Collected Stories - Wallace Stegner

From the author's foreward- "Any reasonably long life, looked back upon, irresistibly suggests a journey. I see these stories, inventions on a base of experience, as rest stops, pauses while I tried to understand something or digest some action or clarify some response."

This book contains 31 Stegner short stories written in the early career of the writer- 1920s-1950s. The tales are driven by emotions and characters. They take us back in time to a simple, but often harsh, life when living was more basic. The character's relationships to each other and often their environment is chronicled magnificiently in these stories.

To me, these are what short stories should be- they place the reader in the middle a life, a place, a dilemma unique from our daily lives. Stegner is masterful at describing the emotions and thoughts of his characters- from women awaiting overseas letters from soldiers to a farm boy experiencing his first butchering of a pig. The stories will allow readers to remember distinct moments in time that our parents and grandparents lived.

I have many favorites in this collection, particularly ones depicting lives in rural and remote areas in the west.

The Bookshop - Penelope Fitzgerald

I have remained true to my deepest convictions, I mean to the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy, for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?

Those convictions describe the foundations of this charming short novel. The lead character (some describe as the author) is witty, naive, corageous, and determined in her quest to open a small bookshop in a tiny seaside town in England. The characters and the town are very British while not unlike a Keillor tale from Lake Wobegon. Fitzgerald has a great ability to write in a slow relaxing style while making filling each page with passages which move her story forward.

A beautiful book for a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea.

The right-hand wall she kept for paperbacks. At 1s. 6d. each, cheerfully coloured, brightly democratic, they crowded the shelves in well-disciplined ranks. She could remember a world where only foreigners had been content to have their books bound in paper.
"Hasn't it occured to you that a building of such historical interest could be put to better use"
"Old age is not the same thing as historical interest," he said. "Otherwise we should both of us be more interesting than we are."

Hot Chocolate at Hanselmann's - Rosetta Loy

Even with the luxury of carved out time for reading each day on the bus, I couldn't justify reading past page 100 in this book. I don't know if it is the writer or the translator who make this book less than enjoyable. There are far too many sentence fragments and poor grammar which don't lend themselves to a coherent style. The book cover touts the literary awards of the author and reviewers praise the translator. Yes, I know I shouldn't trust in the veracity of book covers.

The book covers anti-semitism in Italy during and following WWII. It may be "a work of understated elegance and cumulative power", but I failed to finish reading it after passages like these which start two paragraphs:

A morning that ends in glory among the candy favors opened one after another, smooth outside and hard inside, the squeal of a jeep taking a curve.

But while Marta was still grouping around for her bowl of milk, Lorenza wanted the streets and the trees, the others.

Family Pictures - Sue Miller

A masterfully written exploration of a family's movement through the 1960's and 1970's. Sue Miller presents chapters that portray a picture in time of a family and its struggles. A central focus is an autistic child and how the other family members react and mature with this added stress. The chapters are also like pictures in that they convey emotions and personal insight more than develop a plot. Reading this book is like pausing in front of a great photo that impacts one emotionally and touches you deeply.

This book will change the way you view a family. The lessons it teaches are subtle and moving. Miller does an amazing job of involving us in the lives of several members of the family and understading their unique development. After reading this book, you will resist quickly judging others without understanding their experiences.

For a while I pushed everything idly around the table--the photographs, the postcards. I began thinking of them as elements in a kind of Rock-Scissors-Paper game, which contained the mystery of my childhood. Which had the most power?...For weeks, for months, the pictures stayed there. Eventually, I stopped seeing them, except occasionally when I would suddenly think of something that had happened while I was in Chicago; or something from my childhood. Then I'd go and stand in front of them again, staring stupidly at one and then another image, as though if I looked hard enough, long enough, their meaning would become clear.

Allan Stein - Matthew Stadler

A mixed bag . The author is often remarkable, such as when he writes: "...talking about geography and the peculiar way in which a new place is unable to resist the power of one's imagination-- there is too little reality gathered there-- which makes it malleable and transporting like a dream or a thin-skinned fantasy that both enchants and is completely misleading to the traveler, who falls in love with it and stays, only to discover that every place is real, its intransigent bulk hidden, the airy island drift of its first appearance an illusion, and that unless he keeps moving he is trapped in a world of stubborn realities, of actual places."

This is challenging reading- creative writing both brilliant and over-the-top ("nipples as soft as a fresh drained blister"). A great hook with Gertrude and Pablo Picasso, but the be prepared for a gay pedophile as a main character.

Here's two respected opinions:
A hackneyed portrayal of gay lust: vacuous, pointless, and tasteless in the extreme. Kirkus Reviews
Stadler demonstrates that he is among the handful of first-rate young American novelists, one with a wide reach and a quirky, elegant pen. New York Times Book Review

The Captain's Daughter - Alexander Pushkin

The book jacket calls Pushkin- Russia's greatest writer. While that pronouncement may be debatable, he is without a doubt a great writer. This short book, as translated by Elaine Feinstein, covers a lot of ground. It tells the tale of a young man in late 1700's enlisted in the Russian army by his father to help him mature. What ensues is an intriguing adventure told in a very friendly style. The story centers around a minor revolt and the harsh brutality surrounding. Within this battle are interesting relationships between the author and a young girl, a servant, and the leader of the revolt. A very good read!

A World Lit by Only by Fire - Willian Manchester

A recreation of what life was like in medieval times in Europe. And what a life it was. It sure gives you a lot to be thankful for living in today's world. If you are curious about these times, this book will provide a description of that period. The last half of the book covers both the church and Magellan in great detail. He is clearly no fan of the medieval church and you will be less of one after reading this. Not a great book, but I enjoyed reading it.

The New Yorker Magazine

Ok, so it is not a book, but my time on the bus allows me the luxury of keeping up with this weekly publication. And the time spent on this magazine is worth it. Great writers and fascinating subjects. Fiction, current events, poetry. There are always those stories which don't seem to interest me. Then I read a page and I am hooked until I finish it. How do they keep coming up with such great material? Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention the cartoons which often make me laugh out loud.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver

Subtitled: A year of food life. The tale of a family's move toward sustainable food consumption. A modern back to the earth story, not unlike many others. However, Kingsolver makes the tale fun to read and offers much to think about. With the current world climate crisis, the locally grown food movement takes on a new dimension. You will definitely think twice about where your food comes from and the effects that has on the planet. And you will likely change some of the ways you consume food. I bought a dehydrator and have determined to grow and use more food on my lot.

The book gets a little preachy and is not always a practical guide, but it is written in a way that most can relate to.

The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion

How does she do it? Writing so simply about the recent death of her husband and serious illness of a child while conveying the great depth of emotion. The reader joins Didion as she mysteriously moves through the year following her great loss. A reflection on living and dying that is offered ever so gently. Those who have lost someone will relate often to her changes, while those who haven't will gain an understanding. A gem of a book.

Gilead - Marilynne Robinson

Beautiful story and beautiful writing. I highly recommend reading this thoughtful story of a spiritual journey. Life, death and the meaning of it all- told so simply and touching. What a great example of fresh and gentle, yet powerful, writing. You will want to re-read lines and paragraphs as you move through this book. A dying advice to a son he will not know. A time and place in America, 1956, not that long ago and yet it seems so distant in this book. Perfect book for curling up with on a cold Sunday morning in winter.

A Venetian Affair - Andrea di Robilant

An historical novel which is as much non-fiction as fiction. The author has included abundant excerpts from actual between two lovers. It is Venice in the 1750s when it still holds onto some of its fading glory. This is the classic tale of a nobel falling for girl out of his class. Their lives are fascinating and the book does a good job of re-creating a unique period in time. The real Casanova is part of the lives of these two lovers. While the book can get a little bogged down with detail at times, it is a fun read that transports you to masks, balls, and ill-fated love.

Specimen Days - Michael Cunningham

An intriguing and complex book that will make you think about love, art, America, and life. What more could you want from one book? This is actually composed as three separate tales, but unified with the characters and themes. Three different time periods and three different styles of writing. You wonder how these completely different types of stories fit together, but the fine skill of the writer makes it work. Highly recommended! Extremely original. This is the type of book you want to start reading again the minute you finish it.

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli

Advice to a young prince on how to gain and maintain control of territories. Devious, ruthless, cold-hearted and we aren't just talking about today's Republicans. A good read to understand Italy, and the world, in the 15th & 16th century. Machiavelli uses many examples from history and those of the early 1500s to illustrate how a prince can be successful. The basic ideas uncover much truth about human nature. Although much of advice to the prince is disturbing, it describes strategies that have been, and will probably remain to be, effective tools of power. Reading this book will make you reflect on both medieval times and the present.

This is Your Brain on Music - Daniel Levitin

A musician and brain researcher examines how our brains react to music. This is a very academic book at times, but if you want to better understand music and our reaction to it, this is a good book. It gave me a lot to think about related to music. It answers a lot of questions and leaves you with others. The book is sub-titled "The Science of a Human Obsession" and this author is certainly obsessed. If you love music, you will enjoy this book.

Practicing- A musician's return to music - Glenn Kurtz

A romantic ode to music and an auto-biographical tale of a classical guitarist. The focus of the book is on musical practice. Much insight is offered into the work of becoming an accomplished muscian. The author's literary skills are displayed in his frequent musings on music and meaning in life. The philosophical explorations climax in the last ten pages when he picks up his guitar again after ten years and examines practicing in relation to performing and life in general. A good read for those who love to listen and think about music.

Not Enough Indians - Harry Shearer

This book is FUNNY! It is what you would expect from someone who has written for the Simpson's TV show. Witty and cutting in its take on Indian casinos and American life. While it might be a little too close to the truth at times, the humor will keep you laughing rather than crying. Dueling casinos without enough Indians....need I say more?

Museum Skepticism - David Carrier

Subtitled: A history of the display of art in public galleries. You have to question if a book with a 36 page bibliography and five times as many footnotes as pages is written to be read or to be studied. It is not surprising that Carrier is a philosophy professor. In spite of a heavy emphasis on academic philosophical meanderings, the book presents and interesting history of the display of art in public galleries. The author disputes the skeptics who claim that museums are a negative influence on art. He presents interesting case studies of several museums and is most supportive of the new Getty in LA. Arguing for new thinking and the evolution of art museums, he brings up intriguing points worth thinking about. Read it if you can get past the textbook style.

The Laws of Change - Jack Balkin

A modern translation of the classic I-Ching. Balkin writes a translation that is very accessable for us Westerners. He leans heavy on moral and ethical questions while offering insights from the Chinese classic. The book is my favorite I-Ching translation and is probably the practical one. If you only want to read one I-Ching book, and yet take a very serious look at this philosophical goldmine, this is the book to read.

Those who want to study the I-Ching in depth will want to also look at the Wilhelm and Huang translations. Understanding and accepting change can bring peace into the frequent chaos of life.

The Big Hunger: Stories 1932-1959 - John Fante

An original American writer who is gaining popularity. I like his writing. The stories are very original and very American. A time that seems so long ago and yet isn't. Characters from working class backgrounds dominate his tales. The stories are often simple, but very touching and filled with human emotions.

Italy - Rick Steves

I guess a guidebook is only interesting if you are planning a trip. Since we are taking a Rick Steve's Italian trip, the book is enjoyable to read. He writes for the traveller who wants to be a little more adventurous, but still see the sites you always dreamt of. For me the trip begins when I begin reading about it.

A Painter of Our Time - John Berger

Berger's first novel which received much criticism in the 1950's for its political statements. The tale is a mix of art and politics told from the diary of a painter. If you love art and/or Berger, it is a good read. This isn't as powerful as his more recent novels, but it places the reader into the mind of a struggling painter. Some good insights into art and the process.

The Confessions of Max Tivoli - Andrew Greer

A very imaginative tale, wonderfully written. This book really makes you look at life and love as we pass through time. The main character is born with a body that ages in reverse as his mind ages normally. This book made me think retrospectively about my life as much as anything else I have read. Like life, it is complex and like a Buddhist tale it is full of suffering.

Dancing to Alemendra - Mayra Montero

An enjoyable read. Interesting characters in 1950's Cuba. Just before the revolution when the casinos and gangsters where in their heyday. Some interesting twist and turns. Read it if you want to get a flavor for the place and times. The book never really engaged me in the story.

Here is Where We Meet - John Berger

Another fabulous read from a favorite author. The back cover says Berger is one of the greatest authors in the language. I don't disagree.

This book focuses on those who have passed and the importance of place. The writing is luscious, making me pause frequently to re-read and think about what was written. A lot to reflect on in this book. Berger is a very intelligent author who weaves great insights into places and events. Very highly recommended.

Devotion - Howard Norman

A wonderful book, packed with emotions and images in sparse, but adequate, words. Quite a contrast to Proust. I love this writer, telling an unconvential love story. Very intriguing construction that works to create a story that with sequential events happening in an order reflecting the emotional impacts rather than chronological order. Simple and complicated at the same time. A gentle, thoughtful book.

Swann's Way - Marcel Proust

Subtitled: In Search of Lost Time, Vol 1. The liner notes say this book is "one of the most entertaining reading experiences....arguably the finest novel of the twentieth century." I suppose some people are easily entertained. While Proust is certainly a fine writer, reading him can be tortuous. He seems to be challenging himself to be as florid as possible about the most miniscule and meaningless of details. A rambling mind that never goes anywhere. But if you want to learn how to construct endless sentences and never have writer's block from nothing to say- read Proust. An accomplished writer and probably worth the study in style for comparative literature, but you can also read great writer's who give you a lasting experience.

The Hummingbird's Daughter - Luis Alberto Urrea

A wild story re-creating Mexico in the 1880s. An excellent writter. The Saint of Cabora, a relative of the author, is documented in this historical novel. A most interesting woman and time. An historical novel which has been researched in great detail. One of those books that really transports you into another time. The people come to life. The time seems so long ago as the world around northern Mexico was changing so rapidly. It both makes the reader want be there to experience the relaxed life and yet fear the dangers that existed.

Notes from a Small Island - Bill Bryson

Another of Bryson's casual tales of his travels- this time around Britain. He obviously enjoys Britain much more than America and this book is as positive as his Lost Continent book is negative. It is hard to believe that he can find more pleasure in the wet and barren countryside than he can in Yosemite, but he does. While I haven't been to Great Britain, the book is not as enjoyable of a read as his others. Perhaps if you enjoy British TV shows, you will find more pleasure than I in this book.

The Lost Continent - Bill Bryson

Funny and cynical tale of his travels around America 20 years after leaving the country. Bryson has an easy to read style. I laughed reading this book, although he certainly has trouble finding enjoyment in his travels around the country. Enjoyable light read, especially if you want to share a critical take on America.