late book report: april reads

Oh, my bookly ones, here is the month where it seemed like my reading list dried up. It's funny, by sharing what I'm reading with all of you, I have found myself second guessing my choices. I worry that I will look provincal or shallow for reading something light...but I know that I have to balance my book diet. If I plow through something with a difficult plot or intricate writing, most of the time I'll pick something comforting or easy as a follow up. Do you do the same? Sometimes you just want something that doesn't tax your brain too much - or your heart.

1. "Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn - the wonderful and amazing Rebecca Woolf of Girl's Gone Child suggested a Twitter book club (#prosehos) and because I think Rebecca is The Coolest, I was all in. I tracked down this book and was immediately disturbed by the story of a carnival family that takes the phrase "freak show" to another stratosphere - two performing parents who purposefully breed their own freaks. That was difficult to stomach - the idea of someone intentionally trying to alter their children into twisted, money making vehicles. It was definitely a step outside my comfort zone, and I would put it down when things got a wee bit intense.I know it's a sign of skillful writing when you find yourself sick to your stomach - but it's not my favorite way to spend my reading time. The character of Arturo was truly a monster (would have liked a few well placed illustrations, actually) and it took an immense amount of effort to picture these genetically wrecked creatures. I wouldn't recommend this book as a fun read, and I probably won't read it again. It left me with a mix of despair and disgust churning inside. I definitely read this one on and off and didn't finish it until the beginning of Easter weekend. Still, it's very well written and yet I don't want to know how this story appeared in the author's head. 

Funnily enough, this is something that Beaux has expressed interest in reading. He got upset with me when I gasped out a plot twist - "That's the only book you've ever read that I think I might like to read, too!"

2. "Gentlemen and Players" by Joanne Harris - oh, I just really like Joanne Harris. Every single book of hers is a great story, well written, and yet I never know what is going to happen around the corner. This is a story of a crumbling English boys' school with a dark history. Harris is truly a master at revealing those tiny flashes of information, like a quick strike of a match in the dark. Just let me say that no one is quite who they seem to be - it's a classic page-turner. You think you have it figured out, but you don't. I can wholeheartedly recommend this book without worrying that you might need a call to your therapist after reading it. 

3. "It Sucked, and Then I Cried" by Heather Armstrong - I am a huge Dooce fan and as a credit to how excited I was that her book was finally on the shelves, I bought it - in hardback. I never buy ANYTHING in hardback. Everyone knows what a compelling and funny writer Heather is, and I'm happy I have the book, but since I'd pored over her pregnancy archives when I was pregnant, there wasn't anything new for me there. Also, the letters to Leta were printed very lightly - it was hard to read them, which made me feel like I needed reading glasses! But that's my only criticism - I think it's fabulous that there's a book like this out there, something that shares the terrific highs and lows of motherhood. It's so important that women who are suffering from post partum depression know that they're NOT bad mothers, their babies are not BAD babies, that they need help and that's okay - and for every woman to know motherhood is not all sweet knitted booties and lullabies. It's hard, it's work, and it's very often boring as crap - as well as, full of more poop than you ever imagined. Of course, it's more than worth it - but some days you really wonder, and Heather is perfect for articulating those moments. 

4. "Light from Heaven" by Jan Karon - So, I finished the Mitford series. I was sad to reach the last book, and yet terribly relieved that Father Tim doesn't go to Heaven as a tidy ending. (I don't think anyone is going to be mad at me for revealing that, at least, I hope not.)  Lots of loose strings were tied up in this last book and all is well. 

5. "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert - a total reread comfort thing. I was feeling very unmoored spiritually at the end of this month and I just wanted someone who spoke to me, someone who has a spirtual story that doesn't begin and end with Jesus. I love the beginning when she's crying to God in the bathroom - it reminds me of Anne Lamott and Sam in "Traveling Mercies" - how she says "God is in the bathroom" during Sam's cancer scare. I know all of America has read "Eat, Pray, Love" and loved it, so I don't think I have anything original to say, except that you will want to eat a lot of Italian food during the Italy chapters, for sure. 

That's all for April reads, book lovers! I'll be back soon with May reads. As always, let me hear what you're reading, I always want to know. 

Comments

[lindsey]

i loved "eat, pray, love." got it when i first moved to new york and instantly wanted to move to italy! it didn't help that mark's boss at the time always took his vacations there! my pages are so earmarked and passages underlined. i agree, elizabeth gilbert reminds me of anne lamott. i tend to read everything and then have to take a long time out. am currently trying to come up with my summer reading list. i prefer elizabeth mccracken to katherine dunn. currently, i am stalking pat conroy. i can hardly wait till august for his new book, "south of broad." book lovers, happy reading!

xoxo

[Megsie]

I am also shy about sharing my book loves, I like "fluff" a lot. And yes, I tend to want to lighten up after a heavy read. I just ordered "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zazlow for my book club this month. I read the first Nancy Drew last week, and loved it, but I haven't wanted to pick up another book since. I have been reading the newspaper and magazines instead. I have a whole shelf full of books that I would love to just sit down and steam through, but there is this little thing called a Master's Degree Thesis that won't write itself, no matter how long I wait for it to do so. It will be my reward to sit at the beach and read when I finally get done!

[Paige]

OMG,OMG,OMG!!! I read "Geek Love" a long, long, long time ago. Randomly picked it up at the library one day. LOVED IT! I have looked everywhere for it...where or where did you get it? It was one of those bizarre stories that haunts you for awhile!

[maggie may]

I want to read "Geek Love'= I have heard about it a few times. And Eat Pray Love was such a comfort read. Totally.