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Between the Lines: Vacationing with Books
By Lee Ann Alexander
May 23, 2005
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Latest Book News
The
fiction bestseller list features the recent addition of
Ya-Yas in Bloom, the third of
Rebecca Wells’ Ya-Ya novels. I’m mentioning this book particularly because I
have a close-to-heart story behind the Ya-Ya books. Rebecca Wells is from my
alma mater, LSU. Turns out we both worked closely with the same professor. He
was one of Wells’ creative writing professors, and much later I spent two years
as his assistant in his role as a literary agent. With a smile, my former
professor and friend shared this story one day.
Shortly after taking his class, Wells asked my friend to take a look at a novel draft she’d written. The kind professor that he is, my friend read it diligently, but returned it with the gentle advice that she’d never be able to pitch to a publisher. He claimed the stereotypical Southern archetypes in the novel were too overblown and continued that the public was weary of being bombarded with Southern clichés and stories of Louisianans sipping mint juleps.
That draft my friend rejected was later published under the title Little Altars Everywhere and launched the writing career of Rebecca Wells. Her career would include three top-selling novels and a major motion picture named Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood based on Wells’ second novel of the same title and that original draft my friend rejected.
I share this story, as does my friend, to remind you budding writers out there to be persistent. Write the stories your heart must tell and don’t let one person’s rejection stop you.
As far as Wells’ books, it is easy to identify those overblown Southern stereotypes the professor noted. But there is an overriding mystique about the way families interact that appeals in these novels. I have hesitated to recommend Wells’ books because they contain language and content abrasive to the Christian reader. This material is a reflection of the south Louisiana lifestyle Wells portrays, if a little melodramatic.
Recent reviews report that the third of the three novels (not to be confused as a trilogy) is much like her other work, but perhaps weaker and too disjointed. There’s no clear time sequence and the narrative jumps back and forth as if someone’s reciting a hodge-podge of childhood stories with a jumbled connecting strand. That’s probable given Wells’ work in theater and her appreciation for the art of oral storytelling. Commendable, however, is Wells’ resolve to write the novel while battling Lyme disease and babesiosis. The question will be whether the plot is engaging enough, the characters multi-dimensional enough, and the tone and dialogue of the narrative charming enough to save the novel despite its jumbled time sequence.
So I’ll be packing Ya-Yas in Bloom along on my vacation this month, and when I return I’ll give you a report card on this book and the others that earn a coveted spot on my vacation reading list. The report card will also include a grade on how well I did with actually reading something myself for a change.
Vacation Reading Picks
In light of the
fact that it’s prime vacation time, I thought it in order to compile a list of
my past top recommendations for vacation reading. Whether a student looking for
something to tie up your brain in the absence of mind-wracking finals or a
carefree vacationer looking for a relaxing way to pass the time, these books are
definitely worth a prized spot in the crowded carry-on.
So for all you June travelers out there, here’s a list of my favorite books to throw in the duffle for a summer trip:
The House on Mango Street
In a series of 42 vignettes,
Sandra Cisneros assumes the perspective of a young girl trying to cope with her
Latino heritage amid urban Chicago. This short read is so eloquent that you’ll
find yourself entranced by the narrator’s charm and probably wanting to give it
a second read.
The Awakening
Kate Chopin’s famous novel
has earned a prominent place in American literature with its statement on the
role of women in late nineteenth century America. But those beachcombers among
us will enjoy it for its setting in early summer Grand Isle as much as for
anything else. Controversial and thought-provoking, this novel is still
relevant. Is the main character simply irresponsible, immature, and a flawed
mother and wife? Or is there more to be said for her demise?
The Best of James Herriot: The Complete Edition Updated and Expanded
If you aren’t so concerned
about reading any statement novels, try these true stories of veterinarian life
in rural England. I’ve
recommended James Herriot before because his books are so humorous,
heartwarming, and squeaky clean for even the youngest readers. For your lighter
reading, find some Herriot.
Lord of the Flies
Again, beachgoers may enjoy
discovering a deserted island along with several British boys in William
Golding’s classic. This novel is rich in symbolism and theme, but it is
accessible to a wide audience.
The Great Gatsby
Sometimes called the
greatest American novel, Fitzgerald’s masterpiece on the American Dream and
the disillusionment of the 1920s is a great summer read. Something about the
characters’ eerie, disconnected sense of time and the way they seem to view life
as just one long day makes me think of summer. I’ve always admired Fitzgerald’s
sense of style and the beautiful way he welds words together. This novel is
considered his best, and while it does not afford simple conclusions like your
typical drugstore novel, it is a book everyone should experience.
Here are other lists and
tips for summer reading:
1.
Chat Transcript with USA Today Book Critic Bob Minzesheimer
2. Picks from Uncapped Staff (Seattle zine)
4. Top Ten Books for Summer by NPR’s Alan Cheuse
5. The Summer 2004 Book Sense Top Ten Audiobook Picks
And for more ideas, be sure to check our past reviews.
For Parents
Not to be
overlooked, here’s a list of books for our luckiest readers—those still young
enough to experience the classic summer vacation from school. Heads up here,
parents. The summer is a great time to remind your kids reading is not just
something we do at school. It can be a fun, welcome way to spend cherished time
off. Check out these suggested books and the recommended reading ages:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/07/03/print/main299707.shtml
http://www.bridgeportpubliclibrary.org/Burroughs/Child/html/chilsumreadlist.htm
Books for the
Time-Challenged
So we’ve
established it’s difficult to find time to read. I would like to report that
I’ve successfully managed to read two complete “books” this month—if you can
call them that. One book was for work, but it had lots of pictures, so the
literature student in me keeps discrediting it. Next, I have been trying to
finish Rick Warren’s
The Purpose Driven Life for over a year now. No, I did not finish it
this month. But I ran across the 63 page condensed booklet version of it for the
low price of $1.49. I snatched it up and added it to my night time devotion
reading. At about a chapter a night, I knocked it off in roughly a week, and I
have to say that it really does make me want to finish up the book. If you’ve
had trouble managing the entire book like me, give the mini-version a try to get
Warren’s much-acclaimed perspective on the importance of purpose. Like me, I’m
sure you’ll soon be reaching for the full version of The Purpose Driven Life
again.
Classics Remembered
To follow our
vacation theme, we’ll highlight some travel-related classics this month:
Gulliver’s Travels
Jonathan Swift’s definitive
satire was first published in 1726. In four sections, Gulliver reports his
journeys where the lines of reality and fantasy happily blur into humor. Though
the novel is a direct parody of eighteenth century British politics, it
transcends time to comment on the emotional and logical facets of human nature
in general.
The Canterbury Tales
A cornerstone of British
literature, Geoffrey Chaucer’s work is most admirable for its ambitious scope.
He creates a scheme in which 24 pilgrims en route to a religious city each tell
a story in a contest of sorts. There is something for everyone here in this wide
range of characters and their respective stories.
Just For Fun
I miss coloring.
I was always the obsessive-compulsive child who had a little meltdown because
she could not stay in the lines. I knew I was supposed to, but somehow couldn’t
because of my artistic limitations. I now am exacting revenge for all those
years where the “artistic” children one-upped me. I have discovered online
coloring books! Here’s the deal: you use your mouse and a paint palette built in
on the web page to apply colors to various sections of the coloring book, and
you can see it updated instantly. I’m listing a few links to online coloring
books below:
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/colauntie.htm
http://www.free-coloring-pages.com/online.html
Christian themed - http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/clr-indx.html
Bible stories - http://www.pucchurch.org/kids/coloring.shtml
NASA - http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/fun/coloring_book/coloring_book.html
Lagniappe
Are you familiar
with
Project Guttenberg? Well if not, you should be. Project Guttenberg is a web
site that provides thousands of free online texts. If you are interested in free
eBooks, you’ve now discovered the authority.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2005, Lee Ann Alexander
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Lee Ann Alexander is writing ninetyandnine.com’s new book column every month until they stop printing books. (Happily for us, she thinks she’s getting the best end of that deal.)