I dare you to move

I enjoy a wide variety of novels, including historical fiction, action/thrillers, fantasy, chick lit, and humour. But every so often, I need to read a book that will stretch me and take me out of my comfort zone. I'm not talking about a different genre or style- I'm talking about those books that will move me and maybe even change me. Sarah's Key by Tatiana deRosnay is one of those books. Not only is it a great piece of historical fiction that will possibly teach you something new, but it will also break your heart and make you empathize and grieve for someone else. Sarah's Key is a powerful, gripping novel that just might change you.

The novel, like Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden, takes place at different points in time. It alternates between ten-year old Sarah, living in Paris in 1942, and an American journalist living in Paris during the present day. Sarah awakens one morning to the French police pounding on her family's apartment door. She is taken away along with her Mother and Father, but not before she locks her little brother in a hidden cupboard, sure that she will return before long. In contemporary times, Julia is assigned a piece on the anniversary of the Vel d'Hiv roundup. As she investigates the historical events, she is shocked to learn that the culpability for the roundup extends to the French police force and government, and perhaps even to her husband's family. When she learns that young Sarah was arrested in the roundup, she is determined to discover what happened to the little girl.

If you are in the mood for that novel that will leave a lasting impact, give Sarah's Key a read. Though it is not a feel-good novel, it is deeply engrossing. I couldn't put it down.

Ah, white people!

I went camping with my husband and friends just before the Canada Day weekend. I'm not much of a camper- I feel very out of my element, and I'm sorry to say, my fellow campers usually feel the effects of my discomfort (ie. I can get pretty grumpy). Meanwhile, my husband, brother-in-law, and our friends, were in their element. This got me thinking about a very funny book called Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander.  This book basically makes fun of white people in a good natured way, and it is sooo funny, especially because it's true. Some people (possibly with no sense of humour) have hinted that this book is racist, but I have to disagree. For one thing, it's written by a fellow white person, and for another, it's not racist to make fun of white people. Sorry, that's just how it is. Look at history- I think it's our turn.

Why did camping remind me of this book? Only because the entry on camping is one of my favourites. I am one of the few white people that does not enjoy camping, and this entry made me laugh especially hard. Take a look at this book if you need a laugh. You will not be disappointed!

Check out the book, and you can also check out the blog at http://www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/. Check out my favourites, #128 (Camping), #99 (Grammar), and #62 (Knowing what's best for poor people). Here's the first paragraph of #128:
"If you find yourself trapped in the middle of the woods without electricity, running water, or a car you would likely describe that situation as a “nightmare” or “a worse case scenario like after plane crash or something.” White people refer to it as “camping.”" Christian Lander, http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/08/14/128-camping/

So funny!