Reading in the Garden

Secrecy and Surprises in Spain The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón is about a boy’s investigation into the enigmatic life of author, Julián Carax. After reading Carax’s novel The Shadow of the Wind, Daniel wants to enjoy more of his books only to discover that someone has systematically burned every copy of his published works.  As the story progresses Daniel enlists the help of a co-worker, ex-political prisoner, ex-bum, and always entertaining Fermín, to get to the bottom of this mystery.  What they discover is a puzzle that slowly reveals the entire picture as each piece falls into place. The story they unravel through the streets of Barcelona is complex filled with passion, jealousy, hatred, deception, and strong, undying love of the many various characters who are somehow connected to the tragic truth.  This book is a well-narrated, well-crafted, intricate story that I enjoyed.  With twists and turns of complicated lives, it held my interest throughout the 487

Take a Walk on the Weird Side The Metamorphosis  by Kafka  is a super-short, fifty-nine-page, surreal classic.  Think—Salvador Dali in written format.  One morning Gregor Samsa wakes up to discover he has transformed into a monstrous bug. Strangely, after his first thought of “Holy, crap!  What’s happened to me?!!!,” he dwells more on “OMG, I’m going to be late for work!” Now, that’s not what I would call a sign of a dedicated employee; it’s pure and simple fear.  His boss is a real orb-smasher, if you know what I mean .  In the living room, his family keeps knocking on the door asking why Gregor isn’t already on the road as a traveling salesman.  He’s so late, the head clerk shows up at his house demanding to know what’s going on. The family is very worried about Gregor and the extra pressure of the presence of his boss isn’t helping. Just when they’re ready to run and get the locksmith, Gregor manages to turn the key with his mouth and open the door.  Enter the bug.  The fami

Wild About Oscar The Importance of Being by Oscar Wilde is a brief, 55-65 page play, depending on the edition. It’s also one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous works.  First performed on stage in 1895, it is a comedy of deception and misunderstandings.  Two friends both assume the name “Ernest” to impress two different women who happen to love that name. Enter a droll butler or two, a snobbish aunt, and mix it all up with snappy dialogue and you have ready-made smiles. It’s fun. It’s short. And it’s worth a look. A bit about  the author:   Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde  was born in Dublin in 1854.  He was a multi-talented and wildly popular witty writer and lecturer. He wrote everything from fairy tales, to poems and plays, as well as one novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray . He was a husband and father of two boys, and he was gay, a well-known secret.  When he was professionally at the top of his game, he had an affair with Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas.  Unfortunately, A

A Life of Books The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin is about a curmudgeonly bookstore owner who has slipped into depression and alcoholism after his wife died in a car accident. Without Nic, A.J. is suffering and so is business since she was the people person. At 39, he’s just looking forward to retiring, and the rare edition of an Edgar Allan Poe book is his ticket out of there, until there’s a snag.  Someone stole it. And that’s not all. In the greatest twist of fate, a baby is left in his store with a note from the mother stating that she can no longer take care of Maya and wants her to grow up being a reader. This is a touching, quick and easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. I liked the setting--on Alice Island by Martha’s Vineyard.  I was already planning my next vacation there ready to sip a Queequeg at the Pequod even if the salty, fruity, fishy concoction sounded disgusting—until I found out it’s a fictional location.  I also liked