Title: Orange is the New Black
Author: Piper Kerman
Rating: 4 out 5 stars
Summary: Piper Kerman had a boyfriend, a career and a life when
her past caught up with her. Ten years previously, Piper delivered a
suitcase of money for her then-girlfriend, who was a drug dealer.
Piper's life was put on hold while she served 15 months in a Federal
"correctional facility" in Dunbury, Connecticut. This book documents her
time behind bars, most of which was spent in Connecticut, but she also
provides a perspective of another jail she was in when she was called to
testify against somebody else.
Review: I had no idea that the show Orange is the New Black
was based on a book. As soon as I found this out, I had to read it.
This book interested me for one primary reason--I have an irrational
fear of being committed for a crime I didn't commit. In this case the
author was guilty of a crime she committed 10 years prior, but I wanted
to read about how this middle-class (although I'd argue upper-middle
class) white woman survived prison. The good news is if I end up at a
minimal- or medium-security Federal prison, I might actually survive.
Of course, it would depend on how long my sentence was for. Is prison
glamorous? Hell no, it was still hard. But it was still reassuring to
know that it wasn't Oz.
There's been a lot written about men's prisons, but not a lot has been
written about women's prison. Whether you share my fear or not, this
provides a fascinating view into women prison life and a face to the
mothers, daughters, and sisters in these facilities.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Book review: The Enchanted
Title: The Enchanted
Author: Rene Denfeld
Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Summary: The Lady is a lawyer. She's a death row's inmate last chance at getting a reprieve for dying. Her current case is York. It's never fully explained what York did to get to death row, but does it really matter? York wants to die and doesn't want the Lady's services. But York's lawyers are paying for her, not York. Other stuff happens but it's not that interesting.
Review: This book was "eh". I couldn't get into it. The majority of the characters didn't have real names. There was another death row inmate that clearly had mental issues. The Lady was interesting and I liked her exploration of York's past and her revelation that they were both born from women who were mentally retarded (not the same woman in case you were wondering. At least I don't think so).
Maybe I was too simple for the book. I don't need a book to be deep, have themes, symbolism or metaphors. I like books where the characters have names and there aren't undercurrents of things going on that are unsaid but I should pick up on.
Author: Rene Denfeld
Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Summary: The Lady is a lawyer. She's a death row's inmate last chance at getting a reprieve for dying. Her current case is York. It's never fully explained what York did to get to death row, but does it really matter? York wants to die and doesn't want the Lady's services. But York's lawyers are paying for her, not York. Other stuff happens but it's not that interesting.
Review: This book was "eh". I couldn't get into it. The majority of the characters didn't have real names. There was another death row inmate that clearly had mental issues. The Lady was interesting and I liked her exploration of York's past and her revelation that they were both born from women who were mentally retarded (not the same woman in case you were wondering. At least I don't think so).
Maybe I was too simple for the book. I don't need a book to be deep, have themes, symbolism or metaphors. I like books where the characters have names and there aren't undercurrents of things going on that are unsaid but I should pick up on.
Book review: Frog Music
Title: Frog Music
Author: Emma Donoghue
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Summary: It's the summer of 1876 and San Francisco is going through a heat wave and a small pox epidemic. Blanche is a French burlesque dancer. Blanche had a baby a little over a year ago but the baby is being taken care by somebody else. After all, a baby doesn't really fit into a burlesque dancer's lifestyle. Her new friend Jenny is outspoken, wears pants at a time when it's illegal for women to wear pants, and mysterious, among other things. She also challenges Blanche to rethink her life and some of the decisions she's made.
Jenny's murdered one night but was the bullet meant for Blanche instead? Blanche makes it her mission to figure out who killed her friend and discovers that she didn't really know that much about her new friend.
Review: I really wanted to like this book. I think I even put it first on my hold list because I wanted to read it sooner rather than later. But then I unintentionally requested the large print version of the book. I hate reading the large print versions. They're so much bigger and you read and read and read but don't feel like you're getting anywhere. So I think that was hanging over me the whole time I read it.
There were so many promising elements to this story--it was based on a real unsolved murder, it had elements of women breaking boundaries and seeking redemption. It had elements of women empowering themselves. It took place in San Francisco. Yet, none of these things really came together for me in this book.
Author: Emma Donoghue
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Summary: It's the summer of 1876 and San Francisco is going through a heat wave and a small pox epidemic. Blanche is a French burlesque dancer. Blanche had a baby a little over a year ago but the baby is being taken care by somebody else. After all, a baby doesn't really fit into a burlesque dancer's lifestyle. Her new friend Jenny is outspoken, wears pants at a time when it's illegal for women to wear pants, and mysterious, among other things. She also challenges Blanche to rethink her life and some of the decisions she's made.
Jenny's murdered one night but was the bullet meant for Blanche instead? Blanche makes it her mission to figure out who killed her friend and discovers that she didn't really know that much about her new friend.
Review: I really wanted to like this book. I think I even put it first on my hold list because I wanted to read it sooner rather than later. But then I unintentionally requested the large print version of the book. I hate reading the large print versions. They're so much bigger and you read and read and read but don't feel like you're getting anywhere. So I think that was hanging over me the whole time I read it.
There were so many promising elements to this story--it was based on a real unsolved murder, it had elements of women breaking boundaries and seeking redemption. It had elements of women empowering themselves. It took place in San Francisco. Yet, none of these things really came together for me in this book.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Book review: I Heart My Little A-Holes
Title: I Heart My Little A-Holes
Author: Karen Alpert
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: Karen is the author of the Baby Sideburns blog. This book is a collection of essays on why children are a-holes.
Review: This is a book only a mother could truly appreciate. Or moms will appreciate it the most. This is one of those books that I don't remember where I heard about it but I requested it from the library and shortly thereafter got an email about it that it was being held for me.
I ended up getting this book right before I went on vacation. While I haven't blogged about it on my other blog (yet), we were going to California. On a plane. There's a whole chapter on traveling with children. I wouldn't recommend bringing this book on the plane if you're traveling with children.
Needless to say, I found this book a lot funnier after our trip was over. There were truly moments that I was doubled-over in laughter. I don't know if Karen will notice links to her blog from this blog, but in the event that she does, I thought I'd provide answers to some of the book club questions she posed at the end of the book. You're going to have to check out the book :
Author: Karen Alpert
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: Karen is the author of the Baby Sideburns blog. This book is a collection of essays on why children are a-holes.
Review: This is a book only a mother could truly appreciate. Or moms will appreciate it the most. This is one of those books that I don't remember where I heard about it but I requested it from the library and shortly thereafter got an email about it that it was being held for me.
I ended up getting this book right before I went on vacation. While I haven't blogged about it on my other blog (yet), we were going to California. On a plane. There's a whole chapter on traveling with children. I wouldn't recommend bringing this book on the plane if you're traveling with children.
Needless to say, I found this book a lot funnier after our trip was over. There were truly moments that I was doubled-over in laughter. I don't know if Karen will notice links to her blog from this blog, but in the event that she does, I thought I'd provide answers to some of the book club questions she posed at the end of the book. You're going to have to check out the book :
- Karen is!
- Bits (for both), toots and poop.
- I'd say normal. I currently have a 2 YO lying on her back screaming for her Daddy.
- Who am I to judge? Am I a good mom? Some days I'm not so sure.
- Another Holiday? Are You F'ing Kidding Me? Also, the section on homeschoolers.
- I started reading it on our vacation and couldn't get into it because I was so stressed out about not being "that family" on the plane.
- While I don't think I'm cut out to be a stay-at-home mom, I still secretly hate stay-at-home moms because they get to spend way more time with their kids than I do. So it's mainly spite. If by some miracle the author actually reads this review--sorry.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Book review: Five Star Billionaire
Title: Five Star Billionaire
Author: Tash Aw
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: This is the story of five people living in Shanghai--Phoebe, Gary, Justin, Yinghui and Walter Chao. Their lives intersect in many ways--Phoebe works for Yinghui, Justin has had a long-standing crush on Yinghui, who is also his brother's ex-girlfriend. Yinghui is exploring a business venture with Walter, the Five Star Billionaire. This story rotates through each of these character's lives with Shanghai as the backdrop.
Review: I should have written this review before I went on vacation because now my brain is fuzzy. I might not remember all of the reasons I liked this book, but remember my review on Crazy Rich Asians? Most of the people in Five Star Billionaire are wealthy but this book is so much better than Crazy Rich Asians.
I enjoy books that rotate through different characters. Aaron and I went to Shanghai in 2007 and I loved that trip, so that was part of the initial appeal for me. While I enjoyed the book, the primary reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is I didn't feel like there was enough character development. The book's less than 400 pages, which means only about 76 pages are written from each character's perspective. Also, some characters didn't really develop at all. Gary is a former pop star who starts over and has minimal involvement with other characters in the book. Perhaps he started over on his terms, but I wonder if his book space would have been better allocated to providing more depth to the other characters.
Author: Tash Aw
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: This is the story of five people living in Shanghai--Phoebe, Gary, Justin, Yinghui and Walter Chao. Their lives intersect in many ways--Phoebe works for Yinghui, Justin has had a long-standing crush on Yinghui, who is also his brother's ex-girlfriend. Yinghui is exploring a business venture with Walter, the Five Star Billionaire. This story rotates through each of these character's lives with Shanghai as the backdrop.
Review: I should have written this review before I went on vacation because now my brain is fuzzy. I might not remember all of the reasons I liked this book, but remember my review on Crazy Rich Asians? Most of the people in Five Star Billionaire are wealthy but this book is so much better than Crazy Rich Asians.
I enjoy books that rotate through different characters. Aaron and I went to Shanghai in 2007 and I loved that trip, so that was part of the initial appeal for me. While I enjoyed the book, the primary reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is I didn't feel like there was enough character development. The book's less than 400 pages, which means only about 76 pages are written from each character's perspective. Also, some characters didn't really develop at all. Gary is a former pop star who starts over and has minimal involvement with other characters in the book. Perhaps he started over on his terms, but I wonder if his book space would have been better allocated to providing more depth to the other characters.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Book review: The Silver Star
Title: The Silver Star
Author: Jeannette Walls
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book introduces us to two sisters--12-year-old Jean "Bean" and her fifteen-year-old sister Liz. It's 1970 and Liz, Bean and their mom Charlotte are living in Southern California. Charlotte is an aspiring actress and singer who occasionally leaves her girls to "find herself". The girls are used to taking care of themselves, but Charlotte typically returns after a few days. Now Charlotte has been gone for over two weeks and people are starting to ask questions. Nervous about getting separated or their mom in trouble, they take off for Virginia, where Charlotte grew up and where Charlotte's brother still lives.
When Bean and Liz get to Virginia, they move in with their Uncle Tinsley. What starts out as temporary begins to feel more permanent. Bean's dad died before she was born and she gets to know her dad's family. To make some extra money, the girls begin working for Jerry Maddox, the foreman of the mill in town and eventually start the school year in Virginia. Their job with Maddox doesn't end well but what transpires from this becomes a true David vs. Goliath story and how two young girls can stand up to a bully and win.
Review: Well, that was a longer than usual Summary. I'm not sure why, but one reason could be because of how much I liked the book, it was hard to cull it down to my usual paragraph.
Books about flaky moms are always interesting, as are books about the daughters of flaky moms. I liked the independence of the sisters and their connection. I don't want to give away what happens, but I was so proud of Liz for standing up to Maddox, the town bully. What transpired from her decision wasn't easy and she was certainly a reluctant heroine. Without the support of Bean and the eventual support of her uncle, I don't think she would have had the strength to make it. For awhile you're not sure she will, but justice is eventually served. I don't think I've read other books by Jeanette Walls but I certainly will now.
Author: Jeannette Walls
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book introduces us to two sisters--12-year-old Jean "Bean" and her fifteen-year-old sister Liz. It's 1970 and Liz, Bean and their mom Charlotte are living in Southern California. Charlotte is an aspiring actress and singer who occasionally leaves her girls to "find herself". The girls are used to taking care of themselves, but Charlotte typically returns after a few days. Now Charlotte has been gone for over two weeks and people are starting to ask questions. Nervous about getting separated or their mom in trouble, they take off for Virginia, where Charlotte grew up and where Charlotte's brother still lives.
When Bean and Liz get to Virginia, they move in with their Uncle Tinsley. What starts out as temporary begins to feel more permanent. Bean's dad died before she was born and she gets to know her dad's family. To make some extra money, the girls begin working for Jerry Maddox, the foreman of the mill in town and eventually start the school year in Virginia. Their job with Maddox doesn't end well but what transpires from this becomes a true David vs. Goliath story and how two young girls can stand up to a bully and win.
Review: Well, that was a longer than usual Summary. I'm not sure why, but one reason could be because of how much I liked the book, it was hard to cull it down to my usual paragraph.
Books about flaky moms are always interesting, as are books about the daughters of flaky moms. I liked the independence of the sisters and their connection. I don't want to give away what happens, but I was so proud of Liz for standing up to Maddox, the town bully. What transpired from her decision wasn't easy and she was certainly a reluctant heroine. Without the support of Bean and the eventual support of her uncle, I don't think she would have had the strength to make it. For awhile you're not sure she will, but justice is eventually served. I don't think I've read other books by Jeanette Walls but I certainly will now.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Book review: The Interestings
Title: The Interestings
Author: Meg Wolitzer
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book follows the lives of five friends that meet at camp one summer during high school. As their lives transition from high school to college to "adulthood", lives and relationships change.
My review: This book is right up my alley. I think I was surprised that I didn't read it soon enough. The book starts out with six friends but one disappears relatively early in the story and there are three in particular that dominate--Jules, Ethan, and Ash. Ethan's been in love with Jules since that first summer but try as she might, Jules just doesn't feel the same about Ethan. He eventually moves on, sort of.
I wasn't sure at first how interesting these people were. I got more into the story once they were out of college. That's really the only reason I didn't give it five stars--it just took a while for me to get into. I don't want to give away too much, but I did enjoy the Goodman story arc and how that blew up. I was saddened by Ethan but I also liked how his story resolved too.
Author: Meg Wolitzer
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Summary: This book follows the lives of five friends that meet at camp one summer during high school. As their lives transition from high school to college to "adulthood", lives and relationships change.
My review: This book is right up my alley. I think I was surprised that I didn't read it soon enough. The book starts out with six friends but one disappears relatively early in the story and there are three in particular that dominate--Jules, Ethan, and Ash. Ethan's been in love with Jules since that first summer but try as she might, Jules just doesn't feel the same about Ethan. He eventually moves on, sort of.
I wasn't sure at first how interesting these people were. I got more into the story once they were out of college. That's really the only reason I didn't give it five stars--it just took a while for me to get into. I don't want to give away too much, but I did enjoy the Goodman story arc and how that blew up. I was saddened by Ethan but I also liked how his story resolved too.
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