Technology glitches April 20, 2011

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Have you ever gotten the distinct impression something is not going right? My LibraryThing is not behaving well, and has not been saving my added books. Plus, the website is not behaving either. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I can’t go check the code since I can’t get onto the server to make changes anymore *gr*. I’ll start putting my blog and LT updates on the facebook page. And don’t forget, I’m on Twitter now! check it out at SexyLibReview on Twitter.

Week 3 annotations January 26, 2011

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Shaun Tan. The Arrival. Arthur A. Levine Books (2007), Hardcover, 128 pages
This story, told entirely in pictures, tracks a man’s journey from his home to a new country. As an immigrant, he must learn a new culture, a new language, and figure out where he fits in his new life. But through encounters with other immigrants he realizes that just by being there, he has been welcomed into a new family. Not your ordinary picture book, this is an artistic endeavor through which the artist reflects the characters feeling and emotion through subtle use of color and perspective. Try it out on your middle school student(s) to help hone their analysis of symbols.

J. Adams Oaks. Why I Fight. Atheneum (2010), Edition: 1, Paperback, 240 pages
This is a story of how you hope a child never grows up. All the same, the author pulls it off without his characters seeming helpless or pathetic. 12 year old Wyatt runs away with his Uncle Spade after his house burns down. After years of drifting about, staying with Uncle Spade’s various “Lady Friends,” Spade decides that Wyatt is old enough and tough enough to begin fighting. Wyatt himself goes though many different emotional phases as he ages, first content with the attention his uncle gives him, then restless because of all the moving, then finally a sense of control as he grows into his role of a man.
Written in in the voice of Wyatt, including his poor grammar (he never did finish school), it is at times both fascinating and sad, but it is hard to feel sorry for him as he fight’s his way through his life, both literally and figuratively.

Allan Stratton. Chanda’s Wars. HarperTeen (2009), Paperback, 416 pages
Set in Africa, where war is still a very real threat for all people, we are drawn into the life of Chanda. With both parents gone, 16 year old Chanda is in charge of her two younger siblings, Iris and Soly. When disturbing dreams send Chanda back to her mother’s family for absolution (see Stratton’s previous book Chanda’s Secrets), the worst happens. Iris and Soly are stolen by rebel leader General Mandiki, a ruthless man who uses children as soldiers.
Told through the eyes of Chanda, we travel with her through her emotional journey of trying to keep her family together. This is a safe gateway into a world that very few have an opportunity to experience, and hopefully will raise awareness of the lifestyle and still present dangers in Africa.

Week Two annotations January 20, 2011

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Block, Francesca Lia. Weetzie Bat. HarperTeen; 10 Anv edition, 2004.
Ms. Weetzie Bat is a law unto herself. She and her best friend Dirk go to concerts, get hot dogs, and ride around in their car. But they are both looking for their “Ducks.” So Weetzie finds a genie to grant her three wishes, will all her dreams come true? Francesca Lia Block combines fantasy and reality in a book that flies through a young woman’s life, while introducing and considering life’s ups and downs and how to deal with them.

Garden, Nancy. Annie On My Mind. Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1992.
Teen romance is one of the most popular topics in young adult literature, but few cover the area of homosexual teen romance. Nancy Garden gives us a story of two young women falling in love for the first time, with all its excitement and worries and heart. Liza is a perfect student, head of the student council and well liked, though not popular. But when she meets Annie and finds herself enchanted by the girl’s imagination, she does not know how to explain her feelings. They both know it’s more than just friendship, they both want and need each other in a way that is more intense. When they realize what they are feeling is love, they must decide how it will affect their lives and the choices they must make.

Cormier, Robert .The Chocolate War. Knopf, 30 Anv edition, 2000.
Life in a boy’s school is unofficially ruled by the underground club “The Vigils.” When the school undergoes a fundraiser selling chocolate, the Headmaster relies on the Vigils to help boost sales. But when one boy refuses to sell the chocolate, undermining the power of the group, a war begins. Cormier explores the underbelly of private school and the psychological warfare that adolescent students often inflict on each other. The story keeps the reader engaged and guessing with every twist.

Week One annotations January 18, 2011

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Blume, Judy. Forever. Bradbury, 1975.
Popular young adult and children’s author Judy Blume covers new ground in teen fiction with an expose about a young woman’s first experience with sex. Blume takes us step by step through the physical and emotional preparations the protagonist must face before committing herself to the act. Katherine meets Michael and they know that there is something special between them. As they enter into this new world of love there are many firsts, and they’re sure it will never end. Judy Blume writes with stark honesty, making the story relatable and educational for every adolescent girl.

Daly, Maureen. Seventeenth Summer. Dodd, Mead, 1942.
A story of teen love in the 1940’s, this young adult book takes the reader back to the days of soda pop at the corner shop, while at the same time capturing the fluttering excitement of a first serious relationship. Angie and Jack, kids from two different backgrounds, experience the excitement of falling in love for the first time, and the bittersweet feeling when the summer must end. Maureen Daly writes with exquisite detail, and an authenticity that captures the mind’s eye and draws the reader into the scene with the characters.

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. Dell, 1967.
S.E. Hinton gives a glimpse into a world of brothers and gangs in this story. Main character Ponyboy speaks to his audience in a solemn voice beyond his fourteen years as he shows a world in which the social divisions create a tense and dangerous atmosphere. When things get out of control and Ponyboy runs away with one of his gang, Ponyboy must decide how his loyalty will affect his future. Hinton’s writing is honest and engaging, capturing the essence of a teen that has had to grow up too fast. The characters are realistic and makes the reader sympathize with even the roughest of the gang. Truly a story for all ages

Lipsyte, Robert. The Contender. Harper, 1967.
Growing up in the rough and tumble streets, Alfred is doing what he can to stay out of trouble. To escape the world of drugs, booze, and theft, he ventures into the world of boxing, training to give purpose to his life. With the help of his fellow boxers, lamed trainer, and the brusque owner of the gym, he finds out if he has what it takes to be a contender. Author Lipsyte, young adult writer specializing in sports, writes the difficulty of growing up in a rough neighborhood, and how to overcome the social constructs.

We’re Back! January 15, 2011

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…and by “we” I really mean me. I recently checked to see if the website is still being supported by the university servers, and apparently it is, so I figured I would take advantage of that and combine the best of two worlds, aka using my website (and by extension the blog and LibraryThing) as a gateway for the class, by posting my annotated bibliography and thoughts on assigned reading here, and doing book reviews on LibraryThing. So, Here we go!

Homage: L. Frank Baum and John R. Neil January 22, 2010

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Whenever anyone asks (or whenever I impose my opinion) about children books, I immediately say the the Oz books are always worth reading. I read these books as a child, and still do when I need a good, relaxing read. The world of Oz is whimsical and magical, almost to the point of being absurd. But at the end of each read you feel like you’ve made a friend, and are actually happy that the characters are living in a lavish fairy castle, rather than feeling jealous. Part of this magical feeling is the illustrations. Without the works of John R. Neil, the series would not have the same feeling for me. With such a beautiful combination of real and fantasy, the world of Oz is formed.
Every once in a while I will flip through the books just to look at the pictures, and have just decided that when I one day have my own apartment/house I am going to get a wall applique of Ozma, who is to me one of the most beautifully illustrated characters in literature. Can’t you see it? I simple black and white illustration, life size or bigger on the wall. There is a picture of Ozma with her head on her arms that I can imagine behind a couch (though this would limit the furniture arrangement)
Something about her just makes me happy and calms me down. Maybe because it takes me back to the wonder I felt as a child, pouring over those books, looking in awe at those pictures. Let’s just hope that any future roommate is not creeped out…

Jasper Fforde: January 11, 2010

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We had arrived at the Barnes and Noble in Skokie Illinois almost half an hour early and were able to get a seat in the second row. At the time arriving so early seemed ridiculous, but in hind site, thank god we did, because over the next twenty the space behind us filled with at least 70 more people, despite the snowy weather. Everyone around us chatted happily, many getting up to pull books from a nearby shelf, but mostly talking about Jasper Fforde and Thursday Next. Listening, I realized that I was probably in the minority of people who enjoyed the Nursery Crime series more (though I had a moment of elation when the girls behind me began discussing the Doctor Who Christmas special).

After about twenty minutes I realized that in order to get my book signed, I had to go get a number from the customer service desk. Had I known this sooner, I probably would have been able to get a number in the upper teens or twenties, as it was I was number 62. I walked back, weaving my way through the crowd that had gathered, slightly irked that the number information had not been made more readily known, but the thought was wiped from my mind when I saw a figure standing in front of me, talking to the store manager. I wasn’t sure for a moment, but then he spoke, and I knew: Jasper Fforde was standing in front of me, and of all the people around me, I was the only one who realized. I had a fleeting impulse to go talk to him, but looking I realized that he was tired and worn out, and the last thing he needed was a random person gushing over him before he’d had a moment to collect himself. So I continued to the desk, losing my chance at a small one on one conversation with the author.

When the time finally came, and the introduction was made the applause was, while not thunderous, at least a minor roar. He joined in the noise with a pleasant “Hurrah!” and asked if everyone could hear him. The people in the back shouted a no, and even more people suggested that the music be turned off, and the manager was sent scurrying off to accommodate. when he started his talk, it was less about writing and more just getting to know him. He shared his experiences traveling, and some minor information about his family, namely that they all have PhD’s. He confessed that it was his wish that his sister be on an airplane when a doctor was needed. She could then stand up, declare herself a doctor, then promptly ask for a small brush, a grid, and a sifting box, as her doctorate is in Archeology. He also made known his surprise at being offered a goldfish at a “boutique” hotel in New York. Despite his initial “no,” he returned the next day to find on his dresser a goldfish in the previously empty goldfish bowl, which he later confessed he did not feed.

The talk then turned to his new book, “Shades of Grey,” the reason we were all there. He confessed that it was a bit of a departure for him, but still maintained his “Jasper-esque” style. The book proceeds at a more languid pace than his Thursday Next novel. Since in his other books he “stole characters wholesale” from other authors, he decided what it would be like to be a “real author.” He decided to stay away from the more mainstream “misery memoirs” that have been so popular lately. His writing style, and inspiration comes from the ability to make an improbable situation and make it probable within it’s own reality. “Shades of Grey” is actually based on a short story that he wrote when he first started writing. The idea is that color is only a perception, and no one can truly answer the question, “What is red?” So he took the concept of color and made it a commodity and a class issue. He then went to read from “Shades of Grey,” which was amusing in and of itself, as he kept interrupting to explain aspects of the book, during which he discovered that a man had actually had his arm broken by a swan, something that is reported to happen in the book.

After the reading, it was Q&A time. What follows is a very abbreviated version of the questions, and even more abbreviated version of the answers:

Q: Was “The Eyre Affair” the first book you wrote?
A: No, “The Big Over Easy” was the first book written, but it was not published first. By deciding to incorporate Dorian Grey into his second Nursery Crime book, “The Fourth Bear” he opened the door to “The Eyre Affair,” and deals with the American publishers to write a second book, “Lost in a Good Book.”

Q:You mentioned books you wrote between writing the Nursery Crime books and “The Eyre Affair.” What were they?
A: They are Young Adult books, one called “The Last Dragon Slayer” that wasn’t published since it was during the Harry Potter craze, and would be seen as a “me too” book. Another was “A Dark and Stormy Night” and a non completed book called “Long Division.”

Q: How do you describe your books to people?
A: “I don’t.” Apparently, when “The Eyre Affair” was on the table to be published, they made a lot of copies and sent them around to the various departments, with a post it on the cover that said, “Don’t ask, just read it.” Though his books can be found in either fantasy or fiction, it does not specifically fit into either category. So if your friends ask, just tell them “Don’t ask, just read it”

Q: Do you think putting your books into film would be a good or bad thing?
A: Nursery Crime, yes. Thursday Next, no. “People who want to sit in the dark and watch Vin Diesel kill people can do that,” the rest of us can stay home with a good book and our cats.

Q: Are there any characters you want to steal “wholesale” but haven’t?
A: The Little Prince for one. On a side note, after reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” he realized that it is a story about how Jim broke his arm. That’s it.

Q: Has the Book World been affected by the popularity of the Kindle/nook?
A: This has been addressed and added into the next Thursday Next novel, read to find out.

Q: What is your favorite thing to describe?
A: “Dunno.” The most satisfying description is on that you can do in one sentence. For example, Thursday’s mother is described as eating battenburg, which is supposed to describe the fact that she is just the sort of person to eat battenburg. (some sort of british food…)

Q: Is “Thursday Next: First Among Sequels” the last Thursday Next book, or are there more?
A: There are more! The book world has been re arranged, and detail added, such as geography.

Q: What authors have influenced you? and Did you feed the goldfish?
A: Influence is everywhere, the story is everything. Some specific authors are Lewis Carol, “Diary of a Nobody” and “Three men in a Boat”. and “No! I didn’t ask for it.”

Q: Why did you chose the Gingerbread man as the “big bad”?
A: “I just liked the idea of the Gingerbread man as a psychopath.” He wanted to use a well known nursery story, and twist it around to the point where the reader actually forgets the original story, so that when the inevitable happens, the gingerbread man gets wet and is finally destroyed, the reader is surprised.

The event was over, and everyone pulled out their numbers and started to line up. I decided that since I was 62, I would sit for a while before I lined up. Much to my surprise, a girl came up and offered to give me a different number, 18. Her mother had apparently arrived early that morning and wrangled three numbers out of the people at the Customer Service desk. While we chatted pleasantly, Annushka (her parents are Polish) and I compared the reasons we like the books, and she pointed out her parents and husband, sitting sullenly in the back (they were book snobs, and didn’t consider Jasper Fforde a “serious’ author). I had planned to ask a question when I got to him, but when I got to him, I spent most of the time trying to explain how to spell my name. It wasn’t helping that the manager hovering by him kept interrupting me while I tried to tell him how to spell it. I shook his hand, thanked him for braving the weather, and left him to the next person in line. Though still slightly depressed that I had not had a chance to ask him the one question I was curious about, I was still extremly satisfied with the outcome of the event.

I just finished reading “Shades of Grey” yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised. Though he is doing the book as another series, I am looking forward to learning more about the Color world.

The Best Debut Fiction of 2009 December 18, 2009

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Once again, NPR is doing their own book lists. John Freeman has compiled a list the best debut fiction of 2009.
Sadly I have not read any of them, but with each new list they come out with, my list of intended reading grows! Thanks NPR, for making my reading list impossibly long.