Sorry I have been so long. But I have been reading up a storm (cliche).
Since I finished my last Southern b ook, I have been reading different kinds of things. I told everyone about the Dorothy Sayers book, then I read 2 Martha
Grimes thrillers. Then another Southern book--A Dangerous Age by Ellen Gilchrist who lives in Fayetteville, AR, but was born and raised in MS.
The Gilchrist book was interesting because of its timeliness. It is the story of the women of an extended family who are very affected by both 9/ll and the Iraq war. It is one of the most evenly told stories I have read about this. You get both sides of the story and I'm not sure which side
Gilchrist would fall on.
After this was a week on the beach--Orange Beach, AL-- to be exact. The rest of the family had real beach reads--James Patterson, Nora Roberts--I had Louise Eldrich, one of my favorites. I read her latest The Plague of Doves, but I have to tell you this was not her best. She is certainly not a beach read, you have to concentrate and maybe some of this was my fault, but I was having a hard time remembering who was who and following the story. It was more a combination of short stories. If you have not read her before, I would recommend Love Medicine, The Beet Queen, and The Master Butchers Singing Club.
After I got home, I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picault. I warn you. Do not read this book unless you can afford to lose a night's sleep, because you will not be able to put it down. I was fascinated by this story of a family torn by the critical illness of a daughter. It will make you even more curious about stem cell research, and other important issues of the day. What is legal, what is moral, what is ethical? I can't wait for someone else to read this so I have someone to talk to.
Another book by Jodi Picault that kept me up a couple of nights was Nineteen Minutes. If I tell you what it's about you probably won't want to read it. Just try it.
What to read next???
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4 comments:
I had the opportunity to lead our Reading Roundtable discussion of My Sister's Keeper. I agree, I couldn't put it down. It made me think about my role as a mother and what I do to show my love to each of my children. My son has epilepsy and my youngest has asthma and sometimes I think my oldest resents the attention they get.
When I first started the book, the mother was my least favorite, but as she told her story, my heart went out to her. After reading it, I had to agree with a friend. He said sometimes the best stories are the ones that don't end well.
Wow, Jo! Some great reading there! I've seen Picoult's books around everywhere, but have never read her. I know what you mean about "beach reads". It's not the place to have to try and keep up with characters. I will have to try her and the others you recommend. I always enjoy the books you tell me about.Could you have been a librarian in another life? See you too soon in two weeks!
I love The Master Butchers Singing Club!!! Along the same lines is another favorite Water for Elephants which you might like to read. :)
I met Ellen Gilchrist this summer at the library conference. She was on a panel with other 911 fiction authors. I got her to sign my copy. I was so excited about meeting her that I almost fell out after her comment. I told her where I lived in MS and she looked at me very impressed and said, "Honey, you have something on your front teeth." ;D
so Ellen Gilchrist is very observant? i love Water for Elen\phants.
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