marry, and then moves the woman to the U.S. With the woman so far from her family, not working, not being able to drive, she's often lonely and relies heavily on this new stranger. Most often, the man can't figure out why his wife is sad all the time. In several of Lahiri's stories, the women feel resentment toward their husbands for taking them away from India. When they have children, things change a bit, get better. However, as their children grow up, they become more and more American, leaving behind their parents who may still struggle with English and new American customs.

Lahiri was born in India, but moved to America when she was two years old. I listened to a podcast interview with her recently, and she said she feels more American than anything else, yet she still struggles with her identity sometimes. I've always wondered if her stories came from something real deep inside of her, and now I believe that to be true.

In the podcast (if you're interested, head to B&N Studio and click on Meet the Writers), she also talks about why this most recent book speaks more toward second-generation immigrants. In her personal life, Lahiri is second generation (out of three). This is the first book she wrote as a mother - and when you read it you can tell, especially compared to Interpreter. It's also come to the time in many second-generation children's lives when their parents are aging, perhaps dying. That is also a big theme throughout the book.

It was a very interesting interview. Lahiri seems soft-spoken and humble, not realizing the talent she possesses. She believes success is arbitrary - who knows what book people are going to like? It's so true. She also seemed a bit "above" the interview, but not in a bad way. Just that she expected more of the interviewer. I felt she wanted to be asked something she's never been asked before. As a journalist, I know how hard it is to ask new questions, but I think that also makes me in tune to an interviewee who's looking for more from her interviewer.

Unaccustomed Earth

I've been breezing through Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri. As with Interpreter of Maladies and The Namesake, I'm in love. Each story is so completely different from one another, yet they're based along the same themes.

The book opens with the title story, probably my favorite so far. Unaccustomed Earth is about a young Bengali woman who's married to an American. Her widowed father comes to visit. The story studies their relationship from both points of view (POV), so the reader can see all the miscues each person gets from the other. It was so moving.

Hell-Heaven explores a friendship between a married woman and a brother-like friend. It's told from the POV of the woman's young daughter.

A man and his American wife return to his high school alma mater for a wedding of a friend in A Choice of Accommodations. The man deals with many emotions during the weekend, including abandonment, resentment, love and loneliness. This was particularly interesting to read from the male perspective. Also impressive how Lahiri could write from that perspective as well.

I was most surprised (for reasons I won't say) by Only Goodness, a story about a brother and sister and how they grow up, sometimes close, sometimes not. The family dynamics in this story were very intriguing - parents feeling shame, the sister (the most Americanized) having to grow up so much quicker to help her parents, etc.

Nobody's Business actually takes the POV of an American watching the comings and goings of his female Bengali roommate. This was also an interesting perspective, though I would've liked to know more about what was going on in the roommate's mind during her time at his apartment.

I've now moved on to the second half of the book, which comprises three stories about the same family. I'd rather read all of them first, before sharing my thoughts. The stories are so good, it's nearly impossible to put the book down without at least finishing each story.

Interpreter of Maladies & The Namesake

I've just started Jhumpa Lahiri's latest collection, Unaccustomed Earth, but I thought I'd precursor my thoughts on that with my feelings of her first two books. Lahiri won a Pulitzer for her debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. Her stories revolve around Indian Americans, those who have either moved here from India and must face adjustment, or those who were born here, yet feel somewhat out of place at home, within their own culture, or out in the world. I was moved by each and every one of these stories, especially the title story. Lahiri's talent is so true and so great, I'm in love (and a bit jealous). I went through a phase a couple years ago where I read as many novels about India that I could get my hands on (see here and here for examples). This book fell in the midst of that phase, and after just posting about it, I want to pick it up again.

Many people are probably familiar with The Namesake because it was a recent Hollywood movie, starring Kal Penn. While the movie was good, as in most cases, it doesn't do the book justice. The Namesake was Lahiri's second book, but instead of a collection of stories, this is a full-length novel about an Indian couple who get married, move to the United States and have children. The book spends much time on both the mother's struggles with her new American life (I love the passages about her driving) and Gogol's, the son, struggle with his identity as well. It's a beautiful story. While I preferred Interpreter of Maladies just a bit more, The Namesake is also extremely good.

Middlesex: Finale

I finished Middlesex this week. The book was very engaging. As I previously stated, the language was rather beautiful and descriptive, but not so overdone that you're like, "C'mon already, get to the dialogue," like some books can be. I enjoyed reading about the family over the generations - it was an interesting way to tell the story.

Now, the ending. Particularly the last 50 pages. A little bit of a disappointment. I won't go into great detail, and I don't know what I was really expecting or hoping for, but those last pages just didn't do it for me. It seemed overdone. It felt like the author took it one or two steps too far. It was too dramatic. Again, I know it's fiction, but part of me thought it really could've been a true story. Until the end.

Despite this, the final five pages redeemed the previous 45, and I closed the book satisfied. So, check it out.

For those who've read it - do you agree about the ending, or am I off track?

Middlesex: Spoiler Post

If you haven't read Middlesex, but plan to (I recommend it, by the way), please don't read past this paragraph. Or do so at your own risk. For those of you who have read the book, I have some questions/feelings that I wanted to run by you. Please fill me in on your thoughts.

(P.S. I tried to figure out how to make a jump to a new page, but don't get me started on how I almost lost my blog completely trying to do so. So, we'll just have to deal. If anyone knows how to do this without messing with spatterings of html code, let me know.)



*******SPOILER ALERT********



****READ BEYOND AT YOUR OWN RISK****



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I began Book Four today, so I've now met Dr. Luce and he's given Callie and her parents his diagnosis: she should remain a girl.

1. I know this is his profession, he's a doctor and his work should be beneficial to Callie, however, did you ever feel his actions were a bit inappropriate? Showing her porn. Seeming to get pleasure from the porn himself. "Examining" her without letting her know what he was doing and why. I know it was the 70s and I know it's fiction, but I still feel all those "tests" should have been explained and consent should have been given (waivers signed, etc.). I mean, as a 14-year-old girl, I would think all of that would have felt really, really wrong.

2. Do you think that Callie making her decision to become a boy happened a little quickly? She decided within hours. I know her surgery was coming up quickly, but in reality, if you lived as a girl for 14 years, would you be able to change your mind that easily? Would you be able to make such an 'adult' decision that quickly? I almost feel a child that age would go along with what her parents and doctor wanted because she wouldn't know what else to do. Or do you think Callie was feeling so much like a boy already, it just made sense to her once she found out - which in turn made the decision easy?

It's all very interesting to me and very sad. Sad because I wish the adults in this situation could've gotten things figured out much sooner. Thoughts? Anything else that puzzled you?

FreeRice

Last week many news stories were about the rice shortage, due to the increase in price. Seriously? Is this where we're at now - rice is too expensive to get to the people who need it?

This blog is about books and reading, not world news. However, one way we can help sort of has to do with reading. If you head to FreeRice, you can donate rice 20 grains at a time. Just test your vocabulary, and for each correct answer, 20 grains of rice is donated to help end world hunger.

I'm sure many of you know about FreeRice already. If so, then here's your reminder to go back often. In March alone, FreeRice donated more than 4 BILLION grains of rice.

Even though I'm a writer, my vocab isn't that great. Best part about FreeRice? No penalty for incorrect guesses. You can even change the levels at which it quizzes you. Here's hoping you can learn a little something that will help you with your reading, while contributing to the greater good as well.

Middlesex: Family Trees

If you read the Publisher's Weekly review I posted two posts ago, you know that Middlesex, and the main character's messed up chromosomes, has some to do with incest. It's kind of creepy actually, but once you get into the story, you forget about all the inter-family marrying going on. However, this did get me thinking about family trees. How much do we really know about our ancestors? I mean, you may know their names and birth dates, but do you know much about your grandparents' or great-grandparents' medical history? Do you in fact know that you're not caring a dormant gene that could spring up and wreck havoc in your children or grandchildren?

It would be wasteful if everyone went around getting a series of genetic tests just to be on the safe side, since most people would turn out just fine. But, it made me think about it. Plus, if anything, it makes me want to learn more about my ancestors.

Also, I'm fascinated by the language and the writing of this book. It's so captivating and descriptive. Another reviewer on the B&N Web site wrote about how this book could be a movie. I agree. As I read, I can see it playing out on screen so easily. I can hear the voice over. I can see the scenes set in Greece, the scenes set in 1930s Detroit. It's a longer book, so the movie would have to be a condensed version. Which, in the end, wouldn't do justice to the novel. But, it's fun to think about.

Oprah

As I was trying to peel the "Oprah's Book Club" sticker off my copy of Middlesex (to no avail - too sticky), I wondered how many other people are like me. Are you embarrassed if the book you're reading has that infamous sticker on it? I am, but why? (Willikat also made a comment on my last post about enjoying/reading Middlesex "before Oprah," so that also partially inspired this post.)

I'm not an Oprah fan, so maybe I try to peel off the sticker because I don't want people thinking I actually take her recommendations. I don't. It just so happens she recommends some good books, so her book club sticker is plastered over many a covers at Target and other stores.

Maybe it's because I didn't agree with her almighty response and public reprimanding of James Frey, after he made her look like a fool for defending him in his A Million Little Pieces debacle. I may be one of the few people who haven't read his book, however, I read all memoirs knowing that some facts may be exaggerated or placed out of order for whatever reasons. That's no reason to publicly humiliate the guy even more.

Maybe it's because some authors don't even want to be mentioned in the same sentence as "Oprah's Book Club," yet their books still get the sticker (and their publicists probably love it).

Maybe it has to do with reasons completely unrelated to reading and books.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm happy her book club gets people reading. If that's what it takes, by all means. I just personally prefer not to associate my book choices with her. I make the decision about what I read based on other reviews, friend recommendations and just gut feelings.

Anyone agree? How do you decide what to read? Oprah fans out there, I don't mean to offend...