Three Works by Curtis Sittenfeld

It just occurred to me that I have read every Curtis Sittenfeld novel! I was surprised because I am not the sort of reader who "follows" one particular author.

Just after sitting for the bar, a friend suggested that I ease my way back into reading for pleasure with Sittenfeld's Prep.

Prep was the perfect book to reintegrate myself back into the world of reading for pure enjoyment - no deeper meaning - no hidden stop lights (cookies to anyone who knows what I am talking about here) - no sudden desire to change my life or the world around me. I enjoyed Prep so much because it took me right back to my high school self: the self doubt, ambition, test anxiety, the crushes and first dates, first learning to balance all life has to offer, and making those first hard decisions (some of which you had no idea would actually shape who you became years later). I would recommend Prep as a bathtub read - easy, fun, but not my first recommendation to a friend looking for a good book to read. However, I did like Prep enough that while pursuing an airport bookstore, I came across American Wife and purchased it instantly.

American Wife tells the story of the unlikely path that led Alice Blackwell to become First Lady of the United States of American. What I absolutely loved about this book was that from the moment I met Alice, it felt as though she was one of my closest friends. The great care Sittenfeld took to make Alice so believable is a lesson to every aspiring novelista. Each period in Alice's life is so convincing because Alice's thoughts and words are completely age appropriate. If you are looking for character development, pick up this book!

Of course after reading American Wife, I could not turn down an offer to borrow Sittenfeld's second novel, The Man of My Dreams.

I really did enjoy this book, but not nearly as much as American Wife. Sittenfeld examins through Hannah's romances (or lack there of) the personal choices (starting at age 14) that compound a woman's search for her soul mate. This book is what I would call "the train read." Something I could pick up and put down after each ride on the L.

Overall, I would recommend all three books. If I had it to do over again, I would read them in order of publication: (1) Prep; (2) The Man of My Dreams; and (3) American Wife. If you like Prep even just a little bit, you will enjoy the next two even more. If you only have time for one . . . skip directly to American Wife.

As for me, I would be lying if I said I was not excited for future works by Curtis Sittenfeld.

The Reading Room

It has been two years since I first set eyes on The Reading Room in Bates Hall of the Boston Public Library. The room instantly commanded silence from its visitors. Staying silent was not difficult as the architecture alone struck awe in this Book Keeper. I kept imagining what it would be like to have this room at my disposal - would I actually use it or would it just be another stop on the tour for out-of-town guests? Often times, I think it is so easy to visit new places and find something you would like to see in your hometown. But what about the Chicago Public Library??? I have no idea what treasures lie within that building . . . perhaps a reading room to blog and brag about?!?!

What about YOU? What "reading rooms" have you visited that you would like to bring back home with you?