Each summer I look through the Summer Reading selections at the local bookstores to see what is new to the list and to see if there is anything I have missed.
I realized a few years ago that I have never read A Separate Peace by John Knowles and I finally picked it up this year.
I don't know what I was expecting, but A Separate Peace was a bit disappointing. Maybe reading it at 34 in 2009 resulted in me missing the meaning. However, I was reminded a lot of Dead Poets Society which brought me back to the summer of my sophomore year when I watched it repeatedly and basically had it memorized.
I'm probably insulting many people with that comparison, so apologies in advance.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Mudbound
Mudbound by Hilary Jordan has been on my reading list for a while, so when I found a discounted hardcover I snatched it up.
Laura believes she is destined to be a spinster, teaching school and being aunt in Memphis in the 1940s. But when she meets Henry McAllan her plans change and they are quickly married. Laura is happy living in Memphis caring for her two girls and her husband until her husband comes home and tells her that he has purchased a farm in the Mississippi Delta.
Laura's life quickly changes at the farm, which she and the girls name "Mudbound" since it is always muddy and the bridge into town becomes impassable with every rain. The farm has no indoor plumbing or any other modern comforts.
Life at the farm is complicated by Pappy, Henry's racist, mean-spirited father; Jamie, Henry's brother who returns from the war with traumatizing memories; Hap and Florence Jackson the black share farmers on the land; Ronsel, the Jackson's son who has also returned from Europe where his race didn't matter like it does in the Delta.
Add in alcoholism, a love affair and the Klu Klux Klan and the story quickly speeds to the climax and a tragic outcome that leaves no one at Mudbound unchanged.
A great story and wonderfully written from the perspective of each of the major characters.
Laura believes she is destined to be a spinster, teaching school and being aunt in Memphis in the 1940s. But when she meets Henry McAllan her plans change and they are quickly married. Laura is happy living in Memphis caring for her two girls and her husband until her husband comes home and tells her that he has purchased a farm in the Mississippi Delta.
Laura's life quickly changes at the farm, which she and the girls name "Mudbound" since it is always muddy and the bridge into town becomes impassable with every rain. The farm has no indoor plumbing or any other modern comforts.
Life at the farm is complicated by Pappy, Henry's racist, mean-spirited father; Jamie, Henry's brother who returns from the war with traumatizing memories; Hap and Florence Jackson the black share farmers on the land; Ronsel, the Jackson's son who has also returned from Europe where his race didn't matter like it does in the Delta.
Add in alcoholism, a love affair and the Klu Klux Klan and the story quickly speeds to the climax and a tragic outcome that leaves no one at Mudbound unchanged.
A great story and wonderfully written from the perspective of each of the major characters.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Clothes on their Backs
The description on the back and the cover art of The Clothes on Their Backs by Linda Grant led me to believe that this book would be very different than it turned out to be.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, because the book actually turned out to be better than I imagined it would be.
Vivien Kovacs is the bookish daughter of Hungarian-refugee parents in London. Her parents live a quiet, secluded life as if they are afraid that they will be found out. Vivien longs for more and goes off to college and has a short marriage, at which point she returns to her childhood bedroom.
Depressed and lost, Vivien remembers a tumultuous visit from an uncle who her father would not let into the house. He continued to refuse to talk about this mysterious Uncle even as he is all over the papers durning a high-profile trial where he is accused of being a slumlord.
Years later, Vivien sets out to meet Sandor but is not fully honest about who she is. Through her involvement with Sandor, she is exposed to new people and new experiences and she learns much more about her parents and their lives in Hungary.
A fine story, but nothing amazing.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, because the book actually turned out to be better than I imagined it would be.
Vivien Kovacs is the bookish daughter of Hungarian-refugee parents in London. Her parents live a quiet, secluded life as if they are afraid that they will be found out. Vivien longs for more and goes off to college and has a short marriage, at which point she returns to her childhood bedroom.
Depressed and lost, Vivien remembers a tumultuous visit from an uncle who her father would not let into the house. He continued to refuse to talk about this mysterious Uncle even as he is all over the papers durning a high-profile trial where he is accused of being a slumlord.
Years later, Vivien sets out to meet Sandor but is not fully honest about who she is. Through her involvement with Sandor, she is exposed to new people and new experiences and she learns much more about her parents and their lives in Hungary.
A fine story, but nothing amazing.
Monday, June 01, 2009
The Archivists Story
The Archivists Story by Travis Holland is our book club read for June. It takes place in Moscow in 1939. It is a bleak time under Stalin's rule and with Hitler looming across the border.
Pavel is a former teacher who's wife was killed in a tragic train accident. As Pavel deals with his wife's death, his mother's dementia and worries about various friends being killed for their political belief, he worries about his own future.
His job as the archivist of Lubyanka prison requires him to incinerate the writing of both major and minor Russian writers who have been imprisoned there. When he comes across an unclaimed work from an author who's work he used to teach in his classroom, he suddenly risks everything to protect what he values most.
A compelling, tragic work of fiction.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Elegance of the Hedgehog
I originally picked up The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery in a bookstore when I was traveling in CA. I didn't buy it then, but I was intrigued by the first two chapters I had read and had it on my "to read" list.
I finally purchased it at the Brookline Booksmith a few weeks ago and finished it quickly.
The novel is set in a apartment building in Paris. Madame Michel (Renee) is the concierge for the building who pretends to be dumb and uncultured because that is what she believes her tenants expect from their concierge. However, beneath the facade lies an intelligent woman who loves books, movies and art. She is fond of Tolstoy, so much so that her cat is named Leo after the author.
Paloma is a 12-year-old tenant of the building who has decided that she will commit suicide because she is dismayed by the adults she is surrounded by and what life has to offer. She is too smart for her age and pretends, like Madame Michel, to be dumber than she is. She despises her pretentious older sister and her mentally unstable mother. But she sets out to record interesting things about the world in her journal before she dies.
Renee's and Paloma's worlds intersect with the arrival of Karkuru Ozu the new tenant in the building. Kakuru sees through the facades of both and draws them out.
At times the novel felt a bit clumsy with long soliloquies on philosophy, but by the end I was glad I had stuck with it to see the transformation of Renee and the change in Paloma's view on life.
In the end, this is a tragedy, so be prepared for the non-Hollywood ending.
I finally purchased it at the Brookline Booksmith a few weeks ago and finished it quickly.
The novel is set in a apartment building in Paris. Madame Michel (Renee) is the concierge for the building who pretends to be dumb and uncultured because that is what she believes her tenants expect from their concierge. However, beneath the facade lies an intelligent woman who loves books, movies and art. She is fond of Tolstoy, so much so that her cat is named Leo after the author.
Paloma is a 12-year-old tenant of the building who has decided that she will commit suicide because she is dismayed by the adults she is surrounded by and what life has to offer. She is too smart for her age and pretends, like Madame Michel, to be dumber than she is. She despises her pretentious older sister and her mentally unstable mother. But she sets out to record interesting things about the world in her journal before she dies.
Renee's and Paloma's worlds intersect with the arrival of Karkuru Ozu the new tenant in the building. Kakuru sees through the facades of both and draws them out.
At times the novel felt a bit clumsy with long soliloquies on philosophy, but by the end I was glad I had stuck with it to see the transformation of Renee and the change in Paloma's view on life.
In the end, this is a tragedy, so be prepared for the non-Hollywood ending.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A Story of a Marriage
You MUST read this....
They have a segment on NPR of this name, and I'm stealing it for the book I just finished. A Story of a Marriage by Adam Sean Greer is amazing.
It is one of the best books I have read in a long time and while I don't want to give too much away, I will say it is full of surprises. It is a wonderful story of Pearlie and Holland Cook shortly after World War II. It chronicles their marriage and is touching in so many ways.
They have a segment on NPR of this name, and I'm stealing it for the book I just finished. A Story of a Marriage by Adam Sean Greer is amazing.
It is one of the best books I have read in a long time and while I don't want to give too much away, I will say it is full of surprises. It is a wonderful story of Pearlie and Holland Cook shortly after World War II. It chronicles their marriage and is touching in so many ways.
Monday, April 06, 2009
The Women
TC Boyle is one of my favorite authors, so when his latest book was released, I had to read it.
The Women is Boyle's fictional account of Frank Lloyd Wright's three dramatic love affairs. Having read Nancy Horan's Loving Frank not long ago, I was a bit concerned that the subject matter would be repetitive, but Boyle is too good of a story-teller for that.
The Women starts with Wright's last partner, Oglivanna, and then works backward. Oglivanna is significantly younger than Frank and
Unfortunately, Wright's second mistress, Miriam who is characterized as unstable and vindictive is covered in the second chapter, so I found getting through the middle of the book the most challenging.
However, Boyle handles the chapter on Mamah Borthwick Cheney expertly, making it well worth getting through the Miriam sections.
I do think it would have been more pleasurable if organized in the true chronological order. Boyle's use of a Japanese apprentice to provide section introductions and footnotes, was a wonderful touch.
Overall, Boyle's latest effort didn't disappoint.
The Women is Boyle's fictional account of Frank Lloyd Wright's three dramatic love affairs. Having read Nancy Horan's Loving Frank not long ago, I was a bit concerned that the subject matter would be repetitive, but Boyle is too good of a story-teller for that.
The Women starts with Wright's last partner, Oglivanna, and then works backward. Oglivanna is significantly younger than Frank and
Unfortunately, Wright's second mistress, Miriam who is characterized as unstable and vindictive is covered in the second chapter, so I found getting through the middle of the book the most challenging.
However, Boyle handles the chapter on Mamah Borthwick Cheney expertly, making it well worth getting through the Miriam sections.
I do think it would have been more pleasurable if organized in the true chronological order. Boyle's use of a Japanese apprentice to provide section introductions and footnotes, was a wonderful touch.
Overall, Boyle's latest effort didn't disappoint.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The Maytrees
The Maytrees by Annie Dillard reads like poetry with a love story or love stories woven in.
Annie Dillard captures you with the story of the Maytrees living in a very different from modern day Provincetown, MA. The beauty of the dunes and the descriptions of the night sky make me yearn to be there.
Toby Maytree tries to understand what love is by writing down quotes in a red speckled notebooks while never seeing what is in front of him. But patient loving, Lou, remains steadfastly committed to him. They have a handful of engaging and interesting friends. Deary who sleeps in the dunes. Reevadare an eccentric older woman.
They live cheaply and with great joy at the nature around them, but then things change. Toby Maytree moves to Maine and doesn't live quite so simply anymore.
In the end, he returns to the Cape and to the people and woman who still care for him after all he has done.
Annie Dillard captures you with the story of the Maytrees living in a very different from modern day Provincetown, MA. The beauty of the dunes and the descriptions of the night sky make me yearn to be there.
Toby Maytree tries to understand what love is by writing down quotes in a red speckled notebooks while never seeing what is in front of him. But patient loving, Lou, remains steadfastly committed to him. They have a handful of engaging and interesting friends. Deary who sleeps in the dunes. Reevadare an eccentric older woman.
They live cheaply and with great joy at the nature around them, but then things change. Toby Maytree moves to Maine and doesn't live quite so simply anymore.
In the end, he returns to the Cape and to the people and woman who still care for him after all he has done.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields by Marina Lewycka was a quick read . I think there I was supposed to get a deeper message but it just felt like a story about a group of transient workers who are shockingly clueless and are taken advantage of again and again.
The brief reviews on the back said it was funny, but I didn't really find anything humorous in the book at all. Maybe I read it at the wrong time.
The brief reviews on the back said it was funny, but I didn't really find anything humorous in the book at all. Maybe I read it at the wrong time.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Bird sWithout Wings
I finished Birds Without Wings by Louis De Bernieres with a few days to spare before book club.
It's a long book detailing the lives of the townspeople of Eskibahçe during the Ottoman empire. I found the stories of the townspeople, Iskander the potter, Ali the Snowbringer, Rustem Bey the landowner and Leyla most interesting.
The parts about Mustafa Kemel (future Ataturk) and the war scenes were much more difficult to slog through.
I found it sad when the town was ripped apart with all the Christians being sent to Greece and replaced with other Muslims who didn't speak Turkish. It seemed like suddenly the town became smaller and more insulated than what Mustafa was aiming for.
It's a long book detailing the lives of the townspeople of Eskibahçe during the Ottoman empire. I found the stories of the townspeople, Iskander the potter, Ali the Snowbringer, Rustem Bey the landowner and Leyla most interesting.
The parts about Mustafa Kemel (future Ataturk) and the war scenes were much more difficult to slog through.
I found it sad when the town was ripped apart with all the Christians being sent to Greece and replaced with other Muslims who didn't speak Turkish. It seemed like suddenly the town became smaller and more insulated than what Mustafa was aiming for.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
I See You Everywhere
Sadly, my book club selection has been putting me to sleep for the past few weeks, so when Julia Glass' I See You Everywhere was available from the library, I was happy to have a temporary interlude from Birds Without Wings.
Julia Glass' first novel, Three Junes, was a wonderful delight. Her second novel was a bit disappointing, but I was excited to see her third offering.
I See You Everywhere revolves around two sisters, Louisa and Clem, who are so very different, yet because of shared experience turn to each other in times of need. The book follows them throughout their 20s and 30s and my one complaint is that the sections sometimes read like short stories. Glass seems to want to reintroduce us to the characters and their relationship every 75 pages or so. I thought "I already know who your sister is and what happened..." a number of times.
But the writing is smooth and it was a quick read. It definitely filled the break I needed!
Julia Glass' first novel, Three Junes, was a wonderful delight. Her second novel was a bit disappointing, but I was excited to see her third offering.
I See You Everywhere revolves around two sisters, Louisa and Clem, who are so very different, yet because of shared experience turn to each other in times of need. The book follows them throughout their 20s and 30s and my one complaint is that the sections sometimes read like short stories. Glass seems to want to reintroduce us to the characters and their relationship every 75 pages or so. I thought "I already know who your sister is and what happened..." a number of times.
But the writing is smooth and it was a quick read. It definitely filled the break I needed!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Booklove
I found this blog today and I'm having great fun exploring.
http://booklove.wordpress.com/
Booklove is the brainchild of Mary Gomez, Technical Services Librarian at Rockingham Community College, who has created a blog for people who love to read and discuss books. This is a very informal blog that operates like a book club in promoting discussions and ideas on both fiction and non-fiction works.
http://booklove.wordpress.com/
Booklove is the brainchild of Mary Gomez, Technical Services Librarian at Rockingham Community College, who has created a blog for people who love to read and discuss books. This is a very informal blog that operates like a book club in promoting discussions and ideas on both fiction and non-fiction works.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Moloka'i
Moloka'i by Alan Brennert is a terribly heart-wrenching story. At the age of 7, Rachel Kalama contracts leprosy and is sent into quarantine on the island of Moloka'i. She is separated from her family including her father whom she is very close to.
Rachel experiences many loses during her time on the island, each one heart-breaking for its own reasons. Yet she remains strong and steadfast in the belief that she will be "cured" and be able to leave Moloka'i.
While the story is compelling, the writing is weak in some places and over-wrought in others. And toward the end, you start to wonder how much one person can really take and remain positive. Maybe living with leprosy and surrounded by other lepers and death makes one more able to deal with it all, but I didn't want to be immune to it even if only in a novel.
Rachel experiences many loses during her time on the island, each one heart-breaking for its own reasons. Yet she remains strong and steadfast in the belief that she will be "cured" and be able to leave Moloka'i.
While the story is compelling, the writing is weak in some places and over-wrought in others. And toward the end, you start to wonder how much one person can really take and remain positive. Maybe living with leprosy and surrounded by other lepers and death makes one more able to deal with it all, but I didn't want to be immune to it even if only in a novel.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Omnivore's Dilemma
I finished up Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan in time for book club next week and I don't think I will ever look at food the same.
I've always been a bit queasy about certain foods - poultry, eggs, beef - and this book reinforced that I was right to be cautious.
The first section is a bit dry as he follows the path of corn from field to table, but the second and third sections make up for muddling through the story of corn.
The second section, Pastoral/Grass, was the most interesting to me as it looked into mass organic operations and reassuringly educated me on the local, grass-feeding beef farmer.
The last section recounted Pollan's attempt to serve a meal made from ingredients he has gathered (mushrooms), killed (wild boar) or grown (various ingredients) by the author. Being a mycophobe, I found his search for mushrooms a little long and overly dramatic, but it was a short section.
Overall, Omnivore's Dilemma was in interesting, educating read. Warning: Once you pick this up, be prepared to start shopping for organic foods, grass fed beef, cage free eggs and joining a CSA.
I've always been a bit queasy about certain foods - poultry, eggs, beef - and this book reinforced that I was right to be cautious.
The first section is a bit dry as he follows the path of corn from field to table, but the second and third sections make up for muddling through the story of corn.
The second section, Pastoral/Grass, was the most interesting to me as it looked into mass organic operations and reassuringly educated me on the local, grass-feeding beef farmer.
The last section recounted Pollan's attempt to serve a meal made from ingredients he has gathered (mushrooms), killed (wild boar) or grown (various ingredients) by the author. Being a mycophobe, I found his search for mushrooms a little long and overly dramatic, but it was a short section.
Overall, Omnivore's Dilemma was in interesting, educating read. Warning: Once you pick this up, be prepared to start shopping for organic foods, grass fed beef, cage free eggs and joining a CSA.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2008 List of books
List of books - 2008
The Zookeeper's Wife, Diane Ackerman
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
Loving Frank, Nancy Horan
Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri
When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris
The Friday Night Knitting Club, Kate Jacobs
White Tiger, Arvind Adiga
Girls in Trucks, Katie Crouch
The Long Walk Home, Will North
How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life, Mameve Medwed
Run, Ann Patchett
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson
No One Belongs Here More Than You, Miranda July
Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
The Beautiful Things Heaven Bears, Dinaw Mengestu
B-mother, Maureen O'Brien
Roomates Wanted, Lisa Jewell
Power of One, Bryce Courtney
Special Topics in Calamity Physics, Marisha Pessl
Forgive Me, Amanda Eyre Ward
Away, Amy Bloom
The Zookeeper's Wife, Diane Ackerman
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen
Loving Frank, Nancy Horan
Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri
When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris
The Friday Night Knitting Club, Kate Jacobs
White Tiger, Arvind Adiga
Girls in Trucks, Katie Crouch
The Long Walk Home, Will North
How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life, Mameve Medwed
Run, Ann Patchett
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson
No One Belongs Here More Than You, Miranda July
Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali
The Beautiful Things Heaven Bears, Dinaw Mengestu
B-mother, Maureen O'Brien
Roomates Wanted, Lisa Jewell
Power of One, Bryce Courtney
Special Topics in Calamity Physics, Marisha Pessl
Forgive Me, Amanda Eyre Ward
Away, Amy Bloom
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
When You are Engulfed in Flames
After saving David Sedaris' latest collection of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, as my final book for 2008, I wasn't disappointed.
As always, Sedaris' is in rare form with essays about his various escapades in New York, London, France and Tokyo.
I had read or heard some of them before, but reading them as a collection is always fun.
Monster Mash about his experience at a medical examiners office and The Smoking Section about his attempts to quit smoking, were two of my favorites.
As always, Sedaris' is in rare form with essays about his various escapades in New York, London, France and Tokyo.
I had read or heard some of them before, but reading them as a collection is always fun.
Monster Mash about his experience at a medical examiners office and The Smoking Section about his attempts to quit smoking, were two of my favorites.
Zookeeper's Wife
I think that the Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman is going to be one of my favorite books for 2008. It is non-fiction, but written much more like fiction.
The story revolves mainly around Jan and Antonina Zabinski who managed the Warsaw Zoo at the start of WWII. Once Warsaw became occupied by the Germans and the zoo animals were removed, they used the zoo to save over 300 people from the Nazis. The code name for their house was the "The House Under the Crazy Star" because of all the characters that passed through.
So, it was a great mix of characters with interesting stories and history of the German occupation of Warsaw.
The story revolves mainly around Jan and Antonina Zabinski who managed the Warsaw Zoo at the start of WWII. Once Warsaw became occupied by the Germans and the zoo animals were removed, they used the zoo to save over 300 people from the Nazis. The code name for their house was the "The House Under the Crazy Star" because of all the characters that passed through.
So, it was a great mix of characters with interesting stories and history of the German occupation of Warsaw.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday Night Knitting Club
While I was on vacation, I finished White Tiger. It was a good story and an interesting portrayal of the people who live as servants in India.
I also read the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs which tells the story of Walker and Daughter knitting shop including Georgia (the owner), Dakota (her teenage daughter), Anita (the elderly woman who works part time the shop and wise mother-figure) plus various other employees and customers who make up the Friday Night Knitting Club.
It's an easy read, kind of chick lit, but the knitting aspect is fun and made me wish I was a better knitter or that Walker and Daughter was down the street. The story has a sad ending, which I didn't necessarily like, especially because I finished it right before bed. So if you do pick it up, I suggest making sure you finish it before bedtime.
I also read the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs which tells the story of Walker and Daughter knitting shop including Georgia (the owner), Dakota (her teenage daughter), Anita (the elderly woman who works part time the shop and wise mother-figure) plus various other employees and customers who make up the Friday Night Knitting Club.
It's an easy read, kind of chick lit, but the knitting aspect is fun and made me wish I was a better knitter or that Walker and Daughter was down the street. The story has a sad ending, which I didn't necessarily like, especially because I finished it right before bed. So if you do pick it up, I suggest making sure you finish it before bedtime.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The White Tiger
I'm reading The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, winner of this year's Man Booker Prize. It's interesting so far, I just wish I had more time to read it.
Oh, guess what? I will!! In just two days, I'm off to Puerto Rico for vacation. I have a stack of books lined up, now it's just a matter of widdling it down to a few to take along. I'm not sure Scott is ready to see how many books I pack for a one week trip to the beach!
I can't wait to relax and read. Plus I get out of the icky rainy weather.
Hopefully I will come back with a long list of book recommendations and reviews.
Oh, guess what? I will!! In just two days, I'm off to Puerto Rico for vacation. I have a stack of books lined up, now it's just a matter of widdling it down to a few to take along. I'm not sure Scott is ready to see how many books I pack for a one week trip to the beach!
I can't wait to relax and read. Plus I get out of the icky rainy weather.
Hopefully I will come back with a long list of book recommendations and reviews.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I fear that I have been neglectful in chronicling the latest books I have been reading. And now I fear that I will forget what I've actually read.
I re-read most of The Namesake for a book club. Even knowing the story, it was still enjoyable. Every time I read anything of Jhumpa Lahiri's, I'm reminded about what a beautiful writer she is. It leaves me in awe.
I am now about two-thirds through The Omnivore's Dilemma. It has gotten much more interesting as it has progressed and I'm excited to finish it. I may hold off on the last section since book club is now scheduled to discuss it in January.
Meanwhile, I went to the bookstore today and used a gift card from my birthday (thanks Karen!) that was burning a hole in my pocket. I ended up with White Tiger (Winner of the Man Booker Prize) and The Zookeeper's Wife. I still want to read Molokai and am considering delving into a Philipa Gregory novel (I heard her on NPR and she was different than I expected).
If I recall any others that I've read since my last post, I will add them. In the meantime, I'm excited to start White Tiger.
I re-read most of The Namesake for a book club. Even knowing the story, it was still enjoyable. Every time I read anything of Jhumpa Lahiri's, I'm reminded about what a beautiful writer she is. It leaves me in awe.
I am now about two-thirds through The Omnivore's Dilemma. It has gotten much more interesting as it has progressed and I'm excited to finish it. I may hold off on the last section since book club is now scheduled to discuss it in January.
Meanwhile, I went to the bookstore today and used a gift card from my birthday (thanks Karen!) that was burning a hole in my pocket. I ended up with White Tiger (Winner of the Man Booker Prize) and The Zookeeper's Wife. I still want to read Molokai and am considering delving into a Philipa Gregory novel (I heard her on NPR and she was different than I expected).
If I recall any others that I've read since my last post, I will add them. In the meantime, I'm excited to start White Tiger.
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