I can't remember what I have already posted, so some of this might be a repeat. Just cleaning out my little file of what's been on the stacks lately. My goal to get everything out of the pending to read piles in the closet is going okay. I haven't counted but it's almost down to one really tall stack.
#52 Pearl of China by Anchee Min
A fictionalized account of Pearl S Buck's life told from the perspective of her best childhood friend. I felt like I learned a lot of Chinese history. I knew a little about the Communist revolution, but not a lot about what had happened before that. Very interesting. I'd like to read more by this author and also Pearl S. Buck's books. Those have been on my list for a long time.
#53 A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
Always a good one, Diana Gabaldon. I've read all of her books, so I feel like I am visiting with old friends when I read another one. Would read the next one in the series right away, if it were not for my clean out the closet full of books goal. 
#54 Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell
I really liked this book, and checked out Lawrence of Arabia from the library after reading it just to refresh my memory. This is a story about an "old maid" school teacher from the early 20th century. She's lost her entire family to the influenza epidemic and decides she's not going to be a shrinking flower anymore and retires and travels to the Middle East. She ends up spending lots of time with TE Lawrence, Winston Churchill and Gertrude Bell. Fascinating stuff.
#55 A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
A story about a young woman in rural NY state at the beginning of the 20th century. She could have a future going to college, but circumstances are against her. She's the oldest in a large poor family that lives on a farm and her mother has passed away. It's difficult for her to even think of getting a job and/or spending time on schoolwork. Sounds bleak, but was actually pretty good.
#56 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Hmmm, I wanted to like this. And I enjoyed Oscar Wilde's prose. However, I found most of the characters in the novel so, well, repulsive is a strong word, but really, not likeable, not relatable, irritating. So, I had a hard time getting into the book. Beyond that though, cool storyline, beautiful writing. I'll check out some of his other books.
#57 Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg
Loved this. I remember liking the movie when I saw it years ago. Whodunit, conspiracy, mysterious science experiment, fun stuff.
#58 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Good story about an autistic boy who solves a mystery. My daughter did not like the cover of the book showing the dog with the pitchfork stuck in it. I liked his narrative voice though.
#59 The Almond Picker by Simonetta Agnello Hornby
Enh. Story of an older woman who was the family household caretaker for a wealthy Italian family in Sicily. She dies and it's a mystery to solve as to why she requested her obituary and memorial be handled the way it was. Interesting story line, and I read to the end just to find out what happened, but I felt like they sort of drew the story out just to add pages.
#60 Intuition by Allegra Goodman
Story about a research facility and what happens as a potential mistake gets uncovered. Good insight into research facility culture.
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