museum of innocence

i am currently reading the museum of innocence by orhan pamuk which is fitting for the month of love.  the book is all about love, loss, and the desire to put things back together.  it's one of those books you cannot put down and if you do, you want to go right back to it and immerse yourself in istanbul in the early 70s.  i have only read a few chapters and am enjoying it - i hope it remains true throughout (the reviews have been good).

the book is about a society boy who is engaged to a society girl but falls in love with a shopgirl, an old family friend.  while their love affair is taking place he collects mementos to keep and eventually to put in a museum of his own creation.  he is in fact creating a memorial to her to show the world of his love.  kind of creepy yet pretty incredible, yes?

i enjoy reading and it is only when i immerse myself in it that i remember what a magical experience it is to be taken away by someone elses experiences.  if you have any great fictional reading suggestions please let me know.