Cock-a-Doodle: Tournament of Books!

I loooooove the Tournament of Books, so imagine how excited was when ToB announced the books in the running for this year's prize! Not familiar with the Tournament? Here's some more info...

In case you’re new to all this, the ToB is an annual springtime event here at TheMorning News, where a group of the best works of fiction from last year enter a March Madness-style battle royale.

In March, these novels will be seeded and paired off in an NCAA Tournament-like bracket. For each pairing, one of our esteemed judges will read both novels and advance one, with a transparent explanation of how they made their decision. Along the way, our ToB Chairmen, authors Kevin Guilfoile and John Warner, will weigh in with commentary, and you, the readers, will add your own.

It's soooo much better than basketball, you guys! Here's the list of contenders in this literary blood sport.

Finalists for the 2014 Tournament of Books:

• At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcón
• The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
• The Tuner of Silences by Mia Couto
• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
• How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
• The Dinner by Herman Koch
• The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
• Long Division by Kiese Laymon
• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
• Hill William by Scott McClanahan
• The Son by Philipp Meyer
• A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
• [Winner of the Pre-Tournament Playoff Round]

Pre-Tournament Playoff Round

• Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
• Woke Up Lonely by Fiona Maazel

Judges include people like...

• Geraldine Brooks
• John Green
• and other exceedingly cool people

How many have you read? Any plans to read any of these books in the near future? I'm itching to try The Luminaries, A Tale for the Time Being, and The Goldfinch is staring from my shelves. The only books I've read from this list are Eleanor and Park and Life After Life. It should be a great competition!

Cock-a-Doodle: Tournament of Books!

I loooooove the Tournament of Books, so imagine how excited was when ToB announced the books in the running for this year's prize! Not familiar with the Tournament? Here's some more info...

In case you’re new to all this, the ToB is an annual springtime event here at TheMorning News, where a group of the best works of fiction from last year enter a March Madness-style battle royale.

In March, these novels will be seeded and paired off in an NCAA Tournament-like bracket. For each pairing, one of our esteemed judges will read both novels and advance one, with a transparent explanation of how they made their decision. Along the way, our ToB Chairmen, authors Kevin Guilfoile and John Warner, will weigh in with commentary, and you, the readers, will add your own.

It's soooo much better than basketball, you guys! Here's the list of contenders in this literary blood sport.

Finalists for the 2014 Tournament of Books:

• At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcón
• The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
• The Tuner of Silences by Mia Couto
• The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert
• How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid
• The Dinner by Herman Koch
• The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
• Long Division by Kiese Laymon
• The Good Lord Bird by James McBride
• Hill William by Scott McClanahan
• The Son by Philipp Meyer
• A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
• The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
• The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
• [Winner of the Pre-Tournament Playoff Round]

Pre-Tournament Playoff Round

• Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
• Woke Up Lonely by Fiona Maazel

Judges include people like...

• Geraldine Brooks
• John Green
• and other exceedingly cool people

How many have you read? Any plans to read any of these books in the near future? I'm itching to try The Luminaries, A Tale for the Time Being, and The Goldfinch is staring from my shelves. The only books I've read from this list are Eleanor and Park and Life After Life. It should be a great competition!

Blood Sports Make Me Giggle!

I love me some irreverence, and irreverence is the name of the game in TheTournament of Books. But a reverent irreverence, ya know??? Whatever...I'm posting about it for the second day in a row, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna stop. I'm so excited, I can barely keep my clothes on.

The opening post for the 2012 Tournament of Books made me giggle in a classroom full of students taking a final exam. It's ok, they're used to me.

Kevin and John -- the Tournament Dudes -- do a little celebratory reminiscing as today is the Tournament opening ceremonies. Kevin, in particular, ponders odd match-ups and doorstop novels (chunksters to the book blogging crowd)...

The doorstop novels have provided us with some of the most enduring narratives and entertaining moments in the tourney. In 2007, the first round pitted Against the Day against the graphic novel Pride of Baghdad. This is how judge Anthony Doerr summed the two up:

Thomas Pynchon’s Against the Day took me 22 days and two international flights to finish. I read Brian Vaughan’s The Pride of Baghdad during lunch. Twice.

On page 108 of The Pride of Baghdad, for example, there is only one word: “Grahhhhh!”
Pages 112 and 113 feature two words: “Nah!” and “Unh!”

There are lots of words on all of the pages of Against the Day. 

And if you don't actually want to visit the website and read the opening post yourself, keep reading here for the setup of tomorrow's Round 1 pairing. Although you're really missing out on some fun times if you don't click on over to the page:

The Rooster kicks off tomorrow with the wonderful Emma Straub choosing between the sedately British Booker Prize winner, Julian Barnes’s Sense of an Ending, and the hyper-violent American debut, Donald Ray Pollock’s The Devil All the Time. Will Barnes show up in a red coat, marching all in a line, ready to be picked off by the upstart rebel? Or will Pollock be undone by Barnes’s Bond-like cool as he monologues his way through his deadly, criminal master plan?

Can’t wait, brother. Let the blood sport commence!

Let the blood sport commence, indeed!

Blood Sports Make Me Giggle!

I love me some irreverence, and irreverence is the name of the game in TheTournament of Books. But a reverent irreverence, ya know??? Whatever...I'm posting about it for the second day in a row, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna stop. I'm so excited, I can barely keep my clothes on.

The opening post for the 2012 Tournament of Books made me giggle in a classroom full of students taking a final exam. It's ok, they're used to me.

Kevin and John -- the Tournament Dudes -- do a little celebratory reminiscing as today is the Tournament opening ceremonies. Kevin, in particular, ponders odd match-ups and doorstop novels (chunksters to the book blogging crowd)...

The doorstop novels have provided us with some of the most enduring narratives and entertaining moments in the tourney. In 2007, the first round pitted Against the Day against the graphic novel Pride of Baghdad. This is how judge Anthony Doerr summed the two up:

Thomas Pynchon’s Against the Day took me 22 days and two international flights to finish. I read Brian Vaughan’s The Pride of Baghdad during lunch. Twice.

On page 108 of The Pride of Baghdad, for example, there is only one word: “Grahhhhh!”
Pages 112 and 113 feature two words: “Nah!” and “Unh!”

There are lots of words on all of the pages of Against the Day. 

And if you don't actually want to visit the website and read the opening post yourself, keep reading here for the setup of tomorrow's Round 1 pairing. Although you're really missing out on some fun times if you don't click on over to the page:

The Rooster kicks off tomorrow with the wonderful Emma Straub choosing between the sedately British Booker Prize winner, Julian Barnes’s Sense of an Ending, and the hyper-violent American debut, Donald Ray Pollock’s The Devil All the Time. Will Barnes show up in a red coat, marching all in a line, ready to be picked off by the upstart rebel? Or will Pollock be undone by Barnes’s Bond-like cool as he monologues his way through his deadly, criminal master plan?

Can’t wait, brother. Let the blood sport commence!

Let the blood sport commence, indeed!

Almost Book Tournament Time!!!

Guess what's great about tomorrow???! It's the first day of the Tournament of Books!!! That's right, folks, March 7th to March 30th is the readerly main event. I've made it a personal challenge to read my way through the 2012 Tournament contenders this year. I was making GREAT headway before I got a new job, and things have pretty much ground to a halt since then. But, I have read some great books thanks to this year's Tournament. These are the ones I have under my belt so far:

• The Last Brother by Nathacha Appanah
• The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
• The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
• Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

Given, I've missed out on some of the heaviest hitters: The Marriage Plot, The Art of Fielding, and Salvage the Bones remain unread, though I expect any of these books to have a great showing in the Tournament. The Marriage Plot and The Art of Fielding will probably end up pitted against one another in the second round, but either of them could re-emerge in the Zombie Round. Same thing with Salvage the Bones and The Sense of an Ending.

Who's going to take the cake??? Such a hard decision. I think there's a good chance State of Wonder or The Marriage Plot could take it all. We'll just have to see how it unfolds.

Who are you pulling for in the 2012 Tournament of Books? Do you have your author jersey and a platter of potato skins ready?!

Almost Book Tournament Time!!!

Guess what's great about tomorrow???! It's the first day of the Tournament of Books!!! That's right, folks, March 7th to March 30th is the readerly main event. I've made it a personal challenge to read my way through the 2012 Tournament contenders this year. I was making GREAT headway before I got a new job, and things have pretty much ground to a halt since then. But, I have read some great books thanks to this year's Tournament. These are the ones I have under my belt so far:

• The Last Brother by Nathacha Appanah
• The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
• The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
• State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
• Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

Given, I've missed out on some of the heaviest hitters: The Marriage Plot, The Art of Fielding, and Salvage the Bones remain unread, though I expect any of these books to have a great showing in the Tournament. The Marriage Plot and The Art of Fielding will probably end up pitted against one another in the second round, but either of them could re-emerge in the Zombie Round. Same thing with Salvage the Bones and The Sense of an Ending.

Who's going to take the cake??? Such a hard decision. I think there's a good chance State of Wonder or The Marriage Plot could take it all. We'll just have to see how it unfolds.

Who are you pulling for in the 2012 Tournament of Books? Do you have your author jersey and a platter of potato skins ready?!

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

I had a beautiful, thoughtful beginning to this review all worked out in my head. And then I went to sleep, and now it's been a whole other day, and I have no idea what my great beginning was. So we'll go with this mediocre one.

Swamplandia! is the story of the Bigtree family-- alligator wrestlers who run a Florida theme park. The Chief and Hillola are the eccentric parents. The kiddos, from oldest to youngest are Kiwi, an awkward 17-year-old boy; Osceola, 16, who fancies herself a Spiritualist; and precocious Ava, 13. The book picks up after Hillola passes away as a result of ovarian cancer, and her brood is left floundering, looking for a way to keep the park relevant with new competition in town and a dwindling tourist population.

Soon the Chief takes off to the mainland to stir up some investors, and all hell breaks loose. Kiwi bolts for the mainland with the good intentions of working at the new theme park in town, World of Darkness, and paying off the family debt. Osceola runs off to marry a ghost. Ava, left to her own devices, heads out with an odd and off putting "Bird Man" on a trek to the underworld.

So we have a family drama and a Southern Gothic romp all wrapped up in one novel. It's an odd combination, and I had my doubts from the outset that it would work for me, but I found myself heavily invested in the characters' individual journeys. The book alternates between Kiwi's experiences working on the mainland and his troubles assimilating with mainstream culture to Ava's menacing and otherworldly journey.

Each of the characters in Swamplandia! is thoroughly lost in his or her own way. Each of them is trying to find solid ground after the loss of their mother who is literally the star attraction around which the Swamplandia theme park universe spins. Without her, each little familial entity flies in his or her own direction, untethered.

Karen Russell's writing, is undoubtedly beautiful. She was especially deft at juxtaposing kitsch elements with really elevated figurative language and surprising analogies. Her voice is distinct--and dare I say it--crisp! A short example that I noted before the e-book expired...

Heaven, Kiwi thought, would be the reading room of a great library. But it would be private. Cozy. You wouldn’t have to worry about some squeaky-shoed librarian turning the lights off on you or gauging your literacy by reading the names on your book spines, and there wouldn’t be a single other patron. The whole place would hum with a library’s peace, filtering softly over you like white bars of light… (234-235)

And speaking of libraries, I should mention, one of the quirky parts of this book included an abandoned "library boat" close to the Swamplandia! theme park where the island inhabitants could freely take books. Not a proper library, just an abandoned boat with a lot of books on it. Someone would have to pry me out of there with a crowbar. *swoon*

Despite the good writing, this will be a polarizing book. Because it is so quirky and kitschy in parts, and because it steps out with some supernatural elements, many readers will not be fulfilled and will find this book silly or otherwise disappointing. But I have to say, I found the kitschy/supernatural portions so SO clever. Without giving too much away, I was especially suspect of Ava's journey to the underworld with the Bird Man. While I thought it might be an ill-fated outing, I was unsure enough and sucked into the story enough, that I could've "bought" it all the way to the underworld or I could've been a little crushed if it didn't pan out. I won't tell you which way it goes.

For readers who are interested in analyzing the literary elements, I think this is a great book. There is a boatload (pardon the pun) of symbolism that's so knock-you-over-the-head obvious that it's worth poking into beyond the surface to see what Russell is driving at. If you don't consider yourself an analyzer, you can still appreciate this story for the odd characters, their wonky lives, and their individual journeys and comings-of-age.

Rating:

Snuggle -- Skewer

Pub. Date: July 2011
Publisher: Vintage
Format: E-Book
ISBN-13: 978-0307276681
Source: Library

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell

I had a beautiful, thoughtful beginning to this review all worked out in my head. And then I went to sleep, and now it's been a whole other day, and I have no idea what my great beginning was. So we'll go with this mediocre one.

Swamplandia! is the story of the Bigtree family-- alligator wrestlers who run a Florida theme park. The Chief and Hillola are the eccentric parents. The kiddos, from oldest to youngest are Kiwi, an awkward 17-year-old boy; Osceola, 16, who fancies herself a Spiritualist; and precocious Ava, 13. The book picks up after Hillola passes away as a result of ovarian cancer, and her brood is left floundering, looking for a way to keep the park relevant with new competition in town and a dwindling tourist population.

Soon the Chief takes off to the mainland to stir up some investors, and all hell breaks loose. Kiwi bolts for the mainland with the good intentions of working at the new theme park in town, World of Darkness, and paying off the family debt. Osceola runs off to marry a ghost. Ava, left to her own devices, heads out with an odd and off putting "Bird Man" on a trek to the underworld.

So we have a family drama and a Southern Gothic romp all wrapped up in one novel. It's an odd combination, and I had my doubts from the outset that it would work for me, but I found myself heavily invested in the characters' individual journeys. The book alternates between Kiwi's experiences working on the mainland and his troubles assimilating with mainstream culture to Ava's menacing and otherworldly journey.

Each of the characters in Swamplandia! is thoroughly lost in his or her own way. Each of them is trying to find solid ground after the loss of their mother who is literally the star attraction around which the Swamplandia theme park universe spins. Without her, each little familial entity flies in his or her own direction, untethered.

Karen Russell's writing, is undoubtedly beautiful. She was especially deft at juxtaposing kitsch elements with really elevated figurative language and surprising analogies. Her voice is distinct--and dare I say it--crisp! A short example that I noted before the e-book expired...

Heaven, Kiwi thought, would be the reading room of a great library. But it would be private. Cozy. You wouldn’t have to worry about some squeaky-shoed librarian turning the lights off on you or gauging your literacy by reading the names on your book spines, and there wouldn’t be a single other patron. The whole place would hum with a library’s peace, filtering softly over you like white bars of light… (234-235)

And speaking of libraries, I should mention, one of the quirky parts of this book included an abandoned "library boat" close to the Swamplandia! theme park where the island inhabitants could freely take books. Not a proper library, just an abandoned boat with a lot of books on it. Someone would have to pry me out of there with a crowbar. *swoon*

Despite the good writing, this will be a polarizing book. Because it is so quirky and kitschy in parts, and because it steps out with some supernatural elements, many readers will not be fulfilled and will find this book silly or otherwise disappointing. But I have to say, I found the kitschy/supernatural portions so SO clever. Without giving too much away, I was especially suspect of Ava's journey to the underworld with the Bird Man. While I thought it might be an ill-fated outing, I was unsure enough and sucked into the story enough, that I could've "bought" it all the way to the underworld or I could've been a little crushed if it didn't pan out. I won't tell you which way it goes.

For readers who are interested in analyzing the literary elements, I think this is a great book. There is a boatload (pardon the pun) of symbolism that's so knock-you-over-the-head obvious that it's worth poking into beyond the surface to see what Russell is driving at. If you don't consider yourself an analyzer, you can still appreciate this story for the odd characters, their wonky lives, and their individual journeys and comings-of-age.

Rating:

Snuggle -- Skewer

Pub. Date: July 2011
Publisher: Vintage
Format: E-Book
ISBN-13: 978-0307276681
Source: Library

Monday, Reading, Finally!

After a rough week last week, and after a rocky beginning to the weekend, things have smoothed out and I'm back to reading, blogging, and commenting. I've missed y'all! The weekend was fun as I spent most of Saturday and Sunday having quality time with Greyson, and Sunday afternoon was reserved for a birthday party for Rocketboy filled with pizza, cake, and teenage antics.

After G hit the sack last night, I took a few minutes to finish the book I've been reading for over a week: Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I can't believe I've been reading it that long, but it really wasn't the book's fault. It was an odd book to say the least, and I'm looking forward to writing the review of this one if I can figure out exactly what I want to say about it. THAT will be the hard part!

I have a few minutes to dawdle this morning before I get ready and leave for work, so I sat down with Teju Cole's Open City to see if I really want to read it. As much as I'm enjoying my Tournament of Books reading, I also have that inevitable itch to read whatever I want to, without obligation. I whipped through a quick 20 pages of Open City, and I think I will read it intensely for a day or two and see if I still feel positively about it. It's one of those meandering books that will likely read a little on the slow side, and I think I might be more interested in a good ole plot-driven book at this point. Cinder is still sitting on my nightstand, staring at me!

What kind of reading mood are you in this week?


P.S. Don't forget to enter my "Spread the Love Giveaway" up on the navigation bar at the top of the page. Tomorrow is my 7-year blogiversary and I'll be announcing the winners then!


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is brought to you by Sheila at BookJourney!

Monday, Reading, Finally!

After a rough week last week, and after a rocky beginning to the weekend, things have smoothed out and I'm back to reading, blogging, and commenting. I've missed y'all! The weekend was fun as I spent most of Saturday and Sunday having quality time with Greyson, and Sunday afternoon was reserved for a birthday party for Rocketboy filled with pizza, cake, and teenage antics.

After G hit the sack last night, I took a few minutes to finish the book I've been reading for over a week: Swamplandia! by Karen Russell. I can't believe I've been reading it that long, but it really wasn't the book's fault. It was an odd book to say the least, and I'm looking forward to writing the review of this one if I can figure out exactly what I want to say about it. THAT will be the hard part!

I have a few minutes to dawdle this morning before I get ready and leave for work, so I sat down with Teju Cole's Open City to see if I really want to read it. As much as I'm enjoying my Tournament of Books reading, I also have that inevitable itch to read whatever I want to, without obligation. I whipped through a quick 20 pages of Open City, and I think I will read it intensely for a day or two and see if I still feel positively about it. It's one of those meandering books that will likely read a little on the slow side, and I think I might be more interested in a good ole plot-driven book at this point. Cinder is still sitting on my nightstand, staring at me!

What kind of reading mood are you in this week?


P.S. Don't forget to enter my "Spread the Love Giveaway" up on the navigation bar at the top of the page. Tomorrow is my 7-year blogiversary and I'll be announcing the winners then!


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is brought to you by Sheila at BookJourney!

It's Monday and I'm a Reading Fool!

Or maybe just a fool. I'll let you decide.

SO, this past week I finished reading and reviewed two books. WHOA NELLY! I was only sort of wowed by Ann Patchett's much-typed-about State of Wonder. However, I was surprisingly bowled over by Nathacha Appanah's The Last Brother. And if you haven't started reading that book yet, you need to get on the stick. Do it! Do it!

Right now I'm about 70% (Goodreads influence) done with Karen Russell's weird novel, Swamplandia!. I like it, but it's not without its own issues. I'll discuss that in my review this week.

The library continues to be a source of avalanchery (yes, it's a word now). I have a digital copy of The Tiger's Wife waiting in the wings via my library's Overdrive service, and I picked up my hold copy of Teju Cole's Open City on Friday. AND--yes there's an AND--I expect the e-book of Michael Ondaatje's The Cat's Table to drop anytime. Oh, and The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst is the next one I'll receive from my physical holds list. Then will come 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, and that might spell the end of my reading mojo.

SERIOUSLY! These are all Tournament of Books books. I have to say, I'm kicking some serious arse in the Tournament of Books (personal) Challenge, but I'm also kinda ready to read whatever I want with reckless abandon. Cinder is staring at me from my stacks and oddly enough, I'm already feeling the pull of Son of a Witch after my successful romp through Wicked earlier in the year.

Tournament of Books aside, I got quagmired in The Norton Anthology of American Literature this weekend. I mentioned the online classes I inherited in my previous post. One of them is Early American Lit (blah), so it looks like I'll be re-reading some Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Washington Irving in the coming weeks. I'm OK with Irving, but Paine and Franklin make me vomit in my mouth a little.

And that's it! Only one book in the mail this week, and unsolicited copy of Five Bells by Gail Jones. It doesn't really look like my kind of thing, but we'll see. I have hopefoolery. Full of new words today.

If you don't already know, It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by the ever-lovely Sheila over at BookJourney. Get thee there!

It's Monday and I'm a Reading Fool!

Or maybe just a fool. I'll let you decide.

SO, this past week I finished reading and reviewed two books. WHOA NELLY! I was only sort of wowed by Ann Patchett's much-typed-about State of Wonder. However, I was surprisingly bowled over by Nathacha Appanah's The Last Brother. And if you haven't started reading that book yet, you need to get on the stick. Do it! Do it!

Right now I'm about 70% (Goodreads influence) done with Karen Russell's weird novel, Swamplandia!. I like it, but it's not without its own issues. I'll discuss that in my review this week.

The library continues to be a source of avalanchery (yes, it's a word now). I have a digital copy of The Tiger's Wife waiting in the wings via my library's Overdrive service, and I picked up my hold copy of Teju Cole's Open City on Friday. AND--yes there's an AND--I expect the e-book of Michael Ondaatje's The Cat's Table to drop anytime. Oh, and The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst is the next one I'll receive from my physical holds list. Then will come 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, and that might spell the end of my reading mojo.

SERIOUSLY! These are all Tournament of Books books. I have to say, I'm kicking some serious arse in the Tournament of Books (personal) Challenge, but I'm also kinda ready to read whatever I want with reckless abandon. Cinder is staring at me from my stacks and oddly enough, I'm already feeling the pull of Son of a Witch after my successful romp through Wicked earlier in the year.

Tournament of Books aside, I got quagmired in The Norton Anthology of American Literature this weekend. I mentioned the online classes I inherited in my previous post. One of them is Early American Lit (blah), so it looks like I'll be re-reading some Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin, and Washington Irving in the coming weeks. I'm OK with Irving, but Paine and Franklin make me vomit in my mouth a little.

And that's it! Only one book in the mail this week, and unsolicited copy of Five Bells by Gail Jones. It doesn't really look like my kind of thing, but we'll see. I have hopefoolery. Full of new words today.

If you don't already know, It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by the ever-lovely Sheila over at BookJourney. Get thee there!

The Last Brother

Morning bloggers! It's been a very Tournament of Books week. I finished State of Wonder over the weekend, and I finished up Nathacha Appanah's The Last Brother on Tuesday.

It's funny to read these books back to back. They both take place in exotic locales, they're both about intense and somewhat complicated relationships, but State of Wonder was 368 pages while The Last Brother weighs in at a slim 160 pages. Of the two, I found Appanah's novel much more satisfying than Patchett's.

The Last Brother is the story of Raj, a 70-year-old man born and raised on the island of Mauritius. Looking back at himself as a 9-year-old, he recounts the sudden loss of his two brothers and the unlikely story of his friendship with a Jewish boy named David. The relationship between the Raj and David would shape his life in a way he never expected. His remembrance of that time and the events that played out between he and David were filled with loss and grief that shaped his adult self.

There was more acute emotion and powerful writing in this little novel than in most chunky books. The narrative bounced back and forth between Raj in the present day on a visit to David's grave to1945 when Jews were held captive in a prison on the island.

Reading this little book it felt that every scene, every chapter, was lovingly chosen and written down to its most basic, concise form. It was an examination not only of Raj's missteps as a kid, but of a specific piece of history that is almost completely overlooked. Did you know there were Jews shipped to Mauritius?? I didn't, and I certainly never learned it in a history class in high school or college. This book was an heart-wrenching way to experience the incident, and it was a beautiful examination of how one's decisions can shape a lifetime.

And I haven't really done this novel justice, but there it is. It's awesome. Buy it. Just do it. OH, and this one is translated. Cheers to Geoffrey Strachan for translating this one beautifully from the French.

Rating:

Snuggle -- Skewer

Pub. Date: February 2011 (reprint edition)
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13:  978-1555975753 
Source: Library

The Last Brother

Morning bloggers! It's been a very Tournament of Books week. I finished State of Wonder over the weekend, and I finished up Nathacha Appanah's The Last Brother on Tuesday.

It's funny to read these books back to back. They both take place in exotic locales, they're both about intense and somewhat complicated relationships, but State of Wonder was 368 pages while The Last Brother weighs in at a slim 160 pages. Of the two, I found Appanah's novel much more satisfying than Patchett's.

The Last Brother is the story of Raj, a 70-year-old man born and raised on the island of Mauritius. Looking back at himself as a 9-year-old, he recounts the sudden loss of his two brothers and the unlikely story of his friendship with a Jewish boy named David. The relationship between the Raj and David would shape his life in a way he never expected. His remembrance of that time and the events that played out between he and David were filled with loss and grief that shaped his adult self.

There was more acute emotion and powerful writing in this little novel than in most chunky books. The narrative bounced back and forth between Raj in the present day on a visit to David's grave to1945 when Jews were held captive in a prison on the island.

Reading this little book it felt that every scene, every chapter, was lovingly chosen and written down to its most basic, concise form. It was an examination not only of Raj's missteps as a kid, but of a specific piece of history that is almost completely overlooked. Did you know there were Jews shipped to Mauritius?? I didn't, and I certainly never learned it in a history class in high school or college. This book was an heart-wrenching way to experience the incident, and it was a beautiful examination of how one's decisions can shape a lifetime.

And I haven't really done this novel justice, but there it is. It's awesome. Buy it. Just do it. OH, and this one is translated. Cheers to Geoffrey Strachan for translating this one beautifully from the French.

Rating:

Snuggle -- Skewer

Pub. Date: February 2011 (reprint edition)
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13:  978-1555975753 
Source: Library

State of Wonder

I have started and quit almost every one of Patchett's novels. In fact, I think Taft is the only one I haven't started at all. While I wouldn't say I dislike her writing, I can say that her novels start slowly. State of Wonder is no exception, but I am tickled to report that I FINISHED IT! Haha!

From the moment I read the blurb, I knew I'd pick this book up and try Patchett's work yet again. Though the book was not a perfect one, the premise is fantastic...

Note: I tried to come up with my own blurb, but given the complicated plot and a severe case of brain drain, I gave up and pilfered the publisher's synopsis. It does the job.

Dr. Marina Singh, a research scientist with a Minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the Amazon while working on what is destined to be an extremely valuable new drug, the development of which has already cost the company a fortune. Nothing about Marina's assignment is easy: not only does no one know where Dr. Swenson is, but the last person who was sent to find her, Marina's research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Once found, Dr. Swenson, now in her seventies, is as ruthless and uncompromising as she ever was. But while she is as threatening as anything the jungle has to offer, the greatest sacrifices to be made are the ones Dr. Swenson asks of herself, and will ultimately ask of Marina, who finds she may still be unable to live up to her teacher's expectations.

Straight off, I was taken with the idea of a romp through the Amazon with Patchett's characters. Dr. Swenson is an enigmatic matriarch to her colleagues and the Lakashi tribe alike; she's thoroughly difficult for Marina to read and given their uneasy teacher/student relationship, Marina is freakin' scared of her. For Marina to find herself in a number of situations wherein Dr. Swenson depends on her was thoroughly transforming for the character of Marina Singh. It was a worthwhile transformation to follow through this novel, and Patchett did a wonderful job characterizing Singh and Swenson.

I was also very taken with the peripheral characters in the novel including the deceased Anders Eckman and his wife, Karen. The brilliant, deaf boy, Easter. And I can't forget the majestic Mr. Fox, one of the pharmaceutical company big-wigs and Marina's secret lover. The interplay between such a complicated cast of characters made for a rich novel and convincing story.

It did take me a while to sink into this novel thoroughly as those opening chapters were slow in traditional Patchett style. However, as I moved through the book I was glad she took the time to introduce me to all of the characters and also to Brazil itself. In the early part of her journey, Marina spends time in Manaus and later heads off into the rainforest. The setting itself is the most vibrant character in the novel.

The second half of the book, Marina's time in the rainforest interacting with the Lakashi tribe and following Dr. Swenson's research, comprised the quickest of the novel's pacing, but some of it struck me as unbelievable. While I loved that Dr. Swenson was such a bitch and had such strong control over her charges, I found it hard to believe that a tribe with which she could hardly communicate would bow down at her feet. Meh. Not so much. I also wish Marina had had a bit more difficulty settling into life with the tribe. There were some dramatic moments, but I felt that Patchett put all of her effort into making the characters realistic in the early pages of the novel, the tribe itself suffered from a lack of attention in comparison. I also felt that Patchett went for some cheap plot twists. I can't be specific without giving too much away, but some of the turns the story took were surprising only because they were so obvious.

Beyond the characterization and beyond some of the novel's shortfalls, it was a supremely interesting read for the ethical questions it posed. Dr. Swenson's research holds huge ethical implications and could change medicine entirely. I thought it really interesting that she put herself into some touchy situations when she was really just a big old snake in the grass. She was one of those characters I wanted to believe but always suspected of doing despicable things. She was a hard one to read and that makes her all the more worthwhile to read.

While I expected State of Wonder to blow the top of my head off with its wonderfulness, I found it a little too uneven for that and a little too predictable in spots. I'm still glad I read this book, and I would recommend it to almost anyone for the well-written characters, the unique setting, and the wonderful ethical dilemmas. It probably won't make my top ten for 2012, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it fares in the Tournament of Books.

Rating:

Snuggle (one-armed hug) -- Skewer

Pub. Date: June 2011
Publisher: Harper
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0062049803
Source: Library

State of Wonder

I have started and quit almost every one of Patchett's novels. In fact, I think Taft is the only one I haven't started at all. While I wouldn't say I dislike her writing, I can say that her novels start slowly. State of Wonder is no exception, but I am tickled to report that I FINISHED IT! Haha!

From the moment I read the blurb, I knew I'd pick this book up and try Patchett's work yet again. Though the book was not a perfect one, the premise is fantastic...

Note: I tried to come up with my own blurb, but given the complicated plot and a severe case of brain drain, I gave up and pilfered the publisher's synopsis. It does the job.

Dr. Marina Singh, a research scientist with a Minnesota pharmaceutical company, is sent to Brazil to track down her former mentor, Dr. Annick Swenson, who seems to have all but disappeared in the Amazon while working on what is destined to be an extremely valuable new drug, the development of which has already cost the company a fortune. Nothing about Marina's assignment is easy: not only does no one know where Dr. Swenson is, but the last person who was sent to find her, Marina's research partner Anders Eckman, died before he could complete his mission. Once found, Dr. Swenson, now in her seventies, is as ruthless and uncompromising as she ever was. But while she is as threatening as anything the jungle has to offer, the greatest sacrifices to be made are the ones Dr. Swenson asks of herself, and will ultimately ask of Marina, who finds she may still be unable to live up to her teacher's expectations.

Straight off, I was taken with the idea of a romp through the Amazon with Patchett's characters. Dr. Swenson is an enigmatic matriarch to her colleagues and the Lakashi tribe alike; she's thoroughly difficult for Marina to read and given their uneasy teacher/student relationship, Marina is freakin' scared of her. For Marina to find herself in a number of situations wherein Dr. Swenson depends on her was thoroughly transforming for the character of Marina Singh. It was a worthwhile transformation to follow through this novel, and Patchett did a wonderful job characterizing Singh and Swenson.

I was also very taken with the peripheral characters in the novel including the deceased Anders Eckman and his wife, Karen. The brilliant, deaf boy, Easter. And I can't forget the majestic Mr. Fox, one of the pharmaceutical company big-wigs and Marina's secret lover. The interplay between such a complicated cast of characters made for a rich novel and convincing story.

It did take me a while to sink into this novel thoroughly as those opening chapters were slow in traditional Patchett style. However, as I moved through the book I was glad she took the time to introduce me to all of the characters and also to Brazil itself. In the early part of her journey, Marina spends time in Manaus and later heads off into the rainforest. The setting itself is the most vibrant character in the novel.

The second half of the book, Marina's time in the rainforest interacting with the Lakashi tribe and following Dr. Swenson's research, comprised the quickest of the novel's pacing, but some of it struck me as unbelievable. While I loved that Dr. Swenson was such a bitch and had such strong control over her charges, I found it hard to believe that a tribe with which she could hardly communicate would bow down at her feet. Meh. Not so much. I also wish Marina had had a bit more difficulty settling into life with the tribe. There were some dramatic moments, but I felt that Patchett put all of her effort into making the characters realistic in the early pages of the novel, the tribe itself suffered from a lack of attention in comparison. I also felt that Patchett went for some cheap plot twists. I can't be specific without giving too much away, but some of the turns the story took were surprising only because they were so obvious.

Beyond the characterization and beyond some of the novel's shortfalls, it was a supremely interesting read for the ethical questions it posed. Dr. Swenson's research holds huge ethical implications and could change medicine entirely. I thought it really interesting that she put herself into some touchy situations when she was really just a big old snake in the grass. She was one of those characters I wanted to believe but always suspected of doing despicable things. She was a hard one to read and that makes her all the more worthwhile to read.

While I expected State of Wonder to blow the top of my head off with its wonderfulness, I found it a little too uneven for that and a little too predictable in spots. I'm still glad I read this book, and I would recommend it to almost anyone for the well-written characters, the unique setting, and the wonderful ethical dilemmas. It probably won't make my top ten for 2012, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it fares in the Tournament of Books.

Rating:

Snuggle (one-armed hug) -- Skewer

Pub. Date: June 2011
Publisher: Harper
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-0062049803
Source: Library

SHUT the Front Door! Tournament of Books MADNESS!

Did you all hear me SCREAM this morning when I realized the 2012 Tournament of Books shortlist was posted?! I haven't checked the site in a couple of days and those sneaky little Morning News critters got past me! In the last year, this event has become the SUPER BOWL of my reading. Last year I personally challenged myself to read all of the TOB books. While I did not succeed in reading them all, it was FABULOUS guidance, and I'm looking forward to reading even more from this year's list. 

If you're not familiar with The Morning News Tournament of Books, you'll need to start by reading this hilarious explanation. Lots of irreverence and fun here, people. Including a reader judge this year who's serving a year in jail for a non-violent offense. YEAH!!!! Zombie Round voting is also going on, so once you read the explanation, vote for your fave Zombie and get in on the democratic reading action. 

So if you're wondering exactly how seriously I take this whole thing, I'll need to show you pics to prove it. 

These are both pics of my office door taken with my crappy iPhone 3GS (thus, the horrible quality). As soon as I read the TOB post this morning, I started scurrying around the office printing the brackets. I even made up my own Zombie Round promotional flier for the door. If you're wondering if it's kosher to use office equipment for this purpose, I call this PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. I'm a composition and lit teacher for heaven's sake! 

I should also mention that I ran screaming through the office laughing maniacally and exclaiming my joy. I promptly handed out brackets to anyone within earshot. Since my two fellow English instructors aren't here yet today, I took the liberty of posting the brackets in their cubicles. 

So ARE YOU READY to read?!!! You should read with me! You really should! The official tournament starts on March 7th, and I'll be sucking down as many of the following novels as possible between now and then. 

• Nathacha Appanah, The Last Brother
• Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending (already read)
• Teju Cole, Open City
• Helen DeWitt, Lightning Rods
• Patrick deWitt, The Sisters Brothers (already read)
• Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot
• Chad Harbach, The Art of Fielding
• Alan Hollinghurst, Stranger’s Child
• Jesmyn Ward, Salvage the Bones
• Haruki Murakami, 1Q84
• Téa Obreht, The Tiger’s Wife
• Michael Ondaatje, The Cat’s Table
• Ann Patchett, State of Wonder
• Donald Ray Pollock, Devil All the Time
• Karen Russell, Swamplandia
• Kate Zambreno, Green Girl

SHUT the Front Door! Tournament of Books MADNESS!

Did you all hear me SCREAM this morning when I realized the 2012 Tournament of Books shortlist was posted?! I haven't checked the site in a couple of days and those sneaky little Morning News critters got past me! In the last year, this event has become the SUPER BOWL of my reading. Last year I personally challenged myself to read all of the TOB books. While I did not succeed in reading them all, it was FABULOUS guidance, and I'm looking forward to reading even more from this year's list. 

If you're not familiar with The Morning News Tournament of Books, you'll need to start by reading this hilarious explanation. Lots of irreverence and fun here, people. Including a reader judge this year who's serving a year in jail for a non-violent offense. YEAH!!!! Zombie Round voting is also going on, so once you read the explanation, vote for your fave Zombie and get in on the democratic reading action. 

So if you're wondering exactly how seriously I take this whole thing, I'll need to show you pics to prove it. 

These are both pics of my office door taken with my crappy iPhone 3GS (thus, the horrible quality). As soon as I read the TOB post this morning, I started scurrying around the office printing the brackets. I even made up my own Zombie Round promotional flier for the door. If you're wondering if it's kosher to use office equipment for this purpose, I call this PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. I'm a composition and lit teacher for heaven's sake! 

I should also mention that I ran screaming through the office laughing maniacally and exclaiming my joy. I promptly handed out brackets to anyone within earshot. Since my two fellow English instructors aren't here yet today, I took the liberty of posting the brackets in their cubicles. 

So ARE YOU READY to read?!!! You should read with me! You really should! The official tournament starts on March 7th, and I'll be sucking down as many of the following novels as possible between now and then. 

• Nathacha Appanah, The Last Brother
• Julian Barnes, The Sense of an Ending (already read)
• Teju Cole, Open City
• Helen DeWitt, Lightning Rods
• Patrick deWitt, The Sisters Brothers (already read)
• Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot
• Chad Harbach, The Art of Fielding
• Alan Hollinghurst, Stranger’s Child
• Jesmyn Ward, Salvage the Bones
• Haruki Murakami, 1Q84
• Téa Obreht, The Tiger’s Wife
• Michael Ondaatje, The Cat’s Table
• Ann Patchett, State of Wonder
• Donald Ray Pollock, Devil All the Time
• Karen Russell, Swamplandia
• Kate Zambreno, Green Girl