Before I sign off today and pause my catching up until tomorrow, one last literary note must be mentioned.
This week the world lost a wonderful woman. Helen Hiner, artist, journalist, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and, at the age of 100, published novelist, died Saturday, May 15th at the amazing age of 101 (and several months). A truly talented and creative woman, Helen was one of the foremost experts in western Nebraskan history and journalism. She wrote for decades and finally achieved her lifelong goal of publishing a novel just in time for her 100th birthday. She created beautiful art in a variety of medias, some of which is displayed in the Sidney, Nebraska Visitor center. She was also extremely active in her community, in which she had lived, in the same house no less, since 1943. Helen was my great-grandmother and one of my original influences in my personal development of my writing.
Her novel, Yesternight's Dawn, is available below and on Amazon. The novel is partially autobiographical and tells an account of growing up on the prairie in the 1950s and 1960s. As a historian, the detail is remarkable. We have boxes more of her materials, so perhaps another novel or book isn't out of the question. If it can be put together, we intend to do it in her memory.
As a book blogger, this blog wouldn't be complete without a tribute to such a wonderful person. Thank you Great-Grandma. You will be missed.
Sarah
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Rising Above in a Memoir
Well, apparently I got myself onto a "books with a message" streak, because here is another book with something important to say. Let's see the stats for Please Stop Laughing at Me.
Author: Jodee Blanco
Publisher: Adams Media
Date: 2003
My start date: 4/26/10
My finish date: 4/28/10
In this straight forward memoir, Jodee Blanco takes the reader on a journey through her child- and young adulthood to share her experiences as a victim of bullying. Like I said, I must be all about messages right now, but this is another really good one. Having taught in the public schools, I have seen only too well the results of bullying and peer harassment on a student. While I was fortunate never to encounter a situation as extreme as Blanco's, it doesn't take such extremity to really stay with a child. Having been picked on and bullied myself (again, not anywhere close to the extent that Blanco was), I can vouch firsthand at how deeply those scars run.
This book is great for a variety of different people. Parents, first and foremost, should read this. If you have a child, go buy this book now. It doesn't matter if you think your child is ok and not at risk, go buy it anyway. Too often, as evidenced in this book, parents write these situations off as simple childish behavior and completely harmless. Wrong. Take your kid seriously! Or worse, you don't know what your child isn't telling you. While most parents are stumped as to why a child wouldn't just come tell them if they were being troubled, Blanco shows exactly why your child might not always be telling you what is going on. Finally, and worst of all, your child might be the bully. This is not ok.
I would also recommend this to young adults. Just as above, children who have been bullied can find a voice and some comfort from Blanco's experiences, and those kids who might think that bullying is normal and a great way to fit in with the cool crowd might be shocked into realizing just how inappropriate this behavior is.
Finally, maybe you aren't a parent (or at least not a parent of a young adult) and you aren't a kid, but you are just looking for a good story of overcoming life's hurdles, this book is for you too. It comes complete with that requisite feel good ending.
I can't comment overly much on style or characters or anything of that nature here. This is a memoir, so the characters are what they are. Of course, there is always the question of how the author selects what he or she wants to include and in this way guides the reaction of the reader. For her project, which is of course, to discourage bullying and give hope to victims of bullying, I think Blanco has done a nice job of compiling her story. She references her habit of diary keeping on several occasions, from which one presumes she has extracted the material, making the thoroughness of her memory less questionable. She tells her story in a straightforward way without adding too much unnecessary speculation. Overall, I think it gets the point across nicely.
I don't really have much else to say on this one, except to once again recommend it for all parents!
I still have one more book to catch up on, as well as my current read. Look for at least one of those tomorrow. I am looking forward to writing about one of my favorite new series from C.A. Belmond. Check back for it!
That's it for now! Keep reading!
Sarah
Author: Jodee Blanco
Publisher: Adams Media
Date: 2003
My start date: 4/26/10
My finish date: 4/28/10
In this straight forward memoir, Jodee Blanco takes the reader on a journey through her child- and young adulthood to share her experiences as a victim of bullying. Like I said, I must be all about messages right now, but this is another really good one. Having taught in the public schools, I have seen only too well the results of bullying and peer harassment on a student. While I was fortunate never to encounter a situation as extreme as Blanco's, it doesn't take such extremity to really stay with a child. Having been picked on and bullied myself (again, not anywhere close to the extent that Blanco was), I can vouch firsthand at how deeply those scars run.
This book is great for a variety of different people. Parents, first and foremost, should read this. If you have a child, go buy this book now. It doesn't matter if you think your child is ok and not at risk, go buy it anyway. Too often, as evidenced in this book, parents write these situations off as simple childish behavior and completely harmless. Wrong. Take your kid seriously! Or worse, you don't know what your child isn't telling you. While most parents are stumped as to why a child wouldn't just come tell them if they were being troubled, Blanco shows exactly why your child might not always be telling you what is going on. Finally, and worst of all, your child might be the bully. This is not ok.
I would also recommend this to young adults. Just as above, children who have been bullied can find a voice and some comfort from Blanco's experiences, and those kids who might think that bullying is normal and a great way to fit in with the cool crowd might be shocked into realizing just how inappropriate this behavior is.
Finally, maybe you aren't a parent (or at least not a parent of a young adult) and you aren't a kid, but you are just looking for a good story of overcoming life's hurdles, this book is for you too. It comes complete with that requisite feel good ending.
I can't comment overly much on style or characters or anything of that nature here. This is a memoir, so the characters are what they are. Of course, there is always the question of how the author selects what he or she wants to include and in this way guides the reaction of the reader. For her project, which is of course, to discourage bullying and give hope to victims of bullying, I think Blanco has done a nice job of compiling her story. She references her habit of diary keeping on several occasions, from which one presumes she has extracted the material, making the thoroughness of her memory less questionable. She tells her story in a straightforward way without adding too much unnecessary speculation. Overall, I think it gets the point across nicely.
I don't really have much else to say on this one, except to once again recommend it for all parents!
I still have one more book to catch up on, as well as my current read. Look for at least one of those tomorrow. I am looking forward to writing about one of my favorite new series from C.A. Belmond. Check back for it!
That's it for now! Keep reading!
Sarah
Giving a Voice
While I have really enjoyed all of the books I have read this year (for the most part), the book I am about to discuss has been an especially thought provoking one. I am referring to Susan Abulhawa's Mornings in Jenin. Let's see the stats:
Title: Mornings In Jenin
Author: Susan Abulhawa
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: 2010
My start date: 4/19/10
My finish date: 4/24/10
This book was so powerful, I am not even sure where to start. So I guess I will start with a little background. This books deals with a very prickly international dispute and one in which, politically speaking, the US has been very vocal in regards to position: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Unfortunately, in today's society, for a variety of reasons, most of us have only heard or are only interested in the Israeli side of this story. Most stories we hear relating to the Palestinians, when we hear any at all, relate instances of extreme terrorism or the like. We rarely hear and even more rarely discuss the acts of atrocity stemming from the other side, nor do we discuss the condition of the refugees affected by these events.
Now, I should take this opportunity to reassert that I am, as always, a politically neutral person. Every story has two sides. But I do find it problematic when we don't listen to BOTH sides. Abulhawa provides us that opportunity in her poignant story of four generations of a Palestinian family. This book is beautifully written. Abulhawa guides her reader through all spectrums of emotion from sheer joy to utter despair. Beginning with the first generation in the 40s as they are removed "temporarily" from the land that has been theirs for hundreds of years, she progress through each generation and the trials they encounter, providing a touching voice to a group that has not often been given the microphone in the past. This work is often compared in scope to the works of Khaled Hosseini, notably The Kite Runner, in giving westerners a look at the human factor behind all of the media propaganda. While there are distinct differences in the style and structure of these works, for example, Abulhawa's decision to trace a family rather than focus entirely on an individual as Hosseini has done, the quality and overall feeling of the works is the same. Also similar, I will warn you, if you have any feelings, this book will induce tears, and more than once.
Something I found tremendous in this work, is Abulhawa's project of awareness over condemnation. Many of you will assume that this will be a book about pointing fingers at a bad guy, about playing a victim. Not so. I was very impressed that, despite the terrors suffered by her characters at the hands of the Israeli Jews, her writing is not the type that wants to lump all people of any one group into a category. Throughout the novel you will encounter a good number of well written, compassionate Jews. There really isn't a "bad guy" here, each character is written so that you can understand where he or she is coming from, even when you can't or don't want necessarily to sympathize. Bad acts are committed on both sides. Despite the sad events, this book is written to give a people a voice, not to stir up more hate.
Stylistically, I like Abulhawa's decision to follow multiple generations and shift the main perspective to a different protagonist in the next generation down each time such a shift is necessary. What I found unusual, but not altogether unpleasing, was her decision to periodically shift from third person narrative to the first person narrative. I was very aware of this shift, I found it interesting, but I am at a loss to explain it. Sorry. Maybe you can and if so, please feel free to comment to me about it. And finally, this story is filled with interesting twists which keep you guessing and on your feet. And you all know by now how much I enjoy being surprised in my reading.
I will wrap up with this: everyone should read this book. I don't care at all what your political stance is. Understanding perspectives is important. And this is just plain a great book anyway. READ IT.
That's it. Until next time,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
Title: Mornings In Jenin
Author: Susan Abulhawa
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: 2010
My start date: 4/19/10
My finish date: 4/24/10
This book was so powerful, I am not even sure where to start. So I guess I will start with a little background. This books deals with a very prickly international dispute and one in which, politically speaking, the US has been very vocal in regards to position: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Unfortunately, in today's society, for a variety of reasons, most of us have only heard or are only interested in the Israeli side of this story. Most stories we hear relating to the Palestinians, when we hear any at all, relate instances of extreme terrorism or the like. We rarely hear and even more rarely discuss the acts of atrocity stemming from the other side, nor do we discuss the condition of the refugees affected by these events.
Now, I should take this opportunity to reassert that I am, as always, a politically neutral person. Every story has two sides. But I do find it problematic when we don't listen to BOTH sides. Abulhawa provides us that opportunity in her poignant story of four generations of a Palestinian family. This book is beautifully written. Abulhawa guides her reader through all spectrums of emotion from sheer joy to utter despair. Beginning with the first generation in the 40s as they are removed "temporarily" from the land that has been theirs for hundreds of years, she progress through each generation and the trials they encounter, providing a touching voice to a group that has not often been given the microphone in the past. This work is often compared in scope to the works of Khaled Hosseini, notably The Kite Runner, in giving westerners a look at the human factor behind all of the media propaganda. While there are distinct differences in the style and structure of these works, for example, Abulhawa's decision to trace a family rather than focus entirely on an individual as Hosseini has done, the quality and overall feeling of the works is the same. Also similar, I will warn you, if you have any feelings, this book will induce tears, and more than once.
Something I found tremendous in this work, is Abulhawa's project of awareness over condemnation. Many of you will assume that this will be a book about pointing fingers at a bad guy, about playing a victim. Not so. I was very impressed that, despite the terrors suffered by her characters at the hands of the Israeli Jews, her writing is not the type that wants to lump all people of any one group into a category. Throughout the novel you will encounter a good number of well written, compassionate Jews. There really isn't a "bad guy" here, each character is written so that you can understand where he or she is coming from, even when you can't or don't want necessarily to sympathize. Bad acts are committed on both sides. Despite the sad events, this book is written to give a people a voice, not to stir up more hate.
Stylistically, I like Abulhawa's decision to follow multiple generations and shift the main perspective to a different protagonist in the next generation down each time such a shift is necessary. What I found unusual, but not altogether unpleasing, was her decision to periodically shift from third person narrative to the first person narrative. I was very aware of this shift, I found it interesting, but I am at a loss to explain it. Sorry. Maybe you can and if so, please feel free to comment to me about it. And finally, this story is filled with interesting twists which keep you guessing and on your feet. And you all know by now how much I enjoy being surprised in my reading.
I will wrap up with this: everyone should read this book. I don't care at all what your political stance is. Understanding perspectives is important. And this is just plain a great book anyway. READ IT.
That's it. Until next time,
Keep Reading!
Sarah
She's a Witch!! I'm not a witch, I'm NOT a witch..."
Ahhh, Monty Python's witch hunt scene. One of cinema's greats in my opinion.
With all the current hype about witches (Harry Potter) and other mythical figures, such a vampires, flooding into contemporary literature these days, it is interesting to think back on the very real and historical role of witches, real or otherwise, in the U.S. I am talking specifically about the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts in the 1690s, which happens to be the topic of my most recent read. Stats:
Title: The Heretic's Daughter
Author: Kathleen Kent
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co (My fav!)
Date: 2008
My start date: 4/11/10
My finish date: 4/18/10
I have been fascinated by this topic since I was a kid. When I was about twelve years old, two things happened to draw me into the study of the Salem trials. First, a movie came out which came over time to be a classic within my family, that is, Hocus Pocus. We watch that movie every Halloween to this day. For some reason, I just loved this movie and when it came out, true to form for me, I immediately took to the encyclopedias to find out more about it. Almost simultaneously, in a move that in retrospect might well have been planned to correspond to the hit movie by a smart teacher, my class read a great book by an author who I think is among the best of Young Adult writers, Ann Rinaldi. The book was called A Break With Charity and told the events in historical fiction format from the perspective of one of the girls in the ring of accusors. This story of the power of a few young and bored girls to grip entire communities in terror and bring people to tragic deaths had me hooked.
Needless to say, when I saw Kent's fictionalized account of the story of her own family's experiences of the trials, I was intrigued. Kent is a direct descendant of Martha Carrier, one of the women historically most strongly accused and Kent weaves mostly true facts into a delightful fiction that takes you behind the scenes into a very hard time in this country while also writing a story about the bonds of family, particularly mother-daughter relationships and coming of age. It was fun as I read to run to the internet and double check the veracity of each development and Kent keeps not only a webpage, but also a facebook fanpage which has pictures of real locations and other things.
One thing I might add, however, is the relative slowness of the beginning. However, I am not even sure that "slowness" is the correct word. Considering my fascination with the subject of the trials, I expected the book to dive right into "witchcraft" in the community from the beginning, but the topic of witchcraft and the trials is actually almost entirely absent until the second half of the book, or perhaps even later. Yet, a slow beginning doesn't really describe it. The first half gives the reader a beautiful view of the realities of life in the late 17th century and the story is still quite engaging. It is just "slow" in getting to the advertised point. But rich in historical value at least.
Great book, fascinating topic, I definitely recommend.
Time for the next one!
Keep reading!
Sarah
With all the current hype about witches (Harry Potter) and other mythical figures, such a vampires, flooding into contemporary literature these days, it is interesting to think back on the very real and historical role of witches, real or otherwise, in the U.S. I am talking specifically about the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts in the 1690s, which happens to be the topic of my most recent read. Stats:
Title: The Heretic's Daughter
Author: Kathleen Kent
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co (My fav!)
Date: 2008
My start date: 4/11/10
My finish date: 4/18/10
I have been fascinated by this topic since I was a kid. When I was about twelve years old, two things happened to draw me into the study of the Salem trials. First, a movie came out which came over time to be a classic within my family, that is, Hocus Pocus. We watch that movie every Halloween to this day. For some reason, I just loved this movie and when it came out, true to form for me, I immediately took to the encyclopedias to find out more about it. Almost simultaneously, in a move that in retrospect might well have been planned to correspond to the hit movie by a smart teacher, my class read a great book by an author who I think is among the best of Young Adult writers, Ann Rinaldi. The book was called A Break With Charity and told the events in historical fiction format from the perspective of one of the girls in the ring of accusors. This story of the power of a few young and bored girls to grip entire communities in terror and bring people to tragic deaths had me hooked.
Needless to say, when I saw Kent's fictionalized account of the story of her own family's experiences of the trials, I was intrigued. Kent is a direct descendant of Martha Carrier, one of the women historically most strongly accused and Kent weaves mostly true facts into a delightful fiction that takes you behind the scenes into a very hard time in this country while also writing a story about the bonds of family, particularly mother-daughter relationships and coming of age. It was fun as I read to run to the internet and double check the veracity of each development and Kent keeps not only a webpage, but also a facebook fanpage which has pictures of real locations and other things.
One thing I might add, however, is the relative slowness of the beginning. However, I am not even sure that "slowness" is the correct word. Considering my fascination with the subject of the trials, I expected the book to dive right into "witchcraft" in the community from the beginning, but the topic of witchcraft and the trials is actually almost entirely absent until the second half of the book, or perhaps even later. Yet, a slow beginning doesn't really describe it. The first half gives the reader a beautiful view of the realities of life in the late 17th century and the story is still quite engaging. It is just "slow" in getting to the advertised point. But rich in historical value at least.
Great book, fascinating topic, I definitely recommend.
Time for the next one!
Keep reading!
Sarah
Reading and Writing
Well, I am back. Finally. Took a little break there, as you can see. But it is time to resume my blogs. This brings up the topic, however, of reading versus writing. I love to read. And honestly, I love to write too. But only when it is fun. My resolution was initially just to read the 100 books for fun. And I love writing to posts too. However, cramming the posts in between the more demanding requirements of writing things for school, it got to the point where writing the posts was no longer a fun task, but more of a chore to add in around all of the other things. And let me tell you, there is no better place than grad school if you want to feel like your writing is no good. And as I said in the beginning, I would only do this project as long as it was still fun. So I decided it was time for a break.
Well, a break from writing at least. I still enjoyed the reading and I still kept up with it as much as possible. I even still kept taking notes for posts, so now that I am ready to resume writing, I have quite a few posts to give you! And with summer break only two weeks away....Finally. Although I am still decidedly behind schedule to meet my goal, I think this is the best way to have a blog like this. No one wants to read stuffy forced book reviews, right??
Anyway, the leave of absence is over and look for several new posts in quick succession. I read some great books during those silent weeks! For the first, a small tribute to Monty Python...
Keep reading! (Even when you don't feel like writing...)
Sarah
Well, a break from writing at least. I still enjoyed the reading and I still kept up with it as much as possible. I even still kept taking notes for posts, so now that I am ready to resume writing, I have quite a few posts to give you! And with summer break only two weeks away....Finally. Although I am still decidedly behind schedule to meet my goal, I think this is the best way to have a blog like this. No one wants to read stuffy forced book reviews, right??
Anyway, the leave of absence is over and look for several new posts in quick succession. I read some great books during those silent weeks! For the first, a small tribute to Monty Python...
Keep reading! (Even when you don't feel like writing...)
Sarah
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