Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

So I neglected to mention that while I was reading one book, I also had an audiobook on the go too. I drive a lot so it gives me more opportunity to get more "reading" into my world.

I'm not sure how I missed Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides in the past. It won the Pulitzer prize in 2003 and I say well deserved. This is a sweeping three generation saga about the events leading up to the birth and life of the main character, Calliope Stephanides. Calliope is a hermaphrodite, and this is not a spoiler as this is revealed in the first few sentences of the book. She is from a Greek family and the trials and tribulations of their history is played out in great detail. It's not for everyone as there are explicit descriptions of some activities that some may consider taboo, but they are necessary for the story. I suspect many things happening were and are not uncommon in some parts of the world, but unsettling nonetheless. As mentioned, I listened to this as an audiobook and it was great. The narrator did a great job assigning voices to the many characters. Sometimes this spoils the listen for me but not in this case. Shout out to narrator Kristoffer Tabori. I'm going to rate this a solid 9/10 for me.

I am still slogging through " The Rosie Effect". It's not the ride that " The Rosie Project" was but I'm going to finish it. I've pledged to read 50 books this year so every one counts.

Until next time, keep reading!

Helene

Life With Books - The Pilot

Life With Books - The Pilot

So here it is Jan 1, 2016 and I'm starting my little vanity project. I have always been a bookworm, from very early in childhood and happy to say I still suffer from the affliction. I'm always looking to chat with people about books and talk about the ones I've read. I've found some kindred spirits online and in real life but this blog will let me steer in the direction I want to go. It might just be for me but if I find a few who want to follow along, all the better!

In this little corner of the universe I plan to talk about books, review books and whatever else bookish or paperish (I just made that word up!) comes to mind. Did I mention I'm also addicted to stationery? Must be the paper thing!

Every year I try to do some sort of cataloging of the books I read or do some sort of challenge. This year I am doing a reading challenge on Goodreads and I aim to read 50 books. My last book for 2015 was The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion and to follow up my first read for 2016 will be the continuation of that book, The Rosie Effect. Speaking of Goodreads, if you haven't checked out this website you need to. Great community of readers and authors and a great place to catalogue any books you have read or want to read. Here's my profile page, check out my shelves.

Until next time, happy reading!

Helene