Books & Pesto

Okay, so I'm way behind on posting the books I've been reading -- so here goes:

I finally finished re-reading HP books 1-6 this summer.  When I last posted, I believe I was only midway through Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  Well, I plowed through that and then devoured Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  I was very happy with how the story went and loved the last book for it's suspense and action.  The Epilogue -- eh.

So having finished 7 HP books in a row, I was ready to resume the "summer of classics" -- and I did:

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was up next and it was supremely satisfying.  There's so much to think about in this book -- race, standing up for what you believe in, other-ness -- I could go on.  Beside that, the stage is truly set in this book.  It's almost if you are transported to that time and place while reading it.  So if you haven't read it in a while, I would recommend you giving it another go. 

Night by Elie Wiesel was my first non-reread (i.e. I hadn't read it before) of the "summer of classics".  I picked this up at a garage sale or used bookstore and put in on the shelf for a while thinking I had read it years ago.  Upon reading it, I realized that it was new to me and I was pleasantly surprised.  (Not that the subject matter is pleasant.)

Wiesel's account of his time spent in concentration camps is chilling and shockingly honest.  I was specially amazed by the account of his own feelings at his father's illness and death.  Amazing stuff.  If you haven't read it, pick up a copy -- it's very short and very powerful.  I don't think you will be disappointed.

Time for a break from the classics -- I picked up Philip Roth's Everyman at the library. It had been on my to read list for awhile since I had enjoyed The Plot Against America.  This book was somewhat depressing.  It begins with the death of the main character and the rest of the book is a look back at his unsatisfying life.  It was a good read, but disturbing.

Now I'm kind of in limbo.  I started Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje (author of the English Patient -- which I never read or saw) and it is supposed to be excellent, but I haven't really gotten into it yet.  We'll see how it goes.

Oh!  I almost forgot, then I saw the title of this post -- PESTO!  I made my own pesto from scratch (and even from some basil I grew, although I had to add extra store purchased basil).  It is so delicious!  I'll have to post a photo tutorial next time I make it since it's so pretty too.  And boy is it easy to make.  The only hard part is cleaning the food processor when you are finished.  Yeah pesto! 

Comments

[Tracey]

Isn't pesto (homemade anyway) just amazing? I am always amazed at how fresh it looks and tastes.

[rebecca]

the harper lee biography that came out a year or so ago is quite interesting if you need a recommendation.