We're Just Like You, Only Prettier

I just finished reading this book, but I have to say, about halfway through, I was tired of reading it. Have you ever read a book and thought that the person writing it was trying a little too hard to be funny? Ms. Rivenbark struck me that way. She writes in a way that seems forced, quite often, and you are surprised when you find the picture of her, because she mentions being fat and menopausal throughout the book, though she is thin and strangely young looking.

I read the book on a lark because my best friend bought a companion book (Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank). She loved it and so did her dad. Maybe it is a good book if you like trite, "comical," essays. I wish I had spent my time reading something else, though. This book will go to my friend where it can live a life and be loved, rather than loathed as it was at my house.

My Sister's Keeper

I planned on giving this book to my fiancee's sister for Christmas, and I probably still will, but she has recently gone through quite a tragedy, so I wanted to go over the books I had chosen for her in order to prevent bringing this tragedy up again.

I chose to give My Sister's Keeper because it was popular and has recently been made into a movie. It is quite a long book, also, and should provide for a few hours of escape. I just finished a class on medical ethics, as well, so I thought it might be interesting. And it was.

The thing that gets me about this book is that it is not predictable. There are shifts from character to characters and I found myself wondering if the shifts were not made simply because Picoult is a subpar author and isn't quite capable of creating an entire story line with just one narrator. I still think this might be a part of the puzzle, but it was refreshing to pry into each character's mind a bit. The interesting part is that you are never allowed to see what the "main" character, Kate is thinking. Anna is suing her family for medical emancipation because she does not want to give Kate, the sister who is dying of cancer, a kidney. (This is revealed early on, so don't worry, I am not giving anything away.) There is a definite reason for not revealing her thoughts, but when you finish the book, it does seem strange that you are able to feel what everyone feels except for Kate, who is the most central character, the reason for the story.

I read the book in about three days. It captured my attention, and I found myself finding small increments of time to lock myself in my bedroom and read. I think it will be the same for most people who choose to read it. I don't think, though, that it is a great work of literature or that it will be remembered ten years from now, just as most of the books I read through probably won't. That doesn't take away from the value, though, and I think it will prove to be an entertaining read if you want to delve into a world that is a little different than that which you are used to.

So Many Books, So Little Time

The premise behind this book is that the author will read a book a week for a year. It sounds like a great idea. She comes up with a plan and starts reading and writing about her books and the life that occurs while she is taking on this challenge. The problem comes in when she starts talking more about her (mundane) life and dropping the names of her famous friends as often as possible. You learn very little about her books, but quite a bit about her husband who works for Saturday Night Live, her child who came along in her later life, and once again, about her famous friends and great vacations.

Sure, I read the book. I toiled through the pages, but did I enjoy it? No. I am wrapping it up to give away to a friend who will enjoy the concept, but will probably donate the book (back) to the Goodwill. Should you read it? Probably not. Is the idea a good one? Sure it is. Maybe you should just challenge yourself to read a book a week for a year (and try not to brag about it as Ms. Nelson did).