The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho

A disturbed Russian millionaire starts committing random murders in the delusional belief that his ex-wife will recognize in these acts something that will convince her to desert her current husband and go back to him. The Winner Stands Alone reads somewhat like a thriller, but it is also a commentary on contemporary life. The suspense sustained by the killer's activities is balanced by the author's portraits of people attending social events at the Cannes Film Festival. Coelho's novel is well written and a good read.

Don't Think About Monkeys edited by A.W. Seligman and J.S. Hilkevich

The writing in this book of essays is uneven because the authors are Tourette syndrome victims of varying ages and abilities. However their voices do communicate the pain of being normal people who cannot control abnormal movements and vocalizations. At times the attitudes and philosophies they express are helpful and inspiring to us all.

Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder

Tracy Kidder is a marvelously clear-thinking and straightforward writer whose books (all non-fiction) are some of my favorites. In Strength in What Remains he tells of a young medical student in Burundi who gets caught in the clash between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes; he spends six months of his life running and hiding in the face of the unspeakable brutalities of that war. He manages to get to the U.S. (knowing no one and with only $200 in his pocket) and continue with his education. An extremely intelligent and sensitive young man, he is also emotionally damaged by his experience of the African war. His story is amazing and compellingly told in Kidder's wonderful reportorial writing.

The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan

A house in Jerusalem was built and occupied by an Arab family when the Israeli Army evacuated the town where it was located. The deserted house was then sold to a family of Jews immigrating from Bulgaria. The Lemon Tree tells the stories of these real life families who eventually meet and become friends in spite of their political differences. The personal stories are overlaid with a lot of military and political history which is at times difficult reading, but the insight gained makes it worth persevering. Tolan is Jewish but his book is so well balanced that it feels politically neutral. It inspired in me a greater sympathy for the misplaced Palestinians.