The Book of Lost Things

While this book is twisted, it's written so well you can't help but enjoy reading it.

It follows the story of young David who loses his mother too soon; his father soon remarries and another child is added to the family. David resents the intruder into his life and slowly becomes consumed by his hatred of them. This hatred calls "the Crooked Man" to his dreams, and eventually gives him enough strength to cross over into David's world. After a big fight with his father, David finds his way into the Crooked Man's world, which has been transformed by evil. The portal back home has closed and David has become the prey of a gang of Loups. Thankfully, David is saved by The Woodsman who plans on taking him to the king of land to try and get home. Along the way David encounters many of the fairy tales he loves, though they are twisted and more sinister than he remembers. Each tale serves a purpose on his journey to the king. In the end the Crooked Man is trying to use David's anger to take the life of his half-brother so he can extend his own years and prolong his evil hold on the world. What he doesn't realize is that David has grown on his journey to the castle and no longer harbors the hard feelings towards his new family. Finally, the Crooked Man dies and David is finally able to return to his home and his life.

This was an excellent story, told by a very gifted writer. The dwarves may be my favorite characters of the whole lot.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

What a simply marvelous book! Mr. Bradley has rapidly won a spot at the very top of my favorite authors list, and Flavia de Luce a spot right under the remarkable Thursday Next from Jasper Fforde. Flavia is exactly who I wish I was at 11, even unto today. She's a perfect genius, and can be an evil one at that. I love the interactions with her sisters. On top of all this is the fact that this in an excellent mystery novel, well deserving of all the awards it's brokered.

Through many twists and turns the plot thickens and you are drawn more and more into the story; even into the possibility of starting a stamp collection. You also become fascinated with poison, and it's study. Who would have thought that chemistry could be that relaxing. I love that Flavia, at 11, is fascinated with poisons and thinking up ways of using them.

This was an excellent start to an excellent series; I am thrilled that Mr. Bradley has been contracted for at least five more! I eagerly look forward to the next books.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

This was a very unusual book. It was written from the perspective of a young man with Asperger's syndrome. As a result, the writing is very much more straight forward and blunt. There are not a lot of words devoted to feelings.

It starts out with the murder of the neighbor's dog. Christopher, who likes dogs, then decides to find out who and why. What he finds out instead is that his life is a lot more complicated that he thinks, not all is as black and white as one hopes. While the book does give interesting insight into the mind of an autistic person, the feelings of the other characters bleed into the narrative making the resultant story more meloncholy than straight forward. You end up feeling bad for Christopher, even though he woulnd't understand why.

On an unreleated note, I love that the story is set in Swindon. I kept hoping Thursday Next would show up, though sadly she never does.

I do believe Haddon cappable of producing wonderful book and look forward to "A Spot of Bother," which is his second book.

The Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scotts

I was once coerced into reading "Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles," by Margaret George. One of my optomistic friends lent it to me and was so excited to discuss it that I couldn't say no-to be honest I was rather intimidated by it's miniscule font and thin sheafs that created such a massive book. However, once I finished the book I was quite taken with Mary's story and it's tragic end and immediately wanted to know more from all points of view. I have since aquired many books written about the era, from the point of view of different people. However, whenever I see one about Mary I can't resist.

This was one of those purchases. I have to say that I measure all future books I read against the wonder that Margaret George introduced me to, and while this wasn't as good I have definitely read worse. There were some details that I did not recall from George's version, however, given that my grasp on this subject comes from fiction, it isn't all that surprising that I don't know all the details.

Overall it was a good book, but given the known ending it is not one to read if you needed a pick-me-up. I do intend to look into more of Erickson's books and see if I can find any more treasures about the other key players in Mary's life. If you are interested in Mary, I cannot recommend George's version highly enough. It may appear daunting, but the read is worth it.

Alice I Have Been

What an utterly fantastic novel! It follows the story of the real Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I wasn't aware of the story's history, which is fascinating and filled with questions. Sadly, many of these questions will never be answered as many of the original documents surrounding this story were destroyed.

Benjamin has excellent command of the English language and brilliantly sets the tone for the Victorian era in which the book is set. It is separated into three parts; Alice as a girl (when the story was written), Alice as a young woman, and Alice as an old widow who is reflecting on her life and the impact the story had on it. I like that two thirds of the book deals with what happened when Alice grew up. We never stop to consider what happens to the children in our stories, the muses. Naturally they grow up, but to us they are always children and we are sad when the reality doesn't match the fiction.

Alice was a feisty, headstrong girl that stayed that way into adulthood. She would have done well in current times. This was a beloved book which blended history with fiction in a way that made them indistinguishable from one another. A story about the loss of our childhood, growing up too soon and of love and loss.

An excellent and fascinating read, I can't wait to see what Benjamin has in store for us!

So Cold the River

This book first caught my eye when it was mentioned in the same sentence as "The Shining," which remains (in my opinion) one of the creepiest books ever. Also, many authors I love gave this novel shining reviews. In addition, the author has been nominated for many awards, including The Edgar Award. I have found many wonderful authors The Edgar Awards.

It was a fantastic book! Too often supernatural thrillers lose their edge, this one stayed true. It wasn't so much about the hotel as it was about an area and the history of that area during the depression.

When a disgraced film maker is sent to southern Indiana to investigate the childhood of an eccentric millionaire he gets more than he bargained for. Because of his psychic tendencies he is lured into a story of what really happened to the millionaire and brings back an evil that hadn't been seen in the valley since the depression. While he thinks these visions are a gift, they are actually a warning of what is about to be unleashed.

It's a gripping tale that will make you think twice about hearing train whistles or drinking water.

I really liked the characters, and was particularly fond of Anne McKinney. I very much look forward to what this author has to dish out in the future!

The Lies of Locke Lamora

Continuing in my litany of belated posts we come to The Lies of Locke Lamora. This book reminds me of a fantasy novel like Ocean's 11. It follows the creation of a theif gang called the Gentleman Bastards and their leader Locke Lamora; the Thorn of Camor. Through the course of the book we have one con on a prestigious family of Camor mixed with a healthy dose of inter-gang war and topped off with the rising of another player hell-bent on wreaking havoc. While it may not seem as though these events are intertwined, the newest player to Camor's arena, the Grey King, has carefully orchestrated nearly all of the events of the book for one show-stopping final play.

As Locke and his gang become entangled in the war, he tragically loses three of his 'family.' Fueled by revenge the remaining two exact vengeance on the Grey King and manage to save the day, somehow managing to get the city's guard (who are usually trying to hunt the Gentleman Bastards) to do their work for them while they escape to a different country.

This is a fantastic first book. Plot twists galore and great characters; what a fantastic start to a series. Filled with humor, suspense and an intricate, yet easy to follow plot, this was a superb book!