the read feed

I Loved I Lost I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci, 288 pages.

I think, but cannot know for sure, that this compendium of love gone wrong/food gone right is supposed to make you think Ms. Melucci is carefree, witty, and leading a somewhat charmed life in the big city. Upon finishing it, all I felt was sad for her - not pity, just sad.  Obviously if you write a memoir about how awful your quest for love is and try to make it light-hearted, it would be nice if the reader believes you are okay with it. However she mentions her desire for marriage often, perhaps children, but mostly marriage, and as she moves into her 40s remains wistful on that front. I was expecting to get a sense that she was happy in her single-dom, and that some good pasta has satiated her desire for family. And that she is cooking up a storm, throws herself into dinner parties, and becomes a real foodie. That is what the book jacket promises, but does not deliver. It truly seemed like an exercise in frivolity, style with no substance as she falls into relationships that are train wrecks from the first meeting (with the exception of one). And the recipes and family anecdotes seem like an afterthought - more of a gimmick to be in the foodie memoir genre.  I wanted to like it, I just didn't believe it. Although I would be interested to study the reviews of single vs. married women. My suspicion is a single gal may find it a bit more palatable.

It probably doesn't help that immediately after closing this book, I read another foodie lit/memoir called Cooking and Screaming: Finding My Own Recipe for Recovery by Adrienne Kane (author of food blog www.nosheteria.com).  She had a stroke at 22, and food is very much a part of her comeback as she relearns everything, including how to cook. It is inspiring, honest, light without being flip, and the recipes fit nicely into the story (and sound appealing too). I would highly recommend this one as an alternative to I Loved I Lost if you are looking for a good memoir with food. (I'm obviously stuck in this genre as I savor Orangette's A Homemade Life....more on that later.)

I Loved I Lost - 2 stars

Cooking and Screaming - 4 stars

The End.

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman

Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven by Susan Jane Gilman, 320 pages.

Admittedly, I am a fan of the travel memoir. Possibly because I don't leave the east coast and most definitely because I'm the least adventurous person I know.  I'm open to travel, but only if led by someone more experienced - not a chart my own course kind of girl. So this story of a post-college backpacking trip to China in the 1980s caught my attention. (Would you agree that the cover doesn't really scream travel memoir? Yeah, that bugs me a bit.)

After looking at a world map on a placemat at IHOP, the author and her friend Claire make grand plans to travel following graduation. They decide to begin in China which at the time wasn't exactly known as a big tourist destination - all the better for adventure. Susan is the more hesitant of the two from the start, especially when the accomodations and transportation are less than sanitary. Claire is an encouraging counterpart, pushing them ahead into the unknown. As the weeks progress, Claire begins showing signs of fatigue and behaving oddly.  The foreshadowing is such that it doesn't take long to figure out the trip is not going to end well - but the cast of characters they meet along the way help to save the travelers from all manner of disaster. As far as I am concerned the supporting people make the story, as Susan appears to be most worried about "hooking up" and Claire is most worried about being followed by spies. It is truly unlike any travel saga I've ever read or heard about and the fact they both emerge safely is nothing short of miraculous.

A fascinating look at China in the 1980s from the perspective of an inexperienced traveler and a story that is likely to keep me safely stashed on my couch.  The author was honest about her naivete and foibles, but was annoying nonetheless.  Claire really couldn't help her issues, but I wonder at the wisdom in her decision to travel at all. As I said before, their fellow travelers and Chinese acquaintances keep the story moving and interesting.

3 stars.

The End.

Susan Jane Gilman has written other books: Hypocrite in a Poufy White Dress  and Kiss My Tiara. Her website is www.susanjanegilman.com

Other reviews can be found here:

Bermuda Onion

A Novel Menagerie

Blueberries & Peanut Butter

Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor

Wild Boy: My Life in Duran Duran by Andy Taylor

For anyone with a mild curiousity about what it was like to be in a hugely successful 80s pop band - this book is for you. Or if, like me, this band consumed most of your life during the pre-teen years - I don't see how you can't pick it up.

Written by Andy Taylor, guitarist for Duran Duran, you get the inside scoop on what a rock n roll lifestyle looks like on stage, backstage, in the studio, and in real life. He's actually a decent writer, although repetitive in places - that would be the fault of the editor. I enjoyed his ability to give the breakdown of all the personalities without being gossipy and the behind the scenes details without being crass. I remain thankful that I was so naive about the rampant drug use and other escapades, and it was back in the day when we didn't know what stars ate for breakfast...

I recommend it - definitely interesting. And it makes you want to pull out some Rio and dance around the house. Here, let me help:

3 stars for the book, 4 for the song, 5 for the video.

The End.

In the Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Ahmed, M.D.

In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom, by Dr. Qanta A. Ahmed, 464 pages.

When Dr. Ahmed takes a job in a Saudi Arabian hospital she is forced to confront a slew of issues (religion, women's rights, Islamic culture), often with surprising results. She finds a sort of freedom in wearing the abaya (the traditional woman's cloak), reacquaints herself with the practice of Islam, goes on Hajj (pilgrimage), and gets a visit from the Mujahideen while dining with colleagues.

The most interesting parts of the book are not about the author, but when she has the chance interact with other women. Their stories - their dreams of change and improving the culture from the inside - are full of hope. I had expected the 100 pages about her pilgrimage would have more depth and detail, but found this passage to be the slowest in the book. Perhaps, it was difficult to put into words the spiritual experience, but if that's the case -there were a lot of pages devoted to it. Having the perspective of a western bred Muslim woman, a professional, dropped into a strict Islamic society gave this book substance.  It left me more interested about the modern-day Kingdom and the women who live and work there.

I recommend this book if you haven't already read any Muslim memoirs or are unfamiliar with the Islamic culture. The insight into contemporary, professional women within Saudi Arabia was a highlight, and made this memoir unique.

Thanks to Sourcebooks for the advanced copy - this book is available on September 1st.

3 stars

The End.

 

Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm during the Great Depression by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

It is possible that I love this book because my grandparents are from Iowa. And after reading the first 10 pages or so, my 92 year old grandma said "this is exactly how it was". But since it was in the NY Times Top 10 books of 2007 - I'm thinking that isn't the only reason. A treasure of anecdotes from a life well lived - with lessons for today. It is a marvelous memoir of small town living - full of wisdom, humor, and spunk. And Mrs. Kalish has a straightforward writing style that feels like she's sitting across from you sharing her story over a strong cup of coffee.

This book is actually a good companion to the current Nation of Wimps, in that it provides the how-to that N of W lacks. How do you build a child's character - Farmwork is one way for sure (I read chores). How do you teach resourcefulness? - By repurposing used items in various ways. (I read reduce,reuse,recycle).  How do you encourage creativity? - Send them outside and let them figure it out. (I read less toys and no video games).

Aside from the obvious gems, it also contains a chapter on cooking that will make your mouth water. I flat out love this book - for the story, for the truth, and for the insight.

4.5 stars

The End.

All the Way Home by David Giffels

All the Way Home: Building a Family in a Falling Down House by David Giffels

A memoir that reads like anecdotes from a good friend during dinner about his adventures restoring an old house, while starting a family.  It confirms that sometimes if you know what you are getting into, you probably wouldn't do it, or in this case would stubbornly forge ahead. And how finding the perfect home is different for everyone, but the feeling that "this is it" is one that we share. And how the joys and sorrows in life don't necessarily wait for indoor plumbing.

This book has a similar tone to Love is a Mix Tape -  with a kind of 30 something hipness. Another enjoyable memoir. Easy, quick, and fun - if you have ever driven by a dilapidated house and wondered who is going to take that on...this book is for you.

4 stars.

The End

Her Last Death: A Memoir by Susannah Sonnenberg

If I have to give it a star, I give it a one, only because the author can write. But this is trash. The book began as a memoir to her mother - similar in feeling to The Glass Castle in it's stunning cavalier parenting attitudes, but with sex, drugs, and money. Her mom was a total piece of work. But the second half of the book, is her laying out how screwed up it made her - in gross and explicit detail. Essentially, I believe it is the author's excuse (in book form) for not showing up when her mother lay dying. I also believe it is not worth reading.

The End.

The House Where the Hardest Things Happened by Kate Young Caley

The House Where the Hardest Things Happened by Kate Young Caley

Beautifully written memoir of a girl who watches her family fall from grace yet still retain their faith.  Until her father's accident, Kate's family life revolved around their church.  What happens after is heartbreaking and infuriating. She manages to write about her past without playing victim or sounding pitiful, instead her hopefulness and choice to continue walking in faith is inspiring without being preachy. This is one of the best spiritual memoirs I've read and I highly recommend it.

The End.

House of Happy Endings by Leslie Garis

House of Happy Endings: A Memoir by Leslie Garis, 352 pages.

This memoir is less personal than ones I'm used to reading (or what has become popular I suppose), but was still an interesting look at three generations of a literary family and their struggles with mental illness.

Leslie Garis is the grandchild of authors:The Uncle Wiggily stories, The Bobbsey Twins, and Tom Swift (to name a few).  Despite their prolific work, the grandparents were part of the writing syndicate (Stratemeyer) that included Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. As a result, they didn't get to share in the profits from their efforts, and their son (Leslie's father) was continually frustrated trying to get his work published or noticed. Besides the rejection that comes with writing, he is mentally and emotionally weak. This story is about their shared history -her mother's strength at holding the family together and her father's heartbreaking and misunderstood depression.

It tends to be a bit long in places. Or it seems long because the subject matter is pretty grim. Either way, it is a good book, not a great one. Definitely eye opening when it comes to the early treatment of mental illness. It did make me want to read the Tom Swift adventure stories and some Uncle Wiggily too. 3.5 stars

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan

Got it, read it, loved it.

The Middle Place

A memoir about struggling with how to live as both a daughter and a parent at the same time. And a lovely tribute to the family that raised her and the family she is raising. She makes the reader comfortable immediately. There is honesty coupled with restraint, and I appreciate her sharing anecdotes that don't always show her in the best light. My favorite part was when she began to realize her mom was not only capable and strong, but emotional and loving also.

The moments when she begins to understand and accept her "place" are huge.  Her journey is marked by suffering, self-doubt, and anxiety as she deals with both her cancer diagnosis and that of her dad a few months later.  Through it all the reading of this book is effortless.  The work begins when you realize the story is still with you, days later. That kind of writing is a special gift. 

The End.

PS I urge you to check out her organization Circus of Cancer.