REVIEW: The Idiot by Elie Batuman

 

I have heard that people like this novel, but having completed it, I'm not sure that I do.  It seems to be a long, pointless novel that jumps from one scene to another in a very jerking manner.  In this novel, we meet Selin, a freshman at Harvard. The year is 1995 - so the internet, email and the like are completely new. Selin begins corresponding via email with Ivan, a senior Mathematics major that is Hungarian and trying to decide where to go to graduate school. When Ivan goes home for the summer, Selin follows - as Ivan is the VERY bland love interest of the novel. 

The characters are flat and lifeless - I could care less about all of them, including Selin and especially Ivan.  I didn't have any connection with them. At all. Communication between the characters is very, very tense and anxious - meaning that it seems like all the characters have social anxiety of some degree as opposed to building the tension to lead up to a certain moment where it all comes together.  In this novel, it never really comes together in that way. What I did appreciate is that the novel attempted to explore what teenagers seem to do - test opinions and actions to see what they and who they really are. THe novel did that very, very well through Selin, who in those moments was earnest and introspective.  Through Selin, Batuman tries to offer us an exploration of the complexity of language and technology - sometimes it does that and sometimes it falls flat on its face. The most important lesson that I learned from reading this novel was that I prefer plot driven novels with well developed characters.

Hard pass. 

Links I love

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  I hope that everyone is having a good weekend!

• Why are there so many loose Turkeys in Massachusetts?
• Mrs. Carter has passed away at 96.
• Dr. Who updates a villain. AND turns 60.
• NPR's book post and their best books.
• The 25 best sequels according to the internets.
• Hero's Feast does a DnD theme.
• New Spaceship Earth show - not inside but on the outside of the golf ball.
• THe Booker Prize Shortlist

Links I love

 

It's wintertime weather wise here so I've updated the picture! Last weekend, my fiancée and I relayed the Manchester City Half. I'm starting to train for a spring half - probably this one but maybe this one. 

1. The new moon this month.
2. The case for libraries.
3. SCOTUS adopts first ever code of ethics.
4. The Belvedere Hotel and who lived there.
5. 2023 National Book Award nominees announced.
6. Pink gives away banned books at a concert.
7. The Crown is back for its last season.

Links I love

 

This week has been busy, even though it was a short week. I'm halfway through my next reviewable book so look for a review this weekend. I want to change one thing about my routine in the upcoming week - in my mornings, doing yoga for twenty in the morning or meditation/journaling. I think it will help me a lot.  

1. A meteor shower could send fireballs through the sky.
2. Books like Killers of the Flower Moon.
3. If you're in Philly, stop at this shop that sells Rocky memorabilia.
4. The Holderness Family has a reader holiday gift guide.THey have ones for stocking stuffers, her and him too.
5. A list of indigenous memoirs.
6. Teens need sleep - and here's an article about school and teen sleep schedules.
7. NH's border crisis.
8. There has been the first study between being alone and whether that makes you feel lonely.
9. Trailer for Inside Out 2 is released.
10. love behind bars.
11. New works by Louisa May Alcott have been discovered.
12. five mindfulness practices.

REVIEW: The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

 

I got this book out of the library after things escalated majorly in the Middle East last month.  This is a memoir by Sandy Tolan, a journalist who travelled to the Middle East at the time of the 50th anniversary of the Arab Israeli war.  Through this memoir, Tolan follows two families - the Al-Khairis and the Eshkenazis - one Jewish and one Palestinian - on both sides of the conflict. Tolan starts the story  masterfully with 25 year old Bashir meeting 25 year old Dalia at the home she lives in, and which once belonged to Bashir's family.  Dalia surprises Bashir by inviting him in and entertaining him while he views the home that once belonged to his family. As a result, they begin an unlikely and open friendship.

In light of the escalation of war in the Middle East, I wanted to learn more about the history of the conflict. This book seemed to be very well researched and intertwined the history with the stories of these two families. The context that the history gave to the friendship was highly effective. It was incredible to watch the relationship develop between Dalia and Bashir and was remarkable to observe the level and depth of their respectful discussions. I enjoyed vicariously absorbing their debates and I really appreciated the history that was provided. 

Links I Love

 

I hope that everyone had a great Halloween!

1. Has Boston gone country?
2. Seth Meyers and NH.
3. With Christmas now on everyone's radar, people are looking for gifts. Here are the best ereaders of the year.
4. A memoir about being Wiccan - this one sounds good.
5. Teens and nomance.
6. A day with Boston Mayer, Michelle Wu.
7. How the Beatles' last song was  finished using AI.
8. 2 Disney Calendars to buy on Amazon.