read 70 books in 2005

...even though I don’t have 70 books listed. Why, you ask, do I feel entitled to do this? Well, I began the goal about half-way through the year, and I know that I read at least several books early on. I can’t tell you what they WERE, but I’m rarely without a book, so it’s likely that I’ve read OVER 70 books this year.

Call me a cheater, but I think it counts.

I was afraid when I picked up this book. It is about a young burn victim of Afghanistan who was discovered by U.S. troops during the invasion and, though a series of unlikely events, came to the U.S. and received both treatment for her wounds and a chance at a new life for her family (they stayed in Afghanistan, just so you know).

I was afraid because I do not support the war in Afghanistan or in Iraq. I support the troops of course – they are doing their jobs the best they can. But I do not believe that we should be there to wage war. I believe that if we really wanted to eradicate terrorism, the best thing to do would be to come there on a mission of peace, and truly rebuild the country. This of course has not happened, not to the extent that it could have happened had we spent money helping people and not making bombs.

I was worried that the story would be propoganda for the war. It was not, exactly, or not as much as I expected. Really, it was the story of one extraordinary little girl. Again, a tale of illness/injury overcome.

The interesting part about this book is that is managed to stay away from propoganda and from the subject of the war for the most part (although I think it gave the impression that things are much improved there now – that may be, but I think they are probably not as good as Washington would like them to be). Yet it did make the point that the only reason Zubaida was able to be treated in the U.S. was because the invasion had brought a soldier to Afghanistan, and that particular soldier happened to take compassion on the girl and her father, and help to get her medical care.

I choose to believe that this story shows that small unimagined good can come from immoral acts by nations. I am inspired by this small story of good. I am saddened that it is probably an exception in a sea of tragedy and violence. I wish that my country was really concerned with using its resources to heal children instead of hurting all who disagree with us or oppose our selfish interests. Perhaps if there were more stories like Zubaida’s, we would have less to fear from terrorists, for they would know that we truly want to help other nations instead of using them for our own gains. Sadly, I think the latter is closer to the truth.

A memoir-novel. Not everything is true to the letter. I’m glad of that, for the little girl in this book goes through hellish times as her family self-destructs. A father recovering from the war physically and emotionally abuses his family – in response, her loving if eccentric mother becomes a depressed and then dangerous goofball addict. Why o why am I so drawn to these books? I tell my roommate about them and she looks at me, perplexed. Why do I feel compelled to take these horrible stories into me?

I think because it makes me feel comforted to know that the author has survived. In comparison, my own struggles are more manageable. It shows me that the worst case scenario does not mean the end, at least not always.

I finished TWO books today – vacation is good to me that way.

The Fight Club guy gives us some short chapters. Some are stories (sorta journalistic), some are interviews (with almost no hint of an interviewer), some are just loose anecdotes or perhaps journal entries. Not, of course, for those with delicate sensibilities, but a fun quick read for those of us who appreciate both the tender and the sordid.

“Science for the layperson” is probably my favorite non-fiction genre (after tragic memoir). The Planets exemplifies this genre: not too heavy, but full of interesting tidbits and some actual concepts. The focus of the book, beyond the planets themselves, seems to be the history of their discovery, and the mythologies and beliefs associated with them. A short read, but enjoyable.

Closing in on my goal! Only four more books to go (considering that I am taking close to 10 books home with me for a week-long vacation, I’m pretty sure I can manage this).

I read The Lovely Bones, and loved it, as did much of the public, it seems. Lucky is Sebold’s true story of her rape and the aftermath. I wanted to read it because I have a friend who was once raped. She doesn’t like to talk about it (hmmm, big surprise), so I felt I needed to read someone else’s account to understand more about what she went through. Of course the details are different, but I think the feelings are probably similar.

Some will find this book disturbing. I’m one of those people who would rather hear about the awful stuff than ignore it – it helps me understand it.

The only thing I disliked about the way the book was written was that it glossed over Sebold’s final coming to terms with the rape. The bulk of the book is about the immediate aftermath (trial, etc.) – then, in the final chapter, 10 years later, Sebold realizes that she is suffering from PTSD. And then somehow it is over. The ending felt rather tacked on, but I’m not sure how it could have been different. I’m sure the PTSD is something Sebold continues to deal with, and that that particular struggle could have taken another whole book to talk about.

Small quibble. It was really…enjoyable? Can I say that I enjoyed it? Parts of it, I did. I love Sebold’s voice, and I love that she was able to bring her rapist to justice, such as it is in this country.

5 books away from being finished. Sounds like kind of a tall order to complete before year’s end – but I’m flying home next week, and taking a week off of work. Really, I’m worried that I’m going to RUN OUT of books to read – this never happens, but I’m probably taking up to 10(!) of them along with me, just in case. I should have no problem finishing up this goal, with the speed at which I read during vacations.

An addiction rather than an illness memoir. Well-written; it’s neither glamorous nor squalid, but everyday; as everyday as a book about heroin addiction can be, anyhow. The timeshifts are a bit confusing, but not unmanageably so. Worth a read if you like this sort of stuff.

Okay. Some will find this book too high-minded (or rather, find the vocabulary overblown). Some will find it too frivolous or sentimental. Both are right. However, I enjoyed reading it anyway.

Adam Gopnik and family live for 5? years as Americans in Paris and he makes good-natured observations about the differences between French and American culture. A pleasurable but not a very substantial read.

Continuation of The Tales of Alvin Maker. I’m still liking this series. The loveplot keeps popping up but it remains, mercifully, in the background.

Can’t wait to finish this series!

I hit 60 books and am still going strong. I’m going to try for 70 by the end of the year! I’d really like to do 75, but that may be pushing it, as there is only a month left.

“Journeyman” continues the Alvin Maker saga, and things are heating up. For one, the love plot keeps popping up, although it is mercifully minimized. For another, a compelling villain has finally arisen, in the form of Alvin’s younger, also powerful, and envious brother Calvin. Alvin has also collected a new friend or two on his journey, all of them interesting and fairly well-fleshed-out, considering they are secondary characters. I’m amazed at how closely this parallel history follows actual history – it seems to me that one small change would necessitate two widely diverging histories, but somehow Card has managed to be original while following the larger arc of American history.

Good stuff. However, I’m blowing through these almost as fast as the Harry Potter series. What shall I read for escapism once these are finished??? So little in the fantasy genre meets my high standards…