Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I think we all need to have a heart to heart. Let’s all clasp our hands together, look each other in the eyes, take a deep breath, and admit that Rainbow Rowell is one of the best writers of our generation. Can we all agree on that?

I just finished the audio version of Fangirl, the third book I’ve read by Rowell, and it so did not disappoint. (The first book I read was Eleanor and Park- see my post here about how I cried through the last twenty pages- and the second was Attachments, which was adorable).

Cath is our awkward, depressed and nerdy heroine, and her freshman year of college is not going well. Her twin sister, Wren (Cath and Wren- get it??), chose not to room with her, her dad is loveable but manic, and her roommate is a sullen yet in-your-face junior. Her sole love and comfort in life is Simon Snow, a Harry Potter-like character from a fantasy/wizard/vampire/basically Harry Potter series. She even writes an incredibly popular fan fiction blog about Simon and his mortal enemy Baz.

So basically, Cath is the perfect kind of character to groan about, roll your eyes at, yell at and cheer for throughout her first year of college. Will she remain miserable and terrified for all nine months, or will she finally figure out who she is and what she needs to become?

Why you might like this book: Rainbow Rowell is a beautiful writer. She’s the kind of writer that makes me wish I could write. Her characters are perfectly imperfect and you will love them. One stylistic choice I also love about this book is that it alternates between Cath’s life at school and snippets from the Simon Snow series-  a nice change of pace (plus in the audio book, a man with a gorgeous British accent reads the Simon Snow parts- the best!)

Why you might not like this book: Let’s be honest, you probably will though.

Similar Titles: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Harry Potter by JK Rowling, The Magicians by Lev Grossman (maybe?). Honestly, Rowell has such a refreshing take on real life situations that I just can't compare to anyone but herself!

I would recommend this book to: females, people who have had obsessions with a series like Harry Potter or Hunger Games, anyone who has lost their way at some point or another

If you don’t read Fangirl, pick up SOMETHING by Rainbow Rowell. You won’t regret it! At this point, Landline is the only Rowell book I have yet to read, and I’ll probably add it to my list before the end of the year.

P.S. I absolutely realize I have been AWOL these last two months, and I have no excuse. August and September Review (a two-for-one deal) coming soon!

June Recap

My oh my, is summer flying by! During June, I read six books:

1. What Teachers Make by Taylor Mali
2. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
3. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
4. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
5. Prodigy by Marie Lu
6. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Best Non-Fiction Book: Orange is the New Black. I’m sure you are alllllll familiar with the Netflix Series by the same name- the series is actually based on the memoir of Piper Kerman, who went to federal prison for fifteen months because of illicit activities she was involved in ten years prior. Matt and I just started watching the series, and I, of course, like the book a little bit better because I felt like she presented herself as more self-aware and less self-pitying. Either way, if you love the show and/or love memoirs, you should definitely check it out. It’s a quick read!

Best Fiction: I’ve already talked about Cinder, but I also thought Out of the Easy was a really interesting historical fiction read this month. Like Orange is the New Black, it was recommended to me by a friend. Josie is an eighteen-year-old who desperately wants to get away from her life in 1950s New Orleans. Her biggest problem is her mother, a prostitute. Although I thought author Ruta Sepetys wrapped up the loose ends a little too neatly and abruptly, this book really hooked me. I don’t always read historical fiction, but I love how Sepetys wove New Orleans culture into the story.

A good variety of books this month: 2 non-fiction, 1 historical fiction, 1 dystopian fiction, 2 fantasy/science-fiction. Hooray! I have some great titles coming up for this month- can't wait!

Book Review: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

One of my favorite SNL sketches is with Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hilary Clinton. Palin and Clinton give a “non-partisan message” about sexism and the role it is playing in the upcoming 2008 election:

                  Palin: So please, stop photoshopping my head on sexy bikini picture.

                  Clinton: And stop saying I have cankles.

This absurd dichotomy that women are either hot, dumb playthings or shrewd, cold witches is exactly what Sheryl Sandberg takes on in Lean In. In this self-help/personal story, Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, shares her journey to the top of her field and the struggle of being a woman in a position of power. “Why we have too few women leaders” was also the subject of her famous TED Talk, which propelled her to write this book in the first place.

Let me be clear, nothing I read in this book was ground-breaking. I was not shocked by any of the claims in this book and even found some of her arguments patronizing because they were so common sense; however, I did find the book as a whole intriguing and her stories and experiences interesting if for no other reason except they are so very different than my own.

Here are five of Sandberg’s main ideas:

1. Women hold themselves back by underestimating their own abilities. They need to be more confident in themselves and their potential.
2. Women who are successful are often perceived as "unlikable" and and that needs to change.
3. Building relationships with other people is an essential element of success.
4. Who you marry and how your partnership works matter.
5. Everyone (men and women) needs to work together to make the world a better place.

Not to be a brat, but wow, never saw those things coming.

In all fairness, some of the studies quoted by Sandberg were new to me, and you know how much I love a good study (really, though)!

Why you might like this book: Sandberg is clearly very passionate about this idea, and she seems to believe whole-heartedly in everything she says. Even though she has been accused of being out of touch with the middle-class working women, she has created Lean In, a private organization aimed at creating a community to inspire, educate, and communicate with future women leaders.

Why you might not like this book: Type in “Sheryl Sandberg” on Google, and most of the top hits are going to be negative. There are tons of critiques for this book, including this one, published last week by Georgetown professor Rosa Brooks (titled “Why I Hate Sheryl Sandberg- yikes!). I agree in some ways with Brooks; at times throughout the book, Sandberg makes me feel like a bad woman and human being for not jumping up to volunteer for power positions and for not encouraging women in the workplace as much as I probably should. Sorry, but sometimes I’m just trying to survive!!!

Similar Titles I’ve Read: 168 Hours by Lauren Vanderkam, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey (although, to be clear, Tina Fey is way funnier, and not just because she does a mean Sarah Palin impression).

I would recommend this book to: Ambitious women

Lean In is a quick read- I wouldn’t call it life changing, and despite my sassy remarks, Sheryl Sandberg is an important voice for gender equality and I’m happy to join in on the conversation.

Audio Review: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is wonderful and his short and powerful stories just pull at your heartstrings. Have a Little Faith, published in 2009, is no different. It was the perfect audiobook for this cold and dreary February- short enough to listen to in a week with an engaging narration by Mitch Albom himself.

The story begins with the author, Mitch, running into his childhood rabbi while at a speaking engagement. His rabbi, Albert Lewis, has come to ask Mitch an important question: will Mitch perform his eulogy when he dies? Although a strange request, Mitch reluctantly agrees, and begins regular visits with Albert at his home and work. Mitch and the rabbi’s meetings blossom into a beautiful relationship between teacher and student.

Around the same time, Mitch becomes involved in a charity campaign in his hometown in Detroit. Through his outreach to homeless shelters and soup kitchens, Mitch meets Henry Covington, a former drug addict and convict who has reversed his life and become a pastor at I Am My Brother’s Keeper Ministries. Mitch alternates between stories about Henry’s life and Albert’s life. The result is a beautiful story of faith and its ability to unite all peoples, regardless of your personal religion.

Why you might like this book: Short, sweet, and heartfelt. It’s full of little life tidbits that encourage you to be the type of person you’ve always wanted to be and to believe in whatever faith you follow. It caused me to reflect on my life, how I treat others, and, as morbid as it sounds, what people might say at my funeral. On my deathbed, will I feel as at peace as Albert Lewis about my faith and the good I have done for the world?

Why you might not like this book: If you have no soul, this might not be for you :)

Similar Titles I’ve Read: Tuesdays with Morrie, Five People You Meet in Heaven, Heaven is for Real

I would recommend this book to: anyone and everyone, including my husband, the non-reader!

I leave you with words from the book, spoken by Albert Lewis: “God sings, we hum along, and there are many melodies, but it's all one song - one same, wonderful, human song.”