Stitches Review

Stitches: A Memoir David Small

This graphic novel memoir tells of David Small's early life, how he was often sick and how the treatment at the time-- frequent sinus x-rays, ended up giving him throat cancer, robbing him of his voice. Moreover, it's a look at parents who didn't love each other, and a mother that didn't love him.

What I wanted more of was his story of emotional and mental recovery. The bulk of the book is devoted to his awful childhood, and the end rushes through the explanation of how he overcame that. There's a brief paragraph at the end, where he relates information about his mother that he learned later in life that allows him to be more sympathetic to her. I wanted more of that shown in the book, not just as a note in the back matter. I'm much more interested in stories of overcoming adversity, not stories of a crappy life. Small fulfilled his dreams of becoming an illustrator, but we're not shown or told how. I'm inclined to agree with Tyler Cowen, who says "This much-heralded story of a sick child, mistreated by his parents, struck me as professionally done but pointless."

But, oh, it is so beautifully done. I (think) it's watercolor and pencil, all shades of gray. Here's a (rather low-quality) picture of my favorite panel, showing Small's isolation after the removal of the tumor leaves him voiceless:



It was the art that wouldn't let me put it down.


Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Year of the Historical/ Poetry Friday

Snow

Had to check
yesterday morning
to make sure that was
snow
on the ground,
not dust.
But you can't make a dustball
pack together
and slam against the side of the barn, and
echo across the fields.
So I know
it was snow.

Out Of The Dust Karen Hesse

So, I wanted to read this for a few reasons:

1. It's one of Silvey's 100 Best Books for Children*

2. It's a Newbery winner! And won 80 bajillion other awards!

3. A lot of the schools that the kids I work with attend assign this, so I thought I should read it too.

So, if you're like me and haven't read it yet, it's a verse novel that takes place in Oklahoma in the Great Depression. Billie Jo likes apples and playing the piano. It's the piano that gives her most of her joy in life. Then, there's an accident that kills her mother and leaves Billie Jo's hands badly burned and mangled, making her unable to play.

I really liked the fact that while the Depression and Dust play a huge part of this book (it's a big part of daily life) it's not the actual focus of the book. The book is about Billie Jo learning to recover physically and emotionally from the accident. I also like that Billie Jo's family stayed in Oklahoma and didn't move west.

That said... eh. When this came out in 1997, verse novels were really new and cutting edge. But, there isn't a lot of poetry here. I can see why this book is assigned a lot and I can see why it won all the awards it did, but if it were to come out today, I'm not sure it would do the same.

Poetry Friday round up is over at Liz in Ink (hey did you know she wrote the Caldecott honor book this year, All the World)? How cool is that? Also, it's a poem, and as it is Friday...

*OMG. I typed "Best books for Children" in the associates search window for that link and the first hit was this. I threw up a little in my mouth. And died inside.

Book provided by... my local library

But, seems I'm talking about the Dust Bowl, let's work in another review!

Years of Dust Albert Marrin

This was a Cybil's nominee and a nonfiction book for middle grade readers about the Dust Bowl. I think it would pair well with Out of the Dust.

Most noticeably, it's visually stunning. There are many photographs, many of them full-page, of the time period, all in sepia tones that evoke the dust and landscape. I was most struck by the many photographs of huge walls of dust coming towards the photographer.

Years of Dust tries to be many things-- American history, environmental history and warning, science book about dust storms, coffee table picture book... and often, it's just trying to do too much and loses focus. I wanted it to do a lot less, so it would in the end, do a lot more. It's beautiful to look at, but a little "eh" to read.

I also suggest you read Debbie Reese's post about the book. Marrin does largely ignore Native Americans in his history of the American West. And, when he does talk about them, it isn't good.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for Cybils consideration

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Year of the Historical: Splendid End

WARNING! This is the 4th (and last) book in a series. While there are not spoilers for this book, there are spoilers for previous books in the series! 'Tis the nature of the beast.

Splendor Anna Godbersen

Can it be possible that the final book in the fantastically wicked Luxe series is the best yet? Yes, yes it can.

Diana's a bar girl in Havana, looking for Henry. Penelope is reentering society. Elizabeth is happy that being pregnant allows her to stay away from society. Henry has sunk into a well of self-loathing...

But we haven't even begun to see the scandals that are about to erupt as much loved and much reviled characters come to their conclusions. Some get happy endings and some get what they deserve, some both and some neither.

One thing's for certain though-- Godbersen saved the juiciest bits for last. This is a book that will make you late for work, because you will not be able to put it down.

This is also my first review for the Year of the Historical Challenge. Hi people finding my blog and this review that way! This review is light on the details because it is a series book and I can't give too much away without ruining it all. In general there, The Luxe is like Gossip Girl set in 1899. It's the rich and powerful and young and beautiful in New York at the turn of the century and all the mischief they get into wearing really pretty dresses. I love it.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Nonfiction... Tuesday?

ARGH! I really wanted to get this posted yesterday, but for many reasons, it just didn't happen (I even had the day off, and yet... ah well.)

So, ALA announced the winners of their Youth Media Awards yesterday, as I'm sure you know by now.

There are now two nonfiction awards-- The Sibert award is for children and then YALSA (the division of ALA that deals with teens) has a new nonfiction award (rather boringly called the "YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award").

Both winners are books I've read and haven't reviewed yet! How's that for luck?

But, can I just say I'm gutted that The Frog Scientist didn't get any love?

First up, the Sibert winner was...

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream Tanya Lee Stone

(This book was also shortlisted for the YALSA award)

This is the story of the women who wanted to be astronauts in the early days of the American Space Program. At that time, a woman pilot was an idea that didn't sit well with many people, let alone a woman astronaut. But, some women tried and proved they were better suited than men for the job.

But, in the end, the groundbreaking women who tried, failed to get into space. It wasn't until 1983 that the US sent its first woman into space. Even then, she was a Mission Specialist, not a pilot. It wasn't until 1999 that the US had its first woman commander of a space shuttle.

With a lot of cultural history thrown in, this book focuses not only on women in flight and space, but also on the role of women in society in the last fifty years. The end looks at why there still aren't that many women in space. Part of the problem is lack of women going into science and engineering and possibilities why.

There has been a lot of talk about how this is history that's trying to make a point. See, for instance, Liz's excellent post. I don't have a big problem with that. Most history books (and this gets truer the older the intended audience is) have an agenda or point of view. Personally, I like a more blatant point of view, because it's easier to then think about what's not getting said to prove the point. This is a very good teaching moment for children in evaluating sources and knowing that just because a source has a point of view doesn't mean it's not valid.

Overall, this was very interesting and an enjoyable read. It's also very well documented, with a further reading list, extensive bibliography, source notes, and index.

I read this for the Cybils and would have been on my personal short list if I were allowed 10 books instead of 5.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for Cybils consideration.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith Deborah Heiligman

This is the story of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage and life together. There is certainly much of Charles's work and research, but it is more a sketch of their home life, and the work is mentioned in how it affected their family. When it comes down to it, it was a question of faith-- Charles's science led him more and more towards atheism, while Emma, although rather liberal (especially for the time) in her theistic views, was still deeply religious and often feared for her husband's soul. But this didn't cause much strain in their relationship, instead, Emma acted as Charles's sounding board, helping him determine all the objections he would have to address in order to make a convincing argument.

We also see how Darwin observes everything around him to think about his theories of evolution-- he looks at his children, at the plants in the garden, and spends much time talking to experts in every field to learn more and more and more.

I most enjoyed seeing how they raised their children. Unlike many Victorians, their children were allowed to run all over the house and freely voice their thoughts and feelings. It was nice to have proof that even though the Darwin's weren't the norm, some people didn't believe that children needed to be "seen and not heard."

An engaging read, and interesting and different window into Darwin's life. One of the things that makes it so engaging is how much the Darwin's wrote to each other (especially about religion, deep fears were hard to express face to face, so they'd write letters, even when they weren't apart) so there is a lot more dialog and feeling in this biography than you normally get. AND! It's all sourced at the end, so you know it's not fictionalized. There's also a really helpful family tree in the back that I wish I had noticed before I finished the book! Everyone's related and several people have similar (or the same) names, so it can be a little hard to keep everyone straight.

While I don't think this book will be picked up by many teens on their own, it will be enjoyed by those that give it the second look and open it up.

Book provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

China Challenge: January Reviews

I apologize for getting this post up so late, but add your links to reviews posted in January below!

Guardian January Reviews

I apologize for the lateness of this roundup post. We're coming to the end of the challenge. Many of you have already linked to your wrap-up posts, and if you haven't, I'll have a final post in February for the finish line. (If you've already given me yours, no worries!) There will be more prizes, but not straight from England this time.

I had a great time with this challenge and am thinking about doing it again (with a few tweaks) next year? Is anyone else up for another round? Please let me know! In the meantime, leave your January links below!

Sunday Salon: ALA, new computers, and more

Greetings! I am blogging this from my brand new computer. No more will I be a victim to my computer's slow and painful death! No more I say! I still need to do my spreadsheet post and also do my 2009 wrap up! But I need to wait until my files finish transferring from my old computer. Also, I made the switch from PC to Mac. It's taking awhile to get used to. What the @#@$% is this command key? Where's my page down key? What do you mean I can't forward delete. Ah well. The biggest thing is that the key board is just a slightly different size, so my typing is suffering as I adjust.

In the meantime, how about some predictions for tomorrow when the ALA Youth Media Awards are announced?

Caldecott:

The Lion and Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. Hands down.

I'm also a big fan of The Negro Speaks of Rivers.

Newbery:

I'm not sure who will win and who will honor, but I'm pretty sure these books will be there:

When You Reach Me
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice
Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Siebert:

Claudette Colvin will win. Day-Glo Brothers and Frog Scientist will honor.

Coretta Scott King illustrator:

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Printz:

Not sure which will win and which will honor but we'll see the following on the list:

Marcelo in the Real World
WIntergirls
If I Stay

The New YALSA nonfiction award:

Claudette Colvin


Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Nonfiction Monday

So, the Cybils shortlists are out, which includes the shortlist for Middle Grade and Young Adult Nonfiction, which I was privileged to help put together. While there are many nominated titles that I haven't reviewed yet (and they are coming) there was only 1 from the short-list that I hadn't actually reviewed yet.

Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland Sally M. Walker

So, I was sick over the holidays and spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV, where I became addicted to Bones. But even better? When they were doing all their medical mumbo-jumbo (the bones haven't fused yet, so this was obviously a younger person who...) I knew what they were talking about, just because of this book.

Yes, I'm a little partial to it because, for me, it's local history (and I learned SO MUCH that I didn't already know!)

Walker follows around a team of forensic anthropologists as they look at up colonial remains and try to discover who these people were, how they lived, and how they died.

There is one major missing factor in this, and it's one the author addresses up front-- the information is only about the colonists (both European and African.) There is nothing on the lives of the Native Americans who were already living here. This is because of cultural and religious concerns of several Native American tribes about the handling of remains. As Walker says in the introduction, "This choice [to not include Native Americans] is meant not to diminish the importance of Native Americans in the history of the Chesapeake region, but rather to respect the desire of their descendants to see their remains treated in a manner that respects cultural customs."

But, what it does cover is how scientists excavate remains and what different clues tell us. When Walker talks about how you can tell if it's a child or adult by fusing of the bones, she gives the readers pictures so we can see what fused and unfused bones look like. There's a picture of a female and male skull, which arrows pointing out the differences.

We learn about the science of forensic anthropology, as well colonial history-- burial customs, work customs, diet, and all sorts of other things.

Parts of it are not for the squemish, but it's a great book for your science kids and your history kids. I kept telling Dan what I was learning and showing him the pictures. A fantastic book in a year of fantastic nonfiction for younger readers.

Round up is over at Whispers of Dawn!

Book Provided by... the publisher, for Cybils consideration

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Bloggiesta!

Well, I didn't get all my goals done, because my computer keeps being... stupid. It gets slow, it freezes, takes forever to reboot. It's been wonky for awhile and yesterday it just needed to be put on timeout all day so it could sit there and think about what it had done.

Now, it seems to be ok, if I don't try to do too much. Running iTunes is apparently, too much. (Amazingly, if I'm only listening to this week's Chinese lessons, then I'm ok. I'm sure the universe is telling me I need to study my Chinese more. But, I can't listen to my Chinese class and blog at the same time! My brain would explode!) So, as I blog today, I'm being surprisingly old school and... listening to my CD player. It's crazy, I know. Sadly, I only own Glee digitally.

But, I did get some stuff done. I did a lot of work my spreadsheets (and I'm working on a post on them, so you can see my full geekiness). I read about 1500 blog posts. I wrote 1 review. Not as much as I wanted, but pretty good work for about 12 hours...


Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Argh!

I apologize to everyone who may be waiting for my spreadsheet post or bloggiesta wrap up. My computer has the dumb and is misbehaving so I'm posting from my phone. It's annoying. I see a trip to the apple store in my future. The promised posts will come as soon as I get time on a machine that doesn't make me want to hurl it out my window.

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

And Even More Challenges

As part of my Bloggiesta-ing, I've been catching up on my Google Reader, and, as such, have found even MORE challenges to join. Yay, challenges! So here's the latest bunch:

Classical Bookworm's Mexico Challenge. Read 3 books of Mexican literature, history, or art by the end of the year. Part of the reason I'm excited is I'm going to make my sister tell me which books to read. She's a high school Spanish teacher who's undergrad work focused on Latin American politics and culture, with an emphasis on Mexico (which is where she did her study abroad.) Also, my sister is just all-around awesome with great taste in books (she turned me onto The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 and Tales of the City, off the top of my head.)

In the Shadow of Mt. TBR is hosting a Welsh Reading Challenge. I'm signing up for the easiest level, Efydd bathodyn, which has me reading 1-3 Wales-related books this year. I must think about my list, beyond Jasper Fforde's new one, Shades of Grey.

The 2010 Pub Challenge. So, read 10 books that are/will be published for the first time in the US (or wherever you live) in 2010. The catch for me? They have to be adult books, at least half fiction... that makes it a little more difficult. But it's a challenge, right? Right.

Booklover Book Review's Aussie Author Challenge. I'm signing up for the tourist level, so I have to read and review 3 books by 3 different Australian authors.

Book Chick City's Typically British Reading Challenge. I'm signing up for the "cream crackered" level, which has me reading 8 British novels in 2010. Except I'm going to define it down a bit to English, because of the Welsh Reading Challenge.

The 2010 Global Reading Challenge. I'm signing up for the Medium Level, so I need to read 12 books, once from each continent (not including Antarctica.)

Graphic Novel Challenge. I'm signing up for the Expert Level, so I have to read 10 graphic novels by the end of the year.

Poetry Friday

Dan and I are celebrating our 7th anniversary on Monday, so of course I had to do a love poem today. And, we spent our honeymoon in Edinburgh, so I thought a Scottish one would be good. (The picture above is from our afternoon in Paris this fall. Over on the left, you can just see the top of the Eiffel Tower.)

O, my luve is like a red, red rose,

That's newly spring in June.

O, my luve is like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I,

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun!

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only love,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

Robert Burns

Round up is over at The Miss Rumphius Effect!

Bloggiesta!

Maw Books is once again Bloggiesta, and it has started!

So, what are my goals this weekend?

Read 1000 posts on my blog reader (sadly, this is a task that can be repeated a few times.)
Review 10 books (this can also be repeated)
Preschedule 10 reviews (as can this)
I live my life on a spreadsheet, especially my reading/blogging life. I'm still working on getting my 2010 spreadsheets ready to go, so let's work on that.
I also have a few other minor tasks that need to get done, so yeah...

Let's get to work!

Lips Touch: Three Times

Lips Touch: Three Times Laini Taylor

Three stories, three kisses, three women marked with dark and supernatural forces.

Kizzy's the perfect target for the goblins. Though she lives in modern times, she should know better. Her family is weird, her family believes. Her desire to be normal is what makes her a perfect target. But, when they come for her, will she notice? Will she even care?

In the days of the British rule over India, a bargain with a demon saves twenty-two children from an earthquake, but leaves one cursed with the most beautiful voice, but anyone who hears it will die. She grows up, silent, not wanting to test it, to see if it's true, but curses can't be real, can they?

The Druj are immortal, magic-working, shape-shifters. They keep human children as pets. A girl-mother and her unborn child have escaped, but fourteen years later, there will be a price to pay, and it must be paid.

Every story starts with illustrations, a wordless picture book introduction with backstory.

Such a wonderful book that lives up the hype and the rewards. This is a perfect example of teen appeal and amazing literary quality. How can you not love such writing like this:

Kizzy laughed and it came out as a throaty chuckle, almost a purr, the closest she had yet to come to the sultry voice she would grow into as she grew up and learned how to wear her skin. If she grew up.

Oh, the foreboding.

The last story, "Hatchling" is the longest, and also my least favorite. The first, "Goblin Fruit" with its juxtaposition of Eastern European (Roma, possibly?) beliefs and culture with modern American high school life just works so well... and it's dark and spooky without being horror. Just a fairy tale gone darker than Grimm.

So delicious.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Melissa de la Cruz Interview!

Yay! Melissa de la Cruz, author of Blue Bloods and The Au Pairs is finally answering my questions, instead of just raising them with each new installment of the Blue Bloods series!

Revelations and The Van Alen Legacy are extremely hard to blog about, due to the huge plot details that you want to gush over, but also not spoil. What's your advice for bloggers on how to deal with later books in series such as yours? What do you prefer as an author, and as a reader?

Interesting question! I do prefer if bloggers would not spoil the plot points and just talk about the story in a general manner. As a reader, I don't read reviews with plot details at all because I don't like to find out what happens, I just like to find out if the reviewer recommends the book, that's usually all I need to know. As an author I feel the same way.

The Blue Bloods sure do like to travel! Have you been to all the cities you describe in such detail? What are your favorite places to visit?

Yes, although I also rely on research assistants who have lived in the city for a long time to help me with details. My absolute favorite place to visit is Italy - I set a lot of Blue Bloods in that country so I get to go a lot!

Many pieces of history are important to the Blue Bloods story--everything from the fall of Caligula to the lost colony of Roanoke. What's your favorite period in history to learn about?

I love the Roman Empire, I love the decadence, and the urban drama, and the culture, that whole feeling of 'all roads lead to Rome' - it was a place where everything happened, it reminded me so much of living in New York - that feeling of being in the center of the world. I think that's why I relate to that time period so much.

You mention on your website that you have an outline for the Blue Bloods series, but in The Van Alen Legacy you work in the current economic crisis and the devastating effects it has on the Blue Blood community. How specific is your outline and how much did you have to tweak it to work the recession in?

My outline is very specific on the plot points but not on the details of the environment they are in- the recession was easy to work in because it wasn't a plot detail, just a fun kind of filigree to add to the book to make it current. The story is classic - it can be told in any time period - but I like to root the story in what is happening now, at least on the surface. So that's fun to do.

If you could go back in time and talk to your high-school-freshman self, what would you tell her?

That life only gets better after high school.

What's your favorite place to write?

I can write anywhere as long as it is quiet. I have an office at home that I write in, but I can also write at my husband's architectural studio/office as long as there isn't too much noise, which is hard because contractors and clients are always coming in and out. I actually prefer writing in a corporate environment, since for years I wrote while I had my day job, so I find the sound of softly ringing phones and keyboard typing very soothing. But I haven't had a day job in more than a decade and I don't think I can just barge into an office and ask if I can write there. J

What are you reading right now?

Julia Powell's Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat, and Obsession, Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Krauss's Nanny Returns, and Tad Friend's Cheerful Money. I try not to read in my genre, I find it limiting. I'd rather read books that are very different from mine. I loved the The Nanny Diaries, though, (which was an inspiration for The Au Pairs) so I'm really excited about Nanny Returns.

What are you listening to these days?

When I take breaks I dance around to Lady Gaga. Although for the first time ever I really feel old—because whenever I see her on TV, I always think, "Madonna already did this! Kids today…" (shakes head) LOL!

Also, if you've already read Revelations, I have an extra question on the Spoiler Blog. It will only make sense if you've read the book though, so, you know, read the book first!

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Blue Bloods: The Van Alen Legacy

BEWARE! This is a review of the 4th book in a series. There are not spoilers for this book, but there might be spoilers for previous books in the series. 'Tis the nature of the beast. All you need to know is that this series is awesome, as is this installment.

The Van Alen Legacy Melissa de la Cruz

The Conclave blames Schuyler for Lawrence's death, so she's on the run with Oliver. Bliss is in seclusion, trying to fight the visitor in her mind. Mimi's a Venator, looking for the truth. Jack's just looking for Schuyler.

Oh Hello! Just when we think we're going to get some answers, de la Cruz just throws more questions at us! And apparently, a spin-off series to be starting soon.

What I loved most about this was that she works in the recession. For a bunch of wealthy vampires who live off returns on investments, the stock market crash hits them, and hits them hard. Things must be scaled down, which goes over oh-so-well with the more spoiled among them.

BUT! While Melissa de la Cruz keeps me asking questions, I do get to ask her a few directly. My interview will be posted later today! Look for it!

Book Provided by... a publicist, for review consideration.

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Blue Bloods: Revelations

BEWARE! This is a review of the 3rd book in a series. There are not spoilers for this book, but there might be spoilers for previous books in the series. 'Tis the nature of the beast. All you need to know is that this series is awesome, as is this installment.

Revelations Melissa de la Cruz

Lawrence may be the new Regis, but Schuyler is stuck living with the Forces, where Jack won't even acknowledge her existence. Meanwhile, underneath a mountain in Rio de Janeiro, at Corcavado, a monster is stirring, a monster that must be stopped.

And in Corcavado, all will be revealed and our big questions will be answered, but we'll be left with ones we hadn't even thought of yet...

I can't say too much without giving things away and none of it would make sense if you haven't read the series, but I love this series. The quality of writing (and difficulty!) remains much higher than one expects of such things, which makes it that much more addictive and wonderful.

Vampire war is coming, and in de la Cruz's vampire-verse, this probably means a battle between good and evil, Heaven and Hell. It's starting to heat up.

I'll have an interview with Melissa de la Cruz about Blue Bloods up tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

In The Wake of the Boatman

In the Wake of the Boatman Jonathan Scott Fuqua

This is the story of a life, of Puttnam Douglas Steward, starting from his birth until middle age, largely seen in the relationship with his father. The father/son dynamic might just be a guy thing (not being a guy, I wouldn't know) or a Tolstoy thing (all unhappy families...)

Either way, it's a compelling character study of a novel.

We follow Putt as he grows up, gets in and out of trouble, goes to college, enters the army and beyond.

We see him most in his relationship with his father, but also with his best friend Milt, his sister, and his brother-in-law.

Part of Putt's eternal struggle are some sexuality issues he cannot come to terms with. Unfortunately, Fuqua tries to put events in his childhood as a root cause of this, which is harmful and just... not right. It put a dissatisfying ending on an otherwise very interesting read.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for review consideration

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Sunday Salon

Well, another year is over, and another has begun.

Here were my goals this year:

1. Blog at least 5 books a week for 260 total, or to keep up with reading habits, whichever is less. I did 254, which is close! Almost!
2. Read at least 20 nonfiction books 54, suckas
3. Read at least 50 books from this year's scary list. FAIL. I did 24, but last year, I only did 16, so I got a little better
4. Never have more than 5 pleasure reading materials checked out from the library at a time. FAIL. I am getting better at this though. Much better.
5. Finish read the rest of Silvey's top 100. (This is only 26 books, 7 of which are picture books. I can do this! Listening totally counts.) FAIL. I only did 5. I still have 21 to go.
6. Never be more than a year behind on reviewing. I will catch up with 2006 books by the end of January. FAIL. I still have books from April 2007 to review! Aiy yai yai.

And here's how we are on the left over reading challenges:

TBR Challenge: I only read 8 out of the 12. Ah well. I'll try again this year.

Buy Books: I was supposed to buy and read 12 books. I bought 48, I read 14, but only reviewed 7.

Fall into Reading: I read 27 out of my list of 90. When I made my list, I didn't take all that Cybils reading into account.

Here are this year's goals:

1. Review at least 5 books a week for 260 total, or enough to keep up with my reading habits, whichever is less.

2. Read any book I haven't read yet from 100 Best Books for Children by Anita Silvey.

3. No more than 5 pleasure reading books checked out at a time.

So, here are the new reading challenges (in addition to the ones I mentioned in November.)

Here's my list for 2010's TBR Challenge.

I'm going to do the A-Z Challenge. Because I love a Challenge, I'm doing the one where I need a book AND an author for each letter. I'll be keeping track here.

I'm also doing Year of the Historical. 12 Historical Fiction books this year? Yes Please!

Once Upon a Time Challenge asks us to read 5 fairy tales that aren't Disney by the end of the year. Oh yes please!

War Through the Generations has me reading 11 books about the Vietnam War (I'm doing the swim level.)

The Colorful Reading Challenge wants me to read 9 books with a color in the title. Yay!

Coming up this week!

My best of 2009 list!

An interview with Melissa de la Cruz!

More book reviews!

Back Creek

Back Creek Leslie Goetsch

The summer of 1975 starts when Grace witnesses Tommy White commit suicide by driving his boat into a pier. The morning of his funeral, her mother leaves for good and her estranged sister returns home.

In this summer before Grace goes off to college, as family secrets unravel, she'll learn the hard truth that people aren't always what they seem, even when you've known them your entire life.

I'm not sure whether this is a book for teens, or an adult book about a teenager. Goetsch's writing lacks the immediacy that most YA novels have. Her prose and slow and languid, like the hot summer days she's describing. It's one that your bookish teen readers (those who, like Grace, hide away in the classics) will enjoy, as well as adult readers. Goetsch writes with an amazing sense of place (I do love books with a good sense of place, where the setting is another character) that makes me want to journey a bit to the south to more fully explore the Tidewater region. It's a landscape my mind keeps returning to, long after finishing the book.

This is one I'll want to reread this summer when it warms up.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for review consideration.

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