2013 Reading (March & April)

9) Still Alice by Lisa Genova
5 out of 5 --  The story of a Harvard Linguistics professor who gets early onset Alzheimer's  and her rapid descent into the disease. It speaks of her struggles finding support amongst her colleagues (quickly being ostracized since her mind, once her most valuable possession, is working against her), her continued struggles of raising late-teen/early 20's daughters who have to chose whether to get the genetic tests for the same disease, and her deserve to find value in a life that will be quickly cut short. A great and unique read. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about the disease, but also as a way to be more empathic towards others who are struggling with mental illness in general.

10) The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee by Sarah Silverman
4 out of 5 -- If you like Sarah Silverman, then you will like this book. She tells tales of growing up in the NE as a Jew in a decidedly non-Jewish community. Then, traveling to NY, LA, and across the country trying to make it as a comic. It's laugh-out-loud funny as she shares anecdotes, including the source of her wicked humor (her dad). But then again, if you don't like Silverman, this ain't the book for you.

11) The Adventures of Sally by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
3 of 5 -- Whenever I need to get away from the trappings of today's hectic world, a book written in the late 19th century does the trick. Sally, a young woman who inherits modest wealth, decides to visit Europe for a spell. While there, a red-headed Englishman (who is truly the red-headed step-child of his family) and his cousin both fall in love with her at first sight. In the meanwhile, she's head over heels for a playwright back in the US. The book takes a lot of twists and turns, with Sally trying to help those through her advice, her modest inheritance (which quickly runs out), and through her salary. It gives her quite an adventure for a lady of any era.

12) How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia: A novel by Mohsin Hamid
5 out of 5 -- A story of a young boy in south Asia who was born in a rural countryside, who aspires to become rich, over time, city man. It speaks of the challenges of making money with no family name, no clout (therefore having to be rather illegal in one's workings); to becoming more reputable, having to hire body guards, paying off politicians; and later in life trying to remain relevant (as the next wave of go-getters comes along). Really enjoyed the author's writing style.

13) Love Among the Chickens: A Story of the Haps and Mishaps on an English Chicken Farm by P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
3 out of 5 --  By the author "Jeeves" series. This is a whimsical tale of an author who decides to leave London, for the English countryside to help a friend start a chicken farm. The friend has some fantastic ideas, which are mathematically sound (he says), to raise chickens faster (like incubating them at higher temperatures so they hatch faster). This author also falls in love with a young girl who lives next door, while also managing to complete piss off her father in an attempt to be a hero.

 14) Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell
1 out of 5 -- Meh. A book about a really poor family in rural Georgia in the depression era, whose fortunes were lost through both over-farming and apathy of the menfolk. I finished the book and kicked myself for bothering. 

15) Not A Match by Brian Donovan 
4 out of  5 -- Short book (68 pages) about a man (comedian) who has had more than 100 internet dates. Includes dates who talk about WORST first dates on their first dates. Provides advice on how to properly break-up depending on how far along in the relationship you are. And a conversation starter (or ender): the laundry vs. unbelievably gross act challenge. I can't complain more than that because the idea grossed me out.

16) Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
5 out of 5 -- Flynn is the same author as Gone Girl that I went ga-ga over earlier this year. Although this is rate 5, I wouldn't rant as strongly about this book. It's about a female journalist, who happens to be a cutter, who is sent from her beat in Chicago back to the south to covera  potential serial murderer in her hometown. Struggling with a family history of drinking and emotional abuse, the protagonist struggles to both connect to her family as well as members of the community in order to find the killer before he or she kills again.

17) The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A novel by Mohsin Hamid
2 out of 5 -- This is a subtle novel about a young Pakistani man, who after hard work gets into Princeton and later a top financial services company on Wall Street. Already struggling with his identity as a Pakistani and now a member of the financial elite in the US, 9/11 occurs and suddenly NYC no longer feels like the cosmopolitan welcoming city, based on a meritocracy it once was. Also, in parallel, he struggles with a relationship with a young woman, who quickly is losing her grip on reality. Stylistically the same as How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, I'd recommend this book to anyone who doesn't "get" why people outside of the US are so frustrated with our foreign policies. For everyone else, I'd say skip it, you already know.