Before the Trip

I'm trying to read hardcovers before the trip, as I don't want to carry them in the suitcase on vacation. Too heavy!

I just finished UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell, her latest book about the United States' annexation of Hawaii. As with THE WORDY SHIPMATES, this one is chock full of information and Vowell's acerbic take on history.

       

I'm in the middle of SWAMPLANDIA! by Karen Russell. Narrated by Ava Bigtree, second daughter of the Bigtree clan, who owns Swamplandia!, an alligator theme park. Hilola Bigtree, mother and "Swamp Centaur", star of the show, dies. A new theme park, The World of Darkness, opens in a nearby town. Business at Swamplandia! falls off and Ava, the second daughter, struggles as she and her father and siblings deal with the loss of their mother and their livelihood. Quirky, dark, clever.

       

After that I may have to try Tina Fey's new book, BOSSYPANTS. Another one caught my eye, HEADS YOU LOSE co-written by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward, Lutz's former boyfriend, which evidently makes for a volatile and explosive writing collaboration. Could be interesting!

          

Lots to read!

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Reading, Reading...

I just finished Daniel Palmer's DELIRIOUS and what fun it was.

      

Charlie, a driven executive in a technological firm, discovers a plot to murder several people, a plot that he supposedly orchestrated. He has no memory of doing so, and is terrified of ending up like his schizophrenic brother. Did he commit the murders? Is he losing his mind? It's a well-written, action-packed ride, incorporating psychology and technology.

I had in my mind that I was going to read UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell next, and had actually grabbed a copy to take home with me. I love her writing, SHE does all the research, WE get to read and enjoy her learning and wit.

      

But then another new book caught my eye. BLOOD, BONES & BUTTER: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton beckoned. Hmmm. There were RAVE comments on the back cover by Anthony Bourdain...Mario Batali...

Anthony Bourdain says...
"Magnificent. Simply the best memoir by a chef ever. Ever."

Mario Batali says...
"I will read this book to my children and then burn all the books I have written for pretending to be anything even close to this. After that I will apply for a dishwasher job at Prune to learn from my new queen."

      

So that is what I brought home...I am eager to get started...

I will come back to Sarah Vowell!

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