The Help,

by Kathryn Stockett

Favourites and Discoveries: Mysteries, Plays, Novels,  Stories, Poems, Advice, Humour, History, Metaphysics....  I read a lot

In Jackson, Mississippi, 1962, Black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted with the  silver

It took me about 50 pages to get into this book, but then I couldn't put it down. The enormity of what the maids are doing dawns on them before it dawns on the young white woman who is recording their stories. If they get caught, she'll be ostracised, but they'll be lynched. An amazing story, a gripping book.

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In his play,  The History Boys, Alan Bennett wrote: "The best moments in reading are when you come across something — a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things — which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is    long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours."

Trick of the Dark,

by Val McDermid

Just starting it tonight (July 18th). It's another of her stand-alone novels. If you've not read any of her mysteries, there are three series: Tony Hill, psychological thrillers, the darkest of her stories; Lindsay Gordan, the traditional perky reporter who gets into scrapes; and Kate Brannigan, hard boiled detective with a twist.  All well written and intricately plotted.

American Prometheus, 

by Martin J. Sherwin

Biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, exhaustively researched for over twenty-five years and elegantly written, by a professor I had at Cal.  Riveting reading! Beautifully, elegantly written account of the life of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century and how a personal vendetta by a politically powerful businessman ruined Oppenheimer's life. 

Dense with content, but written in William's direct, intelligent, but simple style. I haven't marked a text so much since Cal days. Central concepts are sections  on What Religion Is and What Holism Is and how vastly different are their perspectives and the practical results of those differences. Rich with concepts, insights and wisdom. And it's fun to read.

Last updated: October 20, 2011

Now reading:

The Case for God,

by Karen Armstrong

Just finished:

Soulution,

by William Bloom

AND

Recently finished:

The Power of Modern Spirituality, by William Bloom

The Shadows in the Street, by Susan Hill

A cracking good murder mystery with great character development and lots of twists and turns in the plot. Liked it so much that I bought all the books in the series to read in order.