I forgot a few books...

I was talking with a friend last night and she reminded me of two books that I forgot that I had read.

21. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Interesting book, well written. It takes place in Chicago, so that was a fun touch.

22. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth

Great book. Roth rewrote World War Two American history from the point of view of himself as a young Jewish child in New Jersey. Really Interesting book. I read this right after I finished The Question of Palestine and was leery of it being the opposite extreme only a novel, but this was well written without any offensive political statements. I also really like that the author listed in the back the actual historical events and timetables, so that no one would confuse fiction with truth.

PS. Almost finished with The Horned Man and I am not very impressed at all. Almost don't feel like finishing it, but I will...

Reading List

I have had a rather busy summer so far, but I thought I would share with you the books I have been reading and some of my thoughts of them. This is since graduating May 5th. I am very blessed to have a job that allows me to read as much as I am able. I think after this current book, I will look into some more non-fiction. Any suggestions?

1. The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd

Such a wonderful way to start reading for fun. Very easy to read, interesting format (letters to and from people) and interesting for me in that it pertains to Asia, especially Japan.

2. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Interesting and confusing. I can understand it's importance, but feel that I will have to reread this at some point in my life.

3. Nine Stories by J. D. Salinger

Loved these stories. Very weird, twisted endings. I wasn't as much of a fan of Catcher in the Rye so this was refreshing to read.

4. The Question of Palestine by Edward Said

This is probably one of the most important pieces I have read so far this summer. Also the only non-fiction. Very informative, although at times difficult to read. Some of the questions raised in this book inspired my currently painting set. I had previously read Said's autobiography, so it was wonderful to be able to read one of the books that made him famous enough to need a autobiography.

5. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr

This book caused me to fall in love with Vonnegut's style. He's honest, interesting and very unique. Really enjoyed this book.

6 - 9. Holiday on Ice, Naked, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

These are also somewhat autobiographical comedic short stories. Me Talk Pretty One Day is by far my favorite.

10. The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure by William Goldman

Okay, I know I am suppose to love the book more than the movie, but I don't. I love this movie and found the book at times amusing and at times really annoying.

11 - 16. Harry Potter 1 through 6

I now love Harry Potter like everyone else in this country. I am waiting to get my hands on my neighbors copy of #7. The writing gets progressively better as the series continues. The fourth I believe being my favorite. Read these in a two week period. Very quick reading.

17. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky

Delightful first and unfinished draft of a novel by this Jewish Russian author written in France during World War 2. The author was arrested and killed in a concentration camp, but her two daughters saved her drafts and they were translated and publish recently. A beautiful start, some of the lines are enrapturing. I wish she had the chance to finish the book. Reminds me Wilfred Owen in that I feel as though his poetry only barely had a chance to find itself before he was killed in World War 1.

18. Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

LOVED THIS BOOK. I plan on buying it. I have been told it is Vonnegut's best work and I believe them. Wonderfully written and over all delightful. I intend to reread this in the future.

19. Wizard of the Crow by Ngugi Wa Thiongo

Favorite novel I have read in a LONG time. The author is exiled from Kenya and has written this allegory of African history and politics beautifully. I also intend to buy and reread this novel at some point. I also think people should read this. It's delightful. It is written in the African storytelling tradition and very interesting throughout the whole book. It is long, but worth every word.

20. (currently reading) The Horned Man by James Lasdun

Just started this book. So far it is not wowing me, but after Wizard of the Crow it doesn't have a chance.

This is not counting the various poems I have read this summer.

God still knows what He's doing...

So, I was unfortunate enough to experience a rather traumatic roommate fiasco recently, but God knew what He was doing. A very, VERY dear friend of mine found out today that she will be working in Chicago and that she will need a place to live, so she will be moving in with me in a few weeks. This friend and I have discussed all of the issues resulting in the termination of my friendship with my previous roommate and I think we can avoid such pitfalls. I am very excited about this upcoming experience. I am very blessed to have things work out as smoothly as they have.

Freedom...

My roommate moved out today. I wasn't sure how I would feel... but I feel wonderful.

On a side note, the weather has been lovely. I have the windows open and a lovely breeze is blowing through. Chicago is really a lovely city.

I am currently unhappy with my cellphone service and now that my contract time period is completed I am considering changing companies. Problem is that I am not looking forward to signing a new contract AND my cell phone is my ONLY phone and so I use a fair amount of minutes. I am frustrated at the over all cost of cell plans and of the phones themselves.

This process is FRUSTRATING...

There has been a lot going on lately...

My mind has been preoccupied, so I am sorry for not the lack of news.

I am still very much enjoying my job as a nanny. I have been painting some, but as the weather has been getting warmer, so has the back room (my studio area) and my desire to paint is over overwhelmed by my desire so find A/C.

Two of my dearest friends are moving away soon. One has taken a great job in Baltimore and the other is going home to Palestine after finishing his masters here. As sad as I am to not have these people in my life here in Chicago, I am very excited about their futures and about what they will do with their lives from this point on. All that said, I am working on planning a going away party for them, a last hurrah of sorts. It will be nice to gather friends together and spend a bit more time with then before they dash away to exciting lives.