Lessons in Taxidermy

Wow. This book was a whirlwind. I couldn't put it down and I can't believe this woman is still alive. Being curious by nature I scoured the internet looking for pictures of Bee Lavender. I really wanted to know what she looked like. It is hard to find any pictures of her. (She does state in the book she doesn't like her photography taken.) It's horrible what she has been through at such a young age, yet the book ends on a hopeful note. She is going to live her life to the fullest while she can. That is amazing. I think she is a true hero in her own sense. She is also an amazing writer. She has a very strong voice and lays things out just as they happened. She doesn't try to get the reader to feel sorry or have sympathy for her.

The Book Thief

This book was quite unusual. I am still on the fence on how I feel about it. A very well told story, but very sad. I think this book could have been shorter. There were some story lines which I thought could have been eliminated and others that I thought could have been elaborated upon. I did however enjoy the point-of-view of Death. I thought that was a really interesting plot point.

Unsweetened

I was really looking forward to this book. I LOVED the show Full House and I also love memoirs. But this book just didn't do it for me. I found it pretty poorly written (no big surprise I guess), very repetitive and just too "hip" (I guess that's the word...) She was just trying too hard to relate or maybe impress the readers I think. I mean how many times can we read about her relapsing? She tells a sad, sad story, but in the end she wants us to think that she is recovered and I just don't believe it. I would not at all be surprised if she is still using or starts again. I was also disappointed she didn't write more about her Full House days. I guess she was pretty young at the time and maybe she doesn't remember all that much, but I thought that would have been more interesting than hearing about her endless partying and then lying on national TV.

Random Family

This book fascinated me. It took me a very long time to read, because it was so intense. I like the author's style of writing by the fact that she referred to everyone by name and not pronouns. Because there are so many players in the book I know I would be utterly confused if she didn't state people's names. This book is a true family saga, even though it reads like fiction. I am glad LeBlanc chose to write it this way, instead of first person. I think it makes it more credible in a way. LeBlanc dedicated something like 12 years of her life working on this book and immersing herself with these people. It's amazing to think about. It shines a lot of light on the social service system in New York. I would like to say this book made book made me sad or angry -- but it didn't. I am very interested in social work as a profession and this book made me feel even more passionate about it.

The Girls

This book fascinated me. What a truly unique story. I kept having to remind myself that this wasn't a memoir but fiction. I have never really put much thought on conjoined twins before. Never pondered what life must be like for them. After reading this book I don't think I will ever take for granted being able to truly do something alone. I am very impressed with the authors ability to really understand the feelings of what it must be like to live this way. I was totally engrossed in this book.

Infidel

This book gave me mixed feelings. Although I do believe in what Ali stands for, I am not so sure how much I actually liked her. I found her very self righteous. She is obviously very controversial. I mean there are not many people who basically condemn one of the largest religions in the world. It's so wonder that she had to go into exile. Sometimes I wonder how it is she is still alive.

That being said, Ali had led an extraordinary life! I wish at the end of the book she would have tied up a few loose ends -- one being the current state of the relationship with her parents. I was also amazed at how well she remembered all of the details.

In the end I would recommend this book, especially those who might be questioning their own faith.

Sold

This was a very powerful book for me! I read it in one sitting. Granted, I know, it is written for a teenage audience, but that didn't change how much force was behind it. I loved the way it was written in short vignettes, it packs a powerful message. It's hard to believe that this kind of thing is happening, right now, every day in India. It makes me so sad, but also very angry. One thing I wonder about though, is that there must be other countries doing the same type of work as these American's are. Raiding these brothels. It's not JUST America who is helping to change these problems, though the book makes out Americans as the ones who are going to save everyone. Otherwise this was a spectacular book.