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Books read June 2011.

June 30th, 2011

I didn’t read too much this month because I haven’t felt like holding a book until just a few days ago.  Plus, my book club got all interesting and recommended a bunch of stuff all at the same time.

15.  Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert.  [I actually read this one back in March but forgot to count it.]  I usually like to read books by the same author.   I loved reading Eat, Pray, Love a few years ago.  I didn’t love this one as much.  In fact, I hated it at first and then grew to like it.. I think the book should be titled “What Other Cultures Think About Marriage, and Why I Don’t Want to Get Married”.  Lots and lots of research, with a few personal stories thrown in the mix.  3 stars.

[PS, I'd rate Eat, Pray, Love as 4.5 stars.]

16.  The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent.  Thanks to Rachel for recommending this book (and the next one) on her blog.  It’s (surprise!) historical fiction, about the Salem Witch Trials and told from the perspective of the accused.  I enjoyed this book but the author took a lot of time developing the characters before witches were even mentioned.  One of my favorite ideas was something to the effect of:  ’All these so-called witches crammed together in these cells.  At least one of us should have been able to blow the roof off this place.’  I never really thought of the injustices done to families who were accused… I also never thought about families being accused together.  4.5 stars.

17.  Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent.  I really enjoyed this memoir of a nurse in the labor & delivery ward who eventually becomes a midwife.  In the times of gassing the mom in labor [I think they call this 'twilight sleep'?], she set up the practices at the Alta Bates hospital which were NO drugs, unless absolutely necessary.  I loved how she was surprised that her own birth experiences were quite painful!  And she immediately felt sorry all the times she said to “just breathe through the pain, it will get better”.  4 stars.

Entry Filed under: Life