Night - Elie Wiesel

This book was recommended highly by both Kate and Kristi, and I'm not sure what took me so long to get around to reading it. Even Noel beat me to it!! I finally started a few days ago, and once you get into it, it's a super quick read (well...it's short book) and is packed to the brim with painful imagery as Elie describes his experience living through German concentration camps during WWII. It's an honest collection of frightening memories, and Elie doesn't leave a detail behind so be prepared. I thought I would cry, but somehow managed not to. It's easy to get caught up in the shock of it all and to forget that what you're reading actually happened, and that you're reading from someone's actual experiences first hand. If you haven't read it already, I too highly recommend it!

Note: This is the first book in a trilogy of, "Night", "Dawn", and "Day."

the curious incident of the dog in the night-time

A fictional novel told from the point of view of an autistic boy, Christopher Boone - by Mark Haddon. What I loved most about the book was it's portrayal of honesty when it comes to this boy and his thought process, the way he views the outside world and what happens around him. He takes things very matter-of-factly, and has a super logical way to go about solving his problems. If only we all could think like him! (Also love: the fact that it was such a quick read!) If you can imagine a story coming from someone who seems to be obsessive compulsive and needs things to be just so, this is exactly what you would expect. Complete sentences leaving out too much detail, getting to the point (most of the time anyway...I lost myself in a few babblings), seemingly leaving no trace of humor (but it's all over the place!).

This one took me on a few turns, I thought I knew what was coming up but around each corner was a surprise. And I had no idea where or how it was going to end. Don't stop reading if you're unsure about the style, it seems to mysteriously appeal to the autism in all of us...

Knocked Up: Confessions of a Modern Mother-to-be

"OH SHIT!


Did I . . . did we . . . did he . . . in me?"


Knocked Up is my all time favorite 'girly' book. A great summer read, this laugh out loud diary style novel will have you convinced that there's no way in hell you ever want to be pregnant, and that it's the best thing that could ever happen to a women. Rebecca Eckler explains the highs and lows of being a hip, modern women with a bun in the oven.


. . . Just be sure to explain to boyfriends etc. that the book is fictional to avoid any panic attacks ;)


Ps. Apparently the book has a new cover (below)... I think I like the original better

Bookworm Corner

I meant to do this a while ago, but at last, I'd love to introduce to you the "Bookworm Corner" book club! It's about as casual as you can get when it comes to book clubs, everything is carried out online at everydaybeans, a blog of a close friend/cousin of mine, Ana. She's another book obsessor and has all kinds of neat finds and savvy things to say, so you should put checking her blog out on your to-do list.

So if you're into reading a book along with other book lovers, and having some heartfelt online conversation about your honest feelings and opinions after your reading is done, check out Bookworm Corner at the link above.

Their first book in questions is (surprise, surprise!): The Time Traveler's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger.

The Time Traveler's Wife

This book was actually recommended to me by a student of mine's mother. She's a lovely woman and an avid reader, so I put the name of the book in the back of my mind meaning to get around to reading it someday. Then I saw a preview for the movie about to be released and thought there wouldn't be a better time to get started.

I'm not a book critic by any means, nor do I know exactly what information would be useful for you, the reader of this blog and it's book reviews. But when I read a book like this, that pulls at me emotionally in so many ways, I can't not recommend it people. Though I have to say, at times I found myself really confused with the whole aspect of time traveling and wondering at several occasions how many Henry's there were at that moment...2, possibly 3, but is 3 even possible? I thought there was a maximum of 2? I quickly realized though, that it's important not to get tied up in these silly details. It's not the time traveling that is the focus here, it's the relationship between Henry and Clare. You have to let yourself get carried away in the moment of your reading, in the emotions and struggles of that glimpse in time. Now that I'm writing this, it's actually something both Clare and Henry struggle with throughout the book as well - trying to focus on the present, not the past or what Henry knows will happen in the future.

Anyway, I found myself laughing, crying, feeling really uncomfortable and loving every minute of this book. It's a must read, especially before you go check out that movie...which I'm really excited for. I love Rachel McAdams.

The Big Thaw | Ed Struzik

If you've been paying any attention at all to our environment news, you're probably a little terrified with the recent updates and stories. Just today I found out that oral contraceptives are harmful for the environment - who knew that you peed out the synthetic estrogen (which is more potent than natural), which then flows into our water treatment systems and sneaks its way past into our rivers and lakes? I actually looked into natural membrane condoms (latex sensitivity) and stopped when I found out they were three for $6.00. I'm also not interested in sticking a copper T-shaped instrument up the hoo-haa, nor do I think that natural family planning is really a 21st-century method of birth control - please argue if you think I'm wrong. I'd like to know more.

Ok, I'd gone on quite the tangent there. But I've come across this book that's next on my 'To-Read' list: The Big Thaw - Travels in the Melting North, Ed Struzik which is written on first-hand accounts of trips to the Arctic, what was found, what's changing and what's about to happen. Not only to the life in the Arctic itself, but what will inevitably affect the entire world. To get a feel for the devastation and emotional urgency of this book, check out Ed Struzik's Video (a 50 minute version is also available on YouTube).

Books + Girls

I think a good place to start would be to let you know:
We're not a book club.

Though we have absolutely nothing against book clubs, and in fact some of us are part of them, it was decided that this space would be dedicated to those of us who are passionate about all kinds of reading. Who want to write about books that we've read, are reading, or want to read. There may or may not be discussions about books here, it's possible that some of us will be reading the same books at the same time, and in some cases there are those who want to read but haven't gotten around to it yet. But the beauty of Cliturature is that there is no pressure, no dead-line, and no commitment.

One thing: If you'd like to be a part of Cliturature, please request to become an author of this blog. No one will be denied, but we have to cap it at 100 ladies. Blogger said so...like we'll have more than a hand full.

You're free to come and go as you please, take or leave any suggestions, comments or information you happen to come across, leave posts when you feel like it, read when you feel like it. There are no expectations, no rules...well maybe one. No Boys Allowed.

We're that simple. Enjoy.