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

Parent Cafe
201

Thnk you epistrophy! Just sent that one to my book club!!!

202

Garland, we discussed “Handling Sin” back in 2005. You’ve convinced me to read it again. Other good books on that thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/40969-discuss-your-favorite-classic-novel-any-novel-all-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/40969-discuss-your-favorite-classic-novel-any-novel-all-2.html&lt;/a&gt;

203

For some reason I find myself hungrily re-reading Edith Wharton right now. House of Mirth had me up two straight nights and recounting the story to H who shed tears over the end. I want to go to her home this summer. I’m obsessed.

204

What a good word to describe the kind of reading where you’re so deep into the world of the book that time just seems to stop altogether.

<hr>

Still more best books of the year:

<a href=“http://www.villagevoice.com/books/0749,asdf,78504,10.html/1[/url]”>http://www.villagevoice.com/books/0749,asdf,78504,10.html/1&lt;/a&gt;

205

^ Brilliant Link!! A gold mine!

206

Has anyone read The Book Thief (Markus Zusak)?

While browsing the books at Costco yesterday, a woman reached past me, grabbed a half-dozen copies, looked at me and said, “This is the best book I’ve read this year. Life altering. Everyone is getting a copy from me!” I smiled and nodded (she was much more animated than I was feeling at that moment). I bought one. It’s up next on my list of reads. Just thought I’d ask.

207

Good memory, over30! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the re-read just as much as i did!

208

. . . “best books” of the year:

[Bostonist:</a> Lists O’ Lists: Best Books of 2007](<a href=“WBUR”>WBUR)

209

The New York Times’ book critics - Michiko Kakutani, Janet Maslin, William Grimes - pick their own favorite (as opposed to “best”) books of the year:

<a href=“Critics' Picks: Favorite Books of 2007 - The New York Times”>Critics' Picks: Favorite Books of 2007 - The New York Times;

210

[The</a> best books of 2007. - - Slate Magazine](<a href=“http://www.slate.com/id/2179781]The”>The best books of 2007.)

211

Mammal, Twilight Sleep is a book of Edith Wharton’s I enjoyed. After Age of Innocence and these two others, they all started to sound the same. There was an interesting biography published about her last year.

Last year for Christmas someone gave me Electroboy by Andy Behrman. I finally got around to it last night, and can honestly say it is the only book I have read recently that I couldn’t put down. I read it straight through. Most of the reviews on Amazon aren’t good.

212

“A Thousand Splendid Suns.” The best book I’ve read in a long time.

213

<a href=“http://boston.com/ae/books/articles/2007/12/02/the_best_fiction_of_2007/[/url]”>http://boston.com/ae/books/articles/2007/12/02/the_best_fiction_of_2007/&lt;/a&gt;

<a href=“http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-2007books,0,97818.story[/url]”>http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-2007books,0,97818.story&lt;/a&gt;

<a href=“http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20167009,00.html[/url]”>http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20167009,00.html&lt;/a&gt;

<a href=“http://arts.ccpblogs.com/2007/12/27/the-best-fiction-of-2007/[/url]”>http://arts.ccpblogs.com/2007/12/27/the-best-fiction-of-2007/&lt;/a&gt;

<a href=“http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/12/28/109.html[/url]”>http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/12/28/109.html&lt;/a&gt;

214

I agree with A Thousand Splendid Sons. It was excellent!

Today I finished The Greatest Man in Cedar Hole. I liked it very much. Next up is Bridge of Sighs.

215

Not one of the best books but one of the most important books I’ve read recently is “The China Syndrome” by Karl Greenfield, about the origin of the SARS epidemic. Sums up everything wrong with China today, and highlights the holes in our own public health system. I’ve been telling everyone to read it; 2 history teachers in D’s HS are reading it, and I also wrote an on-line review of it for a scientific forum I moderate:
[The</a> Science Advisory Board - Protocols, Product Reviews, Member Forum, and Science News](<a href=“http://www.scienceboard.net/resources/bookreviews.asp?cat=2&book=468]The”>http://www.scienceboard.net/resources/bookreviews.asp?cat=2&book=468)

Best book I ever read is “The Lord of the Rings.” I find I have to reread it periodically to get my Tolkien fix.

216

I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns and have started The Book Thief. I LOVED A Thousand Splendid Suns.

As for The Book Thief, if it wasn’t for my sister in laws recommendation, I would not keep going. It’s interesting, but the writing style is weird.

217

I just fininshed “Water For Elephants” per recommendations on this post. Very good. We bought “Book Thief” for our 18yo son, hope he likes it, but based on above review, he may not. Loved both Kite Runner and Splendid Suns. Next up for me is Pillars of the Earth.

218

^^Water for Elephants - excellent book!

219

Violinists - Thank you! That’s one by Wharton I hadn’t heard of. Have you read her ghost stories? Those are really wonderful, too. Is there a biography you recommend?

220

Mammal, “Edith Wharton” by Hermione Lee. It has a stunning photo of her on the cover (may be a painting). It will be out in paperback in a few months, but without the same cover.

Thanks for the Ghost Stories. I didn’t know about them. When I finish the 18 best stories by Edgar Allan Poe, I may be in the perfect mood for it.