After visiting Jesse, Eileen, and Henry in Rome, we got to re-visit them, in a way, through this delightful book, which Jesse let me take home. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr, describes a year with his family in Trastevere while he was supported by a Rome Prize Fellowship. The book has a story arc, but largely consists of observations on life and parenting, set against the backdrop of Rome, beautifully captured in quick, vivid sketches. The subtitle gives a flavor of this very pleasant read: "On twins, insomnia, and the biggest funeral in the history of the world."
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Four Seasons in Rome
After visiting Jesse, Eileen, and Henry in Rome, we got to re-visit them, in a way, through this delightful book, which Jesse let me take home. Four Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr, describes a year with his family in Trastevere while he was supported by a Rome Prize Fellowship. The book has a story arc, but largely consists of observations on life and parenting, set against the backdrop of Rome, beautifully captured in quick, vivid sketches. The subtitle gives a flavor of this very pleasant read: "On twins, insomnia, and the biggest funeral in the history of the world."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Working backwards (II)
More mini-reviews, of books I read March - July 2008:
Middlesex - A rare homerun from the college book club. The immigrant experience of the American century. I prefer Philip Roth - perhaps because this is Greek instead of Jewish - but I'm splitting hairs. Read it.
A Black Englishman - More typical of the college book club: mediocre. The scent and feel of India lingers appealingly, though.
Day of Battle - Volume 2 of a as-yet-unfinished 3-volume history of America's involvement in WWII in Europe. This covers the invasion of Sicily and Italy, an intriguing contrast. Sicily is Patton, Monty, and a rip-roaring success. Italy, rarely the focus of pop historys of WWII, is a winter slog.
Winter's Tale - Grand and grandiose. A time-leaping paean to NYC.
Expectant Father - A useful alternative perspective, though less needed than its author thinks.
The Nine - A pop biography of the justices of the US Supreme Court. A very fast, fun, insightful read. But, damn, it makes you realize that the Conservatives have already won this battle.
Razor's Edge - The college book club goes for a classic, but still I'm not won over. First half of the book feels like Fitzgerald (yay!) but the second half feels like a very tentative inquiry into bohemianism (boo!).
Baby Whisperer - Another perspective on raising babies. Seems good - the compromise position between kids-first and Ferber - but the compromise is ambiguous and hard to execute on. Not recommended.
Middlesex - A rare homerun from the college book club. The immigrant experience of the American century. I prefer Philip Roth - perhaps because this is Greek instead of Jewish - but I'm splitting hairs. Read it.
A Black Englishman - More typical of the college book club: mediocre. The scent and feel of India lingers appealingly, though.
Day of Battle - Volume 2 of a as-yet-unfinished 3-volume history of America's involvement in WWII in Europe. This covers the invasion of Sicily and Italy, an intriguing contrast. Sicily is Patton, Monty, and a rip-roaring success. Italy, rarely the focus of pop historys of WWII, is a winter slog.
Winter's Tale - Grand and grandiose. A time-leaping paean to NYC.
Expectant Father - A useful alternative perspective, though less needed than its author thinks.
The Nine - A pop biography of the justices of the US Supreme Court. A very fast, fun, insightful read. But, damn, it makes you realize that the Conservatives have already won this battle.
Razor's Edge - The college book club goes for a classic, but still I'm not won over. First half of the book feels like Fitzgerald (yay!) but the second half feels like a very tentative inquiry into bohemianism (boo!).
Baby Whisperer - Another perspective on raising babies. Seems good - the compromise position between kids-first and Ferber - but the compromise is ambiguous and hard to execute on. Not recommended.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Working backwards
With Henry, the holidays, and Rome, my reading has slowed. So I thought I could work backwards and offer some mini-reviews of books I've read pre-blog.
Since August 2008:
Good Good Pig - Non-fiction selection from my friends' book club. Life lessons from a pig. Not great, so I'll summarize: savor life.
Happiest Baby on the Block - This is the most-recommended newborn book among our friends - because the 5-S technique (swaddling, shushing, sucking, swinging, side) works.
Stumbling on Happiness - A Harvard psych prof on how the human mind makes decisions and and how these processes can lead to happy/unhappy outcomes. Fascinating. The kids-make-you-unhappy section makes for interesting conversation.
Team of Rivals - DKG's biography of Lincoln and his cabinet. Much in the news these days since Obama has cited its influence. One of the best biographies I've ever read.
Handmaid's Tale - While this feels somewhat dated to its early 80s influences (Iranian Revolution, abortion wars, rise of the religious right), it is a good read. Thought the post-script didn't fit at all.
Killer Angels - The classic fictionalized version of the Gettysburg battle. (E & I visited Gettysburg a couple years ago when we attended a friend's nearby wedding, and I got into the Civil War.) This is book is a page-turner that really involves you in the battle. Team of Rivals provided some of the larger historical/political/military context that is lacking from this.
(Then The Sparrow, etc.)
Since August 2008:
Good Good Pig - Non-fiction selection from my friends' book club. Life lessons from a pig. Not great, so I'll summarize: savor life.
Happiest Baby on the Block - This is the most-recommended newborn book among our friends - because the 5-S technique (swaddling, shushing, sucking, swinging, side) works.
Stumbling on Happiness - A Harvard psych prof on how the human mind makes decisions and and how these processes can lead to happy/unhappy outcomes. Fascinating. The kids-make-you-unhappy section makes for interesting conversation.
Team of Rivals - DKG's biography of Lincoln and his cabinet. Much in the news these days since Obama has cited its influence. One of the best biographies I've ever read.
Handmaid's Tale - While this feels somewhat dated to its early 80s influences (Iranian Revolution, abortion wars, rise of the religious right), it is a good read. Thought the post-script didn't fit at all.
Killer Angels - The classic fictionalized version of the Gettysburg battle. (E & I visited Gettysburg a couple years ago when we attended a friend's nearby wedding, and I got into the Civil War.) This is book is a page-turner that really involves you in the battle. Team of Rivals provided some of the larger historical/political/military context that is lacking from this.
(Then The Sparrow, etc.)
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