Poetry Reviews

Lilies and Cannonballs Review: Volume 1, Number 2/Fall/Winter 2004-2005
Columbia Poetry Review No. 15 2002
Weight: 1 lb
Method of Disposal: Donating

I always enjoy reading poetry reviews and literary journals.  You never know what you might find in them.  Generally, there are authors I have never heard of and a chance to discover something or someone new.  I am sure I gained these while I was in college, and I have been carrying them ever since.  I have re-read them and will be sharing them now.

Free and Other Stories

Free and Other Stories by Anika Nailah
2002
Weight: 10.4 oz
Method of Disposal: Leaving somewhere

This book snuck onto my shelves and hid there for years. I am pretty sure I bought it when it was on a bargain rack without really even understanding what it was about or what type of book it was. I picked up at random a couple weeks ago, and it read fast so I just kept going. The first couple pages seemed contrived and did not hold my attention, but then I was thrown into all sorts of places with all sorts of people, and I liked it. I was hanging out with a drunk a man trying to be a part of something. I was furious with the adults in my life for not protecting my dog, rather they got rid of him. I was grieving and hysterical. This book covers a lot of ground with few words.

The last story told by a woman whose mother had just died is the one that is sticking with me right now. It was so sad. She was laughing at the funeral and acting up. Her family was embarrassed and did not understand exactly how deep her mourning went or how great of a relationship she obviously had with her mom. It hurt to read, but it was beautiful.

If you would like to own this book let me know before I release it somewhere.

Tatyana Tolstaya

Pushkin’s Children: Writings on Russia and Russians by Tatyana Tolstaya
2003
Weight: 9 oz
Method of Disposal: Sending to Vallan in Chicago. I initially bought it for her.

Pushkin’s Children is a collection of book reviews and essays. The book consists mostly of incredibly interesting, well-written, and informative book reviews. If only we could all write about books that way. The few other types of essays are also great. “The Price of Eggs” stands out for me right now. She talks about waking up to the words “Market Crashes” and the slow realization of what that actually means. The piece on Russian Cooking was hilarious and heart-breaking all at the same time. It is amazing to hear about the sheer amount of food required to serve the full meals described in the book, but it is infuriating to think of the servants eating next to nothing while they serve up elaborate meals to those with too much money. I got to read about Gorbachev, the parts about Yeltsin had me laughing out loud, and towards the end there is even a little bit about Putin. You should read this book. It is enjoyable, even if you have not read any or all of the books reviewed or even if you know very little about Russia. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of her stuff.

Just be wary if you have a passion for Alexander Solzhenitsyn. You may not after reading this or you may hate Pushkin’s Children.