Saturday, January 21, 2017

The ReaderThe Reader by Bernhard Schlink
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel is hard to define: is it a lyrical love story? A heartbreaking work of historical fiction? An intro to philosophy and self-evaluation? Ironically, it is short novel (about 130 pages on my iBook), but an extremely weighty one that will have you contemplating secrets, forgiveness, and the balance between the history we observe and the personal choices that can change it all.

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Friday, January 20, 2017

Orange Is the New BlackOrange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Despite my "always read the book before watching the movie" proclivities, I finished the OITNB series before starting this book. While the show is sensational and provocative, this memoir is far more thoughtful and careful. I enjoyed Kerman's descriptions (though there are lots of people to keep track of throughout) and tracing the connections between which real person-inspired-which character was interesting. A solid, honest read about a life in lockdown, and a reminder that Kerman's mistake happens every day.

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