Phyllis

If you are a fan of mid-to-late-1930s screwball comedies like “My Man Godfrey,” early Ginger Roger's & Fred Astaire musicals, or even “The Thin Man” series, this book will be up your alley. People are constantly popping in, grabbing a drink, and popping out in an alcoholic haze after a few bon mots.

To our modern eyes, the casually racist remarks thrown about are hard to read. However, that is how people of both Miss Pettigrew's and Miss LaFosse's set spoke at the time. That doesn't mean that the book isn't worth reading, but it may completely turn off some readers.

Although Miss Pettigrew is 40, this is her coming-of-age/Cinderella story, where she realizes she's more than a stack of platitudes and mildly ineffectual skills as a governess enmeshed in the brown drab of a spinster. All of that wrapped in the confusion and excitement-filled life of Delysia LaFosse and her cavalcade of suitors. It's a fun ride!

Why it took me almost three weeks to finish this relatively short series of vignettes is hard to fathom. I suppose tax season is getting in the way of reading. But, I didn't enjoy the first half of the book as much as the second half, so that may be another issue. Also, there were times when the language seemed very odd, which may be to do with the translation.

One of my favorite vignettes was “Of Anglefish and Others,” which had me laughing out loud. I really liked the grandmother, who almost stepped gingerly off of the page, poking at things with her cane and saying something cantankerous. And it is inside the grandmother's thoughts that we end the novel, which ties the vignettes together nicely.

I was interested to read this book after hearing a interview with the author on Fresh Air. And it turns out that's all I needed to hear. The first chapter starts off interestingly, but immediately devolves into a memoir about the author's friends at the aquarium, what goes on in other tanks, and the author's foray into scuba diving with very little science about octopuses.

Hearing about how Ms. Montgomery's hands got cold because she's constantly got her hands in an octopus tank or what the fish looks like as it travels along the suckers to the octopus' mouth is not telling me anything about the consciousness of octopuses. In fact, the descriptions of Kali constantly attempting to get out of the tiny, biting barrel/prison and finally being tired of playing with her prisoners was sad. If this animal has as much intelligence and consciousness as the author suggests, why was captive treatment with little stimuli other than people sticking their hands all over you at all okay? Is it any surprise that Kali appears to commit suicide (sources of water were nearby and the staff couldn't understand why she ended up on the floor)?

So, if you're looking for a memoir about an author that likes going to an aquarium, this is the book for you. The writing is okay, I suppose, but so far off topic that it didn't matter.

“The Girl on the Train” is a quick read, which clickety-clacks along snappily enough to read in a few sittings; it is the type of book to read when you want to stay up past your bedtime.

Comparisons to “Gone Girl” are somewhat apt as TGOTT tells a story from multiple points of view, including more than one unreliable narrator. Also, all the characters are a-holes. Much like the post-Harry Potter YA penchant for magic and wizards, this unreliable-a-hole trend may be here to stay in the adult suspense category.

Quite purposefully, I've avoided this book, which topped many 2015 best-of lists and was touted by podcasts like “The New York Times Book Review.” One may chalk this circumvention up to pretending not to follow the herd, but, it frankly didn't look enticing other than the lively Art Deco font on the cover.

Finding myself well behind my book challenge pace, I decided to pick up the book on a weekly library run and devoured it with a 24-hour period. From an entertainment perspective, it fit the bill. I did find the villain's reveal/twist less-than-surprising and wished that the women had been a bit more independent and less similar. The confession scene near the end was rather silly and could have been handled better.

Lauding this book as brilliantly written or something completely new is overrating what is a fine, little suspense novel.

A very interesting book, indeed. This is the third novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that I've read and I can say that he is a 4 star author. He finds a way to speak in different voices about very different circumstances, while continuing to explore certain themes. Although each of the three books I've read (“[b:The Remains of the Day 28921 The Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327128714s/28921.jpg 3333111]” and “[b:Never Let Me Go 6334 Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353048590s/6334.jpg 1499998]”) are about memory and wistfulness, there is much more to be found. One theme that Mr. Ishiguro explores again in this novel is being an outsider, which is an autobiographical theme (he was born in Japan, but grew up in England). We follow the story through the eyes of Axl and Beatrice, an elderly couple that isn't allowed to use a candle in their room at night. As we progress through the story, we learn why that may be the case; perhaps the village remembered Axl's failed role in brokering peace between the Saxons and Britons at some level? Wistan, Edwin, and Gawain are all warriors who are now on their own, protecting or searching without the aid of other compatriots. Even the dragon is an outsider, although Merlin's enchantment gives her the power to prevent war from breaking out betwen the Saxons and Britons. The boatman is always alone, ferrying people whose time on Earth has drawn to a close. All of these people are somewhat disconnected from others, although each of them can be warm and gentle. I really liked that the story comes through several voices, not just Axl and Beatrice. In fact, I enjoyed hearing from Gawain, and would have liked to hear from him just a bit more. While the polite, courtly cadence of the characters in “The Buried Giant” are different from those of his other novels, they seem suited to this post-Arthurian world, in which memories are obscured by the dragon's mist. It is not only the elderly that experience this mist; it is something that all ages encounter. Could this mist be an allegory to the technology mist so many of us live in in which we must check our cell phones constantly and pacify ourselves with vines and Youtube videos as opposed to engaging in conversation with the people across the table from us? Or, if you're not attuned to engaging in war with other tribes, are you enshrouded by mist?Most touching was the ending of the novel, at least in my opinion. I sort of expected the couple to end as they did, separated by the boatman.So, why did I only give “The Buried Giant” 3 stars? Because it's an entertaining novel and, I think, appropriately paced, although some readers expected a much faster, “Game of Thrones” pace. This world covered by the dragon's mist doesn't move quickly and all isn't supposed to be clear.

While many of the ideas in Mary Wollstonecraft's early feminist treatise have merit, the repetition of these ideas encased in swathes of commas makes it difficult to read. Perhaps, this book would really shine if an editor's handiwork were evident.

What is most appealing about this book is her proposal that women exercise, learn, and not spend all of their time on fashion, frippery, and flirtation in order to be good mothers and wives. These same ideas certainly apply today!

Another interesting section towards the end lays out a progressive education system, much of which is embedded in today's elementary schools.

It would have been interesting if Ms. Wollstonecraft revisited her opinions after her love affairs, which, unfortunately, blasted her reputation and the positive ideas she promoted. After her relationship with Captain Imlay, did she still think that physical love should stop after the early days of a marriage and that a neglected wife is the best mother?

“Listful Thinking” by Pauline Rizzo is a quick review about how lists can make a difference in everyday life. She has a nice writing style and throws in humor to make what could be a dullsville topic interesting.

I listened to “Listful Thinking” during the last week of December in an attempt to get closer to my 2017 Goodreads goal and to help start off the year with a focused mindset. As someone who likely has genetic OCD and is an account (also seems to run in the family) by trade, lists are a must! Excel is my friend, no joke. In fact, I've been on the hunt for task and calendar organization systems to support my consulting business (I am a Finance & Accounting consultant for 4 micro non-profits). In addition to being attracted to the topic, I liked that the audiobook was less than 4 hours (and was a toss-up with Carrie Fisher's rhyming “Wishful Drinking” for that reason!).

One helpful pointer that the author provides is to set an intention for the list. Setting an intention for the day's practice is common guidance from yoga teachers and is a useful way to align your mind in one direction. I use the Grocery IQ app to track shopping lists. Now, the minute we run out of mustard or think it would be nice to pick up pretzels, we just hop onto the app. The app also lets you categorize the item into a store and aisle along with weight, quantity, and description. Using this list saves tons of time and money at the grocery store because it's flexible, but focused.

I always find that adding to or making a list gets those pesky, reoccurring thoughts out of my head. Otherwise, I walk around thinking “I need to research this for work” or “I would like to read that book” and not focusing as much on what I'm doing.

Some of the list examples aren't applicable for many people, but there are a number of apps discussed at the end that, like Grocery IQ (and Goodreads!), are free and extremely useful. The author mentions that some downloadable lists are available on her site, but I think a book like this could be improved with blank and completed lists for those who seek more direction on how to set up helpful lists specific to certain topics.

Overall, I found “The Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo to be a nice year-end book to remimd myself to keep things tidy, which has been an issue in a year of floods. However, everything in the basement was tidied up for me, so perhaps I may count that as progress in Kondo land.

I find Marie Kondo's tone hilariously bossy and perfect for someone who does what she does. However, she doeesn't provide a suggestion to stop bringing unneeded items into the home, which is part of the problem. It's all well and good to get rid of things, but it doesn't stop one from piling up a bunch of stuff!

Her definition of rebound is hilarious! I suppose the word “rebound” isn't used to describe jumping into a new relationship with a person right after another one ends, but that could also be a translation issue.

Below are random thoughts I had while listening to the audiobook.

Clothes – Marie Kondo's advice is well-taken on this topic. As someone who has far too many clothes, I do plan to go through my closet soon to get rid of some garments that I haven't worn and will not wear. Taking care of ones garments is also a good idea – clothes are one of the first things that people notice about you and it helps to fold garments that can be and to arrange them properly for easy access.

Books – I am conflicted about her advice. It is true that book fiends like to collect books and have a hard time letting them go. Many of the books I have are those that I have read at least once and would like to read again or may loan out to a friend or family member. In fact, I started getting almost all of my books from the library about 7 years ago, so I rarely buy a book other than the handful for my Great Books book club (the club is through the library, but they can't always get enough copies for our group discussions).

Papers – Infrequently and more frequently used papers. That's it for categorization! Perhaps, her advice works if you do not work from home, have your own business, or own property. I, for example, do all three and must keep documents. Imagine the auditors' horror if I said the papers did not spark joy and simply discarded all of my documentation! It is interesting that someone who seems to have OCD does not appreciate proper organization for items that must be kept. In the US, a used checkbook can be useful for year-end taxes, so it is not necessarily a good idea to discard them as soon as you fill one up. Similalarly, paycheck stubs may be needed if you plan to refinance your mortgage.

General approach to items – It is a good idea to think about items with similar purposes that are located in more than one place in the house, review them together, and then discard items which do not spark joy. She's not necessarily advocating that we discard a second pair of scissors and that we keep all scissors in one place. Perhaps, if one lives in a very small apartment or house, it is a good idea to limit the number of duplicte items. However, I think it is worthwhile to have a pair of scissors in a home office and separate pair that is used to open food packages to avoid contamination (each pair has a different type of blade).

Keepsakes – getting rid of all letters and keepsakes would horrify my Czech grandmother, who did a great deal of research on our family tree and put together binders with letters written by ancestors and stories about their lives. In fact, if she knew that every important card and letter I received were lost in a flood this summer (including letters that my mother wrote to my grandmother about me when I was a baby), she would find that sadder than the tremendous financial burden. I have really enjoyed reading letters that my English grandmothers kept, incliuding a teenage diary about my English grandmother's life during WWII, meeting my grandfather, and her trip to the US.

How to handle stockpiles? It is true that only certain items need any sort of stockpile either because they can only be purchased in multiples or because and item is used regularly, such as toilet paper or paper towels.

Designating a spot for each item is a good idea because it requires that you think about how each item is really used and where it is used. However, putting all shelving into closets is not necessarily workable. It is a good idea to keep a room clean, but displaying certain keepsakes and regularly viewing them may be what sparks joy in a person, even if that person is not Marie Kondo.

Deciding where to store things based on where they are used is a good idea – putting all items in one place may not be the most efficient and may end up creating more clutter, especially if the available storage is small. It is true that all storage cannot be within arm's reach, which one of Marie Kondos' client prefers.

Store things in bags, such as purses. This is not a bad idea, although the idea of a bunch of straps hangning out so I'll know what's in each bag sounds unappealing. Also, I have 3 cats, and 2 of them really like getting into any open bags and 1 of them opens closet doors. 2 of the cats also think dangling straps are a toy.

HAHA Confronting our posessions!! It's all about facing inadequacies and faults! Tidying makes the people more accountable and able to make decisions.

Thanking posessions for their service to you may sound nutty to Western/non-Native American ears, but it is a good way to create closure for those posessions and to better appreciate what each item does for you, as opposed to stuff that sits in a pile. Thanking the house for sheltering you is not silly; when you put more value on something, you are more likely to tend to it properly.

After hearing an interview with the author on Fresh Air, I was interested to learn more about Indira Devy, who is characterized as the main reason yoga was brought to the West.

While the topic is interesting and Indira Devy certainly lead a colorful life, I found myself getting a bit bogged down. Now, to be fair, that may be because I've had many things going on in my personal life, including not going to yoga the last few months. Or, it may be that the chronological presentation of Indira's life and her interaction with various major figures in yoga didn't catch my fancy as I had hoped.

Oddly, the book describes many pictures, but doesn't include any of them. I find pictures very interesting in biographies, autobiographies, and other historical information, so the lack of them in this book knocked it down a bit.

Overall, an interesting topic which I'll try to return to when less distracted.

It would seem that I am one of the very few who is not enamored by this book. The premise drew me in because it is about a group of people my age, and for the premise alone I have awarded not one, but two, stars. Otherwise, I could not find much to enjoy about the writing style, the characters, or the plot.

For example, the author uses the second person point of view for a specific character, which, instead of being effective, seemed like a forced reminder that we were switching characters again. Ho hum. Telling a story from multiple points of view can be quite effective, but in this book it merely seems like an exercise for a creative writing class.

Also, it may be helpful for non-Chicagoans to know that Leona's is not the only eating establishment in Evanston; other similar references felt like an attempt to make those sections of the story feel Chicago-y, but reminded me of the annoying place dropping in “The Time Traveler's Wife.” Perhaps, if one is not familiar with the area, it is less annoying.

Frankly, the characters were boring. I had hoped to find at least some commonalities with one of the voices, as I did when recently watching “Hits So Hard” about the drummer from the band, Hole (and I am not a drummer or a lesbian, nor have I done heroin). Perhaps, that's because the author is trying too hard. Or at least that's what I took away from reading the book. I can say that it is a quick read, but cannot recommend it for any other reason.

David McCullough's “John Adams” is most certainly a masterpiece. My Great Books book club held a discussion on 07/28/18 and I think everyone enjoyed the novel, even those who could not finish it.

In some ways, I think John Adams was the most complex and least understood of the Founding Fathers, although all of them were interesting individuals. John Adams has not received historic accolades, perhaps because he was the first Vice President (always a rather marginal role) and followed in George Washington's large Presidential footsteps.

It is hard to say what John Adams might do if he were alive today, but he dedicated himself to public service (and taught John Quincy to do so, as well) so much so that he was gone much of the time. We forget that it took weeks or months for correspondence ot make its way to the recipient. This delay and lack of technology gives history a treasure trove of Mr. Adams' correspondence, especially that with his lovely wife, Abigail. This short, sometimes brusque man, is credited with building the US Navy and avoiding war through masterful negotiation. He also believed strongly in an educated electorate, which he worked into the Massachusetts Constitution. He felt that wealth should not be path to public service, but that anyone should be able to serve. And he was introspective and in touch with his feelings in a way that many of his contemporaries did not realize.

David McCullough takes a long life and seemingly endless primary sources to paint a never-boring portrait of our second President. Truly an excellent work.

Questions prepared by one of the book club members:

Concerning the July reading, Mc Cullough on John Adams, it has to be said that John Adams and the book both contain multitudes (as Whitman said about himself when he was accused of inconsistency).

What was the most surprising thing you learned about John Adams?
How would you describe his character? Warm and friendly or Cold and reserve? Humble and uncertain or Arrogant and self confident? Other?
How did others see him?
No one is “best” at everything they do. In what role did Adams make his most successful contribution to the American “cause” as – a) political theorist? b) an organizer of the Revolution? c) a diplomat? d) President?
Gordon Woods in The Radicalism of the American Revolution argues that government in America began as a colonial monarchy (order and hierarchy as prime values), evolved into a republic (virtue or public spiritedness and liberty as prime values) and became a democracy (self-interest and equality as prime values). How would you describe Adams' political thinking?
How would you describe his relationship with George Washington”
... With Abigail?
... With his son John Quincy?
... With Jefferson?
What were Adams' views on slavery?
..on native americans?
If you could invite Adams to dinner at your home what 3 questions would you ask him?

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a fun, early science fiction romp. I agree with another reviewer that this short, fast-paced story is akin to a Disney ride. However, I did find that the ending was a bit rushed and wished for another installment of the single-minded Liedebrock's, lovesick Axel's, and stoic Hans' adventures below us.

I won't rehash the novel's plot in this review, but would like to recommend that readers check out a related book I just finished. “Banvard's Folly” by Paul Collins includes a vignette about John Cleves Symmes, whose hollow-earth theories inspired Jules Verne's story. Symmes proposed that the earth's center could be reached via openings at the North and South Poles. According to Symmes, these openings lead to descending concentric spheres eventually bringing one to areas inhabited by pale beings. Verne departed from Symmes' theory by suggesting that volcanic openings were access points, as opposed to the Poles As a side note, the rest of Collin's snapshots of 12 failures are quite enjoyable.

I approached “Station Eleven” with some hesitation as it appeared on a number of best-of lists, which haven't served me well lately. However, I was pleasantly surprised! Frankly, I've also been disappointed by the most recent dystopian novels I've read, including “The Passage,” which is referenced in the novel.

This book is not only well written, but is populated by well-drawn characters surrounded by gorgeous writing. Ms. Mandel is able to capture both the frenetic, distracted pre-plague life we are so used to, as well as the post-plague desolation and fear. Throughout her writing is this lovely, atmospheric quality that truly puts the novel a step above others. I wish that I could read the Dr. Eleven graphic novels, which sound truly awesome, and I would go see the Traveling Symphony any time!

I won't provide a synopsis and will, instead, suggest that you go right out and buy or check out this book. In fact, I'm coaxing my boyfriend to read this novel so that we can discuss it more fully. It unfortunately took me longer than I would have liked to finish this book because I had two other book club books to attend to. One of the best books read this year!!

It's tough for me to give a rating for this book. Winton is clearly a very talented writer, from achingly acute descriptions of the interior life of a young teenage boy learning the ways of the human and natural world via surfing to the beautiful descriptions of the ocean as a force of nature. However, the last third of the book or so devolved into a totally different story that didn't fit the rest of the book in my mind. With that said, I'd like to read more of his writing.

The narrator of the audio book version did a great job and really brought the story and characters to life.

One thing I really like about being in a Great Books book club is that I read books that I would likely otherwise never get around to; in addition I have an opportunity to discuss the book and get other readers' points of view in a way you don't get from reading reviews and critical analysis of the work. Maybe I would have gotten to “Madame Bovary” sooner than “The Orestaia,” but it helps to get a push now and again.

With that said, I missed the meeting due to my Spring volunteer activity of preparing taxes for low to middle income and senior taxpayers on Saturday mornings (the two weeks following this meeting were a yoga retreat out of the country, so three weeks off from taxes seemed egregious).

So, my thoughts are clouded by being on a retreat, meditating daily, eating delicious vegetarian food, and the sound of the Pacific ocean (and local roosters and goats) surrounding me.

For whatever reason, I expected Gustave Flaubert's writing to be more stuck up, but that may because I knew very little about him or “Madame Bovary” before reading the book. Flaubert's descriptions of the countryside and daily life were some of my favorite parts of the book. At some points, I even enjoyed Madame Bovary's description of the daily life of a bourgeoisie woman who is so bored with everything that she must destroy it all. Madame Bovary was quite a spoiled little thing and, I learned after completing the novel, that Flaubert intended the book as a satire about the bourgeoisie, which put a lot in perspective. Emma is very stupid, but, I must confess that I know a few people who are similar (although, aren't dead). Emma always wants what she doesn't have, which is a little bit Scarlett O'Haraish, but Emma never works for what she wants and gets is, whereas dear Scarlett was a ruthless businesswoman and good at marrying into money.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and might have liked it more in early high school, although I was probably more judgemental about Emma while on the yoga retreat (when I'm supposed to not be judging!!) than I might have been in another context.

Below are the discussion questions another member of my Great Books book club pulled together for our February 24, 2018 meeting:

1. Why do you think Flaubert faced legal injunctions when he tried to publish this book? He faced an obscenity trial when it was first printed as a magazine series in 1856.

2. Which characters did you find most/least sympathetic and why? Which did you find admirable, amusing, villainous? (Or just plain stupid.) Is Emma believable as a real woman?

3. How does the point of view in the novel affect your impressions of the characters? Is there a particular example of viewpoint that you found striking? Who is narrating the book? Where is he getting his information?

4. How would you describe the tone of the book? Does it change at any point? (Humorous, satirical, tragic?).

5. How are gender issues relevant to the novel? Does the author himself evidence misogyninistic traits? Flaubert was quoted as saying “Emma Bovary, c'est moi” (“Emma Bovary is me”). Does the writer show affinity for her? How might a female writer have told this same story? Are Emma's problems gender-specific?

6. What IS Emma's problem, anyway?! What does Emma want? Who's to blame for her discontent? Is she the Holden Caulfield of 1827? What other heroine does she remind us of?

7. What was Emma's education like? She is described as a star student. She entered a convent at 13 and her mother died while she was there. How did this shape her personality? If Emma is “corrupted” by reading romance novels, what is Flaubert suggesting about himself as a novelist?

8. How is Flaubert's theme of tedium and repetition enhanced by the beauty of his writing style?
An example would be Emma being seduced by Rodolphe against a backdrop of droning speeches at the Agricultural Fair. Can you think of other literary devices Flaubert employs? Did you enjoy them?

9. How does socio-economic class figure in the novel? How would a Marxist analyze the book?
What does the Blind Man signify, other than a need for universal health care? Did the characters have power to forge their own destinies?

10. How would you classify the genre of the novel? Keep in mind that the era is post-Enlightenment, pre-Freud.

This is another book read during 2018 that I read originally almost 30 years ago. The first time I read “The Old Man and the Sea,” I remember loving the book and finding I could imagine everything the book described. Yet, Hemingway's spare, sparse language leaves much for the reader to fill in with imagination. The kernel for the novel marinated in Hemingway's head for years after reading a short article about a similar story.

In some ways this story is about the loneliness of old age and the need to rely on others when you can no longer perform as you did when young. In other ways it is about perseverance, self-reliance, and survival in the face of adversity. And, in other ways, the old man's voyage and attempt to bring home a massive marlin was an act of hubris, likely speeding his death.

Some book club members hated the book because they hate the author (“Hemingway had a personality few people liked” and “I've never read one his books because I hated his personality”). Yet, there is an argument to be made to separate the man from his artistic work. Similarly, while Ernest Hemingway was well-known for sport fishing, there is a big difference between his hunting and Santiago's fishing as a profession. Much like the author, Santiago focuses much on his craft no matter the output. That, I think, can also be said of the novel. Perhaps, it wouldn't win the same prizes today, but it was revolutionary in its day.

Here are the discussion questions another member pulled together for our 11/17/18 discussion:

1. “The Old Man and The Sea” seems like a deceptively simple story of a man's struggle with the creatures of the sea, but there are some symbols and messages that we can gather from the story. Hemingway claimed that there was no symbolism in the story, just “what happens,” but we, as readers, don't believe that and see underlying messages. What is your initial response to reading the book? Did you like it or dislike it, and why? How would you describe the book to others?
2. How would describe Santiago's relationship to the sea and his love for deep sea fishing? Does he seem fearless in his desire to fish big fish in his little boat on the dangerous sea? What are the symbols of manhood and human endurance that you gather from the story? How would you explain Santiago's idea of bravery, strength, endurance, self-control, masculinity, heroism, and courage? Is there any sexism implied by this story?
3. Out of the many religious messages/religious symbols that you have read in the book, which stand out the most to you: Santiago's mercy, faith, pride, brotherhood, or sin? Santiago seems conflicted about the fish feeling both mercy and the desire to kill the creature. How would you explain his compassion and his desire to use the fish to feed a flock of people? Do you believe that such creatures should be killed for food or conserved, and protected from endangerment? Is Santiago really a “Christ like” figure?
4. The dreams of the lions playing on the coast of Africa that Santiago has when he remembers his turtling days seem important to him. One hundred years ago, there used to be 200,000 lions in Africa, and now there are only 20 to 40 thousand left in the wild. The Hemingway family has worked in Wildlife Conservation to prevent these animals from being hunted into extinction. The marlin is nearing the endangered list of animals that should be conserved. After reading “The Old Man and The Sea” would agree that these animals should be conserved? Marlin is still eaten in Japan and Cuba. Should it be taken off the menu? Do you think that Hemingway might have suggested that the endangered creatures of the world would one day have to be conserved?
5. The boy, or Manolin, seems to have a saintly devotion to the Old Man, Santiago, because Santiago taught him how to fish. The poor senior citizen doesn't have much in the world, but he seems to be portrayed as a “working class Saint” in this book. Do you see Santiago as a mythic character or saint? Can you find any other story of myth to compare to this story (perhaps the impossible river voyage of “Huckleberry Finn,” the bloodlust of “Moby Dick,” or the trials on the sea of “Odysseus?” How would explain the symbolism behind the marlins, the shark, and the other creatures of the sea? Is there heroic myth behind it, or brutal realism of man against the cruelty of the food chain, if you consider the food chain cruel?
6. Joe DiMaggio, who has won 9 World Series Championships in baseball by the year he retired in 1951, is a strong symbol for Santiago. How does Santiago use DiMaggio's
success as a baseball player as a message for deep sea fishing? Is Santiago idolizing and mythologizing DiMaggio? How does he compare DiMaggio's “bone spur” to his own hand cramping? Is this a human flaw of a great hero?
7. Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize and Nobel Prize of Literature for “The Old Man and the Sea,” and it has sold millions of copies since then. One critic online says the book is not seen as one of Hemingway's greatest books today, because of “embarrassing narcissism, psychologically over simplification, and excessive sentimentality” (gradesaver.com). Would you agree or disagree and describe the novel this way? Explain the main responses that the book left you with.
8. Is there any symbolism in the sharks that take the fish away from the old man? Do you believe in the superstition that Santiago is “unlucky?” Should we as a society intervene and care of senior citizens, and help them through their private struggles?

“The Invisible Library” is an entertaining and relatively quick read coming in at around 2.6 stars for me. Although it clocks in at 330 pages, I was able to read it in less than a day with a lot of sleep, errands, and a bit of yardwork thrown in.

I could not think of who the literary Irene was that inspired Librarian Irene to select her, which is quite disappointing for someone who considers themselves somewhat well-read. After a smidgeon of research, I learned that the character referenced is Irene Adler, an opera singer who appeared in one Sherlock Holmes story and who is used as a romantic interest in Holmes offshoots. This character choice for a long-lived Librarian name seems a little silly to me. Although we learn that the Librarian Irene enjoys working directly with a Holmes archetype (Vale) and that acting as detective interests her, it would seem that a book lover would choose a more interesting fictional heroine. I probably ought to reread the story in question as it's been over 25 years since my own Holmes frenzy. Homework!

Aside from that criticism, I rather liked seeing the Library and the alternate worlds through the eyes of an intelligent, analytical, average-looking, but somewhat flawed woman. However, I found her lack of follow-up after Kai's true nature was revealed a bit out of character; while it makes sense that some sense of privacy should be respected for her intern, shouldn't she have asked at least one of two questions? How can she teach him how to be a Librarian if she doesn't really understand all that much about dragons? Similarly, at the end, when Bradamant returns to being an ice queen, Irene asks her if they can stop hating each other. That just rang untrue to me, despite the idea of forgiveness more likely from a near-orphan to the mother figure/mentee who trained her.

I really dig alternate worlds and found this more successful than the recent “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab, which I read last year and did not enjoy. Perhaps, that's due to Genevieve Cogman's superior (in comparison) writing talent. Certainly, there are some plot holes and steampunk creatures flitting about, but it's an interesting idea. Unfortunately, the next book returns to the same world, which may be helpful if Ms. Cogman plans to flesh out characters a bit more. If you like this book, a great series somewhat in a similar (but, nearly untouchable in it's genius) is the Tuesday Next series by Jasper Fforde.

I listened to “As You Wish,” which is a great way to enjoy this love letter and behind-the-scenes look at “The Princess Bride.”

Not only does Cary Elwes narrate the audiobook, there are guest appearances from many cast members, the author of the book and screenwriter, the director, and producer. It would have been even better if interviews with folks who did costumes, sets, etc. were included.

If you're a fan of the film, this is a lovely look back at a 30-year old now classic. If you aren't a fan, this may seem repetitive and too much of a love fest.

John Byrne Cooke is an excellent writer; the first few chapters are written in glorious, floating prose that sweeps you along. I did find, as the book progressed, that some of the detail around each gig and travel to and fro as a little more than I hoped for. However, it's extremely interesting to get the road manager who was with Janis Joplin during her move from local San Francisco club act to international phenomena. Mr. Cooke, who is Alastair Cooke's son, intersperses the memoir with wonderful quotes that give you more insight into Janis, her bands, the culture, and the musical process. It was hard to read the end of the book because such a stellar voice lost herself, but it's well-done. This is probably more of a 3.5 star book, to be honest.

This book was really interesting. Yeah, great review, Phyllis. Let me try again. I've been having a hard time solidifying my thoughts on this book, perhaps because there are many ideas swirling around, much like the air on the fictional planet. While there are elements of science fiction to the novel, there are also meditative sections that were very zen, despite Peter's Christianity. This is not shoot-em-up style SF.

A few reviewers have complained about the Oasans' seemingly quick conversion. However, we are told a number of times that the number of Jesus Lovers is under 100, which is a very small percentage of the settlement. There are often small groups interested in what alien cultures have to offer, with humans the aliens this time. Peter was just beginning to crack the language barrier towards the end of the story, so whose to say what else he might have learned if he spent more time with the Oasans?

So, does anyone think that Bea was really writing the emails Peter received, or is it possible that USIC was actually writing them in an attempt to convince Peter that Earth was better left behind? The neverending stream of earthly disasters communicated via Shoot when all other current events were censored struck me as odd. True, long distance relationships don't work, but that's not the moral of this story.

So, not my best review, but I overall recommend this even if you're not typically into SF.

Susanna Clarke lends her wonderfully delicate and insightful touch to a short story about Merowdis Scot, who lives in the world of “Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.” “JS&MN” I remember as wonderfully fantastic and I liked the more recent release, “Piranesi” enough to keep watching out for more books by Clarke. Who can help but pick up this book with one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in recent memory.

The short story inside is beautifully illustrated by Victoria Sawdon and followed by an Afterword providing Clarke's inspiration for the story.

Truly, “The Wood at Midwinter” is a tasty winter treat for an evening by the fire, best accompanied by a cup of hot tea and a cozy blanket. The only true downfall of “TWAM” is that it is too short and makes me greedy for more of Susanna Clarke's writing.

I was sad to get through this book so quickly! Many chapters are a few paragraphs or pages long, so it zooms by. Unlike Dan Brown's tiny chapters of schlock and attempts at labrynthine nonsense, Brian Morton establishes rich characters and complex situations in those short spaces. Is Florence Gordon loveable? In some ways, yes, and in others, you want to bat her over the head. What she and the other characters are is real. I have already recommended this book to others and plan to read his other works!

“Just for the Summer” has received rave review after rave review. And I'm trying to figure out why.

Sure, the initial premise could have gone somewhere cute, but instead it went to insta-love (after a few DMs), endless trauma unpacking, etc. It was truly exhausting and annoying instead of a fun summer romp.

This popular Emily Henry novel, a blend of romance and chick-lit, starts off hilariously and I was hopeful this would be more enjoyable than the other two books I've read of hers.

And it is better. There is only so much I can expect from a book that bills itself as a romance and is exactly that. The best ones have great characters and relationship building that really take us on a journey. This one does some of that - not every romance can be “When Harry Met Sally.”

The side characters, especially the sister and parents, were great. The work friend, not as much.

This is really the story of two people on the rebound and everything is sparkling and new. Most of us have been there and know what the chances of success are. And we also know (or have been) people who glom on to a new relationship and spend tons of time with them to the exclusion of friends and family. To re-experience that with Mikes and Daphne is a bit tedious. But, at the end, there's some redemption from the insta-love arc and I ended up not feeling like I'd just wasted several hours of my life.

Couple of bones to pick:

1. Librarians are wonderful, woefully-underpaid people and cannot afford to go out for as many meals and paid activities as Daphne does.
2. Fine words when used sparingly, chortle (it felt like every fourth page) & thrum were jarringly overused.

I enjoyed the 5th installment of Winston Graham's Poldark series more than the previous novel, which earns 3.5 stars from me.

The author goes back to showing late eighteenth century Cornwall through a larger variety of lenses and moves the story along with some interesting plot points. I wasn't as interested in the French Royalist story line, which seemed a little too convenient. Otherwise, I see no reason to stop the series!