The Ladies Auxiliary, Tova Mirvis: 4 Stars

So, I loved the writing style of this book. It really was quite refreshing, and the story itself was interesting. I grew slightly tired of the food descriptions, but I also understand that much of the Orthodox Jewish religion deals with restrictions on foods and appropriate eating. Many of the insights into this community were very beautifully described and made me feel a bond with this community in how their religion helps to define them. It gave me a renewed feeling of calm and peace about my own beliefs in that we're all just trying to be better people in our own way.

Sometimes my views about things make me feel like I might not be living my religion in the "right" way, but it's all I know how to do or be. I like the invigorated rejuvenation that the book brings to light and think it's nice to have this type of injection into our system every couple of years. I like how religion isn't portrayed as stale and constrictive, and I am constantly amazed at how, living in such a free land, we can sometimes be made to feel silly for the things that help shape who we are.

The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories, Agatha Christie: 4 Stars

As charming as ever, Ms Christie gives us some quick refreshing stories that really make us reevaluate how astute we might really be. I love her quick twists and her seemingly dodgy way of providing details. All the short stories in this book contain interesting outlooks on people and motives. I'm always surprised by what motivates people. I am so naive sometimes still, and I love being that way :)

Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell: 4 Stars

Great book.

That being said, the writing styles of the separate sections get in the way of the overall flow of the story. Each story line is told in a different style of voice, and some of the styles are slightly distracting as you need to get into the rhetoric patterns to understand (similar to reading a foreign language).

The cross history plots are quite interesting to tie together. By the 5th section though, it's quite frustrating as you try to piece the history together to see how it all binds.

I'm always surprised at how cold and calculating futuristic time is portrayed. I think we would just be as much if not more emotionally nutso without as many physical activities to do as more things are done through the use of computers, electronics and robots. I wish we would become more caring as a society as we move into the future. Looking back on the rise and fall of different nations, the final storyline adds a great flair to the overall book and the narratives begin to shape up.

Definitely worth a read. Check it out.

Ella Minnow Pea, David Mitchell: 4 Stars

Great book. Shortest book I've read in awhile if you're looking for something quick...

Those two points aside, my favorite parts about the book were the fact that the plot centered around letters to and from the characters AND how signs can be interpreted so very right, wrong, or sometimes just really don't matter. I think we've lost a lot in the art of writing letters with email being so quick and easy. We don't put as much thought into what we're saying as it can be delivered within moments. Our phrasing and study of the English language is a bit tarnished and broken in this matter. I think it's a slightly sad commentary on language in today's society.

Highly amusing is the way in which evolution is grasped and becomes the downfall of the society. I appreciate how the book made me think about relations in society. How as society evolves, we have tendencies to look down at things that seem "old fashioned". It makes a nice bundled package to see new things as advancements or signs of the future when sometimes the past is perfectly acceptable - and quite lovely.

This applies to everything with the exception of some fashion. We seriously DO NOT need to relive the nasty 80s people. Just let it go!!

Pick it up - recommended book.