Digging to America by Anne Tyler

Actually started this book as a Book on CD on a long drive. After listening to 60% of the book, the next disc was scratched which was devastating with hours left in the drive and a serious connection to the characters. I am not normally a fan of books on CD, but this is a good one. This was my introduction to Anne Tyler and I am very much looking forward to reading more of her novels.

The story of international adoption and the story of two families dealing with their new babies is a beautiful discussion of culture, family, love and "American". I would highly recommend this book, although I will warn you that you may not be able to get anything else accomplished after you start it.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

As I read these books I cannot quite fathom why I avoided fantasy books as a kid. I will admit that I was willing to attempt to read these books as an adult BECAUSE OF my enjoyment of the movies. I cannot recall ever reading a book because I had watched the movie, and I have avoided watching certain movies because I don't want my mental images tweaked by Hollywood. But I know that without having watched the movies I would be hard pressed to keep many of the characters or locations clear. And truth be told I don't really mind picturing Viggo Mortensen or the beautiful New Zealand landscapes from the movies.

I started reading Book One on vacation in a log cabin without electricity surrounded by bucolic harmony. My passion and eagerness to read Two Towers and Return of the King has certainly diminished as I returned to modern life but I can imagine reading them again in a couple years.

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland was another giveaway at ALA in Anaheim in 2008. It grabbed me immediately because I love historical fiction and I find the black plague to be a time that is ripe for some modern translation. Honestly it also made me feel knowledgeable because I took a couple of history classes in college where I had to read scholarly works on the time period (nice reminder of why I am not in a History PhD program). The band of semi-merry travelers grows and shrinks, with a member meeting nearly every demographic of Medieval England!

My favorite character got killed off too soon, but the suspense of discovering the secrets of each of the remaining traveler's was addicting.

I'm not a fan of ghost stories, and I found the ending unnecessarily creepy after drowning in a bit of cheesiness, but it's still recommended because of the interesting characters and the grace of bringing the reader into the 14th Century of plague and pestilence.

Jars of Glass by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler

Jars of Glass was a give away at ALA in Anaheim in 2008, the School Library Journal recommends it for readers in Grades 8 and up. It is one of those books published for young adults which deals with disturbing topics that end up haunting me, a not so young reader. The plot may seem trite - teenage sisters live with their father and adopted brother above the family mortuary business, but the relationship between the sisters and their new brother is beautiful and the descriptions of art and color are mind twisting. More importantly the teenage angst seems realistically depicted without the dramatic rebellion too often seen in YA books.

I read Jars of Glass in a weekend, drawn to the story of Shana, Chloe and Micah and hoping for their survival. I came to really enjoy the swapping of the narrative point of view (although I did have my preferred narrator). It's a super quick read, and other than the occasional disturbing images and the unnecessary plot line about Starbucks and the new friend - a recommended book.