Genre Fiction

I have read two books by Barbara Kingsolver recently: I just finished Animal Dreams (1990), and two books before that, Prodigal Summer (2001).

I would still call Kingsolver one of my favorite storytellers; however, I have come to notice a few things about her style that irk me, with the main annoyance being her soapbox. In each novel, a little more than half way through, one character suddenly lectures another one for a good three or four pages about how something is working against nature.

Now I’m all for having strong opinions and sharing them in hopes of educating people. But I also feel that there is a time and a place. Stopping the story’s flow to instill a brief lesson creates a disjointed, stand out section that breaks apart from the rest of the novel.

That being said, I still highly recommend both Animal Dreams and Prodigal Summer. Both are great reads; both follow Kingsolver’s formula: Girl sets out to live life her way. Girl meets boy and falls hard. Girl tries to leave boy, as he does not fit in with her master plan. Girl suffers tragedy and reevaluates relationship with boy.

The first, tells Codi Noline’s tale of returning home to a small town in Arizona surrounded by land, Native American reservations, and memories of her childhood. Things begin changing with her atypical family upon her return: her overprotective father is beginning to see signs of Alzheimer’s; her sister Hallie, who is also a good friend, is headed to Nicaragua, during a war, to lend her agricultural expertise; her mother, who died after giving birth to Hallie, remains a mystery that Codi wants to figure out.

The latter, follows wildlife biologist Deanna Wolfe as she spends her time living amongst the coyote, in a shack in the woods, to observe and protect them.

The first is calm and reassuring; the latter, inspirational and passionate. Both are excellent; both are books you should read.

I hate spending money on hardback books: they are twice the price as paperbacks and take up more room on my shelves. Unfortunately, publishers have got in the habit of only releasing a hard copy for the first year of a new bestseller’s shelf life. This usually means that I wait in dire anticipation until the soft version comes out. But on vacation last year, my aunt bought me a hardback copy of The Friday Night Knitting Club (2007) by Kate Jacobs when it was still a brand new release.

This would be the best gift regardless of how the book turned out, but on top of it Knitting Club was fabulous! You don’t have to be a knitter to enjoy this book about both mother-daughter and women’s relationships. Any one can enjoy seeing such different personalities come together under a common bond and supporting each other through highs and lows.

Jacobs’s first read is now available in paperback - and her second one is here, too! (Albeit only in hardback, of course).

Comfort Foods (May, 2008) tells a similar tale of womanly strength and comraderie. This time, the setting is cooking show and the mother is a widow with two adult daughters.

Think you might be intrigued? Read the first chapter of Comfort Foods on Kate Jacobs’s Web site. A paperback edition of Comfort Foods is set to go on sale in April, 2009 … unless you’re lucky enough to stumble upon an aunt who splurges on you and buys you a newly released hard cover copy.

There are some books that should never be read. Somewhere along the line an editor approves the author and their idea, without realizing that the story is no good.

The Dogs of Babel (2004) by Carolyn Parkhurst is one of these novels.

I had heard of the book when it was first released. It struck an interest with me, but not enough to pick it up. But when Wal-mart had a copy for only $5, I grabbed it.

The story is explained as such: When his wife dies unexpectedly, and suspiciously, in the backyard, with only the dog as a witness, Paul becomes obsessed with trying to teach his dog to speak and reveal the mystery behind her death.

In the process however, Paul accidentally discovers an underground cult of animal-abusing linguists who slice and dice dogs’ throats and vocal chords to try and mimic human anatomy. The scenes are gross, disturbing, and unfortunately memorable. Sure, the ideas are original, but there is a reason for that: no one wants to read about grotesque abuse.

Parkhurst starts with a quirky tale of sorrow and tragedy reminiscence of The Lovely Bones. But where Alice Sebold was able to keep the reader hooked into a mystery, Parkhurst looses sight of her original plotline and goes for shock and disgust instead of cohesion, suspense, and mystery-solving.

Even Amazon.com’s review of the book - printed on the same page where the book is for sale - condemns the novel:

“Unfortunately, the second half of The Dogs of Babel takes too many odd twists and turns–everything from a Ms. Cleo-like TV psychic to an underground sect of abusive canine linguists–to ever allow the reader to feel any real sympathy for the main characters.”

Obviously, some people enjoyed - the Today Show made it part of their book club. But there are so many other great novels out there, that The Dogs of Babel is not worth the time and will leave you with haunting memories of brutal scenes.

I often like movie versions of novels just because I loved the book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work the other way, as with the Bridget Jones series of books and films.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (1996, 2001 film) and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (1999, 2004 film) by Helen Fielding remain two of my favorite chick flicks, but were painful to read. The diary format used created a disjointed novel that changed story from page to page. It was hard to learn much of anything about the on screen-lovable mess of a cute woman.

If you too grabbed up the Bridget Jones duo of hit British novels only to be disappointed: don’t give up on Helen Fielding as an author!

Although Bridget was seemingly more suitable for film than paper, when Fielding pulls a story together, and removes the constraints of a daily diary, she creates fun characters in funny situations.

Cause Celeb (1994) was her first published novel. It follows a slightly more put together version of Bridget - Rosie - as she joins a humanitary relief effort in Africa after a bad, public breakup. It’s amazing how one book can inspire you to be a better person, while winding you in to a chick lit story.

After she thoroughy exhausted Ms. Jones (there were two other stories after the two popular ones), she headed in the direction of crazy, storyteller Oliva Joules. Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination (2004) tells the classic journalist turn spy when freelance writer Olivia spins a wild tale - in her head - about Pierre, the man she is assigned to do an article about but whom she secretly believes to be a terrorist.

So, love the Bridget Jones enhanced to adorable perfection by Renee Zellweger? Skip over the written versions and head straight to an introsuction with Rosie and Olivia.

Author Lauren Weisberger has a new novel – Chasing Harry Winston (May 2008) – topping the lists. Being her third novel, and the only whose scandals I have not yet devoured, it seems an appropriate time to review her first two: The Devil Wears Prada (2003) and Everyone Worth Knowing (2005).

If you have not yet read the best-selling debut novel, or seen the 2006 top-grossing film of the same name, here’s a one sentence summary: Editor-nerd Andrea finds herself lost, yet intrigued, by the fast-moving, label-loving, back-stabbing world of magazine publishing. It’s a good watch, and a better read. In fact, I loved the book so much so, that I bought Weisberger’s second novel the day it was released.

So did hundreds of other people, but then they told their friends not to bother. Sales from the first two weeks of Everyone Worth Knowing made it an instant bestseller; but, with nasty reviews it quickly tapered off. It’s story follows Bette as she quits her job in search of something more, and stumbles her way into working at a popular New York City PR firm … and in the headlines of the gossip columns.

Critics can be harsh, especially when your previous works sets such high expectations. I quite enjoyed reading both of Weisberger’s little-girl-meets-big-city stories, but I remember more details from The Devil Wears Prada.

Chasing Harry Winston is about three best girlfriends who, despite living an enviable, socialite life, want change so much that two of them make a pact to alter their lives drastically over the course of one year. It’s a tale of “Three best friends. Two resolutions. One year to pull it off.�?

The plot of her third novel certainly has notes of the previous two, but if Weisberger feels at home creating chick lit for the businesswoman, then I warmly welcome her books that allow me to live vicariously through her socializing, hard-working characters.

The spring of 2003 brought us two accounts of rehab experiences: Dry by Augusten Burroughs and A Million Little Pieces by James Frey.

Equally similar as they are different, both books make for a good read. Here are a few similarities and differences, with “1″ designating Dry and “2″ for A Million Little Pieces.

FIRST SENTENCE

1. “Sometimes when you work in advertising you’ll get a product that’s really garbage and you have to make it seem fantastic, something that is essential to the continued quality of life.”

2. “I wake to the drone of an airplane engine and the feeling of something warm dripping down my chin.”

PLOT

1. Mostly post rehab, trying to adjust to returning home after getting clean. One of the most vivid scenes is when he first opens his apartment doors to see all of the empty bottles, garbage, and booze taking over the place.

2. Takes place in a rehab center, with interactions happening between patients, and with doctors and psychiatrists.

BEST FRIEND

1. Pighead - former lover, passes away during story.

2. Leonard - fellow rehab resident, got a follow-up book - My Friend Leonard (2004) - centered on him.

DRUG OF CHOICE

1. Alcohol, especially scotch and beer.

2. Alcohol for ten years, crack for three.

AUTHOR

1. Third of six books, second memoir. Most recent released earlier this year.

2. First of three books, with third one releasing later this year.

1. Current age: 42; Character’s age: 20-something.

2. Current age: 38; Character’s age: 23

CONTROVERSY

1. None directly connected to this memoir, but sued over previous one, Running with Scissors (2002).

2. Oh my. Frey went on Oprah and affirmed that his story was 100 percent true. Later, Web site The Smoking Gun researched his background and reported that much of the memoir was fiction. Oprah confronted him in a follow-up interview, and Frey admitted to altering details. Recent publications include an note explaining the situation.

COVER ART

1. By my count, there are four different cover designs: The one shown; a fish with his head flopped into a martini; a lifesaver draped around a bottle’s neck; and an artistic, colorful one.

2. While the artwork is always that shown, some copies have Oprah’s book club seal while others have had it removed. Some also contain a note: “With new notes from the publisher and from the author.”

OVERALL

1. Great. As with all of Burroughs’ works, it’s a tough read in the sense that a lot of hard times are elaborately detailed. But his ability to make words draw a specific picture will surely win you over.

2. Good. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it is a good story. There are rough characters and tough times, but the relationships that are woven throughout outweigh all else.

Tracy Chevalier has been on my mind lately since she has a new book - Burning Bright (2007) - and since, after careful consideration, I chose The Birth of Venus (2004) by Sarah Dunant, a novel with Tracy tones, as my next read.

Although I haven’t cracked Burning Bright yet, I own and have read all of her other historical fiction novels. I recommend reading them all, in this order:

1. Girl with a Pearl Earring (1999): I don’t care if you have seen the Scarlett Johansson movie version. In fact, that’s even more reason to dive in: While the story did translate well to film, Chevalier’s A+ ability to describe color, vision, wonder, and discovery was lost.

2. The Lady and the Unicorn (2003): I never imagined that some one, some book, could forever change the way that I look at tapestries. Learn about weaving, designing, dying, and all while watching the artist and his master’s daughter fall in love.

3. Falling Angels (2001): Less artistic than the others; more about the people themselves. It’s a weird pairing of tales - childhood friendship juxtaposed with a mother’s sexual exploration - but they are easily connected with their humanistic aspects.

4. The Virgin Blue (1997): Unfortunately, unmemorable. However, very readable. I loved every second of it as the story tore me through the pages, but the second the covers were closed the details were lost.

Intrigued? Tracy Chevalier’s Web site allows you to read the first chapter of each book, learn her inspirations, and travel the true historical trails of each novel. And everyone, whether you’ve read it before or not, must experience the colorful cooking experience of Girl with a Pearl Earring’s first chapter.

Finding a best-selling novel at a used bookstore is one of my favorite things. But finding a surprise hit is even better. It takes time, analysis, and skill to hunt through hundreds of little-known titles and find a fantastic read.

Icy Sparks (1998) by Gwyn Hyman Rubio was one of my best finds to date.

I had never heard of the unexpected friendship story before it was in my hands at my favorite used book spot. Apparently Oprah had, because it was listed in her book club in 2001. Other than knowing that Oprah approved, all I had to go on was the back cover blurb. I am so glad I took the chance and spent the $4.

Icy Sparks, the title character, is a young girl living in the South in the 1950s, being raised by her grandparents, and struggling for acceptance.

Icy croaks. Literally. She has a tic that causes her to let out loud croaking-like noises and twitch, and has to face the cruel reality of being misunderstood at a too young age.

Then there’s Miss Emily Tanner, a local store owner. At 300+ pounds she also understands being teased, stared at, and an outcast in their small Kentucky town.

Naturally, Icy and Emily become fast and hard friends. But even Miss Emily can’t stop Icy’s grandparents from thinking the girl has a mental disorder.

Largely about common bond friendships, Icy Sparks also takes a brutally honest look at living in a world that thinks something is wrong with the way you are.

Oprah approved, and so do I.

Who would have thought that a graphic novelist would go on to write an intriguing, intricate, bestselling love story?

But that is Audrey Niffenegger’s exact path. In the late ’80s Audrey created a handful of visual books and stories such as The Spinster (1986). Then she wrote The Time Traveler’s Wife (2004).

Henry can time travel - but not at will. He has no control over his disorder as he pops in and out of his future wife Clare’s life over a span of decades. With her carefully thought out details and timing, Niffenegger managed to keep the reader from becoming confused, despite the characters’ confusing lives. The novel takes you through Clare and Henry’s unique romance, as Henry gets to know Clare as a child, a teenager, and an adult - all at once.

The Time Traveler’s Wife is perhaps the only fiction book that can enthrall three generations of readers: myself, my mother, and my grandfather. It’s not really a book that can be explained; however, you have to just read this one. But know this: I hate science fiction, and I love this novel. So don’t be scared off by the time traveling subject.

Audrey Niffenegger has said that she is currently working on her second full-length novel, set to titled Her Fearful Symmetry. The Time Traveler’s Wife was picked up for a big screen transition before it was even finished. The film is expected to release this year with Rachel McAdams is starring as adult Clare, and Eric Bana plays Henry. Brad Pitt is a producer … will we get a screen shot of Mr. Jolie?

After her rape and murder in 1973, 14-year-old Susie Salmon (”like the fish”) continues to live on as the narrator of her own murder mystery in The Lovely Bones (2002) by Alice Sebold.

The unique voice - being both a child and the dead victim - gives this book its innocent tone. You are pulled in by the sweet young teen who has seen and known too much. She tells you who killed her before her parents know, which makes for some great opportunities for the reader to know more than the victim’s family.

Six years after finishing this read, details of The Lovely Bones are still with me. So when I saw The Bright Forever in a used bookstore, I snagged it.

Lee Martin’s The Bright Forever (2006) has, as you can see in these two pictures, a cover not far off from Sebold’s. The plotline was also similar: a young girl (Martin’s is 9) disappears in the 1970s and her whole town is up in shambles searching for her and a molesting murderer.

Martin’s book may be truer to real life, with parents that blame themselves, questions of how it could have been avoided, and multiple - often varying - points of view of characters living in the moment. But with a touchy subject like child molestation and murder: Sebold creates an intriguing, non-threatening picture of the mess left behind. Martin puts together a creepy look with more focus on the perpetrator than the effected. Unfotunately for him, Martin’s also gets an “ick factor” simply because he is a man writing about lust over a little girl.

Both pulled me from page to page, both have stayed in my mind, but no one will be making a movie out of The Bright Forever.

A film adaptation of The Lovely Bones has been in talks for awhile, and is now being filmed with Rachel Weisz and Mark Wahlberg as Susie’s parents, Susan Sarandon as her grandmother, and Irish actress Saoirse Ronan as Susie Salmon. Expect it theaters in 2009. Sebold’s third triumph-over-tragedy novel - The Almost Moon (2007) - is currently topping bestseller lists. Her first book was Lucky (1999) - a disturbingly accurate memoir of her own rape.

This was Martin’s second novel; he previously published Quakertown (2001) as well as a story collection titled The Least You Need to Know (1996) and two memoirs, From Our House (2001) and Turning Bones (2003). His latest is River of Heaven (2008).

Where to start? I have so many good books on my shelves that I want to share. How about with the book that I am pages away from finishing in the moment: Janet Fitch’s third and most-recent fiction novel Paint It Black (2006), named for the epononymous song by the Rolling Stones.

You may recognize Janet’s name because her second writing was a huge hit, making top lists including Oprah’s Book Club. This bestseller - a little novel called White Oleander (1999) - was also one of the most successful book-turned-movie I’ve ever read and watched, starring Alison Lohman, Robin Wright Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Renee Zellweger, to name a few.

For me, White Oleander was such a powerful story of one foster child’s struggle to find her place and a family, that when I heard Fitch had a new book coming out I jumped with excitement. Her ability to weave intricate stories with skilled writing technique blew me away. But with all the anticipation I felt, why has taken me two years since it’s release to get around to reading Paint It Black? Well, I’m a bit cheap and it was only in hardback for its first year. Then, I kind of forgot about it. Until Janet Fitch added me as a friend on MySpace.

In my profile I had White Oleander listed as both a favorite book and a favorite movie, and Janet noticed this and sent me a “hello.” Trembling, I ran to the bookstore to grab Paint It Black - and I haven’t set it down since.

Going into it blind to the plotline, I was even more surprised and pulled in by the events that go down in the first few chapters. Thus, I remain quiet to the plot. You should just read it, and not ask why, or what it is about. Just know that Fitch continues her trend of creating heartbroken characters who long to find peace and understanding in a world that hasn’t offered them much of either. (If you must know, head over to Janet’s homeage.) It’s not a happy-go-lucky read, but it never fails to inspire and offer hope.

If you’ve never read any of Fitch’s work, and for some reason can only read one before you die, I would recommend heeding no hesitation toward picking up a copy of White Oleander, reading it, and then watching the movie. But Paint It Black will not disappoint in any way either … unless there is some mega surprise that I will discover tonight as I finish the last handful of pages.

Janet Fitch’s first novel was a young adult read titled Kicks (1996). In addition to writing, she teaches fiction writing in the Master of Professional Writing Program at the University of Southern California. If your on MySpace, add her as a friend! She loves hearing from readers, and will even try to respond personally to comments left on her space. Here’s what she wrote me: “Hi Sally– Thanks for the kind comment on Paint It Black–thanks for befriending it, and me!! So glad you’re liking it. Wish you good reading and many delights. all best, Janet F.”