March reads

Some (but not all) of you may know that I'm a big reader. Well, maybe a middle-sized reader. I usually get through a couple of books a month, unless they are particularly fat ones. That's less than dedicated readers consume, but probably more than the general population.

My sidebar shows what I've recently read, but I thought I might try a new feature here, finishing up the month on the ole blog with a bit of a showcase of the month's reads.

Or maybe I'm only enthusiastic about the idea this month because the reads have been particularly good.

So here they are:

The Cider House Rules by John Irving. I loved this book enough to give it 5 (out of 5) stars on Goodreads. And believe me, I'm stingy with my stars. Irving happens to be the author of one of my favourite-books-of-all-time (A Prayer for Owen Meany) but that doesn't mean I like all he has written. This one, though, it's a good one. Better than the movie (but aren't they always?)

The Lover by Marguerite Duras. I oscillated between three and four stars on this one. It's an odd but strangely moving tale. I am not a big fan of shifting perspectives or random, unconnected musings, but overall it was a poignant tale told in very beautiful language. I guess we should thank both the author and the translator (Barbara Bray) for that.

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre is a must-read for anyone who is interested in (a) their health and (b) thinking for themselves. Very funny, very informative, and very challenging. I'm buying this for my Dad, and several other people I care about. Because we shouldn't just swallow what the media feeds us about our bodies and our health.

So tell me ... what have YOU been reading lately?