JT picked this month's book. I haven't started it yet. However, I did blow right through Little Bee.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Israel, My Beloved
I just finished this spectacular book, and lost some sleep in the process. Written with attention to detail yet able to span thousands of years of history, it captured my attention and tied many tidbits of history into a comprehensive whole.
The main character Sarah, exists separate of time and represents the Jewish people. We pick up her story in the days of the first destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Assyrians and follow her all over the earth throughout the history of the last 2500 years. She experiences the rebuilding of the temple and the destruction yet again by the Babylonians. Again the temple is rebuilt only to be destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, never to be rebuilt.
She experiences the Crusades of the Middle Ages and the horror of Auschwitz. She has friends that walk with her through these difficult times, and loses some dear to her as well. Many of the things I have learned in history classes or sermons or Bible studies were finally brought together in a cohesive way by the story of Sarah. An excellent read.
The main character Sarah, exists separate of time and represents the Jewish people. We pick up her story in the days of the first destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by the Assyrians and follow her all over the earth throughout the history of the last 2500 years. She experiences the rebuilding of the temple and the destruction yet again by the Babylonians. Again the temple is rebuilt only to be destroyed by the Romans in AD 70, never to be rebuilt.
She experiences the Crusades of the Middle Ages and the horror of Auschwitz. She has friends that walk with her through these difficult times, and loses some dear to her as well. Many of the things I have learned in history classes or sermons or Bible studies were finally brought together in a cohesive way by the story of Sarah. An excellent read.
Monday, February 7, 2011
The Septembers of Shiraz
This is a book that I picked up at Hastings. I was wandering and saw that the front the book had a review from an author I love to read, Claire Messud, "miraculously light in its touch...Sofer writes beautifully...a remarkable debut." Sold.
The book chronicles a family in the 1980s shortly after the Iranian revolution. It describes the chaos and the slow chipping away at the familiar. The father, Isaac, is arrested and sent to a prison to be constantly interrogated about his "crimes". The wife, Farnaz, tries to hold what remains of their daily lives together. The daughter, Shirin, finds herself unable to eat and sickly due to the stress. And, the son, Parviz, is in New York going to school, lonely and penniless.
The writing is sparse and beautiful. Sofer makes a difficult and sad subject immensely readable. I usually don't read the interviews with the authors at the end of the book, but in this case I was really glad that I did. The story is very loosely autobiographical. Sofer's father was imprisoned in much the same manner and came back a changed person. Sofer's family was smuggled out of the country to safety.
I really enjoyed this book. However, if I had solely read the back, I don't think I would have picked it up.
The book chronicles a family in the 1980s shortly after the Iranian revolution. It describes the chaos and the slow chipping away at the familiar. The father, Isaac, is arrested and sent to a prison to be constantly interrogated about his "crimes". The wife, Farnaz, tries to hold what remains of their daily lives together. The daughter, Shirin, finds herself unable to eat and sickly due to the stress. And, the son, Parviz, is in New York going to school, lonely and penniless.
The writing is sparse and beautiful. Sofer makes a difficult and sad subject immensely readable. I usually don't read the interviews with the authors at the end of the book, but in this case I was really glad that I did. The story is very loosely autobiographical. Sofer's father was imprisoned in much the same manner and came back a changed person. Sofer's family was smuggled out of the country to safety.
I really enjoyed this book. However, if I had solely read the back, I don't think I would have picked it up.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Wednesday Sisters
My mother-in-law got me this book for Christmas. I was really impressed that she picked out a book I hadn't read and was interested in reading. About the only one who buys me books is my husband, unless I give specific requests.
The book chronicles the friendship of five women who meet in Palo Alto, California, in 1967. All wives and mothers, they form a writing club and meet weekly at the park while their children play.
Each character has her own story both with her writing and her personal life. From breast cancer to cheating husbands, the gamut is covered. The historical climate plays a lot into the story. I feel like if you were a contemporary to these women, this book would mean so much more. It caused me to contemplate how much has changed since then, particularly for women.
I enjoyed all of it but the end. I felt like it just. Ended. Kinda like that. Obviously that's probably intentional but it still bugged me. I wanted a sounder conclusion. Other than that, I really liked it. Enough to stay up an hour past bedtime three nights in a row.
The book chronicles the friendship of five women who meet in Palo Alto, California, in 1967. All wives and mothers, they form a writing club and meet weekly at the park while their children play.
Each character has her own story both with her writing and her personal life. From breast cancer to cheating husbands, the gamut is covered. The historical climate plays a lot into the story. I feel like if you were a contemporary to these women, this book would mean so much more. It caused me to contemplate how much has changed since then, particularly for women.
I enjoyed all of it but the end. I felt like it just. Ended. Kinda like that. Obviously that's probably intentional but it still bugged me. I wanted a sounder conclusion. Other than that, I really liked it. Enough to stay up an hour past bedtime three nights in a row.
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Sugar Queen
It was fast and sweet. Seriously. I just sat down and read it. By the same author of Garden Spells.
It has magic, mystery, and a little romance. Another piece of candy that I totally enjoyed reading.
Josey wakes one morning to find someone is living in her closet. Her closet full of sweets. Each chapter is named after a sweet treat. She has been basically trapped by her mother and at 27 finds that she is a bit tired of it. She ventures out to find new friends and a new love. In the process she uncovers some family secrets.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
It has magic, mystery, and a little romance. Another piece of candy that I totally enjoyed reading.
Josey wakes one morning to find someone is living in her closet. Her closet full of sweets. Each chapter is named after a sweet treat. She has been basically trapped by her mother and at 27 finds that she is a bit tired of it. She ventures out to find new friends and a new love. In the process she uncovers some family secrets.
Nom. Nom. Nom.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Stacking Up
One of the things that is frustrating about Helena is the lack of a bookstore like Borders or Barnes and Noble. I love hanging out in those stores. However, Helena does have Aunt Bonnie's which is always fun. I can always find a gem there or some weird, obscure book. And, Hastings can be great for used books. Which is usually what I limit myself to there. All of the books below I got from Hastings and their Pass It On program. The Pass It On Books are usually half price. And, The Help is brand new, hardcover, but it was on sale for 50% off. So, I don't feel as guilty.
I've just replenished my book stack:
I've just replenished my book stack:
Garden Spells
Are you in need of a delicious truffle of a book? Then this is it.
It isn't great literature but it is such a fun story. Full of magical elements and interesting relationships. Kinda reminded me of the movie Practical Magic.
But, beware, it was a bit difficult to read in the winter. It obviously is about a garden and it totally made me miss summer. Sleeping with the windows open. The smell of fresh cut grass. Totally sassy apple trees!
This book was a great break in winter and something almost guilty to look forward to reading. It doesn't take long to finish. Complete candy.
It isn't great literature but it is such a fun story. Full of magical elements and interesting relationships. Kinda reminded me of the movie Practical Magic.
But, beware, it was a bit difficult to read in the winter. It obviously is about a garden and it totally made me miss summer. Sleeping with the windows open. The smell of fresh cut grass. Totally sassy apple trees!
This book was a great break in winter and something almost guilty to look forward to reading. It doesn't take long to finish. Complete candy.
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