the art of racing in the rain

This is my first Garth Stein book, and I really liked it.  Although his writing isn't sophisticated, the story is a touching one, even if you're not a dog lover, I would imagine.  Enzo, a wise and philosophical dog at the end of his life, looks back on his relationship with Denny, a race car driver, and his family.  Having Enzo narrate added an interesting twist to the book, one I haven't seen since Death narrated The Book Thief.

A sweet, quick read.  The perfect summer book to read by the pool :)

where men win glory

I love Jon Krakauer.  This is the fifth book of his that I've read, and once again, I was so impressed.  His sophisticated writing style and ability to weave the story of one man's life with the history of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is remarkable.  The story of Pat Tillman walking away from a life of privilege, as offered by a career in the NFL, in return for a life of sacrifice in the army,  revealed some troubling information about our government and our armed forces. 



Although I was drawn to the story of Pat and the man he really was, not the man the media portrayed, I was most pulled into the story of the cover-up that happened after his death by friendly fire.  How this was allowed to occur I cannot imagine, but it did, and not enough of the American public knows the truth of what happens behind the scenes.

This is a great read.  I learned so much about Afghanistan and our evolving fight there, but I learned more about one man's desire to do what's right.  Loved, loved this book.

swamplandia!

It took me three weeks to get through Swamplandia! by Karen Russell.  It was a rough ride.  This is one of the first books in a long time that I struggled to get through.  It does not take me three weeks to read a book.  This story about a Florida swamp family's fight to save their alligator themed amusement park was the perfect cure for my insomnia.  I found the plot to be stagnant, the characters bizarre, and the pacing slow.  The child-like cover suggests a whimsical story, but this is dark and disturbing at times.  I wanted to give up each time I read a chapter, but I hate quitting.  In the end, I should have.

columbine

Coincidentally, I checked this book out of the library on April 20th.  The anniversary of Columbine was not on my mind, and honestly, I didn't even made the connection until I began reading.  This book was upsetting for many reasons.  I was angered by the myths that the media fed us all in the wake of this tragedy, the negligence of the county in preventing the tragedy, and the parents' total and complete ignorance to what was occurring in their homes.  As parents, we have to be vigilant when it comes to our children.  Being their parent trumps their need for freedom, their need for privacy, and our own desire to be their friend.  We are their parents.

I think this book is a good one for all of us who watched this tragedy unfold before our eyes on television.  It will open your eyes to what really happened leading up to the shooting, the events of the actual day, and the years following it.  It is a true testament to the survivors' strength as well as their families' and friends'.  Columbine took its school back and made it stronger than ever. 

A gripping and informative read! 

war dances

Identity, love, and longing. According to the Seattle Times, "Sherman Alexie mixes up comedy and tragedy, shoots it through with tenderness, then delivers with a provocateur's don't-give-a-damn flourish. He's unique, and his new book, War Dances, is another case in point."

My E1H team is looking for some new short stories, and because I love Sherman Alexie, I picked up his most recent book, a collection of short stories and poetry.  It's a great collection; unfortunately, in quintessential Alexie fashion, none of the stories are appropriate for freshmen :)

unbroken

All I can say about this book is...amazing.  The story of Louis Zamperini's unbelievable life, as told by the author of Seabiscuit, Unbroken kept me up reading well past my bedtime and left me questioning how these tales could all possibly happen to one man, without breaking him.  A truly compelling biography.

365 thank yous

I gave John Kralik's book to my mom for Christmas and have been waiting to read it on spring break.  It was a quick one-day read that really changed my perspective on life.  The author, plagued by misfortune in his life, makes a seemingly small promise to himself and ends up changing his life as a result.  He vows to write 365 thank you notes in one year.  From his children to the Starbucks guy, he recognizes the small acts of kindness that make a difference in his life, and as a result, he finds even more kindness awaiting him.  This little book illustrates the importance of gratitude, something vital to our happiness and well-being.