The Patron Saint of Liars

True to my word, I gave Ann Patchett another shot.  I found a copy of The Patron Saint of Liars at Half-Price Books.  I figured the dollar clearance price wasn't too much to pay, even if I hated it.

The Patron Saint of Liars had everything Bel Canto did not:  characters I could relate to and a story that was believable.  It was easy to adore Sister Evangeline and Son.  While Rose was a bit more of a challenge to like, I always felt that I understood her and the reasons behind her desertion.  Cecilia became a favorite character as I watcher her grow up throughout the novel.

I wish the book had ended differently, but there's much behind the reasons why the novel had to end the way Patchett has written it.  While Bel Canto made me question her ability as an author, The Patron Saint of Liars illustrated all that she has to offer.  Ironically, the latter is her first novel, while Bel Canto was written later in her career.

The Hunger Games

I started reading this book as part of my job.  Many, many of my students were reading The Hunger Games.  More than a few of my colleagues were insisting that the novel was a "must-read".  So, following like a lemming, I downloaded the book onto my Kindle and started to read.

I ignored my child, husband and television for the few hours it took to finish this extraordinary book.  I was very intrigued by the story because it seemed very similar to one of my favorite short stories, "The Lottery".  Panem, what is left of the United States many years into the future, is the story's world.  Panem is distributed into 13 districts; however, only 12 are still populated.  While the author never reveals exactly where the districts are, it is easy to imagine through her description and the district's resources.  The abandoned 13th district is the reasoning behind the annual games.

Children from each of the 12 districts in Panem are selected to be tributes.  Tributes fight to the death in remembrance, or retribution, for the loss of the 13th district many years before.  The boy and girl, selected from each district, are placed into a created world for this harrowing adventure, after much pomp and circumstance.

The tension and suspense built by the author is intense.  There was a temptation to flip ahead in the story, just to make sure the characters survive.  But, I'm not a page skipper!  I definitely enjoyed this fantasy thriller and am looking forward to reading the second book in the trilogy.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I find that the most nerve wracking part of a book club is when it's your turn to host.  Not only do you have to have a clean house and treats, but you also must select a book!  I have been quite vocal of my dislike for previous book club selections, so I was especially nervous about my selection.  However, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society turned out to be a phenomenal choice!

I am very intrigued by anything related to World War II, especially if the Holocaust is involved.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, written in the form of letters, takes place shortly after the war.  The British isle of Guernsey actually became a base of operation for the Nazis.  The novel tells the story of the residents' clever plan to outwit the Germans.  Their plan, a creation of a book club, leads to the correspondence between an author and the residents.

Although it took a bit for me to keep the characters straight, I was amazed at how fluently the story was told through the different points of view.  I loved the various personalities of the characters and the author's ability to make me feel a part of the tight-knit community.  I was saddened to realize that the author passed away prior to the book's completion.  I wanted to read more of her books!

The Bookseller of Kabul

I have to admit I wasn't thrilled when I learned that The Bookseller of Kabul was our January book club selection.  The description didn't thrill me and I had a challenging time finding the book:  not available on Kindle, not at Half-Price books and not at my local Borders.  I ended up ordering from Amazon.

Once the book arrived, I began reading.  I was surprised to find that I couldn't stop.  The story was so intriguing.  I especially enjoyed reading the stories of the women in the family.  The author created such vivid imagery I was truly able to imagine being trapped inside a burka.  The bureaucracy involved in one woman's attempt to become a teacher reminded me of the idiocy of the Illinois State Board of Education.  I could truly empathize with her frustration.

However, the most intriguing part of the story to me was that the author became a part of the family and was accepted by them as she researched this story.  Although she never mentions this, I imagine to go from a totally free woman in Norway, to one that is hidden within a burka in Afghanistan, must have been an isolating and frustrating experience.

The Graveyard Book

Typically, science fiction/fantasy books aren't my first choice.  But, Neil Gaiman's stories always seem to catch my attention.  I enjoyed his creepy Young Adult novel, Coraline, and have used it in my classroom many times.  My daughter loves his book The Wolves in the Walls!

The Graveyard Book is an interesting story about a baby who is adopted by the residents of a graveyard after his family is murdered.  Mind you, the residents are all long deceased, which creates interesting parenting techniques.  The murderer is still looking for the baby and there is a great deal of suspense created. We are able to watch the baby grow to be a young man and experience his confusion as he begins to interact with a young lady. 

The Graveyard Book is a quick read and truly made me think of the possibilities of the after-life.

Bel Canto

Everyone loves this book, but me!  I tried to love it.  I just couldn't connect to the characters.  Imagine a Japanese businessman and his translator, an American opera singer and a sappy Frenchman all kidnapped by an inexperienced South American terrorist organization.  At first, the concept was intriguing, but after the hostage situation continued for what truly felt like years, the story was ridiculous.  I understand the concept of Stockholm Syndrome, but I thought this book took the idea to a whole new level.

The captors and captives became friends:  English lessons in the china cabinet, helping captives arrange midnight rendezvous with lovers and endless chess competitions.  The captors had such unanswerable demands, the reader knows that the eventual outcome will not be good.  

The resolution, after the aftermath of the captivity, totally confused me as well.  It seemed to come out of nowhere.  I did, however, like Ann Patchett's writing style and will definitely read another of her books.

Dragonfly in Amber

I reluctantly began reading The Outlander series because so many friends and acquaintances had. It seemed I was missing out on something big. I first read The Outlander and thought it was just a romance novel on steroids, due to its massive length. However, I was left with a nagging need to find out what happened to Jamie and Claire.

Fans of the series enjoy the fantasy and time-travel aspects of this series.  And, I have to admit, the thought of being able to travel back in time and witness history as it happens is a tantalizing concept.   I'm just not sure it's enough for me to continue through another 7,000 or so pages of Jamie, Claire and throbbing organs of passion. 

I struggled through Dragonfly in Amber and many of my questions are still unanswered. Friends assure me that the series gets better. I'm not sure I have the necessary dedication to read any further.  And besides, the sexual romps of Jamie and Claire aren't that titillating.

January 2010

I received a Kindle for Christmas, and with that a renewed interest in reading.  As a Language Arts teacher, reading is a requirement.  But, reading for enjoyment had sadly gone by the wayside.  I made a resolution of sorts to read 100 books in 2010.  However, I know that if I didn't find some way to keep track of the books I read and hold myself accountable, I would never fulfill this commitment.  Thus, this blog!

My reads for January are:



1. Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
2. Bel Canto by Anne Patchett
3. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
4. The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad
5. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
6. The Hunger Gamers by Suzanne Collins
7.  The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett