GoodReads

I recently closed my account on a professional social networking site and viciously "unfriended" nearly fifty people on on another site. I guess I was feeling a bit over extended, but it had also occurred to me that I wasn't gaining anything from being thusly connected and many of my online "friends" were people who I hadn't seen in years, let alone spoken to or engaged with in 2011 (or 2010 for that matter). I think this may have been a nice gesture to make to myself as the year closed.

On the other hand, I have opened an account with the virtual Pandora's box that is GoodReads. I don't need another social networking outlet, and I certainly don't need another virtual time-sucking tool, (I suspect you don't either) but this one is a gem...

GoodReads is a space for readers to catalog the books they've read, books they want to read, and explore books the website suggests based on how readers rated the books they've already read. Readers can organize books on virtual shelves and create their own library. GoodReads also provides statistics on how many books and pages you've read each year if you input the dates you finish each book. Probably not the most important research, but I thought it was interesting to see my progress.

Further exploration allows readers to connect with fellow bibliophiles, recommend books to one another, and comment on each other's books and reviews. I can't tell you how much time I've spent reading one-star reviews of books that garner nothing but five stars from other readers. The blind hatred alone is priceless.

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I hope that as the year draws to a close you find yourself in a peaceful and pleasant place. I will be with dear friends as the clock chimes midnight, and will be in bed a half hour later :) I also hope that our readers look forward to 2012 and the books they'll read. I'm excited to explore books with the Riverview Book Club for another year and share what I find here with you, our fellow promiscuous readers.

Happy New Year!

In Favor of Children's Literature

I was surprised when I learned that it wasn't until the Harry Potter series began that the New York Times didn't have a bestseller's list for children's books. I don't remember when or how I heard this, it could be totally untrue, but it began for me a renewed appreciation for books written for people in primary and secondary schools. I hadn't felt such an affinity for Dr Seuss, the American Girl books, Betsy-Tacy, or the Boxcar Children since I was in junior high.

In the last ten years or so, I have focused energy on appreciating and understanding the value behind children's literature, be it chew-able, non-toxic, un-rippable books for my infant niece to gum up, picture books about train engines overcoming steep mountains, chapter books about little girls caught up in our nation's history, or young adult books full of angst, I really treasure them all. I am particularly fond of books written by Patricia McLachlan, Scott O'Dell, and Ann Rinaldi, as well as so many in the pantheon of children's picture books.

I recently learned about a book club through NPR designed for families with children: the Backseat Book Club. I've only just jumped on board, but thus far the books look lovely. In November, the chosen book was Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth and I read it over Christmas weekend. It was a sweet story, with a very simple plot about a boy rescuing a pair of princesses. The value in the book lay in the wordplay and nonsense. I liken it to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland but with a plot and at least some direction. In the end, I enjoyed it much more than the Alice books.

I've been on the list to receive the December book: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu for weeks, so I hope to be next on the cue soon. I'd like to encourage readers to take time each month for a favorite book from their childhood and savor the story why you loved it then. Some will disappoint and some will be just delicious for your soul. Either way, it is good to stay connected to what our community's children are reading and what made reading so exciting for you in the first place.

You can also check out the various lists at libraries and bookstores of books for this sort of child or that. The New York Times does have a couple bestseller lists for children's literature. Whether they are recently started or not I cannot really say. But I'm so glad they do.

2012 Reader Challenge

Every December, as New Year's Eve approaches, I find myself thinking about resolutions. I'm pretty happy with my lifestyle and can't really think of anything that I need to change so much that I should make a ceremony out of proclamations and promises in the dead of winter. Also, so many resolutions that people choose just aren't any fun.

This week I've been looking at my stacks of unread books and it occurred to me that some of them are pretty hefty. I can handle hefty, and I love a good history book, but I also love beautiful stories and between what I pick up and what book club chooses, I don't end up with a lot of time for tomes.

So! I've decided to challenge myself in 2012 with something that I hope to find enjoyable, informative, and satisfying:

In 2012, I would like to read Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States. I picked up a copy at Booksmart in Uptown at our book crawl in October and I've heard that it is the definitive text for amateur historians. There are 25 chapters and assuming that I'll start with some zeal, if I commit to reading two chapters a month I should finish by the end of 2012.

I'll update my progress not more than monthly, so keep your eyes peeled for updates if you find yourself interested. The text begins in 1492 and goes all the way up to 2001 and the War on Terror so I anticipate it will fill in a lot of holes in my knowledge. Join me if you're able and have a very Happy New Year!

Christmas Stories

I've always enjoyed enhancing each season with the books I read. It makes everything more festive and helps me to experience the seasons deeply. This is the first Christmas season that I've sought specific and relevant books. In past years, I've spent an afternoon during December reading the children's picture books we've collected over the years, but this year I branched out a little:

For book club, we chose Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It was my first foray into Dickens' bibliography, and I was glad that I was familiar with the story. Dickens is not all together difficult, but when I next read The Chimes I had a tough time discerning the point of the story. A Christmas Carol though was lovely and it as clear why it has become the holiday favorite.

I followed with Barbara Robinson's The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. This is a middle-school level story about a group of horrible neighborhood children who manage to get themselves cast as all the leading characters in the church Christmas pageant and the chaos that ensues. It is a very funny, sweet, and, in the end, heartwarming story. It brings the reader to a more humble understanding of the Christmas story without being overly holy and sacred.

Finally, I read the lovely story of The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke. This is the short story of Artaban, the fourth Wise Man, who missed the caravan and spent thirty-three years on the heels of Jesus, missing him every time, and spending his gifts for the King (a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl) on various acts of great love. Finally, as the ground shakes when Jesus is crucified, and as Artaban has given away his last gift, the story of God's great love is revealed. It is a gentle, lovely, and beautifully told story, again, without religion being thrown at you.

Each year Christmas is met with such joy. I love the comfort of old stories and the excitement of new ones. I hope each year to revisit the classics that I grew up with and find new stories to help enrich the season. I hope that you had a happy holiday and wish all our readers a very blessed New Year!

How to Work A Room

By Susan RoAne

I found this book while browsing through available e-book titles on the library's website.  With the popularity of e-readers and a limited selection of e-books, sometimes you have take what you can get.  This one was immediately available and I'm always game for a short book with helpful tips on how to navigate life easier.

The premise of How To Work A Room is to give the reader tips to overcome negative feelings that may arrive when you are faced with meeting a group of new people.  Susan RoAne focuses mainly on work functions, but these tips can carry over into other social events as well.  I didn't run across any earth-shattering or life-changing actions in this book.  However, she introduced the concept of moving from "guest" behavior to "host" behavior in new situations.  According to RoAne, it will make you feel more comfortable extending yourself to others because it is your job and others will be drawn to you.  Here are some tips and examples from her book:

• The hosts exhibit gracious manners - meeting people, starting conversations, introducing others, and making sure their needs are met.

• Volunteer to be on the greeting committee of your organization

• The host's job is to extend herself to guests and make them feel comfortable - when the guests arrive, welcome them at the door, take their coats and invite them in.  Introduce them around, provide conversation starters.

My weakness for cook books

I don't buy many books.  Usually my reading material comes from the library or friends.  However, cookbooks are my kryptonite.  Especially the great finds at garage sales and Half Price Books.  The more photographs, the better.  These have their own special shelf in my kitchen; with plenty of Post-It flags highlighting favorite recipes, or recipes to try in the future.  Here are a few creations stemming from these books:

These are corn on the cob cupcakes from a cupcake cook book.  Yellow frosting, jelly beans are topped with squares of yellow Starburst "butter".

American flag brownies for my Fourth of July celebration.

Thanksgiving appetizers.  The recipes weren't from a cookbook, but the decorating ideas came from a Thanksgiving cookbook.  Next year I want to try home-made stuffing from this book.

Caramel pralines from Betty Crocker.  

Another favorite book of mine is "On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen."  It is not a cookbook, it is part-history book and part-science book on where our food comes from and how cooking transforms it .  If you've seen any of Alton Brown's shows or cookbooks, I think it must be one of his science references.  There are entire chapters on single subjects, like dairy, eggs, meat, sauces and seeds.  

What we love

The Encyclopedia of Gratitude loves used and independent bookstores too!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

By Mindy Kaling

I love hearing about down to earth, sane people who make it big in Hollywood.  One takes a gamble reading a memoir or Rolling Stones article on a celebrity - you may be better off not knowing the gory details of their past.  I remember reading an article about Justin Timberlake.  Before that article I was a huge fan of his solo CDs and appearances on Saturday Night Live.  Then I read about him in Rolling Stones and was deeply disappointed in all of his drinking and pot smoking references.  Still a fan, but with a grain of salt.

That same sense of disappointment was not there with Mindy, who writes for The Office and plays Kelly Kapoor.  I found out about this one on Goodreads, with its excellent recommendations based on my past reading.  She is a writer, actor and producer that you laugh with as you read along and isn't on the crazy train.  Being that we are in the same generation, I can relate to her childhood experience (80's children's clothes anyone?) as well as college and career stories.  There were many laugh out loud moments in the book.  See for yourself in an excerpt of her book.

If you need more after reading her book, you can also check out her blog for more Mindy.  Here are some of the chapter titles to give you a taste of her humor:

• Don't Peak in High School
• Failing at Everything in the Greatest City on Earth
• Non-Traumatic Things That Have Made Me Cry
• Why Do Men Put on Their Shoes So Slowly

Common Good Books in St. Paul, MN

I went to a great book store in St. Paul today. Tucked underneath Nina's Coffee Cafe, Common Good Books is a great general bookstore located on Western and Selby. It's an aesthetically appealing store to the cozy eye - exposed brick walls, twisting and turning back hallways showing you the world of books never ends! For the poetry lovers, this is a large wall dedicated to the genre. There are a few sections of nonfiction, but I would say mostly the store covers new books and general fiction. There are also special sections for children and local writings.

Books are sold at their list price, however they do offer benefits to regular customers. If you join their frequent buyer club, after purchasing 12 books, your next book is free, based on the average of your 12 books. You can even put your friend's/family's purchases on your list if they don't want their own list.

This store will be a MUST on our next book crawl!

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

While waiting for The Princess Bride to arrive at Common Good Books in St. Paul, MN, I chose a short book from my iPad freebies.

As one who personifies pets, I was immediately drawn to this book, narrated from the mind of a St. Bernard, Buck. The book held true to the hard working and loyal nature of a dog. But this personification allowed my heart to sink deeper and deeper as Buck and his teammates were driven far beyond what I thought they could allow. It was difficult to read about the ferocious fighting between dogs, the harsh weather conditions, the deep starvation of animals, and worse of all, the lack of camaraderie between man and animal. The animals continue to be sold from one worse team to another.

To the rescue, Buck is saved by John Thorton, as the rest of his previous crew fall to their deaths ... literally. Rescued as well is my heart, as Buck and Thorton build a relationship that defines "Man's Best Friend." The daily lives and thrilling tales of Buck and Thorton made me beam, as my "best friend" curls up on the couch next to me.

However, as one who personifies pets, I did not understand Buck's final "Call of the Wild" in the end. To me, dogs are the docile type of canines, put on this earth to provide companionship to humans. Sure, Buck showed some ferocious characteristics during his desperation and starvation periods, but his relationship with Thorton brought what I thought is a dog's true character.

London has Buck answer this "Call" to join the wolf pack to answer a legend of the Yeehat tribe in Canada - they noticed a change in the breed of timber wolf - seen with splashes of brown on their muzzles and heads which may have come from breeding with another type of canine. While this legend in the end explained to me the purpose of Buck's travels/life to get him to that point, I still prefer a story of a loyal house dog who is one of the family.