I've nearly exhausted the new releases section at the library, and am looking for some good recommendations. The latest books:
The Jane Austen Book Club: one of those incredibly popular novels that doesn't quite live up to the hype. The author does have a firm grasp on Austen's works, and generates some interesting discussions about the characters and plot lines. The book's characters, however, fail to come to life. They're a bit to broadly sketched, and hard to relate to.
Paris to the Moon: a collection of essays from New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik. Many interesting bits about the modern life of the expat. Too much information, in fact: from child rearing to politics to soccer to labor unions, there's something for everyone, but few can be interested in all of it. I found myself skimming sections towards the end.
I am Charlotte Simmons: I love Tom Wolfe's writing, but this, like all the reviews say, is one of his weakest books. The first 500 pages or so I convinced myself that it was "good enough"--a bit out of touch, perhaps, but still full of Wolfe's usual charm. While he didn't succeed in creating a believable college-age character or environment, he clearly put a lot of effort and research into the attempt. What tipped the scales for me, however, was Charlotte--no matter how hard you try, you just can't like her, and it's painful to read a book this long about someone this cold and artificial.
Little Earthquakes: The latest best-seller from Jennifer Weiner, author of Good in Bed (which I didn't like at all, but decided to give her another chance). This is definitely chic lit, but it's well-written, entertaining, and thought provoking. Nothing groundbreaking, but a decent book.
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