The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

Overall, the response to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker was positive.  Based on the comments, the book group would give this book a 3 1/2 to 4 stars (out of 5).

Those who had not been to Burma or another Asian country felt that the descriptions of the country and its people were such that they wished to visit.  They felt that the story was intriguing because of this and interesting to boot.  As a result of the rich setting and the interesting personalities and traits of the country's people, these readers felt that the book was, likewise, rich and interesting.  The setting provided a full backdrop for the characters populating it and made the book feel deep and complete.

Those who had been to Asian countries, however, felt that the descriptions of the country fell flat and did not do it any justice.  As a result, because the setting itself fell kind of flat, they felt that the book fell a little flat as well.  Along those lines, these readers also felt that the book was not as deep, more incomplete, and left a lot un-described or unanswered.  These readers felt that the author did not deliver on the description and the expectations created as a result thereof.

Unfortunately, we did not discuss some of the more controversial parts of the book for fear of ruining the story for those members who had not yet finished reading the book!

So, overall, 3.75 stars ;)

For March: Night Film by Marisha Pessl
For April: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

I think Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter was the last book group we read collectively as a group before taking a hiatus... About a half-year hiatus.  During that time, we "read whatever we wanted" and still came together as a group to discuss what we'd been reading, make recommendations, and just discuss books in general.  As much as we all love books, it was a welcome variation!  We have decided, going forward, to go every other month, reading as a group, and use the intervening month to read individually.  This next book will be the Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker.

But, Beautiful Ruins.  Collectively, this was another book at the group loved.  Of course there were varying opinions.  For example, one of our members loved the book so much that she subsequently read every other Jess Walter book she could find (and was very pleased with almost, if not all of them!)  She was very impressed with his ability to write from so many different perspectives with so convincingly - and that was a common compliment that the group had for Beautiful Ruins as well.

The book follows several story lines - starting in the 60s in Italy with a visionistic young man who meets a hollywood starlet and falls in love, to the jaded 30-something in modern times hollywood looking for that perfect screen play to make her fall back in love with the industry, to the near-retired old director with an interesting past and an interesting perspective on success... and he does it all convincingly, interestingly, and well.  It is one of those stories that bounces back and forth until you realize that it was actually a delicate weaving together of stories, with a satisfying end.

As a group, we highly recommend this book and hope we read more that make us feel as satisfied as this one did, in the future!

NW by Zadie Smith

The most telling response to this book is that almost no one in the group finished it.  No one had anything particularly bad to say about it.  But most of the responses were along the lines of "yeah, um... ??"

One reader compared to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, which, no, of course that's not fair.  But the comparison was in reference to "one of those books that doesn't have a plot, per se, or a climax, per se, but is more a period of time in the life of someone or someones."  The comparison was not to Smith's benefit -- while Achebe managed to capture the attention of a typically plot-driven reader with his beautiful writing, characterization, and details, Smith's story(ies) more often fell on uncaring ears.

It's not that the writing was bad.  It was interesting.  It was different. But Smith didn't do enough to engage the reader.  You just never really cared what she had to say next.  And a few parts got really interesting... and then she just moved on.

It was a little like going to a four course meal, but getting the check after the 2nd course.  (or more inappropriate analogies which I'll not state here, but which you can probably imagine)

Also telling was the fact that while a few of the girls said they will probably finish the book, most seemed less than interested in doing so and those who had not yet begun were wholly uninspired to do so.

The one reader who did finish the book did not seem to hate it, but did not seem to really have anything particularly good to say about it.  She said she wished she knew more about the area because she felt like she missed a lot of cultural references that might have made the book more interesting/engaging to someone who caught the references.  She also said that the dialogue was confusing and the path that the stories took was not always clear.  This was a point on which the other members agreed.

As for me, I had never read anything by Zadie Smith before, but I had heard great things about On Beauty and White Teeth.  Based on what I've read in other reviews, it would be unfair to judge Smith on NW:  her other books are apparently much better.  Regardless, that may be what has happened with me.  I'm not particularly inclined to pick up another Zadie Smith amid my busy schedule... perhaps in a few decades.  If I were to rate an un-finished book (it is highly unusual for me to not finish a book in the first place), I would probably give this a 2 1/2 of 5.  There was potential for an interesting story, but I felt like Smith just kept taking away the prize.  Perhaps there's supposed to be a lesson in all that, but I read to be mentally-stimulated (if not always intellectually ;)).  At about 1/2-way through, I gave up and moved on.

Comments are, as always, welcome!

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Sadly, I will not have as much to say about this book as I would like (but check out my personal blog here!!)  That is not because the Girls of the Desert did not collectively enjoy the book -- it's more because the Girls of the Desert collectively were too busy to give it its due!

Those who had finished the book and were able to make book group (four of the girls were stuck at work!) expressed sentiments of great appreciation for the book.  Those who were not quite complete with the book and were able to make our meeting also seemed to fully enjoy what they had read!

The most repeated comments were that we all became reminiscent and nostalgic for a time and place we had never been--New York in the late 1930s.  We loved the main character and her spirit, and we all felt as if while reading, we were transported to New York, almost wishful that we could experience the story first-hand.

Those who had finished are look forward to Mr. Towles' next book and those who had not are just as eager to finish Rules!
Definitely recommend.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

When we chose Anne of Green Gables, we knew that many of the group had not only read the book when we were younger, but some had read it over and over and over again.  For others, the movie (repeated watchings) were our background. And I believe for at least a couple, this was a fresh read.

Most of us were surprised that the book was written quite so long ago... I think we all felt like we had discovered it when it was relatively new on the market.  But no, it was originally published in 1908!  Which actually makes sense given the descriptions and cadence in the book.

This was a book full of details and not much of a grand plot.  If I were to sum up the overarching plot in 1 sentence, it would be something like:  Elderly brother and sister adopt boy but are given a girl and the book takes us through the next few years, as Anne, through her actions, personality, and sometimes words, convinces Marilla and Matthew to keep her.

But that brief description does nothing to give the book justice.
Although the book is almost more a series of mini-plots that fit within the overarching plot, the book is more about the power of love, hope, and friendship.

The group did not discuss the book that much because we were all swept up in how much we just loved it.  It is a wonderful testament to simpler times and the beauty of experiencing all of life as it comes.  Many of us related to Anne's character, but so many aspects of her liveliness have been trampled on by life in the 21st century.  A night with candles and reading?  No tv, no iPads, no smart phones.  It made me ache for a time when people learned about each other by real interactions with each other.

I think everyone in the group would recommend the book.  Highly.  It's just one of those books.  Even if it's not your "genre," it's so wonderfully written, so wonderfully told.  And we are, of course, going to share an Anne of Green Gables movie night ;)

Next up:  Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.

Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon

The Group met and discussed Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon around mid-July.

I was somewhat surprised by the responses.  On the whole, the Desert Girls were not great fans.  The problem most of the readers had with the book was that they felt that it was a little cliched, a little too simple, a little too surface... not to mention depressing.

BUT.

The readers also felt that the book served as a good reminder for those of us in marriages (more than half) and a sense of camaraderie for those no longer in marriages or in marriages struggling.

It was kind of cute, it was kind of endearing, and it offered a very REAL view into a type of life.  The author is a good story teller and a good writer, but the characters simply weren't terribly endearing.  And it is *noteworthy* how well Gideon employed texts, facebook entries, emails, chats, and common dialogue without the story being weighed down or annoying.  Her style certainly warrants more attention in future books.

Also, the topic is interesting -- a woman involves herself in a study about 21st century marriage and, through the course of the study, finds herself questioning her own life, marriage and family. But the problem is, ultimately, the characters are a little lost in the grandness of the situation.

There was the main character -- Wife 22 herself.  She seemed to be rather selfish and self-obsessed person, a fact not lost on her supposed best friend, to the point of missing some rather big markers about the situation she has embroiled herself in.  Her husband seems to be an oblivious, also selfish, unaware, dishonest, but seemingly "good person."  Her children are precocious and selfish... and yeah, there was a whole lot of selfishness.

I don't believe any of the Desert Girls would recommend NOT reading the book, but we would say, go ahead, it's simple, it's a beach read, and most importantly, know what you're getting into.  We don't want to add spoilers here... but we're happy to share the spoilers if you're sure you want to hear them (just send us an email or post a comment!)

<<note: I had an ARC copy of the book, but the rest of the Desert Girls bought/rented/borrowed their own copies>>