All posts by Nichole

"The Human Factor"

From middle-class American angst to disillusioned British spies all in one day.

I picked up Graham Greene’s “The Human Factor” this summer at the blueberry farm/used book store near Dad’s house. Then I left it there, unread. I was glad of that when I ended up bookless again with several days left to go in our visit.

It wasn’t as good as “The Quiet American.” In fact, I didn’t care for it much at all. The end was particularly disappointing. It does hold the distinction, though, of being my 50th book of 2006.

"The Mermaid Chair"

I didn’t care for the message this book sets forth — that it’s OK to set your marriage aside as long as you’re trying to “find yourself.” This is another My Family is Falling Apart book, and, as usual, I wasn’t crazy about it. I enjoyed the language of the book. I just didn’t like the overall theme.

I marvel at how good I was before I met him, how I lived molded to the smallest space possible, my days the size of little beads that passed without passion through my fingers.

I felt amazing at the choosing one had to do, over and over, a million times daily — choosing love, then choosing it again, how loving and being in love could be so different.”

….. the end …..