The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (#29, Nonfiction)

Andy recommended this book to me and eager to add another notch to my nonfiction stick, I jumped at the chance to read about Gladwell's theory that little things can make a big difference. I enjoy revolutionary theories that help explain the way the world works and that is exactly what The Tipping Point delivers--a theory on how the world works. I found the beginning of The Tipping Point riveting--I didn't want to put it down. I really enjoyed the chapters that explained what connectors and mavens were and I secretly hoped that I was a connector or a maven. Who doesn't want to be involved in creating a fad or spreading an idea?

While I found Gladwell's book highly interesting, the way that it was written for the masses annoyed me. He repeated a lot of his main points at the end of every chapter, obviously trying to drive home the key components of his theory but to someone who is used to reading scholarly articles, it just seemed redundant and boring. I wanted Gladwell to challenge his readers, to leave us with an unanswered question--something for us to ponder long after we closed our copy of his book. We didn't get a question to ponder, but we did get an insiders knowledge on how Sesame Street and Blue's Clues were created. My main question is what does Gladwell want us to with the information he presents to us? At the end of the book, we know that little things make a big difference but it can't just be any little thing. The context, timing and people all have to be right. I will be waiting for the follow up.

The Watermelon King by Daniel Wallace (#28, Reader's Choice)

I am a big fan of the movie Big Fish and I kept seeing this book on the shelf at the library. It called out to me and I decided to give it a chance--there was in fact a mystery at foot and I got hooked by the first chapter. Daniel Wallace is a born storyteller. I liked the southern flavor of his story, and the way he used multiple narrators to keep the reader in the dark for as long as possible. Some things he was able to keep hidden until the final revelation, others not so much. I knew who our main character was going to run away with from the moment the two characters met, but the secret of who his father was remained a mystery until Wallace revealed it.

Big Fish is better, but if you are looking for a strange story that is in its own way about the art of story telling, I'd recommend The Watermelon King. Think To Kill A Mockingbird crossed with The Mists of Avalon. An unusual combination but somehow it works.

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst (#25, Reader's Choice)

I am becoming suspect of some of the books Steph recommends to me. After she gave me Prep to read I should have never accepted another recommendation . . . redeem yourself!!!

The Dogs of Babel had a promising premise--a mysterious death, no witnesses save the dog, and the quest of the bereaved husband to uncover the clues to the truth. But the novel fell very short of entertaining me. The second the husband begins recounting the history of his relationship with his wife, the death is no longer mysterious but has suicide written all over it, not subtle at all. There were a few interesting twists, or better put creepy twists--think dogs getting their throats cut open, which were nicely tied up at the end, I like clean endings.

I suppose the book was supposed to be the journey of a widower back to life. I have never lost anyone (picture me knocking on wood) important, or even semi-important in my life, and I guess I can't relate to the husband. His behavior was irrational, ridiculous, and unsafe and everyone but him could see that--even his dog. I guess I went through the book blaming him for his wife's suicide. She had all the signs of depression or some bipolar disorder from almost the minute he met her, and he never did anything.

It was sad. I don't do sad.

The BFG by Roald Dahl, (#24, Reader's Choice)

I wasn't lying when I said I was going to read another children's book. I ventured back down to the "young adult" section of the library in search of a Roald Dahl book I had yet to tear through. All the classics were there, Matilda, The Witches, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory--it was hard to resist rereading something that would bring back nostalgic childhood memories. Instead, my eyes fell upon the one book on the shelf by Dahl I hadn't read--The BFG.

Steph and Shawn endured my continually fits of laughter on the beach as I sped through the world of the BFG and Sophie. I think I would group Roald Dahl in a category with J.K. Rowling--how they just come up with completely imaginary worlds and words is beyond me. I am left-handed yet my imagination fails me daily. Not Dahl though, what an amazing, bizarre, sometimes scary, but always exciting world he has created for children.

I like snapping a book shut with a smile on my face. Mission accomplished.

Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins (#27, Contemporary Literature)

Ladies and gents, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas was my inaugural Tom Robbins novel. This is shocking I know. After having read this delightfully quirky and wonderfully written book, I wonder how he escaped my good literature radar. I am always on the prowl for the next best author, the next best book. Someone who shall remain nameless recommended this author to me. This same person, though, did not think that this particular book would be the best book to kick off my adventures into Robbins' literary world.

Yes, this book was a little slow to get into, I admit. It is told entirely in the second person, which is strange at first but then you get used to it. I actually kind of enjoyed it. I found myself identifying with the main character more because of it. But I must say, I have never gotten this much attention for reading a book before. I brought it to work with me and while it sat out on the counter, I had countless people talk to me about it. I had people recommending his other books, people telling me how great he is, people telling me that he really appeals to the ladies, people asking me how the book was--that they hadn't read it yet, people whispering "fierce invalids--that's all you need to know". It was as if I had stumbled upon a secret society, of fans addicted to the work of a man who writes unique things and has quite a following.

Would I recommend Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas? I believe so. I mean, how can you resist reading a story that includes a jade enema, the disappearance of a fat fortune teller, and a runaway born-again reformed jewel thief monkey?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (#23, Reader's Choice)

It wasn't until four J.K. Rowling books had been released that I jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon. Normally, I avoid books that anyone and everyone read. Being my book snob self I assume that if everyone thinks a book is good there must be a giant flaw. Funny then to find me in a line, 100+ people deep, waiting to purchase my own copy of the seventh and final installment of the series. Turns out I am a Harry Potter fan through and through, and am proud of it.

There are few books I will while away a whole day reading, but I have done it multiple times to see how things turn out for Harry, Ron and Hermione. J.K. Rowling somehow managed to encapsulate all childhood dreams of an imaginary world into her stories: flying, changing into animals, being invisible, time travel--to name a few. Yet, alongside her very magical and imaginative ideas she weaves in real world situations and themes--war, racial purity, the struggle for power and interpersonal relationships. To write a book that appeals to even one person is a feat, but to write a book that can enchant people from all walks of life and all ages is as mysterious as the books she writes.

I have nothing but good things to say about each book. My favorite is still probably The Prisoner of Azkaban, but in my opinion she wound up the story perfectly in The Deathly Hallows. I can guarantee I will be eagerly awaiting the next gem J.K. Rowling has to offer.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (#26, Reader's Choice)

I feel very strange writing this post. Everyone is reading this book. Everywhere I look I see some eager child or adult clutching the final installment of J.K. Rowling's immensely successful series. I too am guilty of the addiction to this wonderfully crafted world of witchcraft and wizardry. While I didn't go get the book at midnight on the 21st when it became available, I did make my way to Borders to wait in a long to purchase it so that i could begin feverishly reading what would eventually make me weep. I use the word weep instead of cry because when you read a seven book series, you become attached to the characters. You become attached to the world within the pages and you don't ever want it to end. The ending of any series is always bittersweet, but Harry Potter even more so. Rowling got me before I even read the first page with her dedication that says, "The dedication of this book is split seven ways:...and to you, if you have stuck with Harry until the very end." Yep, I stuck with Harry to the very end as has everyone else who chanced to go out on a limb and pick up The Sorcerer's Stone.

I won't be very specific about what happens in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I will say that I enjoyed it very much and I thought Rowling did an amazing job tying up loose ends and solving all the mysteries raised by the previous Harry Potter books. I got the answers I came for and the final chapter didn't leave me aching for more. It is rare for a book to deliver complete satisfaction, especially with a series but this one did. I wept for the end of an era that this final book ushers in. I would like to do it all over again and I am completely jealous of the budding young readers who have yet to discover Harry Potter and who will inadvertently pick up Book 1 and find themselves on the literary ride of their life. Cheers.