I just finished Jasper Fforde's second Thursday Next book, Lost in a Good Book.


Lost in a Good Book by Jasper Fforde

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you like reading, you will love Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. Set in an alternative history of England (and the world in general), where 27 levels of Special-Ops monitor everything and the mega-corporation Goliath is waiting to take over the world, it follows Thursday's adventures as a Litra-Tech apprentice of Miss Havisham of Great Expectations fame.



If you like books, spies and England and fantasy, this is a must read. Be sure to read The Eyre Affair first.


View all my reviews.

Since I've finished seven of the ten books for the Book Awards Challenge II, I'm on vacation until 1 January, 2009. Next up: Michael Connelly's newest, The Brass Verdict. Oh, and I'll dip back into my annotated edition of A Christmas Carol in the next few weeks.

The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao

I just finished The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao and while at first I thought I wouldn't like it, I did. The story of a nerdy, overweight teen of Dominican descent, this book is not for those who are offended by colorful language. The story is told by the ex-boyfriend of Oscar's sister, but I didn't really "get" this until 2/3 of the way through the book.

Considering that I wasn't sure I'd even finish it, I managed to rip through it in a few days, so I guess I liked it well enough. Poor Oscar, nothing goes right for him and when it finally does, he goes balls-out for it and dies. Sheesh. What a life!

Knowing latino street slang would be a tremendous asset when reading this book.

The last two winners of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction have been a little bit dark. Perhaps something a bit lighter for 2009? Thanks.

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher

I finished Kate Summerscale's The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher last night and I have to say that getting to the ending made wading through the middle worthwhile.

This non-fiction book is a recounting of a famous murder in England in 1860 and the detective who came undone trying to solve the case. According to Summerscale, the sensationalism that surrounded this case was brought about the beginning of the detective novel. Michael Connelly fans say thank you if that's the case.

Though the book plodded a bit in the middle, as I said before, the end made it worthwhile. The story of how the fractured family put the pieces back together again was very interesting. And the redemption of Constance, the alleged murderess was hopeful too. If you ever want a reminder of how destructive lying and deception is to small children, you need only to read this book.

The Book Thief

I rushed to finish The Book Thief by Markus Zusak last night not because I wanted to rush, but because the book was due today and had other people waiting for it. I love my library and try to be a good customer and get things back on time.

I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. Originally released in Australia (the author's home) as an adult book, it was later released in the U.S. and Europe as Young Adult fiction. I'd recommend it for anyone over 12 and will certainly be seeking out a used copy for my library at home.

I've briefly outlined the plot in my previous post, so I won't repeat myself, but I urge anyone interested in this time period to get this book. It is well worth the read.

Last weekend was also our Friends of the Sonoma County Library semi-annual book sale, so I stopped by on Sunday for half-price day. I was able to pick up quite a few Pulitzer winners for my project and a few books for my hubby. At fifty cents each, who can resist?

Sidetracked

I finished Song of Solomon and liked it very much except for the ending which I found a bit, well, I don't know, just weird.

I was supposed to go back to Mayflower, but I have a little something from the library that must be read and returned (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it). That book would be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and I am hooked, hooked hooked.

Set in Germany before and during World War II, it is the story--narrated by Death--of Liesel Meminger, an orphan foster child, her foster parents Rosa and Hans and the hiding of a certain young Jewish man in the basement. This time period both fascinates and repels me for reasons that should be obvious, not the least of which is some ancestry that would have been considered "undesirable" had those ancestors not fled some 100 years prior.

Thanks to Juliann for the recommendation, it is a true winner and I'm trying really hard not to rush through it.

Booking Through Thursday

Once again Booking Through Thursday has provided us with a great meme on reading.

What was the last book you bought?

Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick

Name a book you have read MORE than once

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith opened my eyes when I was a young teen to the realities of the lives of the very poor and was probably the beginning of my life as a Democrat.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. Should be required reading for everyone.

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

Book reviews, recommendations of my friends, and books by authors I know and love.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Ficton.

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

Good writing can overcome a slow plot any day.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

Tough question as I often love the characters in books I read. I do love Claire in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (those familiar will know that I love Jamie more....).

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, my banned book for 2008 and Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick, currently interrupted for banned book week.

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

Lat book finished was The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde, finished about 3 weeks ago.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?

Yes, and Mayflower may be another one.

Banned Books Week

Is happening now--September 27th to October 4th. Read about last year's account here.

Freedom of the press was an important topic in our home as I was growing up. My parents were both college graduates, Mom an English major and Dad a Journalism major who made a career in the newspaper business as reporter, editor and finally publisher of small-town papers now owned by the Gannett group. My parents were voracious readers and never without a book on their nightstands. Trips to the library were a frequent routine for us and even now, the smell of the library makes me happy and secure.

Growing up in the early days of television, I read to entertain myself, I read to escape, and my reading fueled daytime play. Our favorite dress-up games were playing "Laura and Mary" after Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. Even our teachers read to us during quiet time at school and the worst teacher I ever had (4th grade), read us some wonderful stories and helped encourage the love of reading. My love of reading continues to entertain me (in a time of a TV wasteland), and exposes me to ideas and cultures and places that enrich my life.

I've interrupted my current read Mayflower to enjoy Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. Last year I read Morrison's The Bluest Eye and I'm saving Beloved, her other "challenged" book for next year. She seems like a great choice to celebrate this annual event. She's a fabulous writer, her stories break my heart and keep me hooked.

Keep those pages turnin' friends,