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Book Club Reads

  • David Benioff: City of Thieves: A Novel

    David Benioff: City of Thieves: A Novel

  • Benjamin Parzybok: Couch

    Benjamin Parzybok: Couch

  • Laura Lippman: What the Dead Know: A Novel

    Laura Lippman: What the Dead Know: A Novel
    I didn't really like anyone in this book, so it was hard to enjoy it. I need to admire the detective or feel sorry for the victims, but in this case no one was sympathetic. The ending was pretty good though. (***)

  • Kathryn Stockett: The Help

    Kathryn Stockett: The Help
    If you don't read another book this year, make it this one. It is completely five star and a fascinating look at the south around the Civil Rights era, told from the point of view of many women, most of whom were rearing other people's children while not even able to use the same bathroom as the family.Amazing in its detail and emotion. (*****)

  • Garth Stein: The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel

    Garth Stein: The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
    I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did; it was painful to read in spots, but also delightful. I found it both beautiful and poignant. (*****)

  • Muriel Barbery: The Elegance of the Hedgehog

    Muriel Barbery: The Elegance of the Hedgehog
    This book was difficult to grade. The first part was heavy and hard reading about philosophy and people, with some absolutely incredible pages. The last third of the book was amazing though. And it elicited an amazing discussion at Book Club. (****)

  • Ron Rash: Serena: A Novel

    Ron Rash: Serena: A Novel
    As I said in Book Club, I would give this book an A for setting and writing, but a D for the people, who were often caricatures and not very likeable. Rash is a talented writer who could have written a much better book--but this would make a great movie. (***)

  • Dinaw Mengestu: The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears

    Dinaw Mengestu: The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears
    It took me a while to get "into" this book, but it was well worth it. It was beautiful writing and a meaningful story of African immigrants who don't fit in anywhere--neither their homelands or the United States. There was lots to discuss. (****)

  • Aravind Adiga: The White Tiger: A Novel (Man Booker Prize)

    Aravind Adiga: The White Tiger: A Novel (Man Booker Prize)
    I found this book dark, but fascinating. It was a unique view of India from the perspective of a servant. Most of my Book Club disliked White Tiger, but I found it worthy of the Booker Prize. (****)

  • Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    Intriguing characters and setting, a twisting plot and a gruesome mystery--all the elements I love and yet this wasn't a five star read for me. I blame it on the stiffness of the translation from Swedish to English. (****)

On My Bookshelf

November 2009

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My corner of the Universe