Amateur Reader

Supposedly, I'm a "reader." I've been in a book club, read MANY books in college, and thoroughly enjoyed the entire Baby-Sitters Club series in the nineties (obviously, my fate was sealed early on in life). I even held a "dress as your favorite book character" themed birthday party! But we can talk about that one later. Or maybe never. Any way, some of my favorite past times are falling asleep and/or eating (not simultaneously!) while reading reading (what can I say, I detest being left alone in my thoughts during mundane tasks of survival).

Sadly, I let this hobby drop upon obtaining my bachelor's degree (and a husband). The ability to be entertained while remaining entirely passive presented itself in pretty, witty, and easily squandered half hour and hour chunks. Eating? Grab the TV tray. Trouble sleeping? TBS must be playing some movie to put you to rest. So easy! And you don't need nearly as much brain activity!

I digress.

So, my TV-watching guilt overcame me this month and resulted in two forms:

 

I've read Anne Tyler before and liked it (Digging to America). I haven't read Jhumpa Lahiri, but I know it was made into a movie, so figured these two would be the best way to segue from a passive sedentary life to an active sedentary life. Or maybe they were the only two available in the library from my never ending "to-read list" a la Goodreads.

First, The Namesake. This gets a solid 4/5 stars; I more than liked it. Lahiri presents a quick and easy read with some great poetic moments. While it feels like a stereotypical look into the life of an Indian immigrant (but what do I know, really. I guess stereotypes happen for a reason?), I still feel like I learned something more about human nature.

You can tell that her strength is short stories (Interpreter of Maladies), because at times this feels like a bunch of short stories of the same family tied together. The plot does flow (albeit bumpy at time), thanks to Lahiri's ability to set a consistent tone.

All in all, a great read.

Next up, Anne Tyler. This is her 334th book or something (I exaggerate). But seriously, the woman writes. She kept me guessing a lot with this one - trying to figure out each character, their ties to one another, background, etc. She begins in media res (in the middle of things), which almost actually lost my interest. It started of too busy and confusing for my poor, TV-ridden brain.

This isn't Anne's best. There were many times where I just wanted to give it up; HOWEVER, I'm glad I waited it out until the end. I think she hones in on a theme that we all think about - how life could/would have been different if ________ (you fill in the blank). Her characters aren't super likable, and her plot is moderately boring. Yet, her thematic genius pulls though. Not only does she focus on the aforementioned, but also on the cause and effect of self-reinvention (another overarching theme of the human race).

This one gets two out five stars from me. It was okay. But kudos for writing a bajillion books, most of which are pretty awesome.

What did you read this month? Did you like it? If you didn't read any thing, I highly recommend getting off your duff to head to the library, then get back on your duff at home.

Thanks for participating in the first edition of Amateur Reader! Who knows when it will happen again.