Retro Reads

The Bride Stripped Bare
by Nikki Gemmell

I'm afraid to even post this book.  Kate was asked to pick a risque book for our 30th Vanaheim reunion.  And so she picked a UK bestseller called the Bride Stripped Bare.  The author originally published it anonymously and I completely understand why.

This book is beyond risque.  It's insane.  It's really dirty.

And that's really all I need to say about that.

Retro Reads

the Namesake
by Jhumpa Lapiri

I read this book after a glut of chick lit reads.
This was a book of grand scale - immigration, coming of age, loss, heartbreak . . .
The ending was perfect in that it was NOT perfect.
Jhumpa Lapiri can do no wrong.

Retro Reads

Same Sweet Girls
by Cassandra King

This was a Vanaheim book club selection.  I'm going to blame it on Sarah :)
I don't have much to say about this book. 
Very predictable and little plot development.

Retro Reads

Digging to America
by Anne Tyler

Funny.  I picked this book up at BNoble Har Mar on a "sick day."  Finished it over the weekend.  I must have REALLY needed a book fix.

Anne Tyler is an extremely consistent author.  This book was spot on.  Memorable characters.

It just works.

Retro Reads

Under the Banner of Heaven
by Jon Krakauer

This was a FASCINATING book.  Sarah Jane Kipling raved about it and Matt nearly begged me to read.  Talks about the extremes of religious belief - Mormon fundamentalism. 

It was hard to endear myself to anyone in the book.  Polygamists, drug addicts, pedophiles, liars.  Wasn't clear on what the book's agenda was.  At moments it felt like a Jerry Springer episode.

Mormons confound me.  They are excellent bloggers though . . .

Retro Reads

The Tenth Circle
by Jodi Picoult

This book was the first book read in the House of Newport. 
Matt bought it for me at BNoble Woodbury. 

The Tenth Circle is totally depressing - about a family's disintegration after their teenaged daughter is raped by the local hockey star.   Not exactly a mood lifter.

But a quick, manipulative read that you pretty much tear through . . .