Feed your soul, through life's banalities

Title: Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen

Author: Julie Powell

Pages: 320

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

ISBN: 978-0316109697

A few years ago, my husband and I watched the Nora Ephron movie Julie/Julia, mostly because I liked Amy Adams from Enchanted. However, I was hooked on learning more about Julia Child's life, as I found Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci's interpretation of Julia and Paul Child's marriage fascinating. I picked up Julia Child's memior My Life in France and really enjoyed hearing, in her own voice, about Julia's experience living and learning cooking in France. However, when I looked at reviews of Julie Powell's book Julie and Julia, the reviews were uneven and many complained about the whiny and profane manner of Powell's writing. When I happened to stumble on the audio version, that was even read by Powell, I figured I would give it a chance.

For me, the main theme was Powell's desire to make a mark on the world or at least find meaning in her own life. That does seem to parallel Julia Child's experiences in France. Other than her husband Paul, Julia Child had not found her passion or niche in life until she began taking cooking classes in France. Julie Powell, an unfulfilled actress and daytime secretary, was looking for the same thing. Her vow to cook all 524 recipes in Child's first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking while blogging about it, gave Powell a sense of purpose and eventually, accomplishment. Her blog gathered a loyal following and toward the end of the year project, Powell was featured on talk shows and in print, which eventually led to a book deal. Drawing on her blog, but re-interpreting the year, Powell recounts the struggle to find obscure ingredients, master time-consuming cooking techniques, and the multiple melt downs as she contemplates hitting age 30 without anything to show for it.

I think what drew a lot of readers to the book was this sense that we all want to make our mark on the world. Each individual life can seem petty, like the scene in Joe Verses the Volcano when all the

workers file into the gray office building to do their lowly jobs in gray, windowless rooms. I think we all strive to stand out, be meaningful or at least recognized by more than our small circle of family and friends. There is debate about if Powell started the blog as a “stunt” for publicity, but even if she did, the dedication to learning antiquated French cooking techniques and religiously blogging about it was more than a passing publicity stunt. As for Julia Child, maybe she didn't intentionally set out to shake up the cooking world, but when opportunities for more books and TV deals came up, she took them and became known around the world. I found it greatly ironic that Julia Child may have thought Julie Powell was “not a serious cook” and a bit irreverent, when what I've read about Julia Child indicated she was called the same thing when she began cooking on TV. A few years ago, Gourmet magazine made a list of 50 Woman Game-Changers in food – Julia was number 1, Julie was number 50, but she made the list.

In the end, the book is about finding the things that feed your soul, when life's banalities seem to loom large.  And for feeding their souls, French food, for both Julia and Julie, was the answer.

The state of wonder through the heart of darkness

Title: State of Wonder

Author: Ann Patchett

Pages: 353

Publisher: Harper Collins

ISBN: 978-0-06-204980-3

Although not explicit, State of Wonder embodies the three different definitions of wonder, according to Dictionary.com:

        1. to think or speculate curiously

        2.to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel

        3. to doubt

The Vogel company has an uncommunicative, isolationist scientist in the Amazon region of Brazil that is researching a miracle fertility drug that could extend pregnancy beyond middle age. However, the CEO, Mr. Fox, can't get a progress report from Dr. Swenson and when Anders Eckman is sent to get one, he supposedly dies in the jungle. Marina Singh, a former student of Dr. Swenson, is sent next to attempt to find the research station and extract some reports on the research.

This book is her journey, comparable to Conrad's Heart of Darkness, into the darkness of not only the jungles of Brazil, but the darkness of medical ethics and exploitation of research subjects. During this journey, Marina is troubled by her own background - an Indian father who mostly abandoned his American family, her perception of herself as unremarkable, and her own medical mistake that forced her to leave hands-on medicine to lab research. Once in Brazil, she is confronted with the strange juxtaposition of colonial and uncivilized Manaus and the hippie gatekeepers of Dr. Swenson's outpost. Dr. Swenson herself is an indomitable force, who inspires both awe and fear in those who work for her, including the native tribe, the Lakashi.

Once Marina is accepted to the outpost, she travels down the river, and much like Conrad's Marlow, as civilization recedes the darkness of the jungle encroaches on Marina both physically and emotionally. However, the greatest darkness is the flagrant disregard for medical ethics as the means are constantly justified by the ends. The unique substance in the jungle may hold answers to multiple medical issues and Marina is quickly subsumed into both the Lakashi and research cultures. However, she quietly continues to doubt Dr. Swenson's methods and words. I don't want to reveal the climax, as it is a good one, but Marina has good reason to distrust her former teacher – who has been in the jungle too long.

Through most of the book, Marina moves about in a “state of wonder” - either drugged, sick, in shock or intimidated by her teacher. However, she finally makes sense of her own experiences and convictions and begins to make decisions for herself, rather than acquiesce to the demands of others.

“I don't like work--no man does--but I like what is in the work--the chance to find yourself. Your own reality--for yourself not for others--what no other man can ever know. They can only see the mere show, and never can tell what it really means.”
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness 

“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.” ― Mark Twain

Title: Fire

Author: Kristin Cashore

Pages: 528

Publisher: Firebird

ISBN: 014241591X

I enjoyed Graceling, but did not enjoy Fire. It is a companion, not a sequel and takes place in a completely different kingdom with completely different characters. Fire, the main character, is half human, half monster in a world that seems to be a twisted version of a Dr. Seuss book. Fire's curse is her innate desirability that drives men (and some women) to do crazy things. Fortunately, she can read minds and anticipate most attacks. She is drawn into the politics of a neighboring kingdom and consents to use her mind-reading abilities to find the plots to overthrow the kingdom. Along the way, she accepts herself for who she is, makes friends that also accept her, and learns to use and control her powers. I have to admit that I skimmed more than read most of the book as I was not as intrigued with the politicking.

Yet another underdog, who does discovers her true purpose!

Title: Graceling

Author: Kristin Cashore

Pages: 480

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books

ISBN: 015206396X

I don't remember why I initially put this book on my PaperBackSwap wish list, but I did. Then I missed out on getting a paper copy when I was on vacation and missed the email. But, I learned how to check out a Kindle book from my local library, so that was an unexpected bonus! Oh, and I have book 2 and figured this time, I would read a series in order!

This is classified as a young adult fantasy book. I guess that after Harry Potter and the Twilight series, the types of fantasy for children have gotten more mature. I didn't even realize this was a young adult novel until I looked it up after I read it. The writing was descriptive and clear, and the general story was engaging. In many ways it reminded me of Anne McCaffery's Harper Hall Trilogy, which I really enjoyed.

In this world, certain people are given “Graces” or in-born abilities to become an expert in something – sometimes that ability is useful, like cooking or music, but other times, it can be trivial. However, the main character, Katsa, was born with the Grace of killing. She is the niece of a king, and he uses her for his dirty work. However, she begins to question the ethics of her work, and she starts a secret society, called the Council, to protect people. During one of her missions, she runs into another person Graced with fighting ability and eventually finds that he is investigating the same thing she is, the kidnapping of an elderly member of the royal family of a neighboring kingdom. The kidnapped victim turns out to be the fighter's (named Po) grandfather. Katsa and Po work together to find the plot and realize that a king with evil and cruel ambitions has been Graced with the ability to control people's thoughts. They rescue Po's niece and struggle to kill him, which Katsa eventually does. In the process, Katsa discovers that her Grace is actually survival, and Po loses his sight, but develops his real Grace, the ability to sense the things around him. The story ends with a clear set up for the series, Po returns to his kingdom, Katsa continues to work for the Council, and the niece begins to rule her new kingdom.

I'm looking forward to picking up the next few books in the series.

Lone Savior of Beautiful Woman

Title: Die Trying

Author: Lee Child

Pages: 567

Publisher: Jove Premium Edition

ISBN: 0515142247

I've gotten hooked on the dry humor of Jack Reacher so I've been picking up the novels at used books stores when I see them. But, that also means I'm reading them out of order. Fortunately, each book is really a stand alone story and it really doesn't seem to matter what order I read them in. In some ways, the series reminds me of the old 70s and 80s TV shows of The Incredible Hulk and Knight Rider. The hero, Jack Reacher, get embroiled in a dangerous situation and needs to investigate and save an innocent person – most often a beautiful woman. In this case, the beautiful woman is an FBI agent that was kidnapped because of who her godfather is – the President of the US. Jack becomes involved because he happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. At first, Holly tries to protect Jack until recognizes Jack has skills that can help her. The kidnappers – an extreme white supremacist group that wants to convert and control the nation. At the end, all issues are solved, and like Bruce Banner, Jack walks down the road, by himself, with muddy music playing in my head.

Historical Fiction - not Biography

Title: The Paris Wife

Author: Paula McLain

Pages: 320

Publisher: Ballantine Books

ISBN: 0345521315

This is clearly a book club type book – written to generate discussion between women about the value of marriage, the importance of trust and respect in a relationship, and when to call it quits. 

I struggled at first to connect with the main character, Hadley Richardson, who became Ernest Hemingway's first wife, known as the Paris wife because that is where they lived for most of their marriage. This is not a biography of Hadley, but rather it is classified as a historical fiction. The author researched Hadley's life, read the letters between Hadley and Hemingway, and then imagined what their lives together might have been like. Hadley is portrayed as mousy, insecure and struggling to fine her own purpose in life. She is totally dedicated to Hemingway's career, but doesn't feel like she fits into his circle of friends. After losing Hemingway's packet of written stories, the bond between them is broken, as Hemingway no longer trusts Hadley, and the rest of the book is the slow moving train wreck of their marriage, as Hemingway has an affair with a mutual friend, who eventually becomes his second wife. 

 I guess people speculate about Hemingway's true feelings and regret about Hadley, because his last story before he died was in tribute to her. The story also explores the difficulties Hemingway had as revolutionary writer.There is a brief explanation from the author about why and how she wrote the book along with a list of book club questions.  In many ways, I found Hadley much like Bella (in the Twilight series - yes I read it, I'm a middle school teacher).  Both were in love with volatile men, didn't understand their effect on people, and didn't feel worthy of being with the men or included in their circles. (And both are whiny.)  However, from reading this book, I am more interested in learning about the real Hadley and hope to pick up some of the real biographies to see how close the historically documented one is to the fictional one.

Small Packages Can Fulfill Big Destinies

Title: Dragonlight

Author: Donita K. Paul

Pages: 377

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

ISBN: 1400073782

I've enjoyed McCaffrey's Dragon series for years – unfortunately, I've read all of them. No one can create a world like McCaffrey did, full of great characters and amazing creatures. But, as I was browsing through PaperBack Swap and found another series – The DragonKeeper Chronicles. It is not as well-written as McCaffrey's but still engaging. However, I was only able to find Book 5 – Dragonlight, on PaperBack Swap. So, I'm reading them out of order.

The main character, Kale is happily married to Bardon and Dragonkeeper of her castle. However, Bardon takes Kale on a quest as evil begins to invade the world. The story follows the group on the quest as they discover the destinies for each member – from the smallest, Toopka, to the blind boy and guardian, Sittiponder. Many themes pervade the book – from the importance of faith and having respect for fellow creatures on the earth. Bardon, a former knight, trained in the ways of the Tomes, continues to quote “principles” which sound like a combination of Christian proverbs and Confucian sayings. After a little surfing around, I found that The DragonKeeper Chronicles are being marketed as Christian speculative fiction. It is a bit ironic that this particular book is about a splinter cult that twists the teachings of the god Wulder to gain power in this world. As a science fiction book, it was a fun read, but as a Christian book, I would not endorse it.