The air we breathe around here should be our inspiration to stay inside and read a good book and I have a couple new ones for you. Most recently breezed through and thoroughly enjoyed The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende. However, one warning, I didn't love it. I wanted to though. After all, it's Allende and it's a love story. I agree with the New York Times review, the characters didn't grab me. The idea of the plot grabbed me, it's set in a rest home with multitude of characters and ties to historical events(Japanese internment). I just wanted it to be so good. However, don't let it stop you from picking it up. It is well worth the read, and much better than going outside!
But here's one I really liked, and it's a fast read as well. Although I didn't love Life of Pi(I know that may sound ridiculous to you) I really loved Yann Martel's new book
The High Mountains of Portugal. There are really 3 different novellas here but Martel weaves them together powerfully in an artfully drawn setting far from our inversion. This one is gripping. You will have a hard time letting it go. It is really about grief, but somehow he uses humor to reach in to us. All three are wonderful, but my favorite was the last one. There you will meet Odo, the ape, and what really does human mean? Martel will make you believe that we are all part of the same creation and humans benefit when they realize that.
Now, for those of you who need to improve your attitude!-a little non-fiction power talk from Caroline Webb. January, February, they just drag on. Dirty snow and bad days at work? Could it get worse? No! it can get better! at least with Webb's advice you can feel somewhat empowered over how you feel at work-try it and see. At least read the
review and get some tips.
