This wasn’t easy to read. I empathized strongly with Mamah but couldn’t agree with her reasoning. It was an interesting study of someone who tries unsuccessfully to rationalize a way of living that is contrary to social norms – not that I always agree with “social norms” – but there were mitigating circumstances here. It was sometimes depressing but always interesting and well written. It gave me a lot to think about.

I hope Stieg Larsson enjoyed writing this book as much as I enjoyed listening to it. A shame that he died so suddenly and before his time. I look forward to reading the other two books in the series and know that I will probably treasure them.

I found this book in an exhibit at the public library of censored books. It’s a very subtle, non-sexual way to introduce tots to the idea of homosexuality and it is based on a factual incident at the zoo in New York City’s Central Park.

So far John Hart has written three literary thrillers and now I’ve read all three. This one, like the others, was well plotted and the characterizations were very good. It kept me guessing until the end.

I found this novel spellbinding. It’s a story within a story. The frame story is about a very old woman in a nursing home who is called upon to provide historical accuracy for a film being made about the family she served much earlier in her life. The internal story concerns her efforts to make contact with her missing grandson by sending him tapes about her life as a servant to the family at Riverton and revealing some long kept secrets. Amazing for a first novel and highly recommended!

I started this book once several years ago and didn’t get very far. Then someone whom I greatly admire told me that it was one of her favorite books and so I decided to try again. I’m glad I did. It’s a beautiful book with many original descriptions that stop you in your tracks. It’s heartbreakingly sad though. Ms. Roy has yet to write another novel – perhaps she feels that this one said so much of what she wanted to say.

This is the amazing story of a survivor of one of Morocco’s underground prisons. The story was told to the author by the survivor and then novelized by ben Jelloun. It won the 2004 IMPAC award. “Salim” spent 18 years underground after being arrested at the age of twenty-three for his part in a coup that he had no idea he was participating in. He and his young friends had been duped by their commanding officers. Of the twenty or so prisoners in “Salim’s” cell block he was one of three to survive. This is an amazing story of survival instinct and incredible human strength of will. Highly recommended.

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was watching this movie – it’s that intense.

Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes are wonderful.

I really did not enjoy this book and read it only to adhere to the selections of my book group. I guess you have to take the good with the bad, but not always:)