The Reader

I was talking to a good friend of mine last night, who also shares my love of a good book, about the difficulty I have been having in trying to write about "The Reader" by Bernhard Schlink.  

She has been wanting to see the movie, but also to read the book.  I told her to see the movie first, as it could possibly enhance her read, but watching the movie after reading is certain disappointment.  I feel there is no question that a movie cannot fully relay what truly goes on in a book.  I think movies often only skim the surface of subjects, leaving the depth and full emotion lacking - especially when that movie is adapted from a book.

"The Reader" is a complex story set in a time in history I have always been interested in, post World War II Germany.  We are offered a look at the social conscience of the Germans some years after the war.  It has been fourteen years since the war ended at the beginning of the story, the camps are deserted and left as awful reminders.  The Nazis are reabsorbed into a battered and bruised society and economy. 

A young German man, fifteen years old, narrates his experiences as he and a woman of a much older age conduct an ill fated relationship.  Their physical relationship, though only a summer, creates a connection between them that lasts for the rest of their lives.  His narration carries us through his personal growth and that of Germany until the early 1990's. 

Their connection I found to be reflective of the larger connection between the old Nazi Germany and the new Germany that struggles to differentiate itself in a modern world.

Obviously the story is layers upon layers.  It is a love story, a social story, a world story.  Bernhard Schlink writes a narrative that is personal, harrowing and unapologetic.  I thought it was an excellent read.  

 

Come on baby light my fire!

I have to shout out to everyone that, "I love my Kindle"!!

I received the first edition as a gift for my birthday in June of last year, and I have to say I was unsure about it.  

First of all, it is expensive ($350).  Second, I really love the feel of turning pages, the weight of a good book in my lap and the smell of paper (though not the "germy" paper of library books).  I do not like reading books online, and assumed that reading on the Kindle would be the same.  I was worried that the money had been spent and I would end up not liking it, and worse, not using it.

I was so wrong!  I fell in love with "my Kindle" immediately.  I downloaded my first book, after browsing the easy to use Kindle Store, and literally 30 seconds after selecting, I was in literary bliss.  It has barely left my hands since then.

For all of you who are "greenies", this is perfect!  No more wasted paper or wasted gas on transporting all those books to all those various retailers.  For those who are cost conscious, the initial cost is sweat producing, but as you download book after book for a third of the costs of buying printed books, you will feel better.  And finally for all of you who (like me) "were in the back of the line when they handed out patience", as my mother says, will love it most of all. While ravenously reading the Twilight series over Christmas vacation, I would finish one book at 2am and by 2:01am the next was downloaded and the temporarily insance obsession would go on.

I have been inspired by the possibilities of Kindle.  I only read books, but you can read magazines and newspapers as well.  Needless to say, my reading addiction as been continuously kept aflame because of the Kindle.

Be inspired, get aroused and be ignited by Amazon's Kindle (nasty cat not included)!  Let it light your literary fire!

Happy Reading.

e

Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea

This is a laugh out loud, crass and often politically incorrect book!  Chelsea Handler, the main character and narrator is a comedienne and writer who drags us through some of her more embarrassing moments.  Chelsea has no shame, no filter and no remorse for her actions.  It is so funny!

The books structure is choppy and there is not a lot of cohesiveness within the story.  The worst part of the book was the ending - it is a total bust.  It just ends!  All of a sudden we are enjoying the story of her trip with her overweight father to Costa Rica, her smoking pot and then BAM! end of book.  The story of their trip didn't finish but the book did.  

I recommend this book for all who can laugh at things of a base or offensive nature.  If you are a person easily offended, don't read it.  I also recommend NOT reading it in bed, late at night, as your spouse will not appreciate the outbursts of laughter when he is trying to sleep.

Happy Reading!

e

The Art of Racing in the Rain

To be quite honest, I did not want to read this book.  It had nothing to do with the writer or his talent, I was just not interested in reading about a dog.  I have never gotten into the dog/pet books, and this seemed like just another in a long line of pet stories.  

I did obviously end up reading it, though I fought the encouragement from my husband, father and mother, all of whom loved it and said it was a "must read".  The reason for my doggedness is because I have issues with one of my two dogs right now.  He is needy, constantly eyeing me, following me from room to room, never relaxing, shaking and drooling and whining when I get my sweats on to go for a walk, and just a basic loyal, loving pain in the rear.  To read a book that I already knew was going to make me have sympathy for the main character, a dog, was going to force me to look at my own dog in a different way.  I am glad I relented.  

I was immediately and completely absorbed in a fun, philosophical, heartfelt story about this dog, Enzo and his life with his family.  Enzo is such an enlightened character, and his insightful perspective on four legged and two legged beings was educating and thought provoking.

In a matter of two days, I laughed out loud, felt guilty, roared with extreme dislike (bordering on hatred for the story because of the characters' choices and actions), and shed tears of relief and love.  It was a roller coaster of emotions and definitely tugged at my heart strings.  I am better for having read it.  Garth Stein has a true talent.  He told a wonderful story with a voice, in the first person, of a dog that was believable, educated, and emotionally moving.  The Art of Racing in the Rain is so much more than a story about a dog; it is a look in to the competitive mind of a race car driver, a love story and ultimately a discussion on how your focus determines your reality.

I am appreciative for the new eyes it gave me when looking at my own dogs; one in particular.