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.