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Photo Haiku

Still Waiting

It stands, still waiting
Let other fools rush forward
The oak bides its time

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Bald Cypress

Cypress stands naked
Winter greenery now gone
No secrets to hide

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Fingers of the Dead

Skeletal fingers
Reach for the sky. Life and death
Encapsulated.

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Twisted

Bent by wind and time
Life yet lingers, deep in root.
Birds still find beauty.

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Photo Haiku Archive

Read Lately

Touchstone, by Laurie R. King. Enjoyed this book a lot, though it took me a long time in the reading. I'm a slow reader, and the book is large, and not exactly a page turner. Not to say it's poorly plotted, but the true strength of this book is the characters. I enjoy everything I've ever read by Ms. King, but I like her stand alone books (this being one) best of all. Not quite up to Folly, but very good, nonetheless.

The Double Bind, by Chris Bohjalian (audio book) - this is a very well written, though rather disturbing, book. It is centered around the life of Laurel Estabrook, who was brutally attacked while riding her bicycle on a rural Vermont road. It starts out very intense, with the attack, and then follows her into a career as a social worker who helps homeless people find housing. When one of her clients dies she falls into his collection of photographs, which mysteriously includes a picture of her riding her bike on that same remote Vermont road. She becomes obsessed with the photos, and the stories they may reveal. The writing is almost lyrical, the characters compelling, and the plot twists diabolical. Recommend with reservations. People suffering with depression should not read this book. 5 April 2009

The Heretic's Daughter, by Kathleen Kent (as an audio book). Just finished this off, though it was the pick for my book club last month. I got behind in my reading. But rather than punting I decided to catch up via audio book. Glad I did. I liked this book quite a bit. Not great, but very good. The story was quite compelling. The book centers around the Salem witch trials as told from the perspective of a young teen, Sarah Carrier. She is forced to testify against her own mother, Martha Carrier, who is hung as a witch. A work of fiction based on sad fact. Brings The Crucible to mind, and the evil of witch hunts in general no matter who your witches are (even if they are Wall Street bankers). Recommended.
25 March 2009

The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff (audio book). I liked this one a lot. Very poignant tale told in alternating time lines (hmm, do I see a pattern?). The novel tackles the sensitive topic of polygamy, both in the historical fight to abolish it, and in the modern day splinter groups that still practice it. All couched in a well crafted mystery. The readers of this audio version did a very good job. Highly recommend.

I Am Scout - The Biography of Harper Lee, by Charles J, Shields. To Kill a Mockingbird is on top ten list of books I've read. I've always wondered why Harper Lee never wrote another. After reading this young adult bio I think I have a feeling of what happened and why. Recommended.

Snow Falling on Cedars, by David Guterson. This has been out for quite some time, but I don't always read what is current. It is a story of love lost, and character redeemed. Cedars is set in the racially charged setting of pre and post World War II Pacific Northwest, where a Japanese American is accused of murder. Recommended.

Currently reading:

The Widows of Eastwick, by John Updike. Not too sure about this one.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard, by J. K. Rowling. Because it's by J. K. Rowling.