Now where was I? Ah. New York.
Book 54 – New York, by Edward Rutherfurd
A fictionalized history of the city of New York, following several families from the time of the Dutch settlement through 9/11. It was epic. There were several historical events of which I was not entirely aware – like how absolutely hideous the riots of 1864 were. (Then I saw it again on Copper.) It tended to breeze through some parts and go into great detail in others, but I was ok with that. I am going to read every single thing this guy has done. But it will be very slow going.
Book 55 – We Never Make Mistakes: Two Short Novels, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The “we never make mistakes” is the end of a story of a guy on duty at a train station calling in for backup because he thinks that a man claiming to be a lost soldier might actually be a baddie. By the time the backup arrives to take the soldier away, our hero isn’t so sure. And I just gave away the entire story. Sorry about that. It was a short story! But Solzhenitsyn was very good at finding the hearts of the honest among his countrymen and while I can’t say I actually enjoy this stuff, I really appreciate it.
Book 56 – A Theft, by Saul Bellow
A rather convoluted short novel about a woman, her necklace, her nanny and their lovers. And insurance fraud. It wasn’t fabulous, but I needed somewhere to start with Bellow and this was easy.
Book 57 – William Shakespeare’s Star Wars, by Ian Doescher
This is the most charming thing ever and why isn’t is already on stage? If there is a Kickstarter, I am so in.
Book 58 – Revolutionary Road, by Richard Yates
OK, fine. I hadn’t heard of it until Kate and Leo did the film. At least I read it before seeing the Kate and Leo film. Seriously. Because I don’t want to see Kate and Leo do this shit. This story was alarming and depressing at the same time.
Book 59 – Another Deborah Knott book, by Margaret Maron
You know the author has run out of ideas when she brings international espionage to the small town mysteries. And yet I keep reading.
Book 60 – The Widows of Eastwick, by John Updike
This sequel didn’t suck. Besides reuniting our heroines, it was a tale of consequences and redemption. Not exactly a page turner, but the theme played out well.
OK, almost there.
