The Nine Tailors

This intriguing mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers is an excellent read! I don't believe this book is the first of her tales starring Lord Peter Wimsey, but it's a great introduction that leaves the reader wondering where he came from and where he's going. I think this makes a terrific foray into Sayers' work! I will admit that The Nine Tailors is the first of her books that I've read personally, but I am looking forward to reading more!

The book takes place in rural England (I can't be more specific, I don't think without making a fool of myself) and has terrific characters and glimpses into the small community life. Must read for all mystery lovers. Highly recommended for other fiction readers. I think there is enough description of change-ringing to be of interest to readers of light non-fiction as well, but probably not enough for those non-ficiton readers who prefer the hard-hitters (Durant's Story of Civilization, etc...).

Pere Goriot

This classic novel by Honore Balzac is an excellent example of the (mostly) honest man vs. high society. I enjoyed the hints of Shakespeare present in the undertones of the text (think King Lear and Iago from Othello). As tends to be the case in many early European novels, extensive description can lead the 21st century reader astray. If you enjoy Dickensian melodrama and coincidence, you will enjoy this work, however. I think this book is a great introduction to Balzac's work - much more so than his longer novel, Lost Illusions.

Recommended in general; highly recommended to lovers of Charles Dickens' work and to readers of classic fiction.

A Room of One's Own

I have wanted to read this non-fiction work by Virginia Woolf for about 10-15 years now, but finally just did it! I wish I'd read it earlier, as I think it would have really appealled to my emerging womanhood psyche. However, reading it as an early thirty-something, I find it still hits its mark, reminding me that I need to take time for things that are only important to me, things that are essential to my personal renewal and growth. Also, not to forget my friends and to do things without my husband-to-be. Having outside interests keeps us sane in relationships - and helps said relationships from getting stale.

Must read - especially for young women. I'm not sure it'd have the same effect for men, but I suspect it'd still be worthwhile and thought-provoking.

Inkspell

Back for another children's book! Inkspell is Cornelia Funke's sequel to her book Inkheart. Overall, I found Inkheart more enjoyable in its entirety, as Inkspell has kind of a cliff-hanger ending. I strongly suspect that Ms. Funke will add a third book to this series to wrap up the loose ends. The characters and world created in this "Ink" series are rich, varied, and imperfect in their own ways. I think when the hero characters have regrets or other flaws, the story they interact in is much more vivid.

Must read for those who liked Inkheart. Highly recommended for Harry Potter fans and fantasy fans (as long as you don't need elves in your fantasy books).

Nonfiction Readers' Advisory

I read this collection of essays to enrich my readers' advisory skills, which I use nigh daily in my role as a public librarian. I found these essays interesting, enjoyable, as well as helpful in carrying out one of my roles as a librarian. Very insightful.

Very highly recommended for all public librarians!!

Old Man and the Sea

This short work by Ernest Hemingway is an American classic. Read by several generations of high school students (I suspect in part due to its brevity), this book is an excellent example of a man vs. nature story line. I would say, though, that what the book was really about was not the sea or even the fish, but about the man himself: his strengths, weaknesses, and more than anything, his humanity.

It'll take an hour to an hour & a half to read. Just do it. :) It's really a great (and not depressing) book about the human condition.