What are you reading lately?

Don't you love it when you get a recommendation for a great book? In that vein I asked Tim if he would pick 10 of his favorite books that I haven't read and I'd spend this next year (2011) reading them. I wanted to do this b/c he and I generally read different genres and I wanted to switch it up a bit. It has been a really good experience so far.
Here are the books he wants me to experience:


Read this one already. Tim LOVES Jewish literature. I complained about it for the first 1/4 of the book and then fell deeply and madly in love with it. (The History of Love by Nicole Krauss)


I'm reading this out loud to Tim right now in the evenings. Not THE most exciting fantasy novel but the writing is pretty sweet.Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Leguin)




Tim really likes Sherman Alexie when he doesn't get crass. I'm looking forward to diving into some short stories. Definitely not my usual fare. (The Lone ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven)



Ok so I'll admit I have never read any Balzac, ever. I was skeptical about enjoying a biography about someone I am completely unfamiliar with but I am pleased to announce that 1/4 of the way through I am thoroughly enjoying it. (Balzac by Stefan Zweig)



Haven't started this behemoth but Tim assures me there is a great romance to be found towards the end! (David Copperfield by Charles Dickens)



Ok, this was the first Tim suggested book I read. It was quite tedious. It follows six Strads from their creation to modern times. While some of the anecdote's were interesting the rest of the book was completely inaccessible. (It made me nervous about continuing my goal to read the rest of Tims books. We had a great discussion about it though.) (Stradivari's Genius by Toby Faber)



Haven't started this one yet, but as a busy mom I can tell you that the Short story medium is looking better and better to me. Gabriel Garcia Marquez may just be the master.(Collection of Short stories.)


My name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. Yes, another piece of Jewish literature. I bought Tim a signed copy of "The Chosen" by Potok for Christmas a couple of years ago. Looking forward to this one.



Another book of short stories. Tim said that the first story rocked his world it was so incredible. That means something to me. I read it. We are different people, he and I.( For the Relief of Unbearable Urges by Nathan Englander)

I know I said I had asked him for 10 books. He gave me ten and then took one back.
This one:


Apparently it was his favorite novel when he was 17 years old. He hasn't read it since though. He was/is a little nervous about recommending it now. Which is fine with me cause I gotta a lot to read before the year is through!

This has been an awesome experience for me because I have actually learned more about my husband and we have had some rockin discussions.

So what are you guys reading?