The Other Side of the Altar, by P Dinter; Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation, by O. Judson; &c

[maribou]

The Other Side of the Altar, by Paul Dinter
This is one ex-priest's perspective on the issues of the priesthood today, particularly with regards to sexuality. Very interesting; neither dry nor sensationalist.
(115/200)

Persepolis 2: The Return, by Marjane Satrapi
I liked this graphic-novel-Iranian-autobiography as much as I liked its prequel, but sometimes for different reasons. Pretty and eloquent; a quick but deep read.
(116/200)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, by Mark Haddon
The fictional narrator of this coming-of-age story is autistic. Everyone says it's funny but I didn't laugh much. However, I loved this book. Really unusual, one of my favorite novels of the year.
(117/200)

Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
This book is funny and sexy and smart and full of enchantment. And the character development was lovely. The eponymous protagonist is a baker in a world that's altered from our own in blatant and subtle ways.
(118/200)

Roma Eterna, by Robert Silverberg
Linked alternate-history short stories: what if the whole thing never happened, ergo Christianity never happened, and the Roman empire persisted? Some of these stories were markedly more fleshed-out than others, and it sometimes felt more like an intellectual exercise than anything else, but still very enjoyable. I always forget how much I like Robert Silverberg. The man knows how to turn a phrase.
(119/200)

Dr Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation, by Olivia Judson
Olivia Judson is a hoot. And well-researched, well-cited, well-presented hoot to boot. As a sometime biologist, I highly recommend this book.
(120/200)

Comments

[doctorpepper.livejournal.com]

Am I mixing up Haddon with David Sedaris, or is this the second bestseller in the past couple years with an autistic narrator?

[maribou]

Uh.
It's the only one of which I'm aware. At least the only best-selling novel. However, the hardcover hit the PW charts in July/August of 2003. And the paperback is currently on them. So it might just be a case of deja vu all over again? Let me know if you figure out another one, I'd be interested in reading it...

[doctorpepper.livejournal.com]

Nope, I'd just mixed them up -- the Sedaris book I was thinking of is a collection of autobiographical essays ... and apparently he isn't autistic :)

[shebear.livejournal.com]

Interesting, I didn't find Curious Incident to be funny either, but I did like it quite a lot.

[shebear.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I also just noticed that you read Persepolis 2 .. did you get an advance copy? I thought it wasn't out till August. I just finished the first one and was wondering if the second could be as good. Glad to hear it is.

[maribou]

I did get an advance copy... One of the reps that sells samples to our bookstore brought it the last time he was in - "Hey, I can't sell this but you might li - " "OOH GIMME GIMME GIMME."