May Book Bracket
May started off slowly on the reading front, but the availability of audiobooks for chore-time at home helped me keep those numbers high. This month was definitely heavy on audio, but I hope my commitment to reading more of the books I own already will pay off in the next few months.
A Short History of the World According to Sheep, by Sally Coulthard**
This book covers different developments in societies, laws, and culture that were prompted in some way by the interaction of mankind with sheep.
Why I picked it up: I got Audible back, and this one was available for free. I'd enjoyed nonfiction works like this before, and I wanted to give it a try.
My impressions: Though there were some interesting points to ponder in this work, it was a book that I was considering putting down halfway through because I just wasn't really invested in it. Yeah, I guess I was learning things, like the varying qualities that make different kinds of sheep wool desirable, or how important spinning and knitting were to preindustrial society, but it wasn't gripping enough to make me feel like it was a good use of my listening time. I eventually decided to finish it, but mostly for the sake of saying I finished it. Later in the book, the information moved away from sheep specifically and focused more heavily on the industrialization of society and the role mechanized manufacture of cloth had to play in it. I skipped most of the last chapter because it started with talking about prostitutes in France and I really didn't want to hear where or how that connected with sheep. I won't say there's nothing to be gained from this book, but I didn't like it enough to recommend it.
Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat with the Female Doctors of the Church, by Vinita Hampton Wright
A spiritual director and speaker takes readers through a personal retreat of daily readings and questions by reflecting on the four female Doctors of the Church.
Why I picked it up: A friend in one of my book groups picked up a copy at a retreat she attended and was excited to read it with us.
My impressions: This book was a nice sort of do-at-home Catholic retreat book, but one that's more likely to appeal to women than to men. I can't say that I gave it the full reflection time that was recommended, and I certainly did not do all the activities that were part of the process, but it contained some good reflections. I think the author did a good job of picking a particular focus for each of the four saints, and she drew from their respective works. I got the feeling that the author did much reflecting and put a lot of work into this book. I think it's important to remember that there's so much more that we can learn from these women than what's in these pages. Unfortunately, I'm writing this review a week or so after I finished reading, and I didn't write notes in the book as I went. I do know that I had some great discussion with the friends I read this with, including topics such as the tension between the effort we put into growing in holiness, versus the work God does in us towards that end. I liked that this book, although more likely to appeal to women, doesn't feel like it's just for women. It asks retreatants to do some solid reflecting, and I love it when a female-oriented Catholic event or product feels like it has some theological heft to it, like what I might expect to see in something marketed for Catholic men. It's a good do-at-home retreat type of book, but I do wonder what will become of it if/when more women are elevated to the status of "Doctor of the Church." I think this book would appeal more to women, but I think men can benefit from this book, as well.
Silverwing, by Kenneth Oppel
Shade, the runt of his bat colony, finds adventure, friends, and hungry foes as he loses his way to the hibernation cave of his colony of silverwing bats.
Why I picked it up: Someone recommended this book at the very first Beverages and Books event we hosted, and it has lived on my to-read list ever since. I found it for cheap at public library's store and decided to try it out after Lent.
My impressions: This is a weird book. There were elements of it that I liked, including exciting scrapes and close encounters with disaster that the main characters manage to navigate. I rarely had any ideas about what would happen next. There is a sweep of almost epic proportions in this tale, with disintegrating relationships between different species of animals and mysterious interactions with humans creating a sense of high stakes for the reader. However, it was, at times, a gruesome and somewhat bizarre tale. There are some myths that contribute to worldbuilding, and it was fine so long as the bat gods referenced in the myths were merely the substance of legend. However, things got a little eerie when it seemed like there was a possibility that there were functioning bat gods in this fantasy universe. Also, it was a bit of a clash with the setting, in which there are modern cities and scientists roaming as well. There was also an encounter with a sort of cult-like bat group that really weirded me out. Some sections were creepy and some were kind of gross, but I did want to know how the story ended. There wasn't a really satisfying conclusion, because this is apparently the first book of a trilogy. I went ahead and read the detailed synopses of the next two books...and I would say, don't spend your reading time on this strange book or the ones that follow it.
Dragon Slippers, by Jessica Day George**
A girl seeks her fortune as a prospective seamstress in her nation's capitol - but her plans become inextricably entwined with the fate of long-forgotten dragons.
Why I picked it up: When looking at what options were available on Audible for free, I found out that this authors Tuesdays at the Castle series was only for purchase - but this fantasy series was available!
My impressions: After a slow start that was strongly reminiscent of the Dealing with Dragons series by Patricia Wrede, the story came into its own and achieved a climactic ending. I was not impressed by the first 20% of the story or so, and considered putting it down. It played with the "dragon steals fair maiden" trope in a way that had me thinking of Dealing with Dragons way too much, comparing and contrasting one with the other. The main character, Creel, has some distinctive personality traits at the beginning, but I think she has some subtle development as the story progresses, and it's neat to think of her development being less pronounced rather than in-your-face. The world-building is pretty good, but I was uncomfortable with her term for her people's gods, and, frankly, I think the story could have done with even less explanations of her religion than were present - and there wasn't a ton on that front. I liked the characters, but I think that this book would not be interesting to boys - especially once the book hits the seamstress storyline hard in the middle. I imagine some girls would love the luscious gown descriptions, and I enjoyed it, myself, but it's certainly a story element that is just not going to jive with every reader - even when the stakes rise higher and some exciting action starts happening. Some characters are gossipy, and Creel is more physically aggressive at times than I expected, but the main plot is pretty interesting, especially as one gets farther into the story. There's some romance, and nothing that would be considered scandalous, but there are some comments here and there that focus perhaps a little much on the physical/visual elements of being attracted to someone. Alchemy is discussed in the book, but the author doesn't go into depth about how alchemy works - it's just the magic of this particular world. There is some discussion of stealing which isn't really resolved in a satisfactory way, but it's primarily in one portion of the story. I think middle school girls would be fine reading this book, but it doesn't hurt parents to know what's in the story. Boys could appreciate more of the dragons and action, less of the sewing and dress designing.
The Birchbark House, by Louise Erdrich
Omakayas, a girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives the rhythm of a year in the company of her family, learning the traditions and, when winter comes, fighting a devastating illness.
Why I picked it up: This book was recommended somewhere - it was mentioned as a Native American perspective on the time in which the Little House on the Prairie books takes place.
My impressions: The beginning of the story really had me thinking this would be a story told in the style of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, just from an Indian perspective, but it turned out to be far grimmer and sadder than I anticipated. There's some heavy stuff in this book - including death, serious illness, and depression. It is even mentioned that one character tried to die by his own hand after the loss of a loved one - it is covered in a single paragraph, but that's still a heavy topic to throw out there in a kid's book. Stylistically, there are indeed similarities to the Wilder books, such as the illustrations, the description of life, in its wonder and hardships and family relations and daily tasks, but it just didn't have the same cozy feel as the Little House books. Perhaps it is because there is a looming sense of potential loss at the hands of white people running as an undercurrent through the story. There are some endearing parts, for sure, but also a few creepy stories. Missionaries are mentioned periodically, but Omakayas' family certainly embraces Native American beliefs and spirituality, so parents might want to be aware of that. I considered if I wanted to continue reading the series, but decided against it because it wasn't a delightful read and there are other books I'd much rather read. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it because of the heavy content in parts, but some more mature students could read this, maybe in upper elementary or middle school.
Dragon Flight, by Jessica Day George**
The second book in the series about Creel, a girl who befriended dragons and now must help save her country by investigating reports of dragons being trained to attack her homeland.
Why I picked it up: I enjoyed the ending of the first book in the series, and wanted to find out what happened next.
My impressions: This book is more likely to be enjoyed by boys than the original book was, as it has plenty of spying, dragon action, and daring feats, but there's still an emphasis on relationships, upcoming weddings, and Creel's slow burn with her love interest that keeps this book, perhaps, more solidly in the realm of works likely to be enjoyed by girls. Creel's personality has solidified by this point in the series, and it was fun from the get-go to see how she's not afraid to take charge. She's hotheaded and often on the edge of saying something that will likely upset the authority in the room, but she's brave and clever and likeable. There are more comments in this book about the visual side of attraction - guys commenting how nice girls look in foreign pantaloon-style outfits, a girl saying she'll consider how a guy looks shirtless later on, etc., than in the first book - so that's something to be aware of. It's not scandalous by any means, but not quite as squeaky-clean as some books are when they have romance in them. There's still seamstress activities and clothing descriptions, but not nearly as much as in the first book, so the balance feels better there. The issue of stealing which was not addressed particularly in the first book comes back around in this tale, as do discussions of politics that are enough to world-build, but not overwhelming. This book felt more balanced than the first one, with the exception of a denouement that goes on really long. It's still interesting and necessary for wrapping up the story, but the big fight happens quite a distance from the ending of the tale. Middle school readers would probably be the best match in age for this book.
Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, by Maryanne Wolf**
A researcher on reading and the brain explains the history of reading written words as well as what happens in the brain when people read - or struggle to read.
Why I picked it up: This book has professional interest for me. Even though I've read it before, I decided it would be good to review it before I moved on to other works by the same author that have more to say about reading and the impact of screens. It didn't hurt that it was available through Audible.
My impressions: This book is a pretty good introduction to reading and the brain's activity during reading for those who are not scientists or reading specialists. I found the history of writing and reading very interesting, and probably more so than the sections that focus on the brain - but that is at least partly due to the fact that I've had plenty of formal instruction related to the science of reading. The author advocates her cause well, arguing that there are dire emotional consequences to not learning how to read, and how this travesty could be pretty easily avoided better equipping teachers with knowledge. Wolf provides the reader with some provocative reflection questions as part of her reading manifesto - and I appreciate that she went ahead and followed up on those questions by writing another book or two to address concerns about reading and thinking in a digital age. I'm looking forward to reading that book. This would be a great book for adults who are interested in the history of reading and writing and the research that has been done on the reading brain.
A Place to Hang the Moon, by Kate Albus**
Three children must not only navigate the trials of being sent to live with foster families in the country during wartime, but also hope to have one of those families turn into a forever home.
Why I picked it up: I think I'd seen this book recommended somewhere, and I picked it up at the local Friends of the Library bookstore for cheap. I ended up listening to it on Audible because it was easier for me to access that way, rather than dedicate precious sit-down reading time to it.
My impressions: This is a pretty good book, with highs, lows, and realistic sibling relationships, but there are a few minor negative points in it. Let's get to the negatives first. I've seen several versions of cover illustrations for this book, and they're all misleading. They present the children's lineup according to age as boy-girl-boy, but the girl is actually the youngest. The characters discuss the legend of Lady Godiva with their class, and my opinion is that going through a tale about a woman riding naked through the streets of a town is not my idea of excellent imagery that I want child readers thinking about. There's also some underlying messages about lying or deception, which insinuate that, although they're not ideal, might be the best course of action to take in the children's situation. I could see what the author was getting at - that revealing their true position and likelihood of inheriting wealth would endanger the children. However, that's a pretty slippery slope and makes me wonder where this sort of rationalization would end. One of the great parts about this book was that it had a little bit of the feel of some of the classics that are referenced throughout, including A Little Princess and, I assume, Heidi (which I've read before, but during elementary school). There are a few parts that could be hard for more sensitive kids to read, as the reader feels for the characters in their trials, which can be pretty stark. The writing was thoughtful and painted scenes well without being hyper-detailed. There's a character I found myself disliking but also pitying - I don't know that I've seen the desperation of poverty displayed like this in the children's books that I've read. I wish that there'd been more closure on a certain storyline, but it didn't prevent the ending from feeling mostly-satisfactory, although somewhat predictable. I think this book would be fine for less-sensitive kids to read, so long as parents were alright with the Lady Godiva bit and knowing there were some flaws in the reasoning about deception.
The Hero and the Crown, by Robin McKinley**
A fantasy tale follows the misfit Aerin, as she battles her insecurities and serves her country by taking on dragons and mighty foes to save her land.
Why I picked it up: This book had been on my to-read list at some point. It was available for free through Audible.
My impressions: This fantasy adventure has a lot of good things going for it, but it had enough uncomfortable elements that I was left feeling a little yucky at the end. The main negative qualities were Aerin having two love interests, and one of them was her first cousin (ick). There's more to it than that, but there seemed to be a lot of time spent on these relationships with a romantic view in mind. I don't think there was anything overtly scandalous (I skimmed or skipped here and there), but there were descriptions of Aerin being held in so-and-so's arms, a few references to more "adult" language like describing someone as having a "lover's smile", etc. I just wanted to get back to the action, which was well written. In fact, while the prose didn't strike me as being particularly beautiful, there certainly were beautiful phrases. It was good, solid writing. I enjoyed much of the world-building, which included a view that dragons are evil creatures - a refreshing nod to how dragons were historically viewed in Western culture. In fact, the author did such a good job depicting the evil of one particular dragon that I was starting to get a little creeped out. I will say that, although there is a plot and Aerin's character follows a trajectory of development, the story itself seems a little bit disjointed. There are multiple bad guys, with a main big baddy being at the back of much grief that occurs during the book, but he's not the final one to be dealt with. The books sets up for a sequel, but I won't be listening to that one - the romantic relationship stuff was not my type of thing, and I don't think I'd recommend it because of that element in particular.
One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both, by Jennifer Fulwiler**
A Catholic convert describes her family's story of coming together as a unit to help her pursue a personal passion so she could be fully engaged as a wife and mother.
Why I picked it up: This was a book that had been on my to-read list for a while, and I decided to use an Audible credit to obtain it. I'd read the author's conversion story previously and enjoyed it.
My impressions: This memoir is an encouragement to any family woman (or man) who wants a vibrant family life as well as time to pursue creative hobbies. I enjoy Fulwiler's writing style and appreciate the opportunity to look through a window into her life, as it were. She's honest about the struggles she faces, and I found her writing humorous, easy to listen to, and high-quality. I loved how she shaped the narrative and brought it full-circle. Her Catholic faith hugely important to the narrative, as were the decisions she and her husband made in light of that faith. I wish she'd talked more about why she and her husband didn't pursue sterilization, but she was very open about her faith and I loved how she talked about hospitality and welcoming everyone who comes into our lives - including the children born to us. She is real about the difficulty of making friends as adults, and shows how gaps in our community circle can be filled by the people we encounter. She talks a bit about her process of getting published, which was pretty neat for this reader, who might be curious about it, but way too scared of getting overwhelmed to look into it. I feel more than ever that I should write more, or do some sort of creative output, and she even put into words what a good motivation could be: "I wanted to tell stories, to relieve people's burdens" (Ch. 36). I have more thoughts on this - hopefully, to be written later. I recommend reading this book, especially to Christians and Catholics, and even more particularly to those with creative tendencies.
Bracket Play
Having ten books makes for a bit of an awkward bracket, but it still works.
In the first round, it was pretty easy to pair weaker books (A Short History...Sheep, The Hero and the Crown, The Birchbark House, Silverwing) against stronger books. The weaker books were disliked for various reasons, including uncomfortable content, sometimes disturbing or upsetting content, and/or not being as interesting. I will say that two of those books, The Hero and the Crown and The Birchbark House, had some meritorious elements in writing craft, but they had enough strikes against them to warrant simple losses to other works. The two dragon books by Jessica Day George were also pitted against each other in the first round, with the second book being the one that won the faceoff for better overall pacing and adventure throughout.
Fulwiler's book had a buy on this next round. A Place to Hang the Moon was an enjoyable listen, but I gave the victory to the 28-day retreat book based on reflections on the female Doctors of the Church. It was certainly more theologically sound, and it has some good reflections in it. I also marked the nonfiction work about reading as the winner when facing the dragon fantasy book because Proust and the Squid was at a higher level of writing than Dragon Flight.
Wolf's book had a buy in this next round, so One Beautiful Dream faced Set the World on Fire and the memoir won. While I recognize the excellent content of the retreat book, it just didn't have the same impact on me that Fulwiler's book did.
And impact is the reason that One Beautiful Dream wins this month's bracket. While reviewing the history and brain research of reading is important and sets me up nicely for further reading on the topic of reading this year, Fulwiler had me reflecting on family mission, community, hospitality, and creativity, and reaching out to others to suggest that they might enjoy this book, too.
Books Attempted and Put Down
King Lear, by William Shakespeare; Edited by Joseph Pearce*
A famous tragedy follows the consequences of a conceited king's decision to banish his loving daughter and rely, instead, upon his false-dealing offspring.
Why I picked it up: I had read this in high school already, but this one was required by a book group I attend.
Why I put it down: I read the first act, but it's not an uplifting story and I didn't want to follow a descent into madness, relive a scene of eye-popping cruelty, dwell on the machinations of scheming offspring, or experience the heartbreak of the death of a beloved character. I just spark-noted the next four acts and felt like I'd done my duty by at least trying it again. I'm hoping that the book choices are a bit lighter for this book club in the next couple years.
The Way of Imperfection, by Fr. Andre Daigneault
A priest discusses holiness not as climbing a ladder of personal perfection, but rather embracing the cross of humility as we descend into our imperfections to let God transform us.
Why I picked it up: My younger sister recommended this one to me and said she thought I'd really like it.
Why I put it down: I actually originally put this down sometime last year because I didn't like the feelings I was feeling when I read it. There's something to be said for sitting through discomfort, but I've also come to realize that it's okay to put books down - even recommended spiritual reading - if it's not right for me at this time. I gave it another chance this Lent, and found it less troubling, but I found myself still not feeling particularly encouraged by this work. At least initially, there's a lot of focus on human imperfection, and I don't know that it's necessarily the best work for me to be reading at this point in my life. Other people might get a lot out of it, and maybe someday I'll come back to it - but maybe I won't.
Ruth, by Elizabeth Gaskell*
An orphaned, unmarried woman bears a child out of wedlock, but finds friends and takes initiative in her own life by nursing others in spite of the judgment of others and deprivations of her situation.
Why I picked it up: This was the pick for the book club to which I belong. I could tell this wasn't likely to be one I'd enjoy, so I found a public domain version to read.
Why I put it down: I was right. I didn't even make it through the first chapter, even though nothing bad had happened yet other than the main character was living in sweatshop conditions. The percentage of book read was increasing slowly, indicating this was a long work, so I looked up the summary on Wikipedia. Yup - I'm okay with not dedicating vast amounts of my summer reading time to this work, especially since there are so many I want to get to that I anticipate actually enjoying. The writing and characterization were lovely, as it was Gaskell who wrote it, but I ain't got time or emotional space for Industrial Revolution The Scarlet Letter-esque tomes this year.
