The Orchard

The Orchard is one of the books I borrowed from the library a few days ago. It turned out to be pretty much a romance novel. Not that I have anything against a good romance, but it was kind of predictable. The interesting part about the book though that kept me going, was the background topic of the world of fragrance. It gave me a little peek into the world of chemistry and figuring out the scents and tastes that sell the products we buy. There was a very fragrant apple intertwined in the story too. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the clothes the main character wore, the foods she ate, how she noticed the fragrance of everything around her. You might like it too. I read it in less than 24 hours.

I have almost finished reading The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson. It's interesting, along the lines of the Phillipa Gregory novels I enjoy so much, just not as good.

Body Surfing

By Anita Shreve

I finished this book this weekend. A good fast read about relationships and it does not disappoint. This book takes place in the same area as her FORTUNE ROCKS and SEA GLASS. Shreve has a wonderful way with words and BODY SURFING is no exception.

I've just ordered two books from Amazon: JANE, by April Lindler, and THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG, by Muriel Barbery. I have found a couple of interesting book review blogs, in my searches for book cover images, that are sending me in some new directions in my search for great reads. Meanwhile, I've started a fun read loaned to me by a friend: "Pleasure Palace, Secrets of the Tudor Court" by Kate Emerson. You know the type - History, love, lust, power, ambitions...

Tears of Pearl

By Tasha Alexander

Catching up on posting my recent reads - Tears of Pearl is the 4th in a series of Victorian era detective novels by Tasha Alexander. It was pretty good. The detecting takes place in a harem in Constantinople. Not my favorite of the series, but definitely readable.

Sacred Hearts and Cannibals

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant

Sacred Hearts was written by a familiar author to me - Sarah Dunant. I have also read her books: "The Birth of Venus", "Birth Marks", "Mapping the Edge". This novel was an interesting peek into the life in a convent in Italy in 1570. This was a time when girls without prospects, or girls of wealthy families could only afford a dowry for one of their daughters - the rest would go to the convent. One of the elements I enjoyed was one of the senior sisters was a dispensary mistress, who tended to the ill within the convent in a rather modern manner. I didn't finish this book feeling like it was exciting and new, but it was interesting and kept me engaged to the end.

The Sex Lives of Cannibals was given to me by a friend. It is not about cannibals or sex. It's a travel documentary of several years spent on an atoll in the pacific. At times it drug on commenting on politics and environmental issues, but I did enjoy the adventures and struggles he shared in a pretty amusing way. If I ran across one of his other travelogues of his adventures in Fiji or China, I might be tempted to pick it up and read it.

My Name is Asher Lev

By Chaim Potok

I read this book on the airplane to and from Minnesota. I read some reviews of it that sounded interesting so I ordered it used on Amazon. I've never read anything by Chaim Potok before, but I think I will give some of the other titles a try. The thing I really liked about this book was it really put you inside the head of an artist who cannot deny his gift. That was really interesting to me. It is nothing like what I usually like to read, but I recommend it.

Remarkable Creatures

By Tracy Chevalier

This is a book I really enjoyed. I've read most of her other books, (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Falling Angels, The Lady and the Unicorn, Burning Bright, The Virgin Blue) and she relies on interesting historical figures to build her stories around. This one was about Mary Anning, a real life fossil hunter. I don't know what it was about this book. It wasn't dramatic or thrilling, just a good read with a glimpse into the life of young woman in the early 1800's.

The story was told from two points of view: that of Mary Anning, and her spinster friend, Elizabeth. Some people don't like that kind of book. I really do.

I would have to say I savored this book, trying to make it last. If you are interested, go to http://www.tchevalier.com Then go to BOOKS, then Remarkable Creatures. So many interesting historical facts to go along with the book, book club guide, etc.

Also, I don't want you to think I haven't been reading anything since last July when I last posted! I have read dozens of books. I'm just getting lazy. I went through a big Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine obsession this summer. I love her books that don't have the (snooze) Detective slogging his way through a case. The ones I like are psychological thrillers! I have also read THE RED QUEEN by Philippa Gregory. There is a new book out too, which I am patiently waiting to come out used on Amazon.