One of the best books I've read in the last 6 months is . .

Just finished two good books- although not in the amazing category. The Last Chinese Chef combines modern times, ancient times, the importance of food and its presentation in chinese culture. The other book- The Other Mother has two mothers living next door- one a stay at home mom and the other a new mom and the feelings/culture behind each choice with the angst and frustration with both

I recommend “The Nine” by Jeffrey Toobin

Explains why the Supreme Court is so bad and why we’re screwed in the foreseeable future.

Also, “Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas” by Kevin Merida and Michael Fletcher

Explains why the Supreme Court is so bad and why we’re screwed in the foreseeable future.

I just finished reading “The Nine” as well…as jake says:
“Explains why the Supreme Court is so bad and why we’re screwed in the foreseeable future.”

I am interested in politics but not so much an afficionado of the inner-workings of the law, so found some of the book to be a bit dry. Nonetheless, I learned alot in reading it, and H probably got sick of me saying" Did you know…"

What’s striking is that the Supreme Court is so very important and seems to get so very little attention relative to its importance during election season.

Have any of you come across “1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die” with a preface by Peter Ackroyd. We gave it to D1 for Christmas and H took it off by himself and has become obsessed. Has started a spreadsheet of books he now must read. I think this is a dangerous potent book to give to the wrong sort of person.

What Do Muslims Believe?: The Roots and Realities of Modern Islam (Paperback)
by Ziauddin Sardar (Author…

Very good- provides history and an easily understood explanation of the various sects of Islam.

Just consider what a President Gore might have done with the two Supreme Court slots that opened up for President Bush.

Its impact on the Supreme Court’s make-up - for (presumably) decades to come - may well turn out to be the most significant legacy of the Bush Presidency.

I just finished The Book Thief. I am so glad I put aside my dislike for the writing style (narrated by Death himself) and kept going. This was such a wonderful book. I borrowed my copy from the library but will have to buy one so I can lend it out and read again!

My last three books were Eat, Pray, Love, then A thousand Splendid Suns and today The Book Thief. I’m glad I read them in that order because Eat, Pray, Love, while moving and well written just seems so self centered when you read about people that are in the midst of war and dealing with such struggles.

Just picked up The Book Thief last week. A friend had loaned it to me and it had been sitting in a pile by my bed for some time. I am enjoying it greatly. A rare book that take a different, creative approach but remains easy to read.

kathiep/SuNa, Good feedback. We bought “The Book Thief” for our 18yo son for Christmas and I was worried he might not like it. Of course, we am waiting in line for him to finish it so we can read it!

OK, so now I’m intrigued by The Book Thief and will add it to my list of must-reads. … I’ve been in a morbid mood lately, having read a very good book about Europe’s 1347-1349 Black Plague. Also just finished Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking,” which she wrote following the death of her husband of 40 years. It’s heart-breaking, but brilliantly introspective and beautifully written, as is all of Didion’s work.

There isn’t a copy of the Supreme Court Book in my city anywhere. All the bookstores and libraries have long waiting lists.

Thomas’s book is available.

Re Toobin’s book on the Supreme Court: Amazon has it.

has anyone read Charity Girl by Michael Lowenthal
My book club has selected this book for our next gathering. I have never heard of it and I did not see it mentioned in previous posts? thanks

Just started reading “The Year of Living Biblically - One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible” by AJ Jacobs, editor of Esquire Magazine. It is absolutely hilarious. This is a good read for the long dark days of winter.

I’m halfway into The Book Thief, and I like the writing style immensely. It’s so different and creative without being show-offy. We’re due for rain this weekend (it’s already begun) so I guess it’s me, the dog, the book, and laundry.

Now where are my delivery menus???

I am just finishing “O Pioneers” by Willa Cather. Maybe I like it so much because it is about early European immigrants who pushed the boundaries of the United States, settling further and further ‘out west’. It is set in Nebraska, which was the wild frontier at the time setting in the novel. It is about struggle and defeat, toughness and perseverance. It is an easy read, not too long and I highly recommend it. It was written in 1913 by a 40 year old woman who was raised in Nebraska frontier.

Here is the Amazon link to it. You can read the reviews and see if it sounds interesting to you:

[Amazon.com:</a> O Pioneers!: Books: Willa Sibert Cather](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/O-Pioneers-Willa-Sibert-Cather/dp/1406844357/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199641565&sr=8-2]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/O-Pioneers-Willa-Sibert-Cather/dp/1406844357/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199641565&sr=8-2)

I have some ancestors who did just what the novel is talking about. Many were Mennonite (Amish) farmers coming from Switzerland/France/Germany via Pennsylvania. They settled in Ohio, then Illinois, then Iowa, then pushed out to Oregon in the mid 1850’s, to Arizona and finally to Hollywood, California switching from Mennonites Farmers to Episcopalian businessmen in the process.

. . . here are the current “best sellers” at one great independent book store:

[Harvard</a> Book Store](<a href=“http://www.harvard.com/onourshelves/bestsellers.html]Harvard”>http://www.harvard.com/onourshelves/bestsellers.html)

citrusbelt - I adore Willa Cather and O Pioneers is wonderful. I also love My Antonia. Beyond her great themes I really love Cather’s sort of quiet eloquence. She’s really good at portraying the physicality and labor of her characters’ lives and in that sense she reminds me oddly of Annie Proux, a much more modern writer.

Has anyone read “The Reluctant Fundamentalist,” by Mohsin Hamid? It was recommended to me by a well-read British friend in her Christmas letter, and I read it almost in one sitting this past Sunday evening. A small book, under 200 pages, an easy read. I found it remarkable and haunting.

I would love to e-discuss it!

Also just finished Joan Didion’s "The Year of Magical Thinking,
That was my choice for bookgroup after my other choice The Sweet Hereafter was turned down for being too sad.
They turned down Didion too.
:stuck_out_tongue: I dont remember anyone elses choices getting turned down.
We did read several Cather a while ago not O Pioneers, but My Antonia & Death Comes for the Archbishop.

Im still reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert- ( not for bookgroup- this months book was The spirit catches you and you fall down by Anne Fadiman)