Book 21 A Year in the Merde* by Stephen Clarke

Went out and bought all his subsequent books, preparing to move to France.

Book 19, Strawberry Fields** by Marian Lewycka

 She's a great writer, and funny. Enjoyed History of Tractors in the Ukraine a bit more.

Book 20 Dark Flight 0 by Lin Anderson

Not worth it.

Book 39 A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth****

I enjoyed every word of this densely packed 1500 page book.   Serious, humorous, historical, suspenseful, fascinating, I cannot say enough about this book.   Each character has foibles and likeable in some way.   The descriptions of real catastrophes and political events are described in delightful detail, but one knows that a twist is coming, so you read so carefully, so as not to miss that one sentence or phrase.  

Book 38 Change Your Brain, Change Your Body **, Daniel Amen

Another great book by Daniel Amen.   It's very enlightening and so current given how we boomers are all now even more terrified of dementia than cancer.   This book focusses on how to overcome overeating by taking care of your brain.   The usual advice includes exercise and healthy food, but also keeping your weight under control.   It complements End to Overeating by David Kessler, which in away is more practical and original.  

Book 37 (2010) Through Black Spruce **** by Joseph Boyden

It's hard not to gush about this book, it is so good.   I will steal words from others---fluent, powerful, lyrical, and assured.   This is a story of natives living on reserves, in the city, and in the wilderness, experiencing the degradation and success.   It is so well told that you never think 'what an imgination' you just believe it (compare People of the Book, which I was conscious of the writer's imagination).  The story is told in first person of two characters, a middle aged retired bush pilot and his niece.   I never thought oh this is a man writing in a woman's voice.

You cannot find a flaw or weakness in any sentence, phrase, word, or paragraph of this book.   I wish someone would read it aloud to me.

Boyden won the 2008 Giller Prize for this book.

Other books by this author reviewed on this blog:
The Orenda *****

Book 23 and 24 Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* and Girl with ... by Steig Larsson

June 1st - Week 21 just finished. Five weeks of travel went by in a flash and I am still reflecting on all that we saw and did.   Here's what I read on the road and in the following days.

Book 1 was better than I expected action thriller with lots of character development and conflict.  A touch too much of the unbelievable violence and computer magic.  Book 2 was even better than book 1.