Still in Love by Michael Downing
An audio book I enjoyed a great deal but suspect may not be for everyone. Several unsympathetic reviews dismiss it as being too narrow in its subject matter, but I like this particular subject matter and have to disagree.
Set in the university classroom of a writing workshop, it strays only far enough from that to round out the story a little. The class is given various writing assignments, with the resulting stories discussed and evaluated by the group. Between classes and one-on-one meetings with students during office hours, the (asst.) professor is struggling to write a book of his own. His personal life comes into it, but never as much more than background to his teaching/writing life.
If writing doesn't interest you I don't know that you'd find much to like in this. There is little action, but a lot of thinking and discussing. I liked the characters and particularly enjoyed the professor analyzing the student's stories and offering suggestions for improvement. I hope to buy a hard copy to keep and read again.
Olivetti by Allie Millington
I've come across a number of books lately where the narrator is an inanimate object rather than a human being. When I saw this story was told by a typewriter it was simply too bookish to pass up.
The other narrator is a 12 year old boy, whose mother has been sick for some time and is now missing. The typewriter, Olivetti, remembers everything Beverly (the mother) ever typed on it and so may be able to provide clues as to where she has gone. The narrators alternate chapters.
The story - at times funny, at times sad - keeps you anticipating what comes next and is perfectly suited to the recommended reading age of 8 to 14 yrs. It touches on topics of cancer, difficult family situations, theft, anger, and being afraid, so may or may not be suitable for readers younger than that.
A uniquely interesting story.
Posts
