Debra Garfinkle's Journal
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| Friday, April 27th, 2012 | | 11:36 am |
| | Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 | | 8:36 pm |
Haiku Book Reviews
STEVE JOBS by Walter Isaacson. Biography. Jobs was brilliant, but what a horrible person. Fascinating book. THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins. Young adult novel. It’s as terrific as everyone said it was. Fantastic suspense. FICTION RUINED MY FAMILY by Jeanne Darst. Memoir. Alcoholism and the damage it causes, shown with dark humor. DIVINE JUSTICE by David Baldacci. Novel. Okay I’ll suspend my disbelief. But I won’t annihilate it. THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN. Novel. A well-loved novel narrated by a sweet dog. It wasn't my thing. SUPERSTUD, OR HOW I BECAME A 24-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN by Paul Feig. Memoir. A loveable nerd’s teen years mortified him, but made me laugh a lot. THE TIPPING POINT BY MALCOLM GLADWELL. Nonfiction. Great anecdotes and analysis wrapped in a fun and fast-paced read. THE SUMMER WE READ GATSBY by Danielle Ganek. Novel. Wealthy half-sisters with first world problems. I wish there were more at stake. DITCHED by Robin Mellom. Young adult novel. Adorkable girl recalls her disastrous prom. Sweet and funny book. BREADCRUMBS by Anne Ursu. children's novel. Lovely prose belies a horrifying story. Good, but depressing. MOONWALKING WITH EINSTEIN by Joshua Foer. Nonfiction. Memory techniques and the people devoted to them. A great read. | | Saturday, January 7th, 2012 | | 9:49 am |
My Fave Books
I read/listened to 73 books last year. Here are my ten favorites: NOVELS A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan In these linked short stories, Egan brilliantly uses a huge variety of settings, time periods, and techniques. The stories are character-driven and thoughtful, yet fast-paced too. My favorite book of recent years. THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly Engrossing and incredibly well-researched legal thriller about an L.A. defense attorney. I couldn’t put it down. AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE by Jill Mansell Funny, sweet, and romantic beach read with a British female protagonist. Like Sophie Kinsella’s best work, and I love Kinsella. THE UNDERSTUDY by David Nicholls Funny, sweet, and romantic beach read with a British male protagonist. Like Nick Hornby’s best work, and I love Hornby. BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray Funny, intelligent young adult novel about a planeful of beauty pageant contestants stranded on an island. AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber Very fun young adult novel about a guy whose prom date turns out to be an assassin. NONFICTION TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER by Dwight V. Swain A how-to book on the craft of writing, first published in 1965. I learned a lot about writing effective scenes. THIS TIME TOGETHER by Carol Burnett Charming memoir with fun anecdotes from a mega talented, classy woman. NO BIKING IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT A HELMET by Melissa Fay Greene Fascinating memoir about raising five internationally adopted children in addition to four birth children. THIN IS THE NEW HAPPY by Valerie Frankel Inspiring memoir about a woman’s journey toward loving her body and herself. | | Monday, January 2nd, 2012 | | 12:41 pm |
Book Review Haikus
HISTORY OF A SUICIDE: MY SISTER’S UNFINISHED LIFE by Jill Bialosky-nonfiction Sad but engrossing story of a young woman’s death and its impact. AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE by Jill Mansell-novel Fun, fluffy romance. Like Kinsella at her best. I loved this novel. FIRED! TALES OF THE CANNED, CANCELED, DOWNSIZED, & DISMISSED edited by Annabelle Gurwitch-nonfiction Interesting book. But the quality of the stories was quite mixed. LIFE ITSELF by Roger Ebert-memoir Honest account of a flawed man and great writer. I was riveted. MRS. DALLOWAY by Virginia Woolf-novel I needed Spark Notes to understand this novel. Gorgeous and brilliant. MURDER AT THE PTA by Laura Alden-mystery novel Cozy mystery. It’s cute and fun, but a bit slow-paced for my taste. THIN IS THE NEW HAPPY by Valerie Frankel-memoir A woman like moi learns to treat herself better. Very inspiring. THE UNDERSTUDY by David Nicholls-novel Sweet and funny book as good as Nick Hornby’s work. And British to boot. HOOKED: WRITE FICTION THAT GRABS READERS AT PAGE ONE AND NEVER LETS THEM GO by Les Edgerton-how-to book I found much of this too basic, but some advice really dazzled me. LOOK AT ME by Jennifer Egan-novel Thoughtful, lovely book giving hope to horribly messed up characters. | | Friday, December 9th, 2011 | | 4:26 pm |
Friday Five
1. My ZEKE MEEKS series got its first official review, from Kirkus Reviews. I hear it's a good one, calling Zeke Meeks an "easier-to-read option to the Wimpy Kid series." Yay! Phew! I've never read the Wimpy Kid books, but my sixth-grader and his friends are big fans. And I believe they sell pretty decently too. :-) The first four Zeke Meeks books and the Kirkus review come out in January. 2. Three movies I'm dying to see: The Descendants, and not just because of George Clooney; Young Adult, about a young adult author; and We Need to Talk About Kevin, based on one of the most memorable and creepiest novels I've ever read. 3. To whoever stole my daughter's wallet: Thanks at least for returning her driver's license and student ID card yesterday. 4. I'm still not over the tragic travesty of Cochran getting voted out of Survivor. 5. This huge fan of Sophie Kinsella found an author just as good: Jill Mansell. And I found an author like the wonderful Nick Hornby: David Nicholls. | | Sunday, December 4th, 2011 | | 10:19 pm |
Haiku Book Reviews
IN ZANESVILLE by Jo Ann Beard-novel True and nostalgic study of adolescence. But nearly plotless. DOMESTIC VIOLETS by Matthew Norman-novel A famous author’s son works on his own novel. Sweet and funny book JUST KIDS by Patti Smith-memoir Gorgeous prose from a rocker/poet. But it’s too disjointed for me. SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER by Jenny Gardiner-novel A woman questions her longstanding marriage in a fun, witty way. A LINCOLN by Ronald C. White, Jr.-biography Now that I’ve read this humongous tome, I feel like a Lincoln expert. STORM FRONT by Jim Butcher-novel Wizard/detective fights monsters and vampires hilariously. THE DIVORCE PARTY by Laura Dave-novel First world problems of beautiful, wealthy women. Nice prose but slow paced. HALF EMPTY by David Rakoff-essays Insightful, funny, and diverse essays make for great entertainment. THEN CAME YOU by Jennifer Weiner-novel I’m a Weiner fan. But she repeated plot points of her CERTAIN GIRLS. COULD IT BE FOREVER? MY STORY by David Cassidy-memoir He’s a cocky jerk. But, okay, yeah, I admit I enjoyed his book. LIFE AS I KNOW IT by Melanie Rose-novel Freaky Friday-ish novel was intriguing, though a bit slow at times. AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK by Joe Schreiber-young adult novel A wild prom night with a vicious assassin. Totally fun romp. | | 5:42 pm |
| | Wednesday, November 30th, 2011 | | 11:52 am |
Missya!
Livejournal, I've been gone awhile.  I promise to come back to you soon. | | Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 | | 1:36 pm |
Yay!
You know the ZEKE MEEKS children's chapter books I wrote? The first four come out in January. That's right, the FIRST four. I just signed a contract to write four more! | | Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 | | 9:25 am |
Book Review Haikus
I THINK I LOVE YOU by Allison Pearson-novel Character-driven book that’s lovely and funny, but slow in some parts. THE SOCIOPATH NEXT DOOR by Martha Stout-nonfiction Sociopaths are fascinating, albeit horribly scary. THE ESPRESSOLOGIST by Kristina Springer-young adult novel Teenage matchmaker mixes romance with coffee. What’s not to like here? MATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Susan Elizabeth Phillips-novel Fun read, except for the stereotypical sad career woman. ROOM by Emma Donoghue-novel A grim story told by a sweet, loveable boy. Wonderfully voiced. RUNNING THE BOOKS: THE ADVENTURES OF AN ACCIDENTAL PRISON LIBRARIAN by Avi Steinberg-memoir Harvard graduate works with felons in Boston. An eye-opener. SUCH A PRETTY FAT: ONE NARCISSIST'S QUEST TO DISCOVER IF HER LIFE MAKES HER ASS LOOK BIG, OR WHY PIE IS NOT THE ANSWER by Jen Lancaster-memoir Queen of snarkiness goes on a diet in this very funny book. | | Friday, September 30th, 2011 | | 4:05 pm |
Friday Five
1. I'd have a lot more time without Gawker.com in my life. 2. I finally finished the 28-hour audiobook about Abraham Lincoln. I feel so accomplished. 3. I love Nicki Minaj even though I don't understand most of her songs. I even looked up the lyrics to Super Bass and still don't understand it. 4. Survivor's pretty meh this season, except for Cochran. Gotta root for the funny Jewish lawyer. 5. My rabbi's great. His Rosh Ha Shana sermon was on heroes, including Lady Gaga. | | Friday, September 23rd, 2011 | | 6:36 pm |
Friday Five
1. I keep forgetting to say I'm on Facebook. So now I'll say it: I'm on Facebook, as Debra Green Garfinkle. Friend me. 2. I'm sad that Curb Your Enthusiasm and Celebrity Rehab ended, but I'm so happy to have Modern Family back in my little life. I also watched the new show 2 Broke Girls, but it seemed too broad, as if they decided to include the funniest punchlines, regardless of whether they were believable or added to character development. 3. I've listened to 21 hours of the A. Lincoln bio, with "only" seven hours to go. I now consider myself a total Lincoln expert. Come on, ask me anything about Honest Abe, aka The Rail Splitter, aka Father Abraham. 4. My boys "only" have three soccer games this weekend. Last weekend they had four. 5. My sixth-grader just returned from an overnight with his school. He got five bee stinks during a hike. Ouch. I know he's okay because he complained about the length of the hike more than the bee stings. | | Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 | | 10:27 am |
Better than watching TV, right?
I'm listening to A. Lincoln by Ronald C. White, a very interesting audiobook about Abraham Lincoln. Three hours down, TWENTY-FIVE to go. I should be a Lincoln expert by the time I finish, if I'm still alive by then. | | Wednesday, August 31st, 2011 | | 11:38 am |
I'm in love!
My publisher made a wonderful (in my totally unbiased opinion) trailer for my pseudonym's books. Namely, four humorous ZEKE MEEKS books for kids, all coming out in January. I totally adore the trailer! It's amazing how one 83-second video can sum up my books so well and make them look interesting. I wish I'd written the line "I kinda like my face." I did write the line about the girl threatening to rip Zeke's face off. Actually, I stole the line from Hubby's ex-girlfriend, who really did threaten to rip my face off. | | Sunday, August 28th, 2011 | | 4:29 pm |
Haiku Book Reviews
STORIES I ONLY TELL MY FRIENDS by Rob Lowe-memoir Enthralling life of acting, women, and scandals self-servingly told. NO BIKING IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT A HELMET by Melissa Fay Greene-memoir I love this memoir by a woman with four kids who adopts five more. COMMENCEMENT by J. Courtney Sullivan-novel Epic story with great Smith College setting. But too soapy for me. RUSSIAN WINTER by Daphne Kalotay-historical fiction Interesting look at a ballerina’s life in Stalinist Russia. BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER by Amy Chau-memoir I disagree with her so much. But her book is strangely engrossing. BITTER IS THE NEW BLACK by Jen Lancaster-memoir Bitchy snob suffers hard job loss, learns lessons, and makes me laugh a lot. BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray-young adult novel Gilligan’s Island full of pageant contestants. Wickedly clever. THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly-legal thriller A defense lawyer hates his main client in this riveting thriller. LITERARY NOVEL I SHALL NOT NAME by an author I shall not read again-novel Rambling book about a sleazy teacher’s affair with his student. Yuck. | | Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 | | 12:18 pm |
Good news/Bad news
Good news: After exercising almost every day this past month, I lost 5 pounds.
Bad news: My arms and legs are killing me. Also my back. And my feet.
Good news: After an overnight visit, the emergency vet proclaimed dog Edna healthy.
Bad news: It cost us a small large fortune.
Good news: Hubby's job as a bankruptcy lawyer is recession-proof.
Bad news: I call him Hubby because he's been working so hard I forgot his name.
Good news: I loved the novel ROOM by Emma Donoghue.
Bad news: I now am terrorized whenever I see a garden shed. | | Friday, August 19th, 2011 | | 10:17 am |
Friday Five
Five Things I've Loved Lately: 1. The movie CRAZY, STUPID LOVE. A perfect combo of funny, deep, and sweet. 2. The movie BREAKING AWAY. An oldie that totally holds up. My kids liked it too. 3. The play JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA. Irreverent, certainly not for kids, and hilarious. 4. The TV show CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. Larry David is so horrible, yet strangely loveable. 5. The book THE LINCOLN LAWYER. Gripping. | | Sunday, August 14th, 2011 | | 12:48 pm |
Female troubles
I just finished reading yet another women's novel in which the main character learns that true happiness is achieved by giving up her very successful career so she'll have more time for men and won't intimidate them. Ugh. (Confession: I did stop practicing law, but it wasn't to snag a guy. I'd already been married for seven years and my husband loved that I was a lawyer. I'm all for women being successful lawyers or anything else they want to be.) A book that's more my style: BEAUTY QUEENS, a very funny young adult novel by Libba Bray in which beauty pageant contestants learn that there's more to life than spending a small fortune and numerous hours on their looks. (Confession: I do spend a small fortune and two hours a pop getting my hair highlighted. But that's about it.) | | Saturday, July 9th, 2011 | | 12:04 pm |
Haiku Book Reviews
THE SUM OF OUR DAYS by Isabel Allende-memoir A languid account of Allende’s recent years with her family GUILT BY ASSOCIATION by Marcia Clark-novel Fast-paced, engrossing crime thriller set in L.A. Surprisingly good. AMEN, AMEN, AMEN by Abby Sher-memoir Lovely prose in this memoir of OCD and improv comedy. CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPOHOLIC by Sophie Kinsella-novel Hard to root for the silly protagonist. But I’m still a big fan. DIDN’T LIKE THE BOOK, SO I WON’T NAME IT-young adult novel Homeless, handicapped, and black teens all act like saints. Much too saccharine. BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey-memoir Funny and clever book about Fey’s career path. A bit guarded though. AND ONE LAST THING by Molly Harper-novel Fun beach read about a woman wronged. Don’t worry. She rebounds nicely. | | Thursday, June 9th, 2011 | | 7:34 am |
Writerly Stuff
David Mamet is brilliant. Based on my notes of his advice on the Internet, I'm going through my young adult novel now to make sure in every scene we know: 1. Who wants what? 2. What happens to them if they don't get it? and 3. Why now? I'm also checking, according to Mamet, that: The hero's attempt to get need met will lead to failure at end of scene, which will then necessarily lead to the next scene. (Actually, I think it can also lead to success with complications.) Readers are left to wonder what happens next. Writers should not explain what just happened or suggest what happens next. Scenes start with hero's problem and end with hero finding himself thwarted or educated that another way exists. |
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