101 Books to Read Before You Die discussion
What are you reading?
Almond by Won-Pyung Sohnhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a teen novel featuring an adolescent with a neurological condition which prevents him from recognizing or experiencing emotion. His lack of empathy is balanced by a strong moral compass. This is a clever way for the author to explore teen topics such as bullying, friendship, courage, loss and the belief that neither one’s past nor one’s biology has to define a person. I probably would have enjoyed this had I read it as a 12 or 14 year old.
Night Conversations With Cardinal Martini: The Relevance of the Church For Tomorrow by Carlo Maria Martini & Georg SporschillIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Night Conversations with Cardinal Martini: The Relevance of the Church for Tomorrow | Goodreads
For anyone familiar with this well known theologian and leading Church figure, the answers he gives to questions about the role of the Church in modern
western society will not be surprising. His responses are accessible to the average Catholic reader. He comes across as a humble man with deep affection
for the people of his diocese and for the universal Church.
Walking God’s Earth by David Cloutier
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Walking God's Earth: The Environment and Catholic Faith | Goodreads
This is a basic introduction to Catholic theology on care for creation. The first part outlines the biblical and doctrinal roots of Catholic thought on the topic. The second part examines practical behavioral issues.
The Wife by Meg WolitzerIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Wife | Goodreads
The novel opens as the narrator realizes that she wants to end her marriage of four decades. The narrator then takes the reader on a tour of that marriage, a relationship that assumed that she would be the helpmate to her successful husband, burying her own dreams in the process. This story encapsulates the changes in feminist expectations during the second half of the 20th century.
Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter by Ben Goldfarb Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter | Goodreads
This had the feel of a National Geographic article. It would have worked better for me had it been the length of a feature article. It was interesting to learn about the role of beavers in habitat creation and maintenance, but this felt repetitive. This is a familiar story. Desired for their pelts, shunned as a threat by farmers and urban developers, beavers were hunted out of many places to the detriment of that ecology. Luckily beavers are very resilient and restoring those habitats is possible.
Belonging To God by Charles Murphy
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Belonging to God: A Personal Training Guide for the Deeper Catholic Spiritual Life | Goodreads
This is a solid, accessible introduction to Salesian spirituality written for those new to an intentional desire for growth in their relationship with God.
The Girl Who Wrote In Silk by Kelli EstesIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk | Goodreads
This is one of the ubiquitous duel timeline historical novels. A young woman finds an elaborately embroidered piece of silk beneath the floorboards of an old house she has inherited. Its creator is a 19th century Chinese American who has suffered enormous loss from the violent prejudice running rampant on the west coast. These two women’s stories are narrated in alternating chapters. I am certain that many readers will enjoy this book, but I am not among them. The romance was cheesy, the coincidences were farfetched, the prose was too purple, and the ending quite predictable.
Kinsey and Me by Sue Grafton
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Kinsey and Me: Stories | Goodreads
I thought the reflections on a daughter and her alcoholic mother in the second half was much stronger than the short detective stories in the first half.
The Only Woman in The Room by Marie Benedict
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Only Woman in the Room | Goodreads
Although this is fiction, it adheres to all the facts of the life of Hedy Lamar. 2.5 stars
Periodic Tales by Hugh Aldersey-WilliamsIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements | Goodreads
This is a tour through the periodic table focused on cultural trivia about each element. It ranges from the Book of Revelation to Agatha Christie, from warfare to public health, from architecture to linguistics. This is a book of breadth not depth which should appeal to any trivia buff.
Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? By Lizzie Damilola BlackburnIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? | Goodreads
Yinka is a 30 year old woman living among London’s Nigerian diaspora. Pressured to marry by her community’s expectations and her own desire for love, she formulates a plan to find a boyfriend in time for her cousin’s wedding. I have read this story many times. The protagonist may differ; s/he may be neuro-atypical, older and returning to the dating scene after the loss of a spouse, a rational scientist, from a different ethnic group, but the story line never changes. In the end, learning to accept oneself is more important than finding romance. 2.5 stars
My Door Is Always Open by Pope Francis and Antonio SpardaroIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of My Door Is Always Open: A Conversation on Faith, Hope and the Church in a Time of Change | Goodreads
This is an edited transcript with commentary of a series of interviews between a journalist and Pope Francis early in his pontificate. A portrait of a humble, prayerful, well-rounded leader who deeply cares for people emerges.
The Man With The Golden Arm by Nelson AlgrenIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Man with the Golden Arm | Goodreads
Algren brings a world to life with such clarity that I could hear the glasses clink in the bar, smell the unwashed bodies and cheap perfume, feel the bitter desperation of the characters. The dialogue is perfect. As a result, this novel is emotionally exhausting and so hard to read.
With Their Backs to The World by Asne Seierstadhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a portrait of about a dozen Serbians as revealed by interviews conducted from 2000-2004. The individuals represent a range of economic, political, professional, educational and generational demographics.
Midwives by Chris BohjalianIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Midwives | Goodreads
In 1981, a woman dies during a home delivery attended by a midwife. Soon, the midwife is on trial for causing the death of the woman in her efforts to save the baby. The story is narrated by the daughter of the midwife 15 years after the tragic event. Because of the identity of the narrator, my sympathies were firmly with the midwife throughout the novel. It also became more of a story of family dynamics then of courtroom drama. The narrator’s voice easily drew me in and kept me engaged. 3.5 stars
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben MacintyreIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War | Goodreads
Oleg Gordievsky was a high ranking KGB officer who was recruited as a spy by MI6. This is a fascinating look at the real world of espionage. The writing is straight forward, a bit on the dry side, but allows the story to shine with clarity.
I’m reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
We Begin At The End by Chris WhitakerIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of We Begin at the End | Goodreads
This is part murder investigation, part family drama, part redemption story, part coming of age, part… Despite a blood spattered corpse, shakedowns, and a young teen full of rage, this novel is heavy on the sweet notes. Ultimately, this is a story that claims that most people and situations are not what they seem on the surface, that most people live lives of quiet self-sacrificing love, that we should be slow to pass judgement and condemn because our initial assessment is likely to be wrong. Maybe I am just too jaded, but I did not find much of this book believable.
The Guardians by John GrishamIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Guardians | Goodreads
This is a cold case investigation. The narrator is an attorney who works for a VERY small charity that defends those believed to be wrongfully convicted and have them exonerated. Although several clients are introduced, the novel focuses around one particular wrongful conviction. Because every novel I have read by this author ends with the attorney succeeding, I anticipated a positive outcome. As a result, I did not experience much plot tension.
The Churches The Apostles Left Behind by Raymond BrownIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Churches the Apostles Left Behind | Goodreads
This is a thought-provoking and scholarly exploration of various ecclesiologies present in the New Testament communities. I realize that the lectures from which this book derived were delivered several decades ago. But this remains an informative and insightful study.
The Quiet Zone by Stephen KurczyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence | Goodreads
A national radio astronomy observatory was built in West Virginia about seven decades ago. Because it uses radio and microwaves to explore the universe, wifi, cell phones and microwave transmission are not permitted in its vicinity. The author visits the small rural community that lives under this ban to explore the impact of limited connectivity on these people. This ends up being a tour of one place in rural America. We meet violent Nazis, people who suffer from hyper sensitivity to electric signals, back-to-the-land hippies and those who can trace their family to the same plot of land for 4 or 5 generations. None come across very well. In the end, internet and cell phones are as present in this community as they are in any part of rural America.
My Reading Life by Pat Conroy
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of My Reading Life | Goodreads
This is a memoir of the books and people that influenced Conroy as an author. Conroy has a gift of creating an intimacy with the reader. I was totally engrossed.
The Danish Girl by David EbershoffIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Danish Girl | Goodreads
This is historical fiction based on the life of Einar Wegener, the first individual to undergo sex reidentification surgery. I did not realize that we had the medical knowledge to do this in the 1920s. According to the book blurb, this is loosely based on this person’s story. I had to wonder to what extent it accurately told the story and how much was fictionalized. This is not an account of prejudice and mistreatment of someone who is sexually nonconforming. Rather those around Einar are supportive, understanding and tender, even to the point of self sacrificing. Einar’s wife is particularly amazing in her ability to accept this transition. I needed more of the inner life of these characters. At a time when homosexuality or cross dressing or most any other sexual or gender bending acts were scandalous, how was it that so many could take this radical behavior in stride, even endorse it?
Butterfly Burning by Yvonne Vera
Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Butterfly Burning | Goodreads
This is a tragic story of a Zimbabwean woman in the 1940s. She is caught between the intense love of a man and a desire for self-realization, between the cocoon of her village and the freedom of the larger world, between a baby growing in her belly and a dream growing in her heart. The language is poetic, rich descriptive passages and layers of metaphor. These became distractions and I lost sight of the powerful characters and their story.
Will In The World by Stephen GreenblattIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare | Goodreads
The author mines the plays and poetry of Shakespeare along with information about 16th century England to piece together a biography of the man. I enjoyed learning about the culture of this time and place, but did not feel that I left with a better understanding of Shakespeare’s life. “Might have” and “could have” were not convincing for me.
Moon Tiger by Penelope LivelyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Moon Tiger | Goodreads
A war correspondent, lying in a nursing home bed, reflects on her life, confusing it with the history of the world. The point of view shifts without warning between the first and third person, the narrator and other characters. The writing is superb, but the story failed to engage me.
The Master by Colm ToibinIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Master | Goodreads
This is a fictional account of the life of Henry James. I would love to know what was accurate and what was invention, to what extent this reflected the true personality of James and to what extent it mirrored the personality of the author. The writing was as wonderful as expected from this acclaimed author. I am grateful that Toibin respected the reader enough not to explain every element of the story. Unfortunately, I was not always worthy of that respect, often unable to understand the import of various scenes. 3.5 stars
Choosing To Be Catholic by William O’Malley, S. J.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is part introduction to the Catholic faith and part argument for the value of religious faith. It is written for those with a familiarity with Western religious thought but with mild skepticism. The author taught high school for many years and this often felt like a response to the vague objections to religion often voiced by adolescents.
The Next Ship Home by Heather WebbIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island | Goodreads
Two young women meet on their first day at Ellis Island in 1902. One is a newly arrived, impoverished Italian immigrant fleeing an abusive father. The other, a German American, has been forced into employment by a cruel stepfather. As an immigrant story, this novel highlights the struggles and injustices which were endured and overcome, an experience with contemporary parallels. As a story of female friendship, this is a book of strong women, of overcoming prejudices, of courage and integrity. As a romance, it adds a note of sweetness and hope and happy endings. As historical fiction, it offers a reader a glimpse of the hardships faced by numerous ordinary people at the beginning of the 20th century while sparing the reader the real ugliness and relentless suffering which was the norm for most.
Priestdaddy by Patricia LockwoodIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Priestdaddy | Goodreads
Snarky, irreverent, humorous, this is a memoir of a wonderfully dysfunctional family. Lockwood brings the perspective of an adult, the wit of a humorist, the soul of a poet to this account. Much of the humor lies in the incongruity between the public persona and the private dynamics of this family. Lockwood’s father is a married father of 5 serving as an ordained Roman Catholic priest, a tradition that mandates celibacy for priests and bishops. This memoir begins as a young Lockwood marries a man she met on the internet. After a few years struggling to make a living as writers, a medical situation forces them to move in with her parents. It is during that time that this memoir is given life, a story of living with her parents as an adult with flashbacks to childhood. Lockwood sees the humor in most situations and conveys it with skill. I feel as if I know her parents, quirks and all. Her siblings remain in the shadows. Lockwood has rejected the faith of her childhood and seems to want to shock either the reader or her parents. The constant references to anything sexual felt rather adolescent and became annoying. But her incredible use of language and her wonderful insights made up for that. I was hoping for a narrative of life as a family in a celibate tradition, the way parishioners adjusted to this breach of their expectations, the joys and struggles of forging a new path in an ancient culture, but this was more a story of family than of church.
Wahala by Nikki MayIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Wahala | Goodreads
The plot of this story revolves around a group of 30-something Londoners whose close friendship has seen each through the joys and trials of life. All are of mixed Nigerian and European parentage. When a new friend is introduced to the circle, fractures appear, between the women, between the women and their partners, within each woman’s heart. Although these characters are adult professionals, I often felt as if I were watching a group of Jr. High teens: the cattiness, the insecurities, the self-centered behavior, the inability to think through consequences. By the end, I was just glad that they lived an ocean away.
Howard Thurman Sermons on the Parables by Howard Thurmanhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a collection of sermons given by Rev. Howard Thurman during the 1950s, each with an introduction by the editors. I wonder if they would have had a clearer impact on me had I heard them. Living from your center and being connected to community seem to be the themes he returned to regularly.
The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections by Eva JurczykIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections | Goodreads
This was a fun who-done-it set in a library. The flawed, quirky characters out shown the mystery which was pretty obvious.
Refuge In Hell: Finding God in Sing Sing by Fr. Ronald LemmertIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Refuge in Hell: Finding God in Sing Sing | Goodreads
Fr. Lemmert served as the Catholic chaplain for 16 years to the men incarcerated at Sing Sing. This is a collection of anecdotes from that ministry and brief introductions to the men he served. He communicates a genuine respect for the men who made up his congregation for those years. He also reveals a strong disrespect for the prison system and for most of the people who work for it.
The Madness of Crowds by Louise PennyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Madness of Crowds | Goodreads
Penny still has me hooked. The post-pandemic references and the inclusion of extremist ideologies gave this a very immediate feel. I am hoping that at some point we will learn how this little village that does not even appear on a map can have a per capita murder rate that must be the highest in Canada.
Empire’s Crossroads by Carrie GibsonIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Empire's Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day | Goodreads
Covering five centuries, numerous countries and a wide range of topics, this history of the Caribbean tried to weave sweeping panoramic views with numerous details. It felt like a freshman college textbook, informative but dry.
Brighton Rock by Graham GreeneIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Brighton Rock | Goodreads
Now I know why this is a 20th century classic. This story of a young mobster, his faithful girlfriend and a woman who tries to save her, asks the reader to ponder good and evil, love and grace, profound religious truths and deep human longings. The characters are expertly drawn, the dialogue is flawless, the ending is something that will linger with the reader.
A Journey To the End of the Millennium by A. B. YehoshuaIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of A Journey to the End of the Millennium | Goodreads
I doubt I understood the nuances of this novel. It is 999 AD. A Jewish merchant from North Africa has sailed to Paris to meet his nephew and settle a family dispute that is threatening their international trade in luxury goods. The uncle has taken a second wife and his nephew’s wife finds it so repugnant, so contrary to religious law, that she is demanding her husband end the partnership. This is certainly well written. I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story and setting. But I also felt as if I were missing something. 3.5 stars
Let Us Dream by Pope FrancisIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future | Goodreads
Maybe because I have read much of Pope Francis’s writing, this short collection of reflections did not strike me with as much force as I was anticipating. I do like what he has to say. There are some wonderful lines. But it was a bit too scattered for me.
Walking The Bowl by Chris Lockhart and Daniel Mulilo ChamaIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Walking the Bowl: A True Story of Murder and Survival Among the Street Children of Lusaka | Goodreads
This was profound and beautiful and disturbing and difficult and revealing and…. The authors imbedded young researchers among street children in Lusaka to witness their lives and learn their stories. In the midst of their research, a young street child was found murdered, an event that touched the lives of the youth being followed. The reader is introduced to a diverse group of children, all who are living with cruelty and deprivations that are heart breaking. Yet, there are also moments of selfless compassion and of hope that will shock the reader out of lethargy and inspire each person to do whatever good s/he can.
The Sentence by Louise ErdrichIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Sentence | Goodreads
This did not feel like a typical Erdrich novel. From the opening caper, stealing a body for a friend, there was something a bit silly and playful in this story of a haunted bookstore set in 2020. At times, it felt like an excuse to show off the literary taste of the author.
God Is Not Fair by Daniel Horan, O.F.M.Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of God Is Not Fair, and Other Reasons for Gratitude | Goodreads
This is a collection of short essays, many originally published in magazines. Separated from the event or season that prompted each, it was not always easy to connect with the piece.
There Are No Dead Here by Maria McFarland Sanchez-morenoIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of There Are No Dead Here: A Story of Murder and Denial in Colombia | Goodreads
I knew of the violence that brought Columbia to its knees in the final decades of the 20th century: drug lords, left wing guerrilla groups, right wing paramilitary organizations. I did not know of the heroic work of journalists, human rights workers, lawyers to bring the perpetrators of that violence to justice. This book chronicles the work of dedicated and courageous people who did the dangerous work to uncover the link between the atrocities of the paramilitary groups with government officials, including the police, courts and military. Responsibility involved those at the highest levels of government. Many of these heroic investigators were assassinated. Others continued their work despite threats to their families, kidnappings and bodily injury, sabotage by members of the paramilitary groups and roadblocks by the courts. In the end, they were able to reveal the truth and bring some level of justice.
House Made of Dawn by n. Scott MomadayIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of House Made of Dawn | Goodreads
These are interlocking pieces tied together by the story of a young Native American man who is broken when he moves from his community into mid-20th century America. I found it difficult to follow the thread, to see the way these pieces connected at times. But the writing is fabulous. I may not recall the characters or their stories, but the impression of this place and the dignity of the past and pain of the present will stay with me.
The Wings of the Dove by Henry JamesIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Wings of the Dove | Goodreads
I struggled with this novel. I found the writing extremely wordy, making it difficult to follow the thought through the labyrinth of words. Most of the novel is dedicated to character development; little plot unwinds. Had these characters, their concerns and final realization been presented in a short story, I would have loved it. But this was a slog for me.
Neruda on the Park by Cleyvis NateraIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Neruda on the Park | Goodreads
A development project threatens the residents of a N.Y.C. apartment complex, most of whom are first generation Dominican immigrants. At the heart of this story is one family whose members respond dramatically differently to this situation. This novel ranged from the farcical (the mother’s plan to scare off developers by staging crimes) to the strikingly serious (the mother’s realization of the dreams, pain, needs she suppressed). Tucked into this book is a large number of social themes: the immigrant experience, the corporate rat race, body image, neurological illness, climate change, mother-daughter relationships, etc. At times, I was not sure what note the author was trying to sound. But this may say more about my own literary tone deafness than about the author’s skill.
The Sweetness of Water by Nathan HarrisIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Sweetness of Water | Goodreads
Set in a small southern town in the immediate aftermath of the emancipation of the slaves, this novel brings together a white family with newly freed brothers. Learning that they were free, two brothers camp out in the wooded property owned by the neighboring family. This couple is grieving from the recent news that their only child was killed as a Confederate soldier. The young men are invited into a partnership with the white couple to turn their farrow land into a peanut plantation. This novel did not work for me because I questioned too many of the historical elements. There is absolutely no sign of the devastation wrought on the South by the Civil War. The characters act like people who lost an election, not a bloody war that upended their way of life. People cross social lines and violate taboos with no internal wrestling. The recently enslaved speak to whites with a boldness that implies a sense of equality that I doubt most would have internalized at this point. 2.5 stars
Wild Horses of the Summer Sun by Tory BilskiIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Wild Horses of the Summer Sun: A Memoir of Iceland | Goodreads
This is the memoir of a wife and mother from New England who becomes passionate about Icelandic horses when she comes across info on the internet. A mid-summer retreat on a horse farm in Iceland to ride horses becomes an annual pilgrimage. She is soon bonded to a group of women who make the same annual journey. I enjoyed learning about the landscape and culture of Iceland. I was not aware of this unique breed of horse. I was less engaged in the description of the dynamics between the group of women which felt a bit caddy at times. 2.5 stars
The Violinist’s Thumb by Sam KeanIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code | Goodreads
This is a popular introduction to the field of genetics. Each chapter explains a different aspect of this area of science. Real life intriguing examples are used to illustrate each major point. Trivia about the lives of the scientists involved in each discovery humanizes the story. I was familiar with most of the science prior to reading this book, so I am not in a position to evaluate how accessible it made the science. But it was very readable. 3.5 stars
The Wandering Falcon by Jamil AhmadIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Wandering Falcon | Goodreads
I enjoyed the unusual setting and story line. Set during the early decades in the sparsely inhabited area where Pakistan borders Afghanistan, this is a story of a fierce and proud way of life bumping against European colonial forces. There were shifts in time and perspective that left me disoriented. If the titular character had not shown up, even in cameo, I would have thought I was in a different novel. The end seemed abrupt. But the writing was strong, the setting was interesting, the story line was intriguing. 3.5 stars
Candide by VoltaireIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Candide | Goodreads
Challenged to read a book that has been banned at some point in history, I picked up this classic satire. I lacked the background to appreciate much of what was being satirized. Despite that, it was still a ridiculous, comical, irreverent book.
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth BergIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of The Story of Arthur Truluv | Goodreads
This is the choice for my in-person book group, a book far different from anything I would naturally gravitate to. A friendless teen and an elderly widower find refuge in the same cemetery. A casual greeting quickly becomes a close friendship with instant trust. Add in a lonely old maid neighbor, set the GPS to Hollywood ending and the journey is certain to travel along the highway of sweetness, light and healing love. Along the way, the reader is treated to every life affirming sign ever imagined. By the end of this book, I felt like a cotton candy machine had upchucked all over me. I will be the only person in my book group who won’t love this novel. O well, I have always been a bit contrary.
Learning To Walk In The Dark by Barbara Brown TaylorIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Learning to Walk in the Dark | Goodreads
The author, an Episcopalian priest, argues that Western culture, particularly Christianity, fails to value the dark. She wanders through a range of encounters with the dark, mostly physical darkness, to explore the positive side of darkness. Rather than associating the dark with danger, ignorance, immorality or psychic pain, we should embrace and learn from the darkness in our lives, the physical, emotional and most importantly the spiritual dark times.
Gold of Our Fathers: Darko Dawson #4 by Kwei QuarteyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Gold of Our Fathers | Goodreads
I love this series for the window it opens onto the culture of contemporary Ghana. The dialogue may be rather stilted. The detective may be a bit too perfect, especially his family life. But the mystery is engaging and the context is fascinating.
Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma HealeyIrene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Elizabeth Is Missing | Goodreads
The narrator of this novel is an elderly woman with progressing dementia. When her friend is not at home, does not answer the phone, she becomes increasingly panicked about her fate. The anxiety about Elizabeth surfaces 70 year old memories of her older sister’s disappearance. More than the mystery surrounding Elizabeth or Sukey, I loved the way the reader was invited inside the mind of a character with cognitive decline. It was compassionate, respectful and comprehensible. We saw the world through her perspective while not being thrown into total confusion. 4.5 stars
101 Books to Read Before You Die
Books mentioned in this topic
Persuasion (other topics)It (other topics)
The Immortalists (other topics)
The Hate U Give (other topics)
Timekeeper (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen (other topics)Madeline Miller (other topics)
Sarah Henning (other topics)
Sarah McCoy (other topics)
Sarah Pekkanen (other topics)
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Irene (Harborcreek, PA)’s review of Apeirogon | Goodreads
This review won’t do this book justice. Two fathers, one Palestinian and one Israeli, forge a friendship in their shared experience of grief. Both lost young daughters, a decade apart, to the on-going conflict in their land. The construction of this book was unique, 1001 short sections, many no more than a brief sentence. The story of these men and their grief is not told in any traditional fashion. Their stories are woven together, back and forth in time, intertwined with the history of the Palestinian people and the Holocaust, picking up threads as diverse as the flight patterns of birds and Francois Mitterrand dining on tiny songbirds, a tightrope walker’s stunt and Prince recording a song. For much of this book, I found the structure distracting, the tangential topics confusing. When we returned to these fathers, even for short moments, their pain was conveyed with visceral clarity. McCann portrayed the degrading, dehumanizing, constant violence and injustice endured by Palestinians with particular vividness. This book called for mutual understanding, not just between Israelis and Palestinians, but for all people locked in cycles of violence, for justice for all oppressed peoples.