Robert M. Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values"

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on Amazon

This is one of those books that has been on my list of "books to read" for about 10 years now. I think the first time I ever heard a reference to it was just out of high school, in the movie "Drive Me Crazy". Melissa Joan Hart's dad asks her to read it, because he feels like she'll better understand him, and she throws the book out of a hot air balloon. Since then, I've heard reference to "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" several more times, and always with good reviews. 

About a week ago, I was discussing literature, specifically as it applies to philosophy, with my brother-in-law, and asked if I'd ever read this book. I told him that I hadn't, but that I'd always meant to, so he quickly got me his copy to borrow. Apparently, it's his favorite book and he's tried to get several other people to read it, but no success. For that reason only, I would have read it.

I wasn't even sure what the book was about when I started, other than the vague idea that it was about a cross-country motorcycle trip. This is true, however, the story and the point of the book are much larger than that. "Zen" is about a schizophrenic man taking his son on a cross-country motorcycle trip to try and unravel a part of his life, and I personality that he no longer remembers. In the process of attempting to backtrack that part of his mind, he delves deeply into a philophical background, where the book divides between a romantic portrait of America's backroads and the struggle of two family members to bond and understand one another and a philosophical diatribe on tthe rules of rhetoric. 

While I thought the book as a whole was interesting, and the story was heartwarming, it is kind of a slow read, especially through the middle. For someone not interested in philosophy at all, the book probably wouldn't have much appeal. The philosophy is presented in a way that isn't entirely lecture, as it's incorporated into the story and told from the character's point of view (an interesting form of presentation), so it is far more interesting that trying to read, say the works of Aristotle, but it can be easy to get lost or gloss over those sections. Luckily, the book is broken up into sections of intellect, followed by sections of story, followed by sections of intellect, etc. 

Mr. Pirsig's descriptive style is excellent. He paints a beautiful image of the American scenery that romanticizes the idea of the trip. Camping, riding, mountains, desert... All of it makes you want to pack up and buy a hog. 

The part I found most interesting about the story, wasn't even the motorcycle trip, but the mental journey for the character through his schizophrenia. It reminded me of the Aronofsky film "Pi", about a mathematician who becomes so obsessed with the number pi that the goes crazy and kills himself. The deeper the character delves into remembering his past thoughts and beliefs, the more he starts to sink deeper back into the insanity that he'd been "cured" of. It's really very fascinating. 

Kim Gray is a mom, blogger, nutrition fanatic and founder of the Voracious Readers Society and ePaleoCookbooks.net. If you would like to join the society and submit your own book reviews, you can contact her at voraciousreaders@yahoo.com or on twitter @artex1024.

Cassandra Clare's "Clockwork Angel"

"Clockwork Angel" on Amazon.com

They say "never judge a book by its cover", but when it comes to my love for fantasy books, I always judge the book by the cover. When I see a handsome dude in dapper clothes, and it's not a cheest romance novel, there's a good chance that I'll pick it up.

This particular book also peaked another interest of mine, which was find out what this whole "steampunk" genre was about, and Cassandra Clare's "Clockwork Angel" was my first foray into that domain. I'm glad that the book was a strong mix of steampunk and fantasy, because the mechanical elements didn't really appeal to me. I hear the word "automaton" and I instantly assume Will Smith will make an appearance a la "I-Robot". The robots in this book, while it was set in old-time London, were much closer to those of current time than the creepy yet benign automaton of "Hugo".

Cogs and mechanics aside, I loved the fantastical elements - the classic battle between angels and demons, intermingling with humans, vampires, warlocks and the fey. 

This series looks to be a bit darker than most fantasy, with certain scenes that could rival the creepiness of Silent Hill. Fires blaze and blood abounds, so while it's not terribly scary, faint of heart fairy-tale lovers should be warned. This isn't a fairy tale. 

The characters vary from the sensitive and intelligent angel warrior, Jem, to the flighty and shallow yet comically fierce Jessamine and everyone in between. The main focus is on the 17 year-old angel-soldier Will Herondale, who is arrogant and broody yet quite entertaining (and also the handome devil on the cover) and the equally young heroine of the story, polite yet feisty Underworlder, Tessa Gray. With a pairing like that, the obvious sparks and passions ensue. 

The story itself is great. It's well thought out, action packed with all the right elements to keep you engaged. But you can tell that it's a series because it just kind of fizzles out. There are a lot of unanswered questions to lead you into the next book, but no big cliff hanger. That was really the only disappointment. Other than that, it was a definite page-turner. I read all 450ish pages in about a day and a half. 

Kim Gray is a mom, blogger, nutrition fanatic and founder of the Voracious Readers Society and ePaleoCookbooks.net. If you would like to join the society and submit your own book reviews, you can contact her at voraciousreaders@yahoo.com or on twitter @artex1024.

Richelle Mead's "Bloodlines"

"Bloodlines" on Amazon

For those of you who have read my review of Richelle Mead's "Vampire Academy" series, you'll know that I LOVE the series. "Bloodlines" is the first book in her spin-off series, but before you start it, I highly recommend that you read the original series. Most of the characters in Bloodlines are familiar to those who have read the Vampire Academy series, and without reading that, you'll lack a lot of the prior character development. 

Bloodlines follows Sydney Sage, the Alchemist who assisted Rose in the original series. For those not familiar with it, an Alchemist is a human faction responsible for keeping other humans in the dark about the existance of vampires and dhampirs.

After her involvement in the events of the final Vampire Academy book, Sydney is given the opportunity to redeem herself with an assignment to keep an eye on  the Moroi princess, Jill, while she is in hiding after an assassination attempt. 

Also along for the ride are VA alums Eddie Castile, the devoted dhampir guardian, Rose's crime boss father, Abe Mazur and love-crushed vampire pretty-boy Adrian Ivashkov. Several new characters are introduced, but I doubt that they'll make much of an appearance in subsequent books, with the possible exception of Sydney's younger sister, and a future Alchemist, Zoe Sage.

As was the case in a couple of the VA books, Bloodlines is less about ass-kicking action and more about plot and character development. You're given plenty of insight into the Alchemist organization and both Sydney's background and family life. 

Observing the blossoming friendship between Sydney and Adrian, two characters who couldn't be more different, is entertaining and heartwarming, and you can't help but root for something more to happen there. Adrian's cocky confidence mixes with Sydney's introverted awkwardness for amusing results.

This book reads like a Nancy Drew novel, which is to be expected, since Sydney is very clinical and academic (a far cry from the heroine of the VA books, the "hit first, ask questions later" Rose Hathaway), but in true Richelle fashion, it finishes with a bang that leaves you craving more.

William Bernstein's "The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio"

The Four Pillars of Investing - at Amazon

I discovered "The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio" on a number of lists touted as a must read for the novice investor; so I picked it up on my Kindle and began reading it through. As a beginner’s text, it is very straight forward and easy to understand. There is little math, and when there is, it is at best of a junior high level.

 The basic premise of the book is that there are 4 pillars that one must understand about the market before you can make sound investment decisions. He devotes a number of chapters to each of these concepts, but they mostly boil down to a few simple concepts:

1.       1. A knowledge of investment theory.

Risk and Return are inversely related. If someone has a risk free solution with high returns, they are likely trying to make money off of your lack of knowledge.

2.      2.  An understanding of the history of investing

History repeats (in regards to economic bubbles.) So do not get caught up in market crazes lest you lose it all. When everything seems perfect is the scariest time for an investor. When things seems the bleakest, the time to strike (invest) is at hand.

3.      3.  Insight into the psychology of investing

You must understand basic human psychology in order to avoid common pitfalls. This includes herd behavior. In other words, don’t invest in something because your neighbor is. People tend to love the latest hot stock (Facebook lol.) If you are following Bernstein’s tenants, then investing should be boring.

4.     

           4.  An awareness of the business of investing

      

      The investment industry is designed to take your money. Buying and selling frequently can and will eat into any gains you may see. If professionals consistently knew which stocks would be hot, then they would likely quit their jobs and become rich themselves.

With those four pillars Bernstein’s emphatic advice is to plan your risk tolerance level (he explains the concepts behind this) and then to divide your portfolio into broad index fund categories, eg. S&P 500, EAFE, Emerging Markets. Invest in various representative funds with little to no management costs and to stay in them for the long haul. Anything less than 10 years is ill advised.

He backs up all theories with plenty of historical examples and many charts, some of which can honestly become a little dry(not to mention the charts can be difficult to read on the Kindle) but he does a good job teaching market basics while promoting his investing theories.

 As a novice I feel that his advice has struck a chord and his theories resonate with me. The simplicity of his advice has alleviated much of the stress about how to go about planning for the future. And while I do not take everything he says as gospel, I do believe that I am much better prepared for my future in the stock market.

Review by Voracious Readers Society member, Thomas Shaw.

Kim Edwards' "The Memory Keeper's Daughter"

The Memory Keeper's Daughter on Amazon

Have you ever had a time in your life when you were going through a really rough patch? You're relationship was falling apart, you were mourning the loss of a loved one or you were just plain down in the dumps? Knowing that misery loves company, did you seek out others who would understand and empathize because their lives sucked too? Maybe you were like me and you were surrounded by happy love-doped jerks.

Either way, "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" is one of those books is just perfect for tough times.
The book is about a man, David Henry, who makes a choice to give up his Down syndrome baby and then lies to wife by telling her that the baby died at birth. The story is the tale of how that decision affects the rest of not only his life, but his family's and the life of the little girl that he gives up.

While most people have hopefully never had to endure the pain of losing a child, the repercussions are things that we can all relate to - relationship woes, guilt, trouble connecting to the world - and Kim Edwards write in a way that submerges you into the lives and emotions of her characters. You feel Nora Henry's pain at losing her child, her emptiness. You ache for Caroline Gill's desperate need to protect her special needs daughter, and you find yourself examining your own relationship as you watch the distance grow between the Henry family.

The book resonated so much with me personally, that as I was reading, I found my mind wandering to my own relationships.. Pages later, I'd snap to, realizing I had no idea where I was in the story or what was going on.

Aside from the raw emotion, I love Kim Edwards' use of vivid imagery to describe scenery. Reading about all of those flowers had me pining to go sit in my grandma's garden. Of course that could just be because I've been surrounded by wedding flowers for the past two weeks.

Anway, if you need a good cry and a tug on the heart strings, this one comes highly recommended!