Summer Reading

I was having too much fun to keep up with my blog this summer, so here's a quick summary of what I've read over the past few months:

Behind the Scenes at the Museum (Kate Atkinson)
If you're looking to read something that explores the first-person narrative, read at least the first chapter (hint: the narrator begins narrating at the moment of conception). Ultimately, though, my impression of this book is that it is funny at times, but overall, depressing. Recommended? Nah.

A Friend Called Anne: One Girl's Story of War, Peace and a Unique Friendship with Anne Frank (Jacqueline Van Maarsen and Carol Ann Lee). This memoir fills in the details around Anne Frank's Diary. Compelling and interesting. Recommended? Only if the topic interests you.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (Barack Obama). Obama eloquoently describes his journey to adulthood and is open about his struggles as a biracial man growing up in the US, his search for faith in an unjust world, and his entre into politics. What impressed me most about this memoir was that it demonstrated so clearly that Obama has a mind at work, wrestling intellectually and spiritually with issues that our country has struggled with for over a century. Recommended? Strongly!

Rise and Shine (Anna Quindlen). I love Anna Quindlen's writing so much that I'm planning a blog posting dedicated just to it. For now, I'll say that Rise and Shine is not her best work of fiction, but it is a fun and easy read. Recommended? Of course.

The Princess Bride (William Goldman). I've read this story several times, and love the way that Goldman plays with narration. The Princess Bride is storytelling at its best - smart, funny, interesting, battles between good and evil, love and love lost, fighting and companionship. Recommended: Yes. Read it at least twice. Then see the movie, and read it again.

A Walk in the Woods (Bill Bryson). Bryson is a humorous and well-informed writer. His moments of education about preserving the Appalachian Trail are a bit preachy, but he balances those moments with insightful and humorous stories about his (mis)adventures. Enjoyable to read, and better than I thought it would be! Recommended? Yes.

The Vital Touch (Sharon Heller). I read this as part of my certification to become a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (see www.infantmassageusa.com). A fascinating look at touch in our culture and others, Heller clearly describes how important touch is to infant development, bonding and attachment. Did you know that babies who have more skin-to-skin contact as infants are less aggressive as children and adults? Fascinating. Recommended? Heller's tone can be a bit harsh when it comes to American culture, but if you're interested in infant development, The Vital Touch is certainly worth reading.