"Words, words, words . . . " As Hamlet mutters, and Shakespeare
wrote, there is no tool more powerful in the human experience. No weapon
cuts or kills faster, no balm heals more completely, no drug can raise to
divine heights or dash to the darkest depths like words. I believe in
this power as I believe in little else. So, with this understanding, here
are some books that have struck me in some little (or large) way or
other.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
- I don't think I have to explain why this book--or rather, these three
books (volumes, actually) The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two
Towers, and The Return of the King are so amazing. In a survey
conducted by a large bookselling chain in the U.K. in 1996 of the top 100
books ever written in the English language, The Lord of the Rings
came up #1. But beyond that, I love this book for the quality of the
storytelling, the beautiful language, and the fantastic detail that makes
Middle Earth and its inhabitants so compellingly real. I read this book
for the first time in the ninth grade when a friend, Angela Burkhart, put
it in my hands and changed my life forever. ^_^ I've read it many times
since then, and it still gives me the same chills I got the first time I
read it. (Genre: Fantasy)
- The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
- After Angela started me on TLOTR I delved into the genres of
fantasy and science fiction with unabated enthusiasm for the next few
years. My method of picking out books to read included going to the bookstore and randomly browsing through the bookshelves for interesting titles and covers. (Yeah, yeah, I know. You shouldn't judge a book . . . ) One day, I saw this book on the shelf and I remember having watched a film by the same title when I was very young. I had some vague memories of the story, so I picked it up, and oh! What a lovely book it turned out to be! Here's another I've read over and over again, with the same or increasing joy each time. This book is--well--pretty. The language is pretty, the story is pretty, and characters are so pretty! Not to say that it's a frivolous book--it's a wonderfully wrought fairytale, laced with humor and wit, and moments of poignancy that can pierce the toughest and most cynical shell. Let it make you gasp, laugh, and cry. I did. (Genre: Fantasy)
- The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
- This was another random pick off the bookshelf, in one of my happy afternoons of browsing. It's this great story about a young historian who travels into the 14th century in order to study the period with greater accuracy. It details what takes place on both sides of the time "net" when some unexpected complications arise. Written with extraordinary insight and humanity, this is another novel that bears rereading. Winner of the Nebula Award. (Genre: Science Fiction)
- The Griffin and Sabine Trilogy by Nick Bantock
- Okay, so I'm cheating with this one, because it's really three books,
and not one, but it's one story, so I think I can count it as one. This
is a beautifully made trilogy, and I say "made" because of its format.
It's written as a series of letters and postcards between the two main
characters, Griffin and Sabine, and these letters and postcards document
their relationship and their quest to find each other and themselves. It
has a bit of a magic realism feel to it, and it's fun to read, because you
actually have to open envelopes and unfold letters. Also, Bantock's
artwork is amazing, and enhances the tone of the story beautifully. Also,
these books are personally poignant to me because they make me think of
the "pen-and-paper" relationship Lawrence and I shared. (Genre:
Magic Realism/Art Book)
- The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
- I read this book in college, in a survey of 20th cen. British
Literature class. I remember being really impressed by the craftsmanship
of the writing--the characterization of the butler, Stevens, is
remarkable. It felt so complete; so whole. This story is just
really well written and every time I read it, I'm able to take something
new from it, which is valuable to me. It's a book that has different
personalities, and depending on how your read it, it will reveal different
ones to you. A beautiful book, and an interesting study of humans and
human nature, besides. (Genre: Fiction/Literature)
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- Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle
- Remember what it's like to be a 10-year-old boy again. Okay, so I was never a 10-year-old boy, but if I had been, I'm sure I'd really relate to Paddy and his difficulty understanding a world that used to be so ordered (in it's own bizarre way) but now grows only more and more uncertain. Irregardless of my only having been a 10-year-old girl once, this novel handles childhood incredibly well, and takes us all back to a time "when we were young." A story about a kid, told by a kid, that should be read by grown-ups. Booker Prize Winner. (Genre: Fiction/Literature)
- Review: 5 out of 5 stars
- Gidget by Frederick Kohner
- An oldie but a goodie. Remember what it's like to be a 15-year-old girl again. Yes, I was a 15-year-old girl, but never one quite like this (I can barely swim from one end of a backyard pool to the other, to begin with). She's an American pop-icon, one that's become pretty kitsch, what with all the different versions the story's gone through (movies and sitcoms). Still, the girl midget is just as fun and sweet as ever. Get to know her all over again--or even for the first time. (Genre: Fiction/Literature)
- Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
- A remarkable novel about the great Dutch painter Vermeer and a young girl who served as his housemaid, his assistant, and his muse. Chevalier has spun a beautiful fiction (oh, wouldn't we all love to believe every word is true!), placed in the Holland of the 1660's...this is a truly vibrant, engaging story. Vermeer may be rolling over in his grave right now, but it's one hell of a way to spend a couple afternoons (or evenings). (Genre: Historical Fiction)
- Review: 4 out of 5 stars
- All She was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe
- This dark and brooding mystery is Miyabe's English-language debut. Set in present-day Tokyo, this novel follows a retired police detective's search for a beautiful young woman who seems to have a hard time being who she said she was. Or is? I've not read too many mysteries, but this one managed to hold my interest 'til the still suspenseful end. And, the blurry image on the cover of the book holds a bizarre resemblance to my sister... (Genre: Mystery)
- Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- The Toy Collector by James Gunn
- James Gunn is probably most famous for his cult hit film Tromeo and Juliet. Here, he writes what could be the American answer to Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. James is in his mid-twenties and looking for a ways to deal with his sad past, never mind whether they're destructive or not. At times an alarming, wistful, and even poignant look at a grown-up who's still deciding whether or not he should grow up...and struggling to stay human in the process. (Genre: Fiction/Literature)
- Review: 3 out of 5 stars
Missed last month's reviews? Book Review Archive
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- The Crow Road by Ian Banks
- This mystery/come-of-age novel is really excellent. Lawrence gave this to me for Christmas (yes, another Lawrence-Christmas-gift) and it's not the typical run-of-the-mill mystery/come-of-age novel. ^_^ If there is such a thing as that. The characters are wonderfully developed, the plot full of all sorts of interesting twists and turns, and best yet, it's set in Scotland! (I don't know why that makes it so special, but for some reason, it makes all the difference.) I've read this one a couple times now, and let me say, I like the characters more and more each time. It makes me want to check out other Banks novels . . . . (Genre: Fiction/Mystery)
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- This science-fiction cult classic is really more a study of human nature and society than anything. Life on a desert planet, inhabited by giant worms and women called the Bene Gesserit who go about imprinting key political figures and telling you that you're the Kwisatz Haderach can go to anyone's head. At least, it certainly does complicate Paul Atreides' existence. The first novel in a six book series (can you tell I love books that come in series, yet?), it is a fascinating introduction to the planet Arrakis and the family that will come to rule it.
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- The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
- Is this book on the Official Children's Classics list yet? (I'm not really sure there is such a thing, but you know what I mean--stuff like The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables is on that list.) Amazingly, I didn't get around to reading this book until this last year, when I used it as a read-aloud to my third grade class. Wow, did this story grab them! Can we say "stampede to the library to check out the sequels?" I had to negotiate a list (facilitated by the rocks-scissors-paper method of resolving order problems) of kids who wanted to check them out for nearly 3 months straight. It's a charming story of a young boy who finds out that his cupboard is magic, when he puts a small plastic Indian inside, only to open it again and find him alive. The Indian is a particularly fierce and proud one, so when his careless friend brings a small plastic cowboy to life, much chaos, a little tragedy, and a great reckoning ensues. A wonderful story about friendship, responsibility, and resolving differences.
- (Independent Reading Level = 3rd grade and up; Read-aloud = 3rd grade and up--unless your little ones are immersed in the cultures of cowboys and indians already)
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- This is the first installment in a charming series written about growing up in the era of the American Westward expansion. Laura and her family will soon join the pioneers who start to settle and "civilize" the prairies of the mid-west, but for now, they live in a log cabin, in the woods of Wisconsin. Take yourself or your child through experiences long faded from our modern world--maple sugaring, visiting a general store, slaughtering the pig (not as awful as it sounds), and having a pa who hunts in the woods to feed the family and a ma who makes winter coats from the animal skins. I grew up reading these books, and wishing I had a sunbonnet of my own. I recommend these books for girls--most boys will be turned off by the covers.
- (Independent Reading Level = high second grade to 3rd grade and up; Read-aloud = 1st grade and up).
- Follow this link to more great kids' books: Kids' Books Archive
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- Midnight Special Bookstore • 1318 3rd Street Promenade • Santa Monica, CA 90401 • (310) 393-2923
- This bookstore is chock full of good books, all kinds of obscure journals and newspapers, and a staff that remembers me as the "subversive school teacher." It's really a fabulous store. If you're ever in Santa Monica, or on Third Street Promenade, do visit, and hey! Buy something too! Support our independent bookstores!
- The White Rabbit • South Coast Plaza • 3333 Bristol Street Suite 2061 • Costa Mesa, CA 92626 • (714) 445-0010
- This is a marvelous children's bookstore. Not only do they have a lot of great stock, but they have a friendly and fabulous staff that will happily look up and order any title they don't have. Teachers, you get a 10% discount. Also, they have really cool author appearances such as Janell Cannon of Stellaluna fame and Jon Sciescka of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Oh, and parents, this store also hosts "Meet Your Favorite Book Character" events. Check out their website or call for details.
- Book Soup • 8818 Sunset Blvd. • West Hollywood, CA 90069 • (310) 659-3110
- Located right on the Sunset strip, this is the perfect place to go if you want to feel hip and young, but don't want the hangover. This store is the kind that feels like a rabbit's burrow (only more organized and a little less dim) stocked from leveled floors to ceiling with great things to read. It also has an incredible newstand directly adjacent to it called Mews Mews (or something like that...). Really, you can go there even if you don't want to feel young and hip--it's a fabulous place. AND!!! it's got free parking behind the store (anyone who knows Sunset knows that parking is a premium that few of us can afford).
- A Whale of a Tale • 4199 Campus Drive Suite A • Irvine, CA 92612 • (949) 854-8288
- This was the first children's books only store in Orange County, but I only had the opportunity to visit it this last month. It's a charming place, stocked to the gills with all kinds of kids' books, and lots of plush and book-associated merchandise too. It's claim to fame is that it actually got J. K. Rowling, the author of the bestselling "Harry Potter" books to do a signing! (People were reportedly lining up at 4 A.M. outside the store for a chance to meet her.) The staff here is super friendly and helpful, and teachers, you get a 10% discount. Bring some sort of ID with you, to prove that you are.
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Questions? Comments? Complaints? Let me know:
Carol Kim
ckim@cjas.org
