Travel reading alert! Circe had been on my TBR for so long but it never called my name as it is not my usual genre. I never cared for Greek mythology Travel reading alert! Circe had been on my TBR for so long but it never called my name as it is not my usual genre. I never cared for Greek mythology in school and am generally allergic to the fantastical. But when a work trip took me to Athens, I figured if I was ever going to read it, it should be now.
What I liked: - Reading while in Athens - highly recommend as Greek mythology is everywhere in this ancient city! - Beautiful prose and an immersive sense of place (mythical, lush islands) - Satisfying ending with themes of mortality vs. immortality
Not so much: - Crash course in a LOT of Greek mythology, much of which turned out to be supurfluous - Disney movie vibes - sorry, but I kept picturing King Titan and Ursula - Eternity is a looong time - it just covered way too much ground!
Rules of Civility is a book I appreciated more than loved. It's been on my list for awhile now, after feeling pretty similarly about Towles' other belRules of Civility is a book I appreciated more than loved. It's been on my list for awhile now, after feeling pretty similarly about Towles' other beloved novel, A Gentleman in Moscow. Both books have such a visceral sense of place. Rules of Civility is the story of Katey Kontent, who we meet in New York City in 1966, but quickly flashes back to 1937, the night Katey and her good friend Eve Ross meet the handsome banker Tinker Grey in Greenwich Village. I felt completely transported to 1930s New York, to the bars, the taxi cabs, the apartment buildings. There are some highlights of the book - an accident that interrupts their carefree lives, the push and pull of Katey and Tinker's relationship, and the friendship between Katey and Eve, each heroines in their own right. I could have done without all the parties and the whole social scene that Katey becomes immersed in, but I can appreciate how it added to the book. Also like A Gentleman in Moscow, a lot comes together in the end, showcasing Towles' brilliance as a writer. A very solid read....more
I had no idea this modern classic was a literary thriller. I have always heard it described as a campus novel, which it is, but it starts with the murI had no idea this modern classic was a literary thriller. I have always heard it described as a campus novel, which it is, but it starts with the murder of a student at the hands of his closest friends. From there we embark on a character study of 5 students at a small liberal arts college in Maine. This book is long and slow-burning and requires patience to sink your teeth into. The fact that the prose reads so fluidly made it easy for me to do just that. The first half paints a picture of this quintet of friends who meet as part of an exclusive Greek language program, hobnobbing between dorm rooms and apartments, campus parties, and one of their family's country home. We learn about each student in relation to each other, with a tantalizing push and pull based on wealth, power and relationship history. There is an unspoken darkness and subtle distrust that permeates all their interactions, which was intriguing to say the least. The climax hits midway through the book and had me wondering where the heck we were going for the next 200 pages. But Tartt did not disappoint. We were at the top of the proverbial roller coaster, and boy was it a wild ride from that point. I loved so much of this book and am still thinking about it. What exactly was the point? Just a good story? A retelling of a Greek tragedy that I am admittedly no expert on? A searing social commentary? I will not soon forget this book....more
Consider me obsessed! Would I have picked up a book about a world's fair and a serial killer in the 1800s on my own? No I would not. Did Meredith fromConsider me obsessed! Would I have picked up a book about a world's fair and a serial killer in the 1800s on my own? No I would not. Did Meredith from the Currently Reading podcast make me do it? Yes she did. And I'm so glad. Narrative non-fiction - when done well - reads like fiction and can make almost any topic not only interesting, but completely fascinating. I was absolutely taken by the deep dives into the architecture, urban planning and innovation that went into the Chicago World Fair of 1893 (including many inventions that we continue to use today). Equally absorbing was the parallel storyline of H.H. Holmes, a serial killer whose charm and savvy allowed him to dodge suspicion at every turn. I listened to this on audio and the narration was excellent. I was so intent on not missing any details that I found myself rewinding and re-listening quite a bit, which might have been easier if I was reading a print version. Now don't mind me while I book my flight to Chicago so I can go walk the hallowed grounds of this fair!...more
What a delightful little epistolary book. I had heard of it but never realized it was a true story with real letters, which makes it all the more specWhat a delightful little epistolary book. I had heard of it but never realized it was a true story with real letters, which makes it all the more special. 84, Charing Cross Road transported me to mid-1900s New York City where Helene Hanff begins writing to antique bookseller Frank Doel in London in search of books she adores and simply NEEDS to have. This is a love story to book lovers and obsessive book collectors! Helene is hilarious and Frank is so understated, yet the bond they share over decades is evident. This isn’t a romance and I’m so glad it’s not!...more
I finally read this ubiquitous, celebrated book and while I understand the appeal, I was expecting something different. The overall thesis of calling I finally read this ubiquitous, celebrated book and while I understand the appeal, I was expecting something different. The overall thesis of calling structural racism in America a caste system is very compelling. However the book focuses more on examples of the caste system in action - including numerous personal anecdotes - rather than on a historical account of how our political, social and economic power structures work to keep the system in place. I was also hoping for more exploration of how other non-white races fit into the caste system....more
When the headlines and sound bites are insufficient, I seek out stories. Salt Houses is the story of four generations of one Palestinian family whose When the headlines and sound bites are insufficient, I seek out stories. Salt Houses is the story of four generations of one Palestinian family whose lives are marked by war and displacement. From Israel to the West Bank, to Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon, change is constant for Salma and her descendants, yet we also find them simply living their everyday lives. I felt more connected with the older generations than the younger ones, but Alyan does a beautiful job bringing the story full circle....more