Books read in 2007, continued

My reading list of late looks a bit fluffy, I know, however all of these books arrived from the library around the same time - doesn't it always happen that way - and needed to be read. I am continuing to read Fall on Your Knees. This is a very dense book, and while it seemed that a lot happened in the first 100 pages or so, since then the story is just meandering along. I am sticking with it though, I'm certain the author has something in store.

14. Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella - I am embarrassed to admit this here, but in the interest of honesty, I will. This author is good for a light quick read, a bit of mind candy if you will.

15. Secret Girl by Molly Bruce Jacobs - A memoir, by a woman who did not meet her mentally retarded sister until adulthood and began a relationship with her. This books was at it's best when describing this growing relationship. The author is a recovered/recovering alcoholic ( not sure the correct terminology) and the sections describing this were a bit self indulgent, in my opinion. It was an interesting portrait of societies attitudes toward disabled people during this time period, the 1960s, when people were literally just hidden away. The woman in this book was never brought to her parent's home although it was only 30 minutes away from where she stayed.

16. The Birth House by Ami McKay - I really enjoyed this book, unfortunately I rushed to finish it and then went out of town so never really had a chance to digest and think about it. This novel is set in Canada and the story is multifaceted- the parts I took the most from were about midwifery and the medical establishment's wanting to take over this part of women's lives and not really having the knowledge to do so, leading to dangerous situations. Interspersed within the text are letters, diary entries, newspaper articles and illustrated advertisements which really add to this story in a unique way. Highly recommended.

17. Whitethorn Woods by Mave Binchy - Enjoyed this as I enjoy all her books. This had an interesting format that I wasn't sure I liked at the beginning. Most of the book is a series of vignettes, 2 peoples points of view on the same or intertwining events. Many of these relate to an event or person in another section. In the end, they sort of all come together. The overall idea of this book, which is about a road being built though the woods of the title, was just a way to tie all these stories together, to allow Binchy to tell us about all these different people and lives, which she excels at. I am not a big lover of short stories, I'd rather really immerse myself in something long, so had a little trouble with what I perceived as choppiness.

18. The Key by Jennifer Sturman - This author writes a sort of chick lit version of a murder mystery. She has a business background so the mysteries tend to be about that. Just an easy and quick read.


Currently on the nightstand in addition to Fall on Your Kness are John Grisham's new book which I have to read for my book club, The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant which was lent to me, and Tracy Chevalier's new book, compliments of the library. After that I will be freed up to read what I desire.

What to read on vacation

Deciding what to read on a trip generally takes much thought for me. Sometimes I am already reading something lengthy and enjoyable, which is great, unless it is a library book or a hardcover if I'm traveling by plane. I finished The Birth House the other day - very enjoyable and I plan to write more about this later when my head is more clear - and have been pondering what to bring to Phoenix tomorrow. A virago? - no - I'd hate to lose one; obviously not the books I have from the library waiting to be read - then what? I'd hate to bring a new book on a trip and dislike it and have nothing else going. The thought is truly frightening. I often like to read something familiar, as comfortable as an old sweater and not particularly taxing. Maeve Binchy is a favorite for this, also Penny Vincenzi. Yesterday I picked up Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie Macdonald. This has been languishing on my shelf for some time and I did enjoy her book The Way the Crow Flies. The reviews I see are mixed; many dislike it because it is too depressing. Frankly, I enjoy depressing books. Really, what's the point of a book in which everyone is happy all the time? So I'm on page 60 and liking this so far. I've decided to also pack Binchy's Light a Penny Candle ; I'm pretty sure I read this years ago and it will fit the bill if the Macdonald book doesn't work out.

The forcast for Phoenix is for temperatures in the 90s, so I'll be back , if I don't melt.

My Viragos

The first of the Virago Modern Classics I purchased was The Lost Traveller by Antonia White. I'm not sure what stood out to me besides the beautiful green color and partially eaten apple - I seem to have an eye for picking British book editions out of shelves of American ones. Quickly realizing The Lost Traveller was part of a quartet, I knew there must be more out there and my quest began. It was helped along a bit by the section on Viragos in Nancy Pearl's More Book Lust.

My collection currently consists of 15 of the glossy black Dial Press editions and 27 of the green editions. I love these older editions, especially the very dark green ones, with the beautiful artwork on the covers. The new 'modern' covers are not nearly as enticing.

I have been scouring my local used bookshops for these books and have pretty well cleaned them out. I love the thrill of wondering what I will find, how many dark green or black books I will come out with. It is so easy now to find what you are looking for online, but for me, the mystery that comes with finding what I didn't know I was looking for is the best part of collecting.

One of my other recent finds that I am so excited about is a boxed collection of 3 books by M.V. Hughes (Molly Hughes) including A London Child of the 1870s, A London Girl of the 1880s and A London Home in the 1890s. Persephone Books publishes the first of these three, and I think I gasped out loud when I came across these, published in the UK in 1980.

I have 2 more Viragos on the way, compliments of paperbackswap.com and 2 more ordered from Abebooks by E.H. Young - William and The Misses Mallett. I really wanted to have all her books and wasn't having any luck in the local shops.

Currently reading The Birth House by Ami McKay which I am enjoying quite a bit.

More books read in 2007

Um, I am thrilled and humbled to have had people actually write comments. Thank you!

8. Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk - Didn't love this, and lost interest by the last third. It is really more a collection of related short stories.

9. The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan - This book is amazing and can change your life. It is beautifully written. In the last paragraphs , and I paraphrase here, he writes that to eat a meal at McDonalds is to eat in perfect ignorance. I really believe that is true.

10. Heat by Bill Buford - This was entertaining. It is 1/3 about Mario Batali, 1/3 about working in a 4 star restaurant kitchen, and 1/3 the author's journey of learning about the above and Italian cooking.

11. The Gentlewoman by Laura Talbot - Another Virago. Scathing, depressing tale of a snobbish and hateful spinster governess. She wrecks havoc on all who come into her path and is universally disliked. Would love to read more by this author.

12. Daniel Isn't Talking by Marti Leimbach - Read this for my bookclub. About a child diagnosed with autism and the aftermath. I thought this was best when describing mother's feelings for her children, rang a bit false for me in the romance department. As a parent, I found this heartbreaking.

13. A Midwife's Story by Penny Armstrong - Found this in a book titled 500 Great Books By Women by Erica Bauermeister,Jesse Larsen, and Holly Smith. About a midwife who works with the amish in the 70's. Interesting.

Currently reading Secret Girl by Molly Bruce Jacobs and Appetite by Nigel Slater. I finally broke down and ordered 2 Slater books from www.bookdepository.co.uk (also Real Food). This is a great site, with low prices, no shipping - even for overseas orders (!!!!!), and fast shipping as well.

I've also discovered and made use of bookmooch and paperback bookswap in the past week. Absolutely addicting.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today made Chocolate Chunk Cookies from Martha's Baking Handbook ( used chips, actually). The recipe says these will be thin and crisp, and they are. Frankly a bit too crisp for my taste. I think I prefer to use the standard recipe on the bag with a few alterations: couple extra tbsp of butter, dark brown sugar rather than light brown, and make them BIG. These turn out crisp on the edges, squidgey in the middle, buttery with a somewhat carmelized flavor. I'll stick to that recipe next time.

Books read so far in 2007.....

1. Miss Mole by E.H. Young- I've started collecting Virago Modern Classics and this is one I've recently come across. Loved this, very clever, great point of view. I've been searching out and ordering more by this author. Great way to start the year.
2. The World in my Kitchen by Colette Rossant - this was alright.
3. Toast by Nigel Slater - I want to read everything he's very written. Too bad it's so hard to find in the USA. Will be shopping on Book Depository soon.
4. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters - I liked this more in the beginning and middle when there was more of a ' mystery'. Have enjoyed Fingersmith and Affinity more.
5. Nigella Lawson by Gilly Smith - This is quite scathing and not well written. More a collection of quotes. Lacks cohesion.
6. Where we Lived by Jack Larkin - History of homes in America. Fascinating and wonderful photographs.
7. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky - This was my 2nd read of this, so I can discuss it for bookclub. Wonderful, horrifying and blunt story about human nature.

Right now I'm reading the Omnivore's Dilemma which I suspect is changing my attitudes about everything I put into my mouth and Arlington Park by Rachel Cusk.

I'm trying to come up with a list of 5 books that have been on my shelves for awhile that I'm going to attack in 2007. This is not so easy, as I have a lot to choose from.

To cook or to book that is the question.........

I've been trying to decide if this is to be more about my cooking or reading activity. Only time will tell.