I've been on a role lately with the books I've been choosing to read. With the exception of the Kazuo Ishiguro book we read for book group last month (my suggestion, of course), I've been completely absorbed in the novels I've been reading, which is rare for me, and exciting.
Except that when I finish one, I suddenly feel lost. I come to a crossroads, and there always feels like there's so much pressure to choose one that will be just as addictive as the one I just finished.
I finally read Amanda Davis's Wonder When You Miss Me. Like so many Bay Area people, I bought her book in hardcover last year not long after she died, but it at first seemed too dark to read, especially right after such a real-life tragedy had struck its author. I finally picked it up again, and was captivated. It was honestly one of the best modern heroines I've read in a very long time. "She's sensitive. And strong. And really smart," as the protagonist described the circus elephant that she was grooming, before realizing that she was actually describing herself. The ending was one of those sweet and sad endings that never really resolved many of the loose ends, and the saddest thing about it is that the author's voice is gone forever, that she'll never be able to share her imaginings again.
I'm very excited this week because my professor from college, Dan Chaon, has finally published his first novel, and it's getting a lot of mainstream coverage. Dan was a visiting prof, and I did a couple of independent studies with him. I also babysat for his boys a couple of times. When I was seriously considering an MFA program, I was kicking myself for losing touch with him ... he's been so recognized the past few years, he would have been a really impressive recommendation letter. Anyway, I'm very happy that he's getting so much good coverage. He's a fantastic writer and a really nice guy. His novel is definitely next on my list.
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