October 2011 Books - Voices of Women (and Tolstoy)

I went on a vacation in early October and underwent the usual turmoil of trying to decide what books to bring with me.  In the end, I decided to focus on women writers.  For some reason, I wanted to hear their voices, their thoughts and absorb whatever lessons they had to teach.  I enjoyed most of my choices.  This exercise has only served to make me want to read more from other women authors.  Tolstoy is included because I started Anna Karenina in September and finished in October.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Published: 2005
Rating: 3
Goodreads review
I bought this book at a local library book sale and brought it with me on vacation because I knew it would be a fast and fun read - brain candy.  It did not disappoint but my favorite by Kinsella is still Can You Keep A Secret?  I read that book while in Europe with my daughters, where at the end of each exhausting day, feet sore from sight-seeing, we curled up in bed, engrossed in our own books.  Interesting how books can be part of vacation memories and experience.

Fear of Flying by Erica Jong
Published: 1973
Rating: 5
Lists: 1,001
Goodreads review
Bought at a local library book sale because it is one of the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.  I loved it.  For some reason, because of where I am in life, the book was life changing.  It is hard to condense the impact of this book in a small paragraph so I won't even try.  Suffice it to say that my journal is full of thoughts and one day, maybe I will write a proper post.  Or now that I think of it, maybe not as it is quite personal.  We'll see.

their eyes were watching god by Zora Neale Hurston
Published: 1937
Rating: 5
Lists: 1,001, TIME 100 Best Novel
Goodreads review
I got this book off my daughter's bookshelf, (she had to read it for a college course), and I loved it.  The reader must get used to the very strong, Southern, black slang dialogue which is contrasted to and interspersed with an extremely  literate narrator. Very interesting.  The imagery is wonderful.  The protagonist, Janie Crawford follows her heart, for better or for worse.  Her story moves quickly and succinctly - beautifully written and constructed.  The pace is perfect.  Would highly recommend.

The Writing Circle by Corinne Demas
Published: 2010
Rating: 2
Goodread review
Bought this book at a Border's closing sale as I am interested in books about writers, even if it is fiction.  If writing clubs are anything like what is described in this book, I will pass.

His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina by Danielle Steel
Published: 1998
Rating: 3
Goodreads review
Best-selling author writes about the challenges of raising her handsome and talented son, Nicky, who suffered from manic depression. At nineteen, he took his life.  Her goal in writing was to 1) preserve her son's memory and 2) help parents who are trying to raise a child with severe emotional issues.  As a mother who also lost her son to suicide, I could relate to her pain and grief even though her story is very different than mine.

The Stone Diaries by Carol Shield
Published: 1993
Rating: 4
Lists: Pulitzer Prize (1995), 1001
Goodread Review
A beautifully written book about an ordinary woman leading an ordinary life.  It is about good and bad marriages.  About how sex does not equal love.  About how much women want what I now call "The Dream" - romantic love.  And how hard it is to find.

Jane Austen by Carol Shields
Published: 2001
Rating: 3
Goodreads review
Bought at the overwhelmingly huge NYC city bookstore, The Strand this past summer.  I decided to read it after finishing The Stone Diaries by the same author.  A short book - it is a quick, enjoyable read for any Jane Austen fan.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky
Published: 1873
Lists: 1,001
Rating: 4
Goodreads review
A fascinating book of love, lust, anger, revenge, hope and fear - basically every human emotion is felt by one or more characters.  The world of high society is contrasted with the simple country life.  Psychological, sociological and cultural issues which could be cumbersome to the reader, are masterfully explored by Tolstoy. The stream of consciousness technique depicting Anna's tragic thoughts at the end of the novel, before the infamous suicide, feels so real.  I am glad to have read this particular translation and would highly recommend.