Aside from the Best American Short Stories 2008 collection, I’m well into the book Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. This book has turned out much differently than I expected and in a good way.
It’s a grand story about twin brothers born in Ethiopia. I knew from the book that one of the brothers had traveled to America and would be recounting his story but what I didn’t expect was to get to know the other characters in the story so well. Actually in the beginning we have so much of the backstory about his parents that I almost forgot who the main character was supposed to be. They are fascinating people living in a country that at once sounds beautiful and dangerous. Here’s a bit from the story for you:
“Born in Africa, living in exile in America, then returning at last to Africa, I am proof that geography is destiny. Destiny has brought me back to the precise coordinates of my birth, to the very same operating theater where I was born. My gloved hands share the space above the table in Operating Theater 3 that my mother and father’s hands once occupied.”
I’ve also been reading a bit into What It Is by Lynda Barry and this is one of those books that you almost have to go through twice because you don’t want to miss any of the writing and you certainly don’t want to miss out on all the exciting illustrations.
The book explores how the author, and perhaps a lot of people, love art but something happens along the way, a criticism, a laugh and those forays into art are forgotten. I love this. Here, read this and see what you think:
“By then I knew who the best artists were in our class, who were the best writers. Out of 30 kids there were about 10 that stood out and were good at something. — The rest of us started wishing. I wish I could draw. I wish I could write. I wish I could dance. I wish I could sing. I wish I could act. I wish I could play music. I wish I could be funny. By the 5th grade most of us knew it was already too late.”
Finally, a book I’ve just opened is Tomato Girl by Jayne Pupek. From the synopsis: Told from Ellie’s point of view, Tomato Girl takes the reader into the soul of a terrified young girl clinging desperately to childhood while being forced into adulthood years before she is ready. To save herself, she creates a secret world, a place in which her mother gets well, her father returns to being the man he was, and the Tomato Girl is banished forever.
I’ve only just started so can’t comment much but being that I’m an avid journal writer, I love this part:
“Today I carry my notebook and pen down the cellar steps. I stand on a chair and screw in a lightbulb to wash away shadows. Then I sit. The notebook on my lap waits like an expectant child. Long ago, a woman stood by a river and taught me the power of release. She would say I have held things and now I need to let go. I pick up the pen. I need to tell what I remember. I need to tell the story of a girl whose world unraveled like a torn scarf…”
So, what good books are you reading now?
Currently i am reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer and i m so patient about finishing it asap….
i just loved the Twilight series and i dnt wana read and finish this in a day as i did in the previous ones…
I’ve just finished reading Fallen Skies by Philippa Gregory. I enjoyed it. Next, I’ll be reading Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto, which I bought after you recommended it. 🙂
Currently reading The Great Mortality and wanting shake the author for wandering around so.
All these sound really interesting. I like that you include some of the excerpts you enjoy…
Tomato Girl is in my TBR pile, and I should be getting to it shortly. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.
I really want to read Tomato Girl. I hope the library has it.
The Lynda Barry book sounds so good!
Cutting for Stone sounds like a wonderful book, Iliana.
The quote from the Lynda Barry book is true, but sad, isn’t it? I can even hear the little girl that was me wishing I was something or other.
I am still working my way through The Woman in White. It’s actually quite good; I just haven’t had much time to spend reading it. Maybe this week.
I’m excited that Cutting For Stone turns out to be beyond your expectation. I’m going to meet the author at the reading on Feb 4.
I’ve got What It Is on my night-stand as well, I’ll get to it really soon.
That Lynda Barry book sounds great. It’s sad the way people’s creativity gets shut down. It’s so hard to regain confidence after that happens. Glad you’re enjoying your reading!
I love when I get so into a character that I feel that I know them. You know, like when they are almost in the room with you and you catch yourself talking to them through the book?!
That’s not just me, right?
iselldreams – Those Twilight books are addictive aren’t they? Well, especially the first one!
Melody – You’re back! I’m so behind on my blog visiting but can’t wait to drop in and read about your vacation. Oh and I hope you’ll enjoy Kitchen. I need to post my review – hopefully by this weekend 🙂
jenclair – ha,ha… Oh I’ve known some of those too!
Christine – They really are! And, I bet you’d like the short stories book – I read another story last night by A.M Homes… Oh my, odd but good.
Anna – The author was kind enough to send it to me and you know how it goes… books begin to pile up but I am really excited about this one. I think it’ll be good.
Tara – Hope you find it! I love the cover too.
Nymeth – This is my second Barry book and I’m just really impressed. I liked One Hundred Demons more but this is still good and I have a couple of others waiting for me – yay!
Literary Feline – I think that’s what really gets me about Barry she goes to those “little” things that happen as kids and can have such an impact as an adult. I can imagine that when I finally get to Wilkie Collins it will take me a while – those are some chunksters he wrote 🙂
Matt – Oh that’s too cool. Are you going to have a question in mind you plan to ask? I’m always so bad about that. I end up just saying something silly like, “I Love your book!” and act all like a fan girl 🙂 Hope you have fun and you’ve got to tell us all about it!
Dorothy W. – Exactly. We can all be creative in different ways but I think that’s just not something that seems especially valued in today’s society. And, I firmly believe that we all need some sort of art in our lives.
Jessica – Ha,ha.. Love that. I am sure I’ve talked to some of the people in my mystery books especially – don’t do that! 🙂
I’m enjoying Kitchen so far! 🙂
And I haven’t post about my vacation yet, I’m so far behind (the main reason being the pics aren’t uploaded, haha).
Today I got a few books that I’m excited about, two by President Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope, as well as a novel, The Little Giant of Aberdeen County. I can’t wait to get started on my reading!
Now that you have mentioned, I should review my notes and prepare at least a couple questions for Dr. Verghese.
Melody – Yay! I just posted my review. and, can’t wait to see pics! 🙂
Anon – Ooh all those sound good. I can’t believe I’ve not read Obama’s books but I’d love to read The Audacity of Hope. I love the title of it.
Matt – Yes, you must 🙂 You’ll have to share with us ok.