This was a lovely, lilting read, sort of like a song you can't get out of your head, which is appropriate, I suppose. I thought it was interesting how the reader got to know the characters as the characters knew each other: tangentially. The reader never really knows more than the other characters know, which is a pretty original way to build characters. The downside of that is that I didn't find the characters to be especially memorable. I remember enjoying the book, but it didn't stick with me all that much. ]]>
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Tarn Allen
took the never-ending book quiz.
| questions answered: | 20 |
| correct: | 5 (25.0%) |
| skipped: | 5 |
| best streak: | 4 |
| questions added: | 0 |
bookshelves: favorites
This is one of those cases when I read the perfect book for that time in my life. The feelings of transition, loneliness, desire, independence...those were all things that I was feeling strongly around the time that I read this book and it really spoke to me.
When I had the chance to meet the author I told her how the powerful imagery of water and swimming in the book especially affected me at that time, and how swimming has played a major role in my life since, and she had some lovely and meaningful comments about what it also means to her, and then she signed my book "Hooray for swimmers!" Ha! Awesome. ]]>
bookshelves: re-reading
I first read this book in college, and Diana Abu-Jaber has since become one of my very favorite fiction authors, perhaps my very favorite contemporary author. It's a kick to go back and re-read this, her first novel, after having been blown away by her other work since, and having had the chance to meet her at Wordstock this past fall, where she was awesome and thoughtful and friendly and insightful and became one of my real-life heroes as well as my literary ones.
Is there a more beautiful description of a mother's long fingers than "they brushed through her hair like candles." Warm and weird and gentle and beautiful...her writing gives me chills! ]]>
by Lesley Regan
Hmm...it's almost like the books you're reading say something about you...but I can't put my finger on it. What could that something possibly be? :) ]]>
bookshelves: currently-reading
Our church home community is currently reading this book together. I find it very "deep," definitely not a beach read, but I like the gentle way that Foster approaches spiritual discovery and the disciplines so far. Our group will be discussing and practicing (eep?) fasting next. I've never done that! I like food. We'll see how it goes. Do your stuff, Foster. ]]>