What I'm Reading JANUARY 2014

[Gina]

I just finished the book Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things. I would up skimming because it was technical and some times repeating, but I loved the prologue, Dead Body in the Collyer Mansion. Randy Frost and Gail Steketee talk about how some people replace interaction with people with collecting inanimate objects.

[Carol]

Oh my, I could not putThe Things They Carried down. I gave it 5 stars. Gut-wrenching.

Do I dare start Shantaram. I have had it for a while. While replacing books back on the shelf it jumped out at me. I guess that is a yes.

[Ruth]

Carol wrote: "Oh my, I could not putThe Things They Carried down. I gave it 5 stars. Gut-wrenching.."

Unforgettable book.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Carol wrote: "Oh my, I could not putThe Things They Carried down. I gave it 5 stars. Gut-wrenching.

Do I dare start Shantaram. I have had it for a while. While replacing books back o..."

I gave it five stars too, Carol. Gut-wrenching is a good description.

[Robert]

I taught that book two summers ago. Excellent.

[Book Concierge]

Finished reading The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave by Esteban Montejo (edited by Miguel Barnet) – 4****
This is an extraordinary memoir from a man who was born a slave on a plantation in Cuba circa 1860. It covers at most the first 40 years of Montejo’s life, ending shortly after Cuba won independence from Spain. I particularly enjoyed his memories of living by his wits in the jungle. Montejo also treats us to his philosophies – how he judges the people he meets, why he keeps his own counsel, opinions on Spaniards, Americans and Catholic priests. He is an astute judge of character and some of his political observations could be applied to today’s situations. I wish I could have met this man … who learned to read at age 108 so he could read the book!
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...