Hot Milk by Deborah Levy

Hot Milk follows Sofia and her mother, Rose, as they travel to Spain where they will see a new doctor who will hopefully be able to finally explain Rose's seemingly incurable illness.

Levy's writing provides deep insights into human nature and in this book she allows us into the mess that is Sofia's life. While in Spain, moving strangely as if in a haze through the hot, muggy landscape, she must navigate her depressing relationship with her dependent mother, all while encountering new people who also demand her attention.

This is a story, sure. But it is not light reading. Levy has drawn her characters and their every action with purpose, pointing readers to what underlies their motivations, insecurities and messiness.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

The Vegetarian falls into my "words as art" list of books, where the ideas presented are more important than what is actually happening in the story.

Translated from Korean, this book uses stark, beautiful imagery to capture how one woman's decision to stop eating meat effects those around her in devastating ways.

Admittedly, I think I missed some of the things Kang wanted me to see and understand. I closed the book feeling like I had experienced something profound but unable to express to my husband exactly what it was.  It certainly made me think about our bodies and what makes them beautiful/repulsive, both to ourselves and others.  I saw how our decisions can damage others, but also how our inability to express deep emotions can be more damaging still.

This was an intense examination of passion and commitment to what we believe we must do to survive.

Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

I would love to turn this book into a stage play. I spent one whole night dreaming up exactly how I would stage certain scenes, with a revolving set that transforms from the past cabin to the present-day cabin.

Aaaah. Fuller's Swimming Lessons has left an indelible print on my heart. It centers on the relationship between Gil and his wife, Ingrid, who disappeared 12 years ago. The book begins with Gil thinking he has seen his lost-missing wife outside his bookstore and chasing her outside. In this process he becomes ill and his adult daughter, Flora, comes to stay with him for time. She is a woman who still longs for her absent mother and thinks this visit might finally provide her with answers to past.

Flora's present-day chapters are broken up by letters Ingrid wrote to her husband before tucking them into books, where her husband may or may not ever find and read them. Together, these letters give a picture of how she and Gil met, fell in love and what led to her disappearance.  As Flora cares for her father, she learns some of what happened in the past and must make hard choices about what they mean for her future.

I loved this character-driven story filled with mystery, regret, sorrow and love.

Did I mention I want to make it into a stage play?

The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel

Yann Martel is best known for his novel Life of Pi. It was such a delight it was even made into a movie. Should it be made into a film, The High Mountains of Portugal would make viewers crazy. That, or offer a director amazing artistic opportunity. I feel like something about this book rang the same sort of bells the movie Holy Motors did for me. If you haven't yet seen this film, strap on your crazy boots before you do - and hold on for the ride.

I digress....

There are three distinct stories in The High Mountains of Portugal with each having a similar themes of beauty, finding meaning and identity. It took me awhile to get into the story since it is told in a simple, stark way. But once I adapted to the rhythm, I was hooked into seeing what Yann wanted me to see. Without spoilers, I loved the religious overtones found in everyday experiences and the depth of insight into the human condition.

This is not a light read. This is not fluff to quickly eat before moving on to another course. It is, however, very much a love story.