A Night at the Circus

Hey There Reading Grove Followers,

I know, Tessa and I have been MIA for a few weeks but y'all know how it is.  One thing lead to another and before I knew it I had neglected the blog for 3 weeks.

Anyway, both Tessa and I were able to find the time to read Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. Its a fabulous book but, I think its better for a potential reader to begin the book without any preconceived ideas so, I'm not going to give a review.  Just know that it has an original storyline with a beautifully written setting.

Tessa and I loved the book so much we decided to attend a signing at our favorite indie book store, Murder by the Book.  We had a wonderful time and learned that Night Circus has been optioned for a movie so be on the look out. 

Upcoming: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Earlier this month Erin Morgenstern's highly-anticipated novel The Night Circus was released.  Thankfully, it appears that thus far Morgenstern's debut is living up to all the anticipation that has been building around this novel for months.  Among its accolades thus far, The Night Circus, is included on Amazon's Best Books of the Month list and is already #2 on The New York Times Best Seller's list.  I think part of its appeal is the variety it seems to offer readers.  Reviews range from those enthralled by the magical aspect of the book to those enticed by its mystery and romance.  Overall, it seems the common ground is that Morgenstern has created a masterpiece that truly draws the reader into the story through her descriptive, narrative talents.  Suffice to say, those of us at The Reading Grove are very excited to enjoy this adventure ourselves.  We also have plans to attend a discussion with the author in October and look forward to sharing that experience with all of you, as well.  Stay tuned for the full review next month on The Reading Grove!

My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland

Angel Crawford has been dealt a bad hand in life. Her mother committed suicide and her father is a drunk.  And how does Angel cope?  By dropping out of high school and getting drunk and high herself. She is on a fast track to nowhere. Until she gets a second chance...as a zombie. 

Did you know zombies are the new vampires?  My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland is the first in the new series White Trash Zombie and is the first zombie book I have read.  It wasn't too gruesome and had lots of mystery.  Angel isn't a mindless flesh-eating machine, although, it seems to take her awhile to figure things out that are pretty apparent to the reader.  My Life as a White Trash Zombie is a good start to a new series and I can't wait for the next installment.

The Help by Kathryn Sockett

The Help by Kathryn Sockett is told from the perspective of three women living in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights movement.  These three women, two black maids and a white socialite, decide to write about their experiences being the help and being raised by the help. 

A friend asked me to read this book and after we both read it we would go watch the movie. I have to say this book is predictable and not very interesting.  It lacks dimension and  depth.  It starts very slow, somewhere in the middle it picks up, but ends on a very flat note. There are so many directions a book about racism and oppression can go but Kathryn Sockett stayed very benign.  Kathryn Sockett even has the nerve to compare one of the main characters to Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Redux: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Diana Bishop is a historian of science.  Sounds boring, right?  Did I forget to mention she is also a witch?  Well, she's not a very good witch.  She has attempted to live her life as a human, not using any magic.  During her research Diana unknowingly request a bewitched alchemical manuscript at Oxford's Bodleian Library.  Wanting nothing to do with the magic Diana sends the manuscript back to the stacks.  But the fact that Diana summoned this long lost manuscript sends the underworld into a tizzy. Every creature wants their hands on it.

A Discovery of Witches is the first book in the All Souls Trilogy.  Co-blogger Tessa has also reviewed A Discovery of Witches (See Tessa's review).  I completely agree with her review.  This book grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go.  Its got a little bit of everything; witches, vampires, demons, romance, suspense, history.  You name its in there.  If you don't read this book you are missing out.

A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness

I have to confess that I am not someone who jumps on the bandwagon of monster bestsellers.  I often find myself disappointed in some of those that get the most hype.  But, in some cases I am just plain wrong (don't get used to that statement).  A Discovery of Witches provided a unique and refreshing look into the world of witches and vampires.  Descended from a long line of powerful witches, Dr. Diana Bishop has rejected magic her whole life.  Instead, Dr. Bishop spent her life entrenched in academia, until one day her research uncovers a magical manuscript.  This discovery holds the potential to unlock answers that could completely disrupt the magical world.  Unfortunately for Bishop, every creature seems to realize what she has found and she finds herself unable to escape her magical identity any longer.  Luckily she seems to have a very powerful friend on her side by way of Matthew Clairmont.  The book is loaded with simple details that bring the story to life, right down to Clarimont's use of a classic Montblanc writing utensil.  Dr. Deborah Harkness did not just write another story about the supernatural; instead she created an intellectual powerhouse of a book.  A Discovery of Witches is historical, scientific, and fantastic.