His Dark Materials Trilogy, by Philip Pullman

I am fascinated by the many worlds and characters Pullman has created, and I enthusiastically recommend this trilogy to everyone--young and old. My book club hasn't read this trilogy yet, which consists of The Golden Compass (or The Northern Lights), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. But I will encourage them to because it will provoke some interesting conversation.


The following may semi-spoil things. I'll try not to be too specific.

I was curious to see what all the hubbabaloo was about "killing God," and, I have to say, I disagree with the notion that that's what these characters do. I understand the story as showing a tyrannical "authority," who is not the true creator but an angel imposter, who has inspired the religious leaders to oppress its peoples by spreading lies and keeping them in ignorance, and it is Lyra and Will's duty to help Asriel and others overpower this imposter and his minions and establish a new kingdom of heaven that fosters knowledge and tolerance and diversity.

The novel is kind of saying that Lucifer was really the good angel and that some imposter--not the creator--flung him down from heaven, and ever since, things have been wrong. The new uprising overthrows the imposter and all the tyrannical, oppressive followers of that imposter, and then we start again in the garden, and instead of a serpent we have a scientist and other loving creatures who help the new Adam and Eve into truth and understanding and responsibility.

But the new Adam and Eve have to pay a price in order to help their respective worlds to succeed.

And Dust is consciousness--or understanding--which you have as an adult, but which the Church tried to prevent the people from having by severing their daemons from them before they settled. The Church saw Dust as something dangerous, but Asriel and Dr. Malone and so many others realized that without Dust the worlds would wither and die. 


Both The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife were FAST reads full of intrigue and delightful creativity. The Amber Spyglass was equally delightful in the amazingly creative worlds and inhabitants, but much more slowly paced. Over all, I highly recommend the entire trilogy.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

I just returned from eating Indian food at a wonderful restaurant with my book club friends where we discussed this interesting study in point of view. Most of us felt that seeing the world through Christopher's autistic perspective was very enlightening. A few of us are in education and found the novel an important reminder that not all of us learn or understand directions in the same way. One friend had a hard time getting into the story and thought it slow and boring, but the majority of us, including me, loved it. In addition to the interesting point of view, I enjoyed the surprise and compelling twists in plot. At one point in the story, I could not put the book down till I had finished it.

Maybe more than others in my club, I truly enjoyed being shown by the narrator how to work through certain logic and math problems. I especially liked the situation of the three doors, with the prize behind only one of them and how to use logic to choose your door. Very interesting stuff!

I would highly recommend this novel.

The Lady and the Unicorn, by Tracy Chevalier

Tracy Chevalier has done it again in this realistic look into the French Renaissance through the eyes of several characters living different sorts of lives, but all connected somehow to a tapestry making business. There's love, mystery, betrayal and a lot more in this relatively short read. I absolutely loved it.

Winter in Madrid, by C.J. Sansom

I love books that teach about periods in history, and this novel was no disappointment as it depicted Spain and other parts of Europe after the Spanish Civil War with realistic clarity. I found the main character, Brett, to be completely sympathetic, and I was afraid for him as he was pulled further and further into danger when a feeling of obligation puts him in the position of spy for the British Secret Service. Love and intrigue abound, and I could not put this one down. My book club shared Spanish Tapas at my house as we discussed our enjoyment of this book.

I highly recommend this novel.

Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen

I loved this book that gives such an in-depth look at circus life during the Depression. Well-developed and endearing characters along with a compelling plot make it very hard to put down. I can't wait to see the movie! Has anyone seen it yet? Was it good?

I highly recommend this novel.

Remarkable Creatures, by Tracy Chevalier

Everyone in my book club loved this book. No one had a negative thing to say about it. We all enjoyed learning about this very important time in history when dinosaur fossils were first being discovered and recognized as extinct beings. It was interesting to see the reaction some of the religious had to these discoveries, with questions, such as, "Would a perfect God make a mistake?" It was equally interesting to see how two important women were treated by the male scientists and at geological meetings where women were not permitted to attend. Chevalier's narrator warns that this is no Jane Austen novel with its romantic happily-ever-after marriages, but the ending is still uplifting in different, more realistic, ways.

I highly recommend this book and anything written by this author.

Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert

If you like narrators who can make you laugh and cry within a single page, Elizabeth Gilbert is for you. I enjoyed following her along this journey of self-discovery. I was relieved that she didn't take herself too seriously. No one likes to be preached to, and this book is not preachy. My book club enjoyed discussing what one word we each felt defined us. It was a great meeting and a good read.

I would recommend this book.