How did I miss The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro? I must have been in the fog of school but somehow I hadn't even heard of it. But my librarian recommended it, and we tend to have similar taste, so I picked it up late last week. I could not put it down. And I mean that almost literally. My husband and I were at a wedding this weekend, and I was tempted to get in a chapter or two while we waited for the ceremony to start. I didn't, but I did finish the book last night.
I'm a sucker for books about art, anyway. Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Goldfinch. And books about true-life events; The Art Forger centers around one painting stolen from the never-recovered stolen paintings from the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum. And I love a mystery.
This book is one of those rare and treasured mixes of smart and page-turning. The characters are fully rendered and perfectly imperfect. The plot is page-turning and not over-blown. Claire, a recently graduated artist with a tarnished reputation, gets an offer she can't refuse--create a copy of a Degas painting and land her own show at a lucrative gallery. Without overstating its case, the novel looks at the origin of the value of art (is something valuable because of the aesthetics or because of who painted it?). And while this is a mystery, Shapiro avoids a lot of the often-hyperbolic techniques of damsel in distress and other less-than-convincing scenarios. Instead, this book is more about the moral crisis Claire faces, and what she's willing to do to save her soul.
This is well-crafted and interesting and truly a page-turner and it was an absolute treat to read!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
I have really neglected this blog. The MFA program has kept me very busy, and I've been finishing up my novel. All of which has been exciting and wonderful and hasn't stopped me from reading, but has maybe slowed me down on the writing-about-reading end of things.
I just finished reading Lily King's Euphoria and it is really the best thing I've read in a long time. I'm a fast reader anyway, but I read this in a day. I nearly couldn't put it down! It reminded me of Ann Patchett's State of Wonder in that it had that exotic, tropical feel. It is a love story, an adventure, and a story about loss. I've been a fan of Lily's since her very first novel, and this seemed like a departure for her. But, oh, it's a good departure.
I've also recently read and loved Lois Lowry's The Giver. I don't know how I never read this in my youth, but I missed it. Now that I've been working a few hours here and there at my local library, I came across it and decided to give it a try. At the time, I hadn't heard the movie was coming out (I don't watch much TV). The book blew me away and now I can't wait to see the movie. This would be a great book to read with older kids. There's so much to talk about--morality, humanity, utopian societies...and yet, Lowry does it with a fairly gentle hand.
I personally loved Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch. I thought it felt like a fairy tale for adults and I don't see why that's a bad thing. I liked protagonist Theo, and, even when he was doing the exact wrong thing, I couldn't stop watching him. It is perhaps a little longer than it needs to be, and Tartt perhaps drives home her point about the value of art a little more strongly that I think necessary, but overall I found this to be a sweeping, engaging, unforgettable read.
I worried about Colum McCann's Transatlantic because at first it seemed awfully slow. But then, like one of those folded-up notes we used to pass around in eighth grade, the novel reveals itself. This is one you'll want to stick with. It is so worth it.
For a presentation for a workshop, I read Iris Owens's After Claude. This is my kind of book. Searing, sarcastic, unapologetic, and, I thought, hysterically funny. This is not a book for the faint of heart. Or, if you're looking for someone to like and root for. But for all protagonist Harriett's huge flaws, there is something painful and earnest in her that made me want to hear her story. Plus, like I said, she's really, really funny.
The last one I'll mention for now is Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child. This book doesn't have one unlikable character in it and I still loved it. I loved the beauty of the landscape of this story, and the hope of the characters, and I found that their desire for a child was incredibly palpable without being heavy-handed. There is magic and mystery in this story, but it is grounded firmly in the reality of life in Alaska. This has become one of my favorite books.
I just finished reading Lily King's Euphoria and it is really the best thing I've read in a long time. I'm a fast reader anyway, but I read this in a day. I nearly couldn't put it down! It reminded me of Ann Patchett's State of Wonder in that it had that exotic, tropical feel. It is a love story, an adventure, and a story about loss. I've been a fan of Lily's since her very first novel, and this seemed like a departure for her. But, oh, it's a good departure.
I've also recently read and loved Lois Lowry's The Giver. I don't know how I never read this in my youth, but I missed it. Now that I've been working a few hours here and there at my local library, I came across it and decided to give it a try. At the time, I hadn't heard the movie was coming out (I don't watch much TV). The book blew me away and now I can't wait to see the movie. This would be a great book to read with older kids. There's so much to talk about--morality, humanity, utopian societies...and yet, Lowry does it with a fairly gentle hand.
I personally loved Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch. I thought it felt like a fairy tale for adults and I don't see why that's a bad thing. I liked protagonist Theo, and, even when he was doing the exact wrong thing, I couldn't stop watching him. It is perhaps a little longer than it needs to be, and Tartt perhaps drives home her point about the value of art a little more strongly that I think necessary, but overall I found this to be a sweeping, engaging, unforgettable read.
I worried about Colum McCann's Transatlantic because at first it seemed awfully slow. But then, like one of those folded-up notes we used to pass around in eighth grade, the novel reveals itself. This is one you'll want to stick with. It is so worth it.
For a presentation for a workshop, I read Iris Owens's After Claude. This is my kind of book. Searing, sarcastic, unapologetic, and, I thought, hysterically funny. This is not a book for the faint of heart. Or, if you're looking for someone to like and root for. But for all protagonist Harriett's huge flaws, there is something painful and earnest in her that made me want to hear her story. Plus, like I said, she's really, really funny.
The last one I'll mention for now is Eowyn Ivey's The Snow Child. This book doesn't have one unlikable character in it and I still loved it. I loved the beauty of the landscape of this story, and the hope of the characters, and I found that their desire for a child was incredibly palpable without being heavy-handed. There is magic and mystery in this story, but it is grounded firmly in the reality of life in Alaska. This has become one of my favorite books.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Unlikeable Characters
For an upcoming graduate school workshop, I had to re-read Ian McEwan's Atonement. The workshop is about unlikeable characters. I first read Atonement years and years ago when a book rep told me it was unforgettable (it wasn't even a book he repped). I read it, and indeed I found it breathtaking in both scope and imagery. But I thought I must have missed something because I didn't remember any unlikeable characters. Imperfect, yes. Fallible, sure. But I liked them all. So, I re-read it, looking hard for what I surely missed. (it is no great hardship to re-read a loved book). Huh. I still didn't find any one of them very unlikeable. Have you read Atonement? What do you think? I'll be interested to attend the workshop and see what the presenter has to say.
And then my wonderful librarian told me I HAD to read Herman Koch's The Dinner. Talk about unlikeable characters!!! Holy moly. I can't say too much but I will say that this is the first book in years to keep me awake at night. It is that disturbing. And it is for sure not for the faint of heart. But, if you want to read a book that unabashedly goes there, read this. And do it now, in the summer, when it's light out longer and things won't seem so bleak.
And then my wonderful librarian told me I HAD to read Herman Koch's The Dinner. Talk about unlikeable characters!!! Holy moly. I can't say too much but I will say that this is the first book in years to keep me awake at night. It is that disturbing. And it is for sure not for the faint of heart. But, if you want to read a book that unabashedly goes there, read this. And do it now, in the summer, when it's light out longer and things won't seem so bleak.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Reading while on vacation...
We were away for 10 days and, even though I didn't read much while we were in Florida or on a cruise ship (no, we didn't have any power outages), I did read a lot at the airport and on the plane. I started with Lorrie Moore's collection of short stories Birds of America because my MFA mentor suggested I read "Terrific Mother." I loved Moore's brutal honesty, her unflinching look at humanity, in all her stories, some of which I read before but no matter. They were wonderful. Then it was on to A Mouthful of Air by Amy Koppelman. This is a heartbreaking book about a woman who has returned home after a suicide attempt to her 1 year old son, her husband, and her very complicated life. This book is not for the faint of heart but I loved it. Koppelman writes with excruciating detail of every unfolding emotion main character Julie experiences and the result is that the reader ends up feeling as emotional frayed as Julie. After that, I needed something a little lighter (the Bible would have been lighter) and I was glad to read Ann Tyler's Earthly Possessions. Sometimes I find Tyler a little fluffy for my taste but this one I liked. Maybe I was just in the mood for something that didn't leave me devastated. Upon my return home, I picked up a copy of the New Yorker so I could read Sarah Braunstein's "Marjorie Lemke." I love short stories and ones like this that are so beautifully crafted, so delicately written--it was worth the $6.99 for the New Yorker. (who knew the New Yorker was $6.99??). Now I'm reading Faulkner and I have to say, I think I was smarter in high school when I first read The Sound and the Fury because now it seems really hard. Not that I don't appreciate the language but, honestly, I'm not 100% sure what's going on! I'll keep on, though.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Let the Great World Spin
Currently I am only reading books on my book list (primarily self-complied so I can't complain) so yes, all of them are multi-points-of-view things. I'm trying to learn how to do it. Along with trying to learn how to write, in general.
I have recently finished Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin, a tale ostentatiously about a man who walks on a tightrope between the Twin Towers. It's told from multiple points of view (obviously) and it starts out not being about the tightrope walker at all. Which I kind of liked. These stories or chapters, depending on if you want to argue the point of it being a novel or not, are about Irish brothers in New York city, their messy lives, love, obligation, passion, fear. It's late in the book before we meet the tightrope walker (before that, he's been noticed, but not in a life-changing way). The chapter with the tightrope walker is breathtaking, as are many other parts of the novel. But for me, it didn't come together as a linked collection, or novel in stories, which is what I was expecting. And I'm not sure each section, on its own, is satisfying enough to be a stand-alone story. I wanted something more threading the story together, more emotional impact from one person's experience to the next. This is probably just a taste thing. And, really, I liked the book. I just didn't love it.
Before Let the Great World Spin, I read Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I really like Anne Tyler--most of the time. She's had a few misses (Saint Maybe) but overall you can count on her for a good story. This novel is also multiple POV, told from different members of a family. It worked for me, because it was about a single, central family, and because the structure of the novel felt like a family telling a story. And, Tyler did an expert job of weaving things in, mentioning something here, again there. She doesn't over-saturate her work, and this isn't the kind of novel that's going to make your head ache from thinking, but it's a good, solid story.
I also read a craft book: The Gotham Writer's Workshop. I've read a lot of craft books. I mean, A LOT and this one I liked. It felt like there were some fresh ideas, some good exercises, and a ton of very solid, very readable information about technique. I would pick this up if you're a would-be writer.
I am currently reading Love Medicine by Louise Erdich. I know, I know. Where have I been? So far, I'm loving it!
I have recently finished Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin, a tale ostentatiously about a man who walks on a tightrope between the Twin Towers. It's told from multiple points of view (obviously) and it starts out not being about the tightrope walker at all. Which I kind of liked. These stories or chapters, depending on if you want to argue the point of it being a novel or not, are about Irish brothers in New York city, their messy lives, love, obligation, passion, fear. It's late in the book before we meet the tightrope walker (before that, he's been noticed, but not in a life-changing way). The chapter with the tightrope walker is breathtaking, as are many other parts of the novel. But for me, it didn't come together as a linked collection, or novel in stories, which is what I was expecting. And I'm not sure each section, on its own, is satisfying enough to be a stand-alone story. I wanted something more threading the story together, more emotional impact from one person's experience to the next. This is probably just a taste thing. And, really, I liked the book. I just didn't love it.
Before Let the Great World Spin, I read Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. I really like Anne Tyler--most of the time. She's had a few misses (Saint Maybe) but overall you can count on her for a good story. This novel is also multiple POV, told from different members of a family. It worked for me, because it was about a single, central family, and because the structure of the novel felt like a family telling a story. And, Tyler did an expert job of weaving things in, mentioning something here, again there. She doesn't over-saturate her work, and this isn't the kind of novel that's going to make your head ache from thinking, but it's a good, solid story.
I also read a craft book: The Gotham Writer's Workshop. I've read a lot of craft books. I mean, A LOT and this one I liked. It felt like there were some fresh ideas, some good exercises, and a ton of very solid, very readable information about technique. I would pick this up if you're a would-be writer.
I am currently reading Love Medicine by Louise Erdich. I know, I know. Where have I been? So far, I'm loving it!
Friday, January 25, 2013
First post of 2013--Not because I haven't been reading.
So, I did my first MFA residency earlier this month and my brain didn't explode. Although I think it came close. I also gained two pounds despite the fact that I hauled myself out of bed at 5am every day to get some exercise (must have been the peanut butter and fluff stashed in my room). I digress. The residency was fabulous--so full of precise, helpful insights into my own writing as well as the writing of others (which helps clarify my own). It was also incredible to spend evenings listening to faculty and past student readings, as well as graduating student readings during the day. My brain whirled and churned and thanked my lucky stars I was among such company. I will also admit to the healthy (or unhealthy?) amount of self doubt being among such talent caused my fragile writer-ego. In a blur of wanting to write, I wondered if I could, really.
I came home, digested, worked out harder and longer (goodbye 2lbs), and read a book. Have I ever mention how happy reading makes me? Well, it makes me downright delirious. And, reading something good puts me over the moon.
I just finished Jeffrey Eugenides The Virgin Suicides (I know, I know, where have I been?) and I loved it. It's dark, and weird, and a little gross in some places (maybe more than a little) and say what you will about the "We" narrator, I think Eugenides handled it like the pro he is. It made me feel like not just a reader, but a part of this dysfunctional community. And that made me laugh at the darkly funny parts, and mourn deeply for the Lisbon girls.
Up next, I "have" to read Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. Have I mentioned that I love graduate school?
I came home, digested, worked out harder and longer (goodbye 2lbs), and read a book. Have I ever mention how happy reading makes me? Well, it makes me downright delirious. And, reading something good puts me over the moon.
I just finished Jeffrey Eugenides The Virgin Suicides (I know, I know, where have I been?) and I loved it. It's dark, and weird, and a little gross in some places (maybe more than a little) and say what you will about the "We" narrator, I think Eugenides handled it like the pro he is. It made me feel like not just a reader, but a part of this dysfunctional community. And that made me laugh at the darkly funny parts, and mourn deeply for the Lisbon girls.
Up next, I "have" to read Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. Have I mentioned that I love graduate school?
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Christmas Gifts
Let me just say that I LOVE getting and giving books for Christmas and for years, because I owned a bookstore, I never got any. (I mean, other than the hundreds I bought myself!) I no longer own a bookstore but still I get very few books, probably because I read so much no one dares get me anything.
Although last year for my birthday my husband bought me My Last Supper by Melanie Dunea. It's a great coffee table book if you love food as much as I do (which comes in a very close second to books, so books about food are always an excellent thing in my mind). It's a really beautiful, if not slightly morbid, collection of chef's and other foodies' imagined last meal, complete with recipes.
I love giving books. It may be a little late for this but you can always scurry out to your local bookstore and see if they have these titles:
For kids and tweens: The boxed set (if you can find it) of The Chronicles of Narnia. I still remember getting it for Christmas from my mother's cousin--I must have been about seven. I remember burrowing under my covers and reading the whole set start to finish, and then reading it again. Maybe this isn't the hottest new thing kids are into, but if you've got a kid who loves fantasy-type books and they haven't read it, I'd bet it would be well-received.
For my mom: I like a well-written mystery, one that is character-driven and not too gory. I like Julia Spencer-Fleming's series which start with In the Bleak Midwinter.
For my husband: Who likes true-crime stuff, I like Howie Carr's The Brother's Bulger. About Whitey and his gang, it's a great read.
For anyone who likes to cook: My favorite, most-used cookbook is The Joy of Cooking. You can't go wrong with a classic.
Speaking of which, I would give a classic like To Kill a Mockingbird or Middlemarch to just about anyone.
And if you know someone who writes, or wants to write, my favorite is by far Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.
I'm sure I'm forgetting many of my favorites to give and get. I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Of course, a gift certificate to your local bookstore is always good, too!
Although last year for my birthday my husband bought me My Last Supper by Melanie Dunea. It's a great coffee table book if you love food as much as I do (which comes in a very close second to books, so books about food are always an excellent thing in my mind). It's a really beautiful, if not slightly morbid, collection of chef's and other foodies' imagined last meal, complete with recipes.
I love giving books. It may be a little late for this but you can always scurry out to your local bookstore and see if they have these titles:
For kids and tweens: The boxed set (if you can find it) of The Chronicles of Narnia. I still remember getting it for Christmas from my mother's cousin--I must have been about seven. I remember burrowing under my covers and reading the whole set start to finish, and then reading it again. Maybe this isn't the hottest new thing kids are into, but if you've got a kid who loves fantasy-type books and they haven't read it, I'd bet it would be well-received.
For my mom: I like a well-written mystery, one that is character-driven and not too gory. I like Julia Spencer-Fleming's series which start with In the Bleak Midwinter.
For my husband: Who likes true-crime stuff, I like Howie Carr's The Brother's Bulger. About Whitey and his gang, it's a great read.
For anyone who likes to cook: My favorite, most-used cookbook is The Joy of Cooking. You can't go wrong with a classic.
Speaking of which, I would give a classic like To Kill a Mockingbird or Middlemarch to just about anyone.
And if you know someone who writes, or wants to write, my favorite is by far Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird.
I'm sure I'm forgetting many of my favorites to give and get. I'd love to hear your suggestions!
Of course, a gift certificate to your local bookstore is always good, too!
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