february: 6 & 7

my reading slowed down a bit in february - this month i read:

furiously happy, by jenny lawson (for the book challenge, this is going to count as my "book written by a comedian."  a colleague gave me this book because she had disliked it so much she didn't finish it.  not a rousing recommendation, but then my book club picked it for this month's read.  i had read jenny lawson's blog off and on for a little while, and i recognized her voice in this book.  it was fine but nothing special.  it was hard to laugh throughout it because she brings in some stories about her clinical depression, and one can only find that so funny.  don't rush out to buy this.)

the snow child, by eowyn ivey (this is my "book based on a fairy tale."  i bought this book a year or two ago, drawn to it because it was the runner up for the pulitzer prize, but it sat on my bookshelf until now.  i picked it up because - based on a fairy tale!  this is a category in the challenge!  plus, you can't read a book that takes place in alaska in the winter in any season other than winter...and while houston winters can include 80 degree days and tons of sunshine, i figured i ought to read this in the correct calendar season.  ooh this book was eerie.  subtle, captivating characters, vivid setting - there's a lot done really well in this book.  i kept wondering how it would turn out and realizing it was going to be bad no matter what.  if you're in the market for a slow-moving but beautifully done book, this one was great!)