Darcy's Story by Janet Alymer****

Did you ever read Pride and Prejudice and wonder what was going on inside of Darcy's enigmatic skull? I think we all did. The cool thing, is that this author (self-proclaimed enthusiast) read the book in school, and happily shared it with her daughter and then wrote this book. It began as a private family thing, but eventually she shared it on the internet, and so many people liked it that she finally published it. And that's how my mother-in-law came to be able to buy it for me for Christmas - I love when even simple stories have a happy ending. The coolest part is that the author's name is a pseudonym - she didn't do it for the money or the recognition, but because she just really loved the book and the characters, and thought she might have something others could enjoy. So ...

I really enjoyed it! I have to say, I was mightily skeptical at first, but after the first few chapters, I was lured hook, line, and sinker. I don't remember the last time I finished a book before my Sunday deadline - it was really quite a pleasure. If you loved Pride and Prejudice too and aren't sure if you'll like this book, I just have one word of advice: the author intentionally writes in a different voice. This is Darcy's story, where Pride and Prejudice is decidedly Elizabeth's. So, it sounds like Darcy - much more factual and perfunctory than Austen's perspective. But none the less enjoyable - don't get me wrong. I just think it wouldn't have taken me so long to get into it if I had realized that at first. Enjoy!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman****

One of these days I promise I won't read young adult literature every month - it really seems to sneak into my repertoire much more than I expect. But, when it's young adult literature that's this interesting and well-written, I'll tell you right now: I will always make an exception.

This book is an archetypal "bildungsroman" (that's smart-speak for "coming-of-age-story" ... don't worry, I had to ask) but the environment (should be obvious) of a graveyard is only the beginning of how Gaiman uses the archetypes as a springboard to further the medium into something truly unique and singular. Our main character's guide is a vampire, for crying out loud (though I love that Gaiman didn't feel the need to include the word once throughout the 300+ pages). It's a classic example of an author showing instead of telling us something. Add a diamond-edged wit to an already intriguing plot and an exceptionally sympathetic cast of characters (the dead are the ultimate outcasts) and you have a real winner.

We were lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book somehow (signed by the author, no less!), and one of the nifty things about those is the handy facts on the back that help buyers determine the genre, audience, etc. It's printed right on the back that it's a 5th-grade reading level. I would have loved to get my hands on something like this when I had been in the 5th grade! If I had, I'm sure it would have inspired me to believe in myself a little bit more - to be more grateful for the family I've been given and the natural talents I have, the confidence to get through 6th grade again, knowing that no matter what those mean boys said to me, I knew what I was worth. I can see this book as being a real 5-star selection for me if I had read it then. As it is, I found it incredibly entertaining and absorbing - a great diversion. And, if I was needing to turn in a comp lit essay, I'd compare/contrast this book with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in a heartbeat.

The Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Cleverly***

If you like British murder mysteries set in India during the mid-1920s, then this is the book for you. Full of stodgy British humor, innuendo and ritual, it's a quick read, and an interesting mystery. I'd recommend it for a fast read ... but again, I'm guessing it's only fast for those who can read with a British accent in their heads. If not, you'll probably find this cumbersome, boring, and slow. I enjoyed it for what it was, even if it took me 3 days of falling asleep 5 minutes after I started. Once I could get a good 20-30 minutes of reading in to finally get a handle on the characters and the basic plot, I was hooked--after that it was a really fast read.

Oh, and, I'm not sure how you like your mysteries. Question: When reading who-dun-its, do you prefer to have an early inkling confirmed as the killer, or would you rather be totally surprised?

(pausing to politely listen to your responses rather than just rattling of my own first ...)

I think I'd rather be totally surprised. I guessed the killer from the first introduction, though not the methods or motivation. But I couldn't stop thinking that the book would have been all the better if that had just been a red herring and some other killer would have made a mind-twisting revelation at the very end. Always love those.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford ***

I liked this book, but I found some of the writer's choices in conflict with my preferences (i.e. the way the chapters were broken up was too choppy, too repetitive throughout in general, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't reading adolescent literature, the hotel mentioned in the title didn't seem to me to be more of a contrivance than an anchor in the story,etc.). But, with that said, it's a sweet story. If you're interested in reading a novel about the Japanese Americans who were persecuted during WWII, I would recommend Snow Falling on Cedars over this any day. But, those who don't like Snow, or who fancy young adult lit (Mom, I'm looking in your direction, here) would probably prefer this book to the other.

Maybe it's because I read it in a week when there was too much to do, so it felt more like I was doing it to do it, not doing it to enjoy it. One of the pitfalls of a goal like this, I think. But, it's just a year, and then I can go back to meandering through books. For now, I just want to prove to myself that I can do it. In any case, it's another book down ... only 35 books left! (Whew - for a moment there I thought I was going to have to invoke my Old Testament segments that I read last year for Sunday School as a "book." Though, come on ... I read a ton of it!)

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton***

I'm not sure how to talk about this. It's one of those books that's best read if you read it knowing nothing about it. One of those stories whose significance is in all the details that gets wrapped up at the end. It reminded me of Our Town in the way that we don't realize how significant normal daily events can be ... and how quickly something can change everything.

It's a quick read, and a great one for reading on a snow day (remember snow days??!!) while you're warm in bed.