Book #12 Faithful Place by Tana French

This is the second book by Tana French I've read and really enjoyed. A powerfully packed mystery with tough subjects such as social classes, abusive childhoods and sibling rivalry.

A tragic tale, brilliantly told, loving but bittersweet and told with such brilliant truths that you'll be a mess well before the end. I highly recommend this to any mystery reader. 

Amazon has a great interview with French about the book here.

Boot #11 A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

I will not lie, the cover is what attracted me to this book. I do judge a book by its cover. I always find great books this way. It usually gets me out of my comfort zone and into a new genre. This read was awesome, it keep me addicted page after page. I even forgot that I was on lunch at work and was jerked back into reality when someone walked by and I jumped, lol. Very funny and dark read.

Here is the breakdown in a series of words:

Beta Male
Super Sarcastic
Loses Wife
Becomes Death
Raising Baby Alone
Collecting Souls
Thrift Store Owner
Friend Named Minty Fresh (7ft tall Black Guy)
Fighting Forces of Darkness

So, I'm now on a waiting list at the library for all of Christopher Moores book.

Book #10 Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Wow, sorry I've neglected you...your such a special blog and I know, I know, I've been away to long but I'm here to make it up to you with this wonderful read!

I found this book on the Chicago Public Library website in a program Chicago has called One Book One Chicago. A twice annual book club that has been around for 10 years! This springs book is Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. CPL also sets up many events revolving around the book. This spring, so far, has been amazing with several appearances by Neil Gaiman and many other influential authors. I've attended two lectures already and was surprised on the huge turnouts and quality of the lecture.

This book was great, a coming of age story set in a fantastical underworld below London. It has amazing characters that will keep you entertained throughout.

Book #12- The Hamdmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Terrifying.  Completely, absolutely, terrifying.

This is an amazing piece of work, reminiscent of  Orwell, and takes place in the future when a militaristic theocracy has taken over the US. 

Atwood brings up many different issues, probably more prevalent and pressing in 1985, but still appropriate almost 30 years later.  It brings up issues of gender, sex, social hierarchy, religion, race, politics, and tries to get to the root of human morality.  I think this is definitely a good book to read for anyone who is politically aware.  However, it is still completely, absolutely, terrifying.

Book #11- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Aaagh, I forgot to update after this one, so I'll be updating two at once.  Silly me.

Although I don't personally know anyone with autism or Asberger's Syndrome, I had so many great conversations when I was reading this with people who do.  They told me that they had read this book and that it made them understand their cousin/nephew/peer, etc. so much better. 

I'm so glad I read this because it gave me a completely new perspective on an issue that I was previously very uninformed about.  Props to Mark Haddon for making that possible.  I think it's great when an author can make people become aware and compassionate about topics that aren't discussed often enough.
All in all, a great read.  Funny at parts, sad at others, but great the whole way through.