I’ve discovered so many good books thanks to my book blogging friends, especially those of you who contribute to the Saturday Review of Books each week. Here are just a few:

Dough: A Memoir by Mort Zachter. Recommended by Lisa at 5 Minutes for Books. I read another review of this book, but Lisa’s is the one that convinced me that I had to find a copy somewhere and read it. Semicolon review here.

The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister. Recommended by Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books. Also recommended by Megan at Leafing Through Life. I read it and then sent it to Eldest Daughter who loves food and books. Semicolon review here.

The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. Recommended by Mindy Withrow. Mindy’s review made this one sound like something I wouldn’t want to miss. This book raises interesting questions about memory and the role it plays in our lives and in our survival. In it, a Russian survivor of the siege of Leningrad (WW2) uses her memories to cope with her incipient Alzheimer’s in ways that her children cannot understand. I didn’t review it, but I did enjoy it.

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Recommended at The Book Lady’s Blog. With such a glowing recommendation, I couldn’t resist. Brief Semicolon review here.

Eat, Drink and Be from Mississippi by Nanci Kincaid. Recommended by S. Krishna. This novel sounded good: “Eat, Drink, and Be From Mississippi is a warmhearted, beautifully written, and uplifting story about love, family, and finding your way home.” I didn’t review it, but it was a nice light read.

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. Recommended by Emily Beeson at Deliciously Clean Reads. Based on the fairy tale of The 12 Dancing Princesses. I like re-written fairy tales if they’re well done. Semicolon review here.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore. Recommended by Darla D at Books and Other Thoughts. Semicolon review and other related thoughts here.

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. Recommended by 3M at 1 More Chapter. This one is a translation from the Japanese and includes a lot of mathematical references, bleeding over into philosophy I deduce. I thought it sounded like a good risk. Semicolon review here.

Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski. Also recommended by Mindy Withrow. Mindy wanted to discuss it; I wanted to read it. It’s about anthropologists and missionaries and cultural transformation and the interaction between observer and observed. Semicolon review here.

Thanks to everyone who contributes to the Saturday Review, to all the book bloggers who keep my reading list long, and to all those who read, discuss, and love books. You know who you are.

Postscript: Today is Constitution Day, a celebration of the U.S. Constitution and the rule of law. Here’s a Semicolon post on Constitution Day and some books with which to celebrate.