by Haven Kimmel

• The Solace of Leaving Early by Haven Kimmel
• She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel
• Something Rising (Light and Swift): A Novel by Haven Kimmel

These are the books by Haven Kimmel I have read in the last month. She is one of the few authors I read all the way to then end and then read the acknowledgements. Love her! If you haven't read her you should. A Girl Named Zippy and She Got Up Off the Couch are memiors, but she also have 4 novels (I've only read two so far). She has a wonderful sense of humor - wry, dry, with sarcasm (of course).

eat, pray, love - Elizabeth Gilbert

Someone gave me this book to read, I don't know who anymore. It sat on my shelf for months and I finally picked it up. I knew nothing about it other than that it seem popular these days. I think I saw it for sale at Sam's Club - a good indication a book is a bestseller.

Reading this book was so easy - the style of prose, the short "beads" for each of the 108 articles. Easy to pick up and put down. Reading about her divorce reminded me so much of mine - the despair, fighting, and sense of guilt for being the one to leave. Reading about her experiences, I thought I had forgiven my ex, but can you forgive someone if you still hate them? I know I have not fully forgiven myself - I don't feel guilt/shame for leaving, I feel the shame of having been there in the first place and been there so long. It's not something I think about much, but when I do, it's in the middle of the night. This book was so easy to read, but it's leaving me wondering where do I go next.

This book may be about one year of living abroad and finding yourself. It's also about finding out what is important to you. What is it that makes you want to get up and face the day? What are the things you do to yourself that keep you from doing those things?

Those are things I need to think about.

The Accidental Masterpiece: On the Art of Life and Vice Versa

The idea sounded good - an art critic talking about art and making it relevant to every day life. In practice, it was hit or miss. If I had reviewed the book 50 pages or even 111 pages in, I would have said it made great bedtime reading. I could barely focus on the pages and several times I found myself re-reading a section because I had not remembered a thing. At least 3 times I started reading and 2 pages later realized I had read that before. I was then able to skip ahead 10 or 20 pages.

Then somewhere around half way, I found myself actually enjoying the reading. It never made me want to keep reading when I was tired or make me think, I wish I could go start reading it. But I was no longer forcing myself to read it. At this point, it turned almost travelogue or adventure story. I believe the first chapter was about taking pictures in Antarctica on ill-fated journeys and one of the last was about traveling to artists making art in remote places.

While I don't recommend it for everyone, I think it gives insight into an artist's mind - which apparently sometimes bores me to tears.

A History of the World in 6 Glasses - Tom Standage

After looking through the bibliography of The Ghost Map, I decide to read A History of the World in 6 Glasses - and someone was nice enough to give it to me for Christmas. It really is a world history from ancient times to current. It all starts with beer - which was apparently a main currency back in the day. Everyone was given a ration, even slaves. As time went on, wine took on a larger role - increasing it's influence as the cultivation of grapes improved. Helping this trend along is that aged wine can improve where aged beer is not considered a delicacy. The discovery of the New World and the resulting slave trade and sugar production moved spirits (originally rum from the waste of sugar production) to the forefront. Not only was it cost effective to use the waste from the sugar process, it was smaller to transport back to Africa, where it was prized as the most efficient way to get drunk. The Age of Reason required everyone to sober up, so coffee and the coffeehouses moved to ahead - stimulating conversation rather than rowdy behavior and sleep. The British love for tea helped them become a world power, based on the antibacterial properties and the need to boil the water. And finally Coca-Cola - which did indeed (and incidentally still does) contain ingredients from the plant that is used for cocaine - is the best known brand in the world and made it there through the rise of the USA as the superpower. Reading this concise history made me look at things in a new light and gave me a better understanding of each area in history.

I would recommend this book, let me know if you want to borrow it.

The Blind Side - Michael Lewis

I'll admit it, I do enjoy football. I have probably watched 80% of the Sundays for 17 of the last 19 seasons - and with DirecTV NFL Pass, that is a lot of games. In all that time, I have heard the announcers talk about "West Coast Offense", "nickel and dime", etc., but I'll be honest, I didn't have a clue what they were talking about. I grew up with the legend of Joe Montana and Bill Walsh - and let me tell you, I am still sick of hearing about the 49ers. I have lamented the declining ability of players to actually TACKLE - all this shoving and pushing, bring the man down already.

The Blind Side helped me understand all of it and I am looking forward to watching for the left side tackle in the Super Bowl this Sunday. The Blind Side tells the story of the growing importance of the left side tackle position on the offensive line (and before this book, I knew that was a position but that was about it...). It starts with Lawrence Taylor (LT) and the new move to sack the quarterback. Before this book, I had assumed the sack statistic had been around since the dawn of football. Now, I know that it was invented after LT came to play. The topic sounds boring, but Lewis finds a way to intersperse the history of the game with the story of Michael Oher. Michael is being groomed to be a left side tackle and the story of how it happened is heartbreaking.

I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down. It will have a home in the library, and more importantly, I think it will change how I watch football.

Happiest Toddler on the Block - Harvey Karp, MD

Interesting ideas. I haven't put all of them to work yet, but I am going to suggest my husband read it. Hopefully, that will make me less embarrassed to try Toddler-ese and Fast Food Talk.

Another review of this book took issue with the use of evolution of man to convey the developments going on in a toddler. While I don't have any issues with using evolution to convey the ideas behind the strategies and tactics, I did get sick of that portion of the book. I was ready to move on to the techniques. I should have just skipped ahead.

It will go on the bookshelf until we make it out of the toddler years - what only 4 more years of this???

A Perfect Red - Amy Butler Greenfield

This was one of two books a friend traveled across the country to share with me. I am so glad she did. I would never have picked up this book on my own. I have a terrible time finding non-fiction works that are interesting - unless they are recommended. I look at the table of books and decide something looks good. Then when I get it home, I have a hard time getting to my 100 page allowed stopping point.

Greenfield does a wonderful job of describing the importance of the color red throughout history and the different compounds used to create it. With a focus on the cochineal originating in Mexico, this book covers the fortunes of Spain and the industry itself. Weaving the domestication of cochineal with the efforts of other countries to destroy Spain's monopoly, the book moves quickly. there were very few sections of the book where I was willing to put it down. Yes, I could stop at the chapters, but I only once put it down while in the middle of a chapter.

I highly recommend this book - and if I didn't have to send it back to its owner, I would keep it in the library. I will be recommending it to my mother for her book club. With their focus on women authors and a mix of fiction and non-fiction, this book will give them much to discuss.

Reading on bed rest... (10 books)

Finished prior to bed rest...

• The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd - ok / fun, probably wouldn't read again
• The End Of The Dream The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up - Ann Rule - ok, not stellar

Bed rest... (8 books in 4 days?)

• Dead Even / Dead End - Mariah Stewart - end of a series I started a while ago - fun, repeating characters - big cast
• Cold Truth / Hard Truth / Dark Truth / Final Truth - Mariah Stewart - a different series, ties in with the "Dead ..." series from same author - same recurring characters - although I needed to switch authors after this set, I knew the "shocking" turn in the Final Truth book when it started 2 books earlier
  
• Heartbreaker - Julie Garwood - good, fun - page turner
• In Silence - Erica Spindler - fun, easy - got sucked in
  

I'll probably continue with the brain candy reading. I know I have some highly recommended ones on my to read list, but I'm not sure if I want anything that makes me do more than look for the next plot turn / twist.

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books - Azar Nafisi

This month's book club selection was one I had heard about but never really had on my own personal reading list. It was nothing like I expected. It's part literary criticism, part Iran history book and part memoir. I never thought much about life in Iran or what daily life must be like in a country ruled by Islamic militants. I don't think about what it would be like to live through the transition from a more liberal rule to a more militant one. In some ways, I like to pretend that it doesn't happen - that people aren't so cruel.

I know I live in freedom, but I don't think about all the ways I am free. Free to think, free to act, free to talk to strangers on the street, free to work at home or in the office, free to wear the clothes I want, free to travel, free to learn, free to read, free from fear. This book makes me appreciate what I do have.

On the other hand, it also made me miss one of the things that I don't have - discussions about books that go beyond the superficial, "I liked it." Discussions that are all about one particular passage or ones that compare the heroine in one book to the heroine in another book. Discussions that talk about the parallels between the book and current events, the role of women in society vs. books, the role of men. It made me want to read Nabokov, James, Austen. But it also made me feel like I would be missing something to just read them alone and not discuss them. Maybe I need to find my own literature class - not just a book group.

Since it is borrowed, this book will go back. Otherwise, it would go on the shelf. I could see rereading sections - at least as I tackle those classics.

Autobiography of a Face - Lucy Grealy

This book is a companion to Truth & Beauty - the book that Lucy Grealy wrote about her experiences with cancer and how it shaped the rest of her life. It was interesting to see Lucy through her own eyes vs. those of Ann Patchett. Reading Ann's book, I often wondered how you could have a friend that was needy all the time. Reading Lucy's book, I could see being friends with her.

The prose of this novel showed the poet in Lucy - the precision of language. But it was also interesting to see the things she left out of her life story and the things Patchett's book added. This book focused more on her childhood and the many surgeries to reconstruct her jaw. In the later years, Lucy doesn't mention how she supports herself or how she survives from one surgery to the next. I think that if you read one of these two books, you should really read the other. It will make you think of her in a different light.

It'll go on the shelf for now. It might go out in the next purge depending on how I feel about it then.

Arc of Justice - Kevin Boyle

Having grown up in the latter part of the 20th century, I have always found it hard to believe what was acceptable behaviour in the early part of the 1900s. This book reminded me how much I don't know about the time leading up to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It is always amazing to me what man can do to fellow man, especially when they are hidden in a mob of people. The book covers the case of a black/colored/African-American doctor who moves to a neighborhood of white/Caucasian near Detroit. When someone in his house shoots out into the mob about to storm his house, all 11 of the people in the house are arrested on conspiracy to commit murder and murder.

Boyle does a good job of introducing each character (although sometimes it is bit too lengthy), giving their background and presumed motivation. This does break up the flow of the main story and I found myself putting the book down in the midst of some character background and not feeling the urge to pick it up again. However, once the NAACP gets involved, the pace really picks up; the back stories are more succinct and don't interfere with the flow as much.

A very interesting book and one I think I'll be passing on and then possibly giving to the library. This is a book that deserves to be read.

Early-start Potty Training - Linda Sonna, Ph.D.

Can you imagine potty training a 3 month old, a 6 month old? This books gives you an idea how it's done. But heck, I am not sure I can do that. However, I wanted to start my own son on his way to diaper independence. This book gives you the encouragement you need to start, no matter the age of your child. Of course, my only goal on finishing is to be done by the time he's 2.

I am sure it will stick around until after #2 makes it out of diapers. Of course, since we are just starting this week, I have no idea how effective the advice is yet.

Salt: A World History - Mark Kurlansky

This sounded so good - a book about how Salt was used around the world and how it impacted history. This is one of the few books I am giving up on 100 pages or so in. I found the information interesting, but the narrative was very choppy. I have enjoyed non-fiction more lately, so I was surprised by my negative reaction to the book. It felt more like a text book - in 1500 the Venetian government did XXX or in 600 BC the Chinese did XXX. I didn't see the story line - the thread that tied it all together.

I was supposed to read it for book group tonight, but I just don't think it is worth the effort. If the other folks loved it, maybe I'll give it another go. Otherwise, into the donate pile (I might even send it off to the desert).

Assassination Vacation - Sarah Vowell

There is just something about history that pulls me in these days. Maybe it is that I am reading authors who make the journey to the past more personal (Assassination Vacation) or read more like a bad melodrama (Peace to End All Peace), but I have enjoyed the history books this year.

In Assassination Vacation, Vowell travels from Illinois to DC, with tromps around New York to look at the places and pieces of the assassinations of Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. It is funny to think that there is a museum with a piece of Lincoln's skull or that there isn't even a plaque where Garfield was shot. Or to think that part of the defense for Garfield's murderer was something to the effect of "I just shot him, the doctors killed him."

It's also interesting to see that someone does stop and look at all of those plaque's around DC and that someone knows who the different statues are around NY. Since I am planning a trip to NY, there was a part of me that wanted to take notes so I could see what she was writing about. Then, I came to my senses.

And, I loved reading the stories of taking her 3 year old nephew to the sites; reading about his talking about skeletons and crypts. Amazing what these kids pick up these days.

A fun book. I would probably keep it in the library, but I should probably return it to the person who let me borrow it.

A Peace to End All Peace - David Fromkin

I first heard of this book in an article about understanding the anger and resentment in the Middle East - it listed the book as recommended by Madeleine Albright and Pres. Clinton. I kept it in the back of my mind and then it arrived as a gift from a friend who recently visit Turkey. Figuring that it would take a little time to read, I started it and planned to read other things along with it to lighten the mood. Little did I know I would be sucked in so quickly; thinking about what was going to happen next and how it would result in the Middle East we know and fear today.

It is truly amazing to me the number of intelligence mistakes made, and really at what point do you stop calling it "intelligence". The number of people with different objectives, each one playing the other for their own gain, and that is just the people in the British foreign office! Once you add in the intrigues of the people of the Ottoman Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Greece, it is a wonder that any policy was accomplished.

I was frequently talking about this book with others around me - family, friends, co-workers, people on the plane. The writing is engaging and covered a period of history I was unfamiliar with, since we always seemed to end the school year just as WWI was beginning. This book covers the Middle East only and now I am interested to learn the Western Front side of WWI. I know the horror and despair caused by trench warfare directly related to the decisions made in the Middle East and I want to know more.

An excellent book that I will keep in the library. I can imagine reading it again - there is just so much I missed the first time through.

Take the Canolli - Sarah Vowell

This book accompanied me to my Aunt Marcella's funeral, as well. I heard her on NPR a few years ago and she was cracking me up, so I looked up some of her books. People had left good reviews, so I ordered Take the Canolli. Then it sat on my shelf while other books caught my attention. Needing something light for the trip, I packed it along.

One morning, I found myself hanging out in Starbucks, waiting for my Aunt Joyce to wake up for our morning walk on the beach. Seated between some professors and a sleeping student, I listened to dance music and found myself laughing out loud. I didn't even mind the stares. The beginning of this book was laugh out loud funny. I found myself talking it up to complete strangers (as well as my family). As the book progressed, it turned to more grin and amusement from its laugh out loud origins. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Vowell.

This will be staying in the library (and for that matter, I sent it as a Christmas gift). We are reading Assassination Vacation for book club in January, I can't wait.

The Lemon Tree - Sandy Tolan

This was the first book club book I ever went to the meeting for where I had not read the book. The lone woman who read it inspired me to give it a chance. A friend got it from the library and I borrowed it.

The concept of the book was great - telling the story of the Israel / Palestine conflict through two families who lived in the same house; the Palestinian one who built it and the Israeli one who later moved into it. I thought I wanted to know the history of Israel - to understand why the conflict never seems to get better. Faced with the mess the British started and that the rest of the world allowed to happen, I can't believe that it hasn't been worse. What country would allow immigration to cause a 50% population increase in a matter of a few years?

Reading the history (I only made it to the early '70s) was extremely depressing. I can't believe how many stupid moves both sides have made. The Israelis couldn't have done much more to breed hatred and the Palestinians couldn't have done more to focus on what they lost, not on what they still had. Maybe if I had read the entire book, I wouldn't have such a pessimistic view of the situation, but based on my reading, I have no faith this conflict will end.

The book has been returned to the library. Maybe, some day, I'll try it again.

Omnivore's Delimma– Michael Pollan

Another hard cover book for book club - this year's "One Book" for UC Davis. Since it is the UC Davis Alumni book club, they feel obligated to read the "One book" each year. If only the UC Davis folks would pick something cheaper. Yes, I know, I really need to start getting these books from the library.

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book; learning about the evil of corn. Cheap corn has become the cornerstone of the US food supply and the implications it has on the environment and the nutritional value of our foods are staggering. Can you imagine trying to engineer carnivorous salmon to eat corn? Did you realize that the amount of omega-3 in beef has declined and the level of omega-6 increased as beef have been fed corn rather then the grass intended for them? How many of the tongue-twisters on your ingredient list are traced back to corn?

From there it progressed to how the definition of organic was decided and how that definition now allows for organic farms that deplete the soil almost as much as the big business farms. From there it moves to a sustainable farm. Unfortunately, there are no solutions, just more questions. The sustainable farm was enlightening, but even Pollan states it isn't feasible to feed the entire country this way. Who would want to go from being a corn farmer, working only a portion of the year with the aid of tractors, and convert to one where you work day and night - moving chickens and cows while planting a variety of crops to rotate?

The book was great when it was discussing factory farming, the rise of big business "organic", the ideal of a sustainable farm, but falls when it reaches the hunting and gathering section. Pollan seems to have a lost his message when he learns to hunt and works on identifying edible mushrooms - there were still interesting facts, but it was hard to get through the psycho-babble.

It has changed my eating habits, I am trying to do a better job buying organic - thinking about what I am eating and where it came from.

I've already passed the book on to a friend, and I think several friends are sick of me talking about the evil of corn.

Honeymoon with My Brother - Franz Wisner

I already wanted to travel before I read this book - but now I REALLY want to travel. I already have times when I want to quit my job and find a way to live without one, but this book made me REALLY want to throw it all away. Of course, I don't have a $77K bonus to fund my travels or a house I can make $250K selling... so I guess I will have to continue dreaming.

This book reminded me of my friend Melodie - she actually did this. Took a year off and visited the world - ok, not sure about South America... Of course, when she came back to work, the work travel was too much - she just wanted to stay home.

The style of writing reminded me of the e-mail messages she would broadcast to friends - that she still broadcasts on her blog. The kind of writing that makes you feel like you need to pack a small bag and go see the world. The kind of writing that makes even the scary times (robbed or held at knife point) seem like humorous stories to tell at a party later.

I'll pass this one on the friends and see if it comes back. If it does, I'll keep it. I don't know if I can have this kind of inspiration in my house all the time.

Seabiscuit - Laura Hillenbrand

Yes, even though I have yet to finish the requirements document )because I decided to go back and analyze it before I bothered to finish the first pass), I read Seabiscuit in my spare time. I love well written non-fiction. The first part of the book took me a little while to read - a day or two, but then I couldn't put it down. Hillenbrand did a wonderful job of mixing information about horse racing, the time period, and the characters. It flowed nicely - I even found myself reading sections aloud to Higgy while I read - always a good sign.

I know I skimmed over some of the details, so I look forward to reading this book again. Hopefully, she will find the energy and interest to write another one.

Oh - and more posts should be coming - I had a productive trip to the store - one Dean Koontz, 2 L.E. Modesitt's, a Laurie King, and the first book in a series by David Webber that Higgy recommended.