Did you miss me?

Since my last posting I've read a lot of good books, but only today am I impressed enough to write about not just one, but two books that I'd like to recommend. Oddly enough, they're both about boys.
The first one is classified as for "young adults" which I'm decidedly not, but it doesn't say that older persons can't read and enjoy it too. The name of the book is Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz (2009). The story is about a high school student who is really messed up emotionally, and because of his heavy drinking is sent to a rehab place to dry out and hopefully gain some insight into his own actions. The "monster" referred to in the title is the fear that lives within this young man and serves to isolate him from those who would care about him. I want you to find out about this story on your own, so I'm telling you very little, except that there are many characters that you come to care about, and though there are tears awaiting you at the end of the book, they're tears of joy. And the author's picture at the back of the book shows him with a smile so captivating that you simply have to smile back.
The other book is What I Was by Meg Rosoff (2007). When I finished it, I said aloud to myself "What a magnificent book!". This, too, is about a fairly young boy, but it's set in England. There's not much "English" about it other than boarding school. This boy is a bit of a misfit and is happier alone than with his peers. He comes across another boy away from the school and this boy seems to represent all that our main character wants to be. The book is so well written and enjoyable throughout. You'll never suspect what's awaiting you near the end, so read it and find out.

It's Simply Beautiful

I just finished Paula, written by Isabel Allende, and translated from the Spanish by Margaret Sayers Peden (1995). This book has just about everything. The main story is about not the death of, but the dying of Ms Allende's adult daughter. During the daughter's hospitalization, the mother (who was already a successful and famous writer) began writing her family history for the daughter to read when she awakens from her coma. Much of the story takes place in Chile, Venezuela or other South American countries. There's quite a bit of well-told history, as well as romance, betrayal, superstition, spirituality, hope and despair. It's a beautifully written book. If you haven't read it, you're missing a wonderful story of the love between a mother and daughter.

A Relationship

But not, as you might guess, between a man and a woman. This relationship is between a woman and a coyote. It's a true story, and it's wonderful! The book is The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton (2008). In it, she tells the story of moving to a small town in Wyoming, and being given a tiny coyote pup. Not only is Ms Stockton an excellent writer, she's also a photographer, and the book is filled with pictures of the animal and of the Wyoming countryside. I enjoyed every image and every word of it.

Ah yes, it's Barbara again....

If you've read any of my previous posts, you know that I have undying admiration for Barbara Kingsolver. Well, I just re-read The Poisonwood Bible (1998), and am absolutely awed by this woman's talent. I strongly urge you to read it if you haven't, or to re-read it for pure pleasure. As a slight refresher, here's just a hint of it. The story is that of a family who is moved to a tiny village in Africa as the choice of the father who is a preacher turned missionary. There are five voices in the book: the mother, the eldest daughter, the tomboy twin, the handicapped twin (another girl), and the youngest girl, who is about five.
Each time any one of the characters tell a segment of the story, it is told perfectly in that person's voice. The females get older, but the essence of each remains the same.
There's a lot of heartbreak in the story, but only because this magnificent writer makes us care so much.

A Favorite Author

Anna Quindlen is such a good writer. I always enjoy her books, and this last one borrowed from Marilyn, is no exception. The book is Rise and Shine (2006). In it, she tells a story of two sisters, orphaned at an early age, who each went on to be successful in her chosen field, but always remained fiercely loyal to each other. The eldest is a celebrity TV personality and lives that horrible life of always being in the spotlight. The younger woman runs a center for helping women and children escape from poverty and abuse. They are modern women, funny, and frank, and outspoken --- sometimes to their detriment. It's a good story and well-told, with some truely loveable characters.

About as good as it gets

I enjoyed reading every word in the third one of the books loaned by Marilyn.
The book is Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan, self-published in 1991, then picked up by HarperCollins. In it, she, an American woman, tells the true story of visiting Australia and being invited to go on a walkabout with the Aborigines. She had been working with half-caste, suicidal adults in a major city on one side of Australia when she was invited to come to the coast on the other side of the continent to meet with a group of true Aborigines. She was expecting to simply address them; instead, she was invited to shed her clothing, put on a robe, and go walkabout with them. Wearing high heels, yet! The shoes quickly fell apart, and her bare feet finally toughened up. They walked across Australia in approximately three months, with no water and no food. She learned to eat unusual things, and that water can be found if you know where to look. The most treasured part of the experience was the spiritual growth and understanding of these persons who call themselves "The real people"
How much did I like this book? Enough that I instantly went to Amazon.com and bought my own copy.

And the next...

What a change from the previous book! This one was Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs (2002). The book is a memoir, but it's hard for me to believe that people could actually behave as they are said to have done. Everyone in the book is nuts! The least nuts is the kid who is telling the story, but some of his screws could probably use a little tightening as well. He has horrible parents (one is certifiable, the other an icicle), and as if they're not bad enough, he is placed in the custody of a psychiatrist who should have been locked in a padded cell.
I was uncomfortable in reading details of the first homosexual encounter, and didn't enjoy reading about the psychiatrist's delight in displaying his bowel movements. Nonetheless, It's a good book, and well written. We just don't have to believe it.