All Consuming : zan

A story about "The Good German"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:28:50 GMT

by Joseph Kanon

Not my favorite. It’s very plot-heavy, and I’m a character-development lover. I love the descriptions of Berlin and I wish I’d had a map to trace where he was at every move. That said, he knew far too much of Berlin far too well. The city is much bigger than Kanon makes it out to be. I do like the way in which he tackles guilt, remorse, and Vergangenheitsbewaltigung.

Why I gave up consuming "The Elementary Particles"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:37:30 GMT

The Elementary Particles

by Michel Houellebecq

One of the main characters is a sex-obsessed lonely old man and I really couldn’t take the descriptions of young girls and masturbating, etc. I tried, but I just couldn’t do it. No more Houellebecq for me.

A story about "The Stories of Tobias Wolff"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:03:05 GMT

The Stories of Tobias Wolff

by Tobias Wolff

I read Wolff’s This Boys Life many years ago. I enjoyed it at the time and have never forgotten it.

I bought a collection of his short stories when they were on the sale shelf at the front of Books Inc once. It then sat on my shelf for about a year. I wish I’d picked it up sooner.

Typically I don’t like short stories, but not only did I enjoy these, I added Tobias Wolff to my favorite authors list, bringing the total to two (Kazuo Ishiguro has been a long standing member). I need to get more Tobias Wolff works and read them over and over again.

My complaint about short stories is typically that I don’t get enough of what I love: character development. However, in 10-20 pages, Wolff manages to create honest, compelling, complete characters.

A story about "Duke of Deception"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:59:44 GMT

Duke of Deception

by Geoffrey Wolff

Stephen Dubner mentioned this book on the Freakonomics blog as one of his favorite father-son stories. He mentioned Geoffrey is the brother of Tobias, who sits on my favorite authors list (only 2 authors long). I had Books Inc specially order it for me, since it doesn’t seem to be for sale anywhere.

Fantastic! I read This Boys’ Life a number of years ago. For those that don’t know, Toby and Geoff are about 10 years apart and each was raised by one parent after the parents divorced. Each book is phenomonal as a standalone, but together, it is incredibly interesting to see the makeup of the two halves of this family.

A story about "The History of Love: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:55:05 GMT

The History of Love: A Novel

by Nicole Krauss

I enjoyed History of Love from beginning to end. I have to compare it to Jonathan Safran Foer’s works as much as I’d like to recognize it on its own.

I picked it up at Books Inc because it had a little recommendation note that mentioned Nicole Krauss is Foer’s wife. I thought, why not?

I’m a big fan of Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but I think her work, though similar to his in many ways, was more thoughtful, more believable, and had more depth.

With multiple protagonists whose lives are intertwined who help each other, unknowingly, to discover themselves, the story is rich with character development and alive with feeling.

A story about "The Night In Question: Stories"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 22:01:46 GMT

The Night In Question: Stories

by Tobias Wolff

I typically don’t like short stories. I love character development, but most short stories just don’t provide enough to satisfy me. These stores, however, read like entire novels. By the end of each I felt I’d gotten a thorough look at the main character. Wolff has taken a place next to Ishiguro as my favorite author.

A story about "Imagining Argentina"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:51:09 GMT

Imagining Argentina

by Lawrence Thornton

A perfect dose of imagination for a realist. I typically don’t like books that are too heavy on the make-believe and this book features characters who have to come to terms with believing the unbelievable. Thornton successfully had this disbeliever intrigued all the way through.

completed July, 2006.

A story about "The In-Between World of Vikram Lall"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 00:46:00 GMT

The In-Between World of Vikram Lall

by M.G. Vassanji

Living with two Indian-Kenyan roommates inspired me to pick this up at the bookstore. The story is compelling and the bits of Kenyan history are much appreciated. I knew nothing about Kenyan independence before and after reading this book and discussing it with Jamie, I am familiar with bits of it. I was a little disappointed in what seemed to be soap-opera character removal, but other than that, it was excellent.

completed Aug 5, 2006.

A story about "Tales of the City (Tales of the City Series, V. 1)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 13:23:59 GMT

Tales of the City (Tales of the City Series, V. 1)

by Armistead Maupin

(completed 6/25/06) Laura Mo loves this book and Christina passed on that information. At first I was a little underwhelmed by the writing style and the implausability of these San Franciscans visiting so much of the Bay Area so frequently. Since when were Marin, Hillsborough, and Nob Hill so intertwined? Well, I had to admit, maybe they were in the 70s and maybe they still are in circles in which I do not travel. However, despite that, the soap opera-ness of this book really intrigued me. So many characters and what a web of affairs!

A story about "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch (Signet Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 13:57:19 GMT

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch (Signet Classics)

by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

I bought this a year ago at the SF Public Library book sale (there were tons of copies of it!) and it was worth well more than the $1 I paid for it. Solzhenitsyn kept me interested as he followed Ivan Denisovich through every move of the day. Great book. (completed 6/16/06)

A story about "The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:35:27 GMT

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

by Andrew Tobias

Worth reading whether you’re looking to invest big bucks or just need tips for scraping by more comfortably. A great book for graduates and grandparents alike.

A story about "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:32:19 GMT

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

by Anne Fadiman

An amazing book. Though primarily about cultural misunderstanding in the medical world, I think this book is invaluable for realizing ways to improve any cross-cultural communication. Incredible story. [June 8, 2006 – recommended by Erika]

A story about "Wrong About Japan"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Thu, 25 May 2006 12:06:24 GMT

Wrong About Japan

by Peter Carey

I read this in preparation for a trip to Japan, and appreciated learning about his humorous encounters before arriving. I can’t say that Tokyo has presented me with as many mistakes and misconceptions as it did Carey, but perhaps he helped me to push aside some of my own preconceptions before arriving.

For anyone who has ever spent time in Tokyo or is interested in doing so, it’s definitely a fun and enjoyable read.

A story about "Prep: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:21:11 GMT

Prep: A Novel

by Curtis Sittenfeld

Mixed. I definitely enjoyed reading this book. It was quick and fun. I think Curtis Sittenfeld captured the mind of an insecure 14 year old girl quite well. I found Lee’s insecurity so aggravating that I can’t love this book, but I’m not sure how much of that is the fault of the book and how much is my general dislike for the character. I think I would’ve rather read a book about Martha, Dede, or Sin-Jun.

A story about "Les Miserables (Penguin Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 00:18:02 GMT

Les Miserables (Penguin Classics)

by Victor Hugo

This book is incredible. I have enjoyed every moment of reading this in the past 4 months. There is so much to it. Hugo finds a way to intertwine every incident and character five times over.

I think he would be greatly disappointed how little the prison system, or effects of it, have changed in the century+ since he was writing.

I wish I’d had a pen or pencil at all times to underline the many, many beautiful and meaningful phrases.

A story about "Fugitive Pieces: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 19:04:38 GMT

Fugitive Pieces: A Novel

by Anne Michaels

I liked the concept behind Fugitive Pieces, but I was not entralled by the book itself. I got really bored in the middle third, but was told to hang on. It was worth completing, but did not become my new favorite book.

A story about "Song of Solomon (Oprah's Book Club)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 02:49:20 GMT

Song of Solomon (Oprah's Book Club)

by Toni Morrison

(completed 10/7/05) After meaning to read Song of Solomon for so many years, I’m certainly glad I finally got around to it. The writing is beautiful and the story is intriguing and thoughtful.

A story about "The Kite Runner"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:17:53 GMT

The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini

All I wanted to do was read this book. It’s an engaging story, written in a manner where one could forget it’s not actually Hosseini’s own memoir.

A story about "The Namesake: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Tue, 20 Sep 2005 17:01:13 GMT

The Namesake: A Novel

by Jhumpa Lahiri

I enjoyed the first half. I cried through the second half. This is a touching novel about family, friends, and love; it has excellent character development. It is also prompting me to add The Overcoat to my queue.

A story about "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 16:46:58 GMT

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

by Erik Larson

A great combination of the telling of the perfection of the 1893 World’s Fair and the vice of the surrounding civilization. It reminds me of the amount of trust I place in the strangers around me and how appearances can be most deceiving.

A story about "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything"

nobody@allconsuming.net (zan) — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 00:33:26 GMT

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

by Steven D. Levitt

Yet another book I thoroughly enjoyed. I like Levitt’s approach to answering the questions he raises in the book. The style is fun to read. I’d love to read some of his actual papers to get more of the details and statistics that are glossed over in this book.