Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts

Another huge tome about India. This time, the book was set in the 80s in Bombay. The author writes a fictional novel about himself and his arrival in Bombay. You can tell from the way he writes that he LOVES India, loves the city, loves the chaos. And now I'm really anxious to go visit for myself.

I was impressed by the wide variety of characters that were presented. Each one becomes like a true friend. Gregory Roberts reports on his website that he has fans asking about where to meet some of the characters he's created. He has done a great job of making everyone seem so real.

I'm really ready for another trip to India! The next trip must include a trip to Bombay and a visit to some of the places mentioned in this book.

Recommendation: Lots of fun!

The Golden Notebook, by Doris Lessing

I had only vaguely heard that Doris Lessing was the Nobel Laureate named in 2007. This book was sitting on the shelves and I was headed toward a long flight home. So, I picked it up.

It is unbelievable this book was written 50 years ago. The themes of women's liberation, sexual freedoms, and the shifting dynamics between the relationships between men and women remain so true to today. I'm not sure that we've moved much in the last 50 years.

I loved how the different notebooks were used to describe different aspects of her inner life and thoughts. It made for a much richer appreciation for the characters and their experience.

Recommendation: Surprisingly fresh and relevant.