The Age of Innocence

 By Edith Wharton

This book is mostly a criticism of a place and time in which the author may have experienced as a child. A society that has enclosed itself thinks itself the best that could be, not open to outside ideas and people, even those who were born inside it. The criticism comes through the story of two people who fall in love, but are not allowed to be together because of society's restrictions. But the book also shows the transient nature of societal conventions. 

I could relate to this story more than I did with Ethan Frome. The plot and actions of the main characters here seemed more believable. It could be because I was more aware of context in this book -- thanks to the introduction and afterward-- than I was in Ethan Frome. 

[fiction, 316pp.]

Link to book

Hitting A Straight Lick With A Crooked Stick

By Zora Neale Hurston

This book of short stories by a wonderful writer was entertaining and surprising, sometimes sad, sometimes with a happy endings. Not always easy to read, as they are written in dialect. It is neat to see progression in- and experimentation with different writing styles. The writer has a great sense of humor and the introduction provides useful insights. [304 pp. Finished it at least 2 weeks ago...]