It's Review Time!

Hello All!
I am finally finished with school for the year (and what a year it has been!) As much as I want to complete my Bachelor's Degree, I am really quite resentful of the fact that studying eats up all of my reading time. Where is the justice in that?? I am well on my way with this year's collection, and am currently on book #3. I had to order 4 of the titles from Amazon, as my library system did not have them available anywhere in the state (?!?), so depending on when my orders arrive I may have to mix up the planned reading schedule a bit. However, for now we'll just focus on what's at hand...reviews!
 
This was an interesting read with mystery and suspense, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Timothy Schaffert's descriptions of the World's Fair are amazing, though, and you find yourself immersed in the dust and magic and hullaballoo of the turn of the century wonder.

I loved this book! I started it after dinner on Wednesday evening and finished it at 11:30 the same night--I couldn't put it down. It is heartbreaking, uplifting, filled with mystery and no small amount of confusion and turmoil and love. People are mysteries and wonders; it makes me think of Alice Hoffman's Museum of Extraordinary Things, and in fact takes place at the same time and place, though chronicles different events. This is Leslie Parry's debut novel. Based on this book alone, she is an author to follow.


I haven't finished this one yet, but it is magical, lyrical; the words conjure images just out of sight and leave you wanting more mystery. It reminds me of Bhanu Kapil's "The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers" but is less structured, though wholly readable. It is the kind of poetry I wish to write. (Seriously, I am really, really enjoying this book. I will post another completed review with excerpts when I finish it...if I can wait that long.)

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