The Story of Edward Sawtelle

David Wroblewski.  This was the best book of the summer in my opinion.  It helps that the author seemed like a super nice guy when I met him, and that his book involves dogs.  I'm not a fan of recommending books on the best sellers list (this books has been on for a number of weeks and I hope it stays up there), especially at the book store, it feels like an easy recommendation.  I don't like the customers thinking I've just given them whatever was at hand.  But in this case, I've recommended it a dozen times, and talked all of them into buying it since it went up.  It's an amazing coming of age tale about a boy in Wisconsin.  Edward's family breeds and trains dogs, Sawtelles, and he has grown up in the family business.  When his father dies suddenly teenaged Edward finds himself hip deep in a Hamlet style plot.  I only spent about ten pages wondering which character was Ophelia, once you get into story, it's hard to think about anything but Edward and his dogs.  

  This is a book for anyone who likes good fiction, dogs, Hamlet, or looking smart on the train (it's very long, though it doesn't feel it).  Absolutely the best book of the summer.  And I've read a lot this summer. 

The Black Tower

Louis Baynard.  Another great historical mystery from Baynard.  He also wrote Mr. Timothy (the story of a grown up Tiny Tim) and the Palest Blue Eye, both of which I recommend. Black Tower is about Vidocq (if not the earliest detective, one of the first) in 1818 France as he and that narrator, Hector Carpienter investigate the possibility that Hectors father helped Louis Charles (Louis XIV and Marie Antoinettes son) escape from prison after the French Revolution.  

 The story is fascinating, with interesting characters and vivid descriptions, as are all of Baynard's books. It's really a great mystery, especially if you like historical fiction.  This Baynard guy is going places, his books are a step above the historical mysteries I've seen around recently.  

A Lion Among Men

Gregory Maguire is a favorite of mine, as I've mentioned.  I loved Wicked, Mirror Mirror and Confessions of an ugly Step sister.  I didn't love Son of a Witch, though it was occasionally recommended just so I could say the title often.  Mine is an often adolescent sense of humor.    A Lion among Men (another great title), is the third in the Wicked Years series.  After this one, I'm hoping he doesn't stop at a trilogy.  Who doesn't want to read about how the Scarecrow came into power in Oz, or what Emperor Shell is going to do?  How about that Munchkin uprising?  Right, might just be me.  I don't think you need to read Son of a Witch to really enjoy this novel, though you must read Wicked (on principal, you won't be able to follow the story even if you've seen the musical a dozen times).  It follows the Cowardly Lion...  I mean of course Brrr, Sr. Brrr if you want to be technical, since Lady Glinda gave him a title after the Dorothy incident.  Brrr, middle aged and cranky, is tasked with finding out about Elphaba's book, the Grimmerie, and, if possible, about her possible son Liir (from Son of a Witch).  

   Anyway, it's funny, sweet and interesting throughout.  Brrr is a great character, and as always Maguire's writing is awesome.  Read Wicked, and then read this.  Seriously.

To Start

I'm not really sure how to start this.  There are way too many books I love that I should start with, there's a quick list to your right, it was going to be a top 5. But it turns out I can't really decide on just 5, so it'll have to be 10...  Only problem is that those are the only four I am positive will make the cut.  Should I start with one of those, or one I've finished recently?  So how about a quick list of authors I think are amazing.

*Jasper Fforde is my very favorite.  He's brilliant.  Weird, but totally completely brilliant, and hilarious.  I adore him, both the Thursday Next series and the Nursery Crimes series.  My friend Patricia forced his first one on me a million years ago, and now I wait for a new one every July (except for this year, I'm just glad I always keep one on hand that I haven't read). 

*Christopher Moore.  Again, brilliant weird and hilarious.  I love love love Lamb, it's my favorite book.  I don't remember if my (catholic) friend Dan gave this to me, or if he just admitted that he loved it right after I finished it, but either way, it's remained one of my favorites for years.  Dirty Jobs was awesome, and the rest of his are consistently wonderful.

*Marissa De Los Santos.  No matter what people say, I still think Love Walked In was better than Belong To Me, but the fact that I can't say enough good things about either means something.  I can't wait to find out what she writes next.  Love Walked In is amazing, sweet and funny, and that the main character loves the Philadelphia Story (my very favorite movie) is just an added bonus.  I adored that book, and loved the follow up.  

*Gregory Maguire.  Wicked was astonishing, beautifully written.  I think I actually liked saying Son of Witch more than the actual book, but he redeemed himself with A Lion Among Men.  Oh wait, that ones not out yet.  But trust me, it comes out in October, and if you liked Wicked, you'll like it.  It follows the Cowardly Lion, and Maguire is back to being dryly witty, something I found lacking in Son of a Witch.  

*Sophie Kinsella.   I find her books to be light and fluffy, but crying I'm laughing so hard funny.  Take a pass on the last two of the Shopaholic series, but her stand alones, like Can you Keep a Secret are wonderful.  

*Cornelia Funke.  I know these are kids books, but I've worked in the kids department of a bookstore off and on for almost 5 years, and she has always been one of my favorites.  I think the Inkspell series is genius.  Inkdeath, which also isn't out yet, was a wonderful ending to a popular series, something that I haven't seen a lot in kids books lately (hey, I recommended the hell out of Stephanie Meyers, I just can't get over the fact I think she coped out of the ending, that's all I'm saying).  But Funke did the impossible, and finished her series in three books with an ending I adored, from start to finish.  

*Laurie Notaro.  This is the woman who writes the way I think.  Seriously.  She's funny and bold and just a little wrong sometimes.  The Idiot Girls Action Adventure Club too often describes scenes that could have come out of my own life.  Especially the parts where she falls down.  

Okay, that's my serious list.  Here is a list of authors I have enjoyed, and while their books may appear on my favorites list, probably don't deserve the same recognition as the others.

*Dennis Lehane.  Shutter Island was wonderful, and I never expected the twist ending. I love his early stuff before he hit it big with Mystic River, which was also great. I like mysteries, and these are some of the best.

*Harlan Coben is another one I enjoy.  He's a great mystery author, though I'll admit I can never remember the plot a week after I finish one, the titles are all two words, and the plot usually involves a seemingly normal person getting involved in something shady.  But really I love him.

*Kate Atkinson.  I wasn't sure if she should have been listed in the first group.  Behind the scenes at the Museum is great, and so are all of the others I've read by her.  She is my go to when I've been reading Advanced Readers that weren't as good as I anticipated and need something I know will be good.  

*Sarah Addison Allen.  I know, really? But I LOVED Garden Spells, and Sugar Queens was so good.  I don't traditionally go for southern chick lit.  And yet, I was drawn in by a cute story and a good romantic twist.  Whatever, I'm a sap at heart.  

A confession.  I love Lauren Willig.  It's kind of historical fiction, about a group of spies, and this modern woman who is researching them...  Whatever, I love them.  I like the action, and that within twenty pages you know who the heroine is going to fall in love with, even though she seems to hate him at the start.

Speaking of.  Did you notice a lack of Jane Austen or Charlotte Bronte (Hell, Emily for that matter)?  That is because there are certain authors that don't need to be mentioned.  Of course Pride and Prejudice is one of my favorite books, and I love Jane Eyre.  I even love the stuff that rips them off.  Though, if you try to sell me on Mr. Darcy's daughters solve a mystery again, I will punch you in the face.