Reading Lolita in Tehran

By Azar Nafisi...I started this book YEARS ago...and then on Thursday decided that I wanted to read it cover to cover...now it is Sunday evening...I have enjoyed my time reading this book partially because I have read at least a few of the books she discusses in the memoir. My mother in law once said she wanted to read the book only after she had read the books she talks about in it...so here is a short list...there are many more.
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Daisy Miller by Henry James (I haven't read this one)
I have recently read PERSEPOLIS and am in the process of reading PERSEPOLIS 2...so reading this novel reminded me of my impressions reading the graphic novel...

Living in Iran would be such a different experience...there are so many things that we take for granted about our lives here in the United States...and so many things that seem insignificant to us but were major cause for alarm in Iran. Women are treated as insignificant...this is the theme I got from reading this book...I guess my favorite story (not particularly funny but yet a little) was one the author's friend tells her in a cafe...

"Let's celebrate!" is how the author's friend starts..."Today, after nine years, eight and a half to be exact, I was formally expelled from the university. I am now officially irrelevant, as you would put it, so lunch is on me! Since we can't drink publicly to my newly acquired status, let's eat ourselves to death..." then she proceeds to tell a story that is both horrifying and funny at the same time. (page 160)

Imagine a strand of hair being seductive...wearing colorful clothing..no makeup or nail polish and the punishment for these crimes, severe! Yet, this group of women met and discussed literature in the apartment of the author for awhile...kind of letting their hair down and opening up in a country where being open was a crime. For me this book was interesting, funny, sad, horrifying, and a peek a one woman's view of Iran and the government that controls it. I know it is only part of the story...and I can't help but want to learn more!

The Ultimate Edition Eloise

by Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight...so I never read these books as a child...or I don't remember reading them at all. I have heard all sorts of interesting things about them...perhaps Eloise was patterned after Liza Minnelli or something...for a book made in the 50s this was quite something...a girl of 6 and her nanny, living in the Plaza Hotel...with tons of hotel personnel at her beck and call...but no mother to be found. She visits Paris, London and Moscow as well. Incredible illustrations with the carefree life of a 6 year old without rules! It was fun to read...

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

By Sherman Alexie. I can't believe that I am JUST NOW reading this book. I have heard of it in several different ways, but now, it is even more important that I read it because he is coming to Liberty Lake Municipal Library. We are featuring him for our ONE BOOK this year...and I will get to meet him. One of my co-workers actually went to school with him! So...that will be exciting! Sherman Alexie grew up on an Indian Reservation here in the state of Washington! The book is a fictional tale...but I guess based a little in truth as well. How does an American Indian fit in with an all white town? How does this effect his life on the reservation? How does it effect the way he grows up as a stranger in a strange land? I thought this was a good book, humorous, sad, interesting all words I would use to describe the book! This book is a Young Adult read...but is appropriate for adults as well! I recommend it! I need to read some of his other books as well!

Big Words

I just finished reading Big Words for Little People by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell...I loved it. I mentioned before that I had read some of her other children's books...and enjoyed them. I saw her on Rachael Ray and I really like her! Anyway, what a fun read and as always the illustrations are interesting and there is always something new to see! I love the encouragement of adults to teach their kids big words and not always dumb things down for them!

Mad About Madeline

Collection of Madeline stories by Ludwig Bemelmans...with an introduction by Anna Quindlen. This was a LOVELY step back in time. As a kid I enjoyed the Madeline books and yesterday I sat down with this collection while in the waiting room and relived the pleasure of reading the stories...you all know how it goes...In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines....The smallest one was Madeline. After visiting Paris and parts of France last summer, I enjoyed the illustrations of things that I had seen, Carcassonne and places in Paris. There are six books included in this, my favorite is a toss up between the original Madeline or Madeline and the Gypsies. This has made me think about re-reading other picture books from my youth...the Richard Scarry ones, or Steven Kellogg. I already re-read Dr Seuss every so often..go back and read those books that you remember fondly!

Our Only May Amelia

By Jennifer Holm...this book was recommended to me by a Library Patron...I always get such good recommendations this way! She was reading it to her kids...and mentioned it to me. What was most interesting about the book was that this was based loosely on the author's great grandmother's journals or experiences as a pioneer in Washington State...1899. Amelia is the youngest of 8 kids, all of the other children are boys. People are always complaining that she should be a proper young lady...but there is always something more fun for her to do, fishing, sheep to be herded...helping her mother as she is pregnant. Amelia is hoping for a girl! This was a quick read, but full of adventure, longing, and hope. Even though this book is for middle readers I would recommend it for all ages. And...it is also a Newberry Honor book!

40 Days to Personal Revolution

a breakthrough program to radically change your body and awaken the sacred within your soul by Baron Baptiste...I know I have already mentioned the book. I guess you can read a little about how it has impacted my life in my other blog...but I just wanted to plug it a little in this one. If you are looking to change your life in any way...this may be the book for you. It has great ideas on exercise, diet and meditation. I spent 6 weeks reading this book...taking the weeks and implementing them into my life. I have to say that I feel like this has opened my eyes a little. Made me feel a little less guilty about taking time for myself...and definitely has given me some things to think about. Our gym started this in January, it was an additional cost to the gym membership...and the price included the book, some Zrii and an extra session to talk about each week...this mixes yoga, mediation and diet in a great way! I feel much stronger now after having completed this...and not just physically. I want to keep up with it...maybe yoga in my daily life is good for me and a good focus. I will quit rambling...but will leave you with a couple quotes that I took away from the book...

"People often confuse purpose with goals, but they are not the same."

"It serves no one to strive to do better or do more. We only grow by seeking to be better every day, in every moment, both within ourselves and in the world with those around us."

Read it, try it, let me know what you think...

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

By David Wroblewski...all I have been told about this book is that I should read it. It was recommended by about 5 people and about 2 told me they thought it was boring. So...I went into it not sure what to expect. The back cover tells me it is about a boy born mute who lives on a farm with his parents where they raise a breed of dog and train them...but something happens and Edgar has to flee. In a nutshell...so, I went into the book without expectation. The description about how the dogs are trained is fascinating...the relationships between Edgar and his parents and Edgar and the other people he meets is interesting as well. Edgar can hear...but he cannot speak. He develops a technique of communication with his parents...no one else can understand him...he writes things down on paper for most other people. I got sucked into the story...I really slowed down and read it...it took me a record three weeks to read (I normally read a lot faster). I thoroughly enjoyed the book...I would love to be a part of a book discussion about it. I can see why people might not like it...and I can see how others would LOVE it! I think this is a book that you will either love or hate. It is also one of Oprah's Book Club books! Enjoy it! It is a nice long read!