Title: The Music Teacher
Author: Barbara Hall
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 292

"The Music Teacher, a penetrating look into the heart and mind of a woman who has failed both as an artist and as a wife, tells the story of a violinist who has accepted the limitations of her talent and looks for the casual satisfaction of trying to instill her passion for music in others. She gets more than she bargains for, however, when a young girl named Hallie enters her life. For here at last is the real thing: someone with the talent and potential to be truly great. In her drive to shape this young girl into the artist the teacher could never be, she makes one terrible mistake. As a result she is forced to reevaluate her whole life and come to terms with her future." - from publisher's site

It's obvious, right from the start, that this story is written from someone comfortable writing for television^[1]. I say this as a good thing, as I prefer that sort of casual, relaxed tone - I feel it usually offers a deeper insight into the characters in question. They're allowed to be themselves and say what they really mean, rather than squishing into a certain mold to be what the writer is expecting. This character is certainly given room to be herself. Pearl Swain's voice is absolutely fluid - with a touch of prim that comes through via the use of very few contractions^[2], only increasing as she becomes more comfortable with herself - and she isn't taking any issue with just letting all of her thoughts out there. For the reader's sake, at least. As a TV writer, I have a feeling that Hall takes from that experience and really hears a person's voice when she writes for them. Can definitely appreciate that.

Minor spoilers follow:

( Wading through the mud of confusion before confronting the landscape of possibility )


^[1] This is the same Barbara Hall that is the award-winning creator and writer of the television series Judging Amy and Joan of Arcadia along with writing for such shows as Northern Exposure, I'll Fly Away, Moonlighting, and Hill Street Blues.
^[2] Subject to change for final print.

Title: The Tales of Beedle the Bard
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 111

Really, what makes the book is Dumbledore's commentary and breakdown of each tale. It's just so nice to hear that shrewd old voice again.

The tales themselves are exactly what I was expecting - short, simplistic, moral fables. I had read the summaries when Amazon bought the original last year, so the reading of the actual tales left little impact on me. Again, those moments of insight and added canon from Dumbledore's commentary is where the book really excels. I still find the fables to be charming little anecdotes that I could completely envision small wizarding children listening to, all gathered around in a circle with some animated storyteller creating magical theatrics to go along with the stories.

( Cut to reveal my favorite Tale from the Bard )

Backing up is a great idea.

Last one for the year - just finished about an hour ago.


Title: The Golden Compass
Author: Philip Pullman
Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk
Pages: 296

Banned Books Week 2008, the 27th anniversary of BBW, was September 27 to October 4. I thought it would be fitting to choose my next book - at that time - based on their list of banned books, first looking at the 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007. I only had two of the listed books and one is set aside for next year's A-Z Author Challenge (more on that later), so I went with #4 on the list, The Golden Compass, which is new to the list this year for the religious viewpoints contained. Also, I've had the omnibus of His Dark Materials sitting around since last Christmas... it's about time I sat down and read at least one of the books within, dontcha think?

Spoilers:

( 'Being a practiced liar doesn't mean you have a powerful imagination. Many good liars have no imagination at all; it's that which gives their lies such wide-eyed conviction.' )


Happy New Year, everyone! :D

Title: Choke
Author: Chuck Palahniuk
Genre: Black Comedy, Satire
Pages: 293

"Victor Mancini, a medical school drop out, is an antihero for our deranged times. Needing to pay elder care for his mother, Victor has devised an ingenious scam: he pretends to choke on pieces of food while dining in upscale restaurants. He then allows himself to be "saved" by fellow patrons who, feeling responsible for Victor's life, go on to send checks to support him. When he's not pulling this stunt, Victor cruises sexual addiction recovery workshops for action, visits his addled mom, and spends his days working at a colonial theme park." - Synopsis taken from Goodreads.com

I have mixed feelings on Palahniuk's writing style. While I enjoy a simple syntax, it's often almost too simple and there's a lot of repeating things in different ways. At the same time, I do appreciate the informal text with its conversational tone but more importantly appreciate how this tone lends itself to highlight the scattered bits of beautiful, insightful prose. With the simplicity comes concision.

As for the story, it boils down to the conflict of figuring out your role not only in society but in your own life, which everyone can relate to despite the absurd situations that lead our main character - a great anti-hero - to his own epiphany....

Spoilers follow:

( Just keep asking yourself: 'What would Jesus NOT do?' )