She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain. -- Louisa May Alcott
Since I will do anything to not think about my heart breaking into a million puppy-shaped pieces, here's a quick rundown about what I've been feeding my brain.
Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson
Finally finished my book club book, which is a good thing since book club was on Wednesday. I really enjoyed this nonfiction (although some of it was based on supposition) retelling of the building of the 1892 World's Fair in Chicago -- and a seriously deranged dude who seduced women and then gassed them in his basement. Larson does some incredible research, and I learned so much about the Fair. (I found the stuff about the fair more interesting than the serial killer, but others in my book club were the other way around.) For instance, Frank Lloyd Wright -- whose work I love -- was fired from one of the fair's architectural firms because he was too "out there" with his designs.
My Rating: 9 out of 10. I gorge on historical stuff like this, especially architecture. Probably one of my favorites from this genre. Absolutely fascinating.
I'm a Stranger Here Myself, by Bill Bryson
Yeah, so you all were right. Bryson's book are generally gold. Like so many authors (and commedians) who I like, Bryson does a great job of taking the most mundane things and makes them interesting or hilarious. This book was no different, although it followed a slightly different pattern since it was a collection of newspaper articles over a three-year period. After living in England for 20 years, Bryson moved to New Hampshire and wrote about living in America for a British paper. It was an extremely quick read (unlike Devil, which took me forever!), especially because as I was reading each night before bed, I would say to myself, "just one more!" and eight or nine articles later I would finally shut off my light.
My Rating: 7 out of 10. Hilarious and light. 100% entertainment, although I have a new appreciation for Herbert Hoover.
A Room with a View, by E. M. Forster
I completely loved this little gem. It's overly romantic and a little sappy in spots, but I even loved that. It was such a quick read, and because I've seen the movie, oh, about a bazillion times, it was very bright and colorful in my mind's eye. I loved that Lucy went with her heart and was happy with her unconventional suitor, even at great cost. Forsters prose was light and lyrical and beautiful.
I also loved the little message that the book offered -- be yourself and don't think how other people think just because you've been raised or taught to think that way. And most of all, follow your heart!
My Rating: 9 out of 10. Just a delight!
Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis (re-read)
I'm not sure if I should count this as read recently. I read it once years ago, and the re-read all but the last couple chapters sometime last year. I was poring over my books the other day and saw the bookmark so close to the end of Mere Christianity, so I cozied up in my favorite chair and finished it off (again).
I like CS Lewis. I like how his faith is sort of rational and not at all complicated. That he has reasons beyond "it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside." I like the argument for a moral law as evidence of the divine. I like his explanations of the tennants of being a Christian. Really, I just like how he writes (well, more like spoke -- the chapters were originally radio addresses).
My Rating: 10 out of 10 for being a classic of Christian writing -- that deserves its classification as a classic.
The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield
I don't really know when I acquired this book, or where it came from. It was just...around. It looked interesting, so I took it to my office to read when it was slow or when I needed something to read on my lunch break. I think I started it back in March, and just finished it up. I think I read it two or three pages at a time for the most part, up until the end when I finished the last 30 pages or so on a slow afternoon.
The story is, basically, a retelling of an author's life. No one has ever heard the truth about her childhood, so she tells it to a biographer on her deathbed. I'm pretty sure I liked it, although sometimes I was annoyed because Setterfield kept saying how great of a writer the main character was, who was fictional -- so it felt like Setterfield was tooting her own horn. Anyway, I was pretty close to figuring out the "twist" at the end before it happened (it was similar to what I expected), and that always makes me happy.
My Rating: 6 out of 10 for being entertaining, but slightly self-congragulatory.
Whew.
Comments
Also, I just noticed the actual URL for your blog. Good one (and no I don't talk like that....unless I get drunk.)
It's nice to see your rating of The Thirteenth Tale. I liked it, but didn't love it, and so many people seemed to.
Mere Christianity is great. It's well thought-out, concise, and whenever I read it I'm inspired to be a better Christian. His chapter on how God knows what baggage you carry is excellent. Very compassionate.
Now I'll have to add A Room With A View to my list!
Enjoyed The Devil and The White City. He did a great job wrapping two stories into one, without schlock. My great grandparents met at the worlds fair in Chicago, so that made it interesting for me.
I enjoyed your reviews and am clicking on the 'add to neighborhood" link, hoping for more.
By the way, I like your blog. Please feel free to check put my book blog if you feel inclined.
-Maphead