Two new books arrived this weekend and I think they’ll be a lot of fun. Have you heard of these or have you read them already?
The first book is Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs by Heather Lende. Five years ago Lende was involved in a near-fatal accident and then a year later she lost her mother to leukemia. Her survival and months of bed rest were the start of renewed reflection. After the physical healing, she also had to do some emotional healing and that is when she turned to her neighbors and friends, residents of Haines, Alaska, to focus on faith, spirituality and life’s little pleasures.
I must say I definitely wanted to read this when the blurb on the book jacket said it was “part Annie Dillard, part Anne Lamott.” Haven’t read Dillard but Lamott is fab.
The other book is Long Division by Jane Berentson. This is a story made up of 365 days, 23 third graders, and 1 teacher who misses her boyfriend. Annie Harper’s story starts when her boyfriend is deployed to Afghanistan and she’s left alone in Tacoma Washington.
When I first saw this one I actually thought it was a memoir. Anyway, should be interesting.
So those are the new books on my shelf. Now I need to get back to some research. Litlove has passed the torch to me and I get to come up with some selections for the next Slaves of Golconda book discussion. I should have those ready for voting by the end of the week so stay tuned. I’m leaning towards some Classics. What do you think?
Long Division looks really interesting and it does sound like a memoir!
Long Division sounds neat, and I find the idea of a memoir-within-a-novel such an intriguing style. 🙂
I’ve not heard of either of these books but they sound like they have good potential. As for classics, bring ’em on! 🙂
These both sound like good, life affirming reads. I hope you enjoy them.
Both of the books you mention sound good. I haven’t read anything by Dillard either, but I do like Lamott. Enjoy!
Rebecca – I think it must be the extra long title that gives it that “memoir” feel!
Eva – I do too. I don’t know when I’ll start it but I’m excited about it!
Stefanie – Oh yay, so glad you don’t mind a classic 🙂 I’ve been so bad about reading classics this year that I figured my fellow Slaves could help me get on track!
Kathleen – I hope they’ll be fun. I think the Alaskan memoir will be very interesting.
Literary Feline – Isn’t Lamott great? I got to see her a few years ago and she was a hoot. I need to read more by her that’s for sure.