Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, Lawrence Durrell

Four pages in and I was metaphored for life.

Eleanor of Aquitaine, Alison Weir

We are warned in the preface that much speculation is involved in trying to write a biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine.  Stlll, I think a historian should know that the Langue d'Oc is a language and not a dialect of French (she spent a few paragraphs on this) and that the Langue d'Oeil is French.  Also, I think a historian should have been able to find out that a cythara actually is a lute, not maybe a lute.  And this was only Chapter 1.

Not having a lot of faith in Weir's abilities as an historian or researcher, I gave it up.

Azincourt, Bernard Cornwell

The story is exciting in spite of Cornwell's repetitiveness, and the battles of Soissons, Harfleur and Azincourt are faithfully told.  This even gets a "history" tag as well as historical fiction.

130. In Praise of Slowness, Carl Honoré

An entertaining and enlightening survey of the Slow movement: Slow Food, slow sex, slow schooling, slow work, slow music. . . a slower, better life.

My second break with the 25-Word Rule. In Praise of Slowness may not be my last book for the year, but I think it will be my last entry in this blog. It's been interesting exercise in conciseness, not to mention seeing how many books I read, but Honoré has made me look at the down side. Numbers start being important -- and they aren't. I find I reject magazines in favour of books because it will affect what I can post. Length and difficulty begin to count -- negatively. The blog frequently feels like a chore since I already am listing the books on Book Mooch and, occasionally, Book Crossing. Maybe if I feel strongly about a book, it can be logged on my regular blog.

129. Blind Eye, James B. Stewart

Investigation into how doctor managed serial killings over many years. And, incidentally, how doctors are too arrogant to listen to nurses or patients.

127. Paris Was Yesterday, Janet Flanner

Short dispatches to the New Yorker on the doings of the beautiful people (not necessarily rich) in Paris from 1925-1939.

126. The Next Century, David Halberstam

Written in early 90's, prescient portrait of new century.

125. Twenty Fragments of a Ravenous Youth, Xiaolu Gue

Young girl leaves country for life in Beijing. Fun and interesting if real portrait of Chinese youth.

123. Robert Kennedy and His Times, Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

Schlesinger was too enamoured of the Kennedys and it was too soon (1978) to write an objective biography. Gave up early.

120. It Must've Been Something I Ate, Jeffrey Steingarten

Another volume of food erudition from the food editor at Vogue. He does get anal about pot-au-feu, but he's entertaining.

119. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace. . . One School at a Time, Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

A must-read about the power of education and the determination of one man to educate the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Read and help.

114. Driving Over Lemons, Chris Stewart

Stewart, wife buy derelict Spanish farm, bring it back to productivity on hard work and little money. They speak Spanish, blend in. What a relief!

113. The Freedom Line, Peter Eisner

Remarkable Belgian underground rescue of allied airmen. Slow start for those growing up on resistance films; takes off when point of view switches to airmen.

111. Most Secret War, R. V. Jones

Well-written with humour about British Scientific Intelligence 1935-1945, but a bit technical for the likes of me.

104. The Partners: Inside America's Most Powerful Law Firms, James B. Stewart

"Some of the most important, economic, social and political developments" of our time: Iran hostages, IBM anti-trust, the world of the Rockerfellers and more. Gripping.

93. Locked in the Cabinet, Robert B. Reich (audio, abridged)

Life as Labor Secretary in Clinton's cabinet. Maybe I'd have enjoyed the unabridged version more.

91. The Girl in the Picture, Denise Chong (Audio)

If you lived through Viet Nam, you'll know what girl and what picture. Excellent biography of Kim Phuc and background on Vietnamese history and culture.

89. The Life and Times of the Thunderbold Kid, Bill Bryson

Fantastic and funny, although slightly depressing in the last chapter as Des Moines and the world move on. But that's life. Wonderful nostalgia.

76. Den of Thieves, James B. Stewart

Pulitzer Prize winning account of junk bond scandals of the 80s. Cops! Robbers! Excitement! Keep your money under your mattress.

73. Cuba Diaries, Isadora Tattlin

The contrast of priviledged existance -- 8 servants -- and lack of basic necessities -- almost everything -- well told with exasperation and humour by "American housewife".