Midwives

My first "Oprah's Book Club" attempt and I wasn't disappointed. Midwives tells the story of Sybil Danforth a midwife in early 80's Vermont. She has one tragic night acting as midwife to a woman who wasn't completely honest with her during a storm that cuts them off from outside help. The story is told from the point of view of her daughter, who is 14 at the time. Midwives was well written and an intriguing mystery as one sorts out how to feel about Sybil's actions and consequences. The biggest mystery to me was how the author, Chris Bohjalian, is able to write so well from a woman's perspective. I recommend this book, but not if you're a pregnant woman anywhere near giving birth.

The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs

The second in the Professor von Iglefeld trilogy, this book follows the professor through several odd incidents (that could only happen to him) and delves further into his distaste for his colleague Professor Unterholzer. Like the first in the series, the book is short and therefore just the right amount so as not to become too annoyed by the professor. The story in the middle of the book about the relics tends to drag a touch, but has an excellent payoff.