2012 Review Extravaganza: Pt. 3
by Jenners • 12/18/2012 • 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, Adventure, Audiobook, Contemporary, Essays, Fiction, History, Memoir, Non-Fiction, P Authors, P Titles, S Authors, S Titles, T Titles, V Authors, W Authors, W Titles • 53 Comments
I’m continuing to catch up on all the books I read in 2012 but didn’t review. As always, short and sweet is the goal!
State of Wonder written by Ann Patchett and read by Hope Davis
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Why I Read It: I fell under the influence of many bloggers who said the book was worth reading.
My Rating: 4 stars
Bel Canto was my first Ann Patchett book, and I loved it. I then read a few more and didn’t love them. I’d written her off as “not for me” when everyone started raving about this book. Being easily influenced and because Hope Davis was the narrator, I gave it a listen. The book has an almost dream-like quality, and I found it quite involving. The basic plot it this: Researcher Dr. Marina Singh ventures deep into the Amazon to find her former mentor Dr. Annick Swenson—who has been isolated in the Amazon researching a potentially lucrative new drug for their mutual employer—to get some answers about the fate of Marina’s office mate, who preceded her into the Amazon but never returned. Patchett manages to spin a fantastical tale that also feels grounded in reality. Part of me could imagine such a world existing, and I fell under the same enchantment as Marina. The characters were always surprising me (particularly Dr. Swenson), and I’m glad I took the chance on Ann Patchett again.
Take the Cannoli and The Partly Cloud Patriot written by Sarah Vowell
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays, Humor
Why I Read It: I’m a Vowell fan and was excited to sample some of her essays
My Rating: 4 stars for Take the Cannoli and 3.5 stars for The Partly Cloudy Patriot
If you like your history presented snarkily and rambling, then Sarah Vowell is the author for you! In these collection of essays, we learn more about our favorite liberal amateur historian (such as details of her childhood and early career) while getting the usual weird assortment of historical atrocities and oddities. Of the two books, my favorite was Take The Cannoli, which was the more personal (and funnier) of the two. One of my favorite stories recounted Sarah’s driving lessons from her boss, Ira Glass. If you’re a Sarah Vowell fan, you’ll want to read both books. If you’ve not explored this quirky talent, then these are the perfect place to start. (Keep in mind, Sarah is definitely a liberal and isn’t afraid to talk politics so if you lean more to the right, she might not be a good fit for you.)
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Why I Read It: After discovering Strayed’s work in Tiny Beautiful Things, I wanted to read her memoir and find out more about her. Plus some woman named Oprah picked it for her book club so it was pretty inescapable for some time.
My Rating: 4 stars
Wild is Strayed’s memoir of her 1,100-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. However, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a travel narrative or a serious backpacking story. It is not. Strayed basically went on the trail with very little preparation and information. In fact, she was so ill-equipped for her hike that I imagine serious outdoorsman grimacing in displeasure and judgment whilst reading it. If you take your outdoor literature seriously, you will HATE this book. With that out of the way, let me tell you what this book IS about. It is about Strayed losing her way after her mother’s death and the break-up of her marriage and her somewhat misguided attempt to find herself by undertaking a ridiculously difficult physical challenge. There are those of you (I’m looking at you, Jill and Ti) who hated this book because of Strayed’s behavior (on-trail sex, drug use, lack of preparedness, whining), but I’m not one of those haters. I see Strayed as a damaged, confused young woman who had reached the end of her rope and didn’t know how to find a way out. Rather than heading down the bad path she was on, she chose to step out of real life and take on this quest. The fact that she succeeded is a testament to her strength and perseverance. I think this trip was a crucible where Strayed entered a confused girl and came out a woman. If you like blisteringly honest memoirs about people doing foolish things but with a big and honest heart, then this a must-read. If however, you can’t stand the follies of the young and foolish or people who venture out into nature without knowing what they are doing, then steer clear as this book will annoy you to no end.
State by State: 50 Writers On 50 States by Various Authors
Genre: Non-Fiction, Essays
Why I Read It: The premise of 50 writers writing about the 50 different states was just irresistible to me, especially when the writers include Jhumpa Lahiri, Sarah Vowell and Dave Eggers, to name just a few
My Rating: 3.5 stars
As with all collections with essays by various authors, the results are somewhat uneven. However, I can’t imagine anyone who lives in or has traveled extensively in the United States not being interested in how the states they have lived in or visited are portrayed. I was thrilled that Anthony Bourdain took on my home state of New Jersey (and did a good job with it), and I thought it fitting that Oregon’s entry was one of the few in the form of a “comic” strip (which prominently featured rain and umbrellas). Looking back now, the essay I remember the most fondly was Dave Eggers’s take on Illinois. Although I read this book straight through, I think the better approach would be to read one or two states a day—or just dip your toes in every so often. In addition to the essays, there are little factoids about each state that were interesting in their own right.
Savages written by Don Winslow and read by Michael Kramer
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Why I Read It: When the Oliver Stone movie version came out this summer, I decided I’d listen to the book rather than see the movie—probably a wise decision
My Rating: 4 stars
First things first, this is not a book for the faint-hearted or the easily offended. I listened to it on audio when I was walking my dogs and there were times when I felt myself blushing from what I was listening to … ON MY HEADPHONES! I kept thinking “If people only knew what I was listening to now, they’d be shocked.” This is some hard-core, graphic writing … and hearing it read out loud makes it seem even more so. (By the way, Michael Kramer has the perfect voice for the material … with a kind of WTF/seen it all, done it all attitude.) The basic story deals with a love triangle between two pot dealers and their girl and what happens when they run awry of a Mexican drug cartel and the girl gets kidnapped. The writing—despite its bluntness and graphic descriptions—was good and often very funny. But this is by no means a “feel good” book. And if people in SoCal are really like the characters in this book, then I’m staying the hell away.
Thanks for reminding me I bought this State by State book last year! I haven’t even opened it to read Ohio yet!
Too funny! It is good one to read slowly over the course of the year. Like 3 or 4 states a month or something.
Quite a mix of books. I would try the Patchett book because I keep hearing so many good things about it. The hubby wants to rent Savages so I’ll let you know how good it is. didn’t realize it was based on a book.
I definitely want a report on The Savages! If it too violent or gross, not sure I could handle it.
I’ve been really wanting to read Wild. My aunt and I had a dream of walking the Appalachian Trail.
Well, you will certainly learn what NOT to do! I hope you get to live your dream one day.
I gave up on State of Wonder about half way through. Everyone keeps telling me I should give it another go – so maybe in 2013? I had one of those “Oprah” moments that I get on occasion and bought Wild on my Nook, but then couldn’t get pumped to read it. I’ll also shoot for that one next year.
Thanks for the review.
Well, it could be that State of Wonder isn’t for you. I do hate when everyone seems to like a book that doesn’t do it for … I wonder what I’m missing! And that Oprah … she gets me all the time.
Oh, I just loved Wild – it was so symbolic of her life. A wonderful read.
Yay! A non-hater of Wild!! I’m not alone! : )
I feel like I should read State of Wonder, but I keep not picking it up. I am an Ann Patchett fan usually, too
I thought it was really different from her other stuff. It might be a good audio … Hope Davis has the best voice!
I listened to State of Wonder and enjoyed it, but have not read anything else by the author.
I definitely liked this more than some of her other stuff … and listening to it on audio might have even made it better. Hope Davis is good!
I’ve been meaning to read Ann Patchett for a while. Wild sounds good too.
If I don’t get a chance to stop by again before next week, Merry Christmas to you and your family!
And same to you! I hope your holidays are restful and enjoyable!
50 States sounds like it would be interesting to a Canadian whose only had brief personal exposure to 7 or 8 states. Yes?
I would think so. It might be interesting to see what your perspective of the states were compared to the author and perhaps convince you to visit a few more!
I LOVED State of Wonder, and thought it was the best and most strangely addicting read. I knew that I was going to love it after reading some of the first reviews, but had no idea just how much I would love it until I was well into the story. I also really want to read Savages, and think that I am going to buy that one when I can. Perhaps I should wait for audio….I am unsure.
State of Wonder was really a strange, meandering hypnotic read … so different than I expected. And Savages might be best on audio (even though it is hard-core) — the narrator really captures the tone and feeling of the book so well.
I really liked State of Wonder, so I’m happy to see you enjoyed it too. Thanks for sharing what the entry for Oregon was like in the states book. I was curious.
Next time you’re in a book store, you should try and hunt it down and look at it. I think you’d get a kick out of it.
Oh my.. Wild. Well, you know my thoughts on it. I don’t hate the woman even though soooo many on Amazon have commented on that exact thing but the book left me cold. I didn’t get the hype at all and never felt as if she grew at all from the experience. That’s just me though… oh and Jill.
I think the book is divisive … you either like it or you don’t (and you don’t like it strongly). I think it was brave of her to write it and put herself out there in a not always flattering light.
I’m in the middle of Wild right now and I’m just not sure about it. At the moment I’m definitely leaning towards Jill’s opinion. I lost my own Mom is cancer and I just have a hard time accepting that as a valid excuse for making a million selfish decisions. I understand grief, though not how each person individually reacts to it, but so far it feels like an excuse for bad behavior in her mind.
I think this is a polarizing book. Her story is so personal and raw and honest and that it easy to not relate to her.
My goodness you weren’t joking when you said you had a bit of a book review backlog. So many interesting books, you really do have eclectic tastes.
I know!! And I still have four more installments to go! Bad Jenners!
State by State is the only one listed here that I might consider reading at some point. What I’d really like to do is find it in a bookstore and just look at the chapter on my own state (and maybe a couple of others)! I think one of my brothers would love it, though. Thanks! I’m going to e-mail him about it right now.
The first four I read were all states I’ve lived in so I understand the urge to do that!
Wild is every where at the moment, but I think I’d be in the group who get annoyed by “people who venture out into nature without knowing what they are doing,” Thanks for the warning – I’ll stay clear!
It is a polarizing book — you hate it or you love it!
You may be the only other person I ever heard of that read State by State. I thought it was fascinating and really liked it. I agree that reading pieces from time to time is better. It is a good reference book or for when you are not in the mood to read a lot. Take the Cannoli is also a favorite of mine, especially the piece about the Trail of Tears. Again–I just love these mini reviews.
Yay … another person who read State by State! It isn’t one you come across too often on book blogs, is it? I would have liked it even more if I’d spread it out over time I think.
WILD: To read or not to read, that is the question. I had decided on not, but now you’re making me rethink.
Oh you’ve got to read it just to see what side you fall on!
I loved State of Wonder, and I didn’t expect to honestly. But that dreamy, bizarre story combined with the phenomenal narration of Hope Davis just sealed the deal for me. And I do love my Sarah Vowell, but my library has neither of these books on audio. And I will ONLY read her on audio.
I know! I wish I had listened to Vowell’s books on audio — I could almost hear her in my head though!
Your review of State of Wonder makes we want to run out and eat bark.
So should I start shopping for baby gifts then? HAHA!
I imagined Dr Swenson a bit like the doctor played by Sigourney Weaver in Avatar. Love Bel Canto but have not read others by Ann Patchett, may go look at a couple.
Liked the sound of Wild too.
thanks for sharing
martine
Oh I could see that!! I envisioned her older than that … with steely gray hair, glasses and always wearing Birkenstocks. In fact, I have a really specific image of her in my mind and I didn’t realize that until you mentioned Sigourney Weaver!
I really like Sarah Vowell, and liked The Partly Cloudy Patriot. I love listening to her voice – the nasally tone just works for her somehow. I still visit the This American Life site’s archives once in a while to listen to her read her stuff.
I haven’t read any of the other books, though I know lots of folks love Patchett.
I’ve been listening to Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth FOREVER – it’s huge. I’m on the last part, and have enjoyed it immensely. In all, the audiobook is about 40 hours long.
With all this listening, I haven’t found time to read an actual book, and I’ve pretty much abandoned regular blogging. Shame on me.
Once you’ve listened to Sarah Vowell a bit, you can kind of “hear” her when you read it in print. Still, it would have been a better experience!
And Follett is a commitment! I read that ages ago and it was a brick of a book. Not sure I could stick with one audio for that long no matter how good the story or narrator!
Oh man, I’m torn…. I sort of wanted to try to keep up with Oprah’s book club picks this time around but Ti and Jill definitely convinced me that I wouldn’t like Wild. But I’m still curious, especially with your review. Hm…
As for State of Wonder, yes that book was amazing!!
Oh try Wild and see what YOU think. It is a polarizing book. I’m curious if you’d like it or hate it.
Enjoyed your mini reviews, Jenners! One of these days, I will read my Ann Patchett novel. Don’t worry, I live in SoCal.
I’ll tell you, Savages does not do SoCal any favors!
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It looks like you’ve been enjoying your reading. I liked State of Wonder but didn’t love it – the ending just bugged me!
Good grief … how do you get here so fast? I just finished editing and checking that all was OK and I already have a comment. And I didn’t LOVE State of Wonder but I got caught up in its rhythms. And I didn’t expect that ending!
I liked State of Wonder, and actually, most everything Patchett has written.
Her other stuff (besides Bel Canto) just didn’t work for me for some reason.