Two Good Books

Sometimes it seems there is an inordinate amount of time between excellent reads.  Not so this summer.  I've been fortunate to have two, practically back-to-back.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, was recommended to me by a blog reader and for the life of me I can't remember who.  But, whoever you are, thank you so much!  Told from the unusual perspective of Death, this novel, set during the Holocaust, is about a young girl who is sent to live with a foster family after her mother has been arrested.  It is a story of relationships that the girl forms -- first with her foster father, then with a neighbor, and then with a prominent townswoman.  There's another relationship, too, but telling that would be a spoiler.  It's about a person finding her way, finding her place; a person who loves books, and who loves others unconditionally.

The characters are wonderful.  Somehow, even Death comes across as a sympathetic and not horrible figure.

I loved this book.  I was glad that it was available in paperback so I can share it with  my daughters.

The other day when I went to the library to pick up the book that was on reserve for me, I had ten minutes before I had to be to my next appointment.  So I went and perused the new fiction, something I seldom have time to do.

Perfect Peace's cover stood out for me, and so I picked up the book.  And ended up bringing it home.  And couldn't put it down.

Emma Jean Hurt grew up as an abused, unloved, unwanted child.  As an adult, she wanted -- needed -- a daughter to love and lavish.  After six sons, she just knew her seventh pregnancy would yield that daughter.  And when it didn't, she decided otherwise.  She told the family that at last they had a little girl and raised the child as a girl until she turned eight.  Then the truth had to be told.

This is an amazing book that tells the story of a poor, uneducated family, and how they cope with the inconceivable (pun intended).  How they are forced to look at issues of gender, sex, and love.  It is a bizarre theme, but don't be put off by it.  I found myself almost understanding what Emma Jean did.

Okay, friends, please go out to the library or bookstore and pick up one or both of these.  That should keep you busy for the weekend while I'm off-line.  The troops arrive tonight, the big move is scheduled for tomorrow, and I'm in charge of the food rations.

Happy holiday weekend, all.