Paris in Love by Eloisa James

Eloisa James and her husband both took sabbaticals during 2009 and moved their family to Paris for a year. She posted about her experience on Facebook, and then expanded those posts into this book. So each chapter consists of very short paragraphs about different things she's observes about French culture and her family's adjustment. It took me a little bit to get used to the format, but I ended up liking it. There are several longer essays interspersed throughout which throw off the rhythm of the writing, but I like her writing, so I tolerated it.

Overall, this is a funny, and thoughtful book. Her daughter is especially funny. This book made me want to go to Paris even though I was just there in July. Sigh. I will have to return.

The Cranes Dance by Meg Howrey

Ugh. I really don't like writing reviews for books that I didn't like. I try to keep my posts short and to-the-point, so you know pretty clearly if I'm recommending a book or not. When I don't like a book, I hate writing out a synopsis because I don't want to waste any more time thinking about the book.

Well, let me muster up some energy...

I did not like this book. It's about mental healthy, the competition between two ballerina sisters, and the bond between sisters. I found the characters to be one dimensional. The writing was rambly like a rough draft. The only interesting aspect was the look into the world of competitive dancing.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

I'm noting that I just finished reading Harry Potter #2 again. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. When I first read this one, I was working at the local Chamber of Commerce, so my sister kept calling this book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Commerce. I would exclaim, "Chamber of Secrets! not Commerce!" Big sisters, boy, do they know how to push buttons.

Pre-ordered! The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Another book by J.K. Rowling! It will be out on September 27th, and I just pre-ordered a copy! I hope it's good.

I remember waiting for the postman to deliver Harry Potter #6. When I heard his footsteps, I ran outside, and said, "Is that my Harry Potter?" He was holding an Amazon box with the Harry Potter stars and squiggles on it, and said, "Looks like it!" I said, "Thank you!!!" Oh, by the way, this was in my twenties.

I'm looking forward to reading some more J.K. Rowling.

Here is the description on amazon.com:

When Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…. Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations? Blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

I remember trying to read this as a kid, but never finished it, so I picked it up again.

It's a mystery. A millionaire by the name of Sam Westing dies and sixteen unrelated people are asked to the reading of his will. They are paired up to work together to figure out who murdered Mr. Westing.

I was overwhelmed and confused by so many characters that I lost interest in the story. I finished the book, but didn't find it that enjoyable.

10 1/2 Things No Commencement Speaker Has Ever Said by Charles Wheelan

This is a quick, little read based on Wheelan's 2011 Class Day speech at Dartmouth College. Some of his points include: Some of your worst days lies ahead of you, Read obituaries, Take time off, Don't try to be great, and Your parents don't want what is best for you.

As you can see, the title of the book is fitting. This book does not contain advice typically heard in the run-of-the-mill commencement speech.

Wheelan's advice is helpful and centered around what's important in life and how to follow your heart. He challenges the students (and us) to live consciously and to know what they are going after and why.

I especially appreciated his point about not trying to be great. Instead, he quotes something a news program host told him about being on live television: "Don't try to be great. Just be solid."

You can easily read this book in less than an hour, and I recommend that you check it out.

Kosher Chinese: Living, Teaching, and Eating with China's Other Billion by Michael Levy + A Guest Review

Welcome back to Notorious MLE! She's written a guest review of this awesome book! You'll see that we've both given it a big thumbs up!

Elaine says:
Levy lives in Guiyang, China as a Peace Corps volunteer where he teaches English at a university for two years. The "other billion" in the title refers to the Chinese people who don't live in the most well-known coastal cities of China.

Levy describes his journey from the moment he steps off the plane in desperate need of a WC. His recounting of using a squat toilet for the first is really funny. So funny that I read it out loud. =D

The book is also serious though with great descriptions of Chinese culture and explanations of how life and relationships work there. What struck me most about this author is that he has a really good heart. Despite some of his difficulty with aspects of the culture, he really establishes some great friendships and really cares about his students and colleagues.

If you've spent any time in China, I think you'll appreciate this book. And if you've never been to China, but are curious about how another culture works, this is a very easy read.

P.S.: This book reminded me of River Town by Peter Hessler (also an excellent read) who also spent time teaching with the Peace Corps in China.

Notorious MLE says:
There is a scene in Kosher Chinese where the protagonist is unsuccessfully trying to order at a McDonald’s only to have a conversation (entirely in Chinese) in which he’s repeatedly told he doesn’t speak Chinese. I had almost the exact same conversation in a Chilean post office while studying abroad.  It seems that arguing in a foreign language about whether you speak a foreign language is both a unique and universal experience of being a foreigner.

Capturing these hilarious, frustrating and touching moments is where Dan Levy really excels.  He describes the experience of both losing and discovering your own identity by immersing yourself in a foreign country with a generosity, humility and humor that I loved. On this merit alone I would recommend his book but I felt this memoir was actually at another level due to how well he captures the more unknown parts of China during a unique time in that countries history.  I definitely recommend this book.