30 Days of Books Challenge: Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Read: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
Stars: Four

Drinking: Pinot Noir, Woodbridge (I've been inspired by Good Books and Good Wine)

The thing about A Million Little Pieces is that it is a fabulous, well written book.  I cannot fathom why Frey would originally publish it as a memoir when it easilywould have been popular if originally published as the fiction it is. I can only assume that Frey knew that it would be exposed as an exaggeration and would generate more publicity that way.

Truthfully, I found A Million Little Pieces to be well-written.  Frey uses description well, to the point that the reader can really "see" what he is feeling.  That is a masterful skill that even the best writers do not always capture. He has a lovely style. It's just a shame he used it in a book of scandal.  Frey will have trouble being taken seriously as a writer now.

Unfortunately, Frey's tone is rather whiney throughout.  He blames others for his problems - drug addiction most notably - rather than taking responsibility for his life and his mistakes.  This is a big part of the issues with the book that led him to release it as a memoir, in my opinion.  He is self-centered and unable to recognize his own weaknesses - signs of immaturity.  Despite his writing abilities, A Million Little Pieces ultimately disappoints, just like Frey's revelation that the story is exaggerated fiction, not a memoir.



30 Days of Books Challenge

Day 01 - Your favourite book

Day 02 - Least favourite book 

Day 03 - A book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04 - A book that reminds you of home

Day 05 - A non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed

Day 06 - A book that makes you cry

Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read

Day 08 - An unpopular book you believe should be a bestseller

Day 09 - A book you’ve read more than once 

Day 10 - The first novel you remember reading

Day 11 - The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12 - A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book

Day 14 - Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15 - Favorite book dealing with foreign culture

Day 16 - Favorite book turned movie

Day 17 - Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18 - A book you can’t find on shelves anymore that you love

Day 19 - A book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Day 22 - Favourite series

Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Day 25 - Favourite autobiographical/biographical book

Day 26 - A book you wish would be written

Day 27 - A book you would write if you had all the resources

Day 28 - A book you wish you never read

Day 29- An author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read

Day 30 - An author that you will read whatever they put out

Review: Bicycle Diaries

Read: Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne
Stars: Four

Drinking: Earl Grey Classic, Fortnum & Mason

Bicycle Diaries is a series of short essays Byrne wrote over the last several decades as he visited cities all over the world, his trusty folding bicycle accompanying him.  I got the ebook from the DC public library thinking it was about bicycling, but the truth is that the bicycle is only the vehicle for Byrne's experiences.  He does discuss the bike-ability of each city and compares the number of bicycles versus cars and other gas-powered vehicles on the road.  The primary focus of his essays, however, is art and music.

Byrne's travels to the myriad cities around the world that feature in Diaries are to collaborate with musicians and spend time with artist friends.  He reminisces about the changes in Berlin since he first traveled there in the '60s and the unique art scene in Manila.  As a musician himself, he writes lyrically and descriptively.

I thoroughly enjoyed Bicycle Diaries, although Byrne's take on biking and city planning is a little more anti-car than I am.  Certainly cities should be more bike-friendly, especially small cities.  His thoughts on music and art, and what make something "art" were really interesting and reminded me quite a bit of Amanda Palmer. If you are looking for a book of essays, this is a good choice.

30 Days of Books Challenge: Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Read: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Stars: Four

Drinking: Saffron Tea, Taja Tea

To be perfectly honest,  I'm not a fan of romance novels.  I find them to be mostly poorly written and silly.  Generally the "plot" is just an excuse to get to contrived "romance" situations.  Gabaldon's Outlander is a romance novel, make no mistake, but the romance is part of an absorbing plot - and is actually romantic rather than pure smut.

Outlander tells the story of Claire, an Englishwoman celebrating the end of World War II with a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband.  Claire's curious nature leads her to a "fairy circle" of standing stones where she is catapulted 200 years into the past to a Scotland in rebellion against English occupation.  Eighteenth-century Scotland is a rugged place, and certainly no place for a time-traveling Englishwoman. Claire is unable to return through the stones, so to protect her, the clansmen she is caught up with encourage her to marry Jaime Fraiser, the only unmarried man in the group.  Thus begins one of the greatest fictional love stories of all time.  It sounds much more contrived in this summary, but I assure you the book is wonderful.

The relationship between Claire and Jamie is also very realistic in terms of the challenges such a couple would face (especially when he comes to terms with her time-traveler status!), rather than being all about the sensual aspects.  I like that this particular romance novel is plot-driven, rather than romance-driven.



30 Days of Books Challenge

Day 01 - Your favourite book

Day 02 - Least favourite book 

Day 03 - A book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04 - A book that reminds you of home

Day 05 - A non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed

Day 06 - A book that makes you cry

Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read

Day 08 - An unpopular book you believe should be a bestseller

Day 09 - A book you’ve read more than once 

Day 10 - The first novel you remember reading

Day 11 - The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12 - A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book

Day 14 - Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15 - Favorite book dealing with foreign culture

Day 16 - Favorite book turned movie

Day 17 - Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18 - A book you can’t find on shelves anymore that you love

Day 19 - A book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Day 22 - Favourite series

Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Day 25 - Favourite autobiographical/biographical book

Day 26 - A book you wish would be written

Day 27 - A book you would write if you had all the resources

Day 28 - A book you wish you never read

Day 29- An author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read

Day 30 - An author that you will read whatever they put out

Not a real post!

It's only masquerading as one.  Enjoy your Thursday, all!

Technorati here is your code:  U6SNHRQSSX3A

Book Club: American Wife

Read: American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
Stars: Four

Drinking: Water (I know, boring!)

This was my first book club meeting possibly ever.  It was supposed to be at one of the DC libraries, but at the last minute it got moved to a pub by Union Station.  Best book club location ever?  The focus of the club's books is Washington, DC.  I'll be reviewing each book and the club's reactions after every meeting.

American Wife is loosely (or closely, depending on who you ask) based on the life of Laura Bush.  I am not well-versed on Mrs. Bush's life, but I thought the book was quite good.  It reminded me quite a bit of Sittenfeld's first book, Prep, in that a girl/young woman from the middle class ends up interacting with the rich and wealthy, trying to fit in but not quite succeeding.  American Wife explores other themes as well: life choices, marriage, love, and sacrifice.  Alice gives up her life as a children's librarian and independent woman when she chooses to marry Charlie.  She chooses to stay with him, despite their class differences and despite his personal problems.  And she chooses to stay with him and support him through his runs for governor and then president.

The book club focused primarily on the dichotomy between Alice's public self and her private self. We talked about the work that goes into projecting just the right image to the general public, about how much of what we see of both famous political figures as well as Hollywood stars is a well-prepared act.  It was a great discussion that ranged from not only the fictional first lady, but the real first ladies: Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama.  The three were so different in their actions, the way they dressed, and how the media reacted and continues to react to them.

It was a great discussion, and I'm looking forward to meeting with the group again next month!

Are you in a book club?

30 Days of Books Challenge: Day 22 - Favourite series

Read: The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Stars: Five

Drinking:  Earl Grey Classic, Fortnum & Mason

The Wheel of Time is easily my favorite series, written by James Rigney (aka Robert Jordan) until his untimely death in 2007 and finished by Brandon Sanderson.  I began reading it at the age of 12 when two friends gave me The Eye of the World for my birthday.  I read all of the books that were published at the time (I think through the eighth book?).  I have re-read the series prior to the release of each new installment since then.  The fourteenth and final installment will be released soon.  It will be the end of an era for millions of fans, myself included.

What is it about The Wheel of Time that has captured me and all these other fans?  I have a few ideas.  First, the characters are likable, not completely implausible, and have great growth throughout the series.  Second, the world building and magic system are amazing.  Personally, I was captured by a story that had young people, not much older than myself, leaving their small town to travel the world.  It was a dream of mine to do the same (and now I have!).  Each time I re-read the series, , so I relate to the characters better or pick up on things I previously missed.  I've been following the re-read on Tor.com for the last few years, giving me access to not only the fan community but also completely different ways of looking at the books that have only increased my enjoyment.

Have you read The Wheel of Time? If not, go get started - you might be able to finish by the time A Memory of Light comes out.



30 Days of Books Challenge

Day 01 - Your favourite book

Day 02 - Least favourite book 

Day 03 - A book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04 - A book that reminds you of home

Day 05 - A non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed

Day 06 - A book that makes you cry

Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read

Day 08 - An unpopular book you believe should be a bestseller

Day 09 - A book you’ve read more than once 

Day 10 - The first novel you remember reading

Day 11 - The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12 - A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book

Day 14 - Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15 - Favorite book dealing with foreign culture

Day 16 - Favorite book turned movie

Day 17 - Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18 - A book you can’t find on shelves anymore that you love

Day 19 - A book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Day 22 - Favourite series

Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Day 25 - Favourite autobiographical/biographical book

Day 26 - A book you wish would be written

Day 27 - A book you would write if you had all the resources

Day 28 - A book you wish you never read

Day 29- An author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read

Day 30 - An author that you will read whatever they put out

Review: Bookless in Baghdad

Read: Bookless in Baghdad by Shashi Tharoor
Stars: Four


Drinking: Imperial Acai Blueberry, Teavana


This series of essays on reading, writing, and other writers by one of India's preeminent authors is perfect for a book lover.  More than that, however, it is Tharoor's story of being an Indian writer in English and his love for his country. He talks about whether or not Indian writers in English are "Indian enough" or if their culture has been appropriated by the West.  His opinion: India is so diverse, that any idea of "Indianness" probably only applies to a small percentage of the population.  As for the Western appropriation of India and Indian authors, he feels that anyone should be able to appreciate a good piece of literature - a sentiment I heartily share.  


Tharoor was United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information at the time he wrote these essays, so I feel a particular connection to his views in light of my passion for international affairs.  At times, the essays read like articles and textbooks straight from my international relations courses, particularly those about identity and relating to other cultures in an increasingly globalized world.

The low point in the book for me was Tharoor's bashing of other writers.  Luckily he did that very little and was primarily positive, particularly about Salman Rushdie, a fellow Indian writer in English.  The other problem I had was that many of the essays covered the same ideas in essentially the same words. Nearly every essay, for example, explained Tharoor's first book, The Great Indian Novel, and frequently his other works as well.

Despite it's shortcomings,  Bookless in Baghdad is a wonderful discussion of literature and the world from a different perspective than my own.  That is always something to enjoy.

30 Days of Books Challenge: Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Read: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
Stars: Three

Drinking: Classic Earl Grey, Fortnum & Mason

Hamilton's Anita Blake series starts off with Guilty Pleasures, and the series is certainly a guilty pleasure for me.  The books are urban fantasy and romance mixed with a healthy dose of Mary-Sueism.  They are totally addicting.  Anita is a gorgeous, tough young woman with lots of attractive men swarming about her. She also has a cool job - "animating," or raising the dead so that people can talk to them briefly.  As the series opens, she raises the dead for a living for legal or criminal questions.

Guilty Pleasures is, well, a guilty pleasure because it is complete chick lit urban fantasy.  Anita is supposed to be an everywoman with an interesting skill but as the series continues, she is less of an innocent animator and more of the star of an increasingly complicated romance novel.  She goes from one boyfriend, Richard the werewolf, to Jean-Claude the sexy vampire, to...multiple lovers.  And her special skills go from raising a few dead people to raising entire graveyards, being psychically linked to others and many more.  They are fun but completely unrealistic.  As long as you have a strong suspension of disbelief, you will love these.  I find they are excellent pool and bubble bath reads!



30 Days of Books Challenge

Day 01 - Your favourite book

Day 02 - Least favourite book 

Day 03 - A book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04 - A book that reminds you of home

Day 05 - A non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed

Day 06 - A book that makes you cry

Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read

Day 08 - An unpopular book you believe should be a bestseller

Day 09 - A book you’ve read more than once 

Day 10 - The first novel you remember reading

Day 11 - The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12 - A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book

Day 14 - Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15 - Favorite book dealing with foreign culture

Day 16 - Favorite book turned movie

Day 17 - Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18 - A book you can’t find on shelves anymore that you love

Day 19 - A book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Day 22 - Favourite series

Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Day 25 - Favourite autobiographical/biographical book

Day 26 - A book you wish would be written

Day 27 - A book you would write if you had all the resources

Day 28 - A book you wish you never read

Day 29- An author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read

Day 30 - An author that you will read whatever they put out

30 Days of Books Challenge: Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Read: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Stars: Five

Drinking: Peach White Tea, Honest tea

Harper Lee's classic novel of racism in the Jim Crow South is required reading at most American high schools. I would recommend it to a racist or close minded person anyway because it is a good primer to the realities of race relations before - and even after- the Civil Rights movement.  The book does a great job of subtly getting the reader on the side of Tom Robinson by exposing the inconsistencies in his treatment.  A reader, even a racist one, gets so absorbed in the story they forget that they are against a person of a different color.  Or at least that's what I would hope.

To be honest,  people tend to ignore anything that attempts to change their worldview.  A racist person reading To Kill a Mockingbird may well put down the book in exasperation at the sympathy with which the Black characters are portrayed.  Or he or she may feel that Tom gets what he deserves.  However, this is an engaging book from the perspective of a child, which makes the tough themes easier to understand and swallow.

What books do you recommend to close minded or racist people?



30 Days of Books Challenge

Day 01 - Your favourite book

Day 02 - Least favourite book 

Day 03 - A book that completely surprised you (bad/good)

Day 04 - A book that reminds you of home

Day 05 - A non-fiction book that you actually enjoyed

Day 06 - A book that makes you cry

Day 07 - A book that’s hard to read

Day 08 - An unpopular book you believe should be a bestseller

Day 09 - A book you’ve read more than once 

Day 10 - The first novel you remember reading

Day 11 - The Book that made you fall in love with reading

Day 12 - A book so emotionally draining you couldn’t complete it or had to set aside for a bit

Day 13 - Favorite childhood book

Day 14 - Book that should be on hs/college required reading list

Day 15 - Favorite book dealing with foreign culture

Day 16 - Favorite book turned movie

Day 17 - Book turned movie and completely desecrated

Day 18 - A book you can’t find on shelves anymore that you love

Day 19 - A book that changed your mind about a particular subject (non-fiction)

Day 20 - A book you would recommend to an ignorant/racist/closed minded person

Day 21 - A guilty pleasure book

Day 22 - Favourite series

Day 23 - Favourite romance novel

Day 24 - A book you later found out the author lied about

Day 25 - Favourite autobiographical/biographical book

Day 26 - A book you wish would be written

Day 27 - A book you would write if you had all the resources

Day 28 - A book you wish you never read

Day 29- An author that you completely avoid/hate won’t read

Day 30 - An author that you will read whatever they put out