I LOVE BOOKS

On my adventure to So Cal I always stop at a wonderful thrift store in Ventura. It has a wall that is covered in books, it is pretty overwhelming, but I always come home with a few treasures to add to the library. One that I picked up is Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, An African Childhood, by Alexandra Fuller. This is a memoir about a girl and her families life in Southern Africa. A place full of adversity, beauty, heartache and at times laughter even in the most dire circumstances. I have not finished but I am enjoying reading about a place where my preconceived ideas are inaccurate. I'll let you know what I think when I finish. Happy Reading.

Jen on Nikki's Middle Eastern Reads

I totally agree with Nikki on these two books. What facinated me was how each one of them gave you a glimpse into the different Middle Eastern Countries of Afghanistan, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Pakistan, Reluctant Fundamentalist. In my ignorance, I had pictured these countries as always being war torn and violent, that was not always the case.

These countries have rich heritages and both authors do a marvelous job of bringing them to life for the reader. Both of these books deal with some sensitive issues but once again the authors do a really good job of telling the stories of their characters and letting the reader draw their own conclusions.

I was very "reluctant" to purchase The Reluctant Fundamentalist, afraid it would be political propaganda. It was not, the author did a good job of writing about the strong points about America but also gave a pretty accurate view of the weaknesses of this country and how we are preceived by the world. This book was also written in a very unusual way- it is a one-sided conversation, the author pulls it off well.

All said, both of these books deserve to be read and discussed, the writing is good, the story and plots are engaging, it is worth your time.

May I be one of the first to utilize this fine tool!
Recently I was handed two Fabulous books, from Jen, through Barb (thanks Jen ;)

First off, A Thousand Splendid Suns by the author (Khalded Hosseini) who wrote that stomach wrenching read: the Kite Runner....this one was a tad less graphic, but even more moving. The setting is Afghanistan over the last 30 years...the story describes the plight/value/position of women during this timeframe. At times I had the mental picture of an international Scarlet O'hara of sorts, standing on a dusty mound and crying for her land.....Hosseini paints a picture of a beautiful country, rich with beauty, bound by unfair traditions and grasping for change. In the middle of that country people are struggling to find love, success, or just plain survive with minimal physical damage. The love story is wrought with wounds and there is a strong Color Purple bond between the women in the story.....Jen and Barb can fill out the description.....It's a MUST read!

The second book I read was a fast, mental feast called The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. You can guess at the subject matter from the author's name and the title, but you won't be expecting the tale of twisted love and thought provoking perspective you're delivered!
The male in the narrative, Changez is his name, jets between Lahore, Pakistan, New York City, Greece and even Chile. Over the course of one year, he experiences all of lifes joys and sorrows, as well as the altering sway of international politics. The ending is dramatic and unexpected, as controversial as the Sopranos' last show...this is a definite conversation starter.....an eye-opener to the personal side of world conflict that we, in the East Bay are nearly sheltered from....
I'm still reeling from this one ....it was SOOOO Goood!
So that's it....let me know when you've picked one up....I'm dying to discuss the details of these two.....
Good night, or is it morning! And Hurray for Summertime :D

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Piccoult

I began this book at 5:00pm and finished while applying my make-up the next morning. As in usual Jodi Piccoult fashion, this story involves delving into the deeper layers of family relationships after a cataclysmic event shakes them out of their daily grind.

The book involves a look into the love life of a 14 year old girl and the drama and heartache that naturally evolves. The natural evolution though is aborted when an event takes place that makes a father slip back into a past he has been trying his whole life to forget, a mother reveal a shameful secret and their teenage daughter whose decision ensures none of their lives will ever be the same again.

I would rate this book a 7 on a scale from 1-10. Jodi writes very well and she keeps the story moving but I feel she had a little bit too much detail in this book and though the ending was not as tragic as some of her other novels it was a little far fetched... in my opinion...just a little, not obnoxiously over the top just a little far-fetched. The characters were very likable and real and I became quickly invested in their stories.

On the whole, this book brings up some of the not so nice things about high school and teenagers, for some it may bring back some flash backs, but it was a worthy read and I would suggest it to any Bookie.