75. An Anthropologist on Mars

Neurologist Oliver Sacks has a talent for telling an entertaining anecdote based on neurological disorders. I liked this book, and each of the "paradoxical tales" was interesting. However, at times, Sacks was a bit too detailed in his descriptions of the disorders. It was good information, just something more like what you might read in a textbook. Other parts of the book were very entertaining, though. Some of the stories were really sad--the artist whose recent stroke led to brain damage that caused him to see only in black and white--others were more enjoyable. It is amazing all the human brain is capable of, even when seemingly "damaged." I would encourage others to read this book, but be prepared to wade through some information that might leave your brain hurting.

15. Good Faith

Another Jane Smiley novel, and one I enjoyed immensely. Although I had started this book last winter, I only made it to page 145. Even after having to skim those pages again to remember the somewhat complex plot, I sailed through the rest of the novel in no time. The story is about 1980s real estate, love, and friendship--all of which balance on a concept called trust (i.e., good faith). Without giving away too much of the plot, it was predictable that the main character, Joe, would be undone by trusting too much in his new friend and real estate partner. However I think the overall concept of liking a flawed character resonates even within Joe himself, who is definitely not perfect in his own right (drugs, adultery), yet maintains the status of "average, okay guy" and even gains sympathy from the reader.

6. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister

I have just a few thoughts on this book. It was more enjoyable than I expected it to be, and it was less complex than I expected it to be. (That is not to say it didn't get me thinking!) I know the reason for these expectations--a dark, complicated, depressing novel--are due solely to my reading of other Maguire works--Wicked, Son of a Witch, and A Lion Among Men. This trilogy, dubbed The Wicked Years, is nothing if not dark, twisted, and endlessly labyrinthine. I did enjoy reading those books. It is just that after reading them, one expects the author to be ruthless, leaving no chance for a satisfying, traditionally "happy" ending.

There was enough of a twist at the end of Confessions that I was surprised, but overall this retelling of the classic fairy tale remained true to what a fairy tale must be--the pretty girl marries the prince, the mean stepmother is thwarted in the end. However, the themes throughout the book were compelling and thought-provoking: What IS beauty? Does physical beauty always translate to spiritual beauty? Does physical imperfection always translate to an evil heart--jealousy, rage, and scorn? When a work of art is perfect, does the artist regret creating it?

The Modern Library's 100 Best Novels List (and Counter-List)

http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnovels.html

This link will take you to the site for The Modern Library, whose board has chosen the 100 Best Novels of all time. The list includes such greats as Ulysses (which I've never read) and The Great Gatsby (which I've read about 15 times). It is an ambitious list, and SocrMom78 over at 100 Books in 100 Weeks has decided to undertake the reading of all 100 in just 100 weeks. Good luck and good reading to her!

The parallel Reader's List of 100 books on the Modern Library site is just as good, and includes some great works forgotten on the Board's List. (Ahem, To Kill a Mockingbird!) Anyway, check out the site if you are in need of a good book recommendation.

63. The Time Machine

What I liked the most about this book--what makes any dystopian view of society in science fiction good in my opinion--is that it was slightly crazy yet completely correct. The basic sociological idea behind the story is that if humans continue to separate themselves from all work and strive only for peace, prosperity and luxury in the personal realm, then we will quickly be divided into two groups-- (1)those who must work for (2)those who don't have to. It is the basic proletariat-bourgeoisie argument. However, it doesn't seem that Wells follows Marxism to the letter, as his futuristic realm involves much socialism, which he depicts as dumbing down the species considerably. It is as if he is saying to achieve our goals of social justice will make us lazy and stupid.
I sure felt stupid when I first started reading this book. It is a short novel, and I knew it was some type of science fiction--the title tipped me off there-- but I didn't bargain for having to look up two words in the dictionary before even finishing the first page! (If you're curious, the words are fecundity and recondite.) I also didn't imagine I would have a feminist qualm with Wells when it was all said and done. It is true I had been thinking about feminism during the first few days of reading this book, but I didn't think the two should meet. However one of the first thoughts I had when finishing the novel was about the awful portrayal of women therein. There are only two mentions of women at all: one a servant; one a diminuitive twit, who follows the main character like a lap dog, is treated likewise, and eventually dies as a sacrifice for our hero's escape. Bad form, Wells.
On the whole, though, I did enjoy the book and the thoughts provoked since reading it.

Updated List

I've only read nine of the 100 so far! Time to kick this reading thing into high gear...

1. God is the Gospel
2. American Gods
3. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
4. Atlas Shrugged
5. Life of Pi
6. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
7. Confessions from an Honest Wife
8. Telegraph Days
9. The Courage to Start
10. Mirror Mirror
11. The Sirens of Titan
12. Gates of Fire
13. Something Happened
14. A Thousand Acres
15. Good Faith
16. Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel
17. No Need for Speed
18. Anna Karenina
19. Get Out of That Pit
20. Jesus, the one and only
21. The Bluest Eye
22. Prodigal Summer
23. The Know-It-All
24. The Witches
25. Fantastic Mr. Fox
26. The Myth of a Christian Nation
27. For Whom the Bell Tolls
28. Out of the Silent Planet
29. The Four Loves
30. The Complete Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde
31. Unspoken
32. Unafraid
33. Finding Stefanie
34. Lies My Teacher Told Me
35. The Executioner's Song
36. Love Beyond Reason
37. Middlesex
38. The Shack
39. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
40. The Joy Luck Club
41. Hinds' Feet on High Places
42. Mountains of Spices
43. A Walk in the Woods
44. Fast Food Nation
45. The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing
46. The Maltese Falcon
47. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
48. The Poisonwood Bible (re-read)
49. Two Rivers
50. It's Not News, It's Fark
51. The Road
52. Persuasion (re-read)
53. The Silver Chair (re-read)
54. Lucky Man
55. Matilda
56. The Adventures of Augie March
57. Possession
58. Everything's Eventual
59. Written By Herself
60. Perelandra
61. That Hideous Strength
62. Memoirs of a Geisha
63. The Time Machine
64. Peculiar Treasures (re-read)
65. On a Whim (re-read)
66. Coming Attractions
67. Last Light
68. Night Light
69. True Light
70. Your Money or Your Life
71. The Perfect Thing
72. Moneyball
73. The Fifth Book of Peace
74. Early Bird
75. An Anthropologist on Mars
76. Exclusion & Embrace
77. A Short History of Nearly Everything
78. Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs
79. Predictably Irrational
80. Finding Battlestar Gallactica
81. Hopes and Impediments
82. The Love Dare
83. Redeeming Love
84. Sappho's Leap
85. High Fidelity
86. Pilgrim's Progress
87. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (re-read)
88. The Pillars of the Earth
89. The Confessions of Nat Turner
90. A Christmas Carol
91. Gulliver's Travels and Other Writings
92. The 158-Pound Marriage
93. The Winged Seed
94. Driving Mr. Albert
95. Notes to Myself (re-read)
96. The Emotions
97. Mel Gibson's Passion and Philosophy
98. How to Win Every Argument
99. The World As I See It
100. Twelve Steps for the Recovering Pharisee

45. The Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing

I have been wanting to read this Melissa Bank novel--really a series of interconnected short stories--for years now. I had read snippets before and a particular phrase always struck me as both interesting and romantic:

"'Well,' he said. 'Get over here.'
And so I went."

It may have been where I was in my life at the time versus where I am now. Or perhaps it was just that reading that in context of the rest of the novel gives it a new meaning. Either way, I now see that this small paragraph is simply descriptive of the narrator's tendency toward co-dependence. It is not romantic, but sad.

I liked the book as a whole, although individually I can see the stories being poignant as well. I love a happy ending though (spoiler alert) so for me it was satisfying for things to eventually turn out well for the narrator.