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.

Although I tend toward historic fiction lately, sometimes, a good, girly, light-hearted read is what I am looking for. It didn’t take me long to figure out that such novels had a stronger tendency to be disappointing. Likewise, I quickly figured out that looking for the Red Dress Ink logo (shown here) on a cover or spine was a quick and easy way to ensure the book with captivate and entertain me. When a fluffy, pink-covered, chick-lit novel is what I need, I turn to Red Dress Ink.

Here are some of the Red Dress Ink titles that have a found a welcomed home on my shelves.

Confessions of an Ex-Girlfriend (2002) by Lynda Curnyn: Her boyfriend leaves her for a job cross-country and, rather than wallowing in her sorrows, Emma spends time focusing on her career, her girlfriends, and her self.

Fishbowl (2002) by Sarah Mlynowski: Three women from three different walks of life - a law student, a party girl, and a youthful, innocent one - become roomates and are surprised to find fast friendship.

On the Verge (2002) by Ariella Papa: A 23-year-old, small town, New Jersey girl, who work in New York City at a trendy magazine, makes the leap and moves to the city. She’s on the verge of becoming a self-sufficient person, a magazine professional, and a woman.

After 20 minutes of browsing through the fiction racks of my favorite used bookstore on Sunday - Rainbow Music and Books - I had no heart-stopping find yet, but I had managed to select three little-known novels that sparked my interest. On a whim, I decided to give my favorite authors’ places in the ABC-ordered shelves a quick, second glance.

Burroughs, for Augusten Burroughs’s newest novel A Wolf at the Table (2008), which is his only published work that I have not yet devoured. Nothing was there.

Chevlier, for Tracy Chevalier’s latest, Burning Bright (2007), the only of hers that I have not yet savored. Score!

I picked up the hardback copy of Burning Bright. It was gorgeous: perfect condition, with a fake torn edge effect on the pages to elude an antique feel. It was inexpensive: a book that would cost $25 brand new or $8 used (the store’s seemingly standard pricing for new hardbacks), it was a mere $5.

I fear my true book nerd side showed as I cheered over my find; but, who could blame me? A favorite author? Check. An awesome copy of a book I’ve been coveting? Check. Money-saving price? Check.

Burning Bright follows suit with Chevalier’s other novels, weaving a story together of carefully researched historical aspects with well-written fiction characters. This one turns to look at poet and painter William Blake, with the title coming from one of his most-famous opening lines: “Tyger, tyger, burning bright/ In the forests of the night. …”

Now I just have to finish Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal Dreams (1990), which I am only 30 pages into, so that I can start reading Burning Bright!

Author Jodi Picoult is featured in the new issue of TV Guide magazine (for the week of June 23 - June 29, 2008) in “Cameo,” on page 36.

The writer of many great novels talks to TV Guide about her books being turned into movies, specifically The Tenth Circle (2006) which debuts on Lifetime Network on Saturday, June 29, at 9 p.m. EST.

The Tenth Circle approaches the topic of teen date rape from an usual perspective - the father of the girl. In the article, Picoult talks about research she did for the story, letters she continuously receives (and saves) from date rape survivors, and her worry over giving her “baby” over to the film gods.

“I shouldn’t have worried,” Picoult told TV Guide. “The Tenth Circle is the best adaptation of my writing I’ve seen to date.”

Lifetime has previously produced movies based on Picoult’s novels The Pact (1998; film version 2002) and Plain Truth (2000; film version 2004). My Sister’s Keeper (2004) is in works for a feature film, due to hit theaters this year. The Tenth Circle stars Ron Eldard as dad Daniel, Kelly Preston as the mom, and Britt Robertson as victim/survivor Trixie.

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.

There are a few artful novelists of our time that baffle me: how does one author turn ot dozens of full-length, bestselling books in one lifetime? You know who I’m talking about - Barbara Kingsolver, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks …

So how about a full rundown of these authors books by the numbers: How many have they written? How often do they publish a book?

First up: Barbara Kingsolver. She has produced five fiction novel thus far.

1. The Bean Trees (1988)

2. Animal Dreams (1990)

3. Pigs in Heaven (1993)

4. The Poisonwood Bible (1998)

5. Prodigal Summer (2001)

If you visit the Barbara Kingsolver homepage, you can find an extensive bibliography of her poetry, articles, nonfiction books, essays, travel articles, and more. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (2007) is Kingsolver’s most recent publication, and is a nonfiction narrative where the Kingsolver family spends a year trying to only eat foods that they know the origin of.

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.

What’s the one question that everyone wants to ask every author?
Okay, so I’m generalizing just a tad here, but interviewers seem to ask writers “What’s you’re favorite book” an awful lot. And I know that I want to know, too.

CNN just posted a Real Simple article that asks ten bestselling novelists this very question. Each author responded with three books: the best one-day read, best for a long weekend, ones to savor all summer long, and those that you can pick up and put down repeatedly.

The players include Augusten Burroughs, Jackie Collins, Nelson DeMille, Janet Evanovich, Elizabeth Gilbert, Philippa Gregory, Sophie Kinsella, James Patterson, Jodi Picoult (shown here), and Danielle Steel.

Here are a few highlights:

For quick reads, Sophie Kinsella mentioned one of my favorites, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) by Mark Haddon. Danielle Steel’s pick, listed just below Jodi Picoult’s, was
Change of Heart (2008) by Jodi Picoult. Or less specifically, “Anything by Jodi Picoult.”

More than one author went back to her childhood with her pick for collections to savor all summer. Janet Evanovich loves all 65 Years of Little Golden Books, and Elizabeth Gilbert favors
The Treasury of Oz by L. Frank Baum.

Jodi Picoult has a great recommendations when she picked The Best American Short Stories anthologies for good dabbling books.

For a full rundown of all authors picks for all four categories, check out the CNN/Real Simple article titled Top authors pick best summer books

Tonight, one of my favorites events ever is going to happen. I finished my nighttime book last night, and tonight I get to pick out which book to dive into next. I live for this moment.

But so many choices! And it’s such a big decision. Do I hit up one of Jennifer Weiner’s that I haven’t read yet? Or Barbara Kingsolver? Which way do I turn?!

After careful strategizing and planning, I have narrowed my next bedtime read down to two choices. Neither is one that I had heard of prior to spying them at the used bookstore, but both remind me of another story that I’ve previously enjoyed.

Option 1: Tuscany for Beginners (2005) by Imogen Edwards-Jones, which sounds like a more comical version of Under the Tuscan Sun (1997) by Frances Mayes.

Option 2: The Birth of Venus (2004) by Sarah Dunant seems to fall in line perfectly with Tracy Chevalier’s fantastic works of fiction blended with art history.

Decisions, decisions …

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?

I throw “my favorite” around a lot. So if I had to sit down a pick my favorite ten fiction books ever, here’s how it would play out:

1. The Time Traveler’s Wife (2003) by Audrey Niffenegger

2. The Lovely Bones (2002) by Alice Sebold

3. Running with Scissors (2002) by Augusten Burroughs

4. White Oleander (1999) by Janet Fitch

5. Me & Emma (2005) by Elizabeth Flock

6. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2005) by Tracy Chevalier

7. She’s Come Undone (1992) by Wally Lamb

8. Where the Heart Is (1996) by Billie Letts

9. My Sister’s Keeper (2004) by Jodi Picoult

10. Prodgal Summer (2000) by Barbara Kingsolver

11. Banana Rose (1995) by Natalie Goldman

Whoops. Was that eleven? Well, I could go on a lot longer so stopping at number 11 took restraint. Any of these make your tops?

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.”