TED Blog

TED Blog

Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman

The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The atrocities of the Holocaust and the effect of witnessing such horror are brought into stark detail by this graphic novel. It has such terror concealed in each brief comic strip cell.

The format of the book has been part of its unintended fame. How the author decided to pursue the Holocaust in his art form is made clear through the very intimate portrayal of his family's history. It can best be described as a journey into his parent's past as he tries to reconcile those with the events of his own life. By creating a comic world of cats and mice, the story is set; but the choice of creature to represent each culture seems to fally away as the story progresses.

The author's exploration of his father's and mother's past, losses, and ultimate survival is a testament to the devastation an event like this can have on generations of a family. How this grim chapter in human history is visited upon the minutiae of the Spiegelmans' every day life is etched in black and white graphic detail. Art Spiegelman does not mince words, nor even seem to respect his father in their daily dealings as his father ages. Yet, how their relationship evolves and how Art comes to realize his own heritage of proud survival is a journey from horrors of the past to hope for the future.

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Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of my favorite books by Margaret Atwood. Truly, a page turner, it is at its core about a family, and more specifically about two sisters, a secret love affair, and other family secrets that haunt and affect lives for several generations.



Atwood is so deft in handling complex story lines. In the book, a novel within a novel develops, which is also driving the story forward, even as you ponder the meaning within the two divergent narratives.



Honesty and being true to oneself, are at the heart of this story. As each character struggles to fill that basic need, you wonder at their choices that lead them towards and further away from that goal. What do a family members' choices mean for our lives? Why are we so bound by blood? What is the true meaning of family? What are you willing to sacrifice for your family?



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An Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a life changing book. I was absolutely riveted by even the most in depth portrait of farm life and even corn genetics.

This book has inspired a great many of my friends and family as well, as I keep pushing more and more of them to read it. We are all trying to be more conscious of where our food comes from, taking part in Community Supported Agriculture groups, and setting aside our ignorant bliss about food production.

I've been more conscious of food's origins since Fast Food Nation, an equally riveting read, but this book brought much of the delicate balance of flora and fauna to real fascinating life for me.

This book is also SO much more interesting than any of the movies or documentaries about the same topic. I am happy to see this area getting so much national attention.

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bringing it all together

I blog and document my reading on many sites. I am trying to bring it all together here and abroad, so you will see a new format to the blogs here, as I link them to Goodreads.com reviews.

goodreads.com is a great reading fan site, a place to link up to authors, new releases and excellent information about virtually any book in existence. In addition, I can keep track of the books I have read, want to read, or that I am reading currently. It's my to-do-list.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

White Oleander by Janet Fitch


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was one I hesitated reading several years ago, when I was burned out on the Oprah's Book List genre of disturbing childhoods, abuse, distrustful authority figures and men, etc.

I will say that a few years space from that formula made me appreciate this book's lovely language and fluid, though verbose, passages describing Astrid's adolescence all the more.

Though disturbing in its reality, the main characters experience with her many foster families was not just a tragic coming of age story. Astrid is formed and empowered by her exposure to love in many forms, and it is ultimately the source of her strength and character.

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Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was very good in many ways, but disappointing in others. Overall, a fun read, especially to anyone who has traveled in Italy and studied the language like myself. I also very much enjoyed her spiritual journey and descriptions. My one complaint- I kept thinking "well boo hoo for you" about the author. The entire journey being by definition self-indulgent was frustrating to a degree. While probably every one of us would love to take the journey and the time and spend the money she did, my thoughts are: How can a real life lead to "discovering" oneself? That seems a more appropriate question.

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Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

Hand of Fate by Lis Wiehl


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Published 2010 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
This is the second in the Triple Threat Series by Lis Wiehl.

While I'm not a fan of crime fiction, I did find this book entertaining and enjoyable, though certainly not a mind blowing sure-to-be-a-classic book.

The story line was well conceived, from an author who has worked in the field of talk media, with some of the biggest names in radio and TV broadcasting (if the reviews from her famous friends are any indication).

The investigation was intriguing, though not exactly thrilling as the book cover would have you believe. It was certainly an original crime, and the plot was full of potential perpetrators, all of which had to be vetted.
The character development of the three crime fighting ladies was probably the most interesting component of the book. I did want to know more about each of them as the story progressed, and the engaging partnership they've developed was part of the charm of the book.

I couldn't help but notice the conservative viewpoint of so much of the book - from the subject of the victim's radio show, to the triple threat ladies's behavior and viewpoints, to the discovery of the killer. SPOILER ALERT---
In the end, it was a crazy progressive who was smart enough to pull off the complicated revenge plot, but stupid enough to get caught.

Overall, I'd say this novel is a worthy addition to the beach bag this summer when languid reading is the order of the day.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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