1. Birds Without Wings, Louis de Bernieres, Rating: 4.3
The writing in this book is gorgeous. I frequently found myself stunned by the imagery contained in a single sentence. Seriously. The plot is just okay, and wanders a bit, but to see some really fine examples of someone who knows how to craft a sentence, read this book.
2. The Constant Princess, Philipa Gregory, Rating: 3.2
This is the latest from the woman that wrote the trilogy Bonaparte's wife that I read a few months back. It's no better or worse than her other books (in other words, pretty interesting, slightly formulaic). This one covers the life of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry the Eighth.
3. Freakonomics, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, Rating: 4.0
It's hard not to find this book interesting--it's wide ranging and comes up with fascinating conclusions. Considering it's a book on economics, it's a real page turner.
4. Dark Star Safari, Paul Theroux, Rating: 2.3
I haven't made up my mind about Paul Theroux yet. I really want to like him. I actually want to like any writer that covers lots of ground and tells about it in a compelling way. This book is not a success. Theroux really comes across as a snob (as he always does; it's just intensified this time), and the book feels forced. I didn't actually finish it, but I'm including it because I got pretty darn close before deciding life's to short to read frustrating books.
5. Honey Don't, Tim Sandlin, Rating: 2.0
I love Tim Sandlin. His Grovont trilogy is absolutely hilarious. This, his most recent book, is not. It's actually pretty lame. It makes me sad.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Snow on Mount Tam
IMG_0393.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
Adam and I drove up to the top of Mount Tam on Saturday morning to see the snow. This is about as good as it got--you can see the scale in this second photo. 
.
Friday, February 17, 2006
View from the top of Cole Street
IMG_0300
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.
For all of you city dwellers, this is a great weekend walk--just head up Cole Street to the park at the top. The view is arguably the best in the city. (I think the view from the new DeYoung might be slightly better, but you have to pay to see that.
Ella's First Birthday
What can I say, other than Ella is the cutest little girl ever? And notice the pink velour Baby Phat tracksuit--Hayden would be proud. (Ella is Oliver and Sharon's child. This was taken at her first birthday party.)
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
January 2006 Book Reviews
I was absolutely thrilled that someone gave me a hard time about lagging on this post. Brooks, my (probably) only reader, this one's for you. I have grand plans to reinvigorate the blog when I have more time. Believe it or not, I'll be finished with my crochet book by this time next week. Just think of all the time I'll have to write the great american online novel, organize the content, come up with witty comments... Or, realistically, post pictures of my friends' kids. Adam and I are taking a trip to Hawaii at the end of the month, so there will likely be a lot of pictures from Maui and the big island soon.
Getting down to business, here are January's books.
1. Hitler's Niece, Ron Hansen, Rating: 3.5
This book got mountains of press when it came out back in 2000. So much that when I ran across the book at the library, I was able to recall that, for a moment, it was all that anyone was talking about. I also have the sneaking suspicion that I've read more of his books (I checked on amazon and nothing looks familiar, but I'm sure I'm just forgetting), and I worked with his wife in my Chronicle days (The Distant Land of My Father, which I didn't love but many others did). It's very well done, and if you're interested in World War II, I'm sure it's a must-read. To be totally honest, I was bored by it, but I think I'm just not the audience. I also struggled to accept what the author was presenting as the truth (or at least a version of it)--it's clear from his notes that the source material is sketchy, and I didn't really see how he was drawing the connections he did.
2. Falling Angels, Tracy Chevalier, Rating: 1.9
You may recognize Chevalier's name--she wrote The Girl With a Pearl Earring. That book deserves some credit for a novel idea (if not great execution); this book manages to be fairly pointless.
3. She Got Up Off the Couch, Haven Kimmel, Rating: 3.8
Haven Kimmel mines her family for book material. As David Sedaris has shown us, this is often a very funny, successful way to go. Kimmel is not David Sedaris, but her stories and observations are interesting and occasionally have the power to make you chuckle.
4. Patrimony, Philip Roth, Rating 3.0
Reading this book is like staring into someone's apartment with a telescope. The person isn't interesting or attractive or sexy; but it's all there for you to see. I had a hard time putting it down, and felt almost dirty for not stopping. It's an extremely detailed account of the (slow) death of Roth's father, and it certainly makes you feel like you're right there.
5. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros, rating: 3.0
Interesting, and from what I understand a rather important book, but it's clearly intended for a younger reader.
Getting down to business, here are January's books.
1. Hitler's Niece, Ron Hansen, Rating: 3.5
This book got mountains of press when it came out back in 2000. So much that when I ran across the book at the library, I was able to recall that, for a moment, it was all that anyone was talking about. I also have the sneaking suspicion that I've read more of his books (I checked on amazon and nothing looks familiar, but I'm sure I'm just forgetting), and I worked with his wife in my Chronicle days (The Distant Land of My Father, which I didn't love but many others did). It's very well done, and if you're interested in World War II, I'm sure it's a must-read. To be totally honest, I was bored by it, but I think I'm just not the audience. I also struggled to accept what the author was presenting as the truth (or at least a version of it)--it's clear from his notes that the source material is sketchy, and I didn't really see how he was drawing the connections he did.
2. Falling Angels, Tracy Chevalier, Rating: 1.9
You may recognize Chevalier's name--she wrote The Girl With a Pearl Earring. That book deserves some credit for a novel idea (if not great execution); this book manages to be fairly pointless.
3. She Got Up Off the Couch, Haven Kimmel, Rating: 3.8
Haven Kimmel mines her family for book material. As David Sedaris has shown us, this is often a very funny, successful way to go. Kimmel is not David Sedaris, but her stories and observations are interesting and occasionally have the power to make you chuckle.
4. Patrimony, Philip Roth, Rating 3.0
Reading this book is like staring into someone's apartment with a telescope. The person isn't interesting or attractive or sexy; but it's all there for you to see. I had a hard time putting it down, and felt almost dirty for not stopping. It's an extremely detailed account of the (slow) death of Roth's father, and it certainly makes you feel like you're right there.
5. The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros, rating: 3.0
Interesting, and from what I understand a rather important book, but it's clearly intended for a younger reader.
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