Hell to Pay by Simon R Green is #7 in his Nightside series.

I have had this sitting on my bookshelf for over a year because I was saving it for a very special occasion. Mainly the release of the next Nightside book. I don't know what I would do if he stopped writing these.

Fun, creative, and a wild ride. I LOVE this author. I love his humor, his style, and his amazingly creative mind.

Putting it simply, his books to me are perfect escapism.

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier was a fast and fascinating read.

Basically there are three states of existence, living, dead but remembered, and then, well, something after that but we don't know what.

The story goes back and forth between the living and a city of the dead. Because for as long as someone remembers you, as long as you are in their thoughts then you exist in the city of the dead.

This thought provoking story really does talk about how people might die but they live on in our memories.

Strange but beautiful, I enjoyed this story very much.

People of the Book

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks was a story my parents picked up and really enjoyed. So when we got together a few weeks back they gave it to me to read. And I'm glad they did.

The story is really cool. It takes place in modern times and in the distant past.

A Hebrew prayer book has been found and is lovingly preserved by Hannah. With each sample she takes from the book of stains, hair, and even a butterfly wing she tried to put together where the book has been in it's long life. And with each piece of evidence we are taken back in time to find out how those bits of evidence got to be a part of the book. As well as how the book in and of itself came to be.

It's a wonderful story. Fun to read, and beautifully written.

The Witch of Portobello

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho was one of those grabs at the airport book store. I loved The Alchemist and this sounded irresistible. I was intrigued from the first page.

Ultimately, I'm not sure I loved this book. It was beautifully written and had some fantastic moments. And beautiful passages. But I feel a little empty. I didn't grow to care about the main character as much as I probably should have. She remained a little distant to me.

But, I'm not sad I read it. And I don't feel like it was a waste of time. It was a good story, just not a life changing great story.

The Shadow of the Wind

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron was simply wonderful. Fantastic, couldn't be better. My dad read this book at the same time I did and we would call each other and talk about the quotes we liked from the book. There were many.

We had read "The Book Thief" and both thought that there was no way a book could compare. And that for a while it would seem that all other books were just not anywhere as good in comparison. But I picked this one up and as soon as I started it I called him and told him to grab it. That he would love it just as much.

And we certainly did. This was a really good story.

The Amber Spyglass

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman is the third book in his trilogy. And equally as marvelou as the first two. Normally I would have been very sad to see this series end. It was a fun ride. But, there is an additional book called Lyra's Oxford. So I can still get my fix.

Overall, I'm glad I read this series. I really enjoyed it. And I will save Lyra's Oxford for one of those literary treats I savor and save for special reading occasions.