Summer Book Reading - Reviews, Sort of

"Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are" is true enough, but I'd know you better if you told me what you reread.

François Mauriac

Okay, so I know the two books listed in my current read file were not on the Summer Reading List I sent out. What can I say? I'm a book whore. I needed something to read while floating. Hence, the Janet Evanovich. $4.49 at Costco, and I don't have to worry about getting a borrowed or library book wet. And to the other, well it was just sitting on the book table and flashing in my eyes like a neon light. I had to buy it.

I have a question for the readers out there. How often do you re-read a favorite book? My mom had a neighbor who read Gone With the Wind every summer. I always seem to be on this track to conquer all the books out there, but I'm contemplating doing something different. Your feelings?

Meanwhile, here's my thoughts on three I've read that were on my list.


Ella Minnow Pea a progressively lipogrammatic epistolary fable-Mark Dunn (Recommend)
Quick read. Smart, different. If you love words, just imagine if certain letters were removed from our grasp. Imagine the havoc that might reign if say, the letter "J" no longer existed. My name would be "ulie". There would be no more junk or jelly or jello or jute or jolly jerks joking.

Dunn's book is a refreshing change and a much higher level can be read into the plot--how people in power can change and manipulate a society right into the ground. At the same time, this epistological manuscript has a light-hearted approach and a saving day. Fun read.

Escape - Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer (Interesting diversion)

With the recent news last year of the raid on the FLDS church compound in Texas, this timely read of a woman, her eight children, and their escape from a life in polygamy truly grips your heart. Makes us realize how many women in this world have not only not been liberated, but still live in a dark hole (and don't have a clue.) Interesting insight into the workings of this male dominated society conducted by fear. Quick read. Starts out slow, but hooks you by the middle.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Recommend)

Floors me how writers can take a place foreign to them and make themselves feel so comfortable in it that the reader follows suit. Such is the case with this book that takes us to the Channel Islands. Again, written in epistolary form, this book offers communique between the fragile leftover beings after World War 2. Everyone has a tale of the horrors of the war, but this book begins while putting the pieces of lives together after the devastation and loss. One can almost smell the air on Guernsey as our authors take us through the old fashioned art of letter writing to connect heart and lost souls. Predictable, but acceptable as the characters are likable.

Read on, read on!