Whispers from the Library

Hopefully a weekly thing where I tell you about all the books I've read this week. The books I read won't necessarily be new releases, nor will they necessarily be classics. These are literally whatever struck my fancy this week.

First this week was Going Bovine written by Libba Bray

          I read this almost a week ago and I'm still not sure if I liked it. It was an interesting novel, and well written.Who am I to argue with the awards shes won?  Basic Summary: Cameron is a 16 year old slacker who finds out he's dying of Mad Cow Disease and goes on an adventure to save the world before he dies. Sounds great. However I found it predicable, particularly with the foreshadowing like a knife to the throat. There is also a complete lack of in depth female characters. I realize the fact that the novel is written from the perspective of a 16 year old boy precludes the whole strong, deep, modern woman ideal, but I was still disappointed  The novels saving grace in my opinion is a Norse God brought low and a goth Angel who's enigmatic responses are always humorous. Though the social commentary is worth noting, on par with White Noise, truly. Essentially it IS a Young Adult novel and this is one of the few instances where I wholly agree. Anyone over 16 could skip it and just watch WristCutters: A Love Story which is mostly the same with a MUCH better sound track. 

Second this week was Sharp Objects written by Gillian Flynn

          I loved this book. Basic plot: a mediocre journalist fresh from the psych ward goes back to her home town to report on the murder/abduction of two young girls. Sounds trite and predicable; like any other crime drama you can pick off the shelf. It Isn't. First the mystery is exciting and lasts until the last pages and more than makes up for the slow start. Most of all the thing I wanted to say about Sharp Objects is that it has the most accurate and honest depiction of Self Injury I have ever read in print. It explores the power of family, and what it means to be family. Primarily though, it's about the ability of words to build, preserve and destroy. That words can mean more than actions and how the results of each are irreparable. I liked it so much I already bought another of her books  Dark Places.  

Third this week was The City of Dreaming Books  written by Walter Moers

          Walter Moers books always move slowly. Do not think this means that they aren't worth reading, he just takes his time setting it up. This is the third of the Zamonia series, but feel free to read them in any order (except his newest book which is a direct sequel to this one) because most of them are just random stories all taking place in the same universe. Think of it kind of like Discworld in that regard, feel free to start wherever you want, just read them. This novel is about Books, in a world where books are equivalent to both wealth and civilization. It echoes Borges without feeling redundant. It's a lovely world where anyone who doesn't mind the fact that you have to be 1/3 through the novel before the action really picks up will be greatly enriched by the experience. With the intrigue of Ecco's  Name of the Rose,  and the playfulness of Pratchett you really can't go wrong.