Currently (Re-) Reading: The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
So I know I’ve overloaded everyone with blog posts in the
last week, but I’m absolutely determined to meet this goal of nine posts in
November! Probably because I have a bad record for following through on goals I
set for myself. However, I’ve decided to use this last November post to give
some recommendations and summaries of my favorite books as an easier read from
which you will hopefully benefit.
Or maybe I’m just copping out because I have actually caught
up with blogging on all the books I’ve read since I started Novel Ideas and I didn’t leave myself
enough time to write a worthy post on another book-related topic… You can be
the judge.
Here are three book recommendations for you with the
summaries from their back covers.
1. The Shadow
of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
“Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals from
its war wounds, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the
loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julian
Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a
shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of
every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s
books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into
one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets – an epic story of murder, madness, and
doomed love.”
Yes, I’ve mentioned this book recently and
yes, it is so good it’s worth bringing up once again. Like I’ve said, it’s a
gripping story that has one hell of a shock ending. Plus, Zafon’s writing is
just beautiful! He has an unbelievable ability to create imagery that’s so
vivid and originally described. It makes me pea green with envy because I will
never be able to write that well. His writing is even more impressive because
this book was originally written in Spanish. That’s right. You’re reading a
translation. Makes me wish I could read Spanish just so I could get the full
effect of his writing. I highly recommend this book and the other novels in the
set, The Angel’s Game and The Prisoner of Heaven.
2. Water for
Elephants by Sara Gruen
(My copy doesn’t have a summary on the back
cover so this is my brief summary)
Jacob Jankowski is a student at veterinary
school about to finally earn his degree when he receives the devastating news
that both his parents have been killed in a car accident. His life is further
turned upside down by the discovery that they left Jacob with a mountain of
debt that forces him to sell his father’s veterinary practice and his childhood
home. In the midst of a breakdown, Jacob drops out of school and runs away,
eventually jumping on a train. He is surprised to find the train belongs to the
circus troupe called Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. The
ringleader, Uncle Al, learns Jacob has veterinary training and hires the dropout
to treat the circus animals. While traveling with the performers, Jacob
discovers that behind the colorful, fanciful and spectacular show lurks a dark
and dangerous world and Jacob unwittingly places himself in the thick of it
when he falls in love with Marlena, the show’s star and the wife of the
hot-tempered head-trainer, August.
It’s a fascinating look into the circus
culture and a beautiful love story to boot. Furthermore, Gruen’s writing is
effortlessly smooth, making it easy for the audience to become thoroughly
absorbed in the novel. Another excellent read to add to your own list.
3. The Book
Thief by Markus Zusak
“By her brother’s graveside, Liesel
Meminger’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden
in the snow. It is The Grave Digger’s
Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.
So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her
accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books
from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books
to be found.
But these are
dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jew in their basement,
Liesel’s world is both opened up and closed down.
In superbly
crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak
has given us one of the most enduring stories of out time.”
The last sentence really says a lot about
what it so wonderful about this book. It truly is intense and “superbly
crafted.” Zusak also makes one of the most unique writing choices I’ve ever
encountered and tells the story from the perspective of Death. It sounds like
it should be incredibly morbid to read a story told by Death, but he’s a
surprisingly entertaining narrator. Warning, this is one of the most amazing,
beautiful stories I’ve ever read, but it’s also one of the saddest. If you’re
emotional at all, have a box of tissues ready while you read.
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