Whew. I can’t believe we’re halfway through the year! It was a good month for books, too.
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield is a mystery that starts with a young girl being “saved” from drowning in the Thames River. But the peculiar thing is she appears to be dead — until she’s not. And then the story turns even more strange when three different families claim her as their own.
This was a great read for me. Perfect escapism, where I’m immersed in the lives of people who live and work on the river. The movie with the same title is not based on this book. But if you like novels about small towns with multiple POVs, historical fiction with a bit of magical realism, you’ll probably enjoy this read. And the magical realism really comes from this story or belief that the townsfolk have about what happens to people on the river … Beautifully told.
I have to admit. I do love a good book cover, and this one attracted me. The Thief was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal in 1997 and a Newbery Honor Book, which also appealed to me. I’m not sure what age group this YA novel is marketed for, but if I hadn’t known it was YA, I would be none the wiser.
This fantasy novel centers on Eugenides who is in prison for stealing the King’s seal. But he is freed when the King wants to use his talents for stealing a mythical object, Hamiathes’s Gift. Most of the story takes place on the road, and I found it remarkable how successful the author was in keeping my interest, because let’s face it, the idea of reading about a small group of men traveling by horseback doesn’t sound exciting.
I also liked Eugenides even though he was a “difficult prisoner”. This is an excellent example of a writer just telling the story and not trying to make you feel this or that way, but allowing the reader to form her own conclusions. In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, I immediately started on the second one in this series, The Queen of Attolia.
Megan Whalen Turner has created a world (complete with myths!) that’s convincing and fascinating which is why she’s been able to spin her yarn so successfully. I’m glad I’ve found my summertime reading! I mean, maybe I’ll take a break after the second one, but it’s not looking like it yet, because I couldn’t put it down last night wanting it know what happens next.
My big trip back to America is a mere week away, so I don’t really know if I’ll do a July reading roundup. Instead, I might combine July + August. Life is also a bit chaotic, with not only the traveling, but also, wrapping up the school year with my students, and searching for a new place to live. I’ve been trying to take it day by day so I don’t overwhelm myself.
Any tips for long flights and even longer layovers? How’s your summer been so far?
Life, the Universe, and Lani 
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