Giovanni's Room

 Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin (1956) 192 pages

I listened to the audiobook on Libby narrated by Matt Bomer. It included an Introduction by poet Kevin Young that provided a lot of context. In a not-quite chronological narrative we meet David, a white American, having a "gap year" in Paris. There are conventional expectations back home and he is engaged to a young woman, but she is spending time away from him in Spain. David has a passionate affair with Giovanni, an Italian working in a bar in Paris. The two young men become roommates, but through self-denial and homophobia, David cannot admit that he is gay. When his fiancé joins him some sexist views come to light and a murder adds tension to the situation. The mysteries of the human heart are brilliantly explored by Baldwin.  

March Totals

 Wow! A fabulous reading month for UCPL, as we blow last years best month out of the water by a whole 10 books! Without further ado: the March totals.

Annie: 4 books, 1011 pages

Byron: 4 books, 1332 pages

Chani: 3 books, 967 pages

Jan: 5 books, 1731 pages

John: 2 books, 740 pages

Kara: 29 books, 10207 pages

Kevin: 2 books, 656 pages

Regan: 10 books, 3343 pages

Tracey: 10 pages, 3174 pages

Totals: 69 books and 23,161 pages