The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows 288 pages. The Dial Press, c2008. $13.20

Loved it! You should read it. Warning: it is all letters. Usually I hate that, but in this case it was very, very good. Watch this video on amazon of Annie Barrows.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer 768 pages. Little, Brown and Company, c2008. $12.64

While much has already been said about this book and its author, I just want to add that Stephenie Meyer may not be a great writer, but she certainly is a fantastic storyteller. If you are one of the few who still hasn’t read this book, hurry up already.

Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors 344 pages. New American Library, c2006. $7.99 (Costco)

Beneath a Marble Sky is historical fiction that illustrates the love stories surrounding the Taj Mahal. I really enjoyed learning more about India and the Taj Mahal itself. I really didn’t know anything about it. I recommend reading this one. It’s short and easy and lots of fun!

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 385 pages. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., c2001. $12.25

Jane Eyre is so good! I was happily surprised! I was worried that since this is a classic, it would also be boring. I loved it and felt like a better person after reading it (I can now say that I’ve read Bronte…).Jane Eyre is an orphan who grows up in a rather cruel and lonely way. She graduates to be a governess for Mr. Rochester at Thornfield Hall. Here is where the story really begins. Jane and Rochester fall in love. Their romance is a stormy one that leads the reader through many surprises and eventually satisfies.I read this book for a book club last month. I have seen the movie a couple of times, so I thought I knew what to expect - a dark and slow romance. It wasn’t so. While it does carry gothic traits, I was pleasantly surprised with the depth of the characters and the strength of feeling and tenderness throughout the book. I could really feel the motivation and commitment of the characters. I was very entertained by Bronte’s classic and charmed by her language. The scenery descriptions were a bit tedious and drawn out, but I would expect that for the time period in which it was written (1847).I highly recommend this book - especially to those of you who usually avoid “classics.”As a side note, Wuthering Heights was written by Emily Bronte, Charlotte’s sister.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick 526 pages. Scholastic Press, c2007. $12.64

I just finished reading the most wonderful book.  This book recently won the 2008 Caldecott Medal.  It is very unusual and fun.  I borrowed it from the library, but I will be buying it for my personal collection. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is sure to be a classic.  It is a great mix of illustrations and story.  In order to experience this book, you should check out Brian Selznick’s Site.  Have fun!