The Man of My Dreams

The Man of My Dreams by Curtis Sittenfeld


I love Curtis Sittenfeld! She has created a truly believable and likeable character in Hannah, and she uncovers many truths about love, relationships, sexuality, and growing up. Hannah observes all the relationships around her and wonders if she can ever have a functional relationship after growing up with a poor relationship with her father. We follow Hanna from the age of 14 through the early stages of her adult life and it's a truly heart-warming journey.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz (audiobook)


**I've recently started listening to audiobooks because of a new semi-long work commute; therefore, I'll be reviewing those in addition to the print versions.**

I've been told The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao is a must-read for the past two years, but have only just now gotten around to reading it... well, actually listening to it. I'm a big word person and I'm quite visual so audiobooks aren't as exciting for me and what struck me most was the talent of the reader, Jonathan Davis. The story was indeed tremendous with young, nerdy Oscar and his somewhat sad search for love and his dream of being the next J.R.R. Tolien. His sister, Lola, Lola's sometimes boyfriend and Oscar's best friend, Junior (also the very likable narrator), their mother and many other members of their Dominican family have interesting stories. The language, written in the vernacular is vulgar and offensive at times, but it may have been more pronounced in the audiobook. Ultimately I enjoyed the story--as tragic as it was.

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie by Richard Hack


Hack claims to have studied "over 5,000 previously unpublished letters, notes, and documents" to tell the somewhat mysterious life of Agatha Christie. That is, the singular incident in her life that was cloaked in mystery--the car accident she faked and her ensuing 11 day disappearance. This part of her life, and the drama that went on with her first husband was pretty fascinating. However, the rest of the biography reads like a dry chronology of publication dates. Perhaps for true Christie fanatics, it's a must read, but I could've done without everything but the 25 or so pages about the period of her life that played out like one of her own novels!