The ones we loved or hated seemed to generate the most intense and long lasting conversations. We knew a book was middling at best when we talked about it for 10 minutes and then returned to gobbling up the delicious food at the table without any further discussion.
Unfortunately we have not kept track of our book ratings over the years, so I'm counting on the collective BC memory to note some of our favorites.
A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin. A true adventure story of an Italian named Alessandro who is driven by beauty and finds himself on a journey for the woman he loves. Alessandro has experiences that are sometimes fantastical, which blurs this book's concept of reality. I think I've read this book 3 times. It is remarkable.
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. India in all it's dirty misery, but with such heart and sweet relationships. Was an Oprah club pick also. Somehow I'm drawn to stories about India, but I have absolutely no desire to go there. Perhaps it's all the crowded, dirty descriptions that I read about.
The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. If you only read one book in your life, this should be it. A saga set in late colonial South Africa about a spunky boy named Peekay. Life throws Peekay some really hard knocks and he turns them into jewels. Whatever you do - don't watch the movie - it sucks!
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. OK, you have to have been living under a rock not to have read, or at least heard of this runaway bestseller. But, we loved it. I was so moved by this book that I rated it 100 - not too shabby when the scale is 1-10. The second read was just as good!
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. Another Oprah book, but heh, she knows how to pick them too. I've read this several times also - good thing my memory's so short (menopause you know). A terrific saga of a Greek family told by the daughter, or is it son?
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. The BC generally reads fiction, but we make some exceptions for nonfiction genius - like this one. If you like food, if you eat food, if you buy or cook food, then you must read this book. Pollan teaches us about how most of our food lands on our tables, but not in a preachy way.That's enough for now. We all loved these books and give them the book club stamp of approval. There's certainly more....
Posts
Thank you so much Catherine for documenting our literary adventures! Of the adored...I still occasionally miss the character Peekay in Power of One. I would love to have had a cup of tea with him! A Fine Balance is another personal favorite of mine. Although my memory of the specific details of the plot are a bit sketchy, the book still has an atmospheric feeling that transport me to that part of the world. The power of a writer to create an impression that lives years and years (and books and books) later is something to celebrate. Delicious :)
ReplyDeleteSue - I think Peekay would love Book Club.
ReplyDeleteAlso regarding "Power of One" - insure you get the adult version. The young adult version is pretty watered down from what I have been told.
ReplyDelete~ Craig