january book update

Since my last book post, I’ve read a few more books. Have I mentioned that I love my kindle? It does beat carrying around heavier books. Anyways, this isn’t about raving on about my e-reader…. Let’s move onto the books I read last month!

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

This is a memoir written by a Chinese-American mother raising her Chinese-American-Jewish daughters. Amy Chua highlights her parenting tactics with a mostly Chinese influence—well pretty much an only Chinese influence.

You see the extreme parenting typically seen with Chinese families and how that differs from the stereotypical American parenting. Obviously I only know of American parenting with my own experience with American parents—which is not indicative of all American families. Just my own.

In the book, I think there were definitely some extreme actions taken, but I could also see some of the humor that Amy tried to pull through. I didn’t grow up in a strict household—I think there were too many of us for my parents to be strict, but somewhere along the line hard work was instilled in us. I was never rewarded for making honor roll like other kids, but I do think there was some level of expectation when it came to work. But my parents didn’t harp on it. Like I said, there was just too many of us. Maybe since I was the oldest, I took my homework and dedication a bit more seriously.

I obviously don’t have children, but it does get you thinking about what approach is the best one when raising kids. I guess I’ll find out some day. But my kids won’t be rewarded for doing good work. They will be expected to do good work and to work hard. I want them to question what they are being taught, but be respectful and not complain unless it’s warranted.

Honestly, I think I could go on and on about this book and would love to discuss this more. This past Sunday, a group of us went to a discussion with the author on the Upper East Side at the 92Y. It was nice to see the author discuss the book and provide a bit more background on her memoir. I do think she did go to an extreme with her kids, but I also think it’s obvious that she cares for her children. Which I think is definitely important. High expectations are good too. I think it grows confidence and is good to draw on throughout life.

Like I said before, I could go on and on, but I won’t. time to move on to the other books I read last month!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I finally finished Little Women. Now I’ve already read this book. A couple of times. Like 15+ years ago. I decided to read again, but in the midst of reading it, I read about 5 other books. It’s not on my list for 2012 and it doesn’t count for the year since I started in 2012, but still wanted to blog about it anyway.

Luckily it’s been so long since I last read it, that there were some things I forgot. I mean, you can’t forget Beth dying—the saddest part of the whole book. Sorry if I ruined it for everyone, but I would hope you’ve read it by now. I still go back and forth on how Amy gets Laurie in the end, even though Jo is cool with it. My roommate did suggest I read Jo’s Boys since I never have. I’ll have to read that and Little Men sometime.

1984 by George Orwell

I read Animal Farm last year for my 30 list and since I downloaded both as one book on my Kindle, I still had to read 1984. Before I forgot about it, I began reading it after Little Women.

This book is similar to Brave New World, which I read last year, in regards to its dystopian society. As with every book, I get lost in the story and imagine myself as part of the story and always wonder how I would act in certain situations.

So what if I lived in a world where you pretty much had no freedom and was full of lies? I think if I knew my current life and something changed drastically, I would do something about it. But what if I was born in this type of society? Would I make an effort to rebel? I have no idea. I’d like to think I would. But I don’t really know.

I was a bit disappointed in how the book ended. I mean, I didn’t see there being a rebellion of some sort since those in power had too much influence and their torture was just too extreme. It does make you somewhat grateful for current society though. Even though there’s always room for improvement.

After I finished 1984, I started to read Utopia by Thomas More, but couldn’t finish it. I thought I had read it before, but it seems I haven’t. I wasn’t really paying attention, so I decided to give it a break and read it some other time.

The Grimm Curse (Once Upon a Time is Now) by Stephen Carpenter

I downloaded this free on my kindle and figured it would be a quick read. And it was. It took me like 4 days. I also downloaded it because it sounded similar to the new Grimm series on NBC. Turns out the author is one of the writers on the show.

The writing wasn’t at its best as far as I’m concerned, but it was good enough from a Young Adult point of view. And since the author contributes to the show, I was ok with it. The premise in the book is the same as on the show, but definitely different plot.

I started Bossypants by Tina Fey a couple of days ago and will highlight in my February update. So far it’s funny—as expected.

3/30 books in 2012 done.