Fifth Chinese Daughter

I have an ongoing interest in books that give insight into how people of other cultures live and think. This book does not disappoint. Sort of a precursor to "Joy Luck Club"; written by a woman who grew up in America with Chinese parents in the 1930's and 40's. She struggles to create her own identity as both an American woman and a dutiful Chinese daughter. The writing style is very straight-forward and factual.

I would include this in a class on culture and learning.

Four stars

By far, Nicholas Sparks' best work. The story of the Sparks family's very tragic history through the framework of a trip around the world with Nicholas and his brother Micah. I was inspired by Sparks' great faith in the face of numerous losses. Beautifully written and provides great insight into Sparks' other books.

Four stars

Arthur and George
Julian Barnes

I can't decide whether or not I liked this book. Follows the lives of Arthur Conan Doyle (writer of Sherlock Holmes) and George Edalji around the turn of the 20th century. George is wrongly accused and imprisoned for a crime and Arthur is able to use his clout and Holmes-like ability to solve a mystery to clear his name. The book took a very slow turn in the end, but still an interesting read.

Three stars

Excellent book! Very much the same feel as "The Red Tent." The author describes the Israelite's exodus from Egypt from the perspectives of Zipporah and Miriam. Made the Biblical account come to life.

Four stars

Before reading this book, I'd been almost unaware of the Hasidic community in New York. The author used her doctoral research as the basis for this book about Hasids who were seeking to move away from the community, forced to face ostracism from their families, economic difficulty, and the challenge of trying to live in a world that they were raised to completely shun.

I was most struck by the way that the people in this community seem to be following religious law more to guard against criticism from their neighbors than to actually please God. Breaking the rules only seemed to matter when they didn't get caught. Their religiosity seems to closely reflect that of the Pharisees.

Three and 1/2 stars

A memoir so extraordinary I found my self somewhat doubting the memories of the author. The author grows up in potentially the most disfunctional family I have ever heard of, then finds herself having an affair with movie star Richard Burton during her teens. Very crazy story, worth reading.

Three and 1/2 stars

I read "Daisy Miller" shortly after reading "Reading Lolita in Tehran" and I think I better appreciated this book for the insights provided by the author of "Reading Lolita." One always feels good about reading a 'classic,' and "Daisy Miller" isn't the sort of classic that takes a long time to get into, or finish for that matter. I tried to tackle another Henry James after this, but found it much more difficult.

Three stars

The adventures of a cat who traveled the world with her foreign news correspondant owner. Very fun light read. Interesting to see the cultural differences in how people responded to the cat.

Three stars

While reading this book, I had the distinct feeling that the author wrote with the purpose of landing a movie deal. Stressed out lawyer finds herself as a maid, completely unable to cope with her new responsibilities until she is rescued by the handsome gardner and his very domestic mother. Fun read, but wouldn't revisit it again.

Two Stars

Inspiring book. I love the feeling of sneaking into another culture and discovering how we are all so much the same and different at the same time. After reading this book, I have never so much appreciated the freedoms I enjoy as an American woman.

Four Stars

Range of Motion
Elizabeth Berg

Enjoyed this book. About a woman who's husband is in a coma as the result of being hit on the head by falling ice. Berg writes in a way that puts words to feelings I've experienced, but never been able to clearly articulate.

Four Stars