Nobel Prize in litterature 09

Again a woman has been awarded with the Nobel Prize in literature, which is given out in Stockholm tomorrow. This year it was awarded to the German speaking Romanian Herta Müller. I haven’t read any of Müller’s books yet, but that seems to be the case with me. I never discover these writers until have been awarded. I might have to add some of her books to my ever growing “want to read list”.
I am still waiting for Joyce Carol Oates to get the honours or why not another Swede. It has been 35 years since a Swedish person was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, and with a wink to patriotism, I think it is time for another.

Also, my hat off for all the women winning this year, five of them in total. One of the organisers said it would be nice to have less black and white on the podium this year and I can only agree.
Josefine

My recommendations: Watch the TV coverage of the Nobel Prize tomorrow evening, if for no other reason than to see what the queen and princesses are wearing.

Nine Parts of Desire

Since I read March by Geraldine Brooks I have been trying to find more books by her, and I found it in her non-fiction book Nine Parts of Desire about the women in the Middle East. It was an interesting book and Brooks have no doubt great knowledge about the countries and women she writes about. However, I can’t help but feel that this is book is somewhat outdated and a newer version should be published. Much has happened since the book was published in 1995, especially the spread of Islamic fundamentalism, which of course gives implications for women (and men as well).

On another point, it would be interesting to read about Muslim women as refugees in western countries. Perhaps any of you have read a similar book, let me know.
Josefine

My recommendations: The broken pictures by Azar Mahloujian

The Nobel Prize in literature 2007

Doris Lessing received the Nobel Prize in literature this year. The only book I've ever read from her is the fifth child and I think I remember that it was somewhere around ninth grade, which means it was a very long time ago. I do remember that I did not like it very much, but perhaps it is time to give it another try now, when I am older and hopefully wiser.

The feminist in me thinks it is great that a woman got the honours this year. Lessing is only the eleventh woman to receive the prize (and it has been given out since 1901).
Josefine

My recommendations: Hurry to the library and borrow something from her before everyone else gets the idea.