BRIO Book Club

Burnt Toast: And Other Philosophies of Life

2009-07-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

As a nighttime ABC sitcom addict, throughout the past four years I have become enthralled with Desperate Housewives. I think the actresses in the show are highly talented and have managed to remain in a generally positive light in Hollywood, and that is a lot to say for six female A-list celebs. While I was nannying the other day, I was browsing through the family’s bookshelf. I came across a few familiar titles, and then, Burnt Toast: And Other Philosophies of Life, caught my eye. I knew Teri Hatcher had written something, but I wasn’t sure of any detail about the book. I immediately picked it up and read the back sleeve. Intrigued not only because the writer is a Desperate Housewives star, I was curious as to what Teri Hatcher could possibly have to write about.

And I am glad I picked up Hatcher’s book. I was pleasantly surprised. Who knew I could relate so well to someone, an actress at that, twice my age! The book is basically a metaphor: don’t settle for burnt toast. It’s a philosophy of putting yourself first and making yourself happy. If you end up eating burnt toast, it means that piece of bread is worth more than your satisfaction. The book is somewhat of an autobiography mixed with insight and advice for how to handle everyday life situations all women face. From fashion, to her role in Desperate Housewives, to travels, to caring for her daughter, Emerson, as a single mother, Hatcher puts things into perspective for women of all ages. She maintains a humorous voice with wit and intellect I hadn’t expected from her. While adding her charm and womanly advice, Hatcher makes this book an enjoyable quick read.
Women of all ages can enjoy this book. I would encourage those to read Burnt Toast: An Other Philosophies of Life. Hatcher exceeded my expectations as a writer. Hatcher offers useful advice, but doesn’t want to preach her ways or force her beliefs on the reader. She says it how it is and how she has handled many of life’s battles, in a relatable and insightful manner. This book just makes sense, don’t ever settle for burnt toast.

The Zahir, Paulo Coelho

2009-06-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Paulo Coelho's The Zahir is a story about a novelist in Paris and the quest to find his missing wife. Although it is fiction, it is based loosely on certain real-life events. Written from the perspective of the novelist as narrator, the story goes through various themes, primarily obsession and the meaning of life. It makes you wonder what life would be like living unconventionally, and what it means to have true love and be free at the same time.

This novel is not only exciting, but it is extremely thought-provoking. It really makes you examine your own life and think about your own values. Is your daily life agreeable with who you really are? The intensity of emotions covered in this book are so incredibly human that the reader can't help but empathize with the different characters. And, for the lack of a better term, the "spiritual" journey always makes for an interesting read. Perhaps a better term would be "cosmic"...the journey to discover one's cosmic relationship. Haven't we all wondered, at one time or another, if there's something more to life than what we see before our eyes?

About the author:

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian author originally from Rio de Janiero. A child of an engineer, Coelho didn't get much support for his interest in writing at an early age. His parents actually committed him to a mental institution due to his refusal of a traditional life path. Coelho eventually submitted to his parents' wishes and entered law school, only to drop out and find his way back to writing again after extensive traveling and drug use. He spent time as a songwriter before encountering a spiritual awakening while walking the 500-mile Road of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. From that turning point began his career as a full-time writer.

Paulo Coelho has written many other books, two notable titles being The Alchemist and Eleven Minutes.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2009-06-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, transports readers into the mind of a young boy examining life, but not truly living it. Throughout a series of haunting anonymous letters, “Charlie” examines the realities of being an introverted teenager.

Charlie is a teenager who is fairly clueless about social interactions. The youngest of three children, Charlie accepts what happens around him as fact, but never immerses himself into the action. Charlie’s older brother plays football for Penn State while his popular older sister is in a highly dysfunctional relationship. Following the suicide of a close friend, Charlie begins high school without any friends. He soon becomes close to a boy in his shop class, and his stepsister. With each letter, an optimistic ambivalence develops revealing a mask of glossy staidness. Charlie also delves deeply into literature, immersing himself more fully into the books than into life. Told in simple, imploring language, you are emerged into a world that enjoys a desperate happiness. Exposing raw emotions, this book carries the reader from tears to laughter with a quick, disorienting turn of phrase.

Book Review of Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents

2009-06-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Author Jane Isay traveled across the country interviewing parents and their adult children to find out how they dealt with some of the most difficult issues that plagued their relationships with each other.

At first glance, this book may appear to lean toward self-help, perhaps eluding the attention of many self-assured readers. But, Jane Isay delivers a book of wisdom and guidance that is relevant to anyone who has, at one time or another, been frustrated with his or her adult child-to-parent relationship. Not only does Isay provide us with stories that are similar to our own – she also gives us applicable advice that help us to relieve this tension and better understand each other.

Isay describes the hardships that come with step-relatives, in-laws and siblings, and offers insight into creating a well-oiled family machine. She writes of the special effort mothers of sons must put forth with their daughters-in-law, and reinforces the number one golden rule in dealing with all adult children. The book as a whole is very uplifting and gives hope to those who suffer from communication problems in their families. Ultimately, it reminds us of how important and worth the extra effort these relationships are.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A New York City native, Jane Isay took an interest in writing and psychology early on. One parent was a columnist for the New York Post, the other a psychologist. She gained experience in these areas while working for the Yale University Press, and furthered her career with positions as an editor and a publishing executive in New York. She went on to publish several of her own books, all based in her interest in psychology, and presented Walking on Eggshells in 2007 to high acclaim.

Isay is currently finishing up her next book, Unfinished Business: Staying Close to Your Adult Siblings.

Valley of the Dolls Book Review

2009-05-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

Valley of the Dolls is a quintessential cult classic. It masterfully intertwines the lives of three beautiful and poignant women behind a thin veil of satire. Although written in the 60’s, Valley of the Dolls touches upon many themes and issues that still plague women. Playing upon timeless metaphors, Jacqueline Susann is able to explore them from an utterly feminine perspective. While it is meant to be scandalous, Susann draws the reader so far into the characters that it is not impossible to understand the motivations and choices that ultimately lead to a horrifyingly twisted fate.

Anne is an austere WASP that coasts along on her beauty and infallible pleasantness. Desperate to fall passionately in love, she spends years pining for an attractive lawyer who is not ready to settle down. Anne holds onto this notion of passionate love, forever trying to escape from the truth. Neely, a promising actress, warps from a bright and sparkling girl to a devious woman intent on getting her way. Jennifer is trapped within her own self-created persona of a sex bomb. She cannot escape the reality she has created for herself, never able to embrace her inner Zelda Zonk. All of the women slowly divert from their strong friendships to a stronger relationship with the aptly named “dolls.” The brightly colored barbiturates provide the only escape they can attain from their own ambitions and anxieties.

Based around real Hollywood lives, Valley of the Dolls adds an astounding depth and sadness to what could be considered a trashy beach read. To imagine stars such as Judy Garland spewing this kind of venom will make you seriously reconsider the Wizard of Oz. While the subject matter may be salacious, the dialogue rings true even after 40 years.

“The Bronze Horseman Comes to an End with The Summer Garden”

2009-05-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

The Summer Garden is different from any other book. After reading Paullina Simons’ first two books in the trilogy, I could not wait to read the third. I knew from the first chapter that this book would keep my attention for years. It is an emotional roller coaster ride. The books detail the relationship between Tania, a Russian girl and Alexander, a soldier in the Red Army. Alexander has many secrets and they all come to a head in The Summer Garden.
After years of being apart, Alexander and Tania are finally together in the United States and raising their son. They begin a nomadic life and travel from state to state getting jobs where they can. Tania is dealing with a husband who is trying to come to terms with his dreadful war experiences. He is a different man from the one she married. He is jealous, weary, and mentally drained. Tania is struggling with raising a child and trying to keep her husband’s past a secret.
Simons’ characters come to life. The book spans from 1945 to 2000. As a reader, I speculated if the characters would stay together or would if the stress on their marriage be too much for even two soul mates? The characters struggle to find stable jobs and the book deals with every issue about the 20th century: women in the workplace, the Vietnam War, sexual harassment, and even Darwinism.
Although most readers think of The Bronze Horseman as their favorite Simons’ book, I have decided The Summer Garden is my favorite. The Bronze Horseman is about the beginnings of a relationship, young love, and two people trying to find each other. By the time a reader gets to The Summer Garden, the characters must face each other as imperfect partners with an imperfect life. I find it much more interesting to see how they overcome problems to stay together.
Sara Lien
BRIO Public Relations Director

Tatiana & Alexander Brings History to Life

2009-05-12T07:29:00.000-07:00

I loved The Bronze Horseman and I did not want it to end. I was in luck because the next book in Paullina Simons’ series is Tatiana & Alexander. This book picked up where The Bronze Horseman left off. Simons’ chronicles the relationship between the two characters with such extreme detail that the reader sometimes feels like an intruder in their lives.
The heroine, Tania, leaves Russia and is on the adventure of a lifetime. She escaped death several times, discovered she was pregnant, and landed on Ellis Island. Simons’ has a very extensive knowledge of Ellis Island history. She has firm statistics about the number of immigrants that landed at Ellis Island. She described in detail the process for assimilation into the United States during World War II. A reader can smell the disinfectant of the white tiled hallways of Ellis Island as Tania struggled to come to grips with her new reality. Tania must take care of her infant son, find a job, and cope with the culture shock of being in a new, unfamiliar country. She left Alexander in Russia and has no idea if he is dead or alive.
Meanwhile in Russia, the reader gets a firsthand account of what it was like for Alexander to be in a prison camp. Alexander was tortured and beaten as he tried to escape the confines of several prisons. He was under constant surveillance. All he desired was to find Tania and get back to his life.
Simons continued her epic love story with detail and creativity. Her writing style will keep the reader on the edge of their seat. Tatiana & Alexander is love story with historic detail, charismatic characters, and enemies to relish. This is the second book in a trilogy. I will review The Summer Garden next. There is a rumor that Simons is writing the screenplay for The Bronze Horseman. I can’t wait to see the movie but, as always, I know it will not compare to the book.
Happy Reading!
Sara Lien
BRIO Public Relations Director

The Bronze Horseman takes me on a Wild Ride

2009-05-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, I was in a used bookstore in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was the type of used bookstore with endless stacks of dusty, worn books piled to the ceiling. I love used bookstores because I am a great believer in finding a book that is a diamond in the rough. After searching through the stacks, I was ready to realize I would not find that diamond today and then when I looked down and saw a soft cover book on at my feet with a large statue of a horse on the cover. It looked interesting and long! Almost 1,000 pages. I picked it up and after reading the first page, I knew The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons would take me on a journey of a lifetime.
The description contained Russian history, a loving family, and a heart wrenching love story. After I started reading it, I could not put it down. It was in my purse, I would read it at lunch and sometimes in the car during traffic. The story began in 1941. Tania, the heroine, lived in Leningrad with her mother, father, older sister and twin brother. The family shared a two room apartment and Tania had to sleep in the same bed as her sister, Dasha. Simons tells the story of how an average family living in a communist country dealt with the onset of a World War.
Paullina Simons is originally from Russia and brings a vast knowledge of Russian history along with a very gifted storytelling style. A reader does not just read this story; they live it. Her description of how World War II affected a person’s everyday life will break your heart.
The Bronze Horseman was the first in a trilogy of stories about Tania and her lover, Alexander. The story continued with Tatiana and Alexander and The Summer Garden. Both books are very hard to find in the U.S. I recommend Amazon or Abe Books to order. You will not be disappointed with this novel that may compare to Doctor Zhivago.
Happy Reading!
Sara Lien
BRIO Public Relations Director

My Summer Reading Goals

2009-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

Well BRIO book club readers, my time here as a PR intern at BRIO has come to an end. I have learned a lot being here, and look forward to having more free time during the summer to read. I have a few reading goals that I have set for myself this summer in order to broaden my reading horizons.

1) Read one novel that has been independently published. Being at BRIO has taught me that some very creative stories have come from independently published authors, and I would love to contribute to the independent and contract publishing effort.

2) I want to try and re-read a book that I read in high school. I am thinking either The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Catcher and the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Reading books like this for class as a high school student is very different than reading these classics for pleasure as a college student.

3) Another criteria in my reading list is read a book by a first-time author. Maybe the independently published novel will cover both of my requirements in one, but I want to find a new author, in order to find another author that I enjoy reading.

4) I also want to read another pop culture book like the Malcolm Gladwell books. I am thinking to try and read Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. Maybe this is the summer I will finally get to it!

5) I am slightly behind in the times, and have not read any of the Twilight books, because I felt like I was not being loyal to my love of the Harry Potter books. Maybe I will see what this whole Twilight deal is about and read the first novel by Stephenie Meyer.

While I do have more time in the summer to read, it is still super busy, so giving myself a list of five books to read I feel is fair. If I have more time I would love to read more, so any other suggestions are much appreciate. I am sure other BRIO book club readers would appreciate the suggestions as well!

Happy reading and have a wonderful summer!

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern

Guilty Pleasures

2009-04-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone has at least one guilty pleasure. For some people, it is that little piece of Godiva chocolate, or the extra 15 minutes you tack onto your alarm in the morning, or a bubble bath. I admit it, those are my guilty pleasures, but so are Jodi Picoult novels. I am not embarrassed by any of my guilty pleasures, but nonetheless all of them add that extra bounce in my step for the day.

My favorite Jodi Picoult novel is My Sister’s Keeper. This is her 11th novel. This story is about Anna a perfectly healthy young woman who is constantly in and out of the hospital because of sister, Kate. Kate was diagnosed with leukemia at age two, and Anna was the perfect match to help donate blood and bone marrow to her older sister. Kate gets very sick, and needs a kidney to survive. Anna finally becomes sick of being her “sister’s keeper” and hires a lawyer to become medially emancipated from her parents. The rest of the novel deals with Anna and her relationship with her mother, father, sister, and lawyer.

I found myself getting angry with Anna and sympathizing with her at the same time. I tried to think about what I would do if I was in Anna’s situation, but it is an impossible place to put yourself. Anna had been poked and prodded since the time she was born, and she was at the end of her rope. If my sister needed a kidney, I would be the first in line to give it to her, but I have never had to give any part of myself to her before. The novel really made me look at and appreciate my relationship with my family.

There is a heightened sense of emotion in this novel, if you cry easily grab an entire box of tissues. You will find yourself trying to understand all positions in the novel, and you feel a connection with every character in the novel.

Jodi Picoult is an author that has defined reading expectations for women and some men in my generation. With 16 successful novels to her name, Jodi Picoult knows the right combination of character development, plot, and word choice to keep all readers engaged and involved throughout the novel.

There is more to look forward to with author Jodi Picoult. She has a new novel out called Handle With Care. My Sister’s Keeper is also scheduled to be released as a movie on June 26.

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern.

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Book Review

2009-04-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Book Review

So as my weeks here at BRIO come to a close, I sat down to think about what other books I have read recently, and I realized that I need to find more time to read, because the titles were not jumping out at me as readily as they did toward the beginning of my internship. Thank goodness it is almost my summer break, and I will be able to conquer a stack of books this summer. (Any summer reading suggestions are appreciated in the comments for a future blog idea.)

After thinking hard about the books I have read, I finally decided to write about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. While I have not read this book as recently as the others I have blogged about, this book did touch me deeply, and it was a really good story.

Haddon writes this story in the first person from the point of view of Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old autistic boy. The story revolves around Christopher and the dead body of Wellington, the neighbor’s dog, which has been speared by a garden fork. Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of Wellington’s death, but uncovers a greater mystery surrounding his dead mother.

One thing that I do remember most about this novel is its consistency to stay true to the narrator throughout the novel. It is told from the first person of someone with high functioning autism, and that was carried through past the plot of the book. Instead of numbering the chapters 1,2,3,4… Haddon only uses prime numbers, which holds true to the behavior of Christopher. The chapters are also slightly disjointed, going from the plot, to a character analysis, or something about the narrator’s life that does not directly correlate to the immediate plot of the story.

It is a novel where you really start to feel for the main character and want him to figure out the mystery he is trying to uncover. It is also a good book to read if you are generally interested in high functioning autism. Haddon does an impeccable job allowing readers to understand how people with autism view life, and does it in a way that compels the reader to learn more. With only 226 pages, this is a quick read that would entertain you and teach you too.

Deb Carneol
PR Intern

Outliers Review - Part 2

2009-04-07T08:58:00.001-07:00

Outliers Review – Part 2

So I have finally finished Malcolm Gladwell’s latest novel, Outliers. Let me recap my dilemma with Gladwell. I have blogged about him a lot before, and have had some gripes about his writing styles, his inconsistency from novel to novel, and the believability of his theories. I enjoyed his first book, The Tipping Point, but was disappointed by Blink. In order to be fair, I decided to give his latest book, Outliers a chance. I think after reading three of his books, I am able to make a more fair decision about his writing.

I think I misjudged Gladwell, and have focused too much on proving to myself that he is far fetched with his theories. The first book I read of his, I over analyzed every chapter, and therefore thought I had to over analyze EVERY NOVEL he wrote. I took a different approach with Outliers and did not read into every example. I read it more of as a story, rather than trying to have everything make complete sense.

Another aspect to Gladwell’s writing that I do enjoy is I feel like I am learning random facts of information. It gives me a glimmer of hope that I would be able to stand on my own two feet in a game of Jeopardy or on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Gladwell is very knowledgeable and it is clear that he is passionate about each of the theories he presents.

Bottom line: I was entertained. If Gladwell readers learn something in the process of being entertained it is even better. I can confidently say that I misjudged Gladwell, and say that if he does write another novel; I will be one of the first to read it.

Maybe Gladwell can write his next book on skeptics.

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern

High School Reunion - Classic Books to Revisit

2009-03-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

High School Reunion – classic books to revisit

Have you ever read one of those high school curriculum books, that you are forced to read as a 9th grader, for pleasure? You know books like To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, or even The Catcher and the Rye? Well for me, the one high school book I really cannot get enough of is George Orwell’s 1984. I think I have read the book for classes in middle school, high school, college, and for pleasure at least seven times and it never gets old to me. There are three reasons why reading the “classics” for pleasure is not only enjoyable, but can be beneficial to reread.

First of all, by reading these “classic” novels, a person has the opportunity to look through a window into the history and perceptions of how life was when the books were written. We have historical documentation of how life was, but books portray a different type of history. 1984 for example was first published in 1949, which is the beginning of the Cold War Era. The novel is all about the corruption of a Communist government. Although the novel is set in a 1949’s version of the future 1984, it is clear that communism was becoming a huge topic in the UK and in the U.S. Popular perception was that life in the novel 1984 was going to be similar in reality.

The second reason why rereading these books as adults is rewarding is that you learn and understand more of the book every time you read it. The first time I read 1984 I was in 7th grade, which means I would be 13. The second time I read the book, it was not until I was a sophomore in high school, which would make me 16. In those three years, I had learned so much more about the Cold War and fear of Communism, that the novel made more sense to me. Since that last time in high school, I have read the book many more times and every time I appreciate it more and more.

The last reason I recommend rereading 1984 and novels like it is that there are so man modern day references to “classic” books. In order to contribute to literary commentary, a person often times must have read these classical novels. Authors will write novels today with the assumption that certain bodies of works have been read and understood.

I have compiled a list of “infamous” high schools reading books that may be worth your time again in the future.

1984 – George Orwell
Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad
Catcher and the Rye – J.D. Salinger
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Grape of Wrath – John Steinbeck
Black Boy – Richard A. Wright
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut

Happy reminiscing BRIO Book Club readers!

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

2009-03-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Review: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

I’ve heard of people who have page limit requirements when it comes to books:

“If it’s longer than 500 pages I’m not reading it…”

“If the spine is wider than the length of my thumb it’s a no-go…”

Good thing I’m not one of these people, because at 973 pages Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth is the longest book I’ve read to date. It was published in the late 80’s – something I didn’t know when I bought the book -- yet still ranks consistently high on best-seller lists.

Follett has an amazing way of taking you deep into the lives of his characters. You adore the characters you are meant to love and absolutely loathe the characters you are meant to hate. The entire book takes place across several decades, so you are given the opportunity to literally watch these characters grow and see how a decision they made on page 15 is still affecting them several years (and hundreds of pages) later.

This book literally has everything you could want in a novel: mystery, violence, war, love, friendships, and everything in between. You’ll find yourself rooting for the good guys and anxiously waiting for the bad guys to get their just desserts.

Ken Follett recently published a sequel of sorts to Pillars in that it takes place in the same town but two hundred years in the future, so the characters are entirely different. I just started it last week and if it’s anything like its predecessor I know I’m in for a ride.

Don’t let the daunting page length fool you: The Pillars of the Earth is anything but boring and will keep you on your toes until the very last page.

--Jordan Turgeon

Outliers Review - Part 1

2009-03-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Tales of a Skeptic Part 1

I have written about the author Malcolm Gladwell in previous posts (I actually think I mentioned him in two), and I have finally had the chance to sit down and begin his newest book Outliers: The Story of Success. To recap previous posts, I am very skeptical of Gladwell and his writing, and have had mixed feelings about his previous two books. I loved The Tipping Point and was super disappointed by Blink. When I read two books by one author and have differences in opinion based on his or her novels, I like to test my theory at least one more time. Because I think the Blink theories are a little far fetched, I gave myself a few days to think over my initial thoughts of the book, instead of making a snap decision.

My first thought: I like his use of more current examples. One of my biggest issues with his previous books was that I felt his examples were extremely dated, and it was hard for me to relate. So far, more of his examples have been easier to relate to and have been AS dated as his previous novels.

My second thought: This book seems to be more compelling than Blink, and more interesting than The Tipping Point. Maybe I am just more interested in the topic of success, but I am finding these examples and these stories very interesting to read. I want to keep reading more to keep finding out what Gladwell thinks about the idea of success and how to reach it.

My third thought: I am still very skeptical about how he draws his conclusions. *Potential Spoiler Alert* - One main theme he is suggesting is the year you are born in is something that will determine whether you will be successful or not. While I do believe that when and where you are born does determine a lot of your successes, it is not the main factor. Hearing this conclusion scared me a little. I am going to be graduating from the University of Minnesota in May of 2010, and as you all know, this country is in an economic downturn. Am I going to be punished because I happen to be graduating in these harder times? Will I not succeed because I was born in 1987? I would like to think no. I would like to think that if I try hard enough, I have the potential to be successful regardless of what year I was born. Who knows… maybe I’ll be that one Outlier that succeeds.

I have only read the first half of the book, so my thoughts are not final. These are just what I am feeling in the first half of the book. But all in all, I am enjoying this book, and cannot wait to finish it and give my final thoughts!

Until next time BRIO book club readers!

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern

Secret Life of Bees

2009-03-10T06:57:00.000-07:00

Book Review: Secret Life of Bees

I’ve noticed I am kind of random in regards to what books I tend to read. While I do enjoy reading specific genres of books, and while I do enjoy certain authors more than others, I am willing to open my horizons and read a new author or genre. In order to read more and more types of literature, I try to take suggestions from friends and family for my newest reading endeavor.

The last book my mother recommended to me was The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I know I am not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but in this case I could not help myself. It seemed like it would be a childish book, one that a middle school child would read. To my surprise, this seemingly childish book was filled with very adult situations that were carried on throughout the book.

The book is set in South Carolina, in 1964, and it tells the story of Lily Owens. Lily’s entire life has been molded by the memory of the afternoon of her mother’s accidental death. After an incident in the town, where Lily’s African-American care taker, Rosaleen, is beaten after insulting three men in a racist town, the two run away to Tiburn, South Carolina. While in Tiburn, Lily has the opportunity to find out who she is, and is also able to piece together what happened with her mother. This book is filled with many issues, like racism, women’s rights, relationships, and even death.

Even with all of these intense issues and themes in the novel, it is a story that can be enjoyed by all ages. So while I did originally pinpoint this book to be one that a middle school student would read, it is also a book that any adult will enjoy as well.

Deb Carneol
PR Intern

So Much Pop-Culture, So Little Time!

2009-03-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

So much pop-culture, so little time!

So I realized yesterday that I read a lot of popular culture books that do not follow a specific plot line. I am about to start Malcolm Gladwell’s newest book, Outliers and have read his other two books in the last year. I have also read Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman in the last few months.

If you have not read Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs and you are one to enjoy pop culture, then I would high recommend this book. Klosterman presents a series of essays about different aspects of pop culture in the last few decades. He hits on topics from the rivalry between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics; to an analysis of the porn industry and the Internet; and he even wrote an essay on the popular TV series Saved By the Bell.

Klosterman has a quick tongue and his essays often reflect personal instances. Just to warn anyone who wants to read the book (and again, I highly recommend the book), Klosterman loves to swear in his essays. Klosterman is never shy to drop an “F-bomb” or two in every essay or so. He is not shy to get his point across. Another thing to be wary of when reading the book is that you may not know every single reference to pop culture Klosterman writes about. I am a child of the 80’s and there were times that I had to look up some more information on the stories because I did not even the subject matter.

But besides these two cautions, this book was excellent, and I look forward to reading more books with that same type of style of writing in the near future. I am going to try and get my hands on a copy of Gladwell’s newest book sometime this week, and try to blog about what I have read in the next few weeks.

Deb Carneol
BRIO PR Intern

What About the Boys?

2009-02-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

Title: What About the Boys?

Chick Lit is a very popular genre in today’s literary world. Young girls, teenage women, and even grown women pine over the next big Chick Lit book to hit the shelves, but what about the boys and men who enjoy reading? Why are there no literary genres called Lad Lit, Guy Lit, or even Fella Lit that appeal specifically to men? I just finished reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles, which is what made me ponder this question.

Now, I am as guilty as every other woman who loves to be wrapped up in the drama, success, and sex lives of the woman that are portrayed in Chick Lit novels, but there was something refreshing about reading a book centered around young men. The characters in A Separate Peace were more real and dynamic than Suzy Q in any book that begins with “The true confessions of X.”

The novel is set at a boys’ boarding school in New England during the earlier years of World War II, and explores the school life and summers of two adolescent boys, Gene and Phineas. The occurrences between the two boys during one summer in particular will shatter their innocence. This book is a window into the life that we hear little about during WWII, the life of the privileged schoolboy, who despite their status, were still affected by the war. The drama and adventures that the boys get into was not innocent, but it is compelling and pure.

There should be a literary genre for young men, and this novel should be at the top of its list. This novel has been a classic best seller for over thirty years, and I would recommend it to everyone; man, woman, adult or teenager.

Some other “Lad Lit” suggestions are Fight Club: A Novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream by Hunter S. Thompson. (provided by

Deb Carneol

Second Book Blues

2009-02-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

I am having a difficult time with a particular author. Within the last year I have read The Tipping Point (2000) and Blink (2005) by Malcolm Gladwell and I am not sure if I love or hate what he writes.

According to Gladwell, The Tipping Point refers to “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point,” and it is the point when change becomes unstoppable. The subject matter of the book discusses mysterious sociological changes that define everyday life. Gladwell uses examples such as rise in popularity of Hush Puppies or the New York City crime rate decrease in the 1990’s to explain “tipping points.”

Blink is a book that deals with the power of decision-making, and the idea that we make our decisions in the “blink of an eye.” He also introduces the idea of “thin-slicing,” which refers to the idea that people can gauge important information from a very thin period of experience. In Blink, Gladwell talked with a lot of experts in gambling, movies, military war games and more.

I had mixed feelings about the books I read. I really enjoyed The Tipping Point, but did not buy into Blink at all.

I felt Gladwell was manipulating examples to fit his theories. So when someone suggested reading The Tipping Point, I was wary. However, I was pleasantly surprised after reading it and found myself agreeing with his points of view.

After discussing my opinion with others, I was surprised to discover a lot of people have similar experiences with other authors. Audiences love the first book by an author, but then are slightly disappointed by the second or third book. Do we become more critical of the author as he or she writes, or is it that the first book means more to the author and therefore is just “better”?

I do not think anyone will actually ever know, but I am willing to test Gladwell one more time and read his third book, Outliers. It was released November 18, 2008, and is a book that looks at different factors that contribute to elevated levels of success. From the research I have done on his newest book, it looks like it takes a similar writing style approach to his first two books. I’ll let you know what I think, and maybe we can test the theory.

For more information about Malcolm Gladwell and his books go to http://www.gladwell.com/

Deb Carneol

Water for Elephants Sparks Sentimentality

2009-02-03T08:59:00.000-08:00

Book Review: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

I have a goal: to be able to find time to read every book on the New York Times bestsellers list, but life gets in the way and I do not have the time to read every single book. So, I read the books that compel me. I recently picked up the book Water for Elephants, which was a New York Times #1 bestseller back in 2006.

The book begins with the main character, 90-year-old Jacob, living in an assisted living home. When Jacob learns that a traveling circus is coming to town, it sparks his memories of when he was a part of a traveling circus. The entire book goes back and forth between Jacob’s current life, and his memories, good and bad, of his life on the road. He remembers dropping out of veterinary school, running away to the circus, befriending an elephant, and even murder.

Not only did the book provide me with a compelling story, but it also provided me with a greater appreciation for my grandparents. As I was reading, I found myself wanting to know more about Jacob.

It was then that I realized I need to know more about my grandparent’s past. They have led interesting lives. Reading Water for Elephants has led me to sit down and talk with my grandparents. I always knew about my grandparents past, but I never knew their stories. Some of the stories I learned were how my two sets of grandparents met, and what life was like as a young adult during World War II. They have fascinating stories about social dance clubs they attended and how handsome my grandfathers looked in uniform. I am thankful for reading Water for Elephants because it brought me closer to my grandparents.

If you are a person who loves a book with a fun plot line, a main character that is easy to relate to, romance, and history then this will be a quick and pleasant read for you.

--Deb Carneol

*link for cover picture
http://www.lifescovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/waterforelephants.jpg

Political Books For the Ages

2009-01-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

National Endowment for the Arts reports that reading is on the rise in the United States!
The U.S. population is reading again. The numbers released over the weekend by the National Endowment for the Arts are on the rise. In the early 1980s, when 60 percent of the U.S. population read literature, reading rates were have dropped to 46.7 percent in 2002. This year, there has been an increase to 50 percent of American’s reading. Citizens are reading fiction, poetry, and literature. What is the most surprising is that the rise in reading is among the youth of America. Reading increased for the 18- to 24-year-old demographic. That means more young people are putting down their Blackberries and picking up a book.
In celebration of this historic inauguration day and the rise in reading, here are some great political biographies from an expert historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin.
1. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
If you want to understand the inner workings of the Obama administration, read this book. It has been rumored that Obama is constantly reading this book and getting advice from the experiences of Lincoln. The book analyzes Lincoln’s style, his motivations, and the men he chose for his cabinet.
2. No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II
A wonderful inside glimpse of the Roosevelt’s marriage, how they dealt with World War II as well as how they made the decisions that shaped the world we live in.
3. Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream
Do you know Lyndon? What was he really like? Did he really skinny-dip? What was his involvement with Vietnam? Kennedy? Goodwin gives the reader an up-close account of the presidency of Lyndon Johnson.
4. The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga
This book was made into a 10-hour miniseries. It goes into detail about the history of the Kennedy family.
5. In Our Own Words: Extraordinary Speeches of the American Century
If you are interested in more than politics, this book discusses some of the most extraordinary speeches ever written. Yes, it includes past presidents but also includes speeches by Jane Fonda, George Patton and Al Capone.
Enjoy inauguration day!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (Part 1)

2009-01-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Review: The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (Part 1)

I should have listened to Oprah.

These days, hardcover books come with lovely dust jackets complete with info about the author and a short little description of what the book is about (which the design team here at BRIO can create for you, by the way!) These little dust jackets are intended to lure you in when perusing the book aisle at Target.

Shameless plugs aside, when I picked up The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I did exactly that – opened the book and read the dust jacket’s inside cover. Why wouldn’t I? It’s kind of a natural reflex.

Then…in the back of my head I remembered something Oprah said when she announced The Story of Edgar Sawtelle as her latest Book Club selection this past fall. Something to the effect of “DO NOT read the inside cover before you start this book.”

Oprah, I’ve failed you. But more on that in a minute.

Don’t worry, my goal here is definitely not to spoil the plot for anyone who hasn’t started reading yet – that would be mean. I’ll be careful in my review thus far:

I’m about 200 pages in (183, to be exact). Not much has happened in the first 200 pages, and yet so much has happened at the same time.

Let me explain. Instead of relying more on action and plot progression, so far the book has mainly provided, at least for me, a greater sense of character development. I feel like I’m really getting to know Edgar and the people (and dogs!) around him. Does this make sense? I’m a sucker for character development, so I’m enjoying Wroblewski so far.

And please, if you’re reading this right now and haven’t read the book yet, I urge you, the same way Oprah urged me…

DO NOT read the dust jacket’s inside cover!!! Even though months have passed between me buying the book and starting to read it, I remember way too much and it’s taking away from my relationship with the plot. I feel like I already know where the plot’s heading before I even get there, and it’s not a good feeling.

Needless to say, the dust jacket has been removed and is now sitting alone folded on top of my bookshelf (but kudos to the design team – it’s a great cover!)

Stay tuned for Part II (and hopefully the last part) of my review next week!

Oh, and don’t read the dust jacket’s inside cover…please?

-- Jordan Turgeon, BRIO PR intern

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

2008-12-31T07:06:00.000-08:00

Stay tuned… The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

This week I am starting a new book, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. I know I’m really late to the game – this book has been at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list for 28 weeks and was named an Oprah Book Club selection this past fall (even Oprah said when she picked the book that she was late at getting on the bandwagon…I guess this makes me really, really late!)

Here’s what I know prior to breaking the spine: the book – part mystery, part romance, part classic -- is about a mute boy who shares an incredible bond with the dogs his family breeds on their Wisconsin farm. Dogs and Wisconsin – two of my favorite things! I’m there.

Stay tuned for my review of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I’m hoping to have it finished by next week. (If I love it, I’ll be finished sooner – putting down an awesome page-turner is not something I’m good at).

Until then!

-- Jordan Turgeon, BRIO PR intern

Why I love Chick Lit! (And you should too!)

2008-12-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

I’m not one of those people that read only what looks good. I love a great romance! Give me more chick lit! I don’t read Oprah’s book club list, not because the books are not interesting or well-written but because after three years of law school and concentrating on tiny text about summary judgments, the rules of future interests, and the complexity that is the Uniform Commercial Code, I want to read for fun!
The books I gravitate toward are romance and biographies. I love women’s fiction or chick lit. Some great romance authors that will be considered the Jane Austen’s of our time are Lisa Kleypas and Lauren Weisberger. Kleypas is a former beauty queen that did not want to get a “real” job, so she locked herself in her basement until she finished her first manuscript. Some of the great work that resulted from this purposeful agoraphobia is the Wallflower series. She writes purple prose about four young women in London who are the societies “Wallflowers.” Each of the four books tells an adventurous tale of how the women found their husbands.
Weisberger wrote the hugely successful “The Devil Wears Prada.” She followed it with “Everyone Worth Knowning.” Now she has released her junior effort-“Chasing Harry Winston.” This is a charming story of three women in their early 30s who have careers but really want love. One is finding true love at a publishing company, the second is trying to find love by dating every man she meets, and another is breaking up with her longtime boyfriend and finding love through several casual flings. The story will not solve the world’s problems but it will put you in a good mood for the holiday season.
Here are more chick lit authors to put on your to-be-read shelf: Sophie Kinsella, Emily Giffin, and Jennifer Weiner.
Sit back, relax and enjoy books for pure entertainment purposes.
Happy Holidays from BRIO!

Shoot The Moon by Billie Letts

2008-12-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

Review: Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts

I discovered author Billie Letts years ago when I saw the movie “Where the Heart Is,” starring Natalie Portman and Ashley Judd. It’s about a pregnant girl who lives in a Wal-Mart for a month after her boyfriend leaves her stranded with no money, and the journey her life takes after the baby is born. Afterward, I found out the story originated as a novel, and since I loved the movie so much I had to read the book.

Hold on, back up for one second. I’ve written on the BRIO blog before about my firm belief that you should always, always read the book before seeing its movie version. I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I did the opposite in this case…but only because I didn’t know the story had started as a book to begin with – a poor excuse, I know. I beg for forgiveness.

In the end it all worked out, because seeing “Where the Heart Is” brought me to the book which brought me to author Billie Letts which led me to another one of her books: Shoot the Moon. This book has been on the family bookshelf for a few years – my mom read it as a book club selection and suggested I try it. When I realized it was a Billie Letts novel, it made its way to the front of my “To Read” list.

This book was an intriguing and easy read. Billie Letts is very good at writing about small town life with big town drama. In Shoot the Moon, a small town is traumatized when a young mother is murdered and her son goes missing, presumed dead. Years later, the boy (now a grown man) comes back to town with a different name, seeking out his birth mother. He has no clue that his mother was murdered decades ago, or that his disappearance once made national headlines.

Thus begins the unraveling of the mystery behind Mark’s “adoption” and his mother’s past. Billie Letts’ does an amazing job at character development and portrayal. All of the key players in this mystery have distinct personalities, and you find yourself asking “who done it?” over and over again as a new layer of the story is revealed.

Letts also has a tendency to end each chapter with a miniature cliffhanger or revelation -- a great quality, don’t get be wrong, but not conducive to a person who has trouble putting down a book!

And of course, there’s a bit of romance mixed in too, so all audiences will be entertained.

Visit http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/authors_Billie-Letts-(1012944).htm to learn more about this author.

-- Jordan Turgeon