This Week’s Reads

286. Guess Again! by Mac Barnett

Since I read this book to 32 classes, 650 kids, I think it should count in my total reads for the year.

Though it only has 32 pages.

And even though every page has only twenty words on it.

But it is a deep book. So it should count. No, scratch that. Not deep. But clever. Yes, I think we can agree that it is quite clever.

Over the heads of most of my youngest library visitors. But, hey, they got some of it. Enough that it is now on the top 10 Most Checked Out Books list. And that’s what really makes it count.

287. Generosity by Richard Powers

I call myself a big Richard Powers fan. I’ve only read one Powers book, but it was a wham-doozy. I often list it on my favorite all-time reads. It was brilliant, with clever word play and subplots that intertwine and characters who are—very strange—scientists and stories about human genes and computers, none of which I really know much about. It was fun and unexpected and, really, brilliant.

And now I’ve finally completed my second Powers, though, truth be told, it was actually a listen not a read.

So what do I think? Am I still a raving Powers fan?

I’d say this one, though it began and proceeded with a powerful hit, would not quite ring my bell. I was waiting for the big, wonderful final ending that tied everything together and it didn’t happen. Or, possibly, it did happen, but it was so over my head that I just didn’t get it. I don’t want to give away the whole story (stop here if you are worried about spoilers) but I didn’t really understand our main heroine’s meltdown. What does that say? I imagine that I will reflect on this a little more (And that’s always the sign of a good book).

288. Bad Things Happen: A Novel by Harry Dolan

We started this one on CDs, on the way home from the Texas Book Festival. We got about 1/3 into the story before we ran out of time. I was intrigued enough with the book that I found it in print at the library and finished it this Thankfully Reading Weekend.

I don’t read many mysteries. I get lost in the plot. I’m really more of a character-driven-story-girl.

And I will admit that I got pretty lost at several points, but I think I got most of the story. I’ll just say the story involves authors and editors who wished they were authors and murders. One person is actually murdered with a book (not giving much away here).

Definitely my kind of murder mystery.

289. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I need to make myself a bumper sticker or a t-shirt so as to announce it to the world: I FINISHED THE BOOK THIEF. Finally.

Five tries. First time, I hated the idea of Death as main character. Gave the book away. Second time, I got irritated with all the sad, miserable people. Turned the book back into the library. Third time, I tried listening to it on CDs. The narrator’s voice was too supercilious for me. Fourth time, I again bought a copy. Found the choice of books Liesel was stealing to be poor choices. Gave book away again.

Every time I gave up, I ran across a rave review of the book.

I was determined to read the entire book this time.

All the things that bothered me the other times I tried the book…they still bothered me a bit. But the book’s powerful story outweighs its irritations. From this book: Death is a sympathetic character. Love wins. Even people who come across as cruel have a good side. Death is the great equalizer. Compassion can beat back wickedness. Words can save you.

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