Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The narrator in this book is Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old autistic boy who knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057.  Late one evening he encounters the dead body of his neighbor's dog and is determined to solve the mystery of who would murder this nice poodle, though specifically told by his father to "stay out of other people's business."

Told in first person, this novel shows the world through the eyes of a boy with Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, complete with his inability filter the overwhelming amounts of minute information we receive through our senses at any given moment, his inability to relate to or be touched by other people, his dislike of certain colors, and his need for all things to be in a certain order.  Yet, Christopher is a delightfully sympathetic narrator and hero.  I couldn't help but admire him for his challenges, the implicit humor, and the innocence and sweet certainty of his personality and his assessment of every situation.  He is removed from feelings and responds only with logic, and often times, this means that what is an everyday event for the rest of us requires heroic efforts from him.  Of course, he gets more than he bargained for when he starts his investigation. 

It's a fascinating book not only for the interesting plot, its characters and their relationships, but mostly because of the glimpse into what life on the autism spectrum might be like.  And equally interesting for it's perspective on the everyday challenges that face the parents of children with autism, and the both frustrating, humorous, and endearing parts of building a relationship with that child.  Would make a great book group discussion book as well.

Note: there is a bit of language used by the characters out of anger, as well as some discussion/explanation of extramarital relationships, though nothing explicit.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This is one of the better books I've read in a while. It is about the "colored help" in Jackson Missisppi at the height of the civil rights movement. It spotlights, two maids and one white woman. They come together, at great risk to themselves to tell the story of what it is like to be a black servant in the Jim Crow South. It chronicles the very complicated relationship these maids have with the children they tend and the white women who rule over them. It was nuanced and insightful. Each characters voice was believable and well written. It was very gripping and made the time on my plane ride whiz by. I highly recommend this book.

The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas

The Diary of Mattie Spenser is a fiction, presented in the form of a journal and accounting for three years in the life of a woman (from 1865 to 1869), who leaves family and friends and the small Iowa town where she grew up, to follow her husband in the wild plains of Colorado Territory. Mattie’s husband is Luke Spenser, considered as the best catch in town, being handsome as well as brave for having fought in the war against the South. So, when Mattie (who thinks of herself as plain and thinks she will remain a spinster) is proposed, she does not try to question the motivations hidden beneath this unexpected proposal; she accepts both marriage and the difficult life Luke offers her.

In a voice that really gives the impression of a true testimony, the narrator, Mattie Spenser, tells her journey in a covered wagon, her settlement in a sod house on the frontier; the harsh climate, the isolation, lack of comfort, lurking dangers as well as the joys, disappointments and hardships of domestic life. Beside the greatest threat represented by the Indians, Mattie Spenser has a more private battle to lead: with few knowledge on marital matters, she tries to get closer to a husband who, though never mean, remains distant. She also has to bear the difficulties of pregnancies far from civilization, and to deal with numerous deaths among her acquaintances. But her more difficult trial is maybe her discovery of the truth behind her husband’s behavior, that she will finally learn in the most tragic of circumstances.

This journal follows Mattie’s progression, from a naive young girl full of illusions to a mature woman who has overcome prejudices, learned that rules don’t always apply outside civilization and also managed to find her place and a sense of belonging, after many doubts and personal battles.

A Guide To The Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Grayson

I personally love the books of Alexander McCall Smith, so when I picked up this book I was pleasantly surprised by the gentle humorous style which reminds me so much of Smith's writing. This is a book about Mr. Malik, a widower, who has a crush on the widow Rose Mbikwa, the woman who leads the weekly bird walk in Nairobi. Anyway as the book progresses Mr. Malik finds himself involved in a competition with an old school mate (his old nemesis) Mr. Kahn, to see who can spot the most species of birds in Kenya within a week. The winner of the competition gets the privilege of asking Rose to the premier social event in Nairobi, the Hunt Club Ball. There are adventures along the way, and Mr. Malik remains a true gentleman throughout the competition. It was a fun glimpse into Nairobi, and the birds of Kenya. If you are a birdwatcher don't miss this book, but certainly even non-birdwatchers will also enjoy it. I really loved this wonderful, light, entertaining book.

No Shame, No Fear and Forged In the Fire by Ann Turnbull

I've been debating posting these books, since I read them earlier this summer. The main plot is kind of predictable and although enjoyable not particularly noteworthy. But I am posting about them anyway because the subject and setting was fascinating. No Shame, No Fear is about a Quaker girl living in England in the seventeenth century and the persecution that came with being a Quaker at that time. I had no idea about the Quakers and I found reading about them fascinating. Their views were revolutionary. They believed in people being able to feel the Spirit without a paid clergy and that all people are equals despite social class, gender, or any other factor. Quite a radical concept for that time. The book sent me to Wikipedia and many other websites learning about them. The book Forged in the Fire is the sequel to No Shame No Fear and is about the same characters who move to London. The story itself wasn't as interesting to me as it was to read about the Plague and the Great Fire of London, that occured in the same year. I found both topics totally fascinating, learned a lot, and went online to read more.

Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

This is the second book by Barbara Kingsolver that I have recommended on this blog. The first being The Poisonwood Bible - still one of my all time favorite reads. But back to Animal Dreams. I first read it about 10 years ago but I recently was in need of good book so I picked it up again. Wow! Ten years later, I read it with a completely different perspective and understanding. I must admit I didn't enjoy it quite as much this time around but I still think it is worth reading. Especially because Kingsolver is such a talented writer. I apologize if this is a copout - but I am stealing the summary from the back of the book:

"Animals dream about the things they do in the day time just like people do. If you want sweet dreams, you've got to live a sweet life." So says Loyd Peregrina, a handsome Apache trainman and latter-day philosopher. But when Codi Noline returns to her hometown, Loyd's advice is painfully out of her reach. Dreamless and at the end of her rope, Codi comes back to Grace, Arizona to confront her past and face her ailing, distant father. What she finds is a town threatened by a silent environmental catastrophe, some startling clues to her own identity, and a man whose view of the world could change the course of her life. Blending flashbacks, dreams, and Native American legends, Animal Dreams is a suspenseful love story and a moving exploration of life's largest commitments. With this work, the acclaimed author of The Bean Trees and Homeland and Other Stories sustains her familiar voice while giving readers her most remarkable book yet.

I would rate this PG-13 for language and adult scenes.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl is a retelling of a Grimm's fairy tale (not one that I had heard of before). Ani is the Crown Princess of Kildenree and betrothed to the Prince of Bayern. She travels from her home to Bayern with her maid in waiting. Her maid in waiting turns traitor and claims to be the princess rather than Ani. Ani bides her time working for the King as a goose girl, trying to determine how to prove the maid false. Along her journey she finds friends and help in unlikely places, including herself.
There are two other books about Bayern including Enna Burning and River Secrets. Both are worthy tales, but The Goose Girl is the most intriguing.