Guitar Zero by Gary Marcus

I’ve wanted to learn the violin for a very, very long time now but I keep talking myself out of it.  I figure I won’t be very good since I’m starting so much later in life, ok, not that much later but I’m no longer a kid.  I fear that I’ll give it up right away because I’m certain I have no natural musical talent.  So when I happened upon Guitar Zero: the science of becoming musical at any age, I thought I’d find out how someone who was about to turn 40 handled learning the guitar.  Gary Marcus, a cognitive psychologist, chronicles his experience learning an instrument as well as sharing several renowned musicians’ own experiences.  Marcus provides research findings throughout the book challenging the perception that musical talent is innate.  From self-teaching to the Dalcroze method to playing in a band with 11 year olds at a summer camp, Marcus explores a myriad of techniques in learning an instrument.  It’s a very interesting book for anyone considering, and possibly running away from, picking up an instrument.  And as my thirtieth birthday approaches, I’ll be asking for a beginner’s violin so that I can finally get over my fear and possibly bring great joy in my life at learning something new.  I’ll let you know how it goes. 

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I believe I have found a new favorite author in Kristin Hannah.  Her intricate storytelling reminds me of Jodi Picoult as well as her ability to delve into family relationships and the complexities that come along with them.  Winter Garden is about two sisters that are nothing alike and their relationship with their cold and apathetic mother, Anya.  The eldest, Meredith, married, had kids early and stayed at home helping run the family apple orchard while Nina, a photojournalist, fled home as early as possible and has been traveling the world ever since.  The two are back under their parents’ roof when their father becomes ill.  One of his last dying wishes is for the girls to get to know their mother.  Having never been close with Anya the sisters take this promise in very different ways.  What unfolds is a beautiful and tragic story of their mother’s past. 

Vacation Reading is (Usually) the Best

I just got back from vacation which, to me, means crazy amounts of reading was to be completed.  I brought along a few books and was really counting on the hotel's book exchange "library" for more reading material but was pretty disappointed by the selection.  That hasn't happened before, next time I'm bringing several books and just dealing with the extra heft in my luggage.

I'll give you a brief overview of the four books I read on my trip:

Janet Evanovich's Visions of Sugar Plums: I brought this along because it was going to be a very quick read (finished it on the plane) and so that I could give it to the hotel's book exchange on arrival.

Karen White's After the Rain:  the first book I grabbed from the exchange, not something I would typically read, but it was alright.  Basically it's a girl meets boy, complications arise (surprise!), girl tries to run away, boy still wants girl after all the drama, girl gets boy in the end.  What a summary, right?!

R.J. Anderson's Quicksilver: I've been waiting to read this and had high hopes for it after loving Ultraviolet so much.  However, the story was sadly not as gripping as the first.  This companion novel follows Tori, the girl who goes missing in the first novel, as she tries to flee the cops and doctors tracking her who ultimately want to uncover her secret.  Fortunately, the characters from the first novel appear to help keep her free. 

Matthew Quick's Silver Linings Playbook: by far my favorite read of the week.  I haven't seen the movie and really hope they didn't muck it up.  It was a very heart-warming yet thought-provoking book and I think it really lives up to all the hype.  Go read it!

World Book Night, April 23, 2013

It's that time again.  World Book Night is back!  January 23rd is the last date to submit your application to be a Book Giver so get moving.  Last year was amazing and I can't wait to do it again.  WBN is the opportunity to choose one of your favorite books from a long list and help pass them out in your community to light or non-readers.  It's such a great opportunity to meet people in your community while talking about books!  Please sign up if you haven't already. 

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

It’s been 60 days and Rachel’s father, Jared, still hasn’t returned from his latest courier mission into the Wasteland.  The Commander of the walled City-State of Baalboden declares Jared dead and announces Jared’s apprentice, Logan, as Rachel’s new Protector.  Growing up trained to fight and with a sense of independence, she is unlike any other female in Baalboden; she hardly believes she needs a Protector.  However, Rachel fully believes her father isn’t dead and sets a plan in motion to find him in the Wasteland.  Now all she must do is escape without drawing attention from the Commander. 

Rachel Cohn's Beta

Teenaged Elysia is an experimental clone, manufactured from a dead girl and predestined to be a slave for the wealthy.  After the destructive Water Wars, people (Read: the wealthy) wanted a stress-free, more luxurious life.  So they traveled to the idyllic island of Demesne (rhymes with Renesmee) where everything is controlled, including the water and air, to be euphoric.  To fill her college-aged daughter’s absence, the wife of Demesne’s Governor purchases Elysia to be a companion.  As a clone, Elysia is produced to be a soulless, emotionless being lacking in sensations in order to serve her owner better.  However, when Elysia can taste her dinner and realizes the visions she has are really her First’s memories she begins to feel frightened.  Elysia goes to great lengths to hide her emotions in fear she will be branded a Defect and sent back to the lab to be tortured.  The cliffhanger ending got me hooked but I didn’t understand or appreciate a sexually violent scene.  However, the story felt original and I’d still recommend it since I think Rachel Cohn is an amazing YA author.