"The Thirteenth Tale"

Ok -I am again pushing a book I am not done with yet, but I have enjoyed it so much thus far that I am recommending it. Will it stay in the top 100... that remains to be seen. This novel is a story within a story. Our lead, a young woman who works in her father's bookshop in England and is an amateur biographer, receives a letter requesting she meet with a famous but reclusive old novelist - to write her biography. Why our heroine is chosen, she is not sure. Whether she wants the job, she is not sure. Who this novelist is, she is not sure. So mystery abounds.

The author's voice here is lovely. If you liked the author's voice in the The Historian, this book deserves a home in your bookshelf. The narration is direct but really carries the wilder moments of the inner tale forward. There is something very mystical about 13 - so the title invites you into that possibility. But thus far, the author has repeatedly edged right up to the supernatural, really made you believe in the boogey-man, then calmly explained why it is all mere fantasy. Does she mean it? Is there a ghost story to hear? Hmmm.... I don't know if I am being desensitized to the fantastical or the opposite. Rest assured the story within is wild enough that dropping the supernatural element wouldn't bug me at all. This is a very well-told book... I expect the story will live up to the high bar the author has set thus far. Oh, and while it is still hardcover, it is currently all over at deep discounts... Costco, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

PS. Lovely website too ...http://www.thethirteenthtale.com/

"Make Me a Match" by Diana Holquist

UPDATED!

Make Me a Match

This is a shameless plug. My 2nd cousin twice removed (or some such thing) wrote this book and I just found out it was released this month. It is absolutely Chick Lit and so far quite cute...... The basic premise is that while hosting her engagement party to a busy Baltimore lawyer, our main Chick (Cecelia) finds herself also hosting her gypsy, slightly psychic sister, Amy. Amy's psychic ability is that she can hear the name of an individual's One True Love. And she is certain that her sister isn't marrying him.

I admit to not not being quite done - though I read the first half last night. But thus far, I love the idea, the voice and the humor peppered throughout this novel. It won't set you back much - straight to small paperback. So go ahead and grab a copy and support the family....

UPDATE.... I finished this book last week in another mini-marathon reading session and I thought it was quite consistent throughout. Love stories aren't always happy - certainly in real life there are obstacles and the ones encountered here can certainly put your own love life into perspective. This book has exactly what you expect from a good romance. .. and I won't say anything more than that ;) Oh, I forgot, we are calling the modern romance novels of our generation Chick Lit! Heck - works for me :) Great Chick Lit, then!