The Martian Keeps Readers Reading, Writers Dreaming

I didn't realize The Martian was one of those wonderful self-published success stories! Sweet.

Now, I have to admit I haven't read it...yet. You know my rule: before I see the movie.

So, who's read it, and seen the movie adaptation? And who wants to share opinions here?

Still open to guest bloggers...

#please

Tidying, Joy, and What ARE you reading???

I've been feeling extra busy lately. Since reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,  I realize I have some closets to sort through. (If I'm not back next month, please send a search party.)

In fact, I didn't read the whole book because (1) I got really excited and cleaned out my drawers and a bookshelf!! and (2) I had to return it on time because someone else requested the book from the library. Clearly, the title struck a nerve. A dysfunctional one, at that. But no worries, Psychology Today is on top of it.

So, if you're just hanging out here reading book reviews (when you really should be discovering the joy in trashing all that stuff you've collected over the years), check out Marie Kondo's petite primer on paring down and prettying up your collection of ... well, stuff.

What's that? don't feel like cleaning out the closets today? Why don't you write a book review, then?

Guest reviewers always wanted!! Please contact me on Facebook or Twitter. Please?!

Thanks! 

A Mini-Review and Important Nugget of Advice

Marie Kondo's self-help book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, like many runaway bestsellers, is not packed with groundbreaking new research or information. It is a commonsense argument, presented in an undeniably logical and appealing way. 

Synopsis: 

You have too much stuff. You'll feel better when you ditch a ton of it. Get 'er done. 

Image: https://konmari.com/books

Well, you see now why the book is such a hit. It's a clearly a great idea, and Kondo has a better way with words than I do. 

She also offers a bunch of very practical, how-to tips her a small and unassuming little book - in itself something of a study in design, methinks. 

I particularly appreciated her detailed descriptions of not only which clothing items should be folded or hung, but precisely how. I've been twirling my shorts and shirts into tight little less-likely-to-wrinkle shapes (that remind me of egg rolls) ever since I read it. 

And I truly appreciated the firm but gentle lectures that pop up every few pages. Damnit! How did she know that I still have clothes I haven't worn in the past 4 years? Well, she's right - no joy in those...

I have to admit that I took off into closet-projects before I finished reading the book; so this can't be a proper review. However, I think it's only fair that I get points for taking the intended action. 

Rather than sum up the title here then, I'll leave you with some very important advice: 

Don't give the book to your mother as a gift. 

I have it on very good authority that when you give this particular title as a gift to the woman who has spent your whole life cleaning up after you, she is likely to use it immediately - to smack you in the head. 

So noted? OK. Well. Why don't you go see about one of those closets now, mmmmhm? 

# 

Fact Makes Great Fiction: Number the Stars

Lois Lowry's 1990 Newbery Award winner Number the Stars is a short fictional account of Denmark's Nazi occupation and resistance.

I was an adult when the book was published, so I'll shake off my guilt as I admit I've only recently gotten around to reading this.

If you haven't read it, or haven't read it in years, you should. Never mind your age. 'Nuff said.

Certainly enough reviews are out there; another isn't needed. So I'll get on my historical soapbox, instead, and say: respect the history, writers.

Fact Check This

Number the Stars is the best kind of fiction, laden with facts.  In the brief afterword, Lowry described enough about the documents she used to get the message across: this happened. And we can prove it.

In a variety of writing projects, I've had my frustrations with fact-checking (hint: everything isn't online, and lots that is online is wrong). But since this is a reader's blog, I'll leave it at this: historical facts make for some mighty fine fiction.

Speaking of Online Resources

In case you missed that link up above, go back and click. It's not intended to sell books; it points at the excellent McGraw Hill guide to Number the Stars, included by the Holocaust Education Resource Council among its many fine reference materials.

A Prequel/Sequel Kind of Summer Reading

It's possible I'm stuck in a bit of a rut. Most of the books I've read this summer have been only sort-of new to me. From Grey (don't judge) to Go Set A Watchman, I've been reading about characters I'd gotten acquainted with pages ago.

Now summer's slipping away and I've yet to read the season's more exciting releases, like Girl on a Train and Judy Blume's latest for-grownups title, In the Unlikely Event. And coming this week are two more on my 2R list: Barbara the Slut and The Beautiful Bureaucrat.

OK, speak up if you've read something you want to dish about. Always open to guest bloggers! More time to read for me ;)

Back to School Book Lists & Other Reading Recommendations

Augh. So my kid who devours Artemis Fowl books - 300, 400, 500 pages at a time - is now facing the rather dull-in-comparison back to school reading list. With considerably less enthusiasm.

I feel you, kid. And you too, parents.

Anyway, before we entered the land of Lois Lowry books and and other familiar titles on those back to school reading lists, I'll admit we spent too little time reading this summer. Making it exactly like the past 15 or so years in our house.

#Notproud

I have friends who eschewed the library's annual summer reading programs; instead, the family implemented its own (much more strenuous) competition. Last I heard mom was behind ... time to reassign chores, methinks!

How Did Summer Reading Go in Your House?

We started strong with an anti-bullying title and what I thought would be a great history book - The Boys Who Challenged Hitler. While the story was strong, I was disappointed in the telling. 

OK I'll admit I'm nit-picking, but come on, what's an editor for? The author did a great job with research and organization, but the book would have been worlds better if it had better transitions and did a better job incorporating some storytelling conventions. 

Picky complaints aside, I recommend it for tweens and teens interested in history. Amazing what a few sneaky kids with solid convictions can accomplish! And - spoiler alert - some of them paid dearly for their actions, spending more than two years in prison during the war. Like I said, it's a great story as well as an extremely interesting chapter in history that might not have been covered in your textbooks - it wasn't in mine! And, in spite of what I think was a sub-par delivery, it's worth a read. 

Busy! Busy! But Not Giving Up on Books

Between work, family time, sports, blah, blah, blah, and some just plain summertime goofing off, it's hard to squeeze in what I consider to be a healthy amount of reading time. I have a hammock that helps a lot. And in the car, I try to enforce at least as much reading time as screen time. 

How do you squeeze in reading time? Your suggestions are mighty welcome...especially as it's about time to hit those back-to-school books. *sigh*

Sequel? Prequel? Whatever - What Did You Think of Go Set A Watchman?

I want to know, what did you think of Harper Lee's Go Set A Watchman?

I've just finished reading it, and am glad I put it on the top of my current 2R pile. The credit for that goes to Harper Collins' marketing department. Rarely am I willing to pay for a new release, but the story behind Lee's second published work drew me in.

Sequel? Prequel? Whatever - Harper Lee Got Me

The title's interesting background, Lee's lovely writing style, and Target's 30% off promotion, and bam! I was sold.

So, who else succumbed to the marketing machine and a reader's impatience? What do you think of Maycomb now? Scout's second act?

I'd love to hear from you!

Cure Your Public Speaking Qualms

I have a book on my shelves about public speaking. Just one.  I've tried to part with it many times (only so much shelf space, you know) but I may have to admit it's simply a keeper.

What to Say When...You're Dying on the Platform is packed with outstanding, practical tips, well-organized (making it a good reference book, in addition to good advice) and its tone light and zippy enough to make it a joy to read. 

The book's copyright date is 1995.
Hey, don't judge. 

I like to think this is a sign of my loyalty. Thus far this book has been something I could rely through two husbands, two kids, three moves, several jobs/career moves. Why give it up now?

While I don't consider myself a "professional" public speaker, I seem to land in front of an audience several times a year (not counting when I stand up and complain ask questions at city council meetings). The book provides all that good advice a trusted friend would give you, like "go to the bathroom before you speak," "plan for laughter and interruptions," and lists a variety of ways to protect your voice, before, during and after your speech. 

Here are some examples of the zippy advice offered to nervous speakers in What to Say...

When you get sidetracked or lose your train of thought

- If any of you have heard me speak before, go on to my next thought and I'll catch up  

When you clobber a pronunciation or utter gobbledy-gook 

- Later, I'll pass out printed translations of that sentence - or 

- To help you, the rest of my speech will be dubbed in English 

Lengthier, less jovial advice is offered for more serious topics, including how to go on and deliver a speech or presentation when your heart is heavy.

Equally important, the book also includes a few suggestions on what NOT to say in certain situations.

The Bottom Line? Download and Speak Up! 

Generally, reviews of the book have been positive.  The only complaint I've seen repeated is that the book is a bit too lighthearted. To that I say, first, public speaking isn't brain surgery - or any other sort of science. So, lighten up! And second, I think the author knows her audience well.

Obviously, this book is ideal for someone who's a little bit afraid of public speaking (and based on studies, that's approximately all of us). In addition to all the good advice the book includes, compiled from dozens of professional speakers, actors, and comedians, it will also make you laugh.

And a speaker in a good mood is a better speaker. So there.

While I'm not about to give up my vintage copy, if you want your own, good news - it's still in print. Also, you can download the ebook and use that precious shelf space for something else. Like your trophy for public speaking. ;)

Books about Bullying

Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies by Jay McGraw (AKA Dr. Phil's son) is a good book about bullying to hand your kid. But I bet there's something better...

Life Strategies talks directly to kids - not parents - and the emphasis is on relating some important messages. Chiefly, "you're not alone" and "the situation isn't hopeless." On those accounts, it succeeds. However, I don't think it delivers on its title's promise. It's very short on practical advice about how kids can successfully handle bullying situations.

The primary advice - and it's good advice - is "tell an adult."

I'm happy about that, and I repeat, it's really, really good advice! So, if your kid is reluctant to read much on the subject and this one is palatable to him or her, by all means, grab it!

Still, bullying is a big problem and while "tell an adult" is good advice it's after-the-fact advice.  I'm looking for books on what we (kids AND adults) can do to alleviate, mitigate, reduce, or just plain wipe out the problem. How can we raise kids who don't bully? And raise kids who aren't bully-magnets?

Got recommendations? I'm all ears.

Help Wanted!

Who's reading what out there? What would you like to tell the world about it?

Totally open to guest bloggers... 

Lies We Tell Ourselves: What's Wrong with the Truth?

I'm afraid this review can be summed up as "read that, not this."

"This" is Lies We Tell Ourselves, a historical fiction account of school integration in 1957. The book is fiction (the town in the book is Davisburg, not Little Rock) but the sheer terror of integration was real.

I'll say this first: Lies We Tell Ourselves tells a compelling story, and - this is important - it's fiction. So, it may not be appropriate to ding it for historical accuracy. I repeat - it is fiction, and it has gotten good reviews. (I wasn't captivated, but I'll admit the characters were well-developed and I cared about what happened to them.)

That said, while Robin Talley is an award-winning author, I am underwhelmed with the research (described in the book's chatty afterword) and suspect her bias (age, race, yep, I'm going there) significantly compromised the (real) story.

Sorry, folks. I'm all for imagination, but when it comes to historical fiction, I want to believe the author is a qualified guide. I'm sorry I read this when the nonfiction Warriors Don't Cry probably tells the story better, meaning, more accurately.

Sigh.

My recommendation:  Lies We Tell Ourselves is meant for teens, and may be appropriate for younger readers who aren't ready to deal with the story told in a more direct (gasp) historically accurate way. But for those who are, I think Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals would be reading more worth your time.  Beals' "research" started around 1955 - she was one of the Little Rock Nine. So, I suspect the details in her book would ring true. Not pretty. But true.