"Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer

I've read a few books by John Krakauer and saw under the banner of heaven on a shelf in a used book store. This book works it's way through the history of the mormon church culminating in a murder scene in Utah that shocked America. Krakauer dissects the religion, goes back through it's evolution, and tries to give some perspective as to why these murders took place. I found this book incredibly compelling as not only a true crime narrative but also as an analysis and dissection of religion and the role it plays in society. Krakauer had many insightful observations about the way religion affects humanity and the way humans cling to it to give live deeper meaning. I'll continue to keep my eyes peeled for Krakauer's work.

"Le Cote de Chez Swann" Marcel Proust

Not very long after finishing Swann's way by Marcel Proust in English I began reading it in the original French. I've been studying French for 3 years but this was still a very ambitious project. I found the book as compelling and well written in French as the translation was in English and, although I did not comprehend every part, I felt I was able to follow the story relatively well. I still feel that Proust writes in a way that makes you feel like you're in a dream as you read.