Little Bee

A few months ago, I bought Little Bee by Chris Cleave, but it took me a while to sit down and finally crack it open. Over Memorial Day weekend, while lounging on the beach, I finally dug in... and, five hours later, I had to peel myself out of my beach chair and head home because I was starting to get sunburned. It was that captivating.

image source

Little Bee is a Nigerian runaway exploring a new world and trying to connect with the only two people she knows in a foreign country. I don't want to give anything away because I really enjoyed that each detail of the story was a complete surprise to me, so I will just say a few things to help you decide if this is a book you'd like to read:

1. It is, by no means, a "feel good" story... BUT, it is beautifully written. The imagery and descriptions pulled me in immediately, and I don't think I'll soon forget a single detail of Little Bee's life and journey.
2. The character development and clear, distinct voices make you feel really connected to the two main narrators.
3. I literally couldn't put it down and I read it in 3 sittings. I've been in sort of a reading slump lately, so it was nice to feel really invested in this story.
   

Have you read Little Bee? What's on your summer reading list this year?

The Weight of Silence

Within ten minutes of waking up this morning, all of the power went off in our apartment, thanks to the crazy snow storm currently sweeping through the northeast. This, combined with having answered a question just last night about my reading habits (and feeling embarrassed at how little I read), was just the encouragement I needed to curl up with a book (and my Snuggie) for a few hours.

I had begun reading "The Weight of Silence" a month or two ago but I admittedly hadn't made much time to read lately. I finally finished the last 2/3 of the book today, and while the story kept me captivated, I am a tad disappointed that I figured out the twist about halfway through. (Although, maybe this should make me feel particularly smart.) Each chapter is told from a different point of view of one of the main characters, and I enjoyed the way this developed the story; I did not find the writing itself entirely interesting, though. There were certain chapters I rushed through just to find out what happened next, without being particularly sucked in by the writing itself.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5. I enjoyed the overall story, but the writing itself could have been less simplistic and better developed at times, in my opinion.

What are you currently reading, or what good books have you read lately that you'd recommend?

Julie & Julia... the movie

I told you several months ago about the book Julie & Julia that I was smitten over. I was delightfully surprised to find out after picking the book up that a movie based on the story was due out this summer. And not just any movie with any stars — a Nora Ephron movie, starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. Really, what could possibly make this movie NOT spectacular?!

Nick and I checked it out on Saturday, and we were not disappointed — it was SO good! There were even a few lines that I missed because the laughter in the packed theatre was so loud.

I don't know that I would have loved it quite as much if I hadn't already known a bit about Julia Child — Meryl Streep was absolutely awesome and hysterical as Julia — but hopefully it will teach some youngins about her legacy :-)

Amy Adams really can't be bad in a movie, if you asked me, so it came as no surprise that she was wonderful, too.

A few details were modified for the film, but I was pleasantly surprised that a lot of the experiences that Julie Powell relayed in her book were pretty accurately portrayed. Overall, it was just delightful and I highly recommend you check it out :-)

The real Julie Powell

Julie & Julia

Many months ago I picked up a book called Julie & Julia at the local used book store (for two bucks, thankyouverymuch). It looked cute, light-hearted, and not too long for someone like me who rarely finds/makes time to read anymore. I finally started to read it, and I am still only halfway through it, but it's just my speed and I love it so far — witty, funny, and relate-able for a non-chef like me.


It's the true story of Julie Powell, a twenty-something New Yorker who is in a dead-end job that she hates and is searching for something that will make her feel like she has some purpose; while looking through her mom's fading copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Julia Child's first cookbook, Julie crazily gives herself the challenge of cooking every single recipe in the book (all 524 of them) in the span of one year. It is fantastic and totally inspiring that someone who has barely ever cooked a full meal can take on this challenge and actually master quite a few skills in the process (while hilarity often ensues and her husband/mother/best friend think she's nuts, of course). Julie tracked her progress (and failures) on her blog and I can't wait to peruse it once I finish reading the book.

To my delight, I just discovered that Meryl Streep and Amy Adams are starring in a movie version of the book that will be out this summer. I love me some Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, and I love this book, so I can't wait!