Sorry for the absence, things are a bit scattered around here. I'm starting a new program with my niece and nephew, and we're getting used to the schedule. And THEY are getting used to having someone other than their mama be their teacher, at least for a class or two. New adventure for me. I've really missed homeschooling since Zack finished, and now, at least for awhile, I have two new students. I'm happy--though how happy they'll be is a matter still to be determined.
I have finished several books lately, though looking at my reading log shows me how much less I'm reading lately that is usual for me. Let's see, the finished list includes:
Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner: I liked this book, but then I like economics. If I were ever going to go back to school and major in something completely impractical, it would be economics. The Zman loved econ as well, so this book generated some interesting discussion. The parts about medical costs were interesting in particular.
So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger. This is my book club book for later in the year, I read early so I could pass it on. It is definitely a book that I want back, though, because it's going on my shelves as a keeper. It's a western, sort of. It's a romance, sort of. It's a "finding out about yourself story", sort of. It's a story of redemption and the odd paths that redemption can take. It is definitely recommended. And it's been a long time since I stopped and marveled over someone's prose. Enger writes sparely, perfectly.
Why Shoot a Butler by Georgette Heyer. In addition to romances, Heyer wrote a number of murder mysteries. This is one we picked for book club. Again, I'm finishing early, so I can give it to some friends to read. Want it back. Not as good as the Regency romances, in my opinion, but still good. How on earth did she write SO MANY books????
Then a couple of summer "vacation reads":
Love, Lies and Liquor by M. C. Beaton. A murder mystery in the Agatha Raisin series. I love both series that Beaton writes--the Hamish Macbeth ones and the Agatha Raisin ones, but maybe Agatha holds a little dearer place in my heart. I think it's the insecurity that she has at the center of her being that makes me like her. Nothing groundbreaking here, but then that's not why I read them, is it?
Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith. #9 in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Again, the story really has little to do with detecting, and everything to do with the characters. We just want another peep into life in Botswana and to hear Precious Ramotswe think. Loved it. Again.
Currently reading and will probably finish tonight:
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Very interesting, especially the part about "nutritionism" and the debacle of people deciding what you should eat on a micronutrient level. Eat low fat/high carb! No wait, we're getting fat! Eat high protein/low carb! Wait, that's not right either. Don't eat eggs! Wait, they don't really raise cholesterol. Eat eggs! Sigh. He has what seems to me a plan that, while not necessarily easy in our Western society, at least doesn't appear crazy: Eat food (not processed junk). Not a lot (speaks for itself). Mostly plants (hard for MamaT). Good discussion with PapaC on these matters, and necessary one since his health issues seem directly affected by his diet.
In the On Deck Circle:
The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan. My July book group selection. Should be interesting, but why did I put it in JULY? Isn't July supposed to be about fluff since our brains are melting around here?
Anyway, what's on your list?
Happy Wednesday, ya'll!
DIMITER. to be honest, i only picked up this book because it is written by william peter blatty, who wrote the exorcist. if you'd told me what this book was actually going to be about (which is NOT a horror mystery), how difficult and complex the plot was going to be, and that it takes place between albania and jerusalem in the early seventies without any disco whatsoever, i would never have even picked it up. as it turns out, this book is brilliant. very cerebral (read: difficult for simpleminded people like the smock)and uber thought-provoking about the subject of suffering (with a much deeper analysis than "crap happens"). i sincerely recommend it to all of the really smart people that i know.
MY FIRST FIVE HUSBANDS... and the ones who got away. i actually started reading rue mcclanahan's autobiography before she died. her recent passing has made reading it all the more, i don't know, poignant, i guess. for better or for worse, as a young twenty-something i actually wanted to BE her. . .or at least the persona that her character blanche deveroe portrayed. as it turns out, she was not really blanche. but, she was one smart, brassy, resilient, and super-funny dame. if you like autobiographies and southern-fried women, this is YOUR book.