Well this was different than I thought it'd be. Accidentally On Purpose by Mary F. Pols sums itself up in the tag line: A one-night stand, my unplanned parenthood, and loving the best mistake I ever made.
As one might guess, this isn't a novel but rather a true story. It is told in story format and is very engaging. Mary is nothing like me and her life is nothing like mine, but she kept me interested the whole way through. Well, most of the way through. She's a Bay Area journalist. 'Nuff said. Near the end of the book, her story takes a completely different turn as she talks about grieving the loss of her father. Suddenly the book about her son, starts feeling like *cough* memoirs and I lost interest for a couple chapters till she brought it back around to the parts I cared about. No offense, but her relationship with her dad was not the part of her life that I was interested in.
The book is unnecessarily vulgar at times, but still well written. I feel like I've walked away from this book unchanged and indifferent, however. I may have approached it with my hopes too high, but it has earned a 2 on my scale.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Accidental Vegan
Another cookbook already! I'm thankful that this one was so short. I'm still cooking my way through the last one.
Sometimes it's good to read the introduction to a book. Devra Gartenstein immediately won me over by letting me know that she isn't vegan. Whew. Maybe I COULD read this book. Most of the first recipes sounded delicious because they were appetizers, and most of them didn't require any modification to make them vegan. Who doesn't like hummus or egg rolls?! Ok, some of you don't, but you're weird.
It all went downhill for me in the middle, when she'd moved on to main courses and they all seemed to have tofu or seitan as meat substitutes. I have nothing against tofu and I've never tried seitan, but these types of foods always seem to sound worse than they actually taste. If I were turning vegan, this book would come in very handy because most of the recipes seem quite simple to make.
In the meantime, I'll just keep eating what I'm eating. Cookbooks are hard to rate, but I'll give this one a 2.
Sometimes it's good to read the introduction to a book. Devra Gartenstein immediately won me over by letting me know that she isn't vegan. Whew. Maybe I COULD read this book. Most of the first recipes sounded delicious because they were appetizers, and most of them didn't require any modification to make them vegan. Who doesn't like hummus or egg rolls?! Ok, some of you don't, but you're weird.
It all went downhill for me in the middle, when she'd moved on to main courses and they all seemed to have tofu or seitan as meat substitutes. I have nothing against tofu and I've never tried seitan, but these types of foods always seem to sound worse than they actually taste. If I were turning vegan, this book would come in very handy because most of the recipes seem quite simple to make.
In the meantime, I'll just keep eating what I'm eating. Cookbooks are hard to rate, but I'll give this one a 2.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
The Accidental Time Machine
I did NOT know where this one was going the whole time I read it. The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman is a Sci-Fi novel including a fairly rational amount of physics, mystery, and flirtation.
The main character, Matt, has accidentally created a time machine while doing a simple project for his boss in the MIT physics department. The novel is set about 50 years in the future, but as he travels (only forward in time) he gets around 30,000 years ahead. From the Second Coming of Jesus (a conspiracy) to Dinosaurs in Indonesia to a colony on the moon, the book keeps the reader wondering how Matt will find his way out of the next crisis.
Like most modern novelists, Haldeman can't seem to avoid smut. He sneaks it in near the end, but it's there nonetheless. The book had potential, but the ending seemed hurried and a bit pointless. Unfortunately, it only gets a 2
The main character, Matt, has accidentally created a time machine while doing a simple project for his boss in the MIT physics department. The novel is set about 50 years in the future, but as he travels (only forward in time) he gets around 30,000 years ahead. From the Second Coming of Jesus (a conspiracy) to Dinosaurs in Indonesia to a colony on the moon, the book keeps the reader wondering how Matt will find his way out of the next crisis.
Like most modern novelists, Haldeman can't seem to avoid smut. He sneaks it in near the end, but it's there nonetheless. The book had potential, but the ending seemed hurried and a bit pointless. Unfortunately, it only gets a 2
Accidental Masterpiece: The Art of Life and Vice Versa
After my last attempt at reading a book about art, I was a bit hesitant to open this one by Michael Kimmelman. Although Kimmelman is an art critic, he seems to be able to speak to the art novice quite easily. No translation necessary.
The book takes a look at art from a different perspective: life. What motivates us? Why do we collect things? Why do we become more creative in times of great struggle and tragedy? I didn't feel like less of a person if I didn't know the artists he was talking about, because I learned about them through the book, and it wasn't all about what significant pieces they created. It was about their drive and passion, their struggles with the world around them, and most of all, Kimmelman found a way to connect each of us to these artists by revealing the similarities in all of us.
I can highly recommend it. 3
The book takes a look at art from a different perspective: life. What motivates us? Why do we collect things? Why do we become more creative in times of great struggle and tragedy? I didn't feel like less of a person if I didn't know the artists he was talking about, because I learned about them through the book, and it wasn't all about what significant pieces they created. It was about their drive and passion, their struggles with the world around them, and most of all, Kimmelman found a way to connect each of us to these artists by revealing the similarities in all of us.
I can highly recommend it. 3
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Accidental Housewife
Julie Edelman is the self-professed "Accidental Housewife". As much as I love reading, the one problem with this book is that there is a much better, more accessible, up-to-date webpage instead.
There are a gajillion books about homemaking, but Edelman is kooky and cynical, and the book is short. The combination is magic. I won't recommend reading the book, but I will definitely recommend checking out her website at www.theaccidentalhousewife.com WARNING: She is VERY girly. Be prepared.
The book itself earns a 2
There are a gajillion books about homemaking, but Edelman is kooky and cynical, and the book is short. The combination is magic. I won't recommend reading the book, but I will definitely recommend checking out her website at www.theaccidentalhousewife.com WARNING: She is VERY girly. Be prepared.
The book itself earns a 2
Accidental Guerilla
Long, but intelligent, this book by Dr. David Kilcullen is worth stumbling through. I never thought I'd read a book all about modern counterinsurgency techniques without feeling bored or stupid, but here we are.
If you have no interest in modern warfare, don't read this book. If you have at any point been involved in Iraqi Freedom or the War on Terrorism, it's a must-read. Dr. Kilcullen is certainly the expert on counterinsurgency, having served as Special Advisor for Counterinsurgency to the Secretary of State, among other things.
I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because he focuses on the people, not the "problem". The chapters are VERY long and hard to get through in one sitting, but they're worth a look.
3
If you have no interest in modern warfare, don't read this book. If you have at any point been involved in Iraqi Freedom or the War on Terrorism, it's a must-read. Dr. Kilcullen is certainly the expert on counterinsurgency, having served as Special Advisor for Counterinsurgency to the Secretary of State, among other things.
I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because he focuses on the people, not the "problem". The chapters are VERY long and hard to get through in one sitting, but they're worth a look.
3
The Accidental Gourmet
I could spend a considerable amount of time focusing on the modern misuse of the word "gourmet", but that soap box will have to wait. I have finally reached a new genre: the cookbook.
I'm sure you've all been poised on the edges of your seats for my next installment in this ever-so-viral blog of mine. Well I apologize. You see, in order to properly judge a cookbook, one must sample some of its claims to greatness. Sally Sondheim and Suzannah Sloan have taken every weeknight of the year and created a full meal plan for a family of 4.
Each day includes an entrée, salad, and dessert, and some starch somewhere. This is obviously written for someone like me who survives on order and lists, because each meal also has a list of equipment needed AND a countdown with ordered steps, telling the "gourmet" how to complete the full meal so everything comes out just at the right time for eating.
Sounds wonderful, right? Well I've tried 4 of these meals so far. Two were good. Two were so-so. The part that bothers me about this book is not the quality of the meals, however. It's this need that cookbook "authors" feel they have to find cute names for their dishes. Lets face it. There are only so many ingredients in the world and only so many ways to combine them into edible form. So in order to make the recipes their own, Sondheim and Sloan give us themed meals like You're Egging Me On, Yes I Yam, Bluffin' Muffins, and Tomfool Tapioca. Having run out of creativity, they depend on each state for inspiration. For Iowa we have Hawkeyed Sausage, State Fair Salad, and Ames to Be Pudding. However clever you may feel this is, it does pose a problem. The names have VERY LITTLE to do with the dish itself. If I want to search for a pasta dish with shrimp, I have to search through 300 recipes to find one.
I will most likely be consulting this book again, but as a disclaimer, I must recommend NOT getting caught up in the structure of the book. Rather, if something looks good, try it. I give it a 4
I'm sure you've all been poised on the edges of your seats for my next installment in this ever-so-viral blog of mine. Well I apologize. You see, in order to properly judge a cookbook, one must sample some of its claims to greatness. Sally Sondheim and Suzannah Sloan have taken every weeknight of the year and created a full meal plan for a family of 4.
Each day includes an entrée, salad, and dessert, and some starch somewhere. This is obviously written for someone like me who survives on order and lists, because each meal also has a list of equipment needed AND a countdown with ordered steps, telling the "gourmet" how to complete the full meal so everything comes out just at the right time for eating.
Sounds wonderful, right? Well I've tried 4 of these meals so far. Two were good. Two were so-so. The part that bothers me about this book is not the quality of the meals, however. It's this need that cookbook "authors" feel they have to find cute names for their dishes. Lets face it. There are only so many ingredients in the world and only so many ways to combine them into edible form. So in order to make the recipes their own, Sondheim and Sloan give us themed meals like You're Egging Me On, Yes I Yam, Bluffin' Muffins, and Tomfool Tapioca. Having run out of creativity, they depend on each state for inspiration. For Iowa we have Hawkeyed Sausage, State Fair Salad, and Ames to Be Pudding. However clever you may feel this is, it does pose a problem. The names have VERY LITTLE to do with the dish itself. If I want to search for a pasta dish with shrimp, I have to search through 300 recipes to find one.
I will most likely be consulting this book again, but as a disclaimer, I must recommend NOT getting caught up in the structure of the book. Rather, if something looks good, try it. I give it a 4
Sunday, May 9, 2010
The Accidental Fundraiser
What an appropriate time for me to read this! Stephanie Roth and Mimi Ho have put this book together to help anyone who has funds to raise. There are a few things wrong with this book. First off, the title makes no sense. There's nothing accidental about anything. Second, it's thick with propaganda about what types of things they consider to be worthy causes.
I don't think I really gained anything from reading it. The problem with any book of this type is that fund raising needs to become more and more creative. The ideas represented here can become outdated a year after printing. A 1 is all I can grant it.
I don't think I really gained anything from reading it. The problem with any book of this type is that fund raising needs to become more and more creative. The ideas represented here can become outdated a year after printing. A 1 is all I can grant it.
An Accidental Family
Nothing is quite so cheerful as Russian literature!! I finally got to this classic from Dostoevsky. Like any Dostoevsky, if you're going to read it, make sure you have long stretches of time free. There's no reading a bit here and there. You have to dedicate yourself, or you start forgetting who's who.
Although I don't speak Russian, I can say with certainty that this translation by Richard Freeborn is excellent. Colloquialisms are used where appropriate, the French is left untranslated for clarity, even times when the Russian misspellings are used on purpose, he manages to translate it into English and still convey that to the reader.
The novel is told in first person and directed toward the reader. This system helps Dostoevsky explain certain aspects of the exhibition without it seeming unnatural. The whole of the 600 pages takes place over a short period of time, showing us the struggle of a young man, learning about societal norms, family, and deciding how to participate in them for himself.
If you've never read Dostoevsky, I would suggest beginning with a different book, but I can still recommend it as a good read. 3
Although I don't speak Russian, I can say with certainty that this translation by Richard Freeborn is excellent. Colloquialisms are used where appropriate, the French is left untranslated for clarity, even times when the Russian misspellings are used on purpose, he manages to translate it into English and still convey that to the reader.
The novel is told in first person and directed toward the reader. This system helps Dostoevsky explain certain aspects of the exhibition without it seeming unnatural. The whole of the 600 pages takes place over a short period of time, showing us the struggle of a young man, learning about societal norms, family, and deciding how to participate in them for himself.
If you've never read Dostoevsky, I would suggest beginning with a different book, but I can still recommend it as a good read. 3
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Accidental Empire
Well I've finished this book by Gershom Gorenberg. He's American-born, but now lives in Jerusalem with his family. Although the book deals with the Middle East conflict in general, it is mainly focused on the nation of Israel and its settlements in occupied territory in the late 60's and 70's.
It's difficult to say anything about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict without offending people. Doing so can easily restrict creativity, but Gorenberg somehow manages to combine personal stories, facts and figures, and historical relevance to this book, while maintaining a respectful view (as much as possible) of the persons involved.
An interesting quote to chew on:
"It was not enough to be in sacred space, one had to own it -- the impulse behind conflicts over holy places everywhere. To own a place where God is thought to be palpably present inspires a feeling perilously close to owning God."
I give it a high 3
It's difficult to say anything about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict without offending people. Doing so can easily restrict creativity, but Gorenberg somehow manages to combine personal stories, facts and figures, and historical relevance to this book, while maintaining a respectful view (as much as possible) of the persons involved.
An interesting quote to chew on:
"It was not enough to be in sacred space, one had to own it -- the impulse behind conflicts over holy places everywhere. To own a place where God is thought to be palpably present inspires a feeling perilously close to owning God."
I give it a high 3
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Middle-Eastern politics
Right now I'm reading An Accidental Empire by Gershom Gorenberg about Israel leading up to, during, and following the Six Days War. The book is mostly chronological, but echoes back to previous events to add context. I had to include this quote!
"The situation today resembles the complex relationship between a Bedouin man and the girl he kidnaps against her will...You Palestinians, as a nation, don't want us today, but we'll change your attitude by forcing our presence on you." Israeli Defense Minister Dayan
"The situation today resembles the complex relationship between a Bedouin man and the girl he kidnaps against her will...You Palestinians, as a nation, don't want us today, but we'll change your attitude by forcing our presence on you." Israeli Defense Minister Dayan
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
An Accidental Cowboy
An Accidental Cowboy by Jameson Parker is *gasp* a memoir. With snapshots and anecdotes, Parker details the circumstances in his life which transformed him from Hollywood actor, to PTSD sufferer, to cowboy.
Unlike most memoirs, there is nothing saccharine or disingenuous in the way he describes his own experiences. He is open and honest about his trials, but doesn't glorify them above himself. He is witty, charming, adventurous. I'm not sure if "actor" mixed with "cowboy" is an automatic recipe for a balanced person, but it nearly works for Parker. Minus the overwhelming suicidal tendencies.
This book is a casual read. Although the life of cowboys is far beyond my grasp of understanding (I don't even watch Westerns), I appreciate the knowledge I picked up and would recommend this book to anyone.
3
Unlike most memoirs, there is nothing saccharine or disingenuous in the way he describes his own experiences. He is open and honest about his trials, but doesn't glorify them above himself. He is witty, charming, adventurous. I'm not sure if "actor" mixed with "cowboy" is an automatic recipe for a balanced person, but it nearly works for Parker. Minus the overwhelming suicidal tendencies.
This book is a casual read. Although the life of cowboys is far beyond my grasp of understanding (I don't even watch Westerns), I appreciate the knowledge I picked up and would recommend this book to anyone.
3
Friday, April 16, 2010
A couple of humdingers!
Well that took me long enough!
The two books I've been reading, are two that I was so excited about. I suppose the hype kinda got me disappointed in the end.
The first is Accents: A Manual for Actors by Robert Blumenfeld. If you know me, you know I love language. I love accents, dialects, grammar, everything. I also....love acting, therefore, I must love this book right? Well when I originally wanted to check it out, it was in repair and the library had to order a new one. I put myself first on the list, and snatched it up right away. This book guides the actor on how to speak English in ANY accent from Elizabethan English, to Estonian, to Algerian. Since I have some linguistic experience I found it VERY frustrating that Blumenfeld makes up his own phonetic symbols instead of used standardized IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). I basically had to try and unlearn everything I know to understand what he was writing, and it's not like he's ignorant. He made enough references to actual linguistic terms that I know he has SOME basis of knowledge in the field.
I was starting to wonder if I should write a book of my own and include actual symbols and accurate accent comparisons, when I happened upon the major redeeming factor of this book...the CDs. The two CDs which come with the book demonstrate all the practice material in the book in Blumenfeld's own voice. This guy is VERY talented when it comes to the practical application of his teaching. In other words, his accents are fine. Merely his communication is lacking.
I'm really glad I happened upon this book. I will not be buying it or reading it leisurely, but I will certainly consult it whenever I'm called upon to adopt another accent. It's difficult to judge such a work, so I will give it a 3. I recommend it, merely as a tool for those to whom it applies.
Next on my list was The Accidental Connoisseur by Lawrence Osborne. It's labeled as "An irreverent journey through the wine world," and it is definitely that. I'm not a connoisseur of wine, but I would call myself an oenophile, so I was interested in what Osborne had to say. This book is not for amateurs. Yes, it is witty, but it takes more than just a basic understanding of wine to enjoy. I did pick up a few nuggets of wisdom from it, but not enough to benefit as much as I would like. Sad to say, this book only earned a 2.
The two books I've been reading, are two that I was so excited about. I suppose the hype kinda got me disappointed in the end.
The first is Accents: A Manual for Actors by Robert Blumenfeld. If you know me, you know I love language. I love accents, dialects, grammar, everything. I also....love acting, therefore, I must love this book right? Well when I originally wanted to check it out, it was in repair and the library had to order a new one. I put myself first on the list, and snatched it up right away. This book guides the actor on how to speak English in ANY accent from Elizabethan English, to Estonian, to Algerian. Since I have some linguistic experience I found it VERY frustrating that Blumenfeld makes up his own phonetic symbols instead of used standardized IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet). I basically had to try and unlearn everything I know to understand what he was writing, and it's not like he's ignorant. He made enough references to actual linguistic terms that I know he has SOME basis of knowledge in the field.
I was starting to wonder if I should write a book of my own and include actual symbols and accurate accent comparisons, when I happened upon the major redeeming factor of this book...the CDs. The two CDs which come with the book demonstrate all the practice material in the book in Blumenfeld's own voice. This guy is VERY talented when it comes to the practical application of his teaching. In other words, his accents are fine. Merely his communication is lacking.
I'm really glad I happened upon this book. I will not be buying it or reading it leisurely, but I will certainly consult it whenever I'm called upon to adopt another accent. It's difficult to judge such a work, so I will give it a 3. I recommend it, merely as a tool for those to whom it applies.
Next on my list was The Accidental Connoisseur by Lawrence Osborne. It's labeled as "An irreverent journey through the wine world," and it is definitely that. I'm not a connoisseur of wine, but I would call myself an oenophile, so I was interested in what Osborne had to say. This book is not for amateurs. Yes, it is witty, but it takes more than just a basic understanding of wine to enjoy. I did pick up a few nuggets of wisdom from it, but not enough to benefit as much as I would like. Sad to say, this book only earned a 2.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Accidental Bride
When I first began this book by Janice Harayda, I thought it was just so clever and funny. But after a whole book of the same snarky comments, I kinda got bored.
Yes, I'm a traditionalist and the whole marriage vs. living together strikes a chord with me, but despite my own opinions, and despite the comedic flavor, I didn't much enjoy the novel.
It's a quick entertaining read for a plane ride or a bus, but that's about it.
2
Yes, I'm a traditionalist and the whole marriage vs. living together strikes a chord with me, but despite my own opinions, and despite the comedic flavor, I didn't much enjoy the novel.
It's a quick entertaining read for a plane ride or a bus, but that's about it.
2
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Accidental Billionaires!
Sorry I haven't been on this in a while. I just got my new MacBook Pro, so I've been spending a lot of time on it. Now that some of the initial glitter has worn off, I'm back to the books.
Accidental Billionaires! by Ben Mezrich promises to be a book about "Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal", and doesn't fail to deliver. By now, all of us have heard of Facebook, most of us are members, and some of us know it was founded by a couple of college students. What I certainly didn't realize is how interesting the story of Facebook really is. The title's tagline isn't just a hook to draw readers, but it literally is full of sex, full of money, full of..well you get the idea.
This book is not for the clean-mouthed nor those who have a strong sense of justice. It is, however, guaranteed to drop your jaw and make you just tad bit jealous. I give it a 3.
Accidental Billionaires! by Ben Mezrich promises to be a book about "Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal", and doesn't fail to deliver. By now, all of us have heard of Facebook, most of us are members, and some of us know it was founded by a couple of college students. What I certainly didn't realize is how interesting the story of Facebook really is. The title's tagline isn't just a hook to draw readers, but it literally is full of sex, full of money, full of..well you get the idea.
This book is not for the clean-mouthed nor those who have a strong sense of justice. It is, however, guaranteed to drop your jaw and make you just tad bit jealous. I give it a 3.
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