A Peace to End All Peace - David Fromkin

I first heard of this book in an article about understanding the anger and resentment in the Middle East - it listed the book as recommended by Madeleine Albright and Pres. Clinton. I kept it in the back of my mind and then it arrived as a gift from a friend who recently visit Turkey. Figuring that it would take a little time to read, I started it and planned to read other things along with it to lighten the mood. Little did I know I would be sucked in so quickly; thinking about what was going to happen next and how it would result in the Middle East we know and fear today.

It is truly amazing to me the number of intelligence mistakes made, and really at what point do you stop calling it "intelligence". The number of people with different objectives, each one playing the other for their own gain, and that is just the people in the British foreign office! Once you add in the intrigues of the people of the Ottoman Empire, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Greece, it is a wonder that any policy was accomplished.

I was frequently talking about this book with others around me - family, friends, co-workers, people on the plane. The writing is engaging and covered a period of history I was unfamiliar with, since we always seemed to end the school year just as WWI was beginning. This book covers the Middle East only and now I am interested to learn the Western Front side of WWI. I know the horror and despair caused by trench warfare directly related to the decisions made in the Middle East and I want to know more.

An excellent book that I will keep in the library. I can imagine reading it again - there is just so much I missed the first time through.

East is East - T.C. Boyle

This was a hand me down from a friend and I knew nothing about it other than its "literary fiction" size trade paperback. I am reading Peace to End all Peace and needed something lighthearted to break up the intelligence failures detailed in that book. With Melodie's comment that she was unable to finish, I was actually hoping to reach page 100 and put it in the outgoing pile.

With low expectations, I started the book just before bed a few days ago. I flew through the pages, while never feeling any connection to the characters. When I picked it up, I appreciated the different view points, the descriptions of what each character was doing from that character's point of view. But, when I saw it lying around the house I had to remind myself what it was about - it wasn't a story that stayed with me. When I picked it up again, I would have to remember who the characters were - the names just didn't stick. While I would say I enjoyed the book, I also realize how easy it would have been not to finish it.

It will get passed on, but I am not sure whether it will be to a used book store or to friends.

Update 5/30: Used book store.

Darkfall - Dean R Koontz

One of the early Koontz books finally made it into my house. I have no idea how I missed picking it up years ago. Thanks to Mum, I have the complete collection.

This was a return to the days when Koontz wrote horror. The kind of horror where you start looking at your house and wondering how secure it is. It was a pleasant read but it was more cliche than original. Ice maiden cop falls for respectable, righteous partner. Psycho villain starts mob war and threatens respectable guy's kids. The twist was the use of voodoo by the psycho villain. I really enjoyed the book, even when I could see the twists coming. It was nicely paced with enough of the horror to keep the light close, but not enough to make sure someone was in the room with you.

As with any Koontz book, it will go on the shelf.

Happy new year!

Xmas was good for books!

Since I haven't had time to read anything longer than a magazine article in the last two weeks, I'll give you a view of what books I'll be reading in the future:

Received for Xmas:
Darkfall - Dean Koontz (Just started this)
Eva Luna and Zorro - Isabel Allende
Autobiography of a Face - Lucy Grealy
A Long Way Down - Nick Hornby
A Peace to End All Peace - David Fromkin

Book Club for the next few months:
Assassination Vacation - Sarah Vowell
Ragtime - E.L. Doctorow
Salt: A World History - Mark Kurlansky

Books acquired at book club's book exchange:
The Broker - John Grisham
African Nights - Kuki Gallmann
The Invisible Circus - Jennifer Egan
Punished by Rewards - Kohn

Been sitting on the shelf waiting for the right mood (in no particular order):
The Call of the Wild and White Fang - Jack London
The Christmas Box -Richard Paul Evans
Bite - CJ Tosh
Adam Bede - George Elliot
The Cloister Walk, Dakota and Amazing Grace - Kathleen Norris
Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer
East is East - TC Boyle
The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2004
The Prince of Tides - Pat Conroy
Selected Fiction - Henry James
The Time of Our Singing - Richard Powers
The Twins of Tribeca - Rachel Pine
Revelation - L Christian Bailing
Heat from Another Sun - David L Lindsey
The Winter of Our Discontent - John Steinbeck
Affinity - Sarah Waters
Secret Love - Bart Schneider
Stolen Lives - Malika Oufkin
Dearest Friend, A life of Abigail Adams - Lynne Withey
Africans in America, America's Journey through Slavery
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance - Robert M Pirsig
The End of the Dream - Ann Rule
Killer Smile - Lisa Scottoline
The King of Torts - John Grisham
Skinny Dip - Carl Hiaasan
One True Thing - Anna Quindlen
Time to be in Earnest - PD James
Love Frustration - RM Johnson
Sappho's Leap - Erica Jong
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
Sixth Precinct - Christopher Newman
Protect and Defend - Richard North Patterson
Family Orchard - Nomi Eve
PG County - Connie Briscoe
Blood Memory and The Footprints of God - Greg Iles
Five Quarters of the Orange - Joanne Harris
Reign of the Rat - Gil Smolin
Fool's Errand - Robin Hobb
Shadowmarch - Tad Williams
The Innocent - Harlan Coben

Take the Canolli - Sarah Vowell

This book accompanied me to my Aunt Marcella's funeral, as well. I heard her on NPR a few years ago and she was cracking me up, so I looked up some of her books. People had left good reviews, so I ordered Take the Canolli. Then it sat on my shelf while other books caught my attention. Needing something light for the trip, I packed it along.

One morning, I found myself hanging out in Starbucks, waiting for my Aunt Joyce to wake up for our morning walk on the beach. Seated between some professors and a sleeping student, I listened to dance music and found myself laughing out loud. I didn't even mind the stares. The beginning of this book was laugh out loud funny. I found myself talking it up to complete strangers (as well as my family). As the book progressed, it turned to more grin and amusement from its laugh out loud origins. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Vowell.

This will be staying in the library (and for that matter, I sent it as a Christmas gift). We are reading Assassination Vacation for book club in January, I can't wait.

Havana Heat - Carolina Garcia-Aguilera

I took this book when I traveled for my aunt's funeral. I wanted something silly and lighthearted. It delivered on that expectation. A Cuban PI living in Florida - who of course needs to sneak into Cuba and back. It was predictable, but enjoyable. It's part of a series and I think I am a few books out of order. I would probably read other ones if I find them used, but I won't buy them new.

This will be passed on and will not remain on the shelf.

Brother Odd - Dean R. Koontz

I love Dean Koontz books and this book reminded me why. It was funny and scary, with twists and turns, I found myself racing toward the end. In between, I was pausing to laugh out loud or read a passage to Higgy. It's the return of Odd Thomas - and while I like Koontz's non-series books, I am glad he finally wrote a series. It's nice to have a familiar character to go with all the strange happenings.

It'll go on the shelf after I get it back from Mom (Happy b-day Mom!).