No Book Today

A Letter To My Dear Tracy Friends
After almost 4 years, I will be leaving the Tracy Press Advertising Dept. and moving to the North Bay, to be near family. I will still be writing my blog, only more consistently, I hope.
Before I leave, I want to say a few things about my stay here in Tracy.
Working for the Tracy Press, particularly the last 2 years or so, has been an honor and a privilege. We may not be the biggest paper in the country, but if values and heart alone sold newspapers, we’d beat out the L.A Times and the Washington Post combined.
I’ve worked in the newspaper industry for about 20 years and one of the things that attracted me here was that it has been family owned for so long, previously the norm, currently a rarity. This family concept extends not only to the Matthews family, but to their employees as well. Although we may agree to disagree at times, I leave here feeling like I am leaving family.
It will be very difficult to say goodbye to my immediate managers, Tammie and Lisa. As salespeople, managers and, most importantly, friends, these two ladies have inspired, encouraged and motivated me on many different levels. And I, in turn, have had the fun of watching them grow in their positions.
The sales staff is amazing, from our newest, freshly enthusiastic salesperson, to our most experienced, tremendously successful co-worker. Every day I have come to work knowing there would be smiles, laughs and friendship. Sometimes, that is the best compensation any job can offer.
Although I have discovered there is not much for an (almost) middle-aged single woman to do for fun in Tracy, I was thrilled to find the Tracy Book Club last October. We’re a small group, but that has never seemed to matter. We have covered a number of different genres and tend to agree about what we strongly like and what we strongly dislike. Colleen, her daughter Samantha and Kathleen (our head librarian here in Tracy!) have become like sisters to me. They have saved my sanity a time or two. I want to mention my girl Lisa, too. Not a member of our book club, she Is always there on Thursdays to check out our books and get harassed! When you go to the library, you’ll know which one Lisa is, by the exceptional customer service she provides. Besides the beautiful smile.
Change is hard. And today, my last day at work, will be filled with tears, and some laughter I’m sure. I need to move on, but I leave a little bit of my heart here in this town.
Next time I write, I promise it will be about books. Happy Reading and Thanks for Everything, Tracy, California!

"Plainsong" by Kent Haruf

Plainsong
By Kent Haruf
This year’s “One Book, One San Joaquin” book is “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf.
I’ve read many wonderful critiques of this award winning story.
I’ve listened to others who have read the book.
I read the book.
I was surprised it was chosen as the “One Book”.
While I won’t go as far as to say I didn’t like it, I will say I can’t figure out what all the rave reviews were about.
It is a story of a small town in Colorado and the lives of some of its inhabitants. The tale seems to be more a study in its characters than a telling of their actions.
We have a high school English teacher, whose depressed wife leaves him with their two young sons.
We have his two young sons, ages 9 and 10, whose mother leaves them in the care of their father.
We have the depressed wife and mother who left her husband and children
We have a 17 year old girl who is pregnant and kicked out of her home by her mother.
We have another, female, teacher, who helps the pregnant girl.
We have the elderly brothers living on their farm who take in the pregnant girl.
What we don’t seem to have is a solution to anything. We never find out why the mother and wife was so depressed and had to leave. We never learn anything about the mother of the 17 year old daughter and what events led up to her abandonment, other than the pregnancy. A relationship between the two teachers begins to develop, but it is never made completely clear what happens there.
There is no closure to this book. Granted it was an easy ready. I even liked some of the characters and found they were, in and of themselves, very well developed. I questioned the purpose of the story, but even more, I questioned the title. Did Mr. Haruf name the book “Plainsong” because it was, indeed, very plain and unadorned? This is a possibility that was discussed in our Book Club. But I think there is a difference between plain and unfinished.
I’m sure I will get negative comments about my opinion here, considering that this is an award-winning book. That’s ok. That is the beauty of reading. Everyone who reads something gets something different from it. So much so, that I would love to hear from anyone who may have taken part in “One Book, One San Joaquin” this year.
BOOK CLUB NOTICE:
The Tracy Book Club, which still meets on Thursdays at 6:30pm at the Tracy Library, will be reading “The Life of Pi” by Yann Martel this week. If you can’t come to the meeting, read along with us! And, as always, please let me know what you think! Thanks! Happy Reading!

Song of the Cuckoo Bird by Amulya Malladi

“Song of the Cuckoo Bird” by Amulya Malladi

I have been reading so many good books lately! Either I’m making excellent decisions or my book club (hi, girls!) is making excellent decisions or I’m very easy to please.

Whatever the reason, I sure am enjoying myself.

About three weeks ago, our book club read “Song of the Cuckoo Bird” by Amulya Malladi. This is the story of an Ashram, near the Bay of Bengal, and its residents, over a 50 year span. The dominant character, Kokila, whose name means “Cuckoo Bird”, comes to the Ashram as an 11 year old orphan. Promised in marriage, Kokila has some decisions to make about her present, as well as her future. She appears, on some levels, to be passive, though there is an independence about her which is somewhat shocking for her time and culture.

In addition to Kokila, the Ashram – named “Tella Meda” – is home to many characters and personalities.

Central to the story is Chavri, proclaimed by her father to be a goddess. She is the guru on whom the members of the household as well as its visitors focus. Much of the story deals with the legitimacy of her deity.

Chetana is Kokila’s best friend. About the same age, they grow up together in Tella Meda, facing their own challenges. Chetana is a strong girl, who grows into a strong woman. Unlike with Kokila, I never saw a passive side of Chetana. She wants what she wants – and will do what is necessary to get it. I would have to say that Chetana is my favorite character in the story. There is a fire about her that intrigues me.

Let us not forget Ramanandam Sastri, Charvi’s father. I could never figure out if I liked or disliked him. Like most of us, he had his good and his bad moments. Perhaps, based on that alone, he was the most real of them all. A strong force in the lives of all the long-term residents of “Tella Meda”, he has particular influence over Kokila.

Subhadra is an endearing member of this odd family. Acting as “chief chef and bottle-washer”, she tends to take on the “mother” role, especially with Kokila and Chetana.

Many other characters – doctors, relatives, worshippers and lepers – make their way in and out of the story, intertwining lives much the way they do in real life. Well, perhaps not as many lepers, in the 21st century continental United States.

To me, this was a story of personalities. I believe that you could take this group of people and put them in almost any setting, and maintain the same tale. The interaction, love, hate, anger and happiness make the story real, regardless of time, locale or language. I would recommend this book to anyone.

**DIGRESSION ALERT DIGRESSION ALERT**
It’s time again – well, it has been since the middle of March – for “ONE BOOK ONE SAN JOAQUIN”. This year’s book is “Plainsong” by Kent Haruf. I just finished it last night and hope to be “blogging” it soon. To learn more, go to your local San Joaquin County library or check out the website: http://www.readsanjoaquin.org/Programs for more information. If you’ve read it – or when you do – please let me know what you thought!

Keep reading – it’s good for you!

"Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Kindred by Octavia Butler
It’s been a while since I’ve “blogged”. Sorry about that. It’s been busy, busy, busy! I can barely read, let alone write about it!.
But I’m back and well-read.
Last week, the Tracy Book Club’s book was “Kindred”, by Octavia Butler. Our resident Tracy High student, Samantha, suggested this. (Hello, Samantha!) This was an assigned book for her English class.
When it was described to me originally, I didn’t think I would like it. Then I read it. And I couldn’t stop reading it. And I was upset when I finished reading it because I couldn’t read it any more. This is one of the best books I have read in decades!
Classified as a “Science Fiction” novel, this is the story of Dana, an African American woman in California, in the ‘70’s. She and her husband, Kevin, a Caucasian man, are writers living a modern, middle class life.
One fateful day, Dana feels a bit strange. Before she can figure out what is happening to her, she looks around and realizes she has spontaneously disappeared from her living room and reappeared outdoors somewhere, hearing a child’s screams as he seems to be drowning in a river. Without hesitation, Dana rushes to the boy and rescues him. This is her introduction to Rufus – a young man who will become a very important part of her life.
It seems she has somehow been brought back in time, to the early 1800’s, on a southern plantation. Rufus is the son of a slave owner.
Dana is forced to remain for a while in this new (to her) place and time. The only way she can get back home is when she fears for her life.
As the story develops, it seems Dana is called back to Rufus time and time again, as he grows up and older, so that she may save his life. On one occasion, her husband happens to be holding on to her as she is called by Rufus, and he is forced to come with her. This turn of events causes him to be stuck 160 years in the past for a very long time – trying desperately to get back to the wife he loves.
I was fascinated, while reading this book, at how well the life of a slave was written and made real. The strength of the other slaves on the plantation, and of Dana herself, was inspiring. The acts of the slave owners were hideous and heinous. No doubt accurate, also.
When I think “Science Fiction”, I think “Star Wars”, which is not my favorite kind of reading. Hence my surprise at how much I enjoyed this book. Have you read it? I would love to hear what you think of it!
On a different note, I received a very nice comment from a gentleman asking if I could let him know what our book club is reading each week. And, although I did not respond as quickly as I had hoped, I am going to try to include that information in my blog. I want to make note, though, that the library doesn’t always have a lot of copies of each book, so I can’t promise it will be available that week at the Tracy Library. However, I like the idea because we are reading some great books and I know you would love to check them out!
This week (3/22-29) we’re reading “Lucia Lucia” by Adriana Trigiani. I like it so far, and hope you do, as well.
Don’t forget – our book club meets every Thursday at 6:30pm at the Library. Everyone is welcome!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
I have read probably thousands of books in my lifetime. Fairy Tales; Romances; lots of Murder Mysteries; Biographies; Comic Books; and every kind of Fiction you can imagine. And among them all, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” remains my favorite. And has since I was 10 years old.
Betty Smith turns poverty-stricken Brooklyn in the early 1900’s into a magical kingdom by seeing it through the eyes of Francie, our 11 year old main character. Although her perception changes as she grows up, as it does for each of us, Francie still manages to hold on to some of the magic throughout the book. The child dreamer becomes a young adult optimist – a bit more of a realist, but happily looking towards what is to come.

This is, simply stated, the story of a family. A mother, a father, their children, and various interesting extended family members. But I’ve always felt it was more than that. Perhaps because I first read it at such a young age, in my eyes, there’s a dream-like, fairy-tale quality about the novel. Growing up in San Francisco, it became my goal to travel to New York for many years, finally doing so at the age of 30. I’m glad I didn’t visit Brooklyn. I have a feeling I would have been tragically disappointed!

Typically, I prefer dialogue in a work of fiction, but Ms. Smith’s descriptions of the neighborhood where Francie lives is so eloquent, you feel as though you can reach out and touch it. Reading about the butcher and the baker and the spice maker – it is as though you can smell the coffee and cinnamon as they grind onto the gleaming gold scales.

Like all good stories, this one has an antagonist. And it is the poverty the Nolan family lives in day after day. The struggles these characters tackle every day speaks volumes to their strength. Particularly the women. Every woman in this story is a hero. Katie, Francie’s mother, is the one who keeps her family together, fighting everyone and everything that gets in the way of those she loves; Francie’s grandmother, Mary, an uneducated immigrant, does the same for her children and the next generation as well; Evie, probably the least developed of the female characters, is a rock for her sisters; and eccentric, strong-willed “loose” Sissy – her independence at a time before Women’s Suffrage, makes me want to stand up and cheer!

But it is Francie, I think, who is the strongest of them all. She is able to look at the poverty and the crime and the drunkenness and the pain and hold her head high with dignity.
If you haven’t read it yet, read it now. You’ll be glad you did!


DIGRESSION ALERT DIGRESSION ALERT: If you like to read, and if you are reading this, you probably do, you should know that Tracy has its very own reading club for adults! Oh, yeah, it rocks! It meets every Thursday at 6:30pm until between 7:30 and 8, at the Tracy Branch of the Library. (Except for February 15, 2007.) It’s free to join, but you’ll probably need to get a library card if you don’t already have one, to borrow the books we’re reading. We’re very eclectic and like all different kinds of books. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to just drop by at meeting time (in the bookstore, to the right of the entrance) or call the library at (209)937-8221,

Tracy Book Club

Did you know that Tracy has a book club for grownups? Well, we do!
Meeting every Thursday night at 6:30pm at the Tracy Branch of the Stockton Public Library, we get together to talk about books! Unlike many book clubs, ours is not limited to just one genre. We like to try out many different types of books and see if we like them! Then we come together and voice our opinions.

So far, some of the books we have read include: The Girl With The Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier; The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. Recently, which each chose a different biography and shared with the group what we had learned.

So far, there has been something great about each of the books.

We’re always looking for fresh ideas and new voices.

The club is open to anyone. It’s free to join, but you’ll probably need to get a library card if you don’t already have one, to borrow the books we’re reading. Feel free to just drop by at meeting time (6:30pm, Thursdays, 20 E. Eaton Ave., Tracy, in the bookstore, to the right of the entrance) or call the library at (209)937-8221. We'd love to have you!

Chocolat (by Joanne Harris)

"Chocolat” by Joanne Harris
Much like the sweet of the same name, life is a little better because “Chocolat” exists.
This is the tale of a young French woman, Vianne Rocher, and her 6-year-old daughter, Anouk, along with Pantoufle, of course, Anouk’s invisible rabbit. This family of travelers arrives in the small town of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes during the town’s celebration of “Shrove Tuesday”.
Vianne opts to stay in this town for a bit and quickly opens a “chocolatier's”. Located across the street from the church, open on Sundays - during Lent for that matter – the shop creates moral dilemma for the parish priest, Francis Reynard. Vianne’s mysterious abilities to “guess” everyone’s favorite treat, amongst other talents, also confuse and upset the priest. But when Vianne is encouraged by the children of the town to hold a Chocolate Festival on Easter Sunday, Reynard draws the battle line between church and chocolate.
This is an incredible, unexpected story and Vianne is a character which young girls and women can and should look to as a role model. She is a strong, independent woman, taking care of her family, while at the same time, befriending townspeople – the lonely, the abused, and the unappreciated.
Ms. Harris’ beautiful fairy tale – for that is what it seems to be – is compassionate and hopeful. Through the drama and animosity, which must accompany any good story, there seems to be a continuing feeling of optimism. As I read this, I found myself hoping for the best even for the most antagonistic character.
This story was made into a feature film in 2000, starring Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina and Johnny Depp, and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards. The movie was wonderful.
The book, forgive me for sounding cliché, was so much better. -Denise Cordoni

Ella Minnow Pea (by Mark Dunn)

Ella Minnow Pea (by Mark Dunn)

When I saw the title of this book, I knew I had to read it. Even without reading the description.

Then I went a bit further and saw that it was based on quite an unusual premise. The entire story stems from the sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog". Do you remember that? I remember that from typing class - over and over and over with Mrs. Ragussa, junior year. (This was way before computers, when we had to wait until high school to learn to type and that was on a Selectric II. Whatever happened to the Selectric II?)

Anyway, more than a typing exercise, it is a pangram – a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet. This is only one of the many words and definitions I learned from Ella Minnow Pea.

The story is written as an "epistolary" or a novel made up of letters, usually written between two or more characters in the story. It takes place on the mythical island nation of "Nollop", off the coast of South Carolina. The island is not only named for "Nevin Nollop" the original author of our famous pangram, but also features a statue of him, complete with his famous sentence. Nevin is held in much esteem by the entire Nollop population.

The local residents, happy and dedicated to all things literary, are taken aback when one of the tiles on the statue, "Z", breaks away and falls to the ground. The local government must decide if this is an accident or something more profound, such as a message from Nevin himself. Naturally, they decide it is a sign from Nevin that they must remove the letter "Z" from their vocabulary. This seems simple enough. Until it is put into practice. Every spoken or written word must be considered prior to its utterance. I found myself trying to speak or write without using the letter "Z". It was certainly something that could be done, but it was a task to consider each word that carefully!

Gradually, it is learned that more tiles are falling off the statue, which results in more letters being removed from written and verbal communication all over the tiny nation of Nollop. Laws are passed to enforce punishment on residents who break the new laws and speak, read or write the outlawed letters. Public humiliation becomes the norm. Teachers can’t teach. Libraries are closed. Neighbors turn on neighbors. Natives who know only life on the island are banished from their homeland for uttering "Zebra", "Quince" or similar.

This seemingly cute little story suddenly switches course and, frankly, frightened me. The concept that a supposed basic freedom - the freedom of speech, written or spoken, in this case - can be methodically taken away from the masses by a ruling body blinded by its own beliefs, should be frightening.

This simple little story did what any good literature should do. It made me think. It made me consider things I take for granted every day. I already mentioned freedom of speech. I also considered, maybe for the first time in my privileged American life, the separation of church and state, or lack thereof. And freedom of religion was right up there. It even made me consider McCarthyism - something I can’t honestly say I have ever done before.

Ella Minnow Pea made me think. And isn’t that, after all, what books should do? Otherwise, what would be the point? To get even more basic, isn’t the alphabet the beginning of our ability to think in the literary? Therefore, it seems fitting that Dunn would use this particular venue to get his point across.

Get the book. Read it. Enjoy it. I did. I think this is one I will remember for a long time to come. Let me know what you think about it.

DIGRESSION ALERT DIGRESSION ALERT: If you like to read, and if you are reading this, you probably do, you should know that Tracy has its very own reading club for adults! Oh, yeah, it rocks! It meets every Thursday at 6:30pm until between 7:30 and 8, at the Tracy Branch of the Library. (Except for Nov. 16 and 23.) It’s free to join, but you’ll probably need to get a library card if you don’t already have one, to borrow the books we’re reading. We’re very eclectic and like all different kinds of books. Everyone is welcome. Feel free to just drop by at meeting time (in the bookstore, to the right of the entrance) or call the library at (209)937-8221,

Thanks for reading my Blahg Blahg Blahg - catch ya next time !