Coraline

Coraline
by Neil Gaiman

What a wonderful little story - in my humble opinion - for girls of all ages (including the over 30 set) about being brave and facing your fears for the ones you love. I picked this book up from the library to read before going to see the movie. While I much prefer the movie's look to the original book illustration, they are a nice addition to the book.
I also love that Coraline is adamant that people call her by her right name - Coraline as opposed to Caroline. (Even at age 33, I struggle with correcting people who insist on calling me "Cathy" instead of using my full name "Catherine" or the preferred nickname of "Cat.") In my case, as in Coraline's, it is important to be called the correct name because one's name is so closely tied to one's identity. Coraline's insistence on being called her right name echoes the larger storyline. Coraline is trapped in a world with the Other Mother, who is seeking to control Coraline and thereby make her into someone else - the Other Coraline. But throughout her struggle to return to the real world, Coraline holds onto her identity and what she loves. She's an explorer at heart, and she uses her explorer skills to win her freedom.
While some have criticized this novella as a streamlined retelling of Alice in Wonderland, I find the similarities delightful.
Coraline is a quick read, but thoroughly enjoyable. It may have been written for the 'Tween crowd, but there are lessons and enjoyment for all.

ETA: I saw the movie....um, yeah, no. Loved the book, hated the movie. The finer points of the story were completely lost, and the addition of a new character completely eroded the point of the book - Coraline's bravery and sense of self.
And actually, now that I'm writing about it, I realize that I should have known better. I should have expected that an independent female character would cut down and reduced to a damsel in distress, needing to be rescued by a male. Aren't I a stupid girl! Stupid for being shocked that they tarted up two older female characters (in a completely shocking and inappropriate manner), so that we are left with every misogynists favorite trio of female archetypes (the hapless and helpless girl, the evil mother, and the crone) expertly presented as weak, self-centered, feeble-minded sex objects positioned perfectly for ridicule and loathing. Duh! What was I thinking? Oh, and let's not forget to completely eradicate even the smallest of implications that there is a God, by having Coraline search for eyeballs rather than souls! I mean, God forbid we even remotely acknowledge that there is a God. Because, wouldn't that be a travesty!

Notes on a Scandal [What Was She Thinking?]

What Was She Thinking
Zoë Heller

5 of 5 Stars

Anyone who has ever made disastrous romantic decisions, been betrayed or disappointed by a friend, or has ever had their reason overruled by emotion, will understand why I love this book. As a new teacher at a comprehensive school, Sheba Hart is in over her bourgeois head, and quickly head-over-heels for a 15-year old student. But this novel isn't just about a forbidden teacher-student affair. The real story is the relationship between Sheba and Barbara, the older and more experienced teacher, who is at once her savior and her Judas. Heller's examination of the female psyche and female relationships is accurate and compelling.

My Horizontal Life A Collection of One Night Stands

If you watch E! at all, you'll know Chelsea Handler. She has a show "Chelsea Lately" where she rips on celebrities. That said, this book is literally laugh out-loud funny. Chelsea recalls many of her extremely odd and note worthy one night stands. You will die realizing with each turn of the page how nuts she is. It's a great, easy, quick read. Plus, you'll feel like the perfect sober prude after reading about her debauchery and sexcapades.

Syal-- Anita & Me

Anita and Me by Meera Syal

4 of 5 stars

Very engaging story of young Indian girl in small English town in the 1960s. Anita is a trashy older girl (white) who Meena (the main character) semi-idolizes. Meena wants to be part of Anita's crowd, wants her family to fit into the bucolic English world... Pre-teen & teen angst appears to be universal!

Well written, some odd twists. I really like that Meena wasn't perfect, was sometimes downright unlikeable. A solid everyman anti-hero;) I've also read Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee by Meera Syal, a great story of 4 women.

Naylor -- Dog Handling

Clare Naylor

Dog Handling

3 of 5 stars

I wanted something easy and chic lit so I could live vicariously through the main character. I found this on the shelf at the library and wasn't expecting much. I was definitely surprised that this book had a bit more to it than the usual single woman working in publishing in big city vibe. The characters were amusing and I'm a sucker for a love story that has its ups and downs. Great beach read, quick read or you want something simple and playful.

Smith-- I Capture The Castle

Dodie Smith
I Capture the Castle
5 of 5 stars
This is one of my favorite books. Takes place in England in the post-WWII era, the story of an unusual family as told by the younger of 2 daughters (the middle child). She loves, she lusts, she grows up... It is so beautifully written. Dodie Smith also wrote 101 Dalmatians, upon which the Disney movie was based. Her book so thoroughly blows away the movie, I half feel bad for the cartoon. She has amazing literary skill. Ah, if only...

Clarke- Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel

Susanna Clarke
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel
4.95 stars (out of 5)
About the return of Magic to England in the Regency period. Half novel, half faux-historical record. Very Good, but very long. 800+ pages, lots of footnotes. The first 100 pages or so are slow, but it becomes engrossing as plot develops, along about the time Johnathan Strange is introduced. I'd have given 5 stars, but I am anti-footnote, although it is amazing how Clarke created references, legend, a whole alternate history of England. This is not a quick read, but it was so worth the time!