Books I Read, May 2008

What: Sights by Susanna Vance
Why I read it: Was doing a display on child abuse and this one sounded interesting.
What I thought: Was cute but a little TOO cute. I don’t usually go for “southern” themed books, to be honest. I really liked the characters, but there wasn’t nearly enough about her having or using “the sight” and it was just a bit too southern for me.

What: The Problem with Murmur Lee by Connie May Fowler
Why I read it: One of those that someone brought in that looked good. Plus it was kind of short.
What I thought: Why did I pick another southern book!? Argh. The concept was good, the main character is dead and we see her friends dealing with that, and occasionally we get her perspective. Unlike Lovely Bones, Murmur rarely observes her friends. She is more a floating consciousness. Again, the characters were good, and I like books from various narrators. But it was too stereotypically southern, and I would have been more interested in Murmur’s journey. Also, this is sort of marketed as a mystery, when really I paid little to no attention to the “mystery” of how she died. It was really easy to figure out and no one really stressed about it too much.

What: Standing Still by Kelly Simmons
Why I read it: Looked interesting. A woman is kidnapped and we see the relationship developed between her and her kidnapper.
What I thought: First off, totally wrong title for this book. For some reason, I really felt like I related to some parts of this book at this time in my life. Maybe it was too simple, too easy for some people, but psychologically I totally got it. I’d recommend this one.

What: You’re Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead by Larry Winget
Why I read it: Cuz I’m broke.
What I thought: Really, this is the best book to read. It’s a series of punches to the gut. Reminders of things that you are already aware of, you just need someone to say it. Will I follow the very simple advice within? No. Because honestly, I kind of want to be broke. I’m just not comfortable when I have money.

What: The Economic Naturalist: In Search of Explanations for Everyday Enigmas by Robert Frank
Why I read it: I like economics still. For some reason. Especially as it applies to human behavior.
What I thought: Short, interesting book about why some things are the way they are. Mostly taken from essays written by students of the author. Basically, a question is asked (Why does x cost more than x2, when it costs more to produce x2?) with economically logical explanations for each. It was a little different than I thought it would be, but I actually retained information from it; I think I may have LEARNED something. What’s that about?

What: The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta
Why I read it: Interesting summary on dust cover.
What I thought: Turns out, not that interesting. WAY more about the coach than the abstinence teacher. Promising idea (crazy culty church vs. secularist teacher) becomes pathetic semi-love story about former drug addict, current religion addict coach… actually I think the point was there’s a middle ground the two finished up on, but it totally didn’t succeed in making me give a crap. One annoying thing is that I’d be reading in the coach’s present then suddenly I’d realize I’d been reading about his past (which is supposed to be some sort of excuse/explanation for his behavior now) for 20 pages before he finishes doing what he was doing in the present.

What: A Shortcut in Time by Charles Dickinson
Why I read it: Hey, a time rift appears in these shortcuts in this town. Sounds cool.
What I thought: Most of it was cool. The brother storyline was good, although resolved too easily. Only real complaints: The dad accepted WAY too quickly that it was a hole in time. The dad accepted way too easily his daughter staying in the past. The daughter accepted way too easily the changed future without mom. The parts with the first traveler were terrific, but also were cut off too quickly. Again, a lot of promise…so close.

What: You Are What You Eat: The Plan That Will Change Your Life by Gillian McKeith
Why I read it: I needed a push to eat better.
What I thought: Great book. Although there’s nearly no way to actually live all her advice, there were many things that I do now (drink warm water when you get up, don’t eat fruit within 30 minutes of eating anything else) that have made a difference. It was a short, encouraging book from which you can easily pick and choose the things you are able to follow.

What: Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way We Treat Animals by Karen Dawn
Why I read it: Cuz I’m all about the animal rights.
What I thought: Terrific terrific book. It doesn’t weight you down with pages and pages of proofs on just one subject. It gives an excellent summary, proof, and talking points for dozens of aspects of the animal rights movement. Quick answers are sometimes the best. It worked perfectly in this case.

What: Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
Why I read it: Graphic novel. Looked cute. A doggie and a robot are friends!
What I thought: Well, it really ticked me off that the doggie left the poor robot in the first place. So that tainted what was intended to be a precious, lovely commentary on friendship. Erasing that part, it was great. And the robot was very forgiving, even though he should have destroyed the dog with his laser eyes.