Currently Reading: Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay

Yay! I've been waiting for a while to finally read this book and now that I have it and it's available in the US, I'm not wasting any time! I finished reading Russian Winter last night (spoiler: it was great. I'll post on it soon) and I began Elena Ferrante's final installation of her well-known Neapolitan Trilogy.

I'm already so engrossed and invested in this story of two friends, Elena and Lila, from having read the first two installations—two books that I suggest everyone read. Ferrante's writing is exceptional. She explores the true elements of a sometimes hurtful, sometimes inspiring friendship. She writes of Naples and Italy in the 1950s and 60s in such a way that it becomes real and relevant to today's world.

I find myself getting genuinely excited for Elena, the narrator of this story, when she finds out that her fiancé has been offered a tenure professor job at a university in Florence in the first few pages of this book. It's not always easy for me to feel the emotions of a character I read about, but Ferrante writes in a manner that makes it feel as if this excitement is part of my own life, as if this is happening to a close friend of mine or even to me!

Another reason that I love this story so much is because of Elena, the narrator's, life. She was born into a family that is preoccupied with hard work, not education or self improvement. Elena has always felt that she is in the shadow of her best friend, Lila, even though Lila only has an elementary level education and has been stuck in an unhappy marriage and now finds herself a single mother, working in a sausage factory. Elena, however, graduates high school and goes to a university in Pisa. She writes a novel, based on her childhood and her Neapolitan neighborhood, that is quickly published. Further, she finds herself engaged to an intelligent professor with a good, strong family. But somehow, her friendship will Lila constantly causes anguish and will always cause her to doubt herself and the life—far away from their Naples—she has chosen.

I love the fact that Elena succeeds, that she becomes highly educated though she comes from a community of people who do not necessarily support or encourage it. I love that she finds herself as an accomplished and well-recieved author. I love all of these details and I can't wait to see how they unfold through this last book of the trilogy.

I'm sure I will read it quickly out of sheer enjoyment, but I will miss it when it's done and when Ferrante has written all she can about the lives of Elena and Lila.

"Everything She Said Was Like A Secret Voice": A Book Review

I've had trouble writing this review. I've been trying for a while, probably a few weeks by now, but this is a difficult one. I think what is most difficult is the fact that I want to express how relatable the main character, Esther Greenwood, is. But at the same time, I hesitate to say that for fear of people thinking that if they relate to Esther, they must be suicidal or suffer from mental illness. That's not at all the case. 

Esther is in a transitional phase of life. She's in college but it's time for her to think about her future beyond school. She thinks about and disregards the idea of marriage. She thinks about what kind of career she would like. There's so much she wants to do and learn and know, but she feels limited and stuck. 

To be honest, I can't think of a more relatable character than Esther, especially for women who are around my age, in this day, and in this phase of life. Most people graduating college now are facing uncertainty, like Esther. The job market is not great and there aren't many opportunities. Some of us want a lot of things, but are unmotivated to go after them out of fear of failure. Some of us want to learn everything under the sun, but don't know how. 

Personally, I feel a great kinship to Esther. No, I do not have suicidal thoughts and I do not suffer from mental illness. But I am around the same age as Esther. I, too, have writing aspirations and I wonder how that will one day balance with my home life. There are many things I want to do and these desires leave me questioning whether or not I have the tools to do them. I know that Esther and I are not alone in these thoughts and feelings and for that reason, I feel that The Bell Jar is essential read for all women, no matter their age or place. 

The books starts off in quite an appealing setting. Esther has won a month long, paid internship in New York City for a well known magazine. She lives in a hotel with the other interns and gets to go for fancy lunches, attend events, and explore the city. It does not make her happy and she spends more time skipping work events and falling into deep spirals of worrisome thoughts. 

She experiences moments that are necessary in a coming of age tale and, once the internship has ended, she goes back to her hometown in suburban Massachusetts but is eager to leave again. Without anywhere to go, she resigns to a life of sleeping, writing, and worrying about the future. Her writing suffers and she wonders if that is the path she should take after all. 

As Esther's mundane, every day life continues to depress her already fragile mental health, suicidal thoughts penetrate her mind and her every moment. Plath's description of Esther's suicide attempt is haunting, difficult to read, and raw. Knowing that Plath took her own life makes the experience of reading her words on the subject even more striking and personal. 

Further, reading about Esther's time in a mental hospital is so other worldly that it's hard to believe it is the same story that started with the glamorous idea of working for a magazine in Manhattan. The turn and change in Esther's life is, after all, what makes this story truly disturbing, realistic, and saddening. 

The book ends but you get the sense that there really is not resolution. Esther suffers from mental illness and likely always will. She has to live the rest of her life coping with these issues and that is what is the most important takeaway of the entire book.

There are so many more elements to this novel that I have yet to discuss: mental illness, relevancy, feminism, and growing up. I've only given a brief summary with my opinions on this outstanding novel that will always remain relevant in our culture. I hope that everyone who has not yet picked up Plath's novel, the only novel she left for us, will do so quickly. 

I will leave you with my favorite Sylvia Plath quote: 

"Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences."

Books For Writers: An MFA in Five Books

There have been many times that I've expressed how important I think it is to get writing advice straight from a writer. And I'm about to do it again!

These five books are written by writers for writers and I think they are essentials to any writer's library. In the future I will do a post for each book individually, but for now I want to give you an overview of each. Even though I'm on my way to begin an MFA program in creative writing, I believe that these books will give any writer a good introduction to what an MFA program offers. All of these writers were or are successful and some of them have also taught in MFA programs. If you enjoy writing, are considering applying to an MFA program, or just enjoy learning from authors be sure to check out these books!

Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them by Francine Prose. Out of the five books, this is the first one that I received and read. I had been eyeing it once I became obsessed with Francine Prose but I've always preferred reading fiction to nonfiction and I was unsure if I'd enjoy it as much. I got it for Christmas a few years ago and I sucked it up right away! Prose's advice, observations, and her opinions and analyses on other writers are golden. It's like hitting the advice jackpot. Not only is Prose a writer of all genres who has been successfully published many, many times, but she has taught both literature and creative writing in MFA programs. Who better to take writing advice from? Not to mention, the suggested reading list in the back of the book will inspire some serious reading. 

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. When you talk about successful authors, you cannot neglect Stephen King. This book allows readers to understand how King became a writer as he discusses his childhood and his recovery from a near fatal car accident. At times it does read as an autobiography but that's exactly what writers want to read from other writers. The tone of this book—confident, laid back, and open—leaves you feeling encouraged and as if you are partaking in a friendly conversation with King. Wouldn't that be a treat? Not only does King give out his wise words, he includes his own extensive reading list, a draft with his personal edits, and some interesting tidbits about his own life. Did you know he's in a writers-only band with Amy Tan? Me neither. 

Aspects of a Novel by E.M. Forster. One of the older books on my list, published in 1956, and reads much differently than the others. This is because the book is really a series of lectures on the different elements that form a story: story, character, plot, fantasy, prophecy, and pattern and rhythm. The writing is very clear and his suggestions are amplified and put to life with the many real examples he uses to prove his points. I include this book on the list because it is more structured and more focused on specific elements that are required for good writing. It's a bit more tangible and Forster's lectures can be put into practice using writing prompts. I also like that this is an older book because it goes to show that the art of writing will always be important and relevant. 

Letters to a Young Novelist by Mario Vargas Llosa. Just thinking about this book makes me happy and makes me want to write. I find that it is also the most uplifting and encouraging book on this list. This book is truly written in the form of letters, intended to encourage a young writer to maintain their creative desire while imparting his wisdom along the way. His insights are original and well-crafted. The book itself is rather thin so it will not take a long time to read, but you will close the book feeling satisfied and educated by a brilliant writer. Also, the length of this book will allow you to read it time and time again and I promise you that you will be driven to do just that. Do not be fooled by the word 'young' in the title. This is not meant for preteen or anything of that sort, it is meant for a writer who might be a novice or who needs encouragement. If that is you, this book will do wonders to the way you view writing. 

Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. While this book is like the others in the way that it discusses prose and writing technique, it focuses more on cultivating good writing habits, reading like a writer, and getting into the psyche of a true writer. Brande claims that any writing problems are blamed on the personality of the writer. It approaches the line of being a self help book, not to improve your writing but to mentally turn yourself into writer. Brande provides exercises and examples that help her readers tap into the unconscious in order to dig deeper creatively. Another old book on this list, it is inspiring because it includes countless pieces of advice to make yourself truly believe that you are a writer. This book is perfect to round off this list. It has elements that are truly unique to Brande's approach on writing advice. 

Literary Links

Ever wondered what your favorite author's signature looked like? Thanks to Buzzfeed, now we know! Check out these famous authors' famous signatures. They are all far more legible than I would have imagined!

An interview with CJ Hauser about her debut novel, The From-Aways. A perfect book for summer, especially for those who vacation in a small town every year or for those who inhabit that small vacation town all year. The book focuses on friendships, family relationships, and small town qualities.

This is neither an article or anything new, but I think readers and writers alike will enjoy this link! I found my way to Marisha Pessl's website to see if she has any new books in the works (I wrote about her first novel here) and found something better! Pessl allows readers to send her questions about her writing, inspiration, and anything else you want. She posts the questions and her responses on her website. Why don't all authors do this? I love things like this!

In my opinion, nothing is better than getting advice straight from writers themselves. Here are a collection of authors doling out their best writing advice! I will definitely bookmark this for the future.

I read this review of Cristina Henriquez's newest book on Saturday in the New York Times and immediately placed is at the top of my to read list. I think it is brilliant that she is using her skills as a writer to bring a contemporary, political issue to a wider audience through a creative medium.

While wasting time at my old internship one day, I came across Emily Gould and was captivated. Her first novel is forthcoming and her wit and personality are enough to make it a bestseller. Check out this review and see if it interests you! It will definitely be a book that characterizes Millenials.

Lastly, since we already talked about the best books of the year so far, here are the books that are most anticipated for the next half of the year.

photo source

The Original Sex And The City: A Book Review

It was almost a month ago that I started reading The Group.  It does not usually take me this long to read a novel, but this one requires and deserves all the time you can give it. A well known, bestselling novel by the widely published writer, Mary McCarthy, The Group is an exceptional book that was groundbreaking in it's time and, in my opinion, still is.

As I mentioned when I previously wrote about this book, the story is centered on the lives of seven Vassar graduates in the years after their graduation. It opens with the marriage of one of the girls, Kay, and ends with a funeral—I won't disclose whose.

The writing is superb, which doesn't even need to be said when discussing a McCarthy book. It's a given. The characters all maintain specific and unique qualities but they are all realistic and personable. All of the girls go through hardships and successes. They deal with issues such as contraception, sexism, family crises, motherhood, bankruptcy, and heartbreaking relationships. McCarthy writes about these topics with depth, sympathy, and honesty. There's no sidestepping of awkward or uncomfortable situations and McCarthy allows you to experience each moment alongside the character. Rarely have a read a book that is so exceptionally truthful and realistic in regards to its characters, and that is what sets this book apart.

Because of the topics written about in this book, it was considered controversial. It was even banned in Australia. However, it did not deter sales at all. The Group landed on the bestseller list upon its publication and held its place there for two years. Further, it has inspired more current works based on the storyline, plot, and air of controversy. Candace Bushnell's Sex and the City was written as a modern adaptation of The Group and went on to have exceptional success.

Yes, this books takes time to read, but that makes it all the more recommended. Books are not meant to be run through at a high speed. They should be savored, enjoyed, and studied. Reading slowly through a book allows for reflection. You can form your thoughts and your own ideas about the characters and what they are experiencing. Who cares how long it takes you to read The Group? As long as you are enjoying it, take all the time you need.

There are a lot of characters and all of the main characters are women who come from interesting and occasionally similar backgrounds and all are equally well educated. Occasionally, it can be difficult to recall which storyline belongs to which woman but the writing style helps correct this. McCarthy dedicates about one to one and half chapters to each woman and often weaves the one or two girls into the storyline of another to keep them relevant and in your mind. Some girls have more focus on their story than others but that's ok, it would be impossible to dedicate the same amount of pages and words to each girl—it would become superfluous and the book would never end. Also, we do not get to see each girl in each year of the story. Often, we will get the story of one girl and then jump forward two years to get the story of the next girl. While it might sound confusing, it makes the reading very clear and understandable.

Some argue that this book is autobiographical, as McCarthy did graduate from Vassar in 1933, the same year as the girls in the book. She lived in New York City and was partial to communist groups after converting from Catholicism to atheism, a sentiment that can be seen by how some of the girls refer to the Church. Also, there is a very large focus on different political groups and sectors in the 30s. I had difficulty following the book at these moments simply because I do not know enough about that part of history. And this book truly is influenced by the time period in which it takes place. Everything that happens is influenced by the politics and social norms of its time. The book could not have been written any other way and it could not have been written any better. It is a masterpiece of prose and storytelling.

I recommend The Group to everyone because everyone can relate and everyone should experience a book by Mary McCarthy. I believe that it will interest women who have lived in New York City, have graduated from a private liberal arts college like Vassar, and women who have ever experienced the sensation of belonging to a well-defined group of girlfriends.

Have you ever read The Group? What did you think about the story and how it was written? If you've never read it, would you consider it?

The author, Mary McCarthy

Stories of Women by an Emerson Alumna: A Book Review

I can't believe I haven't written about this collection of short stories yet! I really enjoyed it and I read it while we were living in Boston. The collection is called The Isle of Youth and it was written by Laura Van Den Berg who graduated from Emerson College with an MFA in creative writing!

I met Van Den Berg at the Emerson Graduate Accepted Student Event back in early April. She was there to represent alumni and to give possible future students a taste of what could be with an Emerson education. Let me tell you, it was a smart move on Emerson's part to invite Van Den Berg to the event. I had been feeling a little iffy regarding grad school, and every so often I would wonder if grad school was the best next step for me. Meeting Laura Van Den Berg, sitting in on her reading, and hearing about her success since graduating just about made up my mind and whenever I start to doubt my decision, I think of Van Den Berg.

The Isle of Youth is her second collection of short stories and was published in 2013 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. Her first collection, What The World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us, was published in 2009 and I have yet to read it but would really like to! Her first novel, Find Me, will be published in February 2015.

Anyway, to the book review! The Isle of Youth contains stories about women that are dealing with similar issues. Deception is the common thread that holds the stories together. While some of the stories can be repetitive, I didn't care because the prose was so good! The characters were interesting and so different from the norm that it's almost like they are from another world, and I think that may be intentional. The stories are far fetched, the narratives of the characters' lives aren't always probable but Van Den Berg's writing makes the stories credible and real.

Each story has a strong and crazy catch. There's a honeymoon that starts with an plane crash, a magician's assistant deals with mama drama, two sisters try their hands as private detectives, a group of young cousins pull off bank heists, a sister searches for answers about her brother's death in Antarctica, and, in the title story, twin sisters dangerously swap lives.

I highly recommend this book because the stories are intriguing, different, and easy to read. Even AJ read one of the stories, Acrobats, aloud to me following Van Den Berg's reading! And if you don't take my word for it, The Isle of Youth was just shortlisted for the Frank O' Connor Prize.

Transvestites and Nazis: A Book Review

The cover of the book may be misleading, yes the majority of the story takes place in Paris and the city is one of the most important characters of the book with an extreme development over the course of the story. But the romantic sentiments one feels when seeing a photo of the iconic Eiffel Tower, which conjures ideals about the romantic city, will quickly be dashed as the reader delves into this crazy, impossible tale that is so well told.

If you read my last post on this book, Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932, you know that I was enjoying it. The book is a masterpiece of research and storytelling. Every sentence carries deep meaning and is filled with beautiful language that enhances the timing of the story and the mood of the characters.

All of the characters have value and well-drawn lines. There are quite a few, and the fact that Francine Prose gives each of them a distinct personality is helpful in keeping track because it can become difficult. The way the novel is written as a compilation of the characters' memoirs, biographies, letters, articles, and autobiographies is unique and fits the story. I cannot imagine the book being written as a linear tale in the way most novels are done.

The book is engrossing, despite its length, although it can drag towards the end due to the fact that all of the characters need to wrap up their own stories. You can feel the ending coming but it takes a little while. The way history—parts of history that many people might be familiar with surrounding the German occupation of France and the athletic world of 1930s Europe—it woven through the characters' narratives is artistic. I love history and know a good deal about European history but I learned an awful lot through reading this book.

Lovers at the Chameleon Club, Paris 1932 is not a book that can be put down and left for a period of time. It demands your attention and complete focus as the story is quite intricate. Nostalgia plays a great role in the lives of characters as they recall childhood, how Paris was before the occupation, and how life was before complications got in the way.  These emotive moments will please readers and offer some relief from the harsher realities that the characters face regarding war, discrimination, and loneliness.

The cast of characters, really though, is reason enough to read this book. They are all amazing people to read about and their stories are captivating. After reading this book, make sure to check out Francine Prose's other books. She writes both fiction and nonfiction so she has something for everyone!

Trader Joe's Fruit Bars

A few years ago I often found myself feeling yucky after eating. I realized that it typically happened after eating highly processed foods so I decided that I would cut back. I noticed a difference right away in how I felt. And if I started eating processed foods again, especially foods with added sugars, I would feel sick again. I've done pretty well at keeping my diet clean but when we were in Boston it became more difficult and I slipped a bit. Now that I'm home and it's summer and there's fresh fruit all the time, it's easier not to turn towards sugary snacks. But sometimes, I still need something else to fill a craving.

That's why I love when I find an alternative to a food I like that is usually processed. I came across a great new snack at Trader Joe's—where else? It was displayed in their new foods section, which I love checking out but I rarely buy products from there.

They're fruit bars that come in three different flavors: apple and banana, apple and mango, apple and coconut, and apple and strawberry. I'm typically skeptical of all bars in general because they tend to have added ingredients that I can't pronounce or too much sugar but when I checked the ingredients listed on the wrapper, I was so pleasantly surprised! They only have to ingredients! Just apples and bananas. Or apples and mangos. Apples and coconut. And Apples and strawberries.

That's extremely uncommon to find at least in my experience so I promptly bought 7 bars. They have a similar to texture to Larabars but they are thinner and smaller and the perfect size for a quick snack. They are 90 calories a bar. Depending on the flavor, they differ in grams of sugar from 11-20 which I know is a lot but I think the lack of extra ingredients makes up for that. Also, if you're vegan, so are the bars.

I love granola bars and fruit bars so this is a perfect, healthy choice for keeping a clean diet!