March Reading

So far this month I've read a few books in addition to my book group's March selection.  Some were good, some were lacking. I'll start with my least favorite and work my way up!

When I read Elliot Perlman's book Seven Types of Ambiguity a few years ago I really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to reading his new book, The Street Sweeper.  I didn't finish it--got about 1/3 into it and realized I just wasn't interested anymore.  I feel the author was trying to tie too many separate storylines together, and the book felt preachy in parts too. Maybe someone with more patience would enjoy this book.

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio would be a great beach or plane book--quick to read, a little bit of mystery, young and old characters, some romance--no deep thinking but entertaining.

Lots of books are described as original, but Girlchild by Tupelo Hassman truly is. To say that its narrator, Rory Hendrix, comes from a dysfunctional family is a huge understatement.  Rory is definitely resilient--this story is often sad and even shocking, but there is always hope. In my line of work I meet girls just like Rory.  Worth reading!

I bought this month's book group selection in ebook format so the photo is courtesy of Amazon.  I really, really loved The Snow Child by Alaskan author Eowyn Ivey. It's so rare to find a book where everything is just right--enough detail, enough action, good characterizations, lovely prose, realism and magic, the story unfolding without feeling too slow or too rushed, and not wanting the book to end.  I highly recommend this book--it's the best of the bunch in March!