Book: Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them

 Book: Lies and the Lying Liars That Tell Them

Author: Al Franken

Pages: 376

This is my 76th read for the year

Al Franken takes a look at the political right during the time of George Bush's presidency.  He takes a group of 14 Harvard students and combs through political speeches and news stories - mostly from Fox News - looking for contradictions and then calling those politicians and talking heads on it.  

This was an okay book.  I did not find it particularly funny, and at times it got a bit dull.  I have read funnier and more informational books from left wing comedians.  I appreciate that he did use Harvard students to get his research, and I wonder what book he would write now (this one was from 2003).  I cannot imagine if he was told in 2003 - "wait until you see what is coming" he would even believe it.

Stars: 3

Book: On Writing

 Book: On Writing

Author: Stephen King

Pages: 320

This is my 75th read for the year

This book starts as a memori from King's childhood and becomes a master class for inspriting writers.  Stephen recounts his childhood and early adult life before he sold his first big book (Carrie).  He speaks freely about his struggles and how he choses to write (and where) and what he likes and doesn't like about writing styles in the books he reads.  This book was published in 2000 and speaks to his writing up until that point.

This was a fantastic book.  When I picked it up, my husband commented on how this book is known for being a great resource for writers.  I personally loved that the first 1/4 of the book was him talking about his childhood and early career.  His story of barely scraping by after college writing and working at a laundry mat until he sold "Carrie" just goes to show that you never know when a big break is going to come.  His likes and dislikes about writing styles match mine which is probably why I like his books so much (for the most part).  If you want to know more about King and get into his head, or learn his advice on writing your own story - you have to read this one.

Stars: 5

Book: Brick Lane

 Book: Brick Lane

Author: Monica Ali

Pages: 384

This is my 74th read for the year

This is a story about Nazneen.  As a young woman, she is forced into an arranged marriage to a man 20 years older.  Once married she is moved from Bangladesh to London where she doesn't speak the language, doesn't understand the culture, and is away from everyone she knows.  However, she focuses on being a wife and eventually a mother and finds there are times she loves her husband.  However - an affair with a person her age makes her realize that leaving London and eventually going back to Bangladesh might not be what she wants.

This was a strange book.  I never did really get into it.  There were long drawn out chapters that were written in letter form - jumping months at a time.  It was in the middle of the book and such a left turn from the plot it was startling.  Then it went back to the plot.  It was a long meandering book with a plot that was all over the place and the ending was unsatisfatory.  I was reading this for the Rory Gilmore Challenge (which I am starting to question if I should continue) and just did not enjoy it.

Stars: 2

Book: Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want To Come

 Book: Sorry I'm Late I Didn't Want To Come

Author: Jessica Pan

Pages: 272

This is my 73rd read for the year

This is the story of the author who - as an extreme introvert - decided to spend on year trying to extrovert. She obtains some guidance and she starts small - talking to strangers.  Then moves on to improv, stand up comedy, traveling alone, and finally hosting a dinner party at her house where she knows she will be the center of attention.  She is hoping to learn some lessons to improve her quality of life - hoping to not run out of an overly crowded room or restaurant when she felt overwhelmed.  She tries to become braver.

This was an okay book.  I found some of the choices the author made to extrovert a bit strange.  Improv? Stand up comedy?  I get what she was trying to overall improve, but aren't there more general approaches to being an extrovert than these?  I know a lot of extroverts, and not one of them does either of these activities.  I am not sure that Jessica is a TRUE introvert.  I mean - there has to be a level up from talking to strangers before you get to improv.  

Stars: 3

Book: Firestarter

 Book: Firestarter

Author: Stephen King

Pages: 512

This is my 72nd read for the year

This is the story of Andy McGee and his daughter Charlie.  Andy and his late wife, Vicky, had volunteered in college as test subjects.  While they developed psychic abilities, their child Charlie developed pyrokinesis, and has become extremely dangerous because she cannot control it.  Charlie and her dad are on the run from "The Shop" - the folks that ran the experimental testing on her parents - to end Charlie's life because they fear that she may set the world on fire. 

This was a weird book.  King is a gifted writer, but the story itself was a bit strange.  It started out strong, and then it started to drag a bit.  There was so much dialogue, that I found myself wanting Mr. King to just get on with it and get back to the point.  It was a good novel (and an old one) but not his best in my opinion.

Stars: 3.5

Book: Thursday Murder Club

 Book: Thursday Murder Club

Author: Richard Osman

Pages: 384

This is my 71st read of the year

This is a story of four friends in a retirement village in England who meet each week.  They discuss unsolved crimes and call themselves the Thursday Murder Club.  Now they are involved in their first live case - one that takes them beyond the village and their discussions and right into the middle of an investigation.

This was a cute book.  It was an easy read, and I liked most of the characters.  It had a slow start, but did pick up as it went along, so I am glad I stuck with it.  Might be a bit too wordy for a short novel - an editor could have helped tighten up the plot. Believe it or not - there is a small dialogue in this book that bumped it a star for me - brought me to near tears with the sentimental bit, so there is that.

Stars: 4

Book: Terms of Endearment

 Book: Terms of Endearment

Author: Larry McMurty

Pages: 416

This is my 69th read for the year

This is the story of Aurora and her daughter Emma.  Aurora - whose entire world needs to revolve around her - is a widow how has had many suitors since her husband died.  Her grown daughter, Emma,is who she worries the most about.  Worried Emma married the wrong man, and when Emma is diganosed with caner - worried of what will become of her daughter's baby if Emma dies.

This was an okay book.  I remember watching the movie years ago, and the books seems very different from what I remember.  I have it in my head that the movie was mostly about Emma's cancer, but I might not be correct about this.  So the book was startling when it was mostly about Aurora and her relationships.  The book is rambilng.  Emma's diagnosis is a quick part at the end.  Just different than I expected.

Stars: 3