Proust Was A Neuroscientist

This is one of the books that I didn't finish. (Sorry Ellen!) I really meant to, but this was during the time we were packing up our house, finding renters, etc. etc. It was a very interesting book, but I just couldn't finish it.

The author, Jonah Lehrer, writes about various artists who basically understood scientific theories before the science really did. Part of the reason I had a hard time with this book was there were few of the artists I had any experience with. The first one he writes about is Walt Whitman, who I of course had heard of. But I hate poetry, so I didn't really have a lot of experience with Whitman. Another author, George Elliot, I have never read, and after reading this book, I don't really have a desire to either. Same goes for Proust. I guess I'm just not the artsy type! Or you could say, I guess I'm just not the more educated type. Anyway, it really was an interesting book that pointed out interesting ideas.

My favorite chapter was about a famous chef (don't remember his name), but it was all about food and how the chef understood the science behind taste without having to do scientific experiments to get it. He did experiments with food in his kitchen, but learned basic tried and true culinary practices that are still practiced today. I couldn't pronounce half the words, but it sure was interesting and made me think about what I eat and why.

So, if you're looking for a non-fiction to read, this is a good one. I'm just not a non-fiction kind of girl!

The Senator's Wife

I have seriously neglected this blog for the past 3 months. I have read books during that time, but apparently didn't finish any. Until Friday. I finished reading The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller. Definitely not a book I would have chosen myself, but interesting enough that I wanted to finish it, which was a feat these days.

The book is set in New England and switches between the 2 main characters: Delia (the Senator's wife) and Meri (a young married woman who moves in next door). Basically, Delia has lived separated from her husband for the past 20 years after multiple affairs. They stay married and continue to see each other from time to time. It's an interesting relationship to say the least. Meri has just married Nathan who is a college professor in history. He gets a good job and they move to this college town. Meri gets pregnant and deals with all that entails. I don't want to go into too much detail, but reading the book makes you think about what marriage is all about.

Today in church we had a lesson about strengthening marriages. There were a lot of words of wisdom shared, and I contemplated my own. I think I could fill up pages and pages of marital advice, not because I'm an expert, but because I feel like I've had a lot of experiences in the almost 9 years we've been together. Also, Rusty's little brother is getting married this Saturday, and watching newlyweds, you can't help but think of yourself at that stage. They always seem so young and naive--and they are--but so were we. It's just hard to believe we've come this far. So marriage seems to be the topic these days, and without boring you with my awesome words of wisdom, I'll just say this: I love Rusty now more than ever and I've very happy to be married to him. Thank goodness I'm not Meri or Delia, because I wouldn't have wanted either of their lives!

Rebecca

A colleague of mine gave me this book last year, thinking I might enjoy reading it. Well, I finally got around to reading it and I did really enjoy it. Daphne du Maurier wrote it in 1939 I believe. She also wrote "The Birds" (movie by Alfred Hitchcock). Apparently, Alfred Hitchcock made Rebecca into a movie too, so I'm going to have to check it out on Netflix.

Anyway, I just knew this book was considered a classic. I didn't know anything about it. Don't let the Alfred Hitchcock connection throw you; it's not scary at all. There are definitely suspenseful parts, but it's not a scary book. I think it's considered a romantic mystery.

It's a story of a young girl (her name is never mentioned in the book) who meets a fellow Brit while in Monte Carlo. This gentleman is much older than she and had his wife die about a year before. He was very wealthy, living on an estate called Manderley. I pictured Manderley like Mr. Darcy's estate in the most recent Pride and Prejudice (except a little warmer). Having lived in England, I saw a couple old estates myself (from the gate of course, we weren't allowed in!). But the concept fascinates me--having so much wealth and servants to do everything. Anyway, Maxim (the man) falls in love with the girl and marries her. He takes her home to Manderley. She thinks it'll be wonderful there, but quickly realizes that she is nothing like Maxim's first wife. The house is still run how Rebecca would have run it. Rebecca was this and Rebecca was that. She is constantly comparing herself to Rebecca, although she never talks to Maxim about it.

There are tons of things that happen, but basically, there is mystery around Rebecca's death that doesn't really get solved til the end. I won't say what happens, but I will say this: I should have expected the outcome, but for some reason I didn't. I think du Maurier is that good of a writer. She just had me reading and reading to find out what would happen next. I loved the book. It was an excellent book and I highly recommend it!

The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood was an excellent book. I told someone the other day it's like "The Giver" for adults. Atwood's writing style was refreshing to read. I guess I hadn't read a really good author for a long time. Her use of metaphors and description were fantastic. Although it was easy to read, I didn't rush through it because there was a lot of thinking involved.

The setting is somewhere in the U.S., (although at the end, you find out it's probably Maine) in the future sometime. The book is kind of a mystery, in that you don't really understand what's going on, or how the society they live in got to that point. To be honest, you really don't know even by the end. She just gives you some clues throughout the book and you have to piece it together.

The main character is Ofglen (although this is not her real name). The handmaids in this society are called a name that relates to the men they are with. (So I would be Ofrusty). The men are not their husbands. The handmaids are sort of like concubines. Their sole purpose is to reproduce. The men have wives, but for whatever reason, the wives aren't able to have kids, so they get handmaids to do the job for them. It's very strange, but the whole point of the book is to get you thinking, "what if life were like this? What if I lived in a society like this? Would I be like Ofglen, or her best friend Moira (who chooses a different role in the society).

Atwood is making a statement about so many things in this book: women's rights and feminism, nuclear waste, terrorism, religious fanatics, etc. It's a compelling read that will get your wheels spinning about the society we DO live in.

If you're looking for a book that will make you think, but at the same time entertain you with exceptional writing, this is one for you! I highly recommend it.

Once Upon A Quinceanera

Ok, so I challenged myself and read a non-fiction again. Sometimes I wonder why I do this because I really don't enjoy them. I don't know why, but I guess when I'm reading, I just want a story!

This book did give valuable insight into what quinceaneras are all about and a glimpse into the Latina culture. The format of the book was not to my liking. I couldn't figure out how it was organized. The author just seemed to ramble on, tending to be redundant and then threw in some of her personal story as well. Actually, it was the author's story that I found more intriguing than the girls' quinces she was writing about.

Basically, she tries to discover if quinceaneras are a good thing or not and doesn't really come to a conclusion. The statistics are there--about 25% of all Latinas drop out of high school and quite a few get pregnant in their teens (can't remember the statistic of that one). Anyway, she points out that as nice as the quinces are, they don't seem to be helping the Latinas prepare for a successful future (at least successful in the American view--perhaps being pregnant by the time you're 16 is successful in their view).

Not being a minority and really not know what it would be like, I found this book helpful in trying to understand their culture. The struggle to exist in 2 worlds and cultures must be daunting, and maybe that's why some just aren't successful in adapting to the American one.

Interesting read, but definitely not one of my favorites this year.