Review: Across Many Mountains by Yangzom Brauen

Across Many Mountains / Yangzom Brauen

Published September 27th 2011 by St. Martin’s Press.

* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

It is a powerful and very personal story of family, survival, diaspora, bravery, nationalism, and faith.

You will feel like you are with this family on their journey from their home country of Tibet, away from the Chinese oppression, to surviving in India, until they settle in Switzerland where a new generation continues the fight to free Tibet.  Along the lines of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, model/actress Yangzom Brauen shares her family story with much emotion and colorful characters.

I love how the story is about three generations of Tibetan women and how different their lives turned out.  Kunsang lived in the mountains of Tibet and religiously followed the Buddhist teachings she learned as a nun.  Sonam was raised mostly in India where she had her first contact with modern civilization and Westerners.  Yangzom was born and brought up in comfortable Switzerland, a world away from where the story began.  But their love for Tibet never wavered.

This is the first memoir that I’ve read about Tibet and the struggles of the Tibetan people.  I found it really interesting and inspiring.  The family’s escape from Tibet was so daring; it showed the power of human determination.  I also learned a lot about Buddhism from all the description of prayers and practices narrated on the pages.  It also tells about the brutal destruction of Tibetan life and land by the Chinese.  The book bravely announces its stand on the issue (the author is an active supporter for Tibetan rights).

It got a little preachy in the end.  I am not a big fan of pieces with a rather political tone but in this book, it was presented in a subtle way.  I know the whole “protestation and demonstration” part is Yangzom’s contribution to the journey and I do understand that it was necessary.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: An inspiring story of faith and survival.  It is a great addition to anyone’s non-fiction shelf.

Get your copy here.

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Quotes: Annie Proulx

“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”

Happy Banned Books Week!

Banned Books Week, 24 September to 1 October 2011.

How many banned books have you read?

I find it interesting that people feel a stronger urge to read a banned book over a regular off-the-shelf title.  It’s the little rule-breaker in all of us, I guess.  And of course, the curiosity — why was this book banned?  I’ve read many lists and some of the reasons surprise me.  They range from being culturally and/or religiously “backwards” to really graphic images of violence and sexual behaviors.  Even children’s books aren’t safe from inclusion to the list.

The American Library Association provides a list of banned books over the years.  Even at this day and age, more titles are being added.  One of my friends commented that being in these lists is good publicity for books.  Notice that a lot of these titles are popular whether they’re banned or not.  I personally love the challenge of reading banned books.  Sometimes, I read a title then find out later that it is banned and the reason why.  Nevertheless, it was a good read.

So, referring to the 2010-2011 list, how many banned books have you read?

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
• Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank (which I do NOT like)
• Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
• Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
• Snow Falling on the Cedars by David Guterson (but I didn’t finish)

How about I challenge myself next month or next year:  Read a banned book once a month.

Admin Post: Book Review Podcast, anyone?

Well, not really a podcast.  It’s not going to be a regular, weekly thing or whatever.  More like… an audio book review.

I’ve been searching the Interwebs for similar projects but I’ve only found book podcasts from NPR and similar places.  If there are book reviews in audio form out there in book blogs, let me know.  I’d love to look into that.

Now, I tried venturing into book VLOGs but I don’t have a decent camcorder and I’m not used to talking in front of the camera.  Most of my VLOGs are of me talking from behind the lens.  Sort of like a POV video.  Maybe some other time, I’ll give book vlogging a try but right now, I’m shy LOL.

So yeah.  Let me know what you think.  Of course, text reviews will still be my main thing but I think actually talking about it would be fun.  I already have a book picked out.  (If you know me, it’s one of my favorite books of all time so either I’ll be a babbling fangirl or it’ll go on forever.  Or both.)  It’s also going to be my first time reviewing an audio book so it’s going to be fun.

Thanks, guys!  Have a great week!

Review: Department Thirteen by James Houston Turner

Department Thirteen / James Houston Turner

Published September 15th 2011 by Comfort Publishing, LLC.

* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Department Thirteen – the assassination and sabotage unit of the KGB – never officially existed, but retired KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov knows that it did. It’s but one of the many secrets he’s worked hard to forget. Now living in Australia, Talanov and dozens of dinner guests are suddenly the target of assassins. Talanov and his wife are mistakenly spared, but soon find themselves running for their lives, hunted by the killers, blamed by the police, increasingly pivotal to an invisible network of death about which they know nothing. But someone thinks they know. For in 1983, a second Department Thirteen was created, and Talanov discovers they have but one purpose: to kill him, whatever the cost.

This book reminded me of the TV show 24.  Fast paced and unpredictable.  And the story was interesting.  All the talk about the KGB, espionage, deceit, and spy games… it got me hooked!  It had a very engaging cast of characters.  I wish some of those introduced early in the story stuck around until the end, or maybe an update on what they were doing at least.  Talanov might already be out of the KGB but he was surrounded by another group of well-connected people.  I hope the author revisits these characters in the sequel.  (With an ending like what this books has, there’s got to be a sequel!)

It was very in-your-face.  The author did a fine job playing with the story, weaving different plots leaving Talanov in the center of it all.  Talanov is a pretty cool dude — ex-KGB, a polyglot, sexy, resourceful, master gunman, and very adept in hand-to-hand combat.  It’s an action movie in a book.  Even his wife got into the action.

However, I found some of it very… convenient.  Talanov has a lot of friends who know a lot of people.  And all of them were willing to help a complete stranger, let alone someone labeled a fugitive.  Talanov is a really slippery guy!  He should’ve been hurt a couple of times but he Talanov was saved by his wit and abilities.  And with a little help from his friends.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: Fans of Robert Ludlum and other similar authors.  It’s an action-packed thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat.  Visit the book’s website (linked below) for the book trailer.

Get your copy here.

 

Admin Post: It’s my birthday!

September 17. I’m 23 today.

I apologize for the lack of posts. I got a new job and for the past week, I’ve been settling in and learning the ropes. It’s good so far but unfortunately, it left me less time for reading.

I’ll try to keep up, haha. But for now… enjoy y’alls weekends. See ya!

Review: A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene Woodbury

A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis / Irene Woodbury

Published August 16th 2011 by SynergEbooks.

Description from GoodReads:

Quirky jobs, wacky friends, hot crushes, and an unraveling marriage are all part of this darkly funny novel describing 45 year-old newlywed Wendy Sinclair’s life in Las Vegas after she impulsively decides to stay following a bizarre girls’ weekend in 2005.

Where… where do I even begin?

Okay, some parts were entertaining.  At least, entertaining enough that I finished the whole thing.  I’ve been to Las Vegas and I know how crazy it is out there.  I’ve also been around the glamorous part of LA.  The places mentioned in the book are familiar to me.  But…

I really don’t know how to say this and I do not want/like giving negative reviews but getting through this book took more effort than usual.  Don’t forget to factor in personal tastes here.  Chick lit is not a genre that I read often.  And with good reason (that I shall keep to myself).  I just did not enjoy this.  It was more tedious than amusing.  It got redundant with all the tacky “hunka-hunka burnin’ love” mentions, the constant revisiting of Wendy and Roger’s unconventional married life, shopping and enumeration of items bought and ate, the catfights… everything.  It was all filler and it droned on and on.  I think the adventures are supposed to be the exciting parts but it bored me.  The Vegas parts were pretty accurate and were somewhat interesting but that’s about it.

I didn’t like any of the characters.  Wendy, especially.  They were pretentious, fake, and frustratingly immature.  I’m not saying 40-year-olds can’t have fun but at least they can be wiser about it.  If I knew Paula in real life, I don’t think I’d want to be friends with her.  Wendy tolerating and making up with her every time they have a falling out made her look like a desperate social climber.  Midlife crisis?  Sure, maybe.  By the 5th Wendy-Roger phone fight, I’ve lost any interest.  This had a ton of Paula meltdowns too many.

Less is more.  This had potential to be a funny story about a woman going through midlife crisis.  Instead, the author concentrated on all the wrong things.  Like Las Vegas, it had so much excess.  Readers do not need to be constantly reminded of how Las Vegas works.  Time and space was spent on shopping lists than plot.  And the ending?  I… no.  Just no.

Rating: 2/5.

Recommendation: It wasn’t for me but it might be for you.  If you like all that girly stuff, name brand merchandise, fancy foods and places… maybe you’ve never been to Vegas and you want to experience it vicariously, you might enjoy this, I don’t know.  But honestly?  I don’t recommend this.

Get your copy here.

PS: This may come across a a bit harsh or hostile.  It is not my intention to insult anybody.  In fact, I appreciate the effort of the author to write her story and share it with the world.  Writing is hit or miss.  This was a miss for me and the above review sheds some light as to why.

Quotes: Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”

Quotes: Frederick Douglass

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

In honor of the International Literacy Day, celebrated last 8 September 2011. (Sorry, I missed it. Life happened.)

Review: The Taste of Salt by Martha Southgate

The Taste of Salt / Martha Southgate

Expected publication: September 13th 2011 by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

* In compliance with FTC guidelines, it should be noted that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

The Taste of Salt is a story of Josie and her family’s struggles with alcoholism and addiction.  Josie Henderson is a successful marine biologist originally from Cleveland, Ohio.  She now works and resides near the coast with her husband Daniel.  One day, she was asked by her mother to return to Cleveland to fetch his younger brother, Tick, from his second stint at rehab.  Addiction is not new to Josie.  Their father, a recovering alcoholic, was estranged from the family when Josie was 17.  She tried to get away from it all but it seems to be catching up on her.  Struggling with her own issues, Josie must learn to cope and open up to the people around her and make peace with those who had wronged her.

I found it easy to fall into this book.  It starts off with Josie talking about diving, the water, and marine biology — three things that are very close to my heart.  I found myself relating and agreeing with her a lot.  She’s very intelligent and practical.  I also loved her father.  Yes, he was an alcoholic but he is an example that you can overcome addiction and you can change your life.  (And I loved that he is an avid reader, too.)  I felt sorry for Daniel, especially towards the end.  He seemed like a good man but he didn’t know what to do, how to help.

The best part of the book is the writing.  It was very consistent, controlled.  I really liked the narration.  It was easy, as if Josie were telling the story over coffee on a lazy afternoon.  She broke the fourth wall a couple of times but I thought it was necessary.  She tells the story as if she was looking through the eyes of the different characters.  The author does a great job giving each character a different voice.  I connected with each of them even though I didn’t have experience with the situations they were in.  The little episodes were fast paced and it all came together very well.

This book has so much heart.  It showed how addiction affects individuals and families and it doesn’t really go away.  It’s a story of sadness and of hope and the love that prevails in all families.

Rating: 4/5.

Recommendation: It’s a perfect book club read.  A great story about family and personal struggles.

Get your copy here.