1110. Telegraph Avenue

Right off the bat, I want to apologize to the Author, Michael Chabon and to the publisher of this novel, Harper Collins. You see, I borrowed this book, based on reviews, and the reviews were awesome...(jeez, who uses awesome in a book review?) So off I went to my Public Library, and put my name on the waiting list. And after a long wait, the notification came that the book was ready for me to pick-up and read. So I did.

I sat down, and I loved the prose. The language was beautiful. But before I get into any of that, let me just say, this book, is really my first Michael Chabon book... Yes, I know a huge oversight. But believe it or not, I actually own ALL of his other works, I just have not had an opportunity to read them yet. And why not? Well, all of his works have been at one stage or another recommended to me, so I have scooped them up with the intent to read, but this was more immediate, because it was a Library Book, and I was on a schedule, and I needed to be done with it within a certain time frame.

So maybe, that's the reason I did not like it and no other reason at all... I abandoned the book on page 64... I just could not get into these characters. The build-up of their story and their struggles, and the closing of the record shop on Telegraph Avenue just did not pique my curiosity enough to continue reading in the time allotted. Did I give the book a fair shake? I don't know. Did I give the author a fair shake? I don't know. I do plan to read the other Michael Chabon novels that I own, and I plan to finish those... whenever I get to them. But as for this book, I don't know whether I'll have the time to go back to it, regardless of the build-up the book had as the "Great American Novel".

Since I did not finish it, I am not giving it any rating.


PS.  Harper Collins: You're more than welcome to send me a copy of this book in Paperback and I'll give it another try, this time, I won't be constrained by time.

1016. The Color of Magic

I have wanted to read Terry Prachett's Discworld series for ages now...really... Anyway, with the greatest invention of the Internet age: BookMooch on my side, I was able to collect the first 10 books in the Discworld Series. And on a recent business trip, I was able to read the first book. Ah, the lack of an iPod! What fun!

Don't get me wrong, I am probably one of those few Americans who actually GET British humour. And, not only do I get it, but I enjoy it. In fact, for many years, many of my friends kept recommending this series to me, but not until BookMooch was I able to actually get the books on the cheap. Suffice it to say, I have been missing some prime entertainment.

But first a few words:

1. I won't be reviewing the whole series here. I will try to do due diligence and review each novel as I go along and as time permits.
2. There are some major differences between "American Humour" and "British Humour" which I can't begin to explain here. Some people say those differences are born from the fact that the British are so much more uptight than their cousins across the pond. I tend to not support this hypothesis. I am not sure for the reason for these differences. Since Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Not the Nine O' Clock News, Red Dwarf and other such British comedy hits, I have enjoyed British comedy immensely. There is a satirical spin to that world view that somehow aligns with mine... I wonder why?
3. Discworld has so many books, don't expect literary reviews from me. All I am going to give you, are a few plot elements, along with what I thought, and a comparative ranking to the other books. There should be no misunderstanding: I plan to own the whole series in Paperback Format.

So, let's begin. Rincewind is a third-rate wizard (maybe even worse). In fact, he never really finished his magical education. Twoflower is a tourist from Counter-weight Continent. He has a piece of luggage, a trunk really, that has legs and walks on its own. Rincewind is a college dropout and as such menial tasks as are appointed to him. When Twoflower arrives at Ankh-Morpork, such a commotion ensues because of the gold that he carries that Rincewind is appointed his guide in the strange new land. In a way then, this begins as both a buddy novel and a clash of cultures book. It soon however, becomes a travelogue, as Rincewind and Twoflower end-up on the run.

Along the way, Rincewind, Twoflower and the luggage encounter many adventures and are finally captured at the edge of the turtle...err, the edge of world -- but I won't explain that, you'll have to read about it.

One of my favorite episodes is their encounter with dragons and their riders. In many ways, the idea of what Twoflower experiences and WHY is the reason why, I love to read fantasy and wish it on all young children! It expands the mind. Without imagination, we're nothing.

A lovely book, and a great start to the series. 3 stars out of five.

1011. Warriors: Into the Wild

Young adult fiction is a very competitive market. Sometimes, I wonder if young adults today even read. Judging from the amount of books being published for the target audience, they must. So, I was scanning the lists at BookMooch and PaperBackSwap for children's books, when I noticed that the "Warriors" series by Erin Hunter was very popular. Shortly thereafter, I run across the first book in this series, for sale, for $1 at a used bookstore. What luck! I could buy a book that was very popular, and if my nephew did not want it, I could post it at either BookMooch or PaperBackSwap for a quick point.

Of course, then I noticed how short the book was, so I decided to read it. I figured, what would it hurt! Well, let me tell you! It didn't hurt! And as children's literature goes, I rather enjoyed it. So, let me start at the beginning.

I love cats. I used to have a cat, who sadly passed away with cancer. That happens to humans and animals, unfortunately. This has nothing to do with the book of course, but when my cat was alive, I used to always wonder what he dreamed about. When his little limps twitched a certain way while he slept, was that because he was chasing a field mouse? When his ear twitched in his sleep and he made a groaning sound, was he getting set for the hunt? When he looked out the window and he saw the other cats, or dogs, or squirrels, what did he think? Did he want to be out there?

Erin Hunter, the author of the "Warriors" series takes those thoughts to their next logical step. The "hero" of the first book is a domesticated cat, named "Rusty". Rusty has not yet been fixed. When his owners let him go out the back door in the afternoon, but before nightfall, Rusty approaches the back fence bordering the forest with awe and some trepidation, but without fear. The other domesticated cats warn Rusty that he's in dangerous territory with his wild strolls in the woods, until one day Rusty runs into some wild cats. These cats are members of the Thunderclan, one of four clans of wild, untamed cats, roaming the back woods of this particular little corner of the Earth. Rusty receives an invitation to join Thundeclan from the clan leader. It later becomes clear that all of the clans are desperate for survival.

Food is getting scarce in the hunting territories, and someone is attacking and killing Warrior cats. It takes time to raise new kittens and train them into full blown Warriors. If Rusty pans out as a recruit, and he has the strength to live wild, he is an easy made recruit into the Warrior structure of Thunderclan. "Rusty" of course, accepts the call of the wild, as he feels it in his bones. And we're witness to his subsequent integration into Thunderclan and his training into becoming a Warrior. There of course many bumps on the road, but to give those away, I would be spoiling the book.

This fascinating first book by Erin Hunter is a worthwhile effort, teaching many positive lessons for children of all ages that will pick this book up. I was so impressed by the way the author weaved the story, and gave us an insight into cat culture. If my cat dreamed of living away from me, this is the life I would envision for him. In fact, if Tommy (my cat) is waiting for me at "Rainbow's Bridge", I want him to be running around and having fun, rollicking, playing and experiencing all his best dreams. Erin Hunter captures those feelings in this book, fantastically. It's not all posh and spice of course, there are trials and tribulations. There are fights to fight, a minor war to wage, a rescue to conduct, etc. Yet, the spirit of the Warrior cats shines through, as Truth, Justice, belief in the Righteousness of one's cause, Honor, Friendship all come into play. Indeed, these are magnificent virtues to teach a young person, and the author not only spins a wonderful yarn (like a fable, but even more so), but succeeds in teaching also.

At this point, I plan on reading more books in this series as time, and other reading allows. And this book gets a definite 3 stars.