Readers may think I have given up reading! Never! Just writing about it. Rather than try to detail every book, I will just post this as a list of my September through December 2006 books read, with a short annotation on books that had a big impact...positive or negative. Then I can get a fresh start with 2007.
The Chili Queen by Sandra Dallas
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Annie G Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish.
People in two book clubs loved this. Personally, I thought it was treacly and formulaic.
Triangle by Katharine Weber
Earlier this year I read a Weber book I didn't care for, and I stated that view openly in this blog. I am pleased to report that this particular book is outstanding. The quality of writing, the meticulous historical research, and the unique way in which the plot unfolds makes this story about the famous (or infamous) Triangle Factory fire a riveting read.
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank.
I enjoyed this one a great deal.
Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukergee.
Not a particularly desirable read.
Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay.
Very good book.
The English Teacher by Lily King
Excellent!
Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton.
Awful. Even more treacle than the Traveling Funeral. Ugh. My teeth hurt reading this book. In fairness, others in my book club enjoyed it. Maybe I'm just getting too cranky for this kind of sweetness. Fans of Jan Karon, and I know there are many, would enjoy it.
I Hate My Neck by Nora Ephron
Delightful treatment about the terrible truth of being an aging woman. You know that commercial about we're not getting older; we're getting better? So untrue.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
I loved her book, The Namesake. I'm sure I would have loved this one too if I liked reading short stories, but I don't.
True Evil by Greg Iles
Iles has written way better books than this. That said, it was still a gripping pageturner. Even a bad Iles is good.
Thanks!
Posted by: Katharine Weber | January 29, 2007 at 08:20 AM
My good friend and I had started reading *Fabulous Traveling Funeral* when she suddenly was diagnosed with a terrible Stage 3 cancer. Her odds of survival weren't good, the experts said. We both dropped the book since even its title hit too close to home. Now, 18 months later, my friend is fully alive and the cancer shows no sign of recurring, but neither of us has made any moves to return to the book. But that's okay.
Posted by: Priscilla | October 23, 2007 at 01:31 PM
P.S. I loved *Blue Water.* Beautifully written.
Posted by: Priscilla | October 23, 2007 at 01:32 PM