Challenge Accepted

Thanks for the challenge, Mary! Here are two that I recently finished:

If you’re on Facebook with me, you know that a few weeks ago it was national book lovers day. I asked everyone what they were reading. From the responses, I added to my Amazon wish list. One of those books was You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir by Sherman Alexie. This book is primarily about his conflicted relationship with his mother, but includes so much more. He talks very plainly about racism and how it has affected him, his family, and the members of his tribe.

I like that he moves between prose and poetry. I like that he doesn’t sugar coat his observations or feelings. It was a very moving book.

Then, I don’t know if it was last year or perhaps the year before, but it was at a December coffee / book swap that I got O Jersualem by Laurie R. King. This is the 5th book in the Sherlock Holmes / Mary Russell series. However, time-wise it takes place right after the 1st book in the series (1918).

I don’t know why I kept this book and I don’t know why I picked it up to read now. But, I’m glad I did.

What can I say about the plot – it’s murder and mystery in the Holy Land. And, it’s typical Sherlock Holmes – making observations no one else sees. I do like Mary Russell, however. I’m not especially fond of the word plucky, but that’s what she is. Mostly what I like is King’s writing and description of the country and people. I think this is a series I will come back to when I want something “good” to read.