Ending my short run of three early Henry James' books. More Americns in Europe, this time Switzerland and Rome. Edith Wharton did a twist on this years later.

This is pretty lightweight James, but very charming. Eugenia is a quite humorous character. I'm looking forward to watch the film adaptation.

I'm going on a James run here.

I was absolutely riveted for the last hundred pages. While readers often long for the revenge scenario to be played out, what James does is much more powerful. I see how this book effected laterer books (a scene toward the end with Newman staring at the walls outside the convent echoes the last scene of The Age of Innocence). Mme. Nioche reminded me of Louise in Someone at a Distance.

Charming. I think I liked The New Yorkers better but this had lots of wonderful characters and a fulfilling ending.

I visited the Anne Frank House in 2004 and decided it was time to revisit the book. Though it is often remembered for the "I still believe people are good at heart line" Anne is a very complex character with parental problems and sexual longings. Just terrific.

A tough book, but very rewarding. Lots of very funny stuff, especially in the beginning of the book, quite harrowing at the end. Parts of it were very difficult (I've never found military stuff easy to read, so some sections I had to read very slowly and more than once. But the last 120 pages were read in a rush. Insightful, thoughtful examination of British colonialism and the follies of empire.

About what I'd expect from an unauthorized bio but some good analysis of her first few records.

Jamaicans and British in post WWII London and ensuing racial tensions. Fabulous.

I've heard wonderful things about this and there's a PBS miniseries, too.

I continue to love this series. They're not only mysteries, but a continuing biography of Brunetti, his family and a wpnderful exploration of Venice from the perspective of an insider. As in the last book, Brunetti's dark side is revealed toward the end.

I've been away from Brunetti for too long.

I don't quite know what to make of this book. Very unusual narrative structure, interesting observations. I think I liked the individual parts better than the whole, but there are interesting ideas and some very good writing. The ending was a tad unsatisfying.

Lisa, it's going on my year's best for sure. Ten days after finishing it, I still can't stop thinking about it.

I haven't read Michael Pollan but this includes an overview of his ideas, without what I've heard is the preachiness. (I don't think I want to read a whole book of Pollan's). I'm going to make an effort to apply some principles in the book and as usual, Bittman's recipes sound yummy.

Unnerving, thought-provoking, sad. The last 60 pages are unputdownable.

I've heard so many good things about this one - and it takes place in Austin!

I'm not a big reader of historical fiction but I liked Mantel's interpretaion of this (though one small quibble, the pronouns are sometimes confusing). Quite a different portrait of Cromwell (and More also). I've been watching The Tudors, now in its last season, which was both a help and a hindrance. I'll look forward to the sequel.

So much praise for this one, I have to come to the party.