#10: The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald, F Scott: The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2004. Print. 180 pages.

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SETTING: 1922, Long Island and New York City.
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SUMMARY: Nick Carraway, a WWI veteran, Yale graduate, and bonds salesman, tells the story of the mysterious Jay Gatsby.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "He smiled understandingly - much more than understandingly.  It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life." - Chapter 3, page 48.
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I read this novel in the 10th grade (I think), and I clearly remember enjoying it, but not nearly to the extent that others have raved about this story.  It's undoubtedly a well written and thoughtful story, but I don't find the story line to be so extraordinary as to warrant the fame it has acquired.  I'm sure popularity is the telling marker of whether or not a book will enter the "classics" category, but overall the entire process of how a novel becomes a classic is still a mystery to me.  Anyhow, I decided to reread this novel after recently watching the trailer for the upcoming film adaptation.  Why?  BECAUSE AMITABH BACHCHAN IS IN IT.  Now, I'm not into Bollywood films at all, but when you have a famous (possibly the most famous) South Asian actor in a Hollywood film, it's incredibly exciting (I'm South Asian, for those who don't know).  Since I have so much time on my hands right now, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to reread the novel in preparation for the movie.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Nick Carraway!  He's the embodiment of goodness and honesty, and his character is used very well to contrast the faults and vices in the other characters.
2. The story reads like a diary.  It's a personal account, and I usually don't like first person narratives, but this is comfortable and flows well.  It also doesn't describe the narrator's emotions and thoughts as much as it is a storytelling of the other characters.
3. The setting.  When time travel is a reality, 1920s New York will be one of my destinations.
4. Gatsby's unwavering love. 
5. The creepy eyes from the ophthalmologist's billboard!  I love how it's randomly mentioned throughout the story.
6. The underlying theme of how people sometimes do find themselves living in the past, clutching desperately to memories and notions of "what life was like," and how it really can ruin a person.

Things I didn't like about this book

1. Tom and Daisy Buchanan.  If I am to ever meet such people, 99.6% chance I will not be their friend.
2. It is assumed that the reader is privy to the atmosphere of the 1920s United States.  I would have appreciated it if at least a few pages were dedicated to a detailed description of that time period, especially because the book was written in 1925.  A description from the author would have provided an authentic understanding of the 1920s, versus the assumptions the 21st-century reader will make based off of history lessons and movies.

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All in all, this story does not leave me with happy feelings.  I'm glad I reread it because I had completely forgotten the story line, but unlike what usually happens with books I reread at this age, I didn't finish the story with any greater insights than when I first read it.  Although I must say that I do have a better appreciation for Gatsby's love, and am probably sadder this time around than I was after the first read.
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Recommend?  Of course!  It's a classic...

#9: The Thirteenth Tale

Setterfield, Diane: The Thirteenth Tale. New York: Atria, 2006. Print. 406 pages.
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SETTING: London, England.  Sometime in the mid- to late- 1900s (the protagonist mentions sending a film roll to her father for development, so my guess is that this story takes place before the advent of digital cameras).
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SUMMARY: Margaret Lea, a bookstore owner's daughter and fervent lover of books, is commissioned to write the biography of Vita Winter, a secretive, reclusive, incredibly famous author.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "Still in my coat and hat, I sank onto the stair to read the letter.  (I never read without making sure I am in a secure position.  I have been like this ever since the age of seven when, sitting on a high wall and reading The Water Babies, I was so seduced by the descriptions of underwater life that I unconsciously relaxed my muscles.  Instead of being held buoyant by the water that so vividly surrounded me in my mind, I plummeted to the ground and knocked myself out.  I can still feel the scar under my fringe now.  Reading can be dangerous.)" - page 4.
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This book was picked out of a list of "books for book lovers."  Can't go wrong with that, right?  I also read a majority of this book while sitting in a cafe in San Francisco.  The combination of the location, cafe atmosphere, and a hot mug of mocha with whipped cream may have biased my reception of this book.  It's hard not to enjoy any book in such an ideal book reading setting!
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Books, books, and more books!  And the main character loves books!  Books!
2. I haven't read many gothic novels, but the author does a great job of creating an eerie, gothic atmosphere.  You really do feel the "darkness" of the novel.
3. The doctor in the novel attributes the main character's bouts of fatigue, loss of appetite, and fainting spells to her constant rereading of 19th century British romances and dramas, and prescribes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes as the remedy.  That part was, by far, my favorite.
4. The transitions between present dialogue and past memories are very smooth.
5. Jane Eyre plays a strange, yet integral, part of the story. 
6. The strong connection felt between blood relations as a main theme.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The story line isn't very organized. All in all, it doesn't deliver considering how much anticipation the author builds up for the ending.
2. Going off of point #1, the ending leaves MUCH to be desired.  
3. Some pretty gross subplots; then again, it is a gothic novel.

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Even though the story wasn't anything great, there were some superbly awesome quotes and it definitely is a book for book lovers.  A great aspect of the book is that the author incorporates an appreciation for 19th century British romances and dramas into the story line.  She actually makes it a major part of one of the character's lives, fully describing how such literature has actually influenced the development of that character's personality.  Also, I don't know if this was intentional or the result of wear and tear from many readings (I checked this book out from the library), but the actual pages felt like parchment paper, the same texture you would expect from a handwritten book.  Most likely some previous reader left the book in a damp setting that curled and crinkled the pages, resulting in the parchment-like look and texture.  Either way, it added to the gothic nature of the novel, and the overall ambiance the author was aiming for.
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Recommend?  Yes, if you love books.  Otherwise, it's not that extraordinary a read.

#8: The House of the Spirits

Isabel Allende: The House of the Spirits. New York: Bantam, 1993. Print. 433 pages.
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SETTING: Chile, Early 1900s.  Majority of the story is split between "the city" (perhaps Santiago?) and Tres Marías, the Trueba family's hacienda (estate).
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SUMMARY: Detailed account of the Trueba family, spanning through four generations of women: Nivea, Clara (Nivea's daughter), Blanca (Clara's daughter), and Alba (Blanca's daughter).  
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "When she had nearly achieved her goal, her Grandmother Clara, whom she had invoked so many times to help her die, appeared with the novel idea that the point was not to die, since death came anyway, but to survive, which would be a miracle." - Chapter 14, page 414.
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This book is awesome!  I didn't realize it is famous and well known until others who saw me reading it commented on how much they enjoyed the story, even strangers!  It's been within my reach for years, but I never thought to read it, thinking it would be dull, mostly because the title didn't interest me back then.  I don't know what changed (perhaps simply age and maturity...), but I find the title interesting now, and thus decided to give it a read.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Subtly incorporates magic.  The magic in this book seems real and possible, like something you could encounter if you had the proper spiritual "gifts" or were in the right state of mind. 
2. Alternates between first person and third person narration, without interrupting the delivery of the story.
3. Story flows very smoothly from beginning to end.  It's a comfortable read and I was in no rush to finish the book.  Running through the pages to reach the end used to be one of my markers for a successful book; I thought that proved that the author had created an intriguing and suspenseful story that the reader was so invested in, they found no choice but to hurry through to reach the conclusion.  With this novel, I was always satisfied with where I was in the story.  There was a sense of suspense, because you were unsure of what was going to happen next, but there was also an understanding that you would get to the future or to the next event in the story line at the appropriate time.  I think I appreciated this feeling so much because it is what I'm trying to achieve with life: looking forward to what the future holds, while being satisfied with where I am in the present.  I'm still incorporating teachings from The Happiness Trap to achieve this (#5), and I am seeing improvements!
4. Karma as a major theme of the story.  I completely believe in karma, and the author clearly coveys the concept of "what goes around, comes around" through this four generation family history.
5. There's a meaning behind each character's name.  The author put effort into naming her characters, which I'm sure other authors do as well, but the reader is actually made to understand the significance of the names while reading the book.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The ending isn't completely satisfying.  I would like to know what happens with the rest of the surviving characters' lives.  A longer epilogue would be nice, but I guess it's up to my imagination!

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I really enjoyed this novel, but I'm not ecstatic about it in the same way that I have been with other novels I have enjoyed to the same degree.  Whereas I may jump up and down after reading some novels, because I loved them so much, I was just content and happy after finishing this one.  Again, for lack of a better descriptor, this book is a comfortable read.  From my limited reading experience (I hopefully have many years left to live, and thus many books left to read!), I have encountered very few books that are "comfortable" and simply that.  This is definitely one of those, situate yourself in a squishy arm chair with a hot cup of tea, book.  It's an easy, yet thoughtful, read, and you'll most surely feel like it's time well spent.

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Recommend?  YES!  It's a perfect book to add to your 2012 summer reading list.  

#7: Anil's Ghost

Ondaatje, Michael: Anil's Ghost. London: Picador, 2000. Print. 307 pages.
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SETTING: Late 1980s Sri Lanka; mainly Colombo, but also other smaller, surrounding towns.
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SUMMARY: Anil Tissera, a Sri Lankan-born and Western-educated forensic anthropologist/pathologist, returns to Sri Lanka after a 15-year absence as a member of an international human right's organization investigating murders connected to the Sri Lankan civil war.
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Excerpt from the Author's Note (for background knowledge): "From the mid-1980's to the early 1990s, Sri Lanka was in a crisis that involved three essential groups: the government, the antigovernment insurgents in the south, and the separatist guerrillas in the north.  Both the insurgents and the separatists had declared war on the government.  Eventually, in response, legal and illegal government squads were known to have been sent out to hunt down the separatists and the insurgents."
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "'Most of the time in our world, truth is just opinion.'" - Part 2, page 102.
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I'm in the midst of taking a few short trips, and I was worried that I wouldn't have enough books, so I stocked up on a few paperbacks laying around my parents' house, in addition to library check-outs.  This is one of them.  Ondaatje is the author of The English Patient, which I haven't read yet, but I have a specific memory of my parents watching the movie when I was young, and them raving about the awesomeness of the story line.  I thought I'd give this book a go since it was available.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. The author takes the risk of writing about government corruption, which can be a tricky feat because of the topic's sensitivity and taboo nature.
2. The main character is a forensic anthropologist/pathologist!  I love anthro, and if I hadn't decided on pursuing public health and medicine, I would have definitely studied forensic anthro.  I sometimes think it would be awesome to receive formal training in the subject after medical school.
3. The author does a fantastic job of vividly describing every emotion each character feels, so that the reader can easily understand, and sometimes empathize or sympathize with, the emotion.
4. A few pages after introducing any character, the reader is able to have a clear understanding of that character's personality.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The book is split into multiple parts, but there aren't any chapters.  It wasn't organized enough for my taste.
2. The author switches back and forth between the present and the past, but does so without any warning.  This was great in the beginning because it's different from how most novels approach flashbacks.  However, it became confusing later on when, during a crucial part, the character would switch into a flashback, sometimes interrupting a conversation between characters.  But perhaps this just mirrors how flashbacks happen in reality.  Memories are usually triggered while we are doing or thinking about something else.  Even so, I wasn't a fan of this approach in written form.
3. The ending is not satisfying.  There were too many points that were left without an adequate resolution.  Then again, the story takes place during a civil war.  Maybe this was intentional?

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This book was okay, but I should also disclose that I found myself incredibly distracted while I was reading it.  My mind wandered in all directions, and it could be that I didn't give the story enough attention to fully appreciate it.  On the flip side, perhaps this is a testament to how well the book is written.  It didn't do a great job keeping my attention, which is ultimately what a book is supposed to do.  Nevertheless, I don't think it's fair to say that's an indication of the overall quality of this book.  I'm in no way the brightest bulb on the entire planet, so perhaps I don't have the faculties to truly appreciate this novel.  Either way, I thought the book was okay.
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Recommend?  Sure.

#6: Saturday

McEwan, Ian: Saturday. New York: Anchor Books, 2005. Print. 289 pages.
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SETTING: Saturday, February 15, 2003 in London, England, on the day of the largest anti-Iraq war demonstration in British history.
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SUMMARY: Follows neurosurgeon Henry Perowne through what would otherwise have been a regular Saturday (day-off from work with a schedule of playing squash, visiting his mother, and cooking dinner for his family), that is turned completely on its side following a minor motor vehicle collision.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "When the family went for a walk across the fields one afternoon, they left her with forty-one pages to go [of a novel].  When they returned they found her under a tree by the dovecote weeping, not for the story but because she had reached the end and emerged from a dream to grasp that it was all the creation of a woman she would never meet.  She cried, she said, out of admiration, out of joy that such things could be made up." - Chapter 3, page 134.
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I have yet to pluck the courage to read Atonement by McEwan because I know it's a sad story.  Similarly, I haven't watched the movie, and probably won't for a while.  Overall, sad stories can have a heavy effect on me, so I tend to avoid them if I know ahead of time that it will be of a melancholy nature (another reason I avoid book summaries).  I'm sure I've missed out on a few great reads, but I'll get to them eventually...  This book was picked from a random list of "inspiring novels."  It primarily stood out because I liked the title.  Saturday.  It's simple, and yet intriguing.  The story could be about anything!  Quite the adventure.
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Things I liked about this book:

1. Takes place in a single day.  The reader is provided with a detailed account of the main character's actions and thoughts, down to the minutiae and mundane.
2. As Perowne, the main character is going through this day, so too is the reader.  The reader isn't aware of anything before Perowne, and vice-versa.
3. Details neurosurgerical procedures!  The author shadowed a neurosurgeon for 2 years to research for this novel, and took great pains to learn about neurobiology and neurosurgery.  Dedication right there.
4. Perowne, the victim of the accident, uses his neurosurgical background to connect with the perpetrator (the character who ran into Perowne's vehicle).  The perpetrator is an aggressive and dangerous individual who has the intention of physically harming Perowne.  Perowne is able to slip away, without having to face an actual altercation, using his neuro knowledge, and the dynamics of this interaction are interesting.
5. Perowne "counts on sleep rather than the clock to divide the days" (page 282), which is exactly how I divide my days!  This story actually takes place over slightly longer than 24 hours.

Things I didn't like about this book:

1. The entire story is split into 5 chapters, and a few of the chapter breaks don't flow very well.  For example, a chapter would end very abruptly, as if the author felt that the chapter had been going on for too long and just needed to stop, regardless of its place in the story line.
2. The author places greater emphasis on certain events throughout the day, and skims over other, equally important parts.  This didn't seem appropriate because the author immediately introduces the reader to the fact that he will be detailing every thought and emotion Perowne experiences throughout this day.  The author should have maintained his position as an objective informer throughout the entirety of the novel, and left it up to the reader to assess which events in the day held more value over others.

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This was an interesting and quick read.  I haven't read many 24-hour narratives, but I definitely enjoyed this one.  I wasn't particularly inspired by it, but I can understand how it ended up on the "inspiring novels" list.  The main character perseveres through unexpected, adverse events, and is able to keep his values while doing so.  He ends his day with emotional and physical scars, but as is the case with any life experience, he also learns many lessons and has a slightly altered outlook on life, hopefully for the better.

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Recommend?  Yes.  

#5: The Happiness Trap

Harris, Russ: The Happiness Trap. Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2008. Print. 246 pages.
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SUMMARY: A guide to leading a mindful and meaningful life based on the techniques of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), a psychotherapy that focuses on leading a values-based life and being present in your day-to-day activities.
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FAVORITE QUOTE: "No matter how bad the situation you're in, no matter how much pain you may be suffering, start by taking a few breaths.  If you're breathing, you know you're alive.  And as long as you're alive, there's hope." - Chapter 20, page 144.
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THIS BOOK IS AWESOME.  I'm generally very happy, cheerful, and optimistic; however, when faced with emotions on the opposite spectrum (anxiety, sadness, hopelessness), I give in to the emotion and allow it to completely consume me, for days, to the point where I am no longer able to function as a productive human being.  This is a significant problem because I believe the purpose of life is to be productive and contribute to society in a positive manner, to the extent possible given your abilities and resources.  If I'm unable to complete the activities that make me productive, I'm not living a purposeful life.  Sometimes, my anxiety, sadness, etc. will be so overpowering that I'll stop eating, sleeping, and even communicating with the people I love, which is an even bigger problem!  I also have the tendency to think that I will be happy when the next great goal is achieved, which means I'm constantly thinking about the future and rarely living in the present.  Example: in high school, I just knew I wouldn't be happy until I was accepted into a reputable college.  In college, I was waiting for a graduate school acceptance.  In graduate school, I knew I'd be happy once I got into medical school.  Surprisingly enough (not!), the happiness and serenity that came with my medical school acceptance quickly faded into, "I won't be happy until I've fallen in love and found a life partner who loves me with an equal fervor."  It's a never ending cycle!  Once I do find my love, I won't be happy until he and I are married.  Then, until we buy a home.  ETC. ETC. ETC.  With so many things going for me in life, how is it that I'm always unsatisfied?  In comes my brilliant sister, who knows a hell of a lot about psychotherapy (she's an LCSW, holds a PhD in social work, is faculty at a School of Social Work, and has 10+ years of experience under her belt), so don't take this book recommendation lightly.  She's my go-to person when I'm not feeling emotionally well because she's able to respond in a constructive and effective manner.  I told her my woes, even shed a few tears (which is exceedingly rare because I don't cry), and she ordered this book for me.  This book has been life changing, even in this short span of time, and I can sincerely say I've never felt so liberated!
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Points of this book that I appreciate:

1. Being human and having the human experience includes feeling the full spectrum of human emotions.  You need to accept that you will feel all these emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, and learn how to work with your emotions in a productive and constructive manner.  So... it's ok to feel [insert "negative" emotion here]!  It's not a deficiency on your part!  It's even healthy!  And the author goes on to detail how you should react to "negative" emotions, which is incredibly helpful to someone like me who admittedly becomes taken-in by such emotions.
2. There is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" emotion.  Some emotions make us feel better than others, but, again, to be human you need to experience all emotions.  
3. You'll never be satisfied if you're only ever running after happiness.  Happiness 100% of the time is not natural because emotions are fleeting, happiness included.  If you're always striving to feel happy, then you'll also miss out on many opportunities because some experiences come with a level of discomfort and unhappiness.
4. Your thoughts and memories are just words and pictures.  Words and pictures do not define a person; actions do.  You have to learn to not get caught up in your thoughts and memories because that is what takes us away from the present moment and into the past or future.  By taking action, guided by your values, you'll not only feel satisfied because you are being productive, you'll also be more successful in living in the present.
5. Rather than a goal-focused life, you should lead a values-focused life.  Yes, having goals is important, but by leading a values-focused life, you'll enjoy the journey to the goal, rather than just feeling satisfied once the goal has been reached and unsatisfied while attempting to reach the goal.

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I could go on and on about this book.  I really loved it, have started implementing it in my life, and have already recommended it to a few of my friends.  Although this book has many great points, it does has a central theme: LIVE AND ACT ACCORDING TO YOUR VALUES.  This will lead to a fulfilled life because your values are what define you as a person and are the points that matter to you.  By acting according to your values, you are always doing something that is personally meaningful and important.  And that is what life should be about: feeling fulfilled based on what you do, rather than just feeling happy.  Happiness does not last; it is an emotion, and emotions are not permanent.  But you can always feel fulfilled if you are doing actions in line with your values, no matter what emotion you are experiencing at that time.  You cannot control your emotions, but you can control how you deal with emotions and you can definitely control your actions.  

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Recommend?  YES.  If you're like me and don't feel satisfied with life when logically there seems to be no reason to be dissatisfied, then give this book a go!  It's simple, and yet it has a great number of points that seem to have been overlooked in this age of self-help books and seminars.  I'm truly thankful to my sister for introducing me to this new way of thinking, and I plan on re-reading this book, in case I missed a few good points.