Middlesex

After reading millions of young adult and chick lit books, I was really in the mood for something literary. A sweeping epic of sorts that I could become totally absorbed in. I chose Middlesex, not knowing, based on the summaries I had read, whether or not I would enjoy it. In fact, I picked it up, put it back, picked it up, put it back, etc. I finally decided I would give it a try. Nothing says I have to finish it if I don't want to. However, I was hooked from the very first sentence. I really don't want to say much more about the subject matter because it might scare some readers off. There is no way to give a summary of the book without it sounding bizarre. Actually, though, it's written in a very sensitive way, with beautiful languge and imagery. The characters are very well developed and multi-dimensional. Middlesex is a perfect balance of a story and a history lesson. It's been a while since I've read a book that I couldn't wait to get back to, but that's how I feel about Middlesex. It's 9:15 AM right now, which means I can get back to Middlesex in approximately 9 hours and counting!

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

I decided to take a break from young adult lit, so I read Size 14 is Not Fat Either, which is the follow-up to Size 12 is Not Fat. If you haven't read these, you are missing out on lots of laughs. The main character, Heather, is a former pop star. Like, the mall tour type pop star. Robin Sparkles-type pop star (See: How I Met Your Mother). She now works as an assistant director for a residence hall at New York College (the fictional version of NYU). Unfortunately for Heather and the residents of the dorm-I mean residence hall-there is a murder in each book. Of course, Heather is the only one who seems to be able to solve the crime, much to the chagrin of the the police. I can't wait to read the third installment, Big Boned. Heather is so funny and lovable, and the quirky characters with whom she associates make for some seriously enjoyable reading. If you love Stephanie Plum, you'll love Heather Wells.

Paranoid Park

Wow! It's been a really long time since I've written. Sorry for the delay. I just apologized to myself considering I'm the only one who reads this blog. I really feel, however, that one day this blog will become famous, like The Gospel According to Larry, and that everyone from the Today Show to the New York Times will want me as their book critic. For this reason, I keep my blog going. Okay, Paranoid Park. Did I like the ending? First, let me say that the book was interesting. Blake Nelson is obviously a great storyteller. I totally get why he ended the book like he did. He wanted the reader to think. He certainly accomplished that. On a literary level, I thought the ending was genius. On a personal level, I didn't like it at all. I can't really say anymore than that because I don't want to ruin it for everyone (no one) who reads this blog.