The Zadge likes to read. Books, magazine, blogs, your comments, letters from her mom, $80 receipts from Whole Foods for one bag of groceries.
Here’s a list of what she’s been reading lately:
- The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides – 3 stars
This ain’t no Middlesex. Story of three Brown University seniors and their intertwining life after graduation. It felt like One Day mixed with a little Eat, Pray, Love topped off with a lot of obscure, elitist literary references. Not bad, but not memorable either. - Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen – 2/3 stars
This ain’t no The Corrections. I wanted to love this book. Then I settled for wanting to like it. I didn’t though. The writing is obviously good, but the story is just not that compelling. And I snoozed through large chunks of the story, dealing with environmental and war issues. - A Visit from the Good Squad, by Jennifer Egan – 4 stars
Winner of many awards, including the Pulitzer. Wildly creative and well-written, each chapter presents a single character, all from different narrative points of view, all connecting to each other in some way, large or small, by the end of the narrative. The “goon squad” is a reference to time and its effects on us and society, the overall theme of the book. Weird but well-done. - Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness, by Alexandra Fuller – 4 stars
A prequel/sequel to one of my favorite books of all time, “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight.” Both are non-fiction memoirs of Fuller’s life growing up white in Rhodesia in a crazy family facing all sorts of challenges. Her latest is a tribute to her strong, crazy, alcoholic mother. A fascinating life. - Life, by Keith Richards – 5 FREAKIN’ STARS MATE!
My favorite book of the year! I liked “Keef” Richards before this, but didn’t know much about him other than the urban legends (he did not have a blood transfusion because of the drugs). Now? I love, envy, and want to rock and roll with him! He’s a musical genius and innovator, who also happens to be funny, passionate, brutally honest, smart and, apparently invincible. From 1968 to 1972, there was no one hotter. - The 4-Hour Body, by Timothy Ferriss – 2 stars
By the author of the runaway bestseller “The 4-hour Workweek.” The author is one impressive dude, who has conducted a gajillion experiments, tests and hours of research on maximizing your body’s health and strength most efficiently. The Zadge tried his slow carb diet — wherein he guarantees that a woman will lost 12 pounds of fat in a month – and promptly gained 5 pounds in one week. ‘Nuff said. - Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, by Sara Gran – 3.5 stars
An unusual literary mystery novel, featuring a drug and alcohol abusing female detective, schooled in the use of omens, Chinese rituals and ancient prophecies, who travels to New Orleans, one year post-Katrina, to solve the disappearance of an infamous local District Attorney. - Blood, Bones & Butter, by Gabrielle Hamilton – 4 stars
A fascinating memoir from the bisexual female chef and owner of “Prune” restaurant in NYC of her erratic and dysfunctional family life as a kid and her journey to celebrity chef-dom. - The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin – 2 stars
Unlike apparently every other woman on the planet, the Zadge didn’t really dig this book and couldn’t finish it. A little too painfully indulgent from a privileged, Ivy League-educated, wealthy mother/writer. And frankly, a little boring. - A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out of Life, By Bethenny Frankel – 4 stars
Yes, she’s a reality tv star (RHoNY) and the Zadge sort of can’t believe she bought this book, but the Zadge loves this girl. Really. She’s actually smart and a self-made woman. She just sold her little start-up biz for several mill, so she knows what she’s talking about. - One Day, by David Nicholls – 3.5 stars
Good, easy British vacation read. Has got “movie” written all over it, but heard it will star Anne Hathaway who bugs the shit out of the Zadge. - Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese – 3.5 stars
Book club people rave about this. Great plot, but weighed down by length and way too much medical detail. - Just Kids, by Patti Smith – 5 stars
LOVED this memoir of the musician/poet/artist’s life in NYC in the late ’60s with her lover/muse/soul mate Robert Mapplethorpe. Stuck with me for days! - French Women Don’t Get Fat, by Mirielle Guiliano – 3.5 stars
Because they eat quality food, in small portions and they walk everywhere. And they drink wine at lunch and dinner! - Cleopatra: A Life, by Stacy Shiff – 3.5 stars
She wasn’t the ho-bag everyone makes her out to be. Even if she was married to her brother - Lit, by Mary Karr – 3.5 stars
Interesting look into a famous poet’s struggle with alcoholism and religion - Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls – 5 stars!
Read this. Trust me. - The Little Stranger, by Sarah Waters – 2 stars
Man Booker Prize finalist – Meh. Skip it. - Let the Great World Spin, by Colum McCann – 3 stars
My bookclub loved this. I thought it was only so-so for a National Book Award winner. - Cleaving, by Julia Powell – 1 star
OMG DO NOT READ THIS! IT WAS HEIN! I’m actually kinda pissed at Julia Powell for this book, because I loved “Julie & Julia.” - Little Bee, by Chris Cleave – 5 stars
READ THIS IMMEDIATELY! - The Help, by Kathryn Stockett – 5 stars
Great story that is so ready for the movies. I can already see Oprah and Halle in it. - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Diaz – 4 stars
Quirky writing and protagonist make this novel fun. - Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout – 4 stars
Love how each story stands on its own, but is also intertwined with others. - How to be Single, by Liz Tucillo – 5 stars
LOVED THIS!!! More substance than your usual chick lit - Mudbound, by Hillary Jordan – 5 stars
Like “The Help” but a little darker. - I’ll Never be French, by Mark Greenside – 4 stars
Funny, funny memoir by an American Jew who bought a house in France. - Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin – 3 stars
My once a year journey to the non-fiction side. Informative, but felt a little like work. - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows – 5 stars
Great story, creative literary device, feel good book! - The Legend of Colton Bryant, by Alexandra Fuller – 4 stars
She wrote one of my favorite books of all time “Don’t lets go to the dogs.” This true story is almost as good! - The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield – 4 stars
Intelligent murder mystery. - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson – 3 stars
I’m apparently way in the minority, but this book lost me in the last quarter. Too sick, violent, perverted. Felt like I needed to take a shower afterwards. - Unaccustomed Earth, by Jhumpa Lahiri – 5 stars
Brilliant.
