A New Commandment

This week's Booking Through Thursday question asks:

God comes to you and tells you that, from this day forward, you may only read ONE type of book–one genre or period, but you get to choose what it is. Classics, Science-Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Cookbooks, History, Business … you can choose, but you only get ONE.

What genre do you pick, and why?

Assuming for the sake of BTT argument that "literary fiction" far too broad to meet God's new requirement, I find myself in the position of all sinners -- trying to bargain with God: "If you'll just let me include a few books from other categories -- how about a couple of thrillers here and there? some classics? -- I'll never buy from a chain bookstore again; it's independent booksellers from here on out, I promise."

Assuming God isn't in a bargaining mood, at the risk of eternal damnation I would pick Mid-Century (20th) British Fiction -- novels from the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. That would cover my favorite authors like Anthony Powell, Kingsley Amis, and Graham Greene, as well as a large chunk of the P. G. Wodehouse bibliography.

And I could spend time getting to know authors whose works I am not so familiar with, like Dorothy Sayers (later books), Muriel Spark, and C. P. Snow. I could start with the James Tait Black Memorial Prize winners from those three decades to find new authors, and take it from there.

I know I'd be missing out on great British fiction from earlier in the 20th Century, not to mention my American favorites, international authors, and the thousands of books from genres that I never knew existed until I started blogging (time-traveling teen-age shape shifters in love with code-solving werewolves, etc.). But it's not every day God gives a new commandment, so who am I to argue?

Review of the Day: The Wall in My Head

The Wall in My Head: Words and Images from the Fall of the Iron Curtain, published by Words Without Borders Anthologies, is a powerful collection of fiction, essays, poetry, and historic documents about life behind the Iron Curtain after there was no more Iron Curtain. Most of the pieces are short stories, some by world-famous authors like Milan Kundera, some by authors known only in Eastern Europe.

This is a dense book and, because the pieces are written by behind-the-Iron-Curtain authors, there are insider references and imagery that take a while to figure out. But the overall picture built up through little details and different perspectives is fascinating. For example, this snippet from "The Road to Bornholm" by Durs Grunbein really beings home what it must have been like to live through suh historic events as the fall of the Berlin Wall:

"He was surprised to read 'Bornholmer Strasse' on a sign on the Western side.  He had never considered that, on a city map, the connecting routes might continue uninterrupted, that the names might simply go on as before the Wall was built."

 This is a book that will stick with the reader long after the final page.

Teaser Tuesday: L'Affaire

"Thinking of D. H. Lawrence gave her courage, for people were always having impulsive sexual encounters in Lawrence.  It was easier to think of doing so outside London, though she had done some fairly crazy things there, too, though never with an absolute stranger and mostly when she was a teenager and sort of miserable."

-- L'Affaire by Diane Johnson

That is such a perfect Diane Johnson passage -- a mix of titillation and erudition, with a little wry commentary ("sort of miserable") on the imagined turmoils of well-to-do women thrown in.


Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.

Mailbox Monday

I have a long list for Mailbox Monday, even though only one came in the mail. This week, I am also participating in Story Siren's version, In My Mailbox, although I should have posted it on Sunday.

Read, Remember, Recommend: A Reading Journal for Book Lovers by Rachelle Rogers Knight



Rachelle, aka Bibliobabe, got me a review copy of her fantastic book journal. It is just the thing for a list-obsessed reader like me. Thanks Rachelle!

After our big trial win on Friday, I was ready to celebrate, which I did with a little book shopping spree at my favorite used bookstore, Second Glance Books.

Encyclopedia Prehistorica Dinosaurs: The Definitive Pop-Up by Robert Sabuda (I don't have kids and I have no real interest in dinasaurs, but I love creative books and this one is amazing)



Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe by Sandra Gulland (on my French Connection list, but the second in the trilogy, which means I have to find the other two)



Larry's Party by Carol Shields (Orange Prize winner)



The World of Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse (an omnibus edition of all the Jeeves short stories -- thank goodness, because I am always losing track of which ones I've read)



If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino (because it is one one of my lists, but I can't remember which one)



Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter (on the Erica Jong list)



The Waterfall by Margaret Drabble (also on the Erica Jong list)



Journey to Portugal: In Pursuit of Portugal's History and Culture by Jose Saramago (in a nice hardback edition; I'm trying to read a book by all the Nobel Laureates)



The Message to the Planet by Iris Murdoch

Erica Jong list

Review of the Day: A Small Fortune

Celia Donnelly comes from a long line of strong women with bad luck in husbands. Unfortunately for Celia, she has to learn of these family traits while fleeing kidnappers through the jungles of Mexico, roping her ex-lover into protecting her teenage son, and unraveling a complicated financial mystery.

Although A Small Fortune is her first published book, Audrey Braun writes like a pro, with none of the plot glitches or clunky dialog that plagues many a debut novel. Her literary style flows gracefully without weighing down the action or distracting from the story.

The only off note is the opening scene, which seems a little benign for the darker escapade to follow – more Anne Taylor than Mary Higgins Clark. But by page 30 or so, Braun has caught her stride and the story hurtles forward, never stopping until the exciting, satisfying finale. The plot becomes more complicated and layered as it progresses until the book is absolutely unputdownable.

This may fall in the category of "beach book," but don't wait for sun and sand to read this page-turner!

NOTE

I got this book from the author, who is a friend and former neighbor of mine. I warned her that I wouldn't post a review if I didn't like the book, but I am pleased to not have to rely on this back-up plan. This book was completely enjoyable. It kept me up past my bedtime several nights in a row, because I didn't want to stop.

OTHER REVIEWS

(If you would like your review listed here, please leave a comment with a link and I will add it.)