The Thursday Next Series by Jasper Fforde

I was in the library looking through their audiobooks when a title happened to catch my eye. It was Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. Now this is no prequel of the popular series with a similar name, but it might be just as humorous. A few days ago I finished it and I must say that this was one of the most enjoyable literary experiences I have ever had. The book stands at the crossroads of Douglas Adams and Nineteen Eighty-Four, if such a crossroads exists. Now that I'm done, I'm truly sad because my discovery of the world within is done. The good news is the story is far from finished, however the next book in the series isn't planned to be started until 2014. Ugh...

But this isn't about Shades of Grey, even though I will wildly endorse it. This is about Jasper Fforde and my new desire to dive into his books as fast as possible. Fforde writes these hilarious yet engrossing alternate-history stories that are filled with buckets of absurdity and even more personable characters. I can't say too much as of yet because I've only read one book of his so far. Needless to say that he's a writer that knows how to spin quite a yarn that has a perfect balance of deadpan and heart.

Right after I finished Shades of Grey I went moseying in my favorite used bookstore and happened upon these two books from Fforde's Thursday Next series. What luck, I thought. This must be a sign that I need to become acquainted with Fforde's body of work.

The Thursday Next series starts with The Eyre Affair which is a novel that has a similar dystopic vision as Shades of Grey. Russia and England are locked in conflict and literature is so important to the society that the government has put it under regulation. The book's protagonist, Thursday Next, works as a literary detective that has been commissioned with investigating the theft of a Charles Dickens manuscript.

The premise is too ridiculous to ignore. I can't wait to find a copy of The Eyre Affair and begin my new literary love affair.

Find The Eyre Affair online here or, wait for luck to strike for it to fall into your possession.

Ruined Books

There comes a time in the life of many a collector where something tragic happens to pieces of their collection.  This could be due to the person's negligence or from some other occurrence outside of their control.  Whatever the reason, it always brings mixed feelings of anger, sadness and loss.  These are treasured items that you spend a lot of time seeking and caring for.  You feel pride in your collection and to see it diminished even slightly hurts.

As you can see this just happened to me.  Just the other day I found out that the place that I have been storing a few of my books has not been completely free of water.  I was looking for a particular title when I uncovered the last box and found these books riddled with mold.  I was mad, yes, as well as feeling devastated. There were many titles that were waiting to look splendid on a bigger bookshelf. Titles such as The Divine Comedy, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Lord Jim, a very handsome edition of The Warren Commission Report and an old Hemingway hardcover.  These sad books will now have to be trashed which pains me deeply.

The news isn't all bad.  I think I might be able to save a few of the books, I'm still not sure.  I'm planning on finding a nice brush to try to sweep the small amount of mold off.  Also, this box was filled with many books that weren't among my most prized of my collection.  There were titles that I loved but it could have been worse.  I could have lost my Pynchon's, King's, Rand's and others.  I might have been inconsolable if that had happened.

Instead of promoting a book, i will promote these Sterilite 66 quart totes.  Made from a durable plastic, they will protect the contents from many hazards, water included.  They are an investment, but sometimes the money is worth it, especially if you want to protect items in your collection.

The Perks of Being a Wallfower

A couple of years ago I found this book on the summer reading table of Barnes & Noble and thought that it looked really striking.  Lime green cover, interesting placement of the photo and author text, not to mention how the title is the smallest thing on there.  I posted it on my Facebook and several friends said how much they loved the book.  I had never heard of it before that point but made a mental note to someday read it.









Last night I happened to see the film adaptation of said novel and was thoroughly smitten.  It was a pitch perfect coming of age tale about a young High School boy dealing with the struggle to fit into a new environment all the while battling his own brand of personal demons.  It had everything that such a movie should: the power of friendships, the manic nature of first love, the loss of innocence and all the engrossing cinematics that your heart could hope for.  I was truly sucked in.

But I already knew it was going to be great.  During the opening credits I noticed that not only did author Stephen Chbosky write the screenplay but he also directed the feature.  I don't know any other adaptation that can share those characteristics.  This was completely his baby and we were going to see it exactly the way he intended it to be.

Of course, after seeing the movie I now have to read the book.  Today I went to my favorite used book seller and found myself a copy.  I was hoping to find a non movie tie-in edition but this was their only copy and it came in earlier in the day.  They're flying off the shelf it seems.  Although, one can't do much better than to have the ever gorgeous Emma Watson always gaze lovingly in your direction.

You can pick up The Perks of Being a Wallflower here or at local book sellers everywhere.  See the movie today!