Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
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Books Update
Here's my reading log for the past six weeks:
ANNE FRANK, THE BOOK, THE LIFE, THE AFTERLIFE by Francine Prose
A few years ago, Prose was researching various published diaries in preparation for her novel GOLDENGROVE. One work recommended to her was Anne Frank's famous diary. After reading it again for the first time since childhood, she came away with a deep appreciation for Frank's literary skill along with profound regret that her remarkable voice was stilled so suddenly and with such cruelty.
In this book, she analyzes several versions of the famous diary and is able to make a very persuasive case in support of Frank's skill as a writer. She includes the history of the struggle to get it published and an insightful view of the distortion created by the script of the Broadway play and the resulting movie.
ANNE FRANK, THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL by Anne Frank
So, of course, I moved on to the diary itself. I would have told you that I had read it before; but I don't think so. I think my only impressions were formed by a high school production of the play and later viewing the movie.
HEAT LIGHTNING by John Sandford
Virgil Flowers, one of Sandford's Minnesota cops, investigates a series of murders which seems to be eliminating, one by one, a group of Vietnam war veterans who meet regularly in a local support group. Sandford's police procedurals are hard to top.
THE YEAR THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Michael Meyer
Meyer is a journalist who was stationed in Berlin in the late 1980's. His view on the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe as the Berlin Wall came down and as the Soviet Union dissolved make for a fascinating book.
THE BOLTER by Frances Osborne
Idina Sackville, Osborne's great grandmother was a member of a scandalous group of ex-patriate British who fled England after WWI for economic opportunity in Eastern Africa. As a young mother, Osborne became intrigued with what would motivate a young society matron with a fabulously wealthy husband and two young sons to throw everything over and flee to another continent. The resulting book is a hypnotic combination of romance, adventure, and scandal.
ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE by Kati Marton
Marton's parents were Hungarian nationals who worked in post war Budapest as journalists filing their stories with Western press agencies. Eventually the repressive Hungarian authorities arrested and imprisoned them both, leaving their two young daughters alone in an empty apartment. The two girls were eventually given to the care of a foster family, and after nearly two years of painful separation were reunited with their parents. With the sympathetic intervention of American press agencies along with some diplomats, the family was able to leave for the US.
Although technically an autobiography, this could easily be shelved with spy thrillers. Marton was able to obtain her parents' files from the Hungarian secret police archives. The entire story makes for a riveting read.
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks
This was a library book discussion choice, and it met with mixed reactions when we talked about it. I was with those who were less than wildly enthusiastic. Brooks follows the history of a real book - the Sarajevo Haggadah. She fills in known history with "what if" type fiction, with mixed results.
A present day love affair along with the protagonist's tension with her mother (all fictional) are unnecessary additions to the work, in the opinion of most of us at the library evening.
SUPERFREAKONOMICS by Levitt & Dubner
A unique view on some very pertinent features of American society coupled with a very readable literary style worked for the two authors' first book FREAKONOMICS. They follow it up with more of the same. Their analysis of the current global warning conundrum have kicked up controversy.
THE SELECTED WORKS OF T S SPIVET by Reif Larson
A quirky coming of age/road story featuring a lonely young boy from an isolated Montana ranch as protagonist. Along with some tactics of graphic novels, the author combines some mysticism with his main story. The New York Times reviewer didn't like it, but I thought it worked pretty well.
As I read, I was reminded of Pete Hamill's SNOW IN AUGUST and also Leif Enger's PEACE LIKE A RIVER. Hamill and Larson have this combination figured out, in my view. Enger tried too vigorously to have things both ways and missed the mark.
ORANGE MINT AND HONEY by Carleen Brice
One of my discussion groups is always on the lookout for local authors who might be available to attend our discussion of their books. After I heard Brice interviewed on the radio, I decided to check her out. This is her debut novel, probably described as "chick lit" featuring tension between an adult woman and her mother, but worth the time to read. I've got another one of hers here working its way to the top of the TBR mountain.
CHARLOTTE'S WEB by E B White
Along with Anne Frank's diary, the classic in this bunch.
Anthropomorphism at its best! I listened to White read his work on audio, after a recommendation by one of the librarians I know, and it's wonderful!
ROUGH COUNTRY by John Sandford
More Minnesota cops, this time investigating a mysterious series of deaths connected to a northwoods retreat.
That's it, folks. Happy reading!
ANNE FRANK, THE BOOK, THE LIFE, THE AFTERLIFE by Francine Prose
A few years ago, Prose was researching various published diaries in preparation for her novel GOLDENGROVE. One work recommended to her was Anne Frank's famous diary. After reading it again for the first time since childhood, she came away with a deep appreciation for Frank's literary skill along with profound regret that her remarkable voice was stilled so suddenly and with such cruelty.
In this book, she analyzes several versions of the famous diary and is able to make a very persuasive case in support of Frank's skill as a writer. She includes the history of the struggle to get it published and an insightful view of the distortion created by the script of the Broadway play and the resulting movie.
ANNE FRANK, THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL by Anne Frank
So, of course, I moved on to the diary itself. I would have told you that I had read it before; but I don't think so. I think my only impressions were formed by a high school production of the play and later viewing the movie.
HEAT LIGHTNING by John Sandford
Virgil Flowers, one of Sandford's Minnesota cops, investigates a series of murders which seems to be eliminating, one by one, a group of Vietnam war veterans who meet regularly in a local support group. Sandford's police procedurals are hard to top.
THE YEAR THAT CHANGED THE WORLD by Michael Meyer
Meyer is a journalist who was stationed in Berlin in the late 1980's. His view on the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe as the Berlin Wall came down and as the Soviet Union dissolved make for a fascinating book.
THE BOLTER by Frances Osborne
Idina Sackville, Osborne's great grandmother was a member of a scandalous group of ex-patriate British who fled England after WWI for economic opportunity in Eastern Africa. As a young mother, Osborne became intrigued with what would motivate a young society matron with a fabulously wealthy husband and two young sons to throw everything over and flee to another continent. The resulting book is a hypnotic combination of romance, adventure, and scandal.
ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE by Kati Marton
Marton's parents were Hungarian nationals who worked in post war Budapest as journalists filing their stories with Western press agencies. Eventually the repressive Hungarian authorities arrested and imprisoned them both, leaving their two young daughters alone in an empty apartment. The two girls were eventually given to the care of a foster family, and after nearly two years of painful separation were reunited with their parents. With the sympathetic intervention of American press agencies along with some diplomats, the family was able to leave for the US.
Although technically an autobiography, this could easily be shelved with spy thrillers. Marton was able to obtain her parents' files from the Hungarian secret police archives. The entire story makes for a riveting read.
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks
This was a library book discussion choice, and it met with mixed reactions when we talked about it. I was with those who were less than wildly enthusiastic. Brooks follows the history of a real book - the Sarajevo Haggadah. She fills in known history with "what if" type fiction, with mixed results.
A present day love affair along with the protagonist's tension with her mother (all fictional) are unnecessary additions to the work, in the opinion of most of us at the library evening.
SUPERFREAKONOMICS by Levitt & Dubner
A unique view on some very pertinent features of American society coupled with a very readable literary style worked for the two authors' first book FREAKONOMICS. They follow it up with more of the same. Their analysis of the current global warning conundrum have kicked up controversy.
THE SELECTED WORKS OF T S SPIVET by Reif Larson
A quirky coming of age/road story featuring a lonely young boy from an isolated Montana ranch as protagonist. Along with some tactics of graphic novels, the author combines some mysticism with his main story. The New York Times reviewer didn't like it, but I thought it worked pretty well.
As I read, I was reminded of Pete Hamill's SNOW IN AUGUST and also Leif Enger's PEACE LIKE A RIVER. Hamill and Larson have this combination figured out, in my view. Enger tried too vigorously to have things both ways and missed the mark.
ORANGE MINT AND HONEY by Carleen Brice
One of my discussion groups is always on the lookout for local authors who might be available to attend our discussion of their books. After I heard Brice interviewed on the radio, I decided to check her out. This is her debut novel, probably described as "chick lit" featuring tension between an adult woman and her mother, but worth the time to read. I've got another one of hers here working its way to the top of the TBR mountain.
CHARLOTTE'S WEB by E B White
Along with Anne Frank's diary, the classic in this bunch.
Anthropomorphism at its best! I listened to White read his work on audio, after a recommendation by one of the librarians I know, and it's wonderful!
ROUGH COUNTRY by John Sandford
More Minnesota cops, this time investigating a mysterious series of deaths connected to a northwoods retreat.
That's it, folks. Happy reading!
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