tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49216241480536790352024-03-12T19:26:21.835-07:00Miss.Adventure in ReadingA collection of the books I have readMiss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-17041546172450571112011-03-27T18:57:00.000-07:002011-03-27T19:08:16.863-07:00The SentimentalistsThe Sentimentalists by Johanna Skibsrud.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5495422769/" title="This Cake is for the Party by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5495422769_5a5332beff.jpg" alt="This Cake is for the Party" width="338" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />About a woman trying to learn about her father's experience in the Vietnam War during his final days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />This book was the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/Johanna-Skibsrud-wins-the-2010-scotiabank-giller-prize.html">2010 Giller Prize Winner</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><br />I have to admit that I struggled reading this book. I wanted to enjoy it, being the Giller Prize winner and all but I had a really hard time getting into it. As well, I think the character who appealed the most to me, the daughter, didn't have much of a plot. I wasn't really interested in the father, or his experiences in Vietnam. It probably doesn't help that I have no interest in anything war related.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></div><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-30153484173568095762011-03-02T21:15:00.000-08:002011-03-27T19:07:30.319-07:00This Cake is for the PartyThis Cake is for the Party by <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.sarahselecky.ca/">Sarah Selecky</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5495422769/" title="This Cake is for the Party by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5094/5495422769_5a5332beff.jpg" alt="This Cake is for the Party" width="338" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />A compilation of 10 short stories.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />This book was <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.scotiabankgillerprize.ca/2010-Giller-Prize-Shortlist.html">shortlisted for the Giller Prize</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><br />I have to admit that whenever I heard about this book, I kept hoping food, specifically cake, was involved. Not quite. While some of the the short stories were published separately, there is a running theme of interpersonal relationships.<br /><br />The book started strong with <span style="font-style: italic;">Throwing Cotton</span> (my favourite), which ended with the character potentially throwing her whole life in the air, or not. <span style="font-style: italic;">Watching Atlas</span> ends with one of the character making a decision that could potentially throw someone else's life in the air. <span style="font-style: italic;">How Healthy Are You?</span> peaked my interest at the beginning but I was disinterested by the main plot. <span style="font-style: italic;">Go-Manchura</span> was one of the sad stories I thought, with the main character feeling lost and struggling to figure out her life in a rather pathetic way. <span style="font-style: italic;">Standing Up for Janey</span>, again makes you feel good about your life in comparison!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Where Are You Coming from Sweetheart?</span> was just a sad little story; sometimes you get what you want out of life in a less than ideal way. <span style="font-style: italic;">Prognosis</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Paul Farenbacker's Yard Sale </span>were meant to be touching but left me rather indifferent. <span style="font-style: italic;">This is How We Grow as Humans</span> I could relate to, about getting what you thought you wanted and it not quite turning the way you thought it would. Finally, <span style="font-style: italic;">One Thousand Was Buddhas</span> ends the book on a sad ending.<br /><br />Is it wrong that I feel lucky that my life isn't as screwed up as the characters in these stories?<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></div><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-42691807370592048702011-01-23T11:30:00.000-08:002011-01-23T11:43:37.532-08:00The Year of Magical Thinking<span>The Year of Magical Thinking by <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://joan-didion.info/">Joan Didion</a>.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u><br /><br /></u></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5381389703/" title="The year of magical thinking by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5381389703_12c481539c.jpg" alt="The year of magical thinking" width="333" height="500" /></a></u></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u><br />Summary</u></span><br />The book follows Joan Didion during the year after her husband passes away.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I heard about this book on cbc.radio, when a <a href="http://www.tarragontheatre.com/season/1011/magicalthinking/">play based on the book</a> was playing in Toronto<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://laineygossip.com/Room%20by%20Emma%20Donoghue%20book%20review%2014dec10-books-reviews.aspx"></a>. Matt Galloway mentioned that it was a book he had purchased many copies to give out to friends. Later, while watching a Michelle Williams' interview, she refer to her year of magical thinking after Heath Ledger's death.<br /><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyOTMwNjU4NTQ5NTMmcHQ9MTI5MzA2NTg2MTQ1MyZwPTEyNTg*MTEmZD1BQkNOZXdzX1NGUF9Mb2NrZV9FbWJlZCZn/PTMmbz*4Y2RmNDM2NjBlZmI*Zjc4ODBiNjZhOWExM2I*NzNjNCZvZj*w.gif" width="0" border="0" height="0" /><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,124,0" id="ABCESNWID" width="344" height="278"><param name="movie" value="http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="flashvars" value="configUrl=http://abcnews.go.com/video/sfp/embedPlayerConfig&configId=406732&clipId=12455328&showId=12461674&gig_lt=1293065854953&gig_pt=1293065861453&gig_g=3"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><embed src="http://abcnews.go.com/assets/player/walt2.6/flash/SFP_Walt_2_65.swf" quality="high" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configUrl=http://abcnews.go.com/video/sfp/embedPlayerConfig&configId=406732&clipId=12455328&showId=12461674&gig_lt=1293065854953&gig_pt=1293065861453&gig_g=3" name="ABCESNWID" width="344" height="278"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I started reading this took in December and just had a few pages left but didn't finish it until today. Not sure why. I didn't think it was that sad considering the topic. The one sad moment I could imagine, was right after losing her husband, her first instinct was to tell him about it, because he was the one with whom she shared important events in her life. However, she obviously couldn't do it.<br /><br />Joan Didion discusses these little irrationalities, hence the title of the book. For example, when she is finally able to give his clothes away, she holds on to his shoes, just in case he comes back. She knows it's not "rational" but she can't help herself. There is even a little food related anecdote. When Julia Child dies, Joan feels relief that Julia can cook for her husband. Again, she know it isn't to be.<br /><br />I may pick this book up again when I need it in the future.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-29296751967361182502011-01-19T11:45:00.000-08:002011-01-23T12:04:58.032-08:00someday this pain will be useful to youSomeday this pain will be useful to you by <a href="http://www.peter-cameron.com/">Peter Cameron</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5382024886/" title="Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You Cover by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5382024886_2aa237a887.jpg" alt="Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You Cover" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />About a few days (weeks?) in James Sveck's life, an 18-year old who doesn't seem to know what he is doing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I read about this on Laineygossip.com, on which she shared <a href="http://www.laineygossip.com/Lucy%20Liu%20Toby%20Regbo%20Someday%20This%20Pain%20Will%20Be%20Useful%20To%20You19aug10-books-reviews.aspx">pictures of the movie</a> that is based on the book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>This was a very quick read. I don't know that I loved it, nor did I hate it. I can somewhat relate to James' lack of direction but I'm not sure I felt particular empathy with him. I think I felt more like he should just snap out of his funk.<br /><br />I did mark this passage because I could relate to these feelings toward my own mother:<br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">I knew she wanted to help me. I knew she was my mother and loved me and I didn't want to be mean, but there something else inside me, something hard and stubborn that was mean."</span><br /><br />Another passage I liked:<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">I found this spectacle somewhat depressing, because I had always thought, or hoped, that adults weren't necessarily as hobbled by mindless conformity as so many of my peers seem to be. I always looked forward to being an adult, because I thought the adult world was, well - adult. That adults weren't cliquey or nasty, that the whole notion of being cool, or in, or popular would cease to be the arbiter of all things social, but I was beginning to realize that the adult world was nonsensically brutal and socially perilous as the kind of childhood.</span>"<br /><br />While I understand his feelings toward adult, I would have expected these thoughts from someone more mature and I thought James acted quite immaturely often. I guess that's what being a teenager is all about, having very mature thoughts but not quite acting at that level<br /><br />I feel a bit bad because it seems that from reading reviews, this book has touched many people. Obviously from the passages above, I did somewhat relate to the main character but I didn't always understand his actions, nor his surprise to the consequences of his actions. Maybe I wasn't supposed to?<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-85740789328958174342010-12-25T12:35:00.000-08:002011-06-11T10:38:09.377-07:00MockingjayMockingjay by <a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">Suzanne Collins</span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5303470598/" title="Mockingjay by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5303470598_10f7a9900e.jpg" alt="Mockingjay" width="330" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />The third and final installment (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://missadventurereading.blogspot.com/2010/11/hunger-games.html">The Hunger Games</a> and <a href="http://missadventurereading.blogspot.com/2010/11/catching-fire.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Catching Fire</span></a>) follows Katniss Everdeen in her most demanding challenge yet as a representation of the revolution against <span style="font-style: italic;">The Capitol</span>.<span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I was eagerly awaiting to read this and was still on the waiting list<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> at the library but was able to borrow it from a friend.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I thought it was a proper conclusion to the series.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-70188572390916826272010-12-19T12:36:00.000-08:002010-12-29T06:03:42.585-08:00RoomRoom by <a href="http://www.emmadonoghue.com/emmadonoghue.htm"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Emma Donoghue</span></span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33020404@N08/5303395448/" title="Room by Miss.Adventure, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5303395448_9e524ffb27.jpg" alt="Room" width="323" height="500" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />The narrator is Jack, a 5 year old boy who only knows the 11' x 11'<span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Room</span> that he and his Ma have lived in.</span> Emma Donoghue came up with the premise of the book from the horrifying real story of the Austrian woman who was held for 24 years by her father.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I heard about this book from Q107 in the morning and subsequently <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://laineygossip.com/Room%20by%20Emma%20Donoghue%20book%20review%2014dec10-books-reviews.aspx">Lainey also reviewed it</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u><br />My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></u></span>I was rather apprehensive about reading this book because of the gruesome premise. As I read about Jack and his Ma, I thought it was innovative how we get to understand their everyday life in <span style="font-style: italic;">Room</span>, but at the same time kept looking at how thick the book was, worried that I wouldn't be able to read that much of their live in one room. I hope I'm not ruining the book for anyone, but I did feel an immense sense of relief that there is an "after" section.<br /><br />One of the issues that I had with the book was with Jack being the narrator. Reading a 5 year old voice, you have to accept the lack of language skills but at the same time he would use really big words. I was glad to read that <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://laineygossip.com/Room%20by%20Emma%20Donoghue%20book%20review%2014dec10-books-reviews.aspx">Lainey observed the same thing</a>. I could say the same thing about Jack's thoughts; sometimes it was really hard to believe that a 5 year old would have such deep and observant thoughts. I kept wondering how realistic it was? Would a 5 year old in the same situation think, feel, say the same? They didn't seem like fair questions but the thoughts persisted in my mind. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></u><div id="refHTML"></div><u><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></u><div id="refHTML"></div><u><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"></u><div id="refHTML"></div></span>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-65541876653287762062010-11-09T16:56:00.000-08:002010-12-29T05:45:00.489-08:00Catching FireCatching Fire by <a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">Suzanne Collins</span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/5165646266_27d4814cf4.jpg" alt="Catching Fire" width="336" height="500" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />The second book following The Hunger Games picks up after Katniss Everdeen wins <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games. </span><span>She now has to deal with the consequences of winning and inciting rebellions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>I was lucky to be able to read <span style="font-style: italic;">Catching Fire</span> right after finishing <a href="http://missadventurereading.blogspot.com/2010/11/hunger-games.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games</span></a>. Unfortunately, I am #164 waiting for the final book<span style="font-style: italic;">, Mockingjay,</span> at the library.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I didn't think this was engrossing as <a href="http://missadventurereading.blogspot.com/2010/11/hunger-games.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games</span></a> but it does draw you in. I don't want to say too much but I didn't expect to be pulled back in a second time. This one definitely ends in a cliffhanger, leaving you desperately wanting to read <span style="font-style: italic;">Mockingjay</span>.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-69868042645856918092010-11-06T17:00:00.000-07:002010-11-10T17:32:27.525-08:00The Hunger GamesThe Hunger Games by <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-style: italic;">Suzanne Collins</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/5165646288_e561a3b663.jpg" alt="The Hunger Games" width="332" height="500" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />The heroine Katniss Everdeen, a modern day <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theseus">Theseus</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">I only found that out once my boyfriend A explained pointed it out</span>), finds herself in <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games </span>in which to win, she must be the sole survivor. <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games</span> is an annual televised game held by <span style="font-style: italic;">The Capitol</span>, as a reminder to the 12 districts that they lost their rebellion. Katniss must struggle against players 23 other players, including a potential lover.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />My sister was reading it while I was visiting although I suspect she heard about it from <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://laineygossip.com/The_Hunger_Games_book_review_07sept10.aspx?CatID=1155&CelID=0">Lainey</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>The book is so fast paced I could not put it down; I read the book in two days. I particularly liked the world that <span style="font-style: italic;">Suzanne Collins</span> built.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>I could vividly imagine the different worlds she built: Katniss' District 12 specializing in coal production, the evil and futuristic <span style="font-style: italic;">Capitol </span>and the arena where <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hunger Games</span> are held. If you're looking for an engrossing read in which you get to live in another world and consider the role of government, this is the book for you.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-28939004820566321112010-11-03T19:15:00.000-07:002010-11-10T16:56:21.263-08:00Life on the Refrigerator DoorLife on the Refrigerator Door by <a href="http://www.alicekuipers.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Alice Kuipers</span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5165646238_99c7ee38d2.jpg" alt="Life on the Refrigerator Door" width="375" height="500" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />Claire and her mother are both very busy. They exchange notes on the refrigerator door while going through the mother's struggle with breast cancer and a teenage daughter-mother relationship.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I had heard about this novel and its novel premise for a long time. It's always been on the back of my mind. <span style="font-style: italic;">Trivia: Alice Kuipers is married to Yann Martel, who wrote one of my favourite books, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_of_Pi">Life of Pi</a></span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I read the book quite quickly because of its short format. I was very impressed that a whole story could be incorporated in such an innovative way. At the same time, I just wanted to scream at the two main characters to stop leaving notes on the refrigerator door at such a crucial time in their lives and spend a significant amount of time together.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-12017823555256698802010-11-01T12:40:00.000-07:002010-11-01T09:43:59.749-07:00Miss.Adventure Reading: First PostUnlike my other blog, <a href="http://missadventureathome.blogspot.com/"><em>Miss.Adventure at Home</em></a>, which I write to share recipes and restaurant reviews, this is a personal blog on books I've read.<br /><br /><em><u>The Format</u></em><br />* Each post will be the book title. Therefore, I will post as frequently as I read.<br />* I've already jotted down notes from the last couple books I've read. I will include these, dated before this post. Any future books will appear after this post.<br />* Posts are not supposed to be book reviews. I may try to summarize it in a couple sentences.<br />* I will include why I wanted to read the book in the first place/ the source.<br />* I'll write down my thoughts on them. Simple as that. I'm not a very "<em>deep</em>" person when it comes to literature and I don't want to feel bad for not going deeper. I want to make my intent clear from the get go if anyone is reading.<br /><br /><em><u>My Goals for this Blog:</u></em><br />* My main goal is to keep an up-to-date list of books I've read and that I want to read.<br />* My secondary goal is that I'll end up reading more because of this blog.<br />* Finally, I hope to become a more active reader.Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-72306896553357975942010-10-28T09:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:46:36.660-07:00Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with RecipesLunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Elizabeth Bard</span></a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/5137727961_8942efd4d6.jpg" alt="Lunch in Paris" width="332" height="500" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />Elizabeth Bard's recounting of falling in love in Paris and settling into a new life. At the end of each chapter are recipes that define each chapter in her life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I don't remember how I heard about this memoir but I know what drew me in: food, love and Paris!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>The recipes appealed to me more than the ones in a similar memoir<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Cooking for Mr. Latte</span>) and I will probably try my hand at a few of them. However, what I thought was most interesting about this book was not the food. I was more interested in her experience living as an American in France, how she views the world differently from her husband. Knowing how to live the American dream, she pushes her husband with a more practical career to pursue his dream career. While she supports her husband, she loses herself a bit and ultimately figures out what she wants to do through food! Another interesting chapter was going through the sickness and death of her father-in-law and how the French medical system is different from the North American one (<span style="font-style: italic;">no questioning the doctor because he's always right</span>).<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-63735127640214917892010-10-25T18:13:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:33:33.949-07:00Pearl of ChinaPearl of China by <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.ancheemin.com/">Anchee Min</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5137727831_7ee97a0589.jpg" alt="Pearl of China" width="326" height="497" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />A fictional friendship between future author Pearl Buck and a Chinese girl named Willow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />I heard Anchee Min discuss this novel on <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/writersandcompany/episode/2010/09/12/anchee-min/"><span style="font-style: italic;">cbcradio's Writers & Company</span></a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I thought some of the plots unrealistic: how Willow ended up marrying a top Communist, having a child so late in life, meeting Nixon, etc. Really? After all that, I still didn't feel much empathy for Willow. I would have wanted to learn more about Pearl Buck, but I think a more factual account of her life. I might look up a biography or re-read some of her novels. I was also intrigued by <span style="font-style: italic;">Madame Mao </span>and may try to read <span style="font-style: italic;">Anchee Min</span>'s <a href="http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/min/bookinfo.shtml"><span style="font-style: italic;">Becoming Madame Mao</span></a>. I also learned a new word: <a href="http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/min/bookinfo.shtml"><span style="font-style: italic;">proletarian</span></a>, which is a key movement in the book.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-4925981088278923462010-09-26T09:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:15:24.481-07:00Twenties Girl<span style="font-style: italic;">Twenties Girl</span> by Sophie Kinsella.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/5138270330_1363f7d811.jpg" alt="Twenties Girl" width="500" height="500" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />The heroine Lara Lington is at a crossroad in her life and serendipitously meets her great-aunt Sadie. While Sadie can be very annoying, she also helps Lara find her way to true love and a successful work life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br />While I have read all of the Shopaholic series, I read about "Twenties Girl" <a href="http://redvinesforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2010/09/weekend-plans.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Red Vines for Breakfast</span></a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>The premise is rather silly but Sophie Kinsella makes it work. I can always empathize with a heroine who struggles with her love and work life! What single woman can't?<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-81880774010739158552010-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:02:17.108-07:00Prairie Tale<span style="font-style: italic;">Prairie Tale</span> by Melissa Gilbert.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/5137516713_7e7b9bf37a.jpg" alt="Prairie Tale" width="500" height="500" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />Melissa Gilbert discusses her life from her days on <span style="font-style: italic;">Little House on the Prairie</span> as Half-Pint to her adulthood that included a nose job and an addiction to alcohol.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.laineygossip.com/Elizabeth_Hurley_vacations_with_husband_Hugh_Grant_and_son_in_South_of_France_24aug10.aspx">Lainey Gossip</a> discussed the Shannen Doherty incident and left me wanting more.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I loved watching <span style="font-style: italic;">Little House on the Prairie</span> and so I thought all the stories around the set very interesting. There are also many shocking incidents involving celebrities. If you love gossip and <span style="font-style: italic;">Little House</span>, you will dig this book!<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4921624148053679035.post-12183072157493568112010-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:002010-11-01T18:02:33.985-07:00The Kids Are All Right<a href="http://thekidsareallrightbook.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Kids are All Right</span></a> by Diana Welch, Liz Welch, Amanda Welch & Dan Welch.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/5138098030_1597b367a4.jpg" alt="The Kids Are All Right" width="295" height="450" /><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Summary</u></span><br />Very touching account of four siblings going through the loss of their parents. Their father first dies in a car accident, then their mother dies of cancer. The siblings of different age are split up between different friends and families, until they ultimately reunite. The book alternates between the different siblings and how they remember events.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>Source</u></span><br /><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2010/07/summer-reading-lists.html">cbc.ca's summer reading list</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><u>My thoughts</u></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><u><br /></u></span>I was in bed tearing up and blowing my nose while reading the book. I was amazed by how some people are heartless even after such a tragedy, but at the same time how strong the kids were. Definitely made me appreciate my mom and made me ache for kids who grow up without parents.<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Miss.Adventurehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12816858493861712911noreply@blogger.com0