Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories

Because the language and characters are so good, this book is enjoyable to read even though the scenes portrayed are sometimes depressing, and even though I usually prefer novels to short stories. The character, Olive, is portrayed through a number of stories which center on different characters who live in her New England town. This at times reminded me of Salinger's stories, in that some of the minor characters in one story appear later in their own stories. This creates a loose web of relationships and shows different views of the characters. I had not read anything by Elizabeth Strout before, but this book makes me want to read more of her writing. ( )

Review of Vendela Vida's book, set in Finland and Finnmark

Let the Northern Lights erase your name : a novel… by Vendela Vida

Very good. Story of a young woman searching for unknown parts of her past and family. Reminded me of a spare Mona Simpson, in the subject, not in writing style. A memorable and unfamiliar setting, north of the Arctic Circle, with a main character who is not always easy to like or understand. Eero, Hendrick and Anna Kristine are all very definite and well drawn characters. Glad I found and read this book. ( )

First, the reading

Deciding to try some of the reading challenges, I will mark progress and note opinions here. Of course, at this point this blog consists only of lists.