Book Binge

I had a week off in between my old job and the end of the semester and the beginning of my internship (this past Monday) in which my only goal was to read fun books. And I did... a lot. It was positively blissful, and as I sit here at work I'm a little sad that week is behind me. Here's the scoop:

Election - Tom Perrotta. I'd read this in freshman year of college and remembered really liking it. I still do. The writing is really interesting to me, he was a very "writer-ish" way of describing stuff and I found that pretty cool. The synopsis is this: A teacher, Mr M, is in charge of a school election where is looks like Tracy Flick is going to win. He doesn't like her so he plants another kid in the election and drama ensues. It's kind of messed up at times, but I think it's written in a very real way. IDK. I gave it 4 stars on shelfari. Oh, and you can read it in like 3 hours, it's a very quick read.

American Wife

Curtis Sittenfeld (who might be a woman? IDK)

This book was a fabulous surprise... my friend Amy mentioned it to me and it was pretty great (an NPR recommendation, turns out). It's a fictional account of Laura Bush's life. It takes the main "events" of her life, starting with a fatal accident in high school which kills her would be love interest, and ends up with her in the White House. It's obviously very fabricated in parts, but a fun imaginative journey since we know so little about our most recent first lady. The character of Charlie Blackwell, a thinly-veiled George W was at once hilarious and appalling. But I will say I was a tad nervous to read this, not having much affection in my heart for the Bushes. I liked it anyway. It was well written and passed the Jamie test there. Cause we all know I don't read crap.

And lastly, The Reader by Bernard Schlink

This book was REALLY good. It was very "literary," which for me is a nice way to say not everyone will think it's good. Sometimes the writing is very thick. It also took me a while to get into it but as soon as you kind of "get" where it's going it's a really adeptly told story and kept me thinking long after I finished the book. I really want to see the movie too, I think Kate Winslet was a great choice for the main character. But part of me is sad I don't get to watch it as a surprise, since I already know what happens in the book.

I started The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon last week and it started a little slow, but I might be getting into it now. Hopefully I can put a dent in it this weekend.