Sorry for the lack of posting this week; I got Anna Dean's Austen-esque mystery novel, A Gentleman of Fortune, or The Suspicions of Miss Dido Kent from the library and I've gotten sucked into that.*
We will return to regularly scheduled nonfiction posting as soon as I finish Dean's delicious little novel. In the meantime, here's a reminder that our Book Menage, wherein we will be discussing Joanna Kavenna's novel The Birth of Love and Sherwin Nuland's The Doctors' Plague: Germs, Childbed Fever, and the Strange Story of Ignac Semmelweis, will be starting in a couple of weeks on May 23? I figure, reminders are good. I don't know about the rest of you, but lately when I blink entire days and weeks seem to disappear. Time is a wild beast that will not be tamed, I tell you.
*Although it'd be a lot more fun to read this in the winter, when I could get all cozy inside and read it while drinking hot chocolate. Reading it while springtime temperatures outside boomerang from 50 to 80 and back again, and while fearing hail from scattered thunderstorms, just isn't quite the same.
I finished The Birth of Love over the weekend, and I'm now reading The Doctors' Plague. I even used it as an example in a library instruction class on research about how new knowledge is developed. Love this book!
Posted by: Venta | 12 May 2011 at 08:55 AM
Venta,
Look at you, way ahead on your homework! :)
I can't wait to discuss these books with you, and all. And so glad the Nuland book worked as an example for your class--very timely! Your class is so lucky to have you--someone who's excited about learning new things herself and then passing them along to others as well.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 12 May 2011 at 09:14 AM
started Nuland's book last night and am about a third of the way through already. really enjoying it (if that's the word, when reading about pus and death and horrible men probing innocent girls and such). but no seriously, it's really good. it's sucked me right in. looking forward to discussing it in little more than a week's time. i better take notes!
Posted by: Beth | 13 May 2011 at 11:24 AM
finished Doctor's Plague and am starting Birth of Love tonight. excited for the menage!
Posted by: Beth | 16 May 2011 at 11:20 AM
I finished both, reading the Nuland book first. May I offer a question? Which order are these books best read? I was very glad I had the background on Semmelweis before I started the Kavenna book but wonder how the experience would be if I read the fiction one first.
Looking forward to the discussions.
Posted by: Care | 18 May 2011 at 05:55 AM
Thanks, Beth,
I'm excited too!
Care,
Fantastic! I can't wait to hear your thoughts. And thank you for the question--I'll make sure to ask it one of the days.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 18 May 2011 at 08:28 AM
CR, I've already posted my reviews hoping it would help me retain what I read, keep it fresh. I *really* enjoyed both books - great selections.
Posted by: Care | 20 May 2011 at 07:30 AM