2014 is starting out right. Exercise is getting done. Eating is healthy. And books are being read.Here's a list of books I've completed recently:
The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
Lahiri is one of my favorites. I was upset that I wasn't able to see her when she visited Chicago recently to do a Q&A for her latest work, The Lowland. I read this one for my the book group I joined when I moved up and we had a great time discussing the characters, plot, and meaning of this heavy novel. Two bothers in India follow very different paths as young men and the shocking consequences of those decisions haunt all those involved for a lifetime.
The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
Not for the faint of heart, this novel tackles some pretty disturbing issues and contains a fair share of graphic language. Another pick from my book group, some participants were a little uncomfortable reading, and I may have felt guilty suggesting it without knowing exactly what I was recommending. However, Abbott produces a story bursting with shock value and discussion-worthy material. Think Gone Girl relayed through insinuation rather than straightforwardness. Read it.
The Apartment by Greg Baxter
I requested this novel after seeing it mentioned in the newsletter for my local library. I didn't know much going in other than it was an American man looking for an apartment in an undetermined European city. The novel is exactly that, but also very political. If you, like me, are cynical and love a good game of devil's advocate, check it out. Presented through stream of consciousness, the narrator muses on his former life in the military, his work as a contractor in Iraq, and the complexities of life. If you enjoy people watching, you'll definitely love it because Baxter's main man spends quite some time doing just that, and it's rather entertaining. Note: I spent nearly the entire novel trying to determine what city he was actually in, like wikipedia and google at the ready; however, I read an interview that suggested Baxter pulled from many European cities to create a fictional retreat for his narrator.
What have you been reading lately?
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