10,008 in 2008 - June Update

After a really slow reading month in May I was hoping to pick up the pace a bit in June. Not bad, if I must say so myself!

Here's my recap for the month:

#20 Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo - 544 pages 21 CD's 27 hours and 4 minutes listening time. It took me 6 weeks to get through.

This book was a great example of how listening to a story can sometimes be so much better than reading it. I had heard such good things about Richard Russo; when this book came out I attempted to read it. He is a fastidious writer, every detail is important, every setting is drawn out to the nth detail. Reading this I found these traits tedious. Listening, I was captivated.

I felt I could navigate the streets of Thomaston, NY, the book's setting, and find my way to the Hill, the West End, the East End, the Burrough, Berman Court, and Ikey Lubens. Each of the places were integral to the story - the story of the Lynches and the town they called home. The story spans 50 years and weaves in and out of so many characters lives that when I was finally at the end I felt a sense of loss. It was over - and I wanted more. Definitely worth listening to - or if you prefer, reading.

# 21 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn - 337 pages
An horrific telling of what was happening inside the twin towers from the time the first plane crashed into the north tower until both towers collapsed - 102 minutes. This non fiction account was put together by drawing on the memory of survivors; cell phone calls and messages from the victims to their loved ones; and 911 call transcripts. The book alternates between the struggle to escape by the office workers and people trapped in the restaurant on the top floor, to firefighters and police attempting to help get them out.

This is an eye opening book - not only from the stand point of terrorists crashing jumbo jets into our buildings but also a glimpse into the high rise construction industry. Corners were cut throughout the building of the twin towers that jeopardized public safety. The fireproofing had not been tested. The stairwells were grouped together to save space so there would be more rentable real estate. The terrorists seemed to know this - they angled the planes as they crashed to effectively cut off the escape routes for those above the crash. The stairwells were also made smaller for the same reason making it virtually impossible to help the disabled escape. The extra stairwell marked as fire stairs were completely eliminated. Stairwell doors unto the roof were locked denying access to the roof and a possible rescue by helicopter. Just like the Titanic, the builders of the twin towers thought they were invincible - even stating that they could withstand the impact of a 707 crashing into them. What they were was a catastrophe waiting to happen.

This is not a book for the faint of heart but it is a book worth reading.

# 22. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein - 336 pages

I am new to Audible.com, the online site you join and download books for play on an Ipod or other MP3 player. So there I was - surfing Audible trying to decide what to download when I stumbled across this title. I read the blurb ...

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

I was intrigued. Then I listened to a sample of the audio and I was hooked. This is a beautiful book if you can get past the idea that the dog is the narrator. If you let your mind accept this fact it is a wonderful story. It will make you cry - in sadness and in joy.

#23 The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller - 320 pages

This was not my first Sue Miller book. I have read When I Was Gone and The Good Mother and liked both novels immensely. So when we were picking the June book for the TWB club and the group seemed to be leaning towards Miller's latest, The Senator's Wife, I was all for it. Somehow though this novel was different.

The story line is basically about two couples living side by side in a small town. One couple is in their 70s and have had many ups and even more downs in their married life. The other couple is newly married and struggling to figure out who they are now that they are a married couple. The difference between this novel and the others I mentioned is that I didn't really like any of the characters all that much. Since I wasn't wild about the characters I had a hard time getting into the book. I did eventually get interested in the final outcome and when I got to the end I was disgusted - with all of the characters and the author.

Read it if you must but don't say I didn't warn you.

#24 The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett - 368 pages.

I loved this book. In typical Patchett style it was beautifully crafted, characters were fully developed and the story line was unusual.

Days after her husband, Parsifal the Magician, dies Sabine discovers that the man she knew and loved; whom she had worked along side for 22 years was not really who he appearred to be. This in itself is not that unusual of a plot twist but the way Ms. Patchett resolves it certainly is. Beginning in Los Angeles where the beautiful people live and then moving to Nebraska of common folk in the middle of a brutally cold snowy winter is just one device the author uses to weave her spell.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and did not see the ending coming - almost - until it practically ran me over. Well worth reading!

So that brings me to the end of June. I read/listened to 5 books for a total of 1,952 pages. That brings me to 8,169 total. I am 82% of the way to my year's goal and only halfway through the year.

Maybe I should re-evaluate counting the audio books - if I have a moment I will remove the audio books form my numbers and see where that puts me. Anyone have an opinion?

Thanks for checking in.