Book 1: A Midwife’s Story by Penny Armstrong

Farmer Gary‘s fascination with all things Amish made this an easy choice at the bookstore years ago.

This memoir traces Penny Armstrong’s initial interest in midwifery to her studies in multiple countries. She eventually settles in among the Amish. Lots of interesting stories, most of joyous survival but a few with heart-wrenching outcomes.

She had every reason to criticize those-in-power who assumed she was inept, yet her harsh words for hospital deliveries seemed just as unfair.

Book 2: A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

The title of this novel always fascinated me, but it took me till now to read it.

Let’s just say I was grateful for the glossary in the back, as the lead character uses a lot of his own slang.

Rather than discuss the plot, here’s a poke in the eye: The book is written in three sections, with seven chapters each. But only 20 chapters showed up in the American version until 1986, when the novel was 24 years old! Apparently, American publishers insisted on the omission and English author Anthony Burgess complied. Now I’m wondering how common this unsettling practice was/is.

Book 3: The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin

If the phrase “You unchivalrous hound” appeals to you, read this book.

That’s it: A clever mystery with some delightful insults.

Book 4: If This is a Man by Primo Levi

Here’s another disgusting example of publishers (not) knowing best. When Primo Levi tried to get the story of his Holocaust survival published, he was told it was too soon.

Thankfully, another publisher (a smaller one) disagreed.

An Italian anti-fascist resistance fighter, Levi knew to protect his powerful manuscript about his survival of a year at Auschwitz. As it was translated from one language to the next, he kept a close eye on the process so that his work of witness was not changed or watered down. The German edition, he wrote later, received the closest scrutiny and included a special preface to remind the readers to never, ever forget.

Bleak House update: I want to give it a few more months, but I’m starting to regret committing to read Dickens’ masterpiece in monthly installments, as it was first released. It’s so hard to tuck the book away for another month after reading just three more chapters. (Please comment below if you feel strongly either way. I know there are others who are giving the installments a try, too.)

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