Reading Lolita in Tehran

Reading Lolita in Tehran- A Memior in Books

Azar Nafisi

I bought this book in August of 2004, as I was preparing to take a class on Arabic Literature; the teacher mentioned this book as something I might enjoy. I started reading then, but unfortunately I have not finished.

The author takes you an a autobiographic journey through her life amidst the Iranian revolution and its aftermath, but she parallels her experiences with or to other well known books such as Lolita, Pride & Prejudice, The Great Gatsby and Washington Square. When I tried to pick up this book again 2006, I decided that maybe I would appreciate it more if I actually read (or re-read in the case of Lolita and P & P) the books listed.

I haven’t done that. For some reason I just cannot finish this book. Everyone raves about how great it is, but I just haven’t finished it, however I vow never to give up on it. I started reading it again last week while I was waiting for my newest book to arrive- Still Life With Husband. unfortunately as soon as the UPS man delivered my package, this went back into my car. I keep it there in case I get stranded somewhere ( waiting for someone or something- not broken down- knock on wood) and am forced to read it as I wait. As of now- I'm about half way through( although I imagine i've skipped parts)

One day I will finish this book.

Love is Never Painless

Love is Never Painless
Zane

**** ( 4/5)

I am not a big Zane fan. I have read a few of her books, but I am not a big fan of erotica or what ever you consider her genre. This book arrived as part of my main selections that I forgot to cancel and when I saw the title and the dedication, it looked somewhat interesting and nothing like her previous novels that I’ve read, so I decided to maybe give it a try.

The dedication was “To everyone who had tried to make a relationship work” or something to that effect. That along with the title “Love is Never Painless” gives you a general idea of the plot of this book. The books is three “novellas” that demonstrate the true and painful nature of love and relationships. The first story highlights a relationship between two childhood female friends. The second novella highlights a man who is having trouble understanding and letting go of a relationship – to the point that it is hindering his new one and third novella highlights love tested and untimely ruined, but not without a fight.

The first two stories were good, but for me it was the third story that caught my attention and truly haunted me. I started reading the last story first and was so captivated I decided to keep the book and read the entire thing. I don’t want to give away too much, but the third novella is one of the most poignant and powerful short stories I have read. The emotion and pain were real and I felt as if I was a part of the family. Maybe because I had seen this before and been in a similar situation, but wow. If you do nothing else, I think you should read the last story. The love and all the other emotions in this one still ring out in my mind.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend. As I mentioned before, it is not typical Zane material, so it is safe for pretty much everyone, espcially those of us who truly understand the title an/or appreciate the dedication (i.e. anyone who has ever been in love).

*I have nothing against Zane- I think she is a good writer and I have enjoyed some of her books ( mainly this one). I also respect her as a writer, publisher and a business woman. I am not a prude or anything, I just enjoy books with substance- and not the sexual kind.

Like Sheep Gone Astray

Like Sheep Gone Astray

Leslie J. Sherrod.

*** (3.5/5)

This was the January Book selection for book club # 2. First time I’ve read a book by this author and the first time I read a Christian themed mystery.

Anthony Murdock is a young, prominent African American pastor who left a lucrative job and salary to follow the God's calling. However, the devil followed him and threatens to ruin everything in the form of lust and greed, when Anthony "overlooks" a little extra (bribe) money. As Anthony’s conscience and spirit catch up with he tries to undue his wrong, with out completely undoing everything else has worked for. Anthony also must content with a conniving, sinful wife who believes Anthony’s “preacher thing” is only a fad and she tries to lure him back with flashiness and greed of her own. In Anthony’s quest to make things right and find out who is out to get him, he draws strength from the powerful story of Samson, who went down with his own enemies.

This book is cumbersome at times. It’s long, the story goes a few too many places and there are too many characters. I along with some other members of the book club admitted to skipping entire chapters when certain characters were involved because they just didn’t add to the story. Other than that this was an all right read. I enjoyed it and was kept guessing until the end. It wasn’t too preachy, but had just the right amount of a message to keep it going. Especially the powerful chapter where Anthony draws strength from the story of Samson. There were also some very powerful sermons that could rival some of the best you’ve heard.

Verdict- Worth it, but bring a little patience.

All The Trouble You Need

All The Trouble You Need

Jervon Tervalon

*** ( 3/5)

This book was kind of boring to me. I forced myself to finish it and I just didn’t have many thoughts about it. I did like how it was an original story. Many times you find the same story lines and plots, but this one was definitely unique. Tervalon has his own unique voice.

Verdict: Unique Story/characters. Three out of five ? I’m torn on this one.

*If you are interested in this- check out Paperbackswap. com. Join (it's free) and request the book- It's on my bookshelf.

Beyond the Ashes

Beyond the Ashes

Debra Parham

***** ( 5/5)

As amazon.com suggested, I got a little something for myself while Christmas shopping for my friends and family- and this was it.

The story is about Sohni Vessels and her five “sister friends” and each of their trials and tribulations throughout a year. Everyone has a past, everyone has a story and everyone has a cross that they must bear. Follow Sohni and her friends and the deal with life and each other and look to the Lord and each other to make it though.

This is a good book about girlfriends and I liked because the characters were not clichéd. There were some serious problems in the book and Parham dealt with them and tied them together and to the bible really well. Of course when there are so many characters, sometime you get bogged down and you find the characters you like and want to skip the ones you don’t like.

Overall this was an enjoyable book and highly recommended. I took a lot of lessons to heart myself and I think that when a fiction book helps you do that , without feeling like self help- 5 stars!

Finding Noel

Finding Noel

Richard Paul Evans

***** ( 5/5)!

This novel COMPLETELEY made up for my disappointment with Dear John. This has to be one of my favorite stories- Christmas or not. I read this book and actually shed a tear or two. I picked this up on the way to my hair appointment and finished it before my hair was even dry ( it tied to stop and save it , but I couldn't). You know it had to be good to a) finish it that fast and b) shed a tear or two in the beauty shop.

I’m a fan of The Christmas Box, which my teacher read to my class way back in 7^th grade. The entire class was moved by that story and I usually pull it out and read it when I need to get back in the Christmas Spirit (ok sometimes I cheat and watch the movie). Anyway, so I knew I was in for a treat when I picked up this book, but I had no clue how good a treat.

Mark Smart was at the end his rope one snowy night when he stops off for a cup of coffee and meets Macy Smart. What happens next changes their lives forever. Macy offers Mark a shoulder to cry on and Mark and Macy forge an intense friendship. Weeks later, Mark proposes to Macy, but Macy declines and forces to Mark to comfort some issues of his own. Returning home his stepfather tells him "sometimes it's the fight that makes a thing worth having" as the reason not give up- especially where Macy is concerned. I think that is my favorite line of the book. Each chapter also starts with a beautiful quote.

I absolutely loved this book. I love the Christmas theme, but I think this is a book that transcends it and I see myself re-reading it anytime (who says you can’t have Christmas in July?). This is a great love story and a great Christmas story, and is one of the best of the former and may be the best of the later (besides the original story of Christmas of course!). I think it has even replaced The Christmas Box as my favorite.

Five plus stars! Go get this one! I just passed it on to a coworker and she read it over the weekend and loved it as well!

Dear John

Dear John

Nicholas Sparks

*** (3/5)

John Tyree is the person everyone says should join the military. Rebellious and lost at a youth, Tyree follows this advice and joins the military is transformed by his experience. On leave in his hometown, he meets Savannah Lyn Curtis and what follow is a whirlwind love affair/ courtship. Their vacation ends and John returns to his station in Germany and Savannah returns to school. The two keep up their relationship, waiting for the day when John will return to the U.S. and leave the military. Then Sept. 11. Feeling the call to continue to serve his country, John re-ups. He is then sent to Kuwait and Iraq leaving Savannah behind. Eventually he receives a Dear John from Savannah who has been forced to move toward her destiny. This book culminates when John returns home to bury his father and reunite with Savannah, however, things have changed drastically and one decision has changed everything.

I don’t want to give too much away so, I will just leave it there.

I was rather disappointed by this book- to me it seemed out of Spark’s character and I hated the ending. I was fine with the actual ending, I just felt it was out there and a little unbelievable (although my eyes did glisten). The ending didn’t have to be happy, just better. I did enjoy the relationship between John’s father and Savannah and the portrait that Spark’s painted of him. Besides that, I was rather let down by this book. This isn’t his best, nor is it a great love story. I was moved, but just not enough.

My favorite is still "The Wedding". I also have At First Site & True Believer on my bookshelf to read. I'm saving them for a rainy day.