If you've been wondering why there have been no posts of late, I've been away for the past two weeks, visiting Israel. I'll put up some pictures in a future post, along with my review of The People of Forever Are Not Afraid, by Israeli author Shani Boianjiu.
In the meantime, here are some books I finished before the trip.
19. Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen
In my post on book topics I wanted to see more of, I included the India/Pakistan conflict. Then, I came across this book in the library. It's a story set against the backdrop of the India/Pakistan Partition, although that does not at first seem to be its main focus. At first glance, it's a fairly simple star-crossed lovers' tale, but the basic plot takes on a deeper significance within the larger context of the time period. This is a story about what it really means for people to be ripped apart, about what happens when you can't change the past, and there are no easy answers.
20. The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz
I laughed aloud several times while reading this book. I used to follow David Lebovitz's blog regularly, and should probably do so again. His writing is as sharp and delicious (literally) as I remembered, and as I found it in the book. The book is well worth reading apart from the blog, it includes original and tweaked recipes and stories that you won't find online. Lebovitz's account of his interactions in Paris are amusing due to the cultural disconnect, and will have Americans laughing at French foibles, but his writing also conveys a deep respect for French culture and suggests that we Americans have much to learn about the finer things in life (namely, cheese).
In the meantime, here are some books I finished before the trip.
19. Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen
In my post on book topics I wanted to see more of, I included the India/Pakistan conflict. Then, I came across this book in the library. It's a story set against the backdrop of the India/Pakistan Partition, although that does not at first seem to be its main focus. At first glance, it's a fairly simple star-crossed lovers' tale, but the basic plot takes on a deeper significance within the larger context of the time period. This is a story about what it really means for people to be ripped apart, about what happens when you can't change the past, and there are no easy answers.
20. The Sweet Life in Paris by David Lebovitz
I laughed aloud several times while reading this book. I used to follow David Lebovitz's blog regularly, and should probably do so again. His writing is as sharp and delicious (literally) as I remembered, and as I found it in the book. The book is well worth reading apart from the blog, it includes original and tweaked recipes and stories that you won't find online. Lebovitz's account of his interactions in Paris are amusing due to the cultural disconnect, and will have Americans laughing at French foibles, but his writing also conveys a deep respect for French culture and suggests that we Americans have much to learn about the finer things in life (namely, cheese).
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