The Corrections

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Finished June 2nd, 2008

Rating: 3/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #12



Barnes & Noble Synopsis

The narrative focuses on three critical months in the history of the Lambert family, longtime residents of the fictional midwestern city of St. Jude. Albert, the patriarch, is a once-formidable figure whose frequent rages and implacable rectitude have dominated life in the Lambert household for nearly 50 years. As the novel begins, Albert had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Against the perfectly articulated background of his physical and mental deterioration, Enid -- Albert's long-suffering, perpetually dissatisfied wife -- develops a single, overriding obsession: to see her scattered family return to St. Jude for one last Christmas together.

The bulk of the story depicts the disordered lives of the three departed Lambert children: Gary, a grasping, increasingly unhappy investment banker with family troubles of his own; Chip, a former professor and failed screenwriter who drifts into a dangerous, highly illegal investment scam in economically depressed Lithuania; and Denise, a gifted chef lost in a maze of sexual confusion and "moral chaos." In time, and by various circuitous routes, all three will find their way to that climactic Christmas in St. Jude, and to a final confrontation with the ghosts of the past, a confrontation that is painful, tragic, and liberating, all at once.


I found that this book was all over the place. The story jumps between characters and from past to present but with very little fluency. I didn't see the point of most of the storyline and didn't like the characters or plot. I didn't take anything away from the book after finishing it, I would suggest skipping this one.

May 2008 Reads

15. The Birth House by Ami McKay - Rating: 9
[2008 TBR Challenge]

16. Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald - Rating: 7
[Book Awards Challenge]

17. Peony in Love by Lisa See - Rating: 7
[2008 TBR Challenge]


New Authors Read = 2
Male Authors = 0
Female Authors = 3

Peony in Love

Peony in Love by Lisa See

Finished May 23rd, 2008

Rating: 7/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge #2



From the Publisher
For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, these lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Peony’s mother is against her daughter’s attending the production: “Unmarried girls should not be seen in public.” But Peony’s father assures his wife that proprieties will be maintained, and that the women will watch the opera from behind a screen. Yet through its cracks, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave–and is immediately overcome with emotion.

So begins Peony’s unforgettable journey of love and destiny, desire and sorrow–as Lisa See’s haunting new novel, based on actual historical events, takes readers back to seventeenth-century China, after the Manchus seize power and the Ming dynasty is crushed.


The story took a turn I was not expecting at all and at first I really didn't like the turn it took. As the story progesses I started to appreciate where the author takes the story. The book is rich in Chinese traditions and customs which I found fascinating. While it isn't as good as Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, it is still a solid book and I rated it as good.

Chick Lit Challenge

I have been limiting the number of challenges that I sign up for as I don't have much time to read with a newborn baby. But I couldn't resist signing up for this one as it has been a while since I have read some good chick lit.

Debi is hosting this challenge and the rules can be found by clicking here.

The 3 books I have chosen for this challenge are:

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

Fall on Your Knees

Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Finished May 14th, 2008

Rating: 7/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #11



Synopsis
The Piper family is steeped in secrets, lies, and unspoken truths. At the eye of the storm is one secret that threatens to shake their lives -- even destroy them.

Set on stormy Cape Breton Island off Nova Scotia, Fall on Your Knees is an internationally acclaimed multigenerational saga that chronicles the lives of four unforgettable sisters. Theirs is a world filled with driving ambition, inescapable family bonds, and forbidden love.

Compellingly written, by turns menacingly dark and hilariously funny, this is an epic tale of five generations of sin, guilt, and redemption.


I had my ups and downs with this book. At times I really liked it and other times, not so much. I am not sure about the writing style as I felt confused at times reading the book. I had to re-read certain parts to make sure I understood what the author was trying to say. In the end the book did come together for me but the journey there had too many downs for me to rate it higher than a 7.

The Birth House

The Birth House by Ami McKay

Finished May 3rd, 2008

Rating: 9/10

2008 To Be Read (TBR) Challenge #1

Barnes & Noble Synopsis
The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare, the first daughter to be born in five generations of Rares. As a child in an isolated village in Nova Scotia, she is drawn to Miss Babineau, an outspoken Acadian midwife with a gift for healing. Dora becomes Miss B.’s apprentice, and together they help the women of Scots Bay through infertility, difficult labours, breech births, unwanted pregnancies and even unfulfilling sex lives. Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, The Birth House is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.


I was drawn to this book after I had my baby, as I was interested in reading more about midwifery. I thought the book was excellent. I really enjoyed the plot and writing style of the author, I especially liked how the author used different means to tell the story such as newspaper articles and ads, etc.

April 2008 Reads

11. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - Rating: 8
[Book Awards Challenge]

12. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt - Rating: 6
[Book Awards Challenge]

13. Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy - Rating: 8

14. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry - Rating: 9
[Book Awards Challenge]

New Authors Read = 3
Male Authors = 1
Female Authors = 3

Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Finished April 23rd, 2008

Rating: 9/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #10




Barnes & Noble Synopsis
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.


I read "The Giver" by Lowry last year for the Dystopian Challenge and loved it, so thought I would give this book a try for the Book Awards Challenge.

This is the 3rd book in the last 2 months that I have read that is set during World War II and was my favourite that I read. Lowry manages to take a very complex subject and write it in an elegant and simplistic nature which makes the message she is trying to convery all the more powerful. I really enjoy Lowry's writing style and am looking forward to reading more.

Baby Laughs

Baby Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

Finished April 21st, 2008

Rating: 8/10





Having a 2 and a half month old baby made me pick up this book. It was quite humorous as she describes all of the things moms go through during the first year. It was little crass at times but otherwise a quick, light read where you will find yourself laughing as well as nodding your head in agreement since it is easy to relate to as a mom.

Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

Finished April 18th, 2008

Rating: 6/10

Book Awards Reading Challenge Book #9



This book started out fast and furious as the author jumped right into it telling his life story. I wasn't too keen on the writing style at first however as I started to get further into the book I did enjoy it a little more.

I found myself comparing the book to a similar Memoir "The Glass Castle" where the family also struggles to make ends meet and whose father also has a drinking problem and spends his earnings (when he does have a job) on alcohol. I didn't enjoy this book as much as The Glass Castle due to the writing style.

The book ends when Frank is 19 so I guess there must be a sequel to continue his story however I don't think I will be picking it up anytime soon.