Welcome to Thrity Thursday, also known as “The Space Between Us” read-along. We’ll be reading the book over the next few weeks. Thanks to Lisa for putting it together and thanks to these other bloggers for joining in on the fun!
My hope is that after this read-along, some of you will get a copy of this book and read it on your own. Since that is my wish, my synopsis isn’t a play-by-play account of what I’ve read, but just a high-level overview of what took place. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. With that said…
In this week’s reading, we learn a bit more about Maya’s parents and how Maya ended up living with her grandmother, Bhima. We also learn of Sera’s own difficulties and her struggle to understand her husband, Feroz and his wicked mother, Banu. Although Sera lives a more privileged life, her troubles are no less serious than that of Bhima’s.
My Thoughts:
One can argue that this novel is really two parallel stories that come together in a common way. I say this because Umrigar seems to pay equal time to both Bhima and Sera. I’ve read novels with this structure in the past, and they’ve always left me disappointed. I’m not feeling that here, though. Umrigar successfully weaves in and out of the lives of these women. Nothing feels forced. At the end of each chapter, I feel compelled to keep reading.
Whereas the first half of this book dealt with the present day, the second half seems to be focusing on the past and how things came to be. I tend to like it when an author manages to explain a character’s actions without it being force-fed to you in some manner.
So far the story is easy to follow and is filled with characters that I care about. I can’t wait for the next installment.
This is a continuation of my “100 Things” post from the other day. Here’s part two:
34. Your friendship means more to me than being recognized with an award.
35. Book lists are my life, but I am always without them at the bookstore.
36. No sweet tooth here.
37. My fave time of the day is bedtime. How sad is that?
38. I am brand loyal and have been known to buy a year’s worth of something I like.
39. My fave place to sit at the bookstore, is in one of the little chairs in the children’s section.
40. Pizza? Cheese please.
41. I once made a student film about a crippled man, and a woman with no arms.
42. My head it too big for hats. Well, too big to look good in them.
43. I develop nervous tics if my calendar is not up-to-date.
44. Clothes must be hung-up properly. Something I retained from my days in retail.
45. I live in t-shirts and khakis.
46. I collect bookmarks.
47. Musicals rock.
48. I like to sleep with a fan on. Even when it’s cold.
49. The Body Shop’s Coconut Lip Butter is a must-have item.
50. My office is in the basement of a library (no windows).
51. I don’t wear a watch because it bugs me when I type on my laptop.
52. I miss the 80’s.
53. My idea of a perfect snack food: chips and salsa.
54. Because of a hip injury, I have an over-extended first and second position (ballet).
55. I’d rather be by myself, than with a crowd of people.
56. I type so much for work, that my hands have forgotten how to write.
57. Thanksgiving is my favorite U.S. holiday.
58. I’ve never been out of the country.
59. Sometimes, I think I should have been a doctor.
60. I get along better with guys, than with women.
61. I have no patience.
62. I prefer washing dishes by hand, than using my dishwasher.
63. My key chain probably weighs at least a pound.
64. My everyday bag is an LL Bean backpack that I’ve had for years.
65. I love funny, sarcastic greeting cards but not everyone appreciates them.
66. I am Mac user.
Book Chatter 