2012 Review Extravaganza: Pt. 2
by Jenners • 12/16/2012 • 4 Stars, 4.5 Stars, A Titles, Audiobook, Contemporary, D Titles, Fiction, G Titles, H Titles, History, L Authors, Literary, M Authors, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Short Stories, V Authors • 49 Comments
Because I must compulsively write a review for each book I’ve read this year, I am pushing through and catching up on all the books I read in 2012 but didn’t review. Don’t worry … these reviews will all be short and sweet and to the point.
The Devil In The White City written by Erik Larson and read by Scott Brick
Genre: Non-Fiction, History
Why I Read It: So many bloggers raved about this book that I crumbled and listened to it, even though I was CONVINCED I wouldn’t like it. I was wrong.
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Larson found two fascinating but disparate stories that happened concurrently (the creation of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and a serial killer who was murdering women just blocks from the fair site) and wove them together without letting one overshadow the other. This is how I like my history (weird, accessible, contextual), and I see why everyone raved about this book. Scott Brick was a brilliant narrator, but since I listened on audio, I had to Google photos of the fair and the killer to get the visuals that Larson so eloquently described. You know when the building of a fair and the building of a killing room are equally riveting that you’re in the hands of a good writer.
After The Quake written by Haruki Murakami
Genre: Fiction, Short Stories, Literary
Why I Read It: To further my quest to discover Murakami’s weird side
My Rating: 4 stars
A collection of six short stories dealing (tangentially) with the 1995 earthquake in Kobe that killed 6,000 people, After The Quake is unusual and subtle. The stories don’t deal directly with the quake but reference it and its aftershocks as they reverberate through the lives of the characters. Most of the stories were somber and understated, but there was a really weird one (Super Frog Saves Tokyo) that highlights Murakami’s weird side that everyone talks about. Still, it is the sadness and the longing and brokenness that linger after you’re done reading and not the giant talking frog. I suspect this might be a good introduction to Murakami, but since I’m still a Murakami neophyte, I’m not sure.
Gang Leader for A Day by Sudhir Venkatish
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Why I Read It: The author’s work was mentioned in Freakonomics
My Rating: 4 stars
As a first-year sociology grad student at the University of Chicago, Sudhir Venkatish took his research on life in inner-city gangs to extremes when he befriended JT, the leader of a division of the Black Kings in Chicago’s notorious Robert Taylor projects. Venkatish ended up spending 7 years (!!) observing the intricacies of gang life and the lives of the urban poor, and this book documents that experience. I imagine that Venkatish went far beyond what was required for his thesis, and the line between sociologist and friend often blurred. The result is a fascinating look at a world that many of us probably know nothing about. I admire Venkatish’s work, which shines a light on the contradictory life and strange interdependence of gangs and the communities they live in.
Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles and read by Mark Bramhall
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Why I Read It: Can’t really recall … I think the title drew me in
My Rating: 4 stars
The entire book is in the form of protracted letter(s) to American Airlines by Bennie Ford. Bennie has found himself stranded at an airport (thanks to those nice folks at American!) and is writing to express his displeasure. Along the way, we learn about Bennie’s life and why it is so critical that he makes his flight. I listened to this on audio, and Mark Bramhall has this giant, booming, Southern-inflected voice that came to personify Bennie for me. It was a top-notch narration (which felt more like a performance than a narration), and I think audio might be the way to go on this one. At turns funny and heartbreaking, the story was surprisingly involving.
Heft written by Liz Moore and read by Kirby Heyborne and Keith Szarabajka
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Why I Read It: Another case where everyone was gaga over this book so I had to check it out.
My Rating: 4 stars
Arthur Opp is a morbidly obese ex-professor who hasn’t left his Brooklyn brownstone for years. Kel Keller is a 17-year-old baseball prodigy whose education at a posh private school is at odds with his poverty-stricken home life. The connection between these two strangers becomes clear during the course of the book,with the narration alternating between Arthur and Kel. (I listened to this on audiobook, and, in a stroke of genius, they had two separate narrators for Arthur and Kel.) The book tiptoes up to the point where our two protagonists are on the cusp of a new relationship and then quietly shuts the door. This is a quiet book about loneliness, taking chances on other people, and moving out of your comfort zone. It is definitely worth checking out.
The Devil in the White City is my all-time favorite non-fiction read! Riveting is a good word for it!!
This will be one I’ll recommend to people who say “I don’t like non-fiction!”
I have your reviews open in one tab and Goodreads opened in the other and am adding many to my want to read list
I’m very flattered!
I am very interested in Gang Leader for a Day. I’m off to add it to my list.
It is very interesting as it isn’t a world you see addressed too often in non-fiction.
I loved “Devil in the White City.” It’s a great example of what narrative nonfiction ought to be. My husband highly recommended “Gang Leader for a Day.” With your review I guess I’m going to put that on the TBR pile.
I agree with you 100% — it is a shining example of narrative non-fiction. I’m glad to hear your husband enjoyed Gang Leader For A Day too. It was interesting stuff.
I’ve been wanting to read Devil in the White City for ages – it looks so good! I also enjoyed Gang Leader for a Day.
I do try to review everything, but don’t review the audiobook re-reads like Harry Potter (if I did then everyone would realize how I listen to those books compulsively).
I have one book that I haven’t reviewed from earlier this year which was a library book, and one that I loved, but far too much time passed by the time I realized I hadn’t reviewed it so I let it go.
You really need to make time for Devil in the White City — really top-notch non-fiction. And you’re a prolific reviewer … I’m very slow and spotty, which is why I have something like 40 reviews in my backlog.
you are to be admired. I have no such compulsion and many unreviewed books this year.
Admired? Perhaps “pitied” is the word you are looking for. I’d love to just ignore all this.
Devil & Heft are already on my reading wish list, and I just added Dear American Airlines for something different. Maybe I will try it in audio (as my first audio book in 15 years).
I continue to enjoy these mini reviews!
I never liked audiobooks until the past few years. Now I’m totally into them. A really good narrator can make a book really come alive. If you embark on audios now, I bet it will be a whole new experience!
I’m glad you liked The Devil In The White City. I’m excited to see how well it translate to the big screen. I’m in the same boat as you, about 10 or so reviews to get finished and very little will power to write them. I may have to just crank out some mini-reviews and rate them.
I didn’t know it was being made into a movie!! Cool! I have a hard time imagining how that might work though. Of course, I didn’t see how Life of Pi could be movie either and look how wrong I was about that.
Though not a fan of the letter format Dear American Airlines really appeals.
They are very long letters, keep in mind!
I wasn’t familiar with it before I read your review, but you’ve convinced me. The Devil in the White City will have to go on my wish list. It sounds excellent!!
Oh yes … it is a worthy addition. Just fascinating stuff.
I’ve had The Devil In The White City for a while now but haven’t read it yet. I plan on spending 2013 reading the unread books on my bookshelves, so hopefully I’ll get to it.
You’re in for a real treat.
I thought Gang Leader for a Day was pretty interesting and after I read it I found myself reading a couple more books that were very similar. Then I burned out
I’ve finally learned that, no matter how interesting I find a book/author/series, I shouldn’t read too much in a row or I’ll burn out on it. It was a good lesson to learn.
Heft, Dear American Airlines, and The Devil in the White City are all on my TBR, so I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Gang Leader For a Day sounds so freaking cool! I’m definitely going to be on the look out for that one.
You have a good TBR list!
All of these sound good, but I am particularly interested in Devil in the White City (after hearing that it’s one of Sandy’s favorites) and also Heft. Heck, I would love all of these on audio, I am betting! These were great mini-reviews, and I need to head on over to the library website and see what I can find!!
Sandy went a little gaga over Devil in the White City — she was probably responsible for me listening to it in the first place.
I want to listen to Devil in White City since it is narrated by Scott Brick! I’d listen to him read anything!!
He’s got a great voice, doesn’t he? I’m finally trying out the famous Simon Vance and I see why people like him too.
After the Quake was a very quiet read and that frog story was just so strange, but I kinda liked it.
I really loved Devil. Reading about the fair and all the aspects of it sent me to the web to look stuff up as well.
Heft. Loved Heft. I am just loving everything today.
You are in a generous mood today! And I feel like I’m ready to try a long-form Murakami. I’m thinking The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles.
Oh, you liked most of these – must check them out!
It was a good run of books. Just because I didn’t make the time to review them before doesn’t mean I didn’t like them!
I’ve had Gang Leader for a Day on my TBR since I read Freakonomics years ago! I should make time for it. I’m fascinated by The Interrupters, a documentary about ex-gang members in Chicago working to minimize violence.
So funny we were both brought to Gang Leader for the same reason … and procrastinated reading it for some time. I’m curious about The Interrupters now too. I’ll have to look into it.
I love the enthusiasm–that you looked up images to help you imagine the scenes Larson outlines. Now if you ever go to Chicago, you’ll have to go to the Museum of Science and Industry so you can see one of those buildings! We did.
Definitely!! It is nice to know that once of them is still standing!
Devil in the White City is on my top reads EVER. It made my brain explode with all that fascinating stuff about my favorite city! Now his next book about the Ambassador’s family in Nazi Germany was not so good. And I absolutely loved the audio of Heft. It wasn’t on my top reads for 2012 but was a runner up. I loved that Hispanic cleaning lady!
Yolanda (I think that was her name) was a hoot. And I see why you loved Devil in the City — it brings so many of your favorite things together (Chicago, true crime).
I loved The Devil in the White City so much and I recommend it to everyone I know. I need to read his follow up ASAP.
I’ve heard from multiple sources that Larson’s follow-up wasn’t so hot.
Many of these sound worth reading! I have The Devil in the White City. I wish I could read and listen to as many books as you.
Oh I’m glad you have Devil in The White City already. It is a definite must read.
Years ago I saw a wonderful stage adaptation of After the Quake. The audience loved the super frog story. I think that book is probably a good introduction to Murakami.
I could totally see After the Quake being turned into a play of some sort!! How interesting. I wish I could see it. I imagine that Super Frog story would play quite well on stage.
I loved Gang Leader for a Day!! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Can you imagine doing that for 7 years of your life? I was amazed by his dedication and how much he was accepted into the community. Really interesting stuff. Glad you enjoyed it too.
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