What I read ~~ March 2013

[Debbie]

Gail wrote: "In March I read:
Paris to Provence: Childhood Memories of Food & France Absolutely loved it - the recollections and recipes of two American women who shared memories of childhood summers spent in F..."

Tara Road was my 1st Maaeve Binchy and I loved it. I went on to eventually read all of hers, including the one that was published after her death. I am sure I would not have read any of hers, if I hadn't stumbled on to Tara Road.

[Madrano]

Richiesheff, i know what you mean. Sometimes one book by an author is all it takes. This is true with me & Chris Bohjalian when my sister gave me Skeletons at the Feast to thank me for taking care of her son. Delightful way to be introduced.

[Debbie]

I am finding that is true with a local, Atlanta area author. It is Wendy Wax. She writes beachy type books. So far I have read 10 Beach Road, The Accidental Bookseller (my 1st one) and just finished Magnolia Wednesday. I think I liked them because there is no sex and definately no cussing. Kind of refreshing. The Bookseller one was about 3 or 4 women who collaborate to write a book, but do i in ways that we wouldn't imagine.

[Lesley]

Here is my reads for March.

The Lambing Flat Set in Central Queensland and the NSW goldfields in the mid 1800s, the story of a young Chinese golddigger and the daughter of a pioneer grazier, whose paths cross. A lovestory set in a very harsh environment. Some parts a little hard to believe, but enjoyable all the same. 4 stars.

Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? The lives of three Indian women from the 1920s to 80s, experiencing The Partition, migration to Canada, political unrest in Punjab. Beautifully written, informative. Another great read set in India ( I'll get back there one day!) 5 stars.

Bad Blood NF Sad memoir of three generations of family dysfunction, but it comes off as 'look at my crazy, weird lot', which I don't care for. Admittedly, I had not heard of Lorna Sage before. 2 stars.

Lettah's Gift Australian writer of Rhodesian heritage returns to Zimbabwe to find an old family employee, and gets caught up in the chaos of Mugabwe's dictatorship. Interesting. 3 stars.

Aphrodite's War Cyprus 1950s to 70s, Greece and Turkey battle for control with a village of family and friends caught in the turmoil. 3 stars.

Things Fall Apart A tribal elder in a Nigerian village deals with his large family, then the invasion of white missionaries into their lives. I feel I missed something in this classic. 3 stars.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Set mainly in Auschwitz, a commandant's son befriends an incarcerated boy of the same age. Well written, sad. 4 stars.

[NancyInWI]

Lesley wrote: "Here is my reads for March.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Set mainly in Auschwitz, a commandant's son befriends an incarcerated boy of the same age. Well written, sad. 4 stars.

We just watched the movie a couple of weeks ago. VERY sad.

[Alias Reader]

Lesley wrote: Things Fall Apart A tribal elder in a Nigerian village deals with his large family, then the invasion of white missionaries into their lives. I feel I missed something in this classic. 3 stars."
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I appreciate you sharing with us, Lesley.

I felt the same way about Things Fall Apart.

[Connie]

Lesley, Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for sharing your March books.

[Amy]

Connie wrote: "Lesley, Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for sharing your March books."

I was thinking the same thing--another one to add to my list of books about/set in India. Thanks for the recommendation, Lesley!

[Sumofparts]

Lesley - I really enjoyed Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? too and felt similarly about Things Fall Apart but I still want to try his other books. Sadly the author died recently.

[Julia]

Lesley wrote: "Here is my reads for March.

The Lambing Flat Set in Central Queensland and the NSW goldfields in the mid 1800s, the story of a young Chinese golddigger and the daughter of a pioneer grazier, whos..."

Hi Lesley - your March reads sound very interesting. I've added them to my TR shelf . . . which is growing out of control!

[Lesley]

Sumofparts wrote: "Lesley - I really enjoyed Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? too and felt similarly about Things Fall Apart but I still want to try his other books. Sadly the author died recently."

Yes, I think I started reading it a couple of days after his death. The book had been on my bookshelf for too long and I thought it a fitting time to finally read it.

[Madrano]

Lesley wrote: "Things Fall Apart A tribal elder in a Nigerian village deals with his large family, then the invasion of white missionaries into their lives. I feel I missed something in this classic. 3 stars...."

I think that for so many books which become classics, timing is all. His was an early book, the first by a tribal member, i believe, to illustrate the confusion missionaries brought to some places in Africa. Reading it today, there can be some lack of interest because we feel we know the story already. At least this has been my experience, although not with this particular book, which i liked very much.

deb