Allan Stein - Matthew Stadler

A mixed bag . The author is often remarkable, such as when he writes: "...talking about geography and the peculiar way in which a new place is unable to resist the power of one's imagination-- there is too little reality gathered there-- which makes it malleable and transporting like a dream or a thin-skinned fantasy that both enchants and is completely misleading to the traveler, who falls in love with it and stays, only to discover that every place is real, its intransigent bulk hidden, the airy island drift of its first appearance an illusion, and that unless he keeps moving he is trapped in a world of stubborn realities, of actual places."

This is challenging reading- creative writing both brilliant and over-the-top ("nipples as soft as a fresh drained blister"). A great hook with Gertrude and Pablo Picasso, but the be prepared for a gay pedophile as a main character.

Here's two respected opinions:
A hackneyed portrayal of gay lust: vacuous, pointless, and tasteless in the extreme. Kirkus Reviews
Stadler demonstrates that he is among the handful of first-rate young American novelists, one with a wide reach and a quirky, elegant pen. New York Times Book Review

The Captain's Daughter - Alexander Pushkin

The book jacket calls Pushkin- Russia's greatest writer. While that pronouncement may be debatable, he is without a doubt a great writer. This short book, as translated by Elaine Feinstein, covers a lot of ground. It tells the tale of a young man in late 1700's enlisted in the Russian army by his father to help him mature. What ensues is an intriguing adventure told in a very friendly style. The story centers around a minor revolt and the harsh brutality surrounding. Within this battle are interesting relationships between the author and a young girl, a servant, and the leader of the revolt. A very good read!

A World Lit by Only by Fire - Willian Manchester

A recreation of what life was like in medieval times in Europe. And what a life it was. It sure gives you a lot to be thankful for living in today's world. If you are curious about these times, this book will provide a description of that period. The last half of the book covers both the church and Magellan in great detail. He is clearly no fan of the medieval church and you will be less of one after reading this. Not a great book, but I enjoyed reading it.

The New Yorker Magazine

Ok, so it is not a book, but my time on the bus allows me the luxury of keeping up with this weekly publication. And the time spent on this magazine is worth it. Great writers and fascinating subjects. Fiction, current events, poetry. There are always those stories which don't seem to interest me. Then I read a page and I am hooked until I finish it. How do they keep coming up with such great material? Oh, and I shouldn't forget to mention the cartoons which often make me laugh out loud.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - Barbara Kingsolver

Subtitled: A year of food life. The tale of a family's move toward sustainable food consumption. A modern back to the earth story, not unlike many others. However, Kingsolver makes the tale fun to read and offers much to think about. With the current world climate crisis, the locally grown food movement takes on a new dimension. You will definitely think twice about where your food comes from and the effects that has on the planet. And you will likely change some of the ways you consume food. I bought a dehydrator and have determined to grow and use more food on my lot.

The book gets a little preachy and is not always a practical guide, but it is written in a way that most can relate to.

The Year of Magical Thinking - Joan Didion

How does she do it? Writing so simply about the recent death of her husband and serious illness of a child while conveying the great depth of emotion. The reader joins Didion as she mysteriously moves through the year following her great loss. A reflection on living and dying that is offered ever so gently. Those who have lost someone will relate often to her changes, while those who haven't will gain an understanding. A gem of a book.

Gilead - Marilynne Robinson

Beautiful story and beautiful writing. I highly recommend reading this thoughtful story of a spiritual journey. Life, death and the meaning of it all- told so simply and touching. What a great example of fresh and gentle, yet powerful, writing. You will want to re-read lines and paragraphs as you move through this book. A dying advice to a son he will not know. A time and place in America, 1956, not that long ago and yet it seems so distant in this book. Perfect book for curling up with on a cold Sunday morning in winter.

A Venetian Affair - Andrea di Robilant

An historical novel which is as much non-fiction as fiction. The author has included abundant excerpts from actual between two lovers. It is Venice in the 1750s when it still holds onto some of its fading glory. This is the classic tale of a nobel falling for girl out of his class. Their lives are fascinating and the book does a good job of re-creating a unique period in time. The real Casanova is part of the lives of these two lovers. While the book can get a little bogged down with detail at times, it is a fun read that transports you to masks, balls, and ill-fated love.

Specimen Days - Michael Cunningham

An intriguing and complex book that will make you think about love, art, America, and life. What more could you want from one book? This is actually composed as three separate tales, but unified with the characters and themes. Three different time periods and three different styles of writing. You wonder how these completely different types of stories fit together, but the fine skill of the writer makes it work. Highly recommended! Extremely original. This is the type of book you want to start reading again the minute you finish it.

The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli

Advice to a young prince on how to gain and maintain control of territories. Devious, ruthless, cold-hearted and we aren't just talking about today's Republicans. A good read to understand Italy, and the world, in the 15th & 16th century. Machiavelli uses many examples from history and those of the early 1500s to illustrate how a prince can be successful. The basic ideas uncover much truth about human nature. Although much of advice to the prince is disturbing, it describes strategies that have been, and will probably remain to be, effective tools of power. Reading this book will make you reflect on both medieval times and the present.