Leopard

The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, translated by Archibald Colquhoun, 320 pages

Don Fabrizio, Prince of Salinas, would be perfectly content ruling over his large family, amusing himself with his mistress, indulging in his passion for astronomy, playing with his dog, and watching over his hereditary estates with benevolent indifference.  Unfortunately for him, history has other plans, as Garibaldi's revolutionaries lay siege to Palermo, with Fabrizio's own nephew, the dashing Tancredi, joining them in their effort to overthrow the monarchy.  Even in the security of his country estate at Donnafugata, the prince has to reckon with his eldest daughter Concetta's love for Tancredi and his nephew's growing affection for the bourgeois beauty Angelica.

The Leopard is a masterpiece.  It is not a dramatic novel - most of the major external conflicts are resolved without struggle or comment.  The real drama is social, historical, psychological, and, in the end, metaphysical.  Despite the sentimentality of its characters, it is a remarkably unsentimental work.  There is much to attract us in the passing world of the Sicilian nobility, but the novel does not romanticize them.  CS Lewis famously remarked that there is no "magic about the past.  People were no cleverer then than they are now; they made as many mistakes as we.  But not the same mistakes.  They will not flatter us in the errors we are already committing; and their own errors, being now open and palpable, will not endanger us."  So it is with The Leopard - the novel unfolds for the reader a universe of values which overlaps but significantly diverges from those of liberal modernity and allows him to judge between them.

March-October 2024 Totals

 

March-October 2024 Totals

Julie was the clear reader of the group of three reviewers with a total of 22 books and 7513 pages, followed by Shirley who had 11 books with 3073 pages.  The group read a grand total of 35 books and 11,158 pages during this time period.  Great job everyone!!

Vincent Price: The Art of Fear

 Shirley J.   Adult Non-Fiction       A less than complimentary look at actor Vincent Price's horror films

Vincent Price: The Art of Fear by David Meikle     248 pages

I love Vincent Price but this was a grueling book to force myself to read.    I have never read a more scathing, bitter account of this brilliant actor which is not any where near where this author described his talent.   According to David Meikle, (who is this guy anyway?)  Vincent Price merely offered a one-dimensional performance and basically had 3 reactions he executed in every performance always playing the same character in every horror film he starred in.   Have I said yet how much I dislike this author?   He uses Vincent Price's name to sell his caustic account of the actor and may I add that he alludes to every thing but Vincent Price who seems a minor character in this raunchy bit of literature.   I find this book an offense and an affront to Vincent Price's character and acting ability and this twit needs to go back to whatever hackery he came from.  What a jerk!   David Meikle mocks everything about Vincent Price throughout and I would not recommend this piece of drivel to anyone.  I do love the photos and there are a handful of interesting bits to be gleaned here but the author's nasty attitude prevails throughout so I cannot in full conscience recommend it though in Vincent Price's name I wish it had been as good as it could and should have been.  

The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick

 

Shirley J.        Adult Non-Fiction       How to go from dis-organized to organized while making your space look like a beautiful rainbow showplace!

The Home Edit: Stay Organized: The Ultimate Guide to Making Systems Stick by Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin     256 pages

First of all the illustrations throughout this book are gorgeous.  Now, these ladies are hugely pro using bins.   They don't like the look of boxes regardless if they be the boxes of cereal, macaroni or any food that comes in boxes nor the boxes appliances or anything we buy come in.   They just think food is better stored and displayed in see through containers and once you know you are keeping something you bought that came in a box or especially boxes that items are shipped in said boxes must be recycled and gone from the home.   They are big proponents of colorfully displaying clothes on racks and in closets thus making items easier to see and match for quicker dressing and getting out the door in the morning or evening.    They offer really good tips and their methods are beautiful to behold.  Their labeling of containers and bins are flawless.   They definetly believe in downsizing upholding the philosophy of less is more and that folks tend to use only 20% of the clothes in their closet (creatures of habit we grab the clothes we like and ignore the rest).   A good book, I enjoyed it.   Not sure if while I agree with the beauty and simplicity of see through bins, I would actually follow through and keep up with them but that is my own laziness and not a lack on the book's part.   I recommend this book to all who want to get a handle on organizing their stuff but if you are looking for a deeper purge of clutter this tends to be for those needing organizing skills more so than purging heaps of items.   

Huda F Are You?

Shirley J.              Young Adult Memoir  Graphic Novel              Huda Fahmy's first year of highschool    

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy   192 pages

Huda Fahmy is a Muslim and in this book she has written a memoir about her first year of highschool being a Muslim, a teenager and a hijabi girl living in Dearborn, Michigan.   The book talks about how she is trying to understand who she is growing up in a society where in the Muslim community she still wants to define herself.  Is she a hijabi fashionista?  A hijabi gamer?  She tries becoming a member of many different cliques at highschool trying to see just where she fits in but none of the groups she attempts to become a part of really speak to her of feeling included nor ever really finding that spark of this is who she is and what she wants to be.   It takes trying on the various different interests to bring her to where she gets a better understanding of herself and where she fits.    A really good coming of age story relateable to all teens who are going through the feeling different stage to find their identity in life.    I recommend this book to middleschoolers on up Muslim and non-Muslim alike.  We all search to find our place and our role in life and this book is very user-friendly in showing how to navigate that difficult journey.    

 

Tidy the F*ck Up:The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t

Shirley J.           Adult Non-Fiction                 Straight talk on decluttering your home, office and life

Tidy the F*ck Up:The American Art of Organizing Your Sh*t by Messie Condo    192 pages    

In homage to Marie Condo, organizing and cleaning Queen, Messie Condo is a tongue in cheek calls 'em as Messie sees them straight talk complete with expletives for emphasis look at how to see our sh*t for what it is and tidy it the f*ck up.     While looking around our homes we might be so overwhelmed we are unable to move from in front of the t.v. to actually confront our clutter but Messie verbally shakes us into reality and motivational mode to get the f*ck up and do something!  I love this book for its ability to get you up off the couch and get you to not just think about your stuff which it does but more so to want to tackle it and get it in order and to quit letting it be the boss of you like an unwanted guest that moves in and doesn't want to leave.  Messie Condo begins by quoting the late comedian, George Carlin, who said, "Our house is just a place to keep our stuff so we can go out and get more stuff."  I love this book.  I am re-reading it now that I have finished it just to remind myself all the good tips in gives and they are legion.   Adults, do yourself a favor and check this book out especially if you like laughing because while being totally real this book will also make you chuckle and see yourself in many of the scenarios.  Due to the language maybe young children should not be exposed but teenagers as soon as you are mature enough to hear advice from an adult who peppers their language generously with expletives but who will tell you the factual truth while doing so on how to clean up after yourself and keep on the organized non-hoarder road, or if you have grown up with messy ways, this will be a clear map for how to get your sh*t together in life, literally.  5 stars out of 5!

 

The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again

 

Shirley J.                                  Adult Non-Fiction                     Fun is critical to a human's well-being    

The Power of Fun:How to Feel Alive Again by Catherine Price    352 pages

Catherine Price says that fun is essential to all people.  Her daughter describes it as "sunshine," which is accurate.   Fun is essential because without it how sad and boring would life be?   Fun is laughter and commarderie.  It is experiencing new things in new ways.   It is adventure and making memories.  It is the thing or things in all of our lives that make us happy.  One person's joy may not be the same for the next guy/gal but it is the thing that bring joy and makes the heart palputate a little faster, brings a smile to the lips and sparkle to the eye.   It can be seen most notably in children but adults are just as good at experiencing fun when they open themselves to it.   Price discusses the meaning and explores ways to have fun and incorporate fun into all aspects of life.  Fun is not immature, it is not selfish nor self-indulgent it is living the dream of how beautiful and happy life can be.  She explores the psychology of fun, her idea that fake fun is watching television, or reading and how she doesn't feel introverts are really getting the concept of fun by doing solo activities.  In her interpretation, fun is sharing experiences with others.  Posting things to social media she says is not "fun".     It is trying to fill an emptiness within but not her definition of fun.   True fun is playfulness, connection and flow that which fulfills us.  Gives us energy, community and purpose.  Fun makes us flourish.   And in the end you will enjoy the process.