I am very behind in reading Shimelle's prompts, but I am keeping to my commitment to blog every day. I thought I'd share five of the latest books I've read.
Three of these are fiction and two nonfiction. I probably read about 50% of each over the course of a year. I belong to a wonderful (couples) book group, and the group probably averages the same percentage. Both of the nonfiction titles above (The Professor and the Madman & Team of Rivals) were book group selections. Team of Rivals has to be one of the all-time best books I've read. I thought I knew a lot about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, but I learned so much reading this book. It is wonderfully written, and although very long, easy to read.
The Professor and the Madman is an older book about two men who were instrumental in the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. It's a fascinating and surprising story. Earlier this year I read Reading the OED which I really enjoyed so this was a good follow-up.
While I'm Falling is the third Laura Moriaty book I've read. I consider her books well-written "beach books." Easy reads, but usually a compelling narrative.
Breakfast with Buddha was great fun to read. I picked it up over a year ago at my favorite independent bookstore, Northshire Books. Unfortunately, Northshire is in Vermont, and I only get there once a year. I won't buy any book there I've ever read about or heard about. The staff produces great little summaries that they post under the books on display so I'm always on the hunt for new books to read.
Yesterday I finished Gate at the Stairs. It got a rave review in the New York Times and I was anxious to read it. It is beautifully written, very funny, sad, tragic, and at times, perplexing. About 2/3 of the way through it I wasn't sure how I felt about it at all, but by the end, I was hooked. I'm hoping my daughter or a friend will read it so I can discuss it with someone.
My next read is Still Life by Louise Penny. Rochester is so fortunate to have a wonderful Arts & Lectures series that brings in distinguished authors. The next lecturer is Louise Penny, a Canadian mystery writer. I am unfamiliar with her, so I want to get one of her books read before the lecture in December.
Speaking of Arts & Lectures, Thursday night we heard Geraldine Brooks (March, Year of Wonders, People of the Book, Nine Parts of Desire). She was fabulous; entertaining, informative, and so engaging. People of the Book was the best book I read in 2008, hands down.
