Ick.

This book gets a ton of hype (being on Oprah and all) but it was self-indulgence on an epic scale. I hated the main character from the first chapter. I know I was supposed to gloss over it, but I couldn't forgive her for leaving her fairly decent husband just because "she didn't want to be married anymore." Then to get over this divorce (that was self-inflicted, let's not forget), she traipses all over the world in order to find herself. The take away message was very much "if we all journeyed we'd all be mentally healthier", but I did the math and evidently, mental health only comes to those who have two years to take off work and 150 grand in cash to drop. Too bad the rest of us are just going to have to make due with our glasses of wine and occasional bubble baths. We'll never get on Oprah that way.

Broken for You

I just finished listening to this one... I know, cheating, but desperate times. At first I thought it was going to be really depressing and whiny, but it turned out to be really good. The organization of the novel was fascinating. One of the characters makes mosaics out of broken glass and the novel is actually written as if it was shards of glass stitched together to make the story. Brilliantly organized. I give the book overall a B+.

The Heretic's Daughter

I just finished this book. Excellent historical content regarding the Salem Trials as seen through the eyes of a young girl. This is a first-time novel for Kathleen Kent. Well worth the read -- fast and easy, but thought provoking.