Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

 Wild is one of my quick picks for an adult nonfiction read. It is a powerful, blazingly honest, inspiring memoir of woman who took herself out of her personal hell by tackling a solo, monumental journey into the wildness which proves that no matter how dark things can get you do have enough strength to carry on.

Description (from Goodreads): At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone. Strayed faces down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

Review: Wild is an unsentimental memoir of the author's three-month solo hike from California to Washington along the Pacific Crest Trail. Following the death of her mother, Strayed's life quickly disintegrated. Family ties from her siblings and stepfather melted away. Feeling emotionally numb, she dived head first into infidelity and drug use, which resulted in a divorced from her decent husband and best friend. For the next four years, her life quickly spiraled into darkness and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Strayed is very frank about her flaws and her writing is very candid, which is what drew me to her story. Her dark days will resonate with others who shared a similar event(s) in their own lives, but her means to find peace within herself may be a bit far fetched but not impossible.
  While waiting in line at an outdoors store, Strayed read the back cover of a book about the Pacific Crest Trail. Initially, the idea of hiking the trail became an abstract idea, something that might be listed on someone's bucket list, but then it quickly became a goal. With absolutely no backpacking experience whatsoever, being woefully under-prepared for the wilderness, out of shape and carrying a ridiculously overweight pack, the author set out from the small California town of Mojave, toward a bridge crossing the Columbia River at the Oregon-Washington border. Many would call her decision to be idiotic and impulsive and they would be right in many ways as she suffered aches, pains, loneliness, blistered, bloody feet, persistent hunger, and suspicious people along the way. Personally, I cringed when she made several decisions that could have easily been deadly yet I couldn't help but admire the author's tenacity of sticking to her goal when there were several times she could have easily stopped. I found a small part of myself connected to her plight and her conversational tone engaged me throughout her story. Strayed discovered a new found sense of awe; for overcoming her limitations along with gaining her inner and physical strength while hiking the PCT. She is stunned by how the trail both shattered and sheltered her as she released all her emotional baggage along the way.
  Some readers have found that Wild is a book filled with self pity and wallowing, but aren't most memoirs just that? If you're looking for a book talking about the wonders of hiking and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild will surely disappoint you as there is not much discussion to be found. If you are in the mood for a candid and an inspiring narrative, Wild may work for you.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: This book contains strong language, drug use, and frank discussion of sex. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Into the Wild by Jon Krauker, Claiming Ground by Laura Bell, A Blistered Kind of Love: One Couple's Trial by Trail by Angela Ballard, Cactus Eaters by Dan White

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Let's Pretend This Never Happened

  After reading a few serious books, I wanted something light and funny. I've gotten lots of good reviews of Let's Pretend This Never Happened from both coworkers and library patrons alike. I decided to give it a shot and for the most part I did enjoy it.

Description (from Goodreads): Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor.

Review: If you're looking for something funny or just a reassurance that maybe you're really not that weird then Let's Pretend This Never Happened is for you. If you, however, are looking for something with a bit more depth than a few chuckles here and there, this book will disappoint you.
  Jenny Lawson is definitely funny and I can definitely see her humorist wings growing. As a writer, however, she needs to stay focused. Let's Pretend This Never Happened is pretty much composed of tangents that are not linear nor really take any shape. For instance, there are footnotes and those footnotes have footnotes, but the footnotes don't really have much to do with the narrative but just a parenthetical that happens to be there. The lack of structure makes me think that the book wasn't edited to closely or that the editors chose to have Lawson's voice go unhindered due to her already large popularity (she has one of the biggest blogs on the internet called The Bloggess that has over a million page views on a daily basis). I did think there were chapters that were filler and I skimmed them without missing much. I would recommend jumping around and reading selective chapters instead of reading it straight through.
  Most of the book is read as if Lawson is constantly onstage and having to dish out a punchline all the time. I'll admit that majority of the punchlines were funny and amusing, but after a while it got really old and I found myself getting a little bored. My favorite parts of the book moves beyond the comedy and gets a bit personal as Lawson discusses poignant issues such as her pregnancy troubles and dealing with her anxiety. I do know that Lawson plans on exploring these issues in her next book, which would make the reading experience a bit more rewarding.
  While not mind blowing or expertly written, Let's Pretend This Never Happened is an amusing read that I would recommend for readers looking for a light and fun book. I do see Lawson's talent and I plan on reading more from her in the future.   

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language, drug use mentioned, and crude humor. Recommended for older teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: I Was Told There'd Be Cake by Sloane Crosley, I Know I Am, But What Are You? by Samantha Bee, Half Empty by David Rakoff, Naked by David Sedaris

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Bossypants

I avoid books written by celebrities for various reasons. Reading about their terrible childhood or vying with others about how many names they can drop in a sentence is not exactly how I want to spend my limited free time nowadays. I did make an exception to this unwritten rule with Tina Fey's Bossypants after several people told me that I had to read the book. After a long delay, I took a chance and actually really enjoyed it.

Description: From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon, comedian Tina Fey reveals all, and proves that you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

Review: Bossypants straddles the line between memoir and humorist essay. Fey, in her trademark self depreciating humor and astute observations, hilariously covers her childhood and coming-of-age; time at Chicago's Second City; years at Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a writer and performer; development of 30 Rock; and her ubiquitous role as Sarah Palin. She doesn't flinch nor cover up the less glamorous aspect of her life such as having a hard time finding a job just so she can have enough money to pay for improv classes. Along the way, she also demystifies the celebrity particularly the required photo shoot. My favorite part of the book, however, is Fey's input on women in the workforce and in comedy. Many people think that Fey's impression of Sarah Palin was funny because of the uncanny resemblance and her mannerisms, but few would realize how the sketches about feminism would go undetected.
 Sure Bossypants is a funny book, but I was surprised how much depth lied within the jokes. Fey's comedic timing is perfect. I laughed out loud constantly, but also paused to think too. I'd definitely recommend picking this one up if you're in a reading funk or in a mood for a smart, funny book where a celebrity can actually write and is articulate. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong language and some crude humor throughout the book. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling

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Breaking Night

   As the end of the school year draws near, I'm getting a bit burnt out and frustrated. Projects pile up and deadlines loom over my head. I needed something to inspire me and put things into perspective. I got some clarity after finishing up Liz Murray's biography/memoir Breaking Night.

Description: The stunning memoir of a young woman who at age 15 was living on the streets but survived to make it to Harvard. Murray's story was featured in the Lifetime Original Movie "Homeless to Harvard."

Review: I have heard of Liz Murray briefly on the news many years ago, but I didn't really know the whole story. I knew she was homeless and then got admitted to Harvard, but I wasn't aware of her journey from A to B. Breaking Night is an admirable and inspirational story of hope, struggle, and of forgiveness.
  Murray had an unenviable childhood with drug addict parents living in the decaying Brox, where her parents were more concerned about their next 'hit' rather than putting food on the table or sheltering their children. While Murray's older sister was furious and distant regarding their family situation, the author craved her parents' acceptance that she rationalized their addictions and poverty, even though if that meant she would be grotesquely unkempt and ostracized at school. Much of the Murray's story focuses on her mother, who though loved her daughters couldn't overcome her drug use.  Murray's adolescence becomes increasingly traumatic, as her mother was diagnosed with AIDS and her scholarly yet seedy father becomes her guardian.
  While it is so easy for Murray to become part of her parent's world, she struggles not to and puts her emphasis on education not as a means for success initially but rather a exit out to her nightmarish reality and a step to taking charge of her life:

“Instead, what I was beginning to understand was that however things unfolded from here on, whatever the next chapter was, my life could never be the sum of one circumstance. It would be determined, as it had always been, by my willingness to put one foot in front of the other, moving forward, come what may.” 

 As she grows older, she confronts the reality of her parent's issues. Instead of sitting back and blaming them (which no one would argue that they don't deserve it), she tries to help them. Murray faces obstacles after obstacles, but she continues to fight and finds hope and support from friends. Murray ably captures the fearful, oppressive lifestyle of a homeless teen, constantly hustling for places to stay, and her tale is a disturbing reminder of lives lost to addiction and poverty. Though some of the dialogue can be of kilter, it doesn't diminish the powerful story of survival and hope. It is hard hitting yet uplifting at the same time, showing just want someone could achieve if they genuinely want it.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong drug use, allusion to sexual abuse, some language, and few non-explicit sex scenes. Recommended for Grades 10 and up.

If you like this book try: Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, The Kids Are Alright by Diana Welch, Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells, Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

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A Walk in th Woods

  After reading a few lackluster titles, I wanted to read something funny that had depth. When I first read a book by David Sedaris (who's incredibly hilarious by the way), many people recommended that I should pick up Bill Bryson. I bought his book, A Walk in the Woods, at a book sale and then it sat on my shelf for many months until now. It definitely fulfilled my void and it was highly entertaining.

Description: Bryson share his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail with a childhood friend. The two encounter eccentric characters, a blizzard, getting lost, and rude yuppies along the way.

Review: A Walk in the Woods is a smart, funny travel book that also manages to tackle some important issues without ever being heavy or didactic. Bryson, who was born in Iowa, moved to England and gained most of his hiking experience along that country's friendly trails from village to village and pub to pub. He is an experienced travel writer and he decided to tackle the 2200-mile trail from Georgia to Maine with his overweight, ex-alcoholic hiking partner Stephen Katz. Bryson suddenly realizes that his British hiking experiences are completely different from his American one. The book comprises of the hiker's poignant observations and their experiences along the Appalachian Trail (AT). I laughed several times while reading this book, particularly when the two men yelled at cursed at each other and themselves for taking on a ridiculous endeavor, much like myself when I start my workout, hating every minute and counting down the time when I can stop.
  Similarly, Bryson and Katz struggle along a part of the southern trail and then abandon the whole idea when they admitted they could under no circumstances complete the journey just by hiking. Bryson drives down and samples parts of the remaining AT, such as the Pennsylvania coal country, and finally he and Katz decide to give it another chance and set out into the 100-mile wilderness of Maine. Their constant badgering about food (i.e. what the did/didn't pack, who ate all of it, what are they going to do when it runs out, etc) had me in stitches and me realize that I'm not well equipped on going camping at all. Their journey is shaky to say the least and coupled by some bizarre people they meet along the way including a rude yuppies and an airhead American twenty year old who has absolutely no clue how stupid she sounds when she speaks.
  The book's biggest strength is its humor, but Bryson also manages to intersperse his observations on the environmental damage along selected portions of the trail, which us pause to think how much we take advantage of the environment around us. He also includes some really interesting history on both of the trail itself and the areas of the eastern mountains through which it winds. I didn't think these discussion chapters were abrupt, but rather added an additional depth to the story along with drinking problem that Katz struggles with. I would definitely recommend this book to people who enjoy humorous novels but also want depth. I also think this would be a great book to listen to on a road trip where you can commiserate along with our incompetent traveling heroes. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language and crude humor. Marketed toward adults but I think it's suitable for teens in high school.

If you like this book try: Walking to Vermont by Christopher Wren, French Lessons by Peter Mayle

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My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me

  I don't read much nonfiction, but when I'm in the mood to try something in this section I generally choose nonfiction narratives. Nonfiction narratives are books that read like a novel. One of the few times I come across a title that makes me pause and ponder, which is how I found My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me, at my library.

Description: An Emmy Award-winning writer shares her misadventures in dating. When she finally got over a hard relationship she runs across a novel her ex-boyfriend wrote about their relationship at a Barnes and Noble Bookstore.

Review:  Hillary Winston is an Emmy award winning writer, most notably known for her work on the TV shows My Name is Earl and Community. Like all of us, Hillary has her string of bad relationships but hers hit an all time low that I'm sure puts all of ours to shame. While perusing the new releases section of her local Barnes and Nobel bookstore, Winston found herself portrayed on the pages of her ex-boyfriend's thinly veiled fiction novel in which her own character was barely disguised and conversations, dates, issues, etc. they'd had are written up word for word. Devastated and humiliated, Hillary decides to seek revenge in the form of writing her own true, nonfiction memoir to set the record straight. 
 Self-conscious, soul baring, and told with large doses of self deprecating humor, Winston holds nothing back, including her own ego, in her effort to make sense of her own horrendous relationships (and a few that I would actually call triumphs). She starts her retelling from her misstep in not acknowledging the first boy who really cared about her in fourth grade that basically foreshadows all of her bad relationships. Thereafter she continues to fall for jerks (that's really an understatement) who really don't want anything to do with her besides fulfill their own sexual urges.  
   I couldn't help but laugh and at the same time cringe at reading her dating disasters. And I will tell you, the girl has a knack for picking out the worst guys ever. Most of the time, however, I wanted to give Hillary a hug, chocolate, and large bowls of ice cream. It's easy looking outside in that Winston's problem is herself, plagued with extremely low self esteem and equating sex with love and approval. I cheered when Winston came to her own conclusion. I think she's extremely brave to expose her self, warts and all, to clear her name but I think she accomplished much more. Winston's memoir is funny, sensitive, and in the end will last and sit much longer on the nonfiction shelves with its bright pink cover facing out for all to see.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language and sexual content in the book. Recommended for adults only.

If you like this book try: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler, Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner

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Knucklehead :Tall tales & mostly true stories about growing up Scieszka

  When I went to the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago in 2009, one of the main highlights was seeing renown children authors Jon Schizeka and Mo Willems be the master of ceremonies for the library book cart drill event. The event showcasing library workers performing inspired dance routines with costumes and creatively decorated book carts is something to be witnessed by all. The MCs were hysterical and the performances were out of this world. Take a look below:

I never read anything by Schizeka but I enjoyed his comedy routine and was really excited to read his humorous memoir for children appropriately called Knucklehead.

Description: In a response to one of his most frequently asked question, where do you get your ideas?, Jon Scieszka Presents a memoir of what it was like to grow up in the 1950s and other almost true stories.

Review: Well written autobiographies that are a pleasure to read are hard to find, especially with younger readers. Knuckelhead is a delightful and hilarious memoir that I think both young and older readers will thoroughly enjoy. Jon Scieszka writes about growing up in Flint, Michigan with his parents and five brothers with his down to earth personality shining through. Each brief chapter is sparsely illustrated with family photographs and clipart, which will appeal even to reluctant readers. Scieszka writes about his love of reading that continued as he grew older. Scieszka's humor along with events that we all went through in childhood such as fooling our siblings and driving our parents is what makes this book such a fun read. I read Knucklehead in a couple of hours because I wanted to keep turning the pages to see what craziness he and his brothers will pull next. Readers looking for a genre break or even want to attempt nonfiction narrative should definitely pick this book up.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some bathroom humor in the book. In fifth grade Scieszka's class got in trouble when they were swearing on the playground. As a punishment they couldn't leave the classroom until they wrote down all the swear words they knew. The scene is handled with humor, but several words may not be appropriate for a younger reader. Recommended for Grades 3 and up.

If you like this book try: Boy by Roald Dahl, Bill Peet: An Autobiography by Bill Peet, or The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson

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Banned Books Week 2011: Stuck in the Middle

  Graphic novels are, unfortunately, the easiest targets for challenges and banning. 'Objectionable' pictures are easy to spot and cause for alarm despite the fact that they serve an important part of the story. Due to this there is an organization called The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and its mission is to protect "the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals." Check out their website for more information. The comic anthology called Stuck in the Middle was targeted in 2009-2010.

Description: Seventeen short comics stories are written from a variety of graphic novelists who explore their middle school experiences.

Review: Do you remember junior high? Was it a pleasant or unpleasant experience for you? Seventeen graphic novelists come together to visualize the anguish and awkwardness of that age in this honest, sometimes hilarious and other times cringe-worthy compendium of cartoon black humor. Some of the writers are well known such as Daniel Clowes, whose comics were adapted into an Oscar-nominated movie, Ghost World. Though the stories became repetitious, the comics nevertheless hit the mark in terms of emotional content, whether the subject is making friends, embarrassing parents, or suffering through a first date. Kids going through adolescence or looking back in the past will easily relate to these stories. For the most part the stories didn't show great pain or great joy, but small vignettes of life at that age exposed for what they are: small, sad and occasionally moving. Everyone gets over middle school eventually, and perhaps the strongest essay in the book was a how-to guide to making it through those difficult years. One of my complaints is not getting a wide viewpoint. Each of the story offers a story of an outcast or someone desperately trying to fit in with the in-crowd. I wondered about those who were considered popular or even the bullies. It would be nice to get a balanced perspective.
  Though all the comics are in the same in color schemes, the black, white, and gray-tone, the artwork is very unique from one story to the other. Moving from short story to short story was a bit challenging because each  cartoonist has his/her own style. Sometimes I had to figure out the panel sequence before reading the comic. Some artists draw sparse art and text, while others have a dense text and intricate artwork.
  While reading this book I can see why some parents may be uncomfortable with this book. Yes it has some language and crude humor, but it does realistically depict how children talk and think at this age. Mature middle school readers will most likely go beyond the superficial level and understand the purpose of this book which is: we all go through this awkward age and get we get through it. You are not alone. I think Stuck in the Middle would be a great place for parents and tweens/teens to discuss important issues like bullying together.


Rating: 3 stars

Why the book was challenged/banned: In 2009-2010, this graphic novel was pulled Pulled from the school library collections at two Sioux Falls, S.Dak. public middle schools. Masturbation and marijuana show
up in passing, and several of the vignettes include words most parents wouldn’t want to hear from their children. Source: ALA

Words of Caution: Due to some language, an implied image of masturbation, some crude humor, but more importantly the context of the graphic novel, I think this book would be better appreciated by teens and adult readers. 

If you like this book try: Escape from "Special" by Miss Lasko-Gross or Girl Stories by Laura R. Weinstein

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The Butterfly Mosque

  I had a wonderful time participating in the Middle East Reading Challenge hosted by Helen at Helen's Book Blog. I just wished that I registered much earlier so I could have fit in more books, however, I do plan on reading more books in this region. I've learned so much. I read G. Willow Wilson's memoir titled The Butterfly Mosque as my last entry for this reading challenge.


Description: The author describes her conversion to Islam and journey to Egypt where she taught English, learned about the Middle Eastern culture, and fell in love with an Egyptian man. 


Review: The Butterfly Mosque is a satisfying, well written memoir that is equally a romance and travelogue. When I started The Butterfly Mosque, I didn't know what to expect. I had never read a book about someone converting to a religion, especially Islam. After an illness forces her to face her own mortality at age 18, Wilson, the child of two atheists, finds herself in search of religion. The faith fits her needs is Islam, but post 9/11 she faces difficulties embracing it fully, feeling as if she is betraying her country, etc. However her interest in studying Islam, Arabic, and learning about the Middle East continues to grow. When she is given the opportunity to move to Cairo and teach at an English-language school that she is able to immerse herself in the religion she has come to love and become a Muslim.
  Her experiences at Cairo are eye opening and fascinating, especially with those of us who know absolutely nothing of the Egyptian culture. When she falls in love with Omar, an Egyptian physics teacher, Wilson becomes increasingly open about her faith. She openly claims Islam despite the fears that her friends and family will not accept her. Though Wilson finds herself warmly welcomed Omar's family, adjusting to life in Egypt takes time and patience. Despite speaking Arabic, following the social mores, and being an observing Muslim, Wilson isn't fully embraced by the Cairo dwellers and will probably always be known as the foreigner.
  Wilson avoids preaching how to be the "right" Muslim, keeping faith personal and instead focuses on the stereotypes of Arabs, particularly of the religious fundamentalists, and breaks them as she learns more about the religion, talks with natives, observes the society around her. As Wilson lives in Cairo, she also makes note how the different genders interact. Women's rights are most discussed, though at times the problematic issues are a bit glossed over. Still I found the memoir an enjoyable and approaching read and would recommend it to others. 


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language in the book. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Love in a Headscarf by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed or The Muslim Next Door by Sumbul Ali-Karamali

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One harrowing trip

    I have always been fascinated with the history and culture of Iran. I've learned about the Islamic Revolution during my World Civilizations class and did a whole project on it. I absolutely loved the graphic novel series called Persepolis I and II by Marjane Satrapi, which explored the revolution through the author's experiences. So when I came across a memoir about Iran, I was very excited to read it. Not only did I get a bit more information about the tumultuous relationship between Iran and the U.S., but also a terrifying account of being in prison for a crime one has not committed. 

Description: My Prison, My Home is a memoir by Halah Isfandiyari, who is the founding director of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Middle East Program. The author recounts her unnecessary imprisonment in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Esfandiari, an Iranian-American scholar,  was incarcerated in solitary confinement on bizarre, paranoid charges of aiding the American government in plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran. While visiting her mother in Tehran during the holidays, she was robbed in a taxi, then detained in her mother's home for months before being hauled off to prison. Initially, she thought it was a simple robbery, but then it became as if she was on a watch list of the fearsome Ministry of Intelligence, who grilled her about seemingly irrelevant information. The author recounts her trial and her release.

Review: I thought this memoir was interesting. It seems that many of the books that I've read about Iranian-Americans, the authors have immigrated from Iran and haven't gone back after the Islamic Revolution. I was curious as to how this author would describe her trip back home for a visit since she currently lives in the U.S. That being said, I was more interested and curious about the author's childhood and upbringing than her trial. Although her trial was scary to read, it did seem tedious and could have been trimmed down a bit more. The author was treated fairly well considering the infamous reputation of the Evin prison. I also thought the transition between the author's trial and the history of Iran's politics could have been a bit smoother. The history, goes into detail about from the 1960s to the Islamic Revolution, but skims over from the 1980s to the present. I would have liked it if the author spent more time talking about today's strained relationship between Iran and the U.S. since that is what her trial was all about. 

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: None. I do think this book is more geared towards adults than teens.

If you like this book, try: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

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