Stir: My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home by Jessica Fechtor

This is a very well written memoir by a young woman who had a brain aneurysm when she was running one day. She was healthy in every way and was attending graduate school when her life came to a halt. She writes about the surgeries and the recoveries. And she writes about how getting back into her kitchen was her way of trying to be normal again. Her love for cooking and for food kept her going. When he recovery was far enough along that she could write, she started a food blog which became very successful.

Each chapter ends with a recipe, usually one that has been mentioned in the chapter. My copy of this book belongs to a friend, but I promise you I'll be copying most of those recipes before I give it back. This is an interesting and quick read, and I recommend it.

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson

Last spring, I was in Normandy and had the chance to tour the American Cemetery there. It is a very moving place, and I found myself emotional as I walked among the graves there. There's also a wall with names of the many soldiers who were never found. I couldn't help but think of all these boys (because they really were just boys) who never had the chance to grow up and live their lives. They all should be old men now, but their lives ended in France much too soon. This is the basic theme of A God in Ruins, a follow-up book to Kate Atkinson's previous masterpiece, Life After Life.

Let me start by saying I loved Life After Life. Some people had trouble with the concept of a character living her life over and over, but I found it fascinating. And I think Kate Atkinson is a superb writer who has her own unique style. A God in Ruins (not my favorite title) takes one of the characters from Life After Life, Ursula's younger brother Teddy, and makes him the primary character. Some of the other characters from Life After Life (including Ursula) are in the book too, but it isn't necessary to read them in order.

The novel started slowly for me, and it took me some time to get used to the constant flitting from one time to another. It requires concentration to follow the story when you get bits and hints that aren't filled in until later in the book. But like Life After Life, the writing is exquisite. And the characters are alive. Yes, you will hate Viola, but that's ok. Your love for Teddy will make it worthwhile. And there are witty lines that make you laugh even when the subject is quite serious.

The author obviously did extensive research on the bombing missions that took place by the British during WWII. Teddy was a pilot, and the missions he and his crew conduct were described in detail (maybe too much sometimes but it was still fascinating). This is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. I didn't want it to end, and the ending will probably catch you off guard. It certainly did for me. (Don't cheat and read it first!) I highly recommend this one!! -June