Thursday Thirteen (1 of ∞)

Thirteen Things Books Read By The Neighborhood Wives Book Club For a while now I've been thinking I should get involved in some memes—I started doing a Comment Friday a few weeks back—and I think Thursday Thirteen is another one that I can handle weekly, so I'm gonna give it a try. Since I'd like this to be, first and foremost, a book talk blog, here are thirteen books—in somewhat chronological order—read by the "neighborhood wives book club" that Julie has time to make it to some months (the books I've read, as a direct result of her participation there, are in bold): Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. I'm amazed that this book, a memoir, was ever written (a phrase which here means: "I'm sorta amazed Burroughs was still alive to write it!") A very strange book about a very strange childhood in a very strange family. I liked it, if only because it made my family seem somewhat normal by comparison. The Color of Water by James C. McBride. I enjoyed this book (subtitled A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother) even though I'm not black, not jewish, and not so many other things McBride is. In fact, it might be for that very reason that I did enjoy the book. To be honest, it has been a while and I don't recall it as well as I wish. What I do remember is that—as a wannabe writer—I found the following snippet of description worth keeping in my writer's notebook: You could see him coming from a distance, appearing out of nowhere like an angel, his silhouette seeming to rise from the ground in the simmering heat . . . The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Now here's a book I highly recommend. It reminded me a bit of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut (so it goes!) Only different. Read them both and decide for yourself. Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg. I don't read all the books they choose for the book club. But there must have been something on the book jacket of this one, or something said at the bus stop when I saw Riley off to school one morning. Or perhaps I had Riley with me at the Library when I picked it up for Julie and (Riley being Riley) he was playing one of the games on the kid's computers there, so I just started reading it while I waited for him. But I did read this one when it really isn't something I would normally have picked for myself. I don't recall it completely, but I do recall enjoying it. Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Another book I probably would have avoided for myself (or not—I do have a fascination with history, after all). A book about the plague? Yeah, that sounds like fun. But it was a surprising great book. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I have reviewed this book a while back (I rated it a 9), so I'll let that stand for itself. The History of Love by Nicole Krauss. I also reviewed this book a while back also (and, again, rated it a 9). Frangipani by Célestine Hitiura Vaite. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. A Widow for One Year by John Irving. Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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