Monday, July 30, 2012

twenty fragments of a ravenous youth by xiaolu guo

The story follows Fenfang Wang during some of her years in Beijing. She moved there from an isolated village.

It was an interesting read... also an easy read. I read it on a walk (stopping to read one fragmented chapter at a time). It was bits and pieces of her 'youth'. Starting at age 21. Each chapter focused on something new, but still connected to the rest in some way or another.

I feel like she was pretty isolated in Beijing as well as her small town. It was interesting. I know nothing about life in China, and enjoy reading books that explain more about what people are going through or have gone through. Even if it's not about a 'real' character, that doesn't take away from the true history in the book. It was translated from Chinese to English.

I've usually read books about people who end up in other countries, so this one was a nice to change. I'll definitely save it for another read.

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

I can't remember if I've read any books by him or not. I quite enjoy lawyer novels (or shows or movies).

This one didn't disappoint. Although, by the time I got to the end, I felt like I had read it before (or watched the movie, but I've since found out that the movie ending isn't the same as the book ending, so I didn't see the movie). I just seemed like a plot line that maybe had been used before. I'm not sure. I'm still confused as to how it was so familiar. I borrowed the book from my dad, so it's not even like I picked up a book that I own to read over.

I guess there are more than one books about the Lincoln Lawyer. I actually wouldn't mind reading a couple others just to see how he evolves as a character -and a human being. The main character is one of those characters that you probably love to hate. Like a 'bad-ass' soap opera character. You don't trust them, and know they'll make a bad decision, but they still have heart, and feel guilt for things.

Anyway, I don't think I'll read it again, but would read more by the same author. I can't read it again, if I felt like I had already read it, it would really get to me if I re-read it.

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

I'm really taking my time reading these. There are a lot to go through. I've now read two. It took a while to get through this one. Not because it wasn't good, but because I kept picking up other books. It seemed easy to just pick up and start where I left off even if I read a book in between.

This one was less like the movie. I know I should have been expecting that, but the first one followed pretty closely (the movie followed closely). Maybe the third book will have ties to the sequel as well. I think it will have to. I just have to say that Gilbert Blithe is the most patient man on earth, and I would be very excited to actually see a Gilbert Blithe type man someday. Unfortunately, the jaded part of me, doesn't believe he exists. Oh well.

The book introduced all new characters that I've actually never heard of. I enjoyed that. It's nice reading a book for the first time, and not knowing everything that happens before hand. (harder to imagine these new characters though).

I don't really have a lot to say about it. Just another book to add to the pile to read to my imaginary kids someday. I'll read the rest this year, but I have a lot of books on my list to read, so they'll come when I'm ready. As usual though, Anne takes me into her world, and makes me wish I had an imagination like her.