After spending an hour in a bookstore with another reader friend (shout out Chris!), I thought I would blog about some books that I've read in years past that really stuck with me. The books that I still think about or that I would still recommend today after years of stagnation in my mind. Because some of them were read so long ago, the descriptions might be lacking...
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides-This book was a fantastic look into a family of recent immigrants who moved to Detroit to find work in the auto industry. Really good stuff about what life was like for them as Detroit grew...and then faded. Oh, and the main character is a hermaphrodite.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe-I read this MANY years ago, but this is what I remember. This is the story of a village in Africa that is "invaded" by missionaries. The author does an amazing job of showing the similarities between the tribe's "pagan" religion and Christianity.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel-When I recommended this to Chris last night, I realized that you really shouldn't know anything about the book before you read it. It is fantastic. But if I tell you what it's about, chances are you won't pick it up. It's worth it!
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini-I think of the author's two books, this one was my favorite because it deals with female friendship. The Kite Runner is definitely worth reading, but if I had to choose again, I'd pick this one.
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks-I love this book because of the way it is written. This is the story of a Jewish book of prayers and the woman who is trying to find its history through the tiny fibers she finds in the creases of the pages. Each fiber tells a different story in the life of the book and the life of a persecuted religion. But instead of being a "woe is me" story about the tragedies of Jewish history, there is hope in these pages of cooperation and peace and understanding between religions.
Let me know if you've read any of these or if you have a book to add!
Couldn't agree more with A Thousand Splendid Suns being similar but better than Kite Runner! I also really liked People of the Book!
ReplyDeleteAre you on Shelfari? If so, you should find me. I'm friends with Charlotte and your mom, I think!
The only one of these I've read is A Thousand Splendid Suns. I agree, it's my favorite of the two--what a wonderful, beautifully written book! I'm going to have to add a few of these to my to-read list!
ReplyDeleteOh also, I just finished One Day by David Nicholls. I think I heard about that book through you (maybe?). Such a great read!