Between the Covers: Stories from My Bookcase

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Trojan Odyssey

This is the first Dirk Pitt novel I've read in years. I may have mentioned that I grew up with books - my own, my dad's, mom's and even my brother's. Even when I was in gradeschool and highschool, I remember reading books that my dad bought for himself. You see, with the exception of my chick lit purchases, most books here are common property - everyone reads them (I think my mom reads chick lit now too). My dad was a Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt fan and to no surprise, the whole family got hooked.

The first time I paid attention to Dirk Pitt, if I remember correctly, was when we vacationed at Hidden Valley Springs (oh my God, it must have been when I was around 9 or 10 - we went there several times) and my brother rented a video - Raise the Titanic! It was the movie adaptation of the Dirk Pitt adventure. When we went home, I gave reading the thick novels a try and I found that I actually liked them.

So two weeks ago, I picked up Trojan Odyssey
along with several other books at the small bookshop in our building. I was surprised to learn about Dirk's grown kids! So apparently there's at least one other Pitt novel out there that we haven't read before (Valhalla Rising) because the appearance of Summer and Dirk Jr was a big surprise.

The book gave me my dose of adventure, world history and mythology. Sometimes I really think that I didn't major in the right subject in college. Why didn't I study literature or archeology or even art history? Okay, they wouldn't have suited me either. Hehe.

It was very interesting to read about the battle of Troy and Odysseus' trip home to Ithaca and learn of other theories behind what or where it really happened. It was amazing how Cussler was able to tie in that story with what Specter was really all about. Truly genius.

I recommend this novel to anyone looking for an adventure though if you don't know Dirk Pitt yet, I would suggest starting with the other novels because you got to have read other Pitt novels for you to really appreciate the talk of retiring and even of settling down with Loren.

These novels really do a good job raising environmental awareness, specifically consciousness of marine life which I don't think gets the attention it deserves in this country. I had a Lit class held at the Marine Science Institute building in campus (because there were no other rooms available elsewhere) and that was the closest I ever was to Marine Science. Maybe in another life I'd take up Marine Science or something.



*This is a repost from my personal blog http://verabear.net

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Little Earthquakes


This was the book my darling little dog chewed on two weeks ago. Too bad because it's definitely a book I'd like to keep and reread someday. Good thing I got it from the used bookshop but it was in such good condition that when I got it, I felt it was a steal for being in very good/brand new condition.

It's about four mothers who found friends in each other - who drew strength from one another to survive their own little earthquakes.

Of course I identified with Becky, a big woman who was happy and sure of herself. She had a near-perfect husband, and she was doing something she loved for work. Of all four friends, she seemed to be the one who was on top of things, she brought the most laughs and made the most sensible decisions. Even her mini crisis wasn't so dramatic though issues with a mother-in-law are definitely serious business too.

I am not her and my life isn't nowhere near hers, but she could be a mom and wife I'd like to be when I grow up.

When I do get pregnant, I'll read this book again, and brace myself for motherhood and all that a baby would bring into my life. Along with What to expect when you're expecting, I think this should be a must for every expectant mother. Plain, practical, non-glorified view of having a newborn.

Along with Weiner's Good in Bed, Little Earthquakes is definitely one of my favorite books of it's genre. It's one of my favorite books. Period.



*This is a repost from my personal blog http://verabear.net