Friday, January 09, 2004
The Rope Eater
Just received a gratis copy of the new novel The Rope Eater by Ben Jones (the lovely packaging can be seen at right). Ben had sent great email to our bookclub after spending some time at our website, and it was immediately apparent he was not the run-of-the-mill self-promoting author who sends us mail from time to time. His new book looks very interesting --- a tale of Arctic survival in the 18th century. Mallary spent some time at Ben's website and learned that his parents were Outward Bound instructors, which clicks with the survival topic. The book has been getting raves, including a WaPo review that says this book "deserves to be one of the most admired novels of the new year."Ben launches a book tour this weekend at the KGB Bar in lower Manhattan, and bookclub stalwart Mary plans to attend. I'll pass the book around at our next bookclub meeting.
Mallary points out that since Ben is director of admissions at lovely Bennington College, we should get and stay on his good side for the next 9-12 years. It would be even better if he were director of financial aid!
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Nickel and Dimed
Just finished the unexpectedly gripping Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America --- a highly educated journalist's account of going "undercover" to work low-wage jobs in three spots across the country. I had seen the reviews when the book came out, but was reminded of it lately because Liz was reading it when we were in Arkansas. Our library had one on the shelf, so I took it out and finished it two days later.
The main takeaway for me is that the lack of affordable housing is terribly problematic for low-wage workers. I was surprised to learn that the poverty rate is based solely on the cost of food, and since the cost of housing relative to food has increased dramatically through the years, poverty statistics are becoming less and less relevant. Another factor is the start-up costs of housing: those who cannot afford two month's rent in advance often end up in higher-cost weekly lodging or even motels, which further impairs their ability to save.
From now on, when I see one of those bright-yellow cars emblazoned with the logo of The Maids, I'll think back to this book.
The main takeaway for me is that the lack of affordable housing is terribly problematic for low-wage workers. I was surprised to learn that the poverty rate is based solely on the cost of food, and since the cost of housing relative to food has increased dramatically through the years, poverty statistics are becoming less and less relevant. Another factor is the start-up costs of housing: those who cannot afford two month's rent in advance often end up in higher-cost weekly lodging or even motels, which further impairs their ability to save.
From now on, when I see one of those bright-yellow cars emblazoned with the logo of The Maids, I'll think back to this book.
latest from fictional Botswana
Mallary and I both just read The Kalahari Typing School for Men --- the latest in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books. I enjoyed this one thoroughly, unlike the previous one. The form has loosened, and he has come to terms with this being stories about characters (some of whom happen to be detectives), rather than being detective stories. One major detective storyline ends up really being a story about the personal life of one of the major recurring characters.
My only criticism is that a subplot about a rival detective agency in town is woefully undeveloped, and could have been ditched without loss to the narrative.
My only criticism is that a subplot about a rival detective agency in town is woefully undeveloped, and could have been ditched without loss to the narrative.
