Double-Stacked Bookshelves

Though not read for the A-Z Reading Challenge, I just finished Chris Bohjalian's newest novel, Secrets of Eden , a murder/mystery/thriller type.  I've loved everything that I've read of Bohjalian's, but for some reason this one didn't capture my attention as quickly as the previous novels.  It's not bad, but it wasn't great either.  Of course by the end I was shocked and most definitely thrown for a loop with the twist he provides, but I didn't like the fact that it took me that long to become engrossed in the story. Like most of Bohjalian's novels, Secrets of Eden is told from several different perspectives, four to be precise, and peppered with excerpts from the writing of Heather Laurent.  One thing to keep in mind when reading Bohjalian's novels:  the characters are not always what they seem.   The first character is Stephen Drew, the local pastor in the community.  He is the character that informs the reader that the murder/suicide of ...

Finally, the first book finished on the A-Z Reading Challenge! I feel slightly accomplished. And without further ado: Chris Bohjalian's Trans-Sister Radio was simply fascinating. I've read a few of his other books and this one did not disappoint. The thing that I like about Bohjalian is that none of his books touch on the same topic. Yes, similar themes run throughout every book of his I've read, but the way in which he approaches those themes is remarkably refreshing. Because of this, and his writing style, he's quickly become one of my favorite contemporary writers. In my latest foray into this author's work I ventured into the world of the transgendered male. The novel is told from the perspective of the four main characters: Dana, the transgendered lead, Allison, Dana's lover, Will, Allison's ex-husband, and Carly, Will and Allison's nineteen year old daughter. Interspersed between each of the different viewpoints are excerpts from a NP...

I've recently finished reading Percy Walker's The Moviegoer for my scattered book club from Scotland and I have to say that it left me wanting...a lot. I can't put my finger on what I didn't like about this book; perhaps it was my lack of interest in any of the characters or the writing style that disappointed, despite the fact that it won the National Book Award for Fiction. I had such high hopes for this read for many reason. 1) I will soon be heading to Biloxi and New Orleans to meet up with the above mentioned book club, 2) I tend to like novels set in the South, and 3) the synopsis sounded intriguing. Alas, I was let down. As a breakdown to why I didn't enjoy this read I offer the following: the characters bored my to death...and I wish it had done so to Kate! I feel that the major failing in this work rests in the complete lack of kinship the reader feels with any of the characters presented, much like Flaubert's characters in A Sentimental Edu...