Guest Blogger Charlotte - The Glass Castle: A Novel

Hello!

Anytime I asked my friend for a book recommendation, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls was the only book she would tell me to read. So, after a few months, I finally decided to pick up the book she continually raved about.    

The book is a memoir of Jeannette Walls’ more than dysfunctional life from childhood to adulthood. Growing in up in poverty with an alcoholic father, unpredictable mother, and her three siblings, Jeannette retells her different experiences. The story begins later in Jeanette’s life with her on the way to a get-together when she sees her homeless mother digging through trash on the streets of New York. After this shocking start of the book, the audience is drawn in as she goes back in time to her being three years old and from there the story is written in chronological order, with each chapter being a moment in her life. 

The story is heartbreaking, encouraging, and completely stunning as she experiences events that do not seem possible, such as hospital trips, lack of food, and homelessness. The Glass Castle opens the door to a perspective that is often overlooked. I spent the entire time rooting for Jeannette and her family as they encounter many setbacks caused by a number of variables, whether it is family members or outside sources. It is a story of human life and human nature as the characters grow and continue through life. You may love and hate different characters, but I felt that most of the time I simply saw the characters as real people doing their best to figure life out. 

The writing itself is also captivating. There was not a moment when reading the book that I felt disconnected to the characters or the story. It was as though I was living through the eyes of Jeannette, feeling devastated whenever a bad event happened to the individuals in the story and ecstatic when the characters finally caught a break.

As soon as I finished reading the story all I could do was sit and call my friend who had recommended the book because I had loved it so much. I would say this is definitely a book to put on everyone’s to-read list as it makes you cry, think, and laugh. Overall it is an extraordinary story written in a unique and impeccable manner.

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Gift from the Sea

While looking for new books to read, I found that Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh kept appearing on suggestion lists, and from its descriptions it seemed like a great way to start the spring.

As soon as I started reading this book, my expectations were completely challenged. From the descriptions I had read, I thought it would be more of a story format, but Gift from the Sea is more of an account of the author’s life. Taking place during her trips to Florida, the book follows her thoughts as she contemplates and reflects on her life and topics such as being a woman, marriage, children, and the different phases one goes through in life.

Pretty early in the book, I began to feel that although the book would be interesting to women of all ages, it was definitely more directed towards women who were older than me, probably married and with children. I sometimes felt that I couldn’t relate to the subject matter. However, I still really enjoyed reading the book as it went through different topics, values, and lessons that can be applicable to all.

I really enjoyed Lindberg’s style of writing and her ability to tie together memories with current experiences. For example, she compares the different stages of her life to seashells, allowing her to then go through the topics applicable to those shells. She discusses the need of people, especially mothers, to recharge in order to be able to live their lives to the fullest. Another point that I loved was her stating that we need to focus more on solitude. I thought this was so interesting because of our constant need to be with people or doing something with others. This is definitely something I hadn’t heard encouraged very publically, so I thought it was meaningful and it made the book feel personal to me.

I think this example is very telling of the book in general. The author speaks about and reflects on topics and conversations that are sometimes avoided in every day life. Every blog shows how we can connect more, take advantage of every opportunity, and be everything we want to be. But Gifts from the Sea gave a bit of a different perspective because it didn’t try so hard to impress. It reminded me that time alone to recharge and to focus on yourself is valuable too.

The only thing that stopped me from absolutely loving this book is that although it was really well written, the book was sometimes almost too cheesy. I had to take a break a few times to reset from the different comparisons. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it had lovely imagery and comparisons, but it could also feel long at times. I felt like some of the metaphors were a bit forced and that the book could have benefited from being a bit more raw from the author’s personal experiences and a bit less crafted to be inspiring.

All in all, this was a sweet and short read for spring break! I would recommend for the author’s more target audience, so I will be rereading when I’m a bit older. Otherwise, I think the topics discussed should be discussed by all age groups, so I definitely think it should be a book to add to your to-read list if you’re looking for a quick, uplifting read.

Guest Blogger Charlotte - You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

At the end of winter, we tend to find ourselves in a rut. Because of its eye-catching title, I immediately picked up You are a Badass. I had never been able to read self-help book all the way through, simply because they seemed too cheesy, forced, or impossible for me to keep up with. But, for some reason, I still gave You are a Badass by Jen Sincero I try, and I actually really enjoyed it!

The book is quite different from other self-help book I have read because you could truly hear the author’s voice and personality come through. Talking through different concepts relatable to all humans, she shared universal ideas from a personal perspective. I felt that the advice, tips, and topics covered were more personal than self-help books and blogs usually seem. Sincero’s sense of humor when it came to facing the facts, titles, and how she approached situations she encountered made this book easier to read because I didn’t feel she was taking herself too seriously. The way the book was written and how the chapters were named made me feel that I was talking to a friend instead of a professional coach, which I loved.

You are a Badass is organized into five sections, which I thought was useful. As the reader, you are slowly introduced to different concepts and ways of thinking. Then as you continue to on reading, the concepts build on each other to speak about overarching topics. Although this led me to sometimes feel that the book was repetitive, it also made sure that I wasn’t forgetting what the author was advising and talking about. You are obliged to improve yourself and your mindset because you are constantly being reminded of improvements to make or change of mindsets.

Within the parts, the book is also organized into different chapters with different styles of writing. Some sections are lists, others are anecdotal stories, and some are the author’s simply talking through concept. I found that this definitely kept the book interesting, as I didn’t feel like I was being lectured or that the information was going right over my head. I also found that this gave the book a personal touch because you could relate to the author as she spoke about moments and experiences of her own life. It allowed me to feel connected to the book as I didn’t feel as though the advice she was giving couldn’t relate to me.

So is You are a Badass the solution to being the best person you can be? Yes and no. I think that it is one of the better self-help books I have read, but you still have to keep up with what Sincero is saying in order for it to work. I think the information provided in the book is extremely helpful and encouraging and the way it is presented and written was beneficial for me. Although it can be repetitive at some points, it’s a nice book to get re-inspired and reset.

Heartshire High: A Novel

Wouldn't you know it? Our very own Charlotte Leonetti has written a novel, and by golly, it's wonderful. I don't say this just because she's a guest blogger here and I happen to like her a lot. It's a compelling novel that instantly grabbed my attention.

Celia has just moved to a new town through no choice of her own -- she was moved by her dad, who just left her mom in sunny California to battle her mental illness alone. Celia is already so bummed by this move, and the difficulty making friends in her new town isn't helping. She has a countdown of days until she graduates and can go home to be with her mom. One night, forced by her only friend to go to the hottest party of the year, she comes upon a closely guarded secret of Pilar, whose boyfriend died right before the school year began. This only leads to more questions, leading Celia down a rabbit hole that can only be fixed one way -- by finding out the truth that lies behind the death of Pilar's boyfriend.

Rereading my synopsis of the book, I feel that I may not have done it justice. On the outside it may seem like this story has a lot going on, but in reading it, the story flows together and the twists and turns come naturally. I say that I was pleasantly surprised, only because I didn't really know what to expect going in. I purposely kept myself in the dark so that I could fairly judge the book, and I knew about a third of the way through that I loved it. Charlotte has a voice that is as clear as a bell, and her storytelling skills are on point.

The character arc of Celia is strong and deep; she is immediately likable but in a dark, brooding sort of way. She jumps off the page as a very real, very deep character, and I liked her immediately. One of the advantages of this author being a young female is that she understands how to write for them more so than most. One of my biggest peeves is reading unrealistic portrayals of females, especially young females, and Charlotte hit this one out of the park. Celia is a full-bodied human whom I could relate to, and she was genuinely interesting. Celia was my favorite character in this book, with the right amount of snark and intelligence and smarts. I loved that she was raw and real, and that she didn't let her estrangement from her peers just roll off her back. I got her, and that's the highest compliment I can pay a character.

The events of the book are crazy and twisty and outlandish and it's crazy fun. Charlotte has taken us on a roller coaster ride that is seemingly nuts but flows together seamlessly. While entirely outlandish, that's the fun of this story. I saw the connection to Alice in Wonderland, but Charlotte has made this story her own. It's topsy-turvey yet still grounded in reality, and I wanted to be on Celia's side the whole time. I wanted to hug Pilar and Dutch, and I wish I had known Tim. This was a wonderful reading experience, and I'm so grateful that Charlotte entrusted me with her work. Now, you go off and read it. Enjoy yourself too. 

Guest Blogger Charlotte - Humans of New York: Stories

Hi!

I received Humans of New York: Stories by Brandon Stanton from my parents this holiday season. I had seen this book floating around on reading forums about a year ago, but never got around to buying it myself. However, I’m so glad that it made its way into my hands and onto my reading list. Being an avid people-watcher, whether in a café or while waiting for a ride to pick me up, this seemed like the perfect book for me. In addition, the quotes are accompanied with great photographs and being a fan of photography, I fell in love with this book.

Humans of New York: Stories is a sort of record book for the people living in New York. It’s based on the popular website where Brandon Stanton photographs someone in New York City and shares a quote from the person that tells something about his or her experience. It’s often very personal and can lead to thousands of comments of support and reflection. The site has raised money for some amazing causes just by sharing stories and creating human connection, but I was worried that without the social aspect, it just might not work as a book. It does.

The book consists of long stories, anecdotes, random thoughts, or answers to questions, which all come together to give an intimate portrait of a stranger in just a snapshot of words. The quotes are from people in all walks of life, ages, and backgrounds, which I found very interesting. I loved seeing glimpses into other peoples’ lives and their points of view, even if it was just with a sentence. Whether they were shocking, funny, emotional, these little vignettes connected with my emotions in ways I didn’t necessarily expect. The author really has a skill for exposing the human side of everyone he encounters and making you see what you might have in common with someone to whom you may have never otherwise given a second thought.

I also found it very intriguing to see that so many different stories work together so well. The quotes are so random and different from one another, yet they still flow in a way that’s engaging. I almost felt as if the book structure made you the reader try to find connections and stories between them, which ended up enhancing their impact. The book is organized into different topics, but they go from one to another in a completely organic manner. Although the emotions and seriousness of the quotes and stories varied, I did not find myself taken out of what was being said. All the stories worked together, somewhat connected, to create a record of ordinary people living in the same city.  

My favorite part of this book, however, was the photography. Brandon Stanton began this project with taking candid street portraits before he started accompanying them with quotes. Working with the quotes, however, gives a new dimension and insight into these individuals’ lives. Whether it is with a photo of someone caught off guard, posing alone, hugging their dog, or holding an inanimate object, the pictures bring to life what is being said. In a world where it can be quite easy to stay in one’s bubble, I found that this book really reached me and made me think, as individuals that are so diverse from one another, yet all connected by a city, are being given a voice.

This book is completely different from anything I have ever read before. Incorporating two media, readers are giving an insight into a city they may have never visited and the lives of strangers. It’s of course an easy read, but it also connected to my own emotional experiences and made me think deeply and feel empathy for the “characters” I encountered. It focuses on varied aspects of life and humanity in a way that is eye-opening, hilarious, devastating, and exciting, and I would suggest it for anyone who loves to people-watch and imagine the lives of others or who enjoying learning about the stories of the people around them.

Guest Blogger Charlotte - Milk and Honey: Poems

With senior year in full swing, I wanted to change up the genre I was reading. Lately, especially on social media and in conversations with my friends, poetry seemed to be appearing more and more. I picked up a few different books and decided to read Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur. It seemed like everyone around me had read or was reading and raving about it, and although I loved it, it wasn’t life changing.  

Milk and Honey is sectioned off into four sections: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, and the healing. I really enjoyed this format because I knew what I was getting myself into. If before bed I wanted to read something more uplifting, I would go to the “loving” section, but if I felt like reading poems that were heavier I could go to the “hurting” or “breaking” sections. With these sections I was also able to experience a sort of evolution because of the order that the poems were placed in. It started off with the voice of someone that had been taken advantage of and turned into an individual that had more hope. With this, the progression from these different emotions felt more natural and easy to read and allowed me to connect to what was being said to a greater extent.

The collection of poems speaks about different relationships and situations. When I first picked up the book, I wasn’t sure what to expect and what topics the poems would go over. The main relationships discussed are a romantic one and familial ones such as her relationship with her mother. However, the main relationship focused on is the one with oneself, which I thought was really interesting. Sometimes poems can be very specific to certain situations and emotions, but with these poems, I was able to connect with them and feel as though they had been written for me.

With this personal feel to the book, I can understand why many have adored these poems. They talk about taboo topics, everyday events, and self-love. But, it was not the favorite writing I had ever read. I sometimes felt like some of the poems were cheesy and therefore was taken out of my reading daze. It seemed like they weren’t written to be appreciated by someone who reads a lot of poetry or who wanted to take the time to get immersed, but instead were written for someone who was looking for the Instagram version of poetry.

All together, I really enjoyed reading Milk and Honey and have been reading more poetry since. I think that different poems in the book will resonate with different people and even if they don’t, I still find it really interesting to learn more about other individuals and their emotions. So I would recommend, some candles, a bubble bath, and a few hours to de-stress.

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Inge & Mira

Hi!

Inge & Mira, by Marianne Fredriksson, is a short novel about the friendship between two women: Inge, a Swedish native, and Mira, a Chilean living in Sweden. I read the book in English, and I’ve never been so curious about a translation in my life.

That’s because I don’t know if I liked Inge & Mira or not. The writing is stilted and factual, with the most important details either unspoken or quickly brushed aside. The story has almost no imagery and scene setting, and the conversations start and end abruptly. It seemed affected and fake, which I found off-putting.

On page one, Inge and Mira meet in a garden center and say hello. By page three, without skipping ahead in time, they are strolling on the beach together, with no explanation as to how they’ve gone from acquaintances to friends in a few sentences. There are times when the book reads like Spark Notes. Here’s an example two complete paragraphs from the novel:

“It had stopped raining. Inge sat down in front of the computer but did not manage to produce a single sensible sentence.

She went shopping.”

This structure was different for me, and there were things about it I hated. This is why I wonder how much of this style was because of the particular translation. I took the fact that I was so curious to read the original as an indication that I actually cared about the story and characters. Because despite not loving the writing style, I was truly interested in the characters.

The crux of the story is that throughout their friendship Inge learns about Mira’s past in Chile and Mira has to face the things her family went through before she fled to Sweden. The women come up against one another’s cultural norms, prejudices, expectations, and ways of thinking and speaking about important issues. The inclusion of their children into the story adds even another level to these cultural differences.

This is the part of the book that I loved, even when the writing caught me off guard. I loved that it was written from the perspective of each woman and also from the outside, because I felt that it gave me a chance to appreciate how much culture really has to do with our perspective on everything from huge life events to everyday conversation. The book made me think, and it made me feel for Mira and what her family had endured.

In the end, I found it an effort to read a book with so little imagery that moved so quickly past key points, but I think I found it difficult because I wanted to know more. And that’s because I liked it. Because of this, I might suggest giving it a try if you are quite interested in reflecting on how culture influences our friendships and perspectives. 

Guest Blogger Charlotte: The Art of Racing in the Rain

Hi!

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein, is a novel written from the point of view of a dog. If you’re thinking, “That sounds pretty cheesy,” that’s what I was thinking too. It’s also a novel about a can’t-seem-to-make-it racecar driver. If you’re thinking, “Wow I don’t care at all about racecar driving,” that what I was thinking too. But I still loved it, and I think you will too.

The book is an easy read even though the story is heart-wrenching and has some very sad moments. Overall, looking at the life of Denny the racecar driver through Enzo the dog’s eyes gives a unique perspective. Enzo is complex, and his depth doesn’t seem contrived (somehow) and is an interesting contrast to his still dog-like instincts and needs. The Art of Racing in the Rain made me think about dogs differently. Even though it was fiction, it gave me a new perspective on the value of their ability to connect emotionally.

The insights of a dog, and the creation of his sophisticated perspective, was my favorite part of the novel. If you love dogs, or have a dog, I expect this will be your favorite part too. He’s just such an interesting character, and so aware of his dog-ness and all the special abilities and inabilities that come along with it. He’s smart and observant and above being a dog in many ways, but then his instincts come through and take over in ways that can be tragic, brave, sad, or hilarious.

The underlying story, through Enzo’s eyes, was engrossing and sad. It’s heavy on the plot and not mired in details, which I enjoyed. Denny’s family life takes some heartbreaking twists and turns and is, in the end, a story of survival and perseverance. Adding the perspective of a young child and the dog’s observations of the child’s behavior added even more to the value of the book. I know a book is good when I find myself saddened or outraged on behalf of a character as if they were someone I knew, and that happened in this book with Denny.

One thing I didn’t really love was the inclusion of racing metaphors and examples all throughout the book. Enzo’s observations on racing and on races he’s watched (he loves watching TV) are peppered throughout the book and often used as metaphors. Sometimes they felt a little forced to me, but I think that’s mostly because it’s not a topic that interested me.

Overall I would recommend this book as a fast but engrossing read that helps broaden your perspective on the importance of emotional connection and support and the value of being there for the important people in life, even all you can do is listen. Or wag your tail.

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Outliers

Lately I have been wanting to read something different; although I still really enjoy reading young adult novels, I needed a break from adults trying to be teenagers! So, when Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell was recommended, I decided to give it a shot.  

I remember the first time I heard about this book, I was in 6^th grade and learning to play violin. We had to practice everyday for homework and sometimes little Charlotte was just too lazy. However, I still wanted to be the best in my class… I guess I was ignoring the connection between practice and improvement. Cue my dad and his lectures! He told my siblings and me that a person had to practice for 10,000 hours to master a skill. I was shocked, counting how long it would take me to get to that point. To say the least, this has stuck with me to this day (even if to my parents’ dismay I stopped playing violin).

The book itself is a pretty quick read that mainly focused on different statistics and was definitely different from what I normally read. However, I found it quite interesting! It focused on (you guessed it) the ‘outliers’ of society, meaning individuals that are the best at their profession or skill. It was written in a way where it felt like I was solving a sort of puzzle with the author as I slowly discovered circumstances that made an individual an outlier. It was also really nice to have it confirmed that experts weren’t just born geniuses and that hard work and circumstances lead to their successes. The 10,000-hours anecdote may be the most quoted part of Outliers, but the book had lots of interesting stories and analyses of the reasons behind what makes someone excel.

Although, I found it enjoyable to read, I have a few complaints about Outliers. First of all, you get the point about outliers pretty quickly. After the first few chapters/examples, I was finding myself getting easily distracted. I made it through the book and was glad I had, but the farther I read, the more tedious it became. Next, it wasn’t until someone pointed this out to me that I noticed, but the author only uses research that proves his point. I mean it is pretty obvious why any author trying to prove a point would do this. Nonetheless, I was still disappointed. Whenever someone writes an argumentative essay, anticipating the opposite opinion and trying to convince the reader of that as well, should be a goal. At least acknowledge different points of view! Otherwise, its just one sided and ones argument can that be undermined easily.  I felt like someone could easily have found a similar amount of anecdotes and research points to give different conclusions than the author.

That said, I really enjoyed learning about how different aspects of life can have such a drastic effect on the rest of your life. The book is not only intriguing and well written but it is also educational so I recommend it. The chapters are mostly separate anecdotes that don’t build on one another, so you can also read them more like magazine articles in a stand-alone way, which I might recommend for a book like this (where all the chapters sort of make the same point).

             

Guest Blogger Charlotte: Everything Everything

At the beginning of the summer, every advertisement had been about the movie Everything Everything coming out in theaters. Once I realized it was based on a book, I decided to read it before I saw the movie.

The book Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon is a story about a girl named Madeline. Madeline has a disease that makes it unsafe for her to leave the sterile “bubble” of her home and therefore is unable to ever go outside. Because of this, the only people she has every really talked to are her mother, her nurse Carla, and Carla’s daughter Rosa, since the process for guests is lengthy. She is quite smart and loves to read, and the book is full of literary references that are admittedly a bit over-explained but are still interesting and relevant. Sometimes those references can feel forced and heavy-handed in stories, so at first I was a little hesitant, but I thought the author did a good job incorporating them and using them to shine a light on Madeline’s personality.

The real plot begins win a new boy moves in next door, and he and Madeline can’t help but start talking. This, of course, leads to a whirlwind of events and emotions between the two characters, their different home situations, and the twists and turns that happen as they build a relationship despite the limits placed on them by Madeline’s disease. I won’t give away the plot or the ending, but it does have some surprises and keeps you involved until the end.

The book was honestly pretty good. It was very cheesy and parts of it seemed a little out of place, like the fact that Madeline and her new friend communicate with IM and emails…. However! I still really enjoyed it. A lot of the book I could imagine actually happening, although there were some moments where the characters’ actions (especially the mom’s actions) didn’t really seem realistic. It captured what its like to have a new crush in high school, where all you want to do is stay up and talk and it feels like the most important thing in the world. I did feel like the characters were a little contrived and formulaic. Like the neighbor boy is dark and brooding and literally leaning against the wall in a black tee shirt, which I feel like is the start of every boy-the-girl-is-going-to-have-a-crush-on-moves-in-next-door story. Especially cringe-worthy were the extensive efforts to make them opposites-who-would-then-attract: she’s trapped inside, and he’s literally climbing the walls (because he is into parkour); she’s wearing white, and he’s wearing black; her mother is her closest friend and his father is his worst enemy, etc. I did love the cheesy dialogue in their early emails and IMs though, because it felt realistic and made you cringe the same way you would reading your journal from middle school. The writing was okay, but I did feel it was written for a younger audience and would really be best suited for middle-schoolers.

So I do recommend this book to all the hopeless romantics out there, even if it’s a little contrived. I was really glad to have read it before I saw the movie, because seeing the movie first would have given away the story and I think if I’d known the whole story first the book wouldn’t have been worth reading since it’s heavily plot-driven. The story is a fast read and enjoyable for what it is.