On My Bookshelf:

Nine Parts of Desire, The Hidden World Of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks

So far this is FA-SCI-NAT-ING. Not only am I learning a lot about the Muslim world and the myriad stains of  Islam, I’m getting interesting insights from an author whom I can respect and identify with (so far) that are really stretching the limits of what I always felt was in my enlightened and tolerant attitude about the Islamic world.

A Heartbreaking Work of  Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers

A Pulitzer finalist. I started out absolutely adoring this book. It takes place in the mid-nineties in the EastBay and San Francisco, both a time and place I have incredibly strong fond memories of. In fact, I started reading it fresh off my ‘Northern California Periocarditis 2006 Tour’ - it got me scheming of was I could spend part of the year back in the Bay. He sort of went off the deep end in the second part though, It all got a little too manic. However, there are some really hilarious and poignant passages that are really worth reading.  Warning: could also be very generation specific. I’m starting to feel like one of those oldies that gets nostalgic about ‘the ‘60s, man’.

Comments

[Sukey]

I LOVED this book (HWOSG)! Personally I think it transcends generation gaps. The story touches something universal, and the post modern voice adds a little interest. The Seeing Green guy down the hall HATED it -- can't think of much more of an endorsement than that!

Just read "Angela's Ashes" and loved that too. If you haven't, read it!