Read: Ken Follett - World Without End

'World Without End' is the sequel to 'Pillars of the Earth', a novel that I've re-read a few times, because I really enjoy the insight into medieval architecture. This book has some of the same appeal, with sections about building a bridge (coffer dams - now I understand how to build in running water!) and the failure of the foundation under a too-tall tower.

It has a somewhat predictable plot, like a Hollywood movie - you know that ultimately the bad guys will get their comeuppance and the good guys will get their reward, but there'll be lots of reversals of fortune along the way. There's also a tendency to overlay modern concepts of the virtues of capitalism and feminism over medieval practices, which sometimes seems improbable, reminding me of Jean M. Auel's 'Clan of the Cave Bear' series (how can one woman have been at the forefront of so many modern practices?).

But he knows how to move the plot along - I could hardly put it down, in spite of its 1014 pages. I'd like to see this book become a mini-series or movie.

Read: Dan Ariely - Predictably Irrational

After reading Dan Ariely's second book, I was interested to read this one too. It's just as surprising, entertaining, and enjoyable. Most memorable findings: 'free' is almost irresistible, we're all terrible at judging how poor our decision-making skills are when swayed by passion, it isn't easy to prevent procrastination but there are some strategies, everyone's just a little bit dishonest unless they're reminded of their morals, and while we'll happily volunteer our time to do something that otherwise we would demand to be paid highly for, being paid a little ruins the social contract.

Read: Connie Willis - D.A.

This one's so short it's surprising that it's been released as a book - it would be more in line as part of a collection of short stories. But I love Connie Willis, so I'm glad to have found something new by her to read. It's got some of the farcical, frantic activity of her time-travel stories, with a definite nod to Heinlein in its space setting. Good story, but no time to develop the kind of uncanny mood I've been impressed by in some of her other novels, like 'Passage'.

Read: Ian McEwan - Atonement

Not my usual style of novel, but it was one of the few paperbacks available at the local library branch (they do love their hardcovers in the Washington DC library system - I suppose they last longer). And if I'd had many other books available, I might not have pressed on past the first part, where the language is a bit too flowery. But I'm glad I stuck with it - the reason behind the initial style becomes apparent as the book develops, and there are a few good plot twists towards the end.

Want to Read: Richard Matheson - I Am Legend

I like end-of-the-world books, and my friend Jenn asked if I'd read it, since she just had and found it "deeply weird". So I'd better add this one to my list!

Read: Dan Airely - The Upside of Irrationality

Now that I have a library card for the Washington DC system, I've got books again. On my first trip to the library I wandered about a bit aimlessly, not having with me a list of what I want to read. So I picked up a couple of random books, one of which was Dan Ariely's book from the new book shelf. I vaguely remembered reading a review for it, which had, I think, been mostly favorable.

All in all, it's a pretty good book - easy reading, and surprisingly humorous. Not all of the theories he puts forth are equally as unexpected or as convincing, but reading about the experiments set up to test them is always satisfying.

Read: Audrey Niffenegger - The Time Traveler's Wife

My memory was correct - this book was better than her second, "Her Fearful Symmetry". "Her Fearful Symmetry" seemed like an exercise in plot twists - intricately wrought, with characters somewhat secondary, and rather bloodless. Whereas in "The Time Traveler's Wife" the plot is almost negligible - the future is pre-determined and to a great degree already known, making it tragic and affecting. The power comes from the characters, which are tremendously passionate and real. So real that I cried at the end - it's not often a book makes me do that.

Read: Audrey Niffenegger - Her Fearful Symmetry

It would be hard to top the success of a first novel like 'The Time Traveler's Wife'. Yet this is also a good book - uncanny mood, with some shocking plot twists. A bit like something Connie Willis could have written, which rather makes me wish that it had actually been written by Connie Willis. It makes me want to go back to re-read 'The Time Traveler's Wife' - my memory of it is a bit vague at this point, but I think I remember the characters and their relationships being easier to connect with. This book was a little bloodless. Everyone seems distant and unreal - which is in keeping with the theme of the story, but diminishes its impact.

Read: Susan Cooper - King of Shadows

I purchased this book a few years ago, interested to read something new by Susan Cooper - I have loved and re-read her 'Dark is Rising' series many times since I discovered it as a child at the town library. It has some similar characters and emotions, but overall it lacks the same powerful mythology. I recently re-read it, because I was looking for a book to take along one day on the subway (I didn't have much room in my bag that day, and it's a slim book). And I think I'm ready to let it go - I'm purging my bookshelves, and don't think I'll read it again.

Read: Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin - Three Cups of Tea

Inspiring story. Really fantastic to get to know the people and cultures that Greg is immersed in throughout his years building schools and other vital infrastructure in impoverished rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. I'm filled with admiration for his work.

Read: John Irving - Last Night in Twisted River

I haven't read anything by John Irving in several years. It was good to be back - his ability to bounce back and forth in time, revealing something of the plot but still surprising you is as good as ever. It's a strange experience by the end, as the book becomes the story of the author writing a book about his own life, which is the very book you've been reading - very circular, yet still gripping.

Read: Jacqueline Carey - Naamah's Curse

Jacqueline Carey continues her third trilogy set in the alternate history of Terre d'Ange. Still enjoyable, although it doesn't quite live up to the unique characters and relationships in her first trilogy.