A Good Book, or Two

I think I'm getting sick.  I hate that feeling.  The itch in the back of the throat, the fog in the brain (although I'm not sure that's so unusual), and of course the crabbiness.  I don't feel good, and all I really want is to crawl under my down comforter (yes, I have one & use it, even though we live in Arizona-I keep telling you...it FEELS cold here!) and bury my head.  Then later will I peek out, and find some peppermint herbal tea, and a good book to lose myself in.

I just finished reading two books, one was for book club (pictured above).  It's a mystery, about a little girl who was found abandoned on a ship to Australia just before the First World War, the story about discovering who she really was, and all the family intrigue that you'd expect. That's the only thing I didn't like about this book.  Predictable.  A mystery should be a mystery, you shouldn't figure it all out 300 pages before the book is over.  Setting that aside (if you can) I loved the writing and the author's choice of words took my breath away at times.  I am really looking forward to book club this Thursday, to see what my friends and fellow book lovers thought of this book.

This book was pure indulgence.  You see, I loved this author's first book, back in 2005, that's right it's been nearly 5 years that I have been salivating, waiting to feast on more of her words.  She has the most amazing way of using language to paint a picture, every page is like a treasure.  It astounds me that some people have these stories living in their heads, and can share them so beautifully.

 

This was her first book, a must read if you haven't added it to your list of books yet.  I love The Historian, it is one of my all time favorite reads, I couldn't put it down, loved every twist and turn, and immediately sought out more by Ms. Kostova.  And found nothing, nada, zilch.  It was very disappointing.  Every so often I have checked my sources for announcements of her next masterpiece.  And nothing.  For 5 years, Nothing!  Then last week I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted it for sale.  I immediately texted my friend Jenny to share the good news.  She loves The Historian right along with me!  I knew she would understand the delight and pure joy that exploded inside my heart when I saw this new novel.  And she did!  So much so that it proved irresistable, and too much to wait on a list at the library...she bought it!  And being the unbelievable, gracious, generous, amazing friend that she is, she showed up at my door, unannounced, with said book in hand.  She had too much to do this weekend, and couldn't risk opening the book, but she couldn't resist the purchase.  And, as I said, being the generous soul she is, she brought it to my doostep so I could read it.  BEFORE SHE DID!!!  Her friendship truly  knows no bounds!

And, it was good.  I liked it.  I didn't quite love it like The Historian, but to be fair, it would have been hard for any novel to live up to the 5 years of hype in my head.  I learned so much about Art, which I loved doing, and it made me think, which I also loved. It has some crude language, not enough to overwhelm the story, but enough that I need to put the disclaimer in, just in case you want to pick it up and give it a read. 

I'm feeling better just thinking about reading these books, I really need another one, 'cause I'm feeling sick.  And achey, and my throat itches.  I think my bed is calling to me...have any recommendations?