The House of Mirth

 By Edith Wharton

This book has so many phrasing gems! I wish I had a pack of sticky notes by my bed, so I could mark them as I read -- they are difficult to find otherwise. As for the story, it really is a tragedy. What happens when you're raised to be the one thing you don't really want to be, but you can't be anything else?

It is the story of Lily Bart, but also a critical look at society. The title of the book is taken from the book of Ecclesiastes, "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." Born to an "old money" family who loses its wealth, her only options are to either find a rich husband or inherit from an old aunt. Though beautiful and successful in attracting rich men, Lily keeps sabotaging her own efforts due to an inner conflict buried in the depths of her consciousness; by doing so, she also brings about her disownment. Spoiler alert: the end, as I mentioned earlier, is tragic. [350 pp. incl. Afterward]

Link to book

Black Boy

 By Richard Wright

When I just started reading this book I was like "holy sh*t, what am I in for?" There were some crazy things done by the very young boy in this memoir. But as I read on -- it is a fascinating book -- I learned so much (not that it explained the previously mentioned crazy things, but instead introduced other crazy things, but by then done by other people. Turns out the crazy kid was just a little kid). In fact, I believe that every one should read this book. Even though I was aware of issues for black people living in the south during the Jim Crow era, and the issues facing black people when they move north (not as bad, but still serious issues), I was not quite aware of the magnitude of these issues, which so skillfully come to life through this one boy's story. As I was reading this book pieces fell into place in this puzzle that is race in America. They don't always make sense, but it's clear what they lead to. 

I was strongly drawn to the stories of the young boy, later a young man as he moved from Mississippi to Tennessee to Chicago; amazed at how despite abuse at home, at work, and on the streets, despite total lack of support during the child's development, despite constant hunger and hardly any education, the boy managed to become whom he has become. I'm looking forward to reading more of his books. [464 pp., incl. appendices etc.]

Link to book