Rabbit Hole #64: In/Out January and February

Yeah. . . so about that regular schedule.

 

I'll keep trying to be better about that. 

Here's just a quick run-down of what I've been reading since I last popped in here: 

Black Chalk by Christopher Yates (3 stars): a psychological thriller that had a lot of promise, but fell a little flat for me. There were just some plot holes that needed to be fleshed out a little bit more. 

Alibis: Essays on Elsewhere by André Aciman (4 stars): I am a sucker for travel memoirs. The downside--I start looking for travel packages. 

Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang (4 stars for both): These two graphic novels are centered around the Boxer Rebellion in China. It does a good job of showing the two sides of the conflict, reminding us that there's always more than one story to be told. 

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (3.5 stars): I've been wanting to read more Wilde, and this was a quick, easy read. I think the satire comes across better in the viewing of the play rather than the reading of it, though. 

Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis by Anne Rice (4 stars): My comfort reads. Definitely not my favorite book of hers--it got a little bogged down trying to introduce an alien species and the lost city of Atlantis into the vampire world, but it was fun. 

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood (3.5 stars): Live for six months in a prison and the other six in a gated community with your every need taken care of--for the people in this post-apocalyptic/post-economic crash society, it sounds like a pretty good deal. Maybe too good. Like the Rice book, this isn't my favorite of Atwood's, but it definitely is a good satire on our society. 

Glass Sword and King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard (3 stars for both): YA fantasy dystopia. Nothing fancy, just quick, easy, fun reads. 

The Crack-up by F. Scott Fitzgerald (3.5 stars): I FINALLY finished this. I have been dipping in and out of this book since 2015. This is an odd collection: it starts with Fitzgerald's memoir/essays "The Crack-up", then goes into about 150 pages from his writing notebooks, then finishes with letters to/from Fitzgerald, as well as obituaries. I enjoyed all of it, but the format just made it a slow read. 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (4.5 stars): This is the best fiction book I've read so far this year, hands-down; the only reason it isn't a 5 star read is that I just wanted more. The story follows the descendants of two sisters, one sold into slavery, the other married to a slave trader, and the repercussions that reverberate through the centuries. 

Currently, I'm reading The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter and Bright Lines by Tanwi Nadini Islam. Hopefully I will give you an update soon!

Rabbit Hole #47: In/Out Aug. 14-20

Much better this week!

Recently Purchased

Starting a little vacation dreaming/planning with this one. I was actually born in the Azores, but since I was so young when we moved back to the States, I don't really remember anything about it. I figured it was finally time to do something about that, so sometime in the next two years, we'll be heading across the Atlantic!

Recently Finished

The Round House by Louise Erdrich (4.5 stars)

This follows an Ojibwe woman in North Dakota who has been attacked and her 13 year old son who tries to unravel what happened. This is a very compelling read, diving into PTSD and how trauma affects not only the victim, but everyone around them. It also take a look at the difficulties Native peoples have in prosecuting such crimes, especially if they are committed by a white person. 

I thought this was an incredible read. The characters and the emotional upheaval they go through is well-drawn, and the impact is raw and heart-
breaking. I would recommend this as a good starting point into Erdrich's writing. It followed a more linear narrative than a lot of her work, and while it was centered around the same reservation life as her other novels, it isn't necessary to have read anything else by her to fall into this world. 


The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (4.5 stars)

What I appreciate most about this graphic novel is that Strapi presents herself honestly: the good, the bad, and the ugly. As I've said, it's a insightful look into Iran before, during, and after the Islamic Revolution of the 1970s, how it affected people, and how they coped with their rights being stripped away. In a time when people have seem to have a narrow view of people from the Middle East and of Islam, it's always good to read something from those people's perspective. I also highly recommend the film version. 

Currently Reading

The Chaos by Nalo Hopkinson

A YA dystopian novel following 16 year old Scotch, a mixed race teen whose skin is being covered by an unremovable sticky black substance. Then her brother disappears in a bubble of light, and everyone in town starts changing. I'm not very far in, but I'm already loving Scotch's voice. Maybe it's because school has started again, but she seems a lot like my students. I'm looking forward to where this is going. 

The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

I keep saying I'm going to finish this, and I will. It's just so full of crucial information that it's not something I want to rush through. 

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

Esch and her family are preparing for an upcoming possible hurricane. Her brother Skeetah is focused on his pit bull and her puppies, her father is single-minded about the storm, her two other brothers are just trying to be kids, and Esch realizes she's pregnant. This culminates in Hurricane Katrina, which makes me a little hesitant to read this right now, especially with the devastation in Baton Rouge and other areas here in Louisiana, but the characters already have me hooked three chapters in. 

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Book club meets in 10 days, so I'd better start this one about an aging Hollywood actress, an almost love affair, and Italy. Doesn't really sound like me, but we'll see. 

Thelma's Cross Country Observations--The Trip Back

I hate leaving New Orleans. Absolutely hate it. And it's getting harder each time because of the wonderful friends we're making there. But more on that in a bit.

Mississippi, thank you once again for being so beautiful to drive through. I could have done with a few less vultures circling the skies, though. When there aren't many cars on the highway, it's a bit unnerving. I also didn't need to get more mosquito bites standing INSIDE a Burger King waiting for my food than I did traipsing around the Myrtle's Plantation last night searching for ghosts (I really wish I was being hyperbolic).

**A Mississippi note from the drive down: I'm sure the people in Batesville are very nice, but I won't ever be renting a hotel room there. When your main industry is a casket company, I'd be too worried Norman and his mother would be running the hotel. Sorry.

Louisiana, you didn't fail to give me one last smile as we left the state. I had no idea there was a Transylvania, Louisiana. I have to find a way to go to the Transylvania Baptist Church next time (how could you not?!?).

Arkansas, you redeemed yourself. No offense, but your eastern side is rather boring. Today's journey was absolutely gorgeous. We do need to talk about a couple of things, though. First, your choice of names: who comes up with Toad Suck Park?!? Nasty. And what in the world does one see at a Walmart museum? And a Vampire face lift would be what, exactly? 

Missouri, your western side is not nearly as beautiful as your eastern side (although it doesn't have the billboards). Being this close to Kansas, though, I can understand why you may not want to ruffle feathers--they're a little crazy over there (my friends and family in Kansas, you know there's truth in that!).

Back to New Orleans, and traveling in general. Talk to people. Learn about the places you're visiting from the people who actually live there. Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone because the best experiences happen in those moments. While we were in New Orleans, we listened to fabulous music, ate great food (some prepared by our friend, James Cullen, the chef at Treo in Mid-City. Definitely put it on your list if you're heading down there!). We hung out at dive bars drinking and talking to incredible people. It was amazing and completely relaxing.

To James, Rylan, John, Meloney, Louie, Kristen, and Ashlee--thank you for making our trip. (Margaret, Collin, and Tracy--we will catch you next time!) We will see y'all very soon!!

Thelma's Cross-Country Observations Day Two

Being from Nebraska, I'm used to road-kill on the interstate: deer, raccoon, skunk, even the occasional coyote. Armadillo? That's a new one for me.

Mississippi was a nice rest on the eyes after the onslaught of billboards in Missouri yesterday. Loved all of the trees. Did not like the rock chip in my windshield you gave me in the construction zone through Jackson, though. Where's the Southern hospitality?!?

Then Louisiana. You are the very definition of shabby chic. You have such rough edges, have been beaten down by everything man and nature could throw at you, and yet you are still beautiful (I'm just talking about the state in general. New Orleans takes everything up still another notch.) And then the WATER!!!! Sorry, Nebraska. I love you, but you just don't have enough of it for me. From swamps and bayous, to spillways and causeways, to lakes and rivers, there's enough water to make this island-born, water-sign baby smile for years.

And now, my beloved New Orleans--ma coeur. My home for the next few days. Hot, yes. Humid, yes. Full of life, music, unimaginable food and experiences, yes. Full of tragedy and hard times even today, yes. But full of a spirit that keeps it thriving, keeps it living, keeps me coming back.

Makes turning 40 a little less difficult. How could it not?

Thelma's Cross-country Observations Day 1

Missouri takes forever to drive through. Seriously, of the twelve hours I spent on the road today, nine of them were in Missouri. Luckily, most of the state has beautiful scenery, so it wasn't a horrible drive.

Observations about the people of Missouri (based solely on the plethora of billboards I saw): they're right-wing fundamentalist Christians who like to blow things up (either with fireworks or guns), frequent adult establishments, and love to eat BBQ. Oh, and really want legalized marijuana.

Arkansas, you're not helping your image if the first thing people see upon entering your state is a sign stating: "Speed limits strictly enforced. NO TOLERANCE." All it does it start the theme song from Deliverance playing in people's heads!

Elvis waved as I passed through Memphis; he wanted me to tell y'all hello!