Dancing to Alemendra - Mayra Montero

An enjoyable read. Interesting characters in 1950's Cuba. Just before the revolution when the casinos and gangsters where in their heyday. Some interesting twist and turns. Read it if you want to get a flavor for the place and times. The book never really engaged me in the story.

Here is Where We Meet - John Berger

Another fabulous read from a favorite author. The back cover says Berger is one of the greatest authors in the language. I don't disagree.

This book focuses on those who have passed and the importance of place. The writing is luscious, making me pause frequently to re-read and think about what was written. A lot to reflect on in this book. Berger is a very intelligent author who weaves great insights into places and events. Very highly recommended.

Devotion - Howard Norman

A wonderful book, packed with emotions and images in sparse, but adequate, words. Quite a contrast to Proust. I love this writer, telling an unconvential love story. Very intriguing construction that works to create a story that with sequential events happening in an order reflecting the emotional impacts rather than chronological order. Simple and complicated at the same time. A gentle, thoughtful book.

Swann's Way - Marcel Proust

Subtitled: In Search of Lost Time, Vol 1. The liner notes say this book is "one of the most entertaining reading experiences....arguably the finest novel of the twentieth century." I suppose some people are easily entertained. While Proust is certainly a fine writer, reading him can be tortuous. He seems to be challenging himself to be as florid as possible about the most miniscule and meaningless of details. A rambling mind that never goes anywhere. But if you want to learn how to construct endless sentences and never have writer's block from nothing to say- read Proust. An accomplished writer and probably worth the study in style for comparative literature, but you can also read great writer's who give you a lasting experience.