Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver

Some really thoughtful, insightful, and heartfelt essays about our crazy world which is both beautiful and endangered. A very poignant essay about 9/11.

Black River by S.M. Hulse

This is a well written book about a man struggling with some serious physical and emotional pain. A former prison guard who suffered horrific torture during a prison riot returns to the prison to appear at a parole hearing for the inmate who tortured him. His anguish and pain is palpable. This is a debut novel from a wonderful young writer.

Wow, I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. I have been reading a lot, just not commenting. I just finished reading several books I really liked. Our Souls at Night was very good. It is written by Kent Haruf. Two older widowed neighbors spend their nights together talking about their lives. Short novel but well written. Then I read another short novel called All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer about two CIA agents, one former, one still active. They both participated in a disastrous event, and now meet to discuss it. Just finished reading Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye by Marie Mutsuki Mockett. She is a Japanese-American who returns to visit family just after the devastating 2011 Fukushima event. Her family runs a Buddhist temple in the most affected area. Over several years, she visits other temples, explores Buddhist beliefs, and focuses on how the Japanese deal with grief. Very interesting exploration.

Reading lots, just not always good books

I've been reading a lot of books, in fact I reached my goal for the year of reading 100 books. One recent book is called Frozen in Time which follows the epic rescue attempt for some flyers downed in Greenland. Another book is called The Lowland which follows two Indian brothers, first in India and then in America, and the powerful woman the first brother married and then when he died, the second brother married. The daughter of the first brother is raised by the second brother as his own child, although the daughter does not know her true parentage. It is a somewhat convoluted plot but very well written.

In the Shadow of the Banyan

Poignant tale of a young girl living as a refuge under the regime of the Khmer Rouge. My only problem with it is that sometimes the knowledge of the main character seemed beyond that of her age in the book. Beautifully written.

I just finished reading a beautiful novel, called, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. It tells of an older man who embarks on a journey of discovery and redemption. I've also finished reading another memorable book called, Forgotten Country. There are so many good books I've read this year, many of them debut novels that have been well reviewed. Some have even appeared on short lists for awards.

Mysteries

I guess I am really in the mood to read mysteries. I just finished two more, 61 Hours and Room No. 10. At least I am catching up on reading for my goal of 100 books this year. I've been way behind schedule.

I've been reading some mysteries lately, one called The Seventh Trumpet, the other called The Claws of the Cat. Both just okay. Starting my third mystery called Eva's Eye. A little bit of light reading for a change.

Those We Love Most

I have really mixed feelings about this story. In some ways, it seems so prosaic and predictable; even as it does have some memorable scenes and phrases. It is a very sad story, and I do not ultimately find it uplifting since I can't even begin to imagine the anguish expressed by the characters. The book has received many good reviews, and I can understand why even as I disagree.

I just finished reading The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, really enjoyed reading it but I actually liked the movie better. The two present quite different stories but the movie felt more credible and definitely more upbeat which I have to confess I liked.

I've been reading a lot, just not writing reviews. I think my brain has stopped working. My thoughts have dried up. Just finished a non-fiction title, Between Man and Beast. a book about an explorer of the Congo who wrote about the Lowland Gorilla, The book is set within the context of the discussion of the theory of evolution, Then I read a mystery called A Sunless Sea about the opium trade, specifically about the fortunes to be made by selling opium to an uninformed public.