Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell: A Novel

Clarke, Susanna
Amazon link

I think Erik got this for me at Costco. I started reading it but then my books on hold from the library came in. It spent a while on my nightstand.

Zipped through this one on vacation in Costa Rica. I got really into it after the first 100 boring pages. The novel's narrative voice utterly charming in its Victorian-era magical-realism, and it was hard to leave that world after 900 pages-- exactly what I want in a book!

I started this a while ago, but the first hundred or so pages are a bit snooze-inducing. I started the book over again when I took it on vacation to Costa Rica, and once I got past the first part it really started to zip. The florid, incredulous Victorian tone of voice is sweet and amusing.

A great one, if you can wade through the first part.
finished 9 April 2007

Turning the Mind Into an Ally

Mipham, Sakyong and Chodron, Pema

Amazon link

Borrowed from my brother, who really has no business with a book in his hand.

The Eighth Promise: An American Son's Tribute to His Toisanese Mother

Lee, William Poy

Read a review on Salon

Amazon link

The Evolution of Jane

Schine, Cathleen

A few years ago I got a really cool chain letter/email, which was to send a book (preferably one I had enjoyed reading but wouldn't mind removing from my bookshelves) to the person at the top of the list, send the email to a handful of people, and then receive a bunch of books in the mail. What a great idea! Even though I try to get rid of books twice a year, there is always something I'm happy to pass on. I sent my book out (postage for books is also cheap, a bonus) and passed the email to my most reliable friends. A couple of months later, I received only this book.

Started 1/17/2007

Amazon link