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Books Worth Reading

The last three books I have read:
  1. The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
  2. The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak
  3. Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History by Kati Marton
If you are not depressed enough from watching the news in this present climate of hate and intolerance, they are all worth the time.  If you are depressed enough, or you just don't want to be reminded that history goes on repeating itself, give them a pass.

The Lacuna examines the impact of America's political climate on artists during the McCarthy era.  It is far reaching and thought provoking historical fiction.  A NYT review can be read here.

The Book Thief  (reviewed here) is intended for maybe a high school audience.  It deals with the Holocaust and is set in Germany.  It can be brutal and somehow hopeful and affirming at the same time.  I thought it was intriguing--written with Death as the narrator.

Hidden Power examines the relationships between presidents and first ladies of the past century.  I found it interesting, but it really is about relationships and not necessarily very detailed with history.  It did give me a few new insights, though, and reinforced my cynicism about politics in general.

I think I will look for a good old Janet Evanovich sugarplum for my next read.
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Comments

  1. Sally WesselyJanuary 12, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thanks for your recommendations. You are the second blogging friend who has recommended "The Lacuna" this week. I must read that soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. marciamayoJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Olga, I think I already told you that I read The Lacuna and really enjoyed it. If you haven't read Island under the Sea by Isabel Allende, you probably should. I think it was my favorite book last year.

    ReplyDelete
  3. MargaretJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    I have to say that, for the time being, I can't really do depressing. But I love Kingsolver. And she can be depressing. Must think about this. I just finished The Cookbook Collector by Allegra Goodman. Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Arkansas PattiJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:32 PM

    Will check them out. Right now there are 98 books in my TBR pile in my Kindle but I am known to have no problem sticking 99 in on top.
    Always on the look out. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

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