Loving Geek Love!

photo credit: Francine Ramos (me), Red Devil Hot Sauce added for oddity factor, in juxtaposition with books contents.

 

 

I just picked up Katherine' Dunn's, Geek Love. Geek Love is one of Powell's Books- 25 books to read before you die. I have now read 5 of the 25 books and am on number 6, only 19 more to go.  

I purchased this book at Book Nook in Fresno. It was very inexpensive priced at only $6.

I am completely loving this book so far and I am only on the second chapter.

It is odd, nothing I expected and I am in complete awe of it. Stay tuned for the review and I hope that some of you, any of you are following along and up for the 25 books to read before you die challenge.

Francine

What's on my nightstand...

 

 

 

 

Four and a half days off of work and what do I do but read at every free chance I get. Here are a few of my nighttime reads; Five books, a journal, two New York Times Book Reviews, my Kindle and a pair of reading glasses with an attached don't-lose-me-nerd-chain. There are also a few pens hiding behind the books.

 

I enjoy reading short stories or plays for fun. They are just short little pieces of heaven and if it is good, as these two books are, then I am happy. This week I read Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and started The Crucible. Miller is one of my favorite playwrights. I just love his flawed characters and the epiphanies that come to each as their human shortcomings are revealed. I could only imagine how wonderful these plays must be like to view on stage. 

 

I found it interesting that the phenomenal actor Daniel-Day Lewis is married to Arthur Miller's daughter Rebecca Miller. And Daniel Day-Lewis's father is former poet-laureate Cecil Day-Lewis. O the great genes of those two! Talk about literary royalty.

 

The second book I am reading is 2013 Nobel-Prize winner in literature, Alice Munro's short-story collection Something I've Been Meaning to Tell you. Munro is such a fabulous writer. Her stories are like droplets of sugar, so comforting and profound it will have you wanting more.

 

 

I am also reading Into Africa by Martin Dugard. This was a recommendation from my boss. I just started it. Cannot say much about it other than Dugard's use of adverbs can be excessive.

 

I also lightly reread Virginia's Woolf's A Room of One's Own. I want to memorize the entire book. It is amazing, completely inspiring for any woman.

 

The fifth is The Wet and Dry by Lawrence Osborne. I like this book but always put it down once I get a new one. It is on my to read list by the end of the year.

 

Lastly, is my journal. I rarely write in it. I keep it nearby incase an idea for a story pops into my head.

 

There you have it. This is what I have done and will continue to do as the holiday continues. Reading is so relaxing.

 

So what is on your nightstand and what will or are you reading this holiday weekend?

 

 

 

~Happy Reading!

Francine

 

 



Books to Read Before You Die.

25 Books to Read Before You Die

According to Powell Books there are 25 books everyone should read before they die. I looked over the list and am pretty interested in many of the books. I have read a few already and a few of them I found on my bookshelves in my “to be read” section.

This will be my new challenge to attempt to read through this list before I turn to dust. 

I am adding the complete list below. I have placed an X next to the ones I have already read, and next to the one I am currently reading I have placed an * asterisk.

Eventually, I will add a tab for reviews of these 25 books for anyone to follow along. Also, if any of you would like to read along with me, feel free.

I am excited to get started on this list some of these books sound amazing. Several of these authors I was unaware of, so to now read their work should be a delight.

1.     2666 by Roberto Bolano

2.     All About Love by Bell Hooks

3.     Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

4.     Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

5.     Geek Love by Katherine Dunn

6.     Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

7.     Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin

8.     A Good Man is Hard to Find & Other Stories by Flannary O’Connor     X

9.     The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

10.                       The HItchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

11.                       If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino

12.                       Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

13.                       The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

14.                       Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

15.                       Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

16.                       Maus by Art Spigelman

  

17.                       Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro                              *

18.                       A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

19.                       The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

20.                       Poems by Elizabeth Bishop

21.                       Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

22.                       Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe                                X

23.                       To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee                              X

24.                       Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak       X

25.                       The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

 

Happy Reading!

Francine

 

 

Books!

As far as books are concerned I, of course, have read several. I am in the process of reviewing them now. Here are a few that will be up for review soon. In no particular order just as they come to mind.

What I have read & will be reviewing

1. Unending Rooms by Daniel Chacon
2. Churched by Matthew Paul Turner
3. Conversations with History by Susan Lander
4. So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore

What I am currently reading

1. The Book of Strange New Things by Michael Faber
2. Baghdad by Justin Marozzi
3. The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore
4. The Normal School, Winter edition, Steven Church, Sophie Beck (literary mag)

The following three books, I ordered last week. I have been impatiently waiting to read them. I went to ALL local bookstores in FRESNO! I live in Fresno. We are not a San Francisco or a big L.A.. However, we in Fresno are a bigger metropolitan city than many would like to believe and sadly, none of the bookstores had a copy, not one copy of these amazing books below.

The only big chain bookseller we have in Fresno offered to order all three for me. I instantly turned them down. 

It truly was disappointing. Nevertheless, I ordered them and the books are on the way to my home. Hopefully, I will get them by the end of November. .

Books I have ordered and cannot wait to receive!!!!!

** Hosoi by Christian Hosoi (I totally respect this man. my youth, my punk days! skate)

 

 

 

 

Afterlives of the Saints by Colin Dickey (omg cannot wait for this one!!!)

 

 

 

Snow in May  by Kseniya Melnik (I was not approved for an advance copy due to living in the Western world. I was told they wanted reviewers from another part of the world  :( ... I still want to read it. I love Russian writers)  
 

If any of you would like to read along with me, it would be a pleasure to read with you. If you have any suggestions please let me know. I am always looking for new authors to discover.

Happy Reading,

Until Next time..

~Francine

An Anarchy Junkie!

Kurt Sutter is one amazing writer. He created THE best show on television today, "Sons of Anarchy". If you have not tuned into this show, do so and fast because sadly this is the last season. There are only four more episodes left.

I have been glued to my set every Tuesday night. I wake each Tuesday morning- happy, knowing that by the end of the day, I will see Gemma, Jax, Chibbs, Bobby, Happy, Juicey, Rat and Tig. Sutter is such a brilliant writer that these characters attach themselves, flaws, Harleys, and diabolical loyalty to your soul.

Seriously not since David Chase's the "Sopranos" have I been this hooked on T.V. I am a junkie, an anarchy junkie and I proudly admit this. It is not often that writers are consistently this good, where their writing, season after season remains impeccable and their characters believable,

Yet, Sutter remains on top of it all. I have also been watching old seasons just reliving the glory before the Club says goodbye to living rooms everywhere on December 9th..

Sutter is a huge Shakespeare fan.  But then again, what writer worth his words doesn't appreciate the genius of Shakespeare. It has been written that Sutter has modeled "Sons of Anarchy" after Hamlet. And as much as I love this idea, I pray it isn't so. We all know how Hamlet ends. I don't want that for SAMCRO.

If you are a Sons of Anarchy fan you have elevated yourself to perfection in my book.

Writers- they take all shapes, work in several industries but Sutter is the fairest of them all!

Sons of Anarchy every Tuesday night at 10pm on FX.

Until Next time.....

~Francine

Author Review

Us & One Day by David Nicholls. (photo credit: Francine Ramos)

David Nicholls is one of the best modern day writers. I have read two of his books and both I name among my favorites list and both occupy my top shelf, which is the biggest indicator that I absolutely love the book. Top shelf/Bookshelf worthy!

David Nicholls currently lives in North London with his partner Hannah and two children. He has the most amazing take on love and relationships and writes with charm and precision. If you do not know of him or have not yet read one of his wonderful novels, I encourage you to do so. To find out more about David go to www.davidnichollswriter.com

He is, like myself, a fan of Richard Yates which I find interesting. I enjoy knowing that I have something in common with such a great writer. His last novel, "One Day" was made into a motion picture featuring Anne Hathaway. Although I enjoyed the movie, nothing compares to the book. It is truly among the greatest love stories ever told.

Nicholls newest novel, "Us" is to be released in the United States  October 28th. It is a wonderful novel that tells the story of a family falling apart and embarking on a month long holiday with hopes to rebuild their relationships and save their marriage. I highly recommend it.

Finding new authors is always something I am in search of. If you have any recommendations please feel free to contact me.

By Francine

Hagerty's Debut Novel!!!

 

Sara Hagerty's memoir Every Bitter Thing is Sweet is set to be released October 7, 2014.

 

Pre-order your copy now. Check out Anthem's Review under the tab "Christian".

 

 

Hardcover: 208 pages

Publisher: Zondervan

Release date: (October 7, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0310339944

 

Happy Reading!

by Francine

Wanna read along...

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Yesterday I strolled down to Barnes & Noble looking for a new book, an actual book and not an ebook.  I am given ebooks from different publishing houses in exchange for my review. I appreciate this and also I am not rich, so financially, I love it.

Still there is nothing I love more than holding a book. I love bookstores.  I love being surrounded by books.  This setting makes me happy.

 

Yesterday while there at the mothership :-) I came across so many great books that I have added to my reading list.

 

I was looking for one book in particular titled Snow in May by Russian writer, Kseniya Melnik. I was saddened when the Barnes & Noble woman said they did not have it in stock. I enjoy reading literature from other countries and Russian literature has always been one of my favorites. I love the classics from that country and hope to find some contemporary writers and a new favorite. Remember if you have any recommendations be sure to let me know. I'd love to hear what current Russian writers you prefer.

 

I ended up getting "We The Animals" by Justin Torres. I am hooked.  I read one hundred pages last night and did not want to stop. Turns out he is a graduate from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop which is like the cherry on a sundae; no other school compares.Torres is an amazing writer, each chapter ends with a punch.  His sentences are so well written that they are like fire warming cold bones. Absolutely amazing.

 

Stay tuned for this review as well as a teen book review of Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper from contributing writer Freddy Ramos. And please feel free and grab a copy of your own and read along with us!

 

Have a great Sunday!

Anthem Book Review

By Francine

New Contributing Writer!

Anthem Book Review is proud to announce its new contributing writer, Mr. Freddy Ramos.

Freddy will be contributing book reviews on everything from teen to young adult  and whatever other genre he is compelled to pen.

Freddy is a junior at Edison High School. He plays Basketball at Edison and has since his freshman year.  He also is a student athletic trainer for the football team and can be found every Friday on the sidelines ready and willing to help any player in distress. Freddy plans to attend University and major in Sports Medicine and minor in English.

Regardless of his athletic ability and love of sports, literature has always been a priority to Freddy. He lives by the same motto as Anthem Book Review which is…because smart people read.

 

So welcome him aboard as he joins Anthem Book Review bringing with him a youthful, vibrant voice. If you have any book recommendations for our new contributor email him @ anthemwritingservice and in the message subject attention it-Freddy Ramos.

Thank you for following Anthem Writing Service. Remember to follow us on twitter @anthemwriting and on Instagram @anthemwriting.

 

Anthem Book Review

because smart people read

 

Happy Ready

 

Francine

Anthem Book Review on Social Media!

For all you Instagram and Twitter media stars, you can now follow Anthem Book Review on both.

for Twitter my twitter handle is: @anthemwriting
for Instagram it is also: @anthemwriting

Check it out & stay updated on all reading & literary book reviews & happenings!

Because smart people read...

Happy Reading!

by Francine

I'm back with books in tow!

I have had a whirlwind of unfortunate events occur since my last posting in August. Thankfully, the worst is behind me. In this time I have continued reading because reading is truly my lifesaver. Above are a few of the books and I will be posting reviews soon. The first book I read was Matthew Thomas's brilliant book We Are Not Ourselves, Anny Donewald's amazing and informative story on strip dancing and the sex industry in- Dancing for the Devil and lastly, a book by Beth Moore titled- Goodbye Insecurity.

I am currently in a bible study class for women and Moore's book is the book of the month. This is not usually a book I would pick to read and review, but figured since I am reading it for the study group I might as well review it.

As always, I will be posting reviews as I complete a book. Thank you all for continuing to follow Anthem Book Review. Now back to business.....

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Small Blessings is NOW Available!

Martha Woodroof's first novel is set to be released tomorrow. Don't forget to pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order it from Amazon.com and read it on your handheld device. However, you choose to read it, just be sure you READ IT!

                                                                          

            ISBN-13: 9781250040527                       

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication date: 8/12/2014

Edition description: First Edition

Pages: 320

Middle-aged Tom Putman had resigned himself to a life of teaching, caring for his emotionally absent wife Marjorie and living a rather passionless life. All that changes when Rose Callahan an intriguing wallflower of a woman begins work at the university bookstore. She revives a complacent Tom at first sight. The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service.  Yet, it was not only Professor Tom Putman that felt an immediate connection toward Rose but also his wife Marjorie. Up to the moment Rose Callahan came into their lives, Marjory lived a painful existence, complete with weekly visits to a therapist and cutting and pasting an array of photographs from magazines to help deal with her issues. Tom’s infidelity nearly ten years prior only added more tragedy to the already mentally and emotionally frail Marjory.  With this realization the character of Tom is made; he is loyal, longsuffering, a man with integrity and convictions, committed to stand by his wife for better or worse and this natural disposition of Tom’s being is what initially draws Rose to him.                                  

                                         First time novelist Martha Woodroof writes a compelling intelligent tale of life in academia, complete with characters so real they at times irked me, intrigued me and made me smile with their real-life character flaws. Russell Jacobs a fellow professor and friend of Tom Putman is the least likable character. Russell is conniving, entitled and has no saving grace about him other than the fact that he is Tom’s friend. Tom the ever kind tolerant man is only lifted more into sainthood as he continually stands by his friend as he unravels and then slowly helps him regain his dignity.  

                                           There is another train wreck of a woman by the name of Iris. I loved her. Her character in all her pushy glory, and messing demeanor made me smile. She was so flawed and destructive yet her quirkiness carried redeeming qualities. Again, as with Tom and Russ, Rose’s blossoming friendship with Iris during Iris’s battle with alcoholism highlights the great soul that Rose Callahan is. Woodroof really shocked me in some areas. Just when I figured, okay, I see where this is going- kaboom, change of scenery, a death  occurs, then the appearance of Tom Putman’s son from his affair, and we are off on a new path. Woodroof’s unpredictable scenes kept me in deep anticipation at the turning of each page. It is just a delightful read, it is heartwarming, it creates real life scenarios,  I am sure of it, of addiction and illness and then delicately woven in the seams of academic life is an emerging love between Tom, Rose and ten-year old Henry that makes one appreciate life’s Small Blessings.

Note: I received an advance copy of this book, for my honest review! 

Happy Reading!

By Francine

I see Stars in the future

I have decided that I will now rate what I read with a star system. I have been fortunate enough to now receive books prior to publication. I want to honor you readers with more informative views on what the book is about. I aim to only get better.

I believe that art is really subjective and what may not be my preferred cup of tea, may in fact be yours. So do not pass up a novel based solely on my judgment, buy the book find out for yourself if it is good or not.

I have such respect for writers that put themselves out there, toiling, writing away, pouring their hearts on paper and then placing it out for the world to read and critique. As a writer myself, I know the pain of rejection all to well and of acceptance. We all hope for the latter. Nevertheless, as writers, we do not write for others. We write for ourselves because creativity burns within us, because a warm, sunny day and a bus stop or the movement of one's mouth as he or she chomps down on food,(or however your stories originate) evoke memories that allow our minds to tell stories and sometimes they start from the simplicity of small moments as these.

I have never started a book, whether I liked it or not, that I did not finish. I plan to continue this tradition. I am currently reading three books right now. Reviews coming soon.

So I hope you all keep writing and I will keep writing, reading and reviewing because to do without would be detrimental. So get out there, create, live, and take it all in-whether it be one star or five!


So here is my star rating system. A little thing I put together.

Anthem Book Review– Star Rating
5: Gold: Phenomenal. In a class by itself. Top shelf! 
4: Compelling. Wonderful. Bookshelf worthy!
3: Enjoyable. Pleasant. A must read!
2: Good. You might like it.
1: Ya, I read it.

 

 

 

Happy Reading!

 

by Francine

 

Free Kindle Books

Yes, you read correctly. Kindle does offer free e-books.  I have a few. But have I read them all yet, no; I have not. I just clicked on the free downlaod because, well they were free. One of the e-books is called "How to make iced coffee drinks- 25 best iced coffee recipes to enjoy" and although I have yet to read it I look forward to testing out a recipe or two very soon.

I have read two books from the under $5 bucks section that I purchased. Purchasing anything for under five dollars is like a big deal to me. I love a good deal.

The first book I purchased was "Bill and Hedda-The story of a mother and her son" by Jim Davidson. Hedda was married to Wolfie Hopper who was a lot older than Hedda and together they had a son named William. The Hopper's were and are a prominent Hollywood family, think Dennis Hopper.

The book is about the turbulent relationship of a famous mother and son. It was okay. I enjoy reading relationship books between children and mothers. This relationship can be at times complicated but the love that connects mother and child is a treasure and no matter what the problem, it is this same priceless jewel of love that always keeps them united.

The second book I read was Natalie Martin's "together apart". This book is a relationship book about a couple from London. Well... it was such a familiar tale of silly love. The cliche I love you but I gotta secret and if I tell you, you might run away and leave me forever but in reality- love story-fantasy world you instead find the secret out and only love me all the more for my extreme bravery-the end-happily ever after-the end.

On a happy note; I also grabbed a few great ebook versions of the Iliad and Dorian Gray. I mean they were free. How exciting,  right? Book V. of the Iliad I can read over and over, best fight scenes ever. So poetically gorgeous it makes fighting an act of love.

There are a ton of other books that are free or under five bucks that are worth looking into.  I just downloaded "Mother-Daughter Memories:Love Revealed" edited by Dana Clayton. I have not yet finished it but do read a story here or there and I have found it truly heartwarming.

I really have been tainted by the last book I read by Tim Winton. I mean that book is so perfect from the characters to the plot that everything I have and continue to read falls short. Winton is a master writer and I miss his words.  But I will carry on reading anything and everything because literature is life.

Happy Reading!

FRANCINE

Summer Reading List

What will you be reading this summer? I have a list of books I am aiming to read this month and am expecting a nice little package of books from Amazon.com as well as a few publishing houses that send me books to review, but I will keep those books a secret since they have not been released yet, but I am so amped up to read them (smiles).

For now I will share with you the books I plan to read this month.  If you would like to read along I welcome it. I will be reading the classic "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez passed away this year and I am honored to be able to finally read this book. I have never read this, but have heard great things about it. My mentor and friend Mr. Markovitz adds this book amongst his favorites.

 

My second choice is Daniel Chacon's "Unending Rooms". Chacon is a Fresno Native and I say this proudly.

The book I am currently reading is Tim Winton's "Eyrie". Let me say I have never read a book by an Australian author before and am surprised by how much I love this book. I started reading it a few days ago and struggled through the first chapter, I don't want to give to much away but will say this, last night I stayed up reading this book to 3:58am. I did not want to put it down. It grabbed me and refused to let me go, as I refused, fighting off sleep and my own exhaustion just to keep reading. It is wonderful. I am so looking forward to getting home tonight just to read and finish this book.

 If you are interested in reading the above books along with me email me and lets share our thoughts. If you have your own set of Summer July reads share your picks with me. Let's talk books!

Happy Reading !

by Francine

Rob the Mob

Love, Crime, the Mafia & Christmas in New York!

It is not often that I watch a movie that totally moves me. In all honestly I did not think that a movie with a title like, Rob the Mob, would be one I found myself being moved by. Yet, I was wrong, as I have so often been in the past. I’ve never heard of this film or its director Ralph De Felitta and writer Jonathan Fernandez. The movie is based on a true story (I did not know of this prior to watching the film) of a couple that robs the mob during the highly publicized trial of mafia boss John Gotti. I was one of those kids growing up that read all the mobster books and watched any movie about it. Oddly, my brother, mother and I would often share mobster books like Henry Hill’s WiseGuys; we would each take turns reading chapters and passing it on to one another. Certainly, I would have imagined this tale of lovebird criminals that were labeled by media as “Bonnie & Clyde” would have made headlines past New York, but I guess not.

Anyhow, one of the reason I really enjoyed this movie is that it reminded me of another film I watched when I was a high school punk/mod kid so much that I memorized the lines, that movie being -“Sid & Nancy”.  Rob the Mob and "Sid and Nancy” both tell the tale of two lovesick lovebirds, filled with irrational passion and they break laws, do drugs, are abhorred by family, friends and find themselves each other’s saviors. Just as sick puppies the only thing that makes their souls thrive is being together in twisted young love. And just as "Sid and Nancy’s" love ends tragically, Rosie and Tommy follow suit.

Rob the Mob is great. I mean the love story that Fernandez and De Felitta create is gorgeous, you cannot help but love Tommy & Rosie right back. Nina Arianda plays Rosie and she even looks a little like Nancy from Sid and Nancy, she is blond, puffy faced and with an annoying screeching voice but she is charming on screen and she just follows Michael Pitt’s character Tommy around like he is a Zeus himself. Tommy also resembles Sid Vicious a little. He has dark unkempt hair, pale white skin, a lanky disposition and a vulnerable bad boy quality that is addictive.

Rob the Mob is not only a love story. It is also a bit of Mafia history because of Tommy & Rosie how the FBI views the mafia will never be the same again. Tommy & Rosie's crazy love and crime spree changes everything. Andy Garcia plays Big Al and he is phenomenal. Garcia is such a great actor and in this movie he is perfect. Ray Romano also, wow, he just wowed me. Who would have thought that the guy from “Everybody loves Raymond” could pull this part off, but he did, boy did he.

If you haven’t watched this movie, watch it. It is worth the time. The only flaw I found in the movie is the music. The story is such a beautiful tale, so honest and interesting, everything was filmed on the streets of New York for that reason it needed a better soundtrack, better music. The entire movie is so good I didn’t get up once. I sipped on tea and snacked on raisins but never budged from my seat. When the ending rolled around, I only wished I could have watched the last three minutes over and over again. It was like a beautiful symphony. I didn’t want it to end and neither will you.

~ Reviewed by Francine

Anthem Book Review

Fresno, CA