Thumbs Up!
Sorry to be violating blog etiquette, but this isn't a book. It's a game. But, it's a game about books, so hopefully that counts.
This game is along the lines of Balderdash or Wise and Otherwise (which our family is more familiar with). My sister-in-law brought it to our recent Christmas gathering. The idea behind the game is that one person (or team, which is how we played it) picks a card and reads the title of a book and a summary of the plot. The other people write down a possible opening line to the book. The person who read the card writes down the actual opening line (which is printed on the card). Then, that same person reads all of the lines. Everyone gets to vote for which line they think is the correct line. You get points for correctly guessing the opening line, or if someone votes for your line.
This is a fun game, but it was definitely more challenging than Wise and Otherwise, which we've done at previous family gatherings. In Wise and Otherwise, the object is to correctly pick out the correct conclusion to an old proverb. I hadn't realized how much harder it would be concoct an entire line than to simply complete a proverb.
The game is recommended for ages 12 and up. Parents might want to use discretion even then. Some of the first lines and plot summaries (I'm especially thinking in the romance category) might not be suitable for younger teenagers.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Life After Favre: A Season of Change with the Green Bay Packers and Their Fans
by Phil Hanrahan
Thumbs Up!
I'm assuming that the interest in this book isn't that high among readers of this blog. Indulge me.
The 2008 season was very difficult for Packer fans. The traumatic divorce between Brett Favre and Packers' management was painful enough. But then, the team went 6-10. Ugh.
After going through some general Packer history, the author chronicles the team week by week. In the process, he visits various fan sites throughout Wisconsin, as well as throughout the country. He's able to give a decent portrayal of fan reaction to how the parting was handled, as well as where the fans feel the team is headed.
Life After Favre is a solid, even-handed portrayal of the 2008 season. But it was hard to relive some of those tough losses.
Thumbs Up!
I'm assuming that the interest in this book isn't that high among readers of this blog. Indulge me.
The 2008 season was very difficult for Packer fans. The traumatic divorce between Brett Favre and Packers' management was painful enough. But then, the team went 6-10. Ugh.
After going through some general Packer history, the author chronicles the team week by week. In the process, he visits various fan sites throughout Wisconsin, as well as throughout the country. He's able to give a decent portrayal of fan reaction to how the parting was handled, as well as where the fans feel the team is headed.
Life After Favre is a solid, even-handed portrayal of the 2008 season. But it was hard to relive some of those tough losses.
Baking Cakes In Kigali
By Gaile Parkin
Thumbs Up!
This was a very satisfying, gentle read. It takes place in present day Rwanda, in the aftermath of a great national genocide. The AIDS epidemic runs throughout the background of the story as a continuing tragedy.
The main character, Angel, bakes cakes for all occasions. As she takes their cake orders, she is able to get her customers to confide in her. She helps where she can to make their lives better. I definitely felt sympathetic toward Angel and most of the main characters. It was amusing to read their view of some of the UN workers, CIA agents and others sent in to help them.
While it might seem that having some incredibly sad stories as a backdrop, this novel would be too depressing to be enjoyable, I think the opposite is true. I found it very hopeful. In spite of the fact that many of the characters had been through excruciating situations, now they are finding reasons to celebrate. And eat cake.
Highly recommended.
Thumbs Up!
This was a very satisfying, gentle read. It takes place in present day Rwanda, in the aftermath of a great national genocide. The AIDS epidemic runs throughout the background of the story as a continuing tragedy.
The main character, Angel, bakes cakes for all occasions. As she takes their cake orders, she is able to get her customers to confide in her. She helps where she can to make their lives better. I definitely felt sympathetic toward Angel and most of the main characters. It was amusing to read their view of some of the UN workers, CIA agents and others sent in to help them.
While it might seem that having some incredibly sad stories as a backdrop, this novel would be too depressing to be enjoyable, I think the opposite is true. I found it very hopeful. In spite of the fact that many of the characters had been through excruciating situations, now they are finding reasons to celebrate. And eat cake.
Highly recommended.
Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking
by Stephanie O'Dea
Thumbs Up!
In 2008, O'Dea challenged herself to make a new crockpot recipe everyday for a year, and then to blog about it. I discovered that blog about halfway through the year, and looked forward to each new recipe. While some of the recipes weren't that different than one I already used, I appreciated the fact that she was willing to try a large variety of dishes. There are appetizers, soups, side dishes, main dishes, desserts, fun stuff and more. Oh, and they're gluten free.
This cookbook is mainly a compilation of recipes from her blog. I had run off copies of many of those recipes already. But, er, I'm not exactly the most organized person in the world. For me, it's worth the convenience of having the recipes all together in one book. But, it's also nice to know that you can check out the recipes ahead of time and decide if it's worth it to spend the money on the book.
Thumbs Up!
In 2008, O'Dea challenged herself to make a new crockpot recipe everyday for a year, and then to blog about it. I discovered that blog about halfway through the year, and looked forward to each new recipe. While some of the recipes weren't that different than one I already used, I appreciated the fact that she was willing to try a large variety of dishes. There are appetizers, soups, side dishes, main dishes, desserts, fun stuff and more. Oh, and they're gluten free.
This cookbook is mainly a compilation of recipes from her blog. I had run off copies of many of those recipes already. But, er, I'm not exactly the most organized person in the world. For me, it's worth the convenience of having the recipes all together in one book. But, it's also nice to know that you can check out the recipes ahead of time and decide if it's worth it to spend the money on the book.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
An Arsonists Guide to Writer's Homes in New England
by Brock Clark
Thumbs Down
What, you might ask, lead me to read a book of this title in the first place? You remember all those creative writing lessons throughout your school years during which the teacher stressed the importance of a good title? This book certainly has that. Once I saw the title, I had to find out if the story was as compelling as the title.
The story is a pathetically sad story about poor Sam Pulsifier and how in his bumbling life nothing goes right. I hate the term dysfunctional family, but the one from which Sam hales certainly qualifies. He really is not such a bad guy, but with a foundation and support system such as he had, there was not much hope for him.
There are some really good metaphors and very pleasingly written turns of speech scattered throughout. And yes, the characters are colorful and true to their natures. The plot is involved and convincing, in an off-beat sort of way.
But, oh, so sad.
You'll have to muddle through the book yourself if you want to know more.
Thumbs Down
What, you might ask, lead me to read a book of this title in the first place? You remember all those creative writing lessons throughout your school years during which the teacher stressed the importance of a good title? This book certainly has that. Once I saw the title, I had to find out if the story was as compelling as the title.
The story is a pathetically sad story about poor Sam Pulsifier and how in his bumbling life nothing goes right. I hate the term dysfunctional family, but the one from which Sam hales certainly qualifies. He really is not such a bad guy, but with a foundation and support system such as he had, there was not much hope for him.
There are some really good metaphors and very pleasingly written turns of speech scattered throughout. And yes, the characters are colorful and true to their natures. The plot is involved and convincing, in an off-beat sort of way.
But, oh, so sad.
You'll have to muddle through the book yourself if you want to know more.
Pride and Predator
by Sally Wright
Thumbs Up
No, this is not a novelization of the rumored Pride and Predator movie that's in the works. It's a good, old-fashioned, murder mystery. It's set in, I think, 1950s England/Scotland and features amateur sleuth, Ben Reese. If one likes this sort of thing, its a good, quick read.
The ending was a little bit of a disappointment. After all the twists and turns and subtlety of the characters throughout the book, the "tie up all the loose ends" part seemed kind of thrown out there. I don't really know how else to say it, but a really good author in the genre will allow his or her sleuth or criminal to tell you how the crime was committed and how it was discovered without losing the flow of the story. In this one, there was an unquantifiable something lacking.
It's part of a series. I liked it well enough I've requested the first one, Perish and Publish.
Thumbs Up
No, this is not a novelization of the rumored Pride and Predator movie that's in the works. It's a good, old-fashioned, murder mystery. It's set in, I think, 1950s England/Scotland and features amateur sleuth, Ben Reese. If one likes this sort of thing, its a good, quick read.
The ending was a little bit of a disappointment. After all the twists and turns and subtlety of the characters throughout the book, the "tie up all the loose ends" part seemed kind of thrown out there. I don't really know how else to say it, but a really good author in the genre will allow his or her sleuth or criminal to tell you how the crime was committed and how it was discovered without losing the flow of the story. In this one, there was an unquantifiable something lacking.
It's part of a series. I liked it well enough I've requested the first one, Perish and Publish.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Emperor of Ocean Park
by Stephen L Carter
Thumbs Up.
Mr. Carter is, from Wikipedia, "an American law professor, legal- and social-policy writer, columnist, and best-selling novelist." I became interested in him after stumbling upon a list of his non-fiction writings which have drawn a following from various political points of view. Since I knew I'd never be able to concentrate on a meaty non-fiction tome at this point, I chose to read his first novel.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is a narrative related by Judge Oliver Garland, an African American law professor at a fictional private East Coast university law school. The plot involves university politics and personality clashes, a federal court nomination, judicial rulings, family relationships, and mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Judge Garland's father. But the chief conflict is Judge Garland unraveling a posthumous mystery left by his father.
Although not a fast paced novel, Mr. Carter leaves just enough intrigue to pull the reader through the book. I enjoyed reading about and pondering the sociological struggles the African American characters deal with. Each in their own way.
Although I have had many non-Caucasian friends throughout my life, I am pretty much from a single-cultural upbringing. I was however, taught to look at a person's heart not his skin; and that we are all children of God, made in His image. Is there anyone who wants to think of themselves as racist? But the book made me aware of how even someone who does not think of himself as racist probably carries unconscious racist attitudes and actions. And is that wrong, or merely unfortunate? And is it preferable to pretend we don't carry a certain bias or to put it all right out there? These are the kinds of ideas that Mr. Carter seems to address via his characters and their reactions to each other in a variety of social situations.
So no, the novel is not a quick read. But the plot is compelling, the characters are well sketched and consistent to the personalities Mr. Carter gave them, the personalities are colorful. And the writing itself is rich with both subtle and obvious metaphor and irony and historical allusion. The entire plot revolves around chess related symbolism.
Thumbs Up.
Mr. Carter is, from Wikipedia, "an American law professor, legal- and social-policy writer, columnist, and best-selling novelist." I became interested in him after stumbling upon a list of his non-fiction writings which have drawn a following from various political points of view. Since I knew I'd never be able to concentrate on a meaty non-fiction tome at this point, I chose to read his first novel.
The Emperor of Ocean Park is a narrative related by Judge Oliver Garland, an African American law professor at a fictional private East Coast university law school. The plot involves university politics and personality clashes, a federal court nomination, judicial rulings, family relationships, and mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Judge Garland's father. But the chief conflict is Judge Garland unraveling a posthumous mystery left by his father.
Although not a fast paced novel, Mr. Carter leaves just enough intrigue to pull the reader through the book. I enjoyed reading about and pondering the sociological struggles the African American characters deal with. Each in their own way.
Although I have had many non-Caucasian friends throughout my life, I am pretty much from a single-cultural upbringing. I was however, taught to look at a person's heart not his skin; and that we are all children of God, made in His image. Is there anyone who wants to think of themselves as racist? But the book made me aware of how even someone who does not think of himself as racist probably carries unconscious racist attitudes and actions. And is that wrong, or merely unfortunate? And is it preferable to pretend we don't carry a certain bias or to put it all right out there? These are the kinds of ideas that Mr. Carter seems to address via his characters and their reactions to each other in a variety of social situations.
So no, the novel is not a quick read. But the plot is compelling, the characters are well sketched and consistent to the personalities Mr. Carter gave them, the personalities are colorful. And the writing itself is rich with both subtle and obvious metaphor and irony and historical allusion. The entire plot revolves around chess related symbolism.
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