The World of Fforde

The Big Over Easy
by Jasper Fforde

We were first introduced to the World of Fforde by our good friend, Bill, with The Eyre Affair, a highly amusing telling of how Thursday Next saved Jane Eyre, the book and the character. Mr. Fforde has created an alternate 1980s reality (in England, of course) where the written word is alive and well, literally. There are three other books in the Thursday Next series, but start with The Eyre Affair. I liked them so much I tried to convince Josh we should name a daughter after Thursday. He wasn't so sure about the idea, but there's still time.

The current book is in the same vein. Jack Spratt and Mary Mary are a detective team in the Nursery Crime Division out to solve the mystery of Humpty Dumpty's death. Josh heard this was actually Fforde's first novel that no one would publish until after the success of the others. After reading the book, I can believe it. Some spots are pure Fforde joy. Others are a little rough. I don't want to say too much since it'd be a shame to give away the ending - which is definitely the best part of the story line.

If you're well-read, especially in older books where it's easier to get permission from the copyright owners, you'll love Fforde's books. They're irreverent, pun-filled, and hilarious. It was a Thursday Next book that inspired me to read Anna Karenina, which I found to be one of the best books I'd ever read.

If you haven't seen the Fforde website, you're missing out. Trust me, it's the best way to waste time online. Of course, it's even better if you've read the books.

Special thanks to David and Becca who lent us The Big Over Easy so we wouldn't have to wait 6 months for the library copy (even though I ended up waiting almost that long anyway before actually reading the book).

New York Tragedies

Triangle: The Fire that Changed America
by David Von Drehle

Usually I don't post the books I've read because I'm too busy. Recently, I've been too busy to even read. I did have a chance to check out this book from the library a couple of months ago. (Yes, this is the last book I read. It's been a very busy time.) It is a well-written history of the worst workplace tragedy in New York City until 2001. My favorite parts of the book were those that focused on the individuals trapped in the fire or those that narrowly escaped. I love learning the stories of real people, especially when I feel like the author has scoured primary sources as the notes to this book suggest. You might also be interested in this book because the author draws a direct line from the Triangle fire to the people and politics of the New Deal (which is how the fire changed America).

Personally, I just love reading about New York City. I found this book fit in well with what I learned watching the New York documentary (ahh, the glory of Netflix), which I also highly recommend.

Rwandan Tradegies

We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families: Stories from Rwanda
by Philip Gourevitch

Another book everyone should read. I watched Hotel Rwanda (a movie to watch, but not with the kids) and then borrowed this book from my cousin. (Thanks, Rose!) It's hard to believe how uncaring other countries can be in the face of so much evidence of ongoing genocide, though I shouldn't be surprised given how little America seems to care about what happens in African nations.

This book describes events preceeding and occuring in April 1994 when Hutu mobs began killing Tutsis - their neighbors and friends. There are a few stories of courage, but mostly horror stories of the few survivors. In the second half of the book, Mr. Gourevitch focuses more on the political and national story (as opposed to those of individuals). Though he's a reporter (and therefore, we might expect complete objectivity), Mr. Gourevitch seems supportive of the new government (still in place) established after the state-sponsored genocide was halted by rebel troops.

As horrible as it is, I think it's good to know what people can be capable of and how biased the American government can be (so we have to show that we care what happens in ALL other countries).

"Beware of false prophets..."

One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church
by Richard Abanes

This is the first book I've read about the Mormon Church and it was a wonderful introduction. Mr. Abanes does not provide an unbiased approach, but it does seem to be well-researched, with tons of notes and sources. (He also provides a list of other recommended reading and websites.) I'm sure those of the Mormon faith would argue Mr. Abanes is twisting the teachings to serve his own ends. No doubt he does, but there seem to be plenty of twistings before he gets to it. There are also some significant events in recent American history that cannot be fabricated (or erased, as they'd sometimes like to do).

I'll let you read the book because I could not possibly do it justice to summarize, but I will say I was saddened to learn of the faith that has captured so many unsuspecting people. I think everyone should read this book as protection against becoming Mormon and as a spur to pray for those that are trapped within the false teachings of the Latter Day Saints. It's a bit long, but reads very easily with most of the heavy substantiation in the endnotes. I even found the appendices fascinating.

Just in case anyone finds this while searching for resources in leaving the Mormon Church, Mr. Abanes recommends a few sites like this one.

Special thanks to Joel and Hilary for recommending this book.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matt. 7:15-20 KJV

Influenza, World Peace, and Literature

America's Forgotten Pandemic: The Influenza of 1918
by Alfred W. Crosby

I'm sure you remember what a fan I am of the history of science (or, as Josh would say, my unhealthy obsession with diseases). I've just read this book for the first time and found it a wonderful example of research and presentation. Of course, it has all the mortality and morbidity numbers, but it also has stories from people's lives. I also found it timely with reports in the newspaper of the flu vaccine being less effective than previously believed and a scary avian flu cropping up in Asian. Seriously, if today's equivalent of the 1918 influenza hit the States, we'd be in big trouble. We've all see the disaster response in this country and that's when it's just hitting part of the country. (I don't mean to attack just the government agencies. There's not much they can do if taxpayers don't want to pay for the services in case of emergency. It's all about priorities.)

Two points in particular caught my interest as I was reading this book. The first concerns the end of World War I. Crosby suggests influenza might have seriously hampered President Wilson as he was trying to battle for his 14 points and more forgiveness for Germany at the Paris Peace conference. While there's no doubt Wilson faced some serious challenges, which he might not have overcome even in the best circumstances, it was interesting to think about how his illness (and illnesses in other important dignitaries) might have had repercussions. (On a side note, I pulled out The First World War by John Keegan to check out some of Crosby's suggestions. Keegan actually ends his book before the Paris Peace Conference, so I still don't know what he thinks. But I was reminded of how much I liked his book as well - and recommend it to anyone interested in European history.)

The other aspect of Crosby's book that impressed me was his ability to draw in experiences from literature (or a lack of experiences depicted in literature). In particular, I'm going to be adding some Katherine Anne Porter to my wish list. (For those with less time, just read Chapter 15 (the Afterword) called "An Inquiry into the Peculiarities of Human Memory.")

For anyone who's interested in other influenza books, I highly recommend Gina Kolata's Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It. It was written in 1999 and has some more recent information than you'll find in Crosby's book (originally written in 1976, though the newest edition is from 2003).

European Literature in Iran

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
by Azar Nafisi

Everyone should read this book. Ms. Nafisi bravely shows her thoughts and experiences, and those of her students, through discussions and reflections on great works of literature. Besides being grateful for the insights into Iranian life, I have greatly expanded my "virtual library" (otherwise known as my Amazon wish list). So far, the only book I have read (that I hadn't already read) is Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, but that's my own fault.

Anyone who cares about literature should read this book.

Imagining India

The Twentieth Wife
By Indu Sundaresan

I'd forgotten how much fun historical fiction can be. I found this book completely by accident when I told myself I had to choose a library book from one particular shelf chosen at random (though I did place myself in the fiction section first). It's a magnificent portrayal of the Mughal empire in 17th century (present-day) India and Persia. Mehrunnisa is a nobleman's daughter, raised by Persian parents near the Mughal court. The novel traces her life, and the lives of her family members, until she finally becomes the emperor's wife (his twentieth wife, of course). Ms. Sundaresan has a lovely style and writes with ease of an exotic time and culture (well, exotic to me). I highly recommend it, and suggest you prepare to crave Indian meals.

A World of Magic for Adults

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke

I hope you've already heard about this book. In it, Ms. Clarke describes events in a world where magic is real and two English magicians are struggling to teach themselves its lost arts. They want to use it to fight a war, but the real evil lies in the world of magic, not in England's European enemies. In the end, Ms. Clarke brings all the characters and events together very nicely. I don't want to give anything away, but the ending shows how Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell both succeed and fail. I thought that rather good.

In case you're wondering, it's more like Lord of the Rings than Harry Potter (and I'm sure she was thrilled to have it published during all the Lord of the Rings uproar because it could only have improved sales).

It's a bit of a tome, but is witty, entertaining, and well written - no struggles here to get through clumsy sentences or poor punctuation. (Be aware, though, she is an English author.) I stayed up until 4:00 am to read the last 100 pages. I just couldn't bear to wait until the next day (especially since I don't get to read too much during the day between work and Caleb).

We'll definitely see the movie when it comes out. New Line Cinema has bought the rights. Who else?

So Much Makes Sense Now

What's Going on in There?
by Lise Eliot

This tremendous book describes in detail the development of the brain from conception through preschool, and even includes some insights into later years. The first section concentrates on prenatal development. Then Dr. Eliot explains the development of touch, balance and motion, smell, taste, vision, hearing, motor development, social-emotional growth, memory, language, and intelligence (a chapter devoted to each). Two more chapters at the end look at differences in gender (and nature / nurture) and a summary of the book and how it impacts parenting in the final chapter.

I loved the balanced view presented by the author. She explains the known research (and what's still unknown) on the effects of mother's actions, including what she eats and drinks, on the developing baby. I've read pregnancy books (and magazines) that seemed to tell pregnant women every thought in their head and every calorie in their diet should be focused entirely on the baby - which always seemed a little extreme to me. In later chapters, she also supports a balanced view of how parents can use the facts of development presented in the book to raise their children in the best way possible. Her tone in the following excerpt from the last chapter is echoed throughout the book, especially in the little insights we receive about her own children.

There may actually be one or two parents in the world like this [perfect] ... Then again, you have to wonder what children learn from parents whose only focus in life is their offspring. The fact is that children pick up much more than mere cognitive skills from their parents and other caregivers. They also learn how to work, share, love, nurture, juggle, and enjoy life.

The book references studies and articles from peer-reviewed journals like JAMA, New England Journal of Medicine, Child Development, and Science, to name a few. The bibliography is extensive and it was easy to find the reference I wanted whenever I checked the endnotes. The index also seemed in-depth, but I didn't get to check it out too much because the book completely fell apart. Yes, you read that correctly; the book fell into pieces. I'd recommend buying it in hardcover or at least getting it from the library in hardcover. (I did call the publisher to complain and they were kind enough to send another copy, but I'm afraid to read it because then it will fall apart as well.)

If you're a parent, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a godparent, a caregiver, or anyone who ever sees or speaks to a child, you should read this book. It's presented in a clear and approachable way for those interested in the details of nerves, axons and neurotransmitters, and for those who are just interested in what to expect of children as they grow.

A Science Failure Story

Do Lemmings Commit Suicide?
Beautiful Hypotheses and Ugly Facts
by Dennis Chitty

You can read a detailed review of this book if you care about population ecology. I don't really. So why did I read this book? It was referenced in another one I read recently (How Science Works: Evaluating Evidence in Biology and Medicine by Stephen H. Jenkins). I thought to myself, "I want to know if lemmings commit suicide." So I read it.

The good news is, I now know that lemmings do not commit suicide. It is clear that lemming populations (and vole populations, on which most of the book is focused) have cycles in population numbers. It is also clear no one really knows how or why. (I tried doing a little web search to see if progress had been made since 1996, when the book was published. I couldn't find any great insights, but I also didn't look that hard.)

Dr. Chitty admits from the very beginning that this is a book of "failure." He does try to succinctly describe the path research has taken since population ecology was first addressed and to lay out the map for future research (as he sees it). What I found refreshing was his honest presentation of his biases. All scientists have biases which affect what data are presented and how data are explained, but most never share them. I also found the book an interesting look at a philosophy of science in action. Finally, Dr. Chitty is amusing:

At each mention of the Chitty Hypothesis faculty and students bow their heads and cross themselves to the accompaniment of religious music.

Stage directions for a student skit by Maura MacInnis and Jordan Rosenfeld at UBC in December 1993

So, should you read the book? If you're interested in voles or lemmings, yes. If you're interested in population ecology in general, yes. If you're interested in the history or philosophy of science, sure. Otherwise, content yourself with the knowledge that lemmings do not plunge over cliffs in great numbers. The cartoon is still funny, though.

An Introduction to Russia

Solovki : The Story of Russia Told Through Its Most Remarkable Islands
by Roy Robson

I think Josh and I discovered this book in Boston College's alumni magazine (which they continue to send to us though we haven't ever donated any money to them) because the author is an alum of BC. We read the magazine because we read everything and I'm glad we found this little book. I'm not sure how I would have discovered it otherwise.

Mr. Robson deftly explores the life and history of a group of Northern Islands from their selection as the site for a remote hermitage to the growth of one of Russia's most important monasteries, through the decline of the monastic life on the Islands, the establishment of a gulag and, finally, a recognition of the historical and spiritual value of the Islands. Though remote, the astounding importance of the monastery drew the islands into the center of Russian political and social history, so the book is able to speak not only of these small, cold Islands, but of all of Russia. Last, but not least, Mr. Robson's prose is graceful. The politics of monastic life were just as engaging as the depths of soul revealed by the holy lives of the saints and other monks who graced the islands.

Once you've read it, give me a call. I'm planning a pilgrimage to the Islands and I know you'll want to join me.

Reading Is the Answer to Everything, Like 42

The Read-Aloud Handbook (Read-Aloud Handbook)
by Jim Trelease

I read this book a few months ago and found it engaging and persuasive. Perhaps reading to your kids isn't the answer to everything, but it does seem to be an intrinsic good. There wasn't any doubt Josh and I would read to Caleb all the time, since we're both such bibliophiles ourselves, but it's nice to see confirmation of our beliefs in printed form. Seriously, Mr. Trelease presents intriguing studies to provide support for his thesis that reading aloud with a parent can make a profound and lasting difference in a child's life. Most importantly (from what I remember), is that a ritual of reading aloud together inspires a love of reading because being with Mom or Dad, cuddled up with a book, is such an overwhelmingly positive experience. A desire to learn and a confidence with the written word follow naturally.

One of the best features of this book is the list of suggested books, complete with summaries and recommended ages. I used it to create Caleb's enormous Wish List, most of which is too old for him, but I'm excited to read with him when he's ready. I also found many of the favorites of my youth in its pages, which brought fond memories that probably influenced how I feel about the book.

Obsessed with Plagues

The Great Plague: The Story of London's Most Deadly Year
by A. Lloyd Moote and Dorothy C. Moote
Johns Hopkins University Press (2004)

I'm obsessed with all things plague, influenza, and other such infectious diseases. It started in high school and only expanded as I studied genetics and molecular biology in college. When this book was published, I knew I had to read it.

The authors have done a massive amount of research to bring to light the plight of the people of London during the last epidemic of the plague (1665). They quote extensively from parish records and the Bills of Mortality (as is to be expected of any plague book), but they focus more on the diaries and letters of people in the city and suburbs of London. These men are focused on the health of his patients, the souls in his congregation, and sometimes, the size of his pocketbook. (It's to be expected that the majority of sources were written by men, given the culture of the time.)

The perfect combination of historian (A. Lloyd Moote) and microbiologist (Dorothy Moote) leads to a story riveting in the detail of daily life as it was in London in 1665 and how it was transformed (devastated) by the plague. I am amazed at the depth of the research and the impressive flow of the text. (Many books on infectious diseases read little better than tables of numbers or unwanted text books - interesting for scholars, but not generally recommended.)

If you're intrigued by London life in 1665 or interested in how epidemics can impact daily human life, you'll enjoy this book. One of my strongest tests of a book's worth (especially non-fiction) is how many more books do I want to read based on the comments in the preface, text, and endnotes. I added 16 books to my Wish List based on mentions in The Great Plague. I'd call that a success. (I know; at this rate, I'll never get through a fraction of the books I want to read.)

Sad Truth in Fiction

Anna Karenina
by Leo Tolstoy
Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky

Josh has read many works translated by this couple so of course he grabbed Anna Karenina as soon as it came out. It took me a while to finally sit down to read it and I only regret I waited so long. I actually read it last year but didn't want to leave it off the blog because it was so amazing. I loved Levin's character, perhaps finding similarities with my own agonizing when everything seems so simple from the outside. His relationship with Kitty is all that Anna and Count Vronsky can never have. I've read other reviews that have said the tragic relationship of Anna and Vronsky is dependent on the 19th century Russian society so well depicted by Tolstoy, but I prefer to view their experiences as accurate portrayals of the emotional consequences of the betrayal of marriage. (Hope I haven't given too much away here.) It's a magnificent book - absolutely one of the best works of fiction I've ever read.

I apologize this is Oprah's version, but in this case you should read it anyway. Don't bother with anyone else's translation.

Punctuation with a Punch Line

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
by Lynne Truss

It seems fitting to begin our foray into a reading blog with a little book on punctuation bemoaning the fate of the English (and yes, that's the UK) language in an era of electronic communication. Josh picked out this intriguing book and insisted I would enjoy it. I admit - I only grabbed it last week because I was waiting for more library books. (Josh is my lackey in this since the Brooklyn Public Library and I have had a falling-out, so sometimes I have to wait for books. Since he carries them from Fordham for me, I feel I can't be too picky on his timing.) So there I am on the New York subway, laughing out loud at the flippant tone Ms. Truss takes on every issue, despite her seriousness. I don't know how many books she had to read on punctuation to research this book (there's a hefty bibliography), but I am sure the vast majority fell far short of the entertainment she provides.

It is printed here in the States without any modification, and many of the rules and examples are slightly different. Even so - and even though I consider myself a careful writer - I learned much I have already put to use (particularly on the semicolon). Beware, though! You might find yourself picking out errors in all the newspapers for days after finishing it.

On a side note, I apologize to those who are not fans of Amazon.com - I'm sure you know a store you like where you can find this book. If you're on good terms with your library, you could even find a copy there. In the meantime, I wanted a link to the book. (I considered taking a picture or scanning ours, but the cover has disappeared and the book suffered some accident with an unknown liquid in a suitcase on one of our recent travels, so that wouldn't work. I promise this is not just an excuse to allow us to avoid lending the book out.)

Enjoy!

What to Expect

So, I'm starting a new blog. You'd think with a full time job, a 15-month-old son, various committments at church and a long-distance family, I'd have enough to do, but lately I've been reading a lot of fantastic books. (Thank you, God, that Caleb is going to bed at 7:30 pm every night and not waking up until at least midnight, and sometimes 3 am.) And now I want to tell everyone about all these fantastic books. Since my family and many of my friends are far away, I choose to share through a blog.

So what should you expect from the Papsdorfs' posts about recent good books? I'm not sure about Josh, but Caleb and I are going to give only the most basic book reports. I don't have that much time, you know. If you want detailed book reviews, I'm sure all of you know where to find them. On this blog you'll get to see what we've read that's worthy of your time. And, so, it begins.