columbine
by sam on 09/15/2010
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Thoroughly researched and, more importantly, gripping to read. I was a bit dumbfounded at the number of things we take for granted about the columbine massacre that are simply not true. The in-depth analysis of Eric Harris’s possible psycopathy was incredibly enlightening, and shifts at least some of the responsibility away from alleged bullies (who may never have existed in the first place) and towards the multitude of adults (including professional therapists) who were duped by him. Dylan Klebold is actually the more tragic situation, since it is fairly obvious from a significant amount of his behavior that he was deeply depressed. Of course, this doesn’t serve to excuse his horrific actions in following what was most likely Harris’s plan, but it does teach a lesson moving forward for adults (parents, teachers, therapists) to be conscious and conscientious in the interactions with “troubled” children they encounter.
On both a sadder and more hopeful note, I was very moved by the struggles of the survivors, both those who ultimately couldn’t get through the aftermath, and those who pushed through and exceeded everyone’s expectations.
finished. 
Ok so…this book was stupid. I think the author was trying to be Elizabeth Kostova (The Historian) with all of the background, but it’s like she forgot that there was current action, and was told to finish the damn think in 20 minutes. The middle “part” of the book was incredibly tedious “history”, with a level of detail that bordered on compulsive. But when we get to the last section, where all of the “action” is, it’s rushed, confusing, and people are jumping to conclusions and changing their motives every five minutes, in completely irrational ways, except to the extent that such jumps move the action forward.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Everyone’s favorite biker-punk feminist pixie gets her start here. I did get engrossed by this first book (enjoyed would be an inappropriate word to use given the subject matter), but a lot of the threads didn’t make sense until the second and third books arrived. And Larssen’s obsession with technical detail was a bit annoying – Yes she’s a hacker. No, the audience doesn’t care how much RAM her ibook contains.
The Book of the Dead: I became a bit engrossed with Patricia Cornwell’s books when I was living in Italy, and they were available in abundance in the english language section of the bookstores I visited. This, and the next few, just continue the series.
Scarpetta: See above.
The Lost Symbol: This was the first book I successfully figured out how to borrow from the library. So it was a triumph in that sense. Otherwise, it was as enjoyable as his other works. Take of that what you will.
The Girl Who Played With Fire: This time we learn about Lisbeth. And it’s not pretty, but it is entirely engrossing. Again.
Dead Until Dark: I love the TV series, so I thought I’d give the books a try. At least the first one, which was available from the NYPL. But having seen the TV show, it actually got a bit confusing because the show diverges quite a bit from the books. Not bad, basically candy for your brain.
The Hour I First Believed: I’ve loved everything that Wally Lamb has written, and this was no exception. I heartily agree with my friend who, when I asked her how she liked it, said something along the lines of “I cried when it ended because I wasn’t going to get to spend any more time with these characters.” A really, really, beautiful book.
When Will There Be Good News?: The third in the Jackson Brodie mystery novels that read more like character studies. Can’t wait for the fourth.
The Help: I enjoyed it, but not as much as I think other people did. I was a little disturbed by the “young white woman on a mission to save the poor black women” narrative, even though well-intentioned.
Game Change: A fantastic breakdown of the 2008 election, and every wrong (and right) move that the major candidates made. There was a very brief section of the book that actually made me feel bad for Sarah Palin (I got over that right quick), but the rise of Obama, and how everyone else underestimated him, is utterly fascinating.
Going in Circles: This book had me googling local roller derby clubs by the end of it. Then I regained my sanity.
The Scarpetta Factor: The most recent of the Scarpetta books. Same formula, but interesting every time.
The Bridge: I was a little burnt out on election reading after Game Change, but the parts of the book dealing with Obama’s parents and his childhood were really great.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest: A bit predictable in certain places, and, as a lawyer, a bit confusing in the courtroom, given the vast differences between Swedish courtroom tactics and American ones, but still a really nice ending to the trilogy.
A Reliable Wife: Not sure what to make of this one. One part romance novel, one part grifter, one part mystery. eh.
The Passage: (from my review page) Excellent read, even if a bit derivative of other works. I couldn’t help thinking, through large parts of the book, about the recent film adaptation of ‘I Am Legend’ – that this was the story (at least for a good chunk of the book) of the people we encounter in the walled city at the end of that movie. But it was still incredibly engrossing. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I will say that I was genuinely shocked. Definitely worth the read, and worthy of its place as one of the recommended summer reads of 2010.
Storm Front: (from my review page) Enjoyable read for the genre. I’ll probably pick up the next one in the series when I’m bored.
The Tourist: A somewhat conventional spy drama…former spy gets pulled back in, framed for murder, etc., but written well with good characters filling out the story.
The Death of American Virtue: I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to get through this, but it was pretty engrossing, and pretty evenhanded to all parties. Including interviews with ALL of the major players in the drama, it’s a pretty good exploration of how even those with (allegedly) the best of intentions can get wrapped up in a witch hunt and experience extreme tunnel vision.
