This book wants to fight you.

Laurie (Drama Mama) picks the new book:




American Shaolin by Matthew Polly.t

Synopsis:
The raucously funny story of one young American’s quest to become the baddest dude on the planet (and possibly find inner peace along the way) Growing up a ninety-eight-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series Kung Fu. American Shaolin is the story of the two years Matthew spent in China living, studying, and performing with the Shaolin monks. The Chinese term for tough training is chi ku (“eating bitter”), and Matthew quickly learned to appreciate the phrase. This is both the gripping story of Matthew’s journey and an intimate portrait of the real lives of the Shaolin monks, who struggle to overcome rampant corruption and the restrictions of an authoritarian government. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of- age story of one man’s journey into the ancient art of kungfu—and a poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.

Her reason for the choice:

I have always been fascinated by what others can do with their bodies, what they can do TO their bodies, and so as a result I have always enjoyed anything kung-fu related. I found this book and when I realized it was the story of an American self-professed weakling who went to China in search of the infamous Shaolin Temple to request training, I was intrigued. Matthew Polly's writing is witty, engaging, and easygoing. The story could have been very dry and technical, but it feels like you are sitting around a corner table at a college bar and listening to your buddy tell a story. Not only did I learn a lot about Chinese culture, but I have a new found respect for all things Shaolin. This book had me snickering unattractively to myself, reading parts aloud to ambushed family members, and inspired me to do some self-inventory of my own. I hope you all like it!

A new book has been chosen.

I sat out my pick... and gave it to Natalie. She picked:


Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory.



Description:
A young girl is perched on the cold chrome of yet another doctor’s examining table, missing yet another day of school. Just twelve, she’s tall, skinny, and weak. It’s four o’clock, and she hasn’t been allowed to eat anything all day. Her mother, on the other hand, seems curiously excited. She's about to suggest open-heart surgery on her child to "get to the bottom of this." She checks her teeth for lipstick and, as the doctor enters, shoots the girl a warning glance. This child will not ruin her plans.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I found it fascinating. It is the true story of an Ohio girl, raised by mother who suffers from Münchhausen by Proxy Syndrome. I have always been interested in abnormal psychology and the completely whacked out things people do. The story is kind of like watching a train-wreck. I thought it was an easy book to read while still covering a very interesting and bizarre topic.

Book THREE.

So.. it's Gretta's turn to pick a book. Her pick is:



Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl From B&N:

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.



Not a terribly cheerful sounding synopsis. But it does sound incredibly interesting. Happy reading.

New book!

Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides

All the synopses that I found were too long to put here. It's about a hermaphrodite. So yeah... There you go.

Mel recommends this book because "It's good." It did win the Pulitzer Prize... so she's probably right. Happy reading!

First book... go!

Jen throws out the first book for our reading pleasure:

The Hunger Games

~ Suzanne Collins


Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

Jen says we should read it because:

"Read it because it's good. I can't think of any real intellectual comments to make."

So.. go forth, read it. Comments here on what you think.. feel free to post during reading or after you've read it. Fair warning on spoilers/plot points, if you're going to give something away, let folks know you're going to; that way they can wait till they've read it.