There are days when I, at least, want to read something light and feel good, that will leave me happier with the world. The Little Paris Bookshop is for one of those days. It is a book about books, about people and emotions.
What reader hasn't had the experience of reading just the right book at just the right time? Maybe, in some other situation, that book would seem trite, depressing or boring. But, that day, it hit the perfect note. This is the central theme of this book: that books heal and can be "prescribed", that a reader may not be at the right moment for a different one. This is the best part of The Little Paris Bookshop.
Despite that charming idea, the author can be a little heavy handed on the moral of the story. The characters are cliched and the story can drag. Rereading it in a different frame of mind, I still liked the rich descriptions but found it emotionally manipulative and I wanted to shake some sense into some of the characters.
Thanks to BlogginForBooks and Netgalley for providing an advance copy.
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Saturday, May 21, 2016
God, Stuff, Life and Trivialities
As those of you who know me, I definitely fall on the minimalist side of the consumerism/minimalism spectrum. Not that I live out of a backpack or hold "no buy" month challenges. For me, it is more of a way of life. I don't shop as a distraction, I don't care for upgrading technology without need, I don't think about the Jones, let alone about keeping up with them. This is just the way I view life, not a huge insight and conscious effort.
The minimalism movement intrigues me. On one hand, I do agree with a lot that is said, minus any radicalism (see said backpack). On the other, it seems like some people see decluttering as synonymous with minimalism and as a way of life, not as a step to a different life. As though it were an end to itself. I never went deep into the minimalism websites but even I had heard of Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist website, so I was curious about his book.
I must say I was underwhelmed by the book. Most of what he says is a repeat of things I've read before, even without a lot of effort on my part. A lot of feel good stuff about finding your true calling, meaning, etc. There isn't much new material. However, a lot of readers have called it life changing and inspiring, so it must speak out to some people.
I also hadn't expected so much religious content, citing the Christian Bible and scriptures as models. I understand that this will be helpful to some but I would have preferred that this side of it had been more obvious from the marketing and cover.
Bottom line - some people will appreciate it as an introduction to minimalism, others will prefer to get the information available online. If you are looking for a book on decluttering and organize, I would recommend getting a book specifically focused on that. If you are looking for self help and the meaning of your life, head over to that shelf.
This review was based on a copy I received from the editors, in return for my fair and unbiased opinion
The minimalism movement intrigues me. On one hand, I do agree with a lot that is said, minus any radicalism (see said backpack). On the other, it seems like some people see decluttering as synonymous with minimalism and as a way of life, not as a step to a different life. As though it were an end to itself. I never went deep into the minimalism websites but even I had heard of Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist website, so I was curious about his book.
I must say I was underwhelmed by the book. Most of what he says is a repeat of things I've read before, even without a lot of effort on my part. A lot of feel good stuff about finding your true calling, meaning, etc. There isn't much new material. However, a lot of readers have called it life changing and inspiring, so it must speak out to some people.
I also hadn't expected so much religious content, citing the Christian Bible and scriptures as models. I understand that this will be helpful to some but I would have preferred that this side of it had been more obvious from the marketing and cover.
Bottom line - some people will appreciate it as an introduction to minimalism, others will prefer to get the information available online. If you are looking for a book on decluttering and organize, I would recommend getting a book specifically focused on that. If you are looking for self help and the meaning of your life, head over to that shelf.
This review was based on a copy I received from the editors, in return for my fair and unbiased opinion
Friday, May 13, 2016
Hi - long time no see. Don't you just hate it when real life gets in the way of literary life? But I am back and I have quite a backlog to post. Today's book is Eleanor, by Jason Gurley. It was first published by a small indie press and caused enough impact to be picked up by a larger publisher.
I am going to avoid talking about the plot. It is rather intricate and I don't want to spoil anything. I'll just say that it builds up slowly (too slowly for some) and there are lots of layers and links between different people and generations.
Eleanor is one of those beautifully written, almost ethereal books that are also slow. Creating that delicate atmosphere takes time and a gentle touch, both of which slows down the pacing. The story really only gets moving in the second half, which may be too late for some readers. I admit I was nearing my limit before the story started picking up on the elements I was attracted to in the blurbs (oh, I am so trying not to spoil anything).
Perhaps I was not in the best mental state for reading it, since the gloom did eventually get to me more than the more positive side of it. There was the feeling that there was always some meaning just out of my reach, deeper down in all the layers. Rating this book was very hard. At times, I felt it was a fantastic book, at others, it felt like the characters were far away and muted, their reactions informed, instead of real.
I am going to avoid talking about the plot. It is rather intricate and I don't want to spoil anything. I'll just say that it builds up slowly (too slowly for some) and there are lots of layers and links between different people and generations.
Eleanor is one of those beautifully written, almost ethereal books that are also slow. Creating that delicate atmosphere takes time and a gentle touch, both of which slows down the pacing. The story really only gets moving in the second half, which may be too late for some readers. I admit I was nearing my limit before the story started picking up on the elements I was attracted to in the blurbs (oh, I am so trying not to spoil anything).
Perhaps I was not in the best mental state for reading it, since the gloom did eventually get to me more than the more positive side of it. There was the feeling that there was always some meaning just out of my reach, deeper down in all the layers. Rating this book was very hard. At times, I felt it was a fantastic book, at others, it felt like the characters were far away and muted, their reactions informed, instead of real.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
The Witch of Lime Street
When the 1920s are mentioned, most people think of flappers, jazz and Prohibition, not seances and mediums. Yet it was also the revival of Spiritualism, as people dealt with the losses from WWI and the Spanish flu. One of its greatest defenders at the time was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, father of Sherlock Holmes and victim of the Cottingley Fairies hoax. On the other side, we have the debunkers, led by Harry Houdini himself, who never tried to pass his act as magic.
The central theme of the book is a prize offered by Scientific American to the psychic whose powers would withstand the scrutiny of a panel of juries, including Houdini and several respected scientists. Several mediums face up to the jury only to be debunked, until Mina Crandon. Mina is a respectable society wife, who finds her "talent" out almost by accident and doesn't receive money for her seances, unlike all other contestants. Of course, the clash of egos between the juries, Mina's husband and assorted others doesn't help things to go smoothly.
Despite this, the book meanders through Houdini's life story, other cases of mediumship, Sir Conan Doyle's story and many, many other dusty corners. It is intriguing but, at the same time, it can be confusing and wearing. Mina Crandon, despite being the titular witch, doesn't make her entrance until about a third of the book and her testing takes even longer to be described. It would improve through some more aggressive editing, tightening up the story. A bibliography and references are also missed, despite the recommended reading list.
The Witch of Lime Street is a fascinating book, specially for those curious minds that will revel in the side stories and characters of the time.
The central theme of the book is a prize offered by Scientific American to the psychic whose powers would withstand the scrutiny of a panel of juries, including Houdini and several respected scientists. Several mediums face up to the jury only to be debunked, until Mina Crandon. Mina is a respectable society wife, who finds her "talent" out almost by accident and doesn't receive money for her seances, unlike all other contestants. Of course, the clash of egos between the juries, Mina's husband and assorted others doesn't help things to go smoothly.
Despite this, the book meanders through Houdini's life story, other cases of mediumship, Sir Conan Doyle's story and many, many other dusty corners. It is intriguing but, at the same time, it can be confusing and wearing. Mina Crandon, despite being the titular witch, doesn't make her entrance until about a third of the book and her testing takes even longer to be described. It would improve through some more aggressive editing, tightening up the story. A bibliography and references are also missed, despite the recommended reading list.
The Witch of Lime Street is a fascinating book, specially for those curious minds that will revel in the side stories and characters of the time.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
Monday, May 25, 2015
The World Before Us
I received a review copy from the publisher in return for this fair and honest review
The World Before us by Aislinn Hunter
There are books that are "love it or hate it" and this is certainly one of them. As is often the case, this book has beautiful language and descriptions, meandering lines of thoughts and unconventional narrators. It is slow and takes its time to develop the mystery and to show how things connect. Not every question is answered. This can either fascinate the readers or bore them to death and insanity (quite fittingly).
From the short synopsis, this wasn't what I expected. Had I gone in knowing all this, I would have enjoyed it more, instead of getting frustrated with a book that seemed to go nowhere for a long time. Expectations...
The World Before us by Aislinn Hunter
There are books that are "love it or hate it" and this is certainly one of them. As is often the case, this book has beautiful language and descriptions, meandering lines of thoughts and unconventional narrators. It is slow and takes its time to develop the mystery and to show how things connect. Not every question is answered. This can either fascinate the readers or bore them to death and insanity (quite fittingly).
From the short synopsis, this wasn't what I expected. Had I gone in knowing all this, I would have enjoyed it more, instead of getting frustrated with a book that seemed to go nowhere for a long time. Expectations...
Saturday, May 9, 2015
The Marriage of Opposites
This book was provided by the publisher, in return for a fair and honest review
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
Telling the story of "common people", "looked over people", "people surrounding a famous person", "insider view told by a family member", etc, has become a popular genre. From lesser known biblical characters to forgotten painters, it seems that every possible angle is being explored in order to tell a story with a celebrity hook. In this case, the plot revolves around Rachel Pome Petit Pizzaro, whose connection to fame is her son, Camille Pissaro, dean of Impressionism.
Rachel is seen as a headstrong, outspoken, unpleasant woman (the reader will tend to agree, specially as the book progresses). She grows up with her best friend, the family servant's daughter, and eventually accepts a marriage of convenience to help her father's business. Eventually widowed, she falls in love with her husband's nephew, which is forbidden by the Jewish faith. Of course, this doesn't stop her. Eventually, one of her sons (her favourite, of course) goes to France to become a painter. Interwoven are the story of Justine and her daughter, family secrets and mistaken impressions.
That sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the book let me down. The characters are often barely sketched out (just try to describe her second husband, for example). The story often jumps several years, leaving the poor reader confused. And it both foreshadows to the point of obviousness (come on, who didn't know Justine's parentage a third of the way in?) and springs things completely out of the blue (Isaac's background). Hoffman also wants to be poetic and literary, using and abusing the symbolism (such as changing a historical character's background to fit).
That sounds pretty harsh but the book is better than that. The first part is an amusing read and most of the faults are concentrated in the second half. I felt as though Hoffman suddenly realized she had to get to a certain point before ending the book and started axing sideplots and minor characters. For example, near the end one of Rachel's child is extremely ill. There is no build up: the narrator just informs the reader of the fact, even though we had seen no sign of Rachel's worry until this point.
Would I recommend this book? Not really. There is better light reading out there.
The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman
Telling the story of "common people", "looked over people", "people surrounding a famous person", "insider view told by a family member", etc, has become a popular genre. From lesser known biblical characters to forgotten painters, it seems that every possible angle is being explored in order to tell a story with a celebrity hook. In this case, the plot revolves around Rachel Pome Petit Pizzaro, whose connection to fame is her son, Camille Pissaro, dean of Impressionism.
Rachel is seen as a headstrong, outspoken, unpleasant woman (the reader will tend to agree, specially as the book progresses). She grows up with her best friend, the family servant's daughter, and eventually accepts a marriage of convenience to help her father's business. Eventually widowed, she falls in love with her husband's nephew, which is forbidden by the Jewish faith. Of course, this doesn't stop her. Eventually, one of her sons (her favourite, of course) goes to France to become a painter. Interwoven are the story of Justine and her daughter, family secrets and mistaken impressions.
That sounds pretty good, doesn't it? Unfortunately, the book let me down. The characters are often barely sketched out (just try to describe her second husband, for example). The story often jumps several years, leaving the poor reader confused. And it both foreshadows to the point of obviousness (come on, who didn't know Justine's parentage a third of the way in?) and springs things completely out of the blue (Isaac's background). Hoffman also wants to be poetic and literary, using and abusing the symbolism (such as changing a historical character's background to fit).
That sounds pretty harsh but the book is better than that. The first part is an amusing read and most of the faults are concentrated in the second half. I felt as though Hoffman suddenly realized she had to get to a certain point before ending the book and started axing sideplots and minor characters. For example, near the end one of Rachel's child is extremely ill. There is no build up: the narrator just informs the reader of the fact, even though we had seen no sign of Rachel's worry until this point.
Would I recommend this book? Not really. There is better light reading out there.
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World
This book was provided by the publisher, in return for this fair and honest review
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World by Rachel Swaby
This book is a light but interesting read. Organized by the main branches of science, it dedicates a few pages to each of 52 scientists who were women. Yes, that is an awkward phrase but I feel I need to highlight that they are being judged as scientists, first and foremost. Not one of them felt out of place, picked simply to round off the list. Each one made major contributions to their fields. Some won Nobel prizes while others were passed over for their colleagues. All of them worked hard and produced amazing results.
Often, science seems to have been made by men, with the occasional token woman thrown in. Women are usually the assistants, the secretaries, the support staff, the ladies doing grunt work while the real thinkers arrive at the brilliant results. This collection shows that this isn't the whole truth. Many women fought to break barriers, overcome stereotypes and often were unpaid, unrecognized and unwanted.
However, this isn't a feminist book. Most of all, it is a celebration of good science despite everything that got in the way. The clear language will help any reader to learn more about medicine, genetics, bugs, physics, chemistry and the life in the lab.
Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World by Rachel Swaby
This book is a light but interesting read. Organized by the main branches of science, it dedicates a few pages to each of 52 scientists who were women. Yes, that is an awkward phrase but I feel I need to highlight that they are being judged as scientists, first and foremost. Not one of them felt out of place, picked simply to round off the list. Each one made major contributions to their fields. Some won Nobel prizes while others were passed over for their colleagues. All of them worked hard and produced amazing results.
Often, science seems to have been made by men, with the occasional token woman thrown in. Women are usually the assistants, the secretaries, the support staff, the ladies doing grunt work while the real thinkers arrive at the brilliant results. This collection shows that this isn't the whole truth. Many women fought to break barriers, overcome stereotypes and often were unpaid, unrecognized and unwanted.
 |
| XKCD nails it, as usual https://xkcd.com/896/ |
However, this isn't a feminist book. Most of all, it is a celebration of good science despite everything that got in the way. The clear language will help any reader to learn more about medicine, genetics, bugs, physics, chemistry and the life in the lab.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)