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Gleaned from the Saturday Review

Oct30

The Witness Tree–Howley and Loftus. Recommended by Melanie at The indextrious Reader. A fictionalized biography/family saga of the Dulles family. I know next to nothing about about John Foster Dulles or his family; he’s vaguely associated in my mind with diplomacy and the State Department. The book sounds fascinating.

Kensuke’s Kingdom–Morpurgo. Recommended by Nicola at Back to Books. A boy is stranded on a Pacific island with a Japanese soldier who was shipwrecked on the same island during WW II.

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. This one just sounds like fun. Short, sweet, and off-beat —and about the joys of reading. I’m hooked. Recommended by Sam Houston at Book Chase.

I could have “gleaned” a few more, but I’m trying to cut down. Not that I’m trying to cut down on my reading, just trying to cut down the length of my LIST.

Gleaned from the Saturday Review

Oct8

Reluctant Fundamentalist–Hamid. Recommended by Laura. Laura says this book is both suspenseful and thought-provoking as a nervous American interviews a Pakistani man in a cafe. The two discuss Muslim perceptions of Amerians and American life.

Chris at Book-a-rama read The House on the Strand, a Daphne du Maurier story about time travel into the Middle Ages. I think I could stand some du Maurier right now, seems sort of fall-ish.

This dystopian novel by Gemma Malley reminds me of Children of Men by P.D. James or the Hidden series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Thanks, Becky, for the review.

What Would Barbra Do?: How Musicals Changed My Life by Emma Broches. Recommended at Moomin Light. Sounds delightful. I love movie musicals. I left a comment at Moomin Light about my favorite musicals. What are yours?

Sophie Scholl and the White Rose is also nonfiction, but rather more on the serious side. I think I would be as inspired by this story of resistance to the Nazi regime as was Krista at Musings of a Lady.

What did you find in the Saturday Review that piqued your interest?

Gleaned from the Saturday Review

Aug18

I found the Saturday Review links quite interesting, as I clicked through, in between preparations for Hurricane Dean. I figure if I prepare diligently, it will probably go somewhere else and leave Houston alone. And, yes, I know that’s superstitious and illogical thinking. I don’t really believe that anything I do will affect the path of a hurricane. (Do I?)

I found these titles to add to my ever-growing reading list:
The Secret Country by Pamela Dean. Recommended by MoominLight.
Witness by Whittaker Chambers. Recommended by Laura at Lines in Pleasant Places. I’ve been meaning to read this historical memoir for years, but now Laura’s reminded me with a gentle push.
Collision Course by Alvin Moscow. Recommended by Lynne.

I was also glad to see that someone else enjoyed some of my past favorites:

The Queen of Carrots says that The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins has “one of the best female characters I have ever encountered.” I agree. Also, the villain is “fascinating and charming despite his age, weight, and utter ruthlessness. An unforgettable villain.”
Semicolon review here.

Sage says Gilead by Marilynne Robinson “should be read slowly, taking time to savor the language and the scenes Robinson creates.”
Semicolon review here.

Abiding liked Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. I think Mr. Card is one of the most versatile and intriguing authors I’ve read in the past several years, and I’ve only read two of his books so far, Enchantment and Ender’s Game. Can any fans suggest the next book by Card that I should read? I definitely want more of his writing.
Semicolon review of Enchantment here.

And Jennifer says that The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseini is “a beautifully written account of one man’s hopes and dreams along with the bitterness of regret.” It is that and more.
Semicolon review here.