The 19th Wife

David Ebershoff

A friend at work shared this with me because she knows I am mildly obsessed with polygamy. Don't worry I don't want to practice it, I just think it is amazing that anyone is willing to. As I typed the author's name I was shocked to see a man wrote this book so much about women's emotions. He did a great job, although the more I think about it he did a good job of presenting how men are affected as well. Even though I considered polygamy a woman's issue it isn't at all and this book really presents it from a man's view. I think that is the sad part, it seems that everyone attatched to a family of this kind suffers men, women and of course children. Anway, I thought this was a good read. I liked that while it read like a biography at the end the author helped to clarify what was factual and what was not.
If you share my fascination you would enjoy this book.

Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing

Ted Conover

So, I am a big dork. I started listening to NPR, I got tired of always being clueless about what is happening in the world. I have come to enjoy the shows that speak with various author's about their work. I heard Mr. Conover talking about this book and decided to read it. I am amazed at what life is like working in a prison. Mr. Conover sacrificed so much to spend almost a year working as a guard in the system in a very scary prison. His research paid off I thought this book was fascinating. But, it is a total dork read I have to warn you!

Sarah's Key

Tatiana de Rosnay

A really interesting World War II novel. I thought it was interesting to read about the War from the French side of things. I can't imagine how many peoples' lives continue to be affected by the horrible tragedies that occur and this book was a great reminder. I also thought it was entertaining and had good closure at the end which I always appreciate.

Her Fearful Symmetry

Audrey Niffenegger

I was so excited to read this, The Time Traveler's Wife is one of my all-time favorite books, so I couldn't wait to read another of this author's books. I think she does a great job of developing characters without beating you down by it, and this book is very different than the other book I read of hers so I can't accuse her of being formulaic. I think that this was an interesting read, but pretty wierd for sure. But, I thought that this was a good book and a different read than my usual so I am glad that I read it. I did like TTW better, but I would encourage this for a read outside of the usual chick flick books I sometimes get bored with.

The Lost Symbol

Dan Brown

I thought this was a fun read. It was very typical Dan Brown. I am not sure if I am more used to his style or more jaded, but some parts seemed pretty far fetched... But, it was still a fun, well-written suspense book with good twists and turns. I was wishing I had been more attentive on my visit to Washington D.C. as the sights and symbols were described. Oh well, I guess we will have to go back. It was also fun to watch the Dateline special about it afterwards to see more about the fact vs. fiction of the book.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Muriel Barbery

I read this for book club, very late by the way. I feel so bad, I always read the book before we meet this is only the 2nd book I haven't finished and the last one I had read before...
Anyway, I love book club because you read books other people pick that you might not pick yourself. I would not have chosen this book. It was cool that it was translated from French, I think I said with The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo that I think it makes me feel smarter even though it really doesn't mean anything. I thought the book was okay. Pretty slow, I think it took 3/4 for me to really get interested and then I thought it ended rather abruptly. So, I didn't think it was great, but I am not sorry I read it.

Never Tell a Lie

Hallie Ephron

This was a good cheesy murder/mystery. It was an interesting twist that one of the main characters was pregnant. I can only imagine the tricks your mind plays on you while you are pregnant falling while something so crazy was happening in your life. I thought it was a fun book club choice for this month, their is something fun about reading a good mystery in the fall!