Mary Doria Russell The Sparrow, Children of God

I read these books in 2009, the first not knowing there was a sequel. It was SUCH a powerful experience, both the first novel, and then having further possibilities. Last night, several friends had another discussion about the books, the author, her additional books, and what she is currently writing. I still think these were among the best books I read in 2009. (they were published in 1995 and 1998 I think). Not for the faint of heart. Science fiction or speculative fiction (because so much of this is American History, thinly disguised).
The RPL has all of her novels, and they are snatched up from the Friends bookstore whenever they are donated. Do not read the second novel first, but buy it and wait!

Steve Almond - Candy Freak

This is a lot of fun. Even the explanation of his name, His absolute obsession with sweets is astonishing, and doesn’t seem healthy in many senses.! It has more humour than I expected. Or perhaps I am reading it that way! Interesting nuances of his family. His childhood memories are so candy dependent/ specific. How on earth can he remember those individual items? This is more obsessive and pathological. And fascinating. And certainly a topic of interest to a lot of people. There were also a lot of people like him in the book! The Idaho Candy Company? Well, I love the Green Mountain Chocolate Company! Rochester Reads this year, unexpectedly. Not my idea of ‘literature’, not sure what the take home message is – why does the community need to read this book?
Chocolate haiku
The author will now rationalize.
A few final relevant facts
(liked the chapter titles, and subtitle – a journey through the chocolate underbelly of America)

Peter Ackroyd - Thames (2007)

I think I will read anything and everything by Ackroyd. And should buy them too. This wasn’t just a history of the river, but of all the culture/times along the entire river. Excellent maps, wonderful pictures/photos, drawings. Utterly fascinating. Some 30 works of fiction and nonfiction, lives in London and eats too much, now that he can afford it.