by Kazu Kibuishi
Scholastic, 2010
1. Why I picked up this book.
Gretchen actually came to my office and handed me this book because she thought I would like it. And I did! I have not read a graphic novel before because I just could not get into them. Copper is a collection of one page comics with some longer stories mixed in.
2. Why I finished this book.
I finished this book because I loved it! I do not always have a ton of time to read but I could read through several of the comics in a very short period of time. The variety of the stories really kept me interested. The characters Copper and his dog, Fred, are lovable and always getting into a new adventure. Fred is always the pessimistic one, while Copper is very curious and urges him to continue on. I really enjoyed the graphics. The final few pages of the book explain how Kibuishi created Copper from his first sketches all the way through the final product. I always like finding out how things are made so this was a pleasant surprise.
3. Who I would give this book to and why?
I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious about graphic novels, anyone who likes dogs, and anyone who likes to read in small doses (or has a short attention span!). The cover may be deceiving, it looks like a children's book but I would definitely say that it is most appropriate for teens and up.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Help, a novel
The Help, a novel by Kathryn Stocket
1. I picked up this book because Nancy Monzo recommended it.
2. I finished this book because it was just delightful. I love reading many different kinds of novels, but I take particular pleasure in reading novels that are focused on the lives and growth of the characters. This novel follows the lives and thoughts of 3 characters, Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. The setting Jackson, Mississippi, the early 19060's. The story, small town lives, primarily through the eyes of African-American domestics. It was so interesting to hear this story through voices that do not often get to tell the story. I found this book hard to put down as I became more and more enmeshed in the lives of these women.
3. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in character studies, civil rights, the 1960's and the South.
1. I picked up this book because Nancy Monzo recommended it.
2. I finished this book because it was just delightful. I love reading many different kinds of novels, but I take particular pleasure in reading novels that are focused on the lives and growth of the characters. This novel follows the lives and thoughts of 3 characters, Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. The setting Jackson, Mississippi, the early 19060's. The story, small town lives, primarily through the eyes of African-American domestics. It was so interesting to hear this story through voices that do not often get to tell the story. I found this book hard to put down as I became more and more enmeshed in the lives of these women.
3. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in character studies, civil rights, the 1960's and the South.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Body Surfing
Body Surfing by Anita Shreve, a book on CD by Hachette Audio, 2007, unabridged. Read by Lolita Davidovich.
1) I picked this book up because I recognized the author's name, and though I hadn't previously read anything by her I was curious to see what she was all about.
2) I finished the story because I was captivated by the characters, their interactions, and engaged in the story. The development of the personalities felt real and the depiction of the family was honest and intriguing. The reality that family dynamics rarely change much over time was evident and the competition between the two brothers drove the plot. The struggle of dealing with life and finding one's way was also key. It was a good "read."
3) Yes, I would definitely share this book. I liked the author's style, her sensitivity and the depth of looking at human motivation and interaction.
1) I picked this book up because I recognized the author's name, and though I hadn't previously read anything by her I was curious to see what she was all about.
2) I finished the story because I was captivated by the characters, their interactions, and engaged in the story. The development of the personalities felt real and the depiction of the family was honest and intriguing. The reality that family dynamics rarely change much over time was evident and the competition between the two brothers drove the plot. The struggle of dealing with life and finding one's way was also key. It was a good "read."
3) Yes, I would definitely share this book. I liked the author's style, her sensitivity and the depth of looking at human motivation and interaction.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Risks of Sunbathing Topless
The Risks of Sunbathing Topless And Other Funny Stories from the Road
Edited by Kate Chynoweth
Seal Press Publishing
1. Why I picked up this book
I picked up this book to read on a trip that I was taking several months ago. I like to read humorous books especially when I'm travelling solo. Since it is divided into more than twenty short stories, it is the kind of book that you can pick up and read a story or two and then read something else, get distracted, continue on with your busy life, and then pick it up again without missing anything. Also, the title caught my eye and while reading this book on a train, in the nail salon, and at the gym it apparently caught the eyes of others too.
2. Why I finished this book
I finished this book because I was hoping the stories would get funnier. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This book had the potential to be hilarious; it's full of travel stories from many different female writers who tell about what went wrong on their expeditions. I did laugh out loud several times but I was hoping for something more along the lines of Chelsea Handler or Laurie Notaro.
3. Who would I give this book to and why?
I would give this book to a woman in my life who has a good sense of humor and either likes to travel or has some (mildly) funny stories about things that went wrong on her journeys. I would not recommend this book to someone who is looking for an hysterical, riotous, side-splitting story to read while on the beach.
Edited by Kate Chynoweth
Seal Press Publishing
1. Why I picked up this book
I picked up this book to read on a trip that I was taking several months ago. I like to read humorous books especially when I'm travelling solo. Since it is divided into more than twenty short stories, it is the kind of book that you can pick up and read a story or two and then read something else, get distracted, continue on with your busy life, and then pick it up again without missing anything. Also, the title caught my eye and while reading this book on a train, in the nail salon, and at the gym it apparently caught the eyes of others too.
2. Why I finished this book
I finished this book because I was hoping the stories would get funnier. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This book had the potential to be hilarious; it's full of travel stories from many different female writers who tell about what went wrong on their expeditions. I did laugh out loud several times but I was hoping for something more along the lines of Chelsea Handler or Laurie Notaro.
3. Who would I give this book to and why?
I would give this book to a woman in my life who has a good sense of humor and either likes to travel or has some (mildly) funny stories about things that went wrong on her journeys. I would not recommend this book to someone who is looking for an hysterical, riotous, side-splitting story to read while on the beach.
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