May and the books it brought along

I know I'm a little late on my book post this month. I just like to keep you all guessing.

Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff

This author will already be familiar to you if you've read 84, Charing Cross Road. If you haven't, march right out and get it. I loved that book, I loved The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street even more, and this one was more of the same. Conversational and memoir-like, but not taking itself too seriously, this is a story of a writer from New York who loves books.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Just a warning, I was unable to put this book down. It was fantastic, and I do not say that lightly. I love the relatable characters, the mysterious plot, the addictive prose. It's the story of an underage cab driver in New Zealand (the author is from New Zealand). His life is going nowhere, until he witnesses a bank robbery. Soon, strange messages begin to arrive for him. Who are they from and what do they mean? As wonderful as I think this book is, I think it only fair to warn you that there was a fair amount of unsavory language and some unsavory action as well. Don't let this stop you from reading, but don't say you weren't warned.

Horoscopes For the Dead by Billy Collins

One of my favorite poets, he's done it again. I haven't been a huge fan of his past few collections, but I thought that this was was lovely, capturing the intimate details of everyday life, and focusing a lot about death, which was, for some reason, comforting.

Bink and Gollie by Kate Dicamillo and Alison McGhee

This is a charming and witty children's book about two unlikely friends. They have wonderful dialogue and I found myself laughing and sighing almost constantly. Well worth the 15 minutes it took to read!

Ireland Unhinged by David Monagan

This is a sweet, sad memoir about a family who moves to Ireland, leaving their lives in Connecticut, and about a country, which is always changing, shifting and being added to and taken away. With story rich and beautiful, this is a book I will remember long.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

This was an addictive, satisfying and captivating book. It's a children's book, which are sometimes my favorite. The pace was good, the characters were believable and it left me wanting more. I also happen to love the fact that the cover was designed by the artist known for a partnership with the Decemberists.

Matched by Ally Condie

A distopian (dare I call it romance?) following in the tradition of 1984 or the Giver. Basically, a twist that works for teens and young adults. It starts with the premise of matching (arranged marriages brought about by the Society) and builds outward to the rest of the system (including the poisoning of the elderly and unwanted). Very interesting, perhaps not up to the standards of those other works, but certainly thought-provoking.

The Good Girl Revolution by Wendy Shalit

Many of you may remember my post on Wendy's book A Return to Modesty (if not, here's the link). This is the follow up to that book and builds on those points, but brings new one's to the table as well. Highly recommended and very challenging.

Until next month, happy reading!