What did you read during the summer?

There are many lists published and posted of good books to read during the summer.

Then, there are those books that were recommended by someone, sitting on a table, or with a cover that caught your eye - in physical or electronic form.

What did you read, and how would you rate it?

Once a Jarhead, always a Jarhead by Anthony Swofford

     Variety, Honesty, and thought-provoking are three words/phrases that come to mind to describe Jarhead: A Marine's Chronicle of The Gulf War and Other Battles by Anthony Swofford.  Swofford kept me engaged from page 1 with his storytelling that changes topics from chapter to chapter. Because the chapters are not necessarily tied together, he is able to move between people, events, and time, and he does not get bogged-down in details, as is the case in other books on the "experience of war." This variety keeps the pages turning and the stories "easy" to read; I was curious what the next chapter would bring.    

     I thought I would learn about the experience of a Marine, which I did; however, there was so much more than the work of the scout/sniper.  It's the humanity versus politics of war; the waiting, needing, and wanting out of war; the front lines, enemy, and death of war.  The insight and honesty commands understanding and respect.

     Swofford shares some of his experiences in boot camp, and when leadership can take one's power too far; the discipline developed through the Marines, yet the unexpected habits developed in order to handle the job; the personal conflict between knowing one's job is to serve and potentially die, yet when in war, really not wanting nor ready to die; how the Marines distinguish themselves from the other branches of the military, yet the politics that exist means that not everyone is cut for the job; the psychological war towards the enemy, leadership, and oneself.

     Now, if only Swofford could answer all the questions I have written in the margins! 

Library of Congress Exhibit "Books That Shaped America"

A new exhibition from the Library of Congress website:

Books That Shaped America

June 25–September 29, 2012

Books That Shaped America marks a starting point—a way to spark a national conversation on books and their importance in Americans’ lives, and, indeed, in shaping our nation.

This exhibit will overlap with  the National Book Festival on the National Mall—September 22–23, 2012

"The titles featured here (by American authors) have had a profound effect on American life, but they are by no means the only influential ones. And they are certainly not a list of the “best” American books, because that, again, is a matter of strong and diverse opinion. Curators and experts from throughout the Library of Congress contributed theirchoices, but there was much debate—even agony—in having to remove worthy titles from a much larger list in order to accommodate the physical constraints of this exhibition space. 

Some of the titles on display have been the source of great controversy, even derision, yet they nevertheless shaped Americans’ views of their world and often the world’s view of the United States. As you go through this exhibition, we hope the books you see will inspire you to think of other “books that shaped America” and that you will share your choices for future lists at www.loc.gov/bookfest. Please tell us how you think your book shaped America."

See the list of all 88 books at the Library of Congress' website and vote for your three favorites.

Mental Bind

    The Double Bind by Christopher A.Bohjalian meshes reality with "imagination" and contemporary characters with the story of Jay Gatsby of The Great Gatsby. And weave an interesting story is what Bohjalian does in this novel. 

The story is woven around Laurel who works at a homeless shelter where she met Bobbie Crocker. When he dies suddenly. he leaves behind a collection of photographs, which captures not only an initial interest of Laurel, but eventually an intense curiosity or obsession.  She is on a mission to solve a mystery that she senses lies within  the photographs.

This is realistic fiction with a few twists. An engaging read; however, I was left with a sense of confusion, though, and felt like I missed something along. I felt like I just read a fiction version of A Beautiful Mind.

Something Wicked This Summer

I had all intentions of reading Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury this summer. When he passed away in June, I decided to read this book first.  What a fun book to read in the summer, too!

The carnival has come to Green Town, IL in October, and Jim and Will have a wild and crazy time of magic, mystery, and surrealism with Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show. What these boys encounter play with the mind as to what is reality and what is imagination. When blended, how does one know the difference, as there is more than what meets the eye. 

I had to read a few pages before I was hooked, but by page 50, I was intrigued, and by page 200, well, another turn is taken, and I had to know what happens next!

Sci-fi/fantasy was not a genre I read much of in the past. However, a student assistant from 2011and a sophomore and senior from the 2011-2012 school year have encouraged me to add even more variety into my reading. Thank you, Ray Bradbury, for your wonderful contributions to the literary world.  

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins continues her talented and unique writing with Impulse.

Having read several of her other books, including Crank and Tricks, I was expecting characters with issues and conflict bigger than themselves. Certainly this is what I found with Conner, Vanessa, and Tony. These three characters find themselves at a rehabilitation center, each with different issues, yet it is this emotional, mental, and sometimes physical conflict that is a common thread between them and the other teens at the center. 

Impulse wasn't as difficult for me to handle as her other works, yet the topics are just as serious and important for teens to read about to try to understand or help other teens.  The material is important for adults to read about and be aware of, especially when working with teens. 

The directness with which Hopkins writes is cushioned with care and concern, and when her characters are ready to share. Their stories are shared throughout the book, as part of their own process of forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing. 

I hope Hopkins' books can get in the hands of teens who need to read such stories - who need to know they are not alone in a struggle.  The topics of a few of her books could limit their appearance on the shelves of certain school libraries, yet this could be a significant part of a teen's first step to seeking help.

Growing-up in the 1980s - immigrant story

Stealing Buddha's Dinner by Bich Minh Nguyen is not a new book (2007), yet it is a different perspective on the immigrant experience. Nguyen is brought to the United States from Vietnam as a very young child and spends her formative years in Grand Rapids, MI with her father, sister, grandmother, step-siblings, and step-mother, who is Hispanic.

Not only is Nguyen a minority, she is part of a blended, inter-racial family.  She has a lot to contend with as a child within her own family and the "American" culture that surrounds her from her neighbors to school to television.

Food is a constant theme throughout the book, which not only underscores her ethnic culture - Vietnamese and Hispanic - but highlights what she is not and does not have - "American" like her classmates - Betty Crocker meals, Lil Debbie snacks, Toll House cookies, homemade cupcakes. 

Always feeling awkward - the "cool" factor of her step-sister, thick glasses, the "smart" sister, while her sister is the "pretty" one, and just not always sure how to handle her family - Nguyen finds escape in books and the comfort and security of Noi, her grandmother who is always present, calm, and constant.

Nguyen keeps her story moving, though at times the story gets thick with details about TV shows or food. While, at the same time, some additional details could have been added in other chapters. 

Experiences, issues, and conflicts that many readers could understand. A nice addition to the immigration story. 

War - the embedded perspective

War by Sebastian Junger is a new favorite in this genre. Many people feel this way with the reviews noted in the front pages of the paperback published by 12.

Junger, a journalist reporting for Vanity Fair, is embedded with troops in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan between June 2007 and June 2008. The results include this book and the documentary Restrepo, produced and directed by Junger & Tim Hetherington. 

Junger speaks to the reader about the soldiers - their experiences,  brotherhood, the strategies of war, the interplay of military and community leadership.  He opens with O'Byrne, a soldier who is a constant throughout the book, and I was immersed in the book immediately,  This is the first book I read of the "embedded" perspective, and it made a difference. 

There is always a human side to war, and Junger emphasizes this side, as the theme of brotherhood resonates throughout the story, as the book opens with an introduction to O'Byrne, a soldier Junger returns to throughout the book.  Because Junger is involved on a day-to-day basis, the reader gets a glimpse into their work, their "down-time," their living conditions, the risks they take, and their "wins" and  tragic loses.   The reader can begin to understand the war these soldiers are fighting, and what the soldiers must do to survive - both physically and mentally. 

 While we must understand, or at least try to understand, their experiences, Junger includes the conflict of one soldier to return home to civilian life or to re-enlist.  It is part of his writing and reporting. This last dose of reality is one more message of the human side of military and war, and what I sensed to be a significance message. Or, maybe it's just not common in the war genre.  We - civilians and the government - must also be sure that they be able to survive upon their return home. Junger leaves us to wrestle with this and many other responsibilities.  

   

Wormfood - strong stomach or imagination?! Jeff Jacobson

Wormfood by local author Jeff Jacobson is quite the piece of creative writing.  His vivid, specific descriptions illicit quite the images of the characters, their circumstances, and all the "gross" activity involved, that made me laugh, squirm for a moment or two, and flip the page to know what happens next.  
 16-year-old Arch Turner finds himself in some weird situations over a weekend that will never end, yet, he learns a little about himself, his abilities, and what desperation will do to people. He is a laid-back, grounded kid suddenly thrown into the greed, deception, and lies of many adults in his community.  Add in the element of worms, and this makes for a good, fun read. Plus, the cover is excellent! For something different, this might be worth reading. Do note, this story may not be for those with a weak stomach and the vocabulary is not for everyone, either. 
I gave my signed copy to someone, and have yet to get it back. I think it was that good!


See cover  and reviews at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Wormfood-Jeff-Jacobson/dp/1605421014

"War is hell, but war is also paradise" - The Ghosts of Wa by Ryan Smithsonr

Ghosts of War by Ryan Smithson is his experience in Iraq as a soldier of the U.S. Army.  His story made me laugh aloud in front of strangers, brought me to tears, even though I tried hard not to cry, and gave me  pause for reflection that I turned down corners on many more pages than I expected.

His writing is deeply personal - he says these are the words that save him.  At the same time, these words can save us - to remember, appreciate, and support.  He informs and explains, educates, and shares stories using various writing techniques throughout that carry the reader from chapter to chapter.      


What is most heartening about Smithson's story is that his missions deal with dump trucks, concrete, sand bags, and other construction equipment.  He is on the "front lines" with every mission to work on roads, water pipes, or other infrastructure.  His role is not what first comes to mind when one thinks of soldiers in Iraq; however, this work does make a difference to many adults and children of Iraq - one hole sealed, one water main repaired, one bottle of water at a time.   

I think this book will find a place on my desk and sit high in my repertoire of books to recommend and/or booktalk.  I hope that many readers can take something from Smithson's experience and insight to try to face our fears, have faith in humanity, and  realize the power of brotherhood.

To Smithson and all other military personnel on U.S. soil and abroad, thank you.