On the Pile

Preparations for Move #1 have cut into my reading time---and reminded me of just how many books I have to read.* Even with not buying any books for five months, giving away books as I read them, and selling some books that aren’t good enough to give away or I’ve admitted I’m never going to read, I still have way too many books. And every time I turn around, I find more! The “to review” pile keeps growing and I’ve been wearing out my library card again. Is there such a thing as Books Anonymous?

Finished: This Voice in My Heart by Gilbert Tuhabonye. An amazing book. I read it in two days. Tuhabonye grew up in Burundi and was the sole survivor of a horrific massacre that was part of the ongoing conflicts between Hutus and Tutsis in that region (the same conflicts that led to the genocide in Rwanda). Because Tuhabonye had achieved national fame for his running (even though he was still in high school at the time!), he was particularly targeted and still cannot return to his homeland because of threats to his life. A really interesting story. Some of the events are a little hard to follow because the political history is woven into his story and not clearly explained, and someone needs to do a little fact checking---names and dates change at random. Also, the book bogs down a little at the end, when Tuhabonye comes to the States, because he wants to acknowledge everyone who helped him. Which is sweet, but cumbersome. Still, I’d recommend this one.

Currently Reading: Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. The critics didn’t seem to like this one as much as the first, but I’m loving it. I’ve stayed up way past my bedtime the past three nights to read it.** I'm jealous of Satrapi's ability to be so absolutely honest about herself and her life. I’ve also started Voodoo Heart by Scott Snyder. I’m only a few pages into the first story, but he’s got me hooked. Based on the seven pages I’ve read, I’d say he reminds me of Steven King and J.J. Abrams.

On Deck: I’m trying to be good and only taking a couple of books with me for the weekend. So other than what I’m currently reading, I’ve got Fax from Sarajevo, plus a couple of magazines.

Added to the Pile: I liked The Omnivore’s Dilemma so much and enjoyed the author’s reading so much that I went straight from the reading to the library to check out The Botany of Desire. I was also inspired to learn more about the U.S. food system and sustainable eating, so I checked out Food Politics by Marion Nestle. I also got in Confessions of a Memory Eater by Pagan Kennedy for review.



*Anyone in Austin want to lend a hand on June 17?
**Okay, two of those nights I was reading and one of them I was packing for my trip this weekend and watching S.W.A.T.