Atonement - Ian McEwan

Another one of those trade paperbacks, the ones that you know indicate LITERATURE - something more serious than a mystery, fantasy or romance. On my 3 shelves of books to reads, these trade paperbacks comprise at least half. The worst part of my books to read shelves is that most of them were given to me, the only thing I know about it as I select a book is its size and cover art. With so much literature facing me, sometimes I dread randomly selecting a book. I feel too tired for a book that will make me think - I long for the book that forces me to turn off my brain or else risk figuring out the ending in the first 20 pages...

So, it was with mixed feelings that I started Atonement. I picked it up in the midst of a migraine - one that was bad enough to keep me from sleeping, but not bad enough to keep me from reading. I made it through the first chapter before I felt ready for sleep. I wondered a little about what was to come, but it wasn't enough to keep me up. But the next time I picked it up, I had to force myself to stop before today turned to yesterday.

Written mainly from a budding author's point of view, I found the characters fun and likeable - although definitely fallible. I appreciated the idea of watching a scene and imagining what everyone else was thinking - trying to determine what really happened with only a minute or two watching. The writing is beautiful - I can picture the house, the fountain, the island - and all the characters going about their business. Although, it is only in books that I hear a mother called by her first name and not mom, mother, ma, or the like. This is a book about using an incomplete set of facts and finding the story to match. Pretty much what each of us do every day.

I'll be loaning this out and hoping for it's return. I would like to read it again in a year or so just to see if it is as good the second time.

Demolition Angel - Robert Crais

Fun murder mystery that was good airplane reading. Nothing special, very cliche, but still enjoyable. I'll pass it on - not worth reading again.

The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova

Page turners should never be this long! I kept telling myself, I would put it down at the next chapter, then find myself continuing on anyway. I became afraid to pick it up, because I knew I wouldn't want to put it down.

Kostova provided a fantastic journey though Europe and the Middle East - including history along with the exciting search for Dracula. Maybe the next time I read it, I'll be better able to put it down for a break. It's definitely staying in the library.