Feb. 14, 2012: "The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet," by Jamie Ford

Publication date: Jan. 27, 2009.


“A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war--not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today's world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel." 
-- Garth Stein, New York Times 


Discussion at Reading Groups Guides.

June 14, 2011: "Freedom," by Jonathan Franzen

Born in the Chicago suburbs and raised outside of St. Louis, Franzen knows the Midwest. He also knows what Tolstoy knew:

 "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Some readers don't enjoy stories about family dysfunction. They'd prefer to read "The Bobbsey Twins at the Seashore"and watch "Little House on the Prairie" with the grandchildren. Good for them. The world needs boring people, if only to help the rest of us feel a little better.

Me, I'd rather read Franzen.