Back in January 2022, I found myself fully immersed in the captivating world of The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, transported through its mesmerizing audiobook. Lahiri’s poignant storytelling awakened a profound awareness of the immense significance that names hold and the intricate connections they carry. As I reflected on my own experiences, I gained a deeper understanding of the profound impact a name can have on an individual’s sense of self and identity. From the liberating feeling of reclaiming my maiden name after a divorce to witnessing my children honoring their Greek heritage by altering their last names, I’ve come to appreciate the transformative power of names. Join me as I delve into The Namesake, a compelling exploration of family, cultural heritage, and the timeless influence of names that will leave you reflecting on your own journey of self-discovery.
I have tears in my eyes as I have just finished listening to this incredibly beautiful book. Names are powerful – and The Namesake captures the power that comes with your name. What a terrific story – so many depths to this story, and very well executed. Lahiri’s touching writing evoked genuine emotions, and there were moments when I found myself shedding tears. I will miss spending time with the Ganguli family. Jhumpa Lahrai skillfully tells the story of Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli, telling their story as much as the story of Gogol their son. From Calcutta, India, to Cambridge, MA, the reader is transported on an emotional and geographical odyssey. Lahiri’s vivid descriptions of the Ganguli family’s life painted such a vibrant picture that I felt like I was one of their guests, engulfed in the aroma of Ashima’s cooking. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is a literary gem that left an indelible mark on my heart. This poignant tale delves into the intricate tapestry of identity, cultural heritage, and the enduring power of names. I enjoyed experiencing this remarkable journey through the audiobook version, narrated by Sarita Choudhury, which elevated the storytelling to new heights. Lahiri’s prose is exquisite, weaving a narrative that effortlessly spans continents, cultures, and generations. The audiobook narration breathed life into the characters, immersing me in their joys, sorrows, and profound moments of self-discovery. Sarita Choudhury’s voice is mesmerizing, capturing the nuances of each character’s emotions and bringing them to life in a way that words on a page could not achieve alone. Choudhury has a beautiful voice – I would listen to her read a grocery list, and it would be soothing! Her impeccable narration enhanced the overall experience, adding depth and authenticity to the characters. I absolutely loved this book, and the sadness that it is over lingers within me. This book is a masterpiece that captivates from beginning to end. Lahiri’s exquisite storytelling, combined with the exceptional audiobook narration, makes for an unforgettable experience. It is a tale that tugs at the heartstrings, evoking many emotions and leaving a lasting impression. I wholeheartedly recommend The Namesake if you’re seeking a profound and thought-provoking exploration of identity and the power of names. Whether you immerse yourself in the beautifully written pages or opt for the audiobook version, prepare to be transported, moved, and enriched by Jhumpa Lahiri’s literary prowess.
The Namesake is a book that has stayed with me long after I finished it. It has reminded me of the power of names and the intricate threads that connect us to our past, present, and future. Gogol once asks, “How many times does a person write his name in a lifetime—a million? Two million?” This poignant line constantly reminds us of the significance of names throughout our journey. Lahiri’s masterful storytelling captures the intricate complexities of identity and the profound impact of names in shaping our lives. As we reflect on the power of names, let us embrace the rich tapestry they create, celebrating the unique stories that define us. Through The Namesake, we are invited to embark on a transformative exploration of names and a deeper appreciation of our own personal narratives.
Thank you for joining me in the Lit Lounge as we discussed Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake‘s profound themes and transformative power. I hope this literary journey has sparked introspection and ignited a deeper appreciation for the significance of names in our lives. Let us remember the wise words from the book: “My grandfather always says that’s what books are for. To travel without moving an inch.” We embark on new adventures with each book we read and connect with diverse stories that enrich our understanding of the world. I invite you to return to the Lit Lounge for more fascinating discussions, engaging book recommendations, and a shared love for the written word. Until our next literary rendezvous, happy reading!
Despite 2022 being a bit of a tough year for me, it had its highlights too. The high for me was publishing my memoir – Xine’s Pack of Strays & Others, and having my father read the book. The lows – there were a few, including two deaths. My ex-husband and father of my two children died suddenly of a massive heart attack in June. And for a good part of the year, my father was battling congestive heart disease and was in and out of the hospital, having stent procedures and mitral valve clips inserted…He spent most of December in the hospital and was released into home hospice six days before passing away peacefully on Jan. 2, 2023. It was not a great way to end or start a year.
I put many of my books in the Marleywood little library for which I am the steward.
Throughout last year, I was able to rely on books to help take my mind off my troubles and escape into some other world and someone else’s life. A few years ago, I decided to turn off the TV and read and listen to books more. Since then, I have increased my reading goals, expanded my interests in topics and genres, and achieved my reading goals. I read an increasing number of physical books, eighteen books last year which made up 24% of the total number of books I read. Have really enjoyed my physical book selections which many were suggested by my Literati Book Club which sadly is no longer operating and my Book of the Month Club membership. Both clubs have introduced me to wonderful author and stories. Many of the books I read were based off recommendations from friends and family, including my Dad. I read The Rose Code because I saw that he was reading it. I’ll miss being able to talk about books with Dad.
I also read faster than I used to, proving that my English teachers were correct and that my reading would improve with practice. Too bad it took me so long to listen to them. Better late than never; you are never too old to start something new. I love curling up on the couch with the dogs, bookending me as I lose myself in a book. I’ve also started to read more on my Kindle again this year.
I love statistics – I think it may be a family thing. This is one of the reasons I love using the Goodreads website and joining their annual Reading Challenge since they tell you how many pages you read and all sorts of stats about the books you read during the year. For instance, I surpassed my goal of 57 books by reading 75 books – 129% of my goal! The shortest book was Lying at 47 pages, and the longest was The Rose Code at 624 pages. You can visit my author profile by following this link.
When I started on the Goodreads website a few years ago, I would rate a book simply by assigning a star rating. But I realized as I aged and read more and more that I would sometimes forget why I liked or disliked a particular book. So, I decided to start writing book reviews as a writing exercise and a memory one.
My average rating for 2022 was 3.5 13 books rated 5 stars (17%) 33 books rated 4 stars (33%) 12 books rated 3 stars (16%) 15 books rated 2 stars (20%) 3 books rated 1 star (4%)
My 2022 Five Star list (in the order read during the year)
I realized that I have never explained my criteria for rating books, so I have separated my Rating Criteria into a post describing how I arrive at my star rating, which I include in my Goodreads and Amazon reviews of books and audiobooks.
Overall, I read a bunch of books which I really enjoyed. Learned about some authors that I was unfamiliar with, became a big fan and look forward to read more from them. Our lives are inundated with reading this, that and the other thing in quick snippets everyday thanks to the internet and social media. attention spans are shortening. Which is why disconnecting from all that noise and diving into a book feels so good.
At the start the year, I pledged on my Goodreads Reading Challenge 58 books, one more than last year and I am turning 58 later this year. I have to admit, I hated seeing the 0 books Read This Year on the first day of January. Then just few days in to the new year, the Goodreads site not only said I had read 0 books for the year so far but I was behind! WTF?! I was no even a full week into 2022 and I am behind already?! Ugh, well after quickly doing the math in my head 52 weeks in a year and here I shot away the first week and I hadn’t finished a book yet.
The first book that I started 2022 was based off a recommendation by my other half, Mark. He knows that I love books about dogs, fantasy and mystery – so he recommended Devoted by Dean Koontz. I knew of Koontz, seen his name many times and he was one of the author’s recommended in one of my Masterclass’s on writing – although I don’t recall which class specifically. If I had to guess it was the writing class with Robert Patterson, but it could have been Atwood’s or Gaiman’s class too or also.
So this was the first Dean Koontz book I have ever read or listened to. That said I am a big fan of books that incorporate dogs and are about dogs, as I am a big fan of dogs and have had and have many dogs in my life.
This book felt a little too cookie cutter for me. The characters all seemed a little too cliche in many ways and weren’t as well developed – with the exception of Kip, the dog. There are a supernatural aspect to the story with the dogs and the “wire” which I found to be more believable than some of the other things in the book, which I won’t mention since I don’t want to give anything away.
It’s a light sort of book, so if you are interested in something like that it’s entertaining enough, particularly if you are a fan of dogs; but not necessarily Dean Koontz’s other books, as I have seen from other reviews, his fans were disappointed in this book.
After being a bit disappointed with my start to the new year and already being a bit behind but not as much, I decided to listen to a quickie. A quickie being a book or story that is under 2 hours long. I went with Neil Gaiman’s Fortunately, The Milk.
I’ve been getting into to story stories and novellas more recently – finding they balance some of the longer books out nicely. I took Neil Gaiman’s Masterclass a few years ago and I enjoy his books and stories very much. I find he is a great storyteller, which is quite a skill. I didn’t write a review on Goodreads when I finished it – not sure why, but I quickly gave it 3 stars out of 5 – the Goodreads rating for I liked it.
I next decided to dive into a novel which has been sitting on my TBR list for a number of years. One of the suggestions in the PopSugar 2022 Challenge and many other reading challenges is to read a book that has been sitting on your list for a long time. In my case, the book was The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri – it had been on my list since 2016.
I have tears in my eyes as I have just finished listening to this incredibly beautiful book. Names are powerful – and The Namesake captures the power that comes with your name. What a terrific story – so many depths to this story, and very well executed. Lahiri’s touching writing evoked genuine emotions, and there were moments when I found myself shedding tears. I will miss spending time with the Ganguli family. Jhumpa Lahrai skillfully tells the story of Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli, telling their story as much as the story of Gogol their son. From Calcutta, India, to Cambridge, MA, the reader is transported on an emotional and geographical odyssey. Lahiri’s vivid descriptions of the Ganguli family’s life painted such a vibrant picture that I felt like I was one of their guests, engulfed in the aroma of Ashima’s cooking. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is a literary gem that left an indelible mark on my heart. This poignant tale delves into the intricate tapestry of identity, cultural heritage, and the enduring power of names. I enjoyed experiencing this remarkable journey through the audiobook version, narrated by Sarita Choudhury, which elevated the storytelling to new heights. Lahiri’s prose is exquisite, weaving a narrative that effortlessly spans continents, cultures, and generations. The audiobook narration breathed life into the characters, immersing me in their joys, sorrows, and profound moments of self-discovery. Sarita Choudhury’s voice is mesmerizing, capturing the nuances of each character’s emotions and bringing them to life in a way that words on a page could not achieve alone. Choudhury has a beautiful voice – I would listen to her read a grocery list, and it would be soothing! Her impeccable narration enhanced the overall experience, adding depth and authenticity to the characters. I absolutely loved this book, and the sadness that it is over lingers within me. This book is a masterpiece that captivates from beginning to end. Lahiri’s exquisite storytelling, combined with the exceptional audiobook narration, makes for an unforgettable experience. It is a tale that tugs at the heartstrings, evoking many emotions and leaving a lasting impression. I wholeheartedly recommend The Namesake if you’re seeking a profound and thought-provoking exploration of identity and the power of names. Whether you immerse yourself in the beautifully written pages or opt for the audiobook version, prepare to be transported, moved, and enriched by Jhumpa Lahiri’s literary prowess.
I always find it so hard to follow up a book that I loved and enjoyed so much. It can be a tough act to follow, so I decided to go back to short stories and started Selected Shorts; New American Stories, mainly picking this particular collection since I saw that Jhumpa Lahiri had a story in the collection.
I decided to tackle this collection after having read The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri which I loved, I wanted to hear a little more from her and was thrilled that she had a story within this collection. This is a terrific collection of short stories by four amazing writers of today. Each with their own perspective of life in America. All the stories were so interesting – humorous mixed with some heavy topics as well – finely balanced making the stories stage out all the more.I am looking forward to reading more from all of these authors.
I love finding out about authors that I was previously unaware of through these collections of short stories – I highly recommend this to anyone who interested in a quick listen to solid collection of stories.
Chap 1. Good Living by Aleksandar Hemon Chap 2. Hell Heaven by Jhumpa Lahiri Chap 3. The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngoni Adiche Chap 4.Breaking & Entering by Sherman Alexie
Three weeks into the new year and I had already listened to a some wonderful and not so wonderful books and stories. I decided to go back to novels that had been on my TBR list a long time and settled on one by Sue Monk Kidd.
This isn’t the first book of Sue Monk Kidd’s that I have read and it won’t be my last. She is so thorough in her research of a subject that she is able to capture its essence and deliver it on the paper in the form of well crafted characters and plots.
As Sue Monk Kidd explains in her author’s note that it was her desire to write a story revolving around two sisters and the universe lead her to learn about Sarah Grimke and her younger sister, Angelina and what a story she wrote! The first of the two narrators, Sarah Grimke, is the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner and judge. Sarah is not fictional and was one of the early abolitionists and women’s right activists.
The stories of Charlotte and Handful are a gut-wrenching reminder of a very ugly part of our history and are told by Handful, a young slave girl given to Sarah as a birthday gift on her 11th birthday. The story spans 35 years of their lives from childhood well into their adulthood. Kidd includes the good, the bad and the ugly, other its in the situation or in her characters – making the reader care deeply for them. I highly recommend 4.5
As I said earlier, it is so hard to follow a fantastic story – so I pivoted in my listening pleasures and listening to another quickie.
Although I find the subject very interesting – I found this book – although it’s really an essay to be dry. Sam Harris didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know but much of what he says in the book is common sense. Unfortunately society has gotten to a point where there are so many lies that it’s hard to figure out the truth. I wish the book could have been more in depth in some ways. A super quick read or listen on an interesting subject.
I was worried to go into another novel since I had been so fortunate to have already listened to two awesome books this month with The Namesake and The Invention of Wings. Now what? So I looked to my gallery of musician’s memoirs and decided to listen to Dave Grohl’s The Storyteller.
I enjoyed listening to Dave Grohl talk about how he got to where he is. Dave is a natural storyteller and he tells the stories behind how he found himself in bands such as Scream, Nirvana, Foo Fighters as if he were sitting in your living room smoking a joint, tossing back a few drinks and reminiscing. You could tell he would love to have included the music as well, when he discussed certain things – but due to the expense they would have to pay for the licensing, so that didn’t happen. It’s something that would add so much to the musicians’ memoirs, so I found myself pausing and going over to Apple Music or YouTube to listen to the song or video Dave was referring. I have always been a fan of both Nirvana and Foo Fighters and so when I saw this book, I was curious enough to listen and I am glad I did. I love learning more about the stories behind the musicians who I love to listen to. Learning about who influenced them directly from them. If you enjoy the music, you will enjoy listening to The Storyteller.
And since I started this next book in January and just finished it earlier today – I’ll include it in the January Reads & Listens. Again, in my attempts to chip away at my TBR list and I opted to pick one of the newer names on the list – This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.
I had no idea what this book was about when I started and I am glad that I went in so blind, I may not have read it otherwise. Laurie Frankel tells a story about a family who is faced with navigating the deep and dangerous waters of having a son who struggles with gender-identity. A difficult and complex issue for any family to deal with and something any family could find themselves faced with, is something that I thing Frankel conveys in her portrait of the Rosie and Penn’s family.
What I didn’t find myself buying was the fairytale aspect of the story which somewhat mimics the fairytale that Penn tells his children . The story wrapped up a little too neatly and fairy tale-like, which seems contrary to the way I imagine the real story for families that are struggling with this issue.
What I feel Frankel does well is show you how a family holding one family members secret affects the entire family’s lives, siblings, parents and of course the individual whose secret the family is protecting.
In reviewing the month’s selection of books I am struck by a few themes that came up in a good many of the selections: The importance of a name and what comes along with a name. I saw this obviously in The Namesake, but also in Dave Grohl’s The Story Teller, and Laurie Frankel’s This Is How It Always Is. It’s even seen in The Invention of Wings. Storytelling seems to also be a common theme – Dave Grohl’s book of course, but the stories that are told and passed down with the quilts in The Invention of Wings and the fairy tale within This is How It Always Is. And of course, Neil Gaiman’s Fortunately, The Milk is a story being told by the narrator to his children. Lastly, there is the common thread of stories about family which most, including some of the short stories.
For my January Literati Club book, I am reading We Learn Nothing by Tim Kreider. I am currently on page 131. I also read – sort of – Zentangle PRIMER Vol. 1 by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. I plan to write a review but will do so in a separate post.
As the new month begins, I am 9 books into the new year and 4 ahead of schedule. I like being ahead of schedule and considering I am over 60% in to Tim Kreider’s We Learn Nothing, I’m feeling really good about where I am in my reading goals. Now just to figure out what to read next.
