Book Twenty Three

11/30/2008 - My Life in France by Julia Child *
Why: I was pulled by the allure of France and cooking to learn more about this famous chef. I heard good things about the book while in Red Balloon – that it was a love story. Rachel picked it for what turned out to be our last official Vanaheim book club.
Emotions Felt: boredom, perhaps jealously but maybe just disbelief that someone would spend her days at cooking school and be so utterly free of commitments or worries
Remaining Questions: How did it end? I guess the book completes her life, including her sojourn to popularity in America and her husband’s death. I didn’t finish because I got bored with the quail and rabbit and other game meat. The chapters were too long.
Who Would Like This Book: Sarah loved it. Couldn’t quite understand why but she had her reasons.

Book Twenty Two

11/16/2008 – I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass **
Why: I have loved Julia Glass since Three Junes. She’s my second favorite author really next to Anna Quindlen. I was surprised to hear she had a new novel out and picked it up knowing little about it. I wouldn’t let myself read the reviews until I was finished and then was not surprised to see the comparisons with good chick lit.
Emotions Felt: The beginning was a little slow and I was confused about the direction of the plot. I could tell there was animosity between the sisters but didn’t understand it. I was remained interested because the author’s wording is so poetic and yet I think she took liberties at some points, waxing and waning a bit much. Too many men, so much so that I started to forget the characters. And I hate that Louisa ended up with a man from her suicide survivor’s group. A little too neat and tidy. I still don’t understand the title exactly which annoys me. I kinda think I missed something. And yet, I read and I read and I read. Pleasantly.
Remaining Questions: What happened to Roy? I liked him.
Favorite Quotes: I liked the part when Clem talked about her life going two ways and trying to catch up with her alternate life. I related. I hated the part when Louisa identified Clem’s dead body. It was too close to home right now and I started to cry.
Who Would Like This Book: I don’t think anyone would love it so I hate to recommend. But, at the same time, no one could say it sucked.